A Covert from the Storm, Doctrine 9
The Ninth Doctrine.
Ʋpon thoſe that continue faithful unto death, Chriſt will certainly beſtow a Crown of Life and Immortality ….
If the eye of Faith were but more open and ſtrong-ſighted, how would this Crown gliſter and ſhine? What a vehement inducement would it prove to perſeverance?
In the handling of this Doctrine, I ſhall firſt endeavour to ſhew, what, and what manner of life the text ſpeakes of. Secondly, in what regard this life is called a Crown. Thirdly, lay down ſome arguments to prove the certainty of the certainty of the doctrine, that the faithful ſhall be thus crown'd with immortality, then cloſe with the uſes.
In the firſt place I am to ſhew what, and what manner of life the text ſpeakes of. A ſubject I confeſs, more fit for an Angels tongue then mine. The ſoul while impriſoned in the body is of a narrow capacity; and apprehends but little of that glory which is above. The actual inhabitants of the new Jeruſalem, can b…t tell what kinde of habitation it is. They that are but paſſing through the wilderneſs of this world, know but little what manner of life is lead in the heavenly Cannaan; yet ſince we have a Map of this bleſſed land of promiſe, in the word: let us take a view of it, and let us view ſo long, till we cry with Auguſtines mother, Quid hic facimus? What do we here? and groan with pangs of deſire to be gone from hence and poſſeſſed of our heavenly country. Now what the word ſpeaks of this life above, in theſe particulars I ſhall declare.
1. That life above, will conſiſt in the neareſt union and conjunction to God. Life natural is the reſult of union between the ſoul and body: and life eternal, of the union between the ſoul and God. And truly to be baniſhed and ſeparated from the Lord for ever, will be the ſecond death. The Apoſtle comforts the Theſſalonians with this, Chap. 4. Epiſt. 2. v. 17. So ſhall we ever be with the Lord. How near their God will the Saints be admitted hereafter? His dwelling in them is comparatively called an Abſence, in reſpect of that preſence in the other world to be vouchſafed. Theſe three things will be conſequent upon this union to God.
1. One will be the viſion or ſeeing of God, ſayes the Apoſtle, 1 Cor. 13. 12. For now we ſee through a glaſs darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part, but then I ſhall know even as alſo I am known. The Saints ſhall no longer complain of darkneſs, of ignorance, of thoſe horribiles dubitationes as Melancthon calls them, horrible doubtings concerning God, with which they are ſometimes haunted. They ſhall ſee God immediately, and what they behold how will it raiſe their love, and joy, and wonder! The Lord ſaid to Moſes, Thou canſt not ſee my face and live, q. d. Such a ſight would be ſo glorious as that thy fraile nature would be overwhelmed by it. But the perfected Saints are ſtrengthened for ſuch a felicity, their life lies in looking and gazing at him; whoſe glory ſhould it but ſhine forth, would overwhelm the moſt ſanctified mortal here on earth.
And when the … of God is ſeen, the ſoul is all light, all love. All the excellencies and beauties in the creatures whereby affection is attracted, in compariſon of what is to be ſeen in God, are not ſo much as the thouſandth part of the leaſt ſpark of fire, compared with the Sun when it ſhines in its greateſt ſtrength and noontide glory. The face of God will then be ſmooth, not one frown to be ſeen, not one look that will manifeſt the leaſt diſpleaſure. Nothing but ſmiles and glorious aſpects, which will evidently ſhew the incomprehenſible greatneſs of his love unto, and joy that he takes in, the perfectly purified veſſels of glory.
2. Another conſequent of this union to God will be likeneſs to him. But as for me, ſayes David, I will behold thy face in righteouſneſs; I ſhall be ſatisfied when I awake with thy likeneſs, Pſal. 17. 15. The ſight of God will be transforming, and that likeneſs will cauſe abundant ſatisfaction. The beholding of the Lord in his ordinances, does in a degree, change us into the ſame image from glory to glory, 2 Cor. 3. ult. and much more the beholding of him in his kingdom, 1 Joh. 3. 2. Beloved, now are we the ſons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we ſhall be, but we know, that when he ſhall appear, we ſhall be like him, for we ſhall ſee him as he is. Then the Image of God begun here will be compleated. Here 'tis but like a rude draught, like a picture in dead colours; but then the piece will have had Gods laſt hand upon it, the work will be finiſhed; and Oh how exactly like will all the children be to their holy and heavenly Father? Now they hunger and thirſt after righteouſneſs; but then the promiſe of filling them will be fulfilled and performed to the uttermoſt.
3. Another conſequent of this union to God, will be the full enjoyment of him. The Saints pa…t after the Lord now, as the chaſed Hart after the water-brooks; but in glory they ſhall have as much of God as they can deſire, or contain, The holy Ghoſt tells us that God will be all in all; 1 Cor. 15. 28. All that they can wiſh, all ſufficient to fill them to the brim. The goodneſs, and power, and faithfulneſs, and love of God, have ſometimes deep and ſweet impreſſions on the Saints now: But whot will the impreſſions then be? how durable, how tranſporting? they ſhall lye as it were, with their heads at the fountain of living waters perpetually; no thirſt, no ſcantineſs will be complained of. Theſe are the conſequents of that near union and communion to God, wherein this life above will conſiſt.
2. That life above will be moſt holy and unſpotted. Sin will be pardoned, and quite and clean aboliſhed. Filia dev…rabit Matrem, Death the daughter will put an end to ſin the mother. Believers though alive by grace, do carry a body of death about with them, which makes the condition ſomewhat like theirs who f…ll into the hands of the Tyrant of old called Mezentins, who
—Mortua jungebat corpora vivis Componen… manibuſque manus, atq, oribus ora. Virg.
joyned the members of a living man to a dead carkaſs, the hands, and breaſt, and face of the one, to thoſe of the other. But when the Saints are come to glory, the body of death will be …illed, though the natural body will be raiſed, yet the body of ſin will never have a reſurrection. Inſtead of, Oh wretched! who ſhall deliver us? will be, glory and everlaſting praiſe to him who hath made us free from ſin, the worſt of evils, and from all the leſſer miſeries that attend it! The Spouſe of Chriſt will then be preſented a glorious Church, not having ſpot, or wrinkle, or any ſuch thing: but 'twill be holy and without blemiſh, Eph. 5. 27. Then the blood of Chriſt will have had its perfect operation. The Saints will be waſhed white as Snow, they will look as white, or whiter then Adam did in innocency. All ſpots will be done off. Every wrinkle wil be ſmoothed, and the members every one of them, like their head; altogether lovely. The Church is now fair as the Moon, ſpots it hath with its fairneſs, ſometimes it waxes, ſometimes it wanes; but when 'tis tranſlated to heaven 'twill be clear as the Sun it ſelf, Can…. 6. 10.
3. That life above will be moſt ſweet and pleaſant. The Saints ſhall no longer cry out vanity and vexation of ſpirit; as they did when under the Sun. But God will wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there ſhall be no more death, neither ſorrow nor crying, neither ſhall there be any more pain, for the former things be paſt away. Rev. 21. 4. When they come to live in the preſence of God; their Joy will be ſo full, as to be un… able of any addition, when they are at Gods right hand, their pleaſures will be for ever. Even in this vail of tears there is a peace attended which paſſes all underſtanding, a joy that is unſpeakable and full of glory. So that the Saints mouthes are ſongs in the houſe of their pilgrimage. Oh then how ſhort and unſuitable are out apprehenſions of the pleaſures dealt forth in the heavenly paradiſe!
4. That life above will be moſt ſecure and ſafe. Dangers will then be all gone thorow. When we are entring into the gate of the New Jeruſalem, we ſhall ſhake hands with all the enemies that before moleſted us, and not ſo much as one of them will be able to follow us. The great gulph between us and them, will keep them off at an everlaſting diſtance. There will be no danger, either from within, or from without. No ſerpent in that paradiſe to tempt man again to fall from his reſtored innocency. The heart will confired in goodneſs, 'twil never have the leaſt inclination to decline from God: There will be no need of that vigilancy and ſtanding upon our guard, that now is neceſſary; for our hearts will be perfectly cured of their deceitfulneſs, and there will be no adverſaries to lay ſnares for us.
5. That life above will be moſt quiet and peaceable. 'Tis not improbable that in the latter dayes there will be a more peaceable Church ſtate, than as yet there hath been; when that promiſe, and others of the like nature, will be more viſibly accompliſhed, Iſa. 11. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. The Branch of Jeſſe with righteouſneſs ſhall judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: he ſhall ſmite the earth with the Rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips ſhall he ſ…y the wicked; and righteouſneſs ſhall be the girdle of his loyns, and faithfulneſs the girdle of his reins. The Wolf alſo ſhall dwell with the Lamb, and the Leopard ſhall lye down with the Kid; and the Calf, and the young Lion, and the Fatling together, & a little Child ſhall lead them. And the ſucking Child ſhall play on the hole of the Aſp, and the weaned Child ſhall put his hand on the Cockatrice Den: They ſhall not hurt nor deſtroy in all my holy Mountain. But moſt certainly this peace and concord ſhall be among the Saints above; no biting, no devouring one another, no diverſity of judgments, but all will agree in the ſame truth; no alienation of affection, for love to the Lord, and to one another will be perfect; the ſpirit that luſteth to envy will be caſt out, ſelfiſh ends will carry none aſide, diſputes will be at an end, the wounds which diviſions have made will be cloſed. How good and pleaſant will be that unity, when all the Saints will be of one, & of the right mind.
6. The life above will be lead among the moſt ſuitable ſociety. The Saints will then have bid farewel to Meſ…ech and the Tents of Kedar; they ſhall no longer dwell among revilers at holineſs, the openly prophane, the ſcandalous or lifeleſs profeſſors of Religion; no filthy communication or converſation in heaven to vex their righteous ſouls; no contempt of God, no provoking the eyes of his glory; no curſing, ſwearing, pride, wantonneſs, to be heard or ſeen in the heavenly City. When they come thither, they will ſay, How bleſſedly unlike is this, to that place and company which we came from. Glorified ſpirits, innumerable companies of Angels will be their companions, theſe will be glad to ſee them ſafely arrived unto reſt: For if there be joy in heaven at the converſion of a ſinner, we may very well infer, there will be joy likewiſe at the Saints Coronation.
7. That life above will fully anſwer its end. The Saints were formed by the Lord for himſelf, and they will be eternally ſhewing forth his praiſe and glory. They will never entertain ſo much as an unbecoming thought of God; but to magnifie and extol him will be their everlaſting buſineſs; their hearts and their Harpes will be ever in tune to ſound forth his Name. Now they do but liſp and ſtammer out his praiſes; but then how ſeraphical will their Songs be? and they will never be weary of ſinging Hallelujahs. Oh what extaſies of joy and love; with what raviſhment of ſpirit, with what unconceivable raptures of delight, will the whole Aſſembly and Church of the Firſt-born joyn together, ſaying, Amen, bleſſing, and glory, and wiſdome, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might be unto our God for ever and ever, Amen, Rev. 7. 12. The triumphant Saints will perfectly anſwer the deſign of God, in their Creation, in their new Creation; they will glorifie him for ever, who upon them hath beſtowed eternal Glory.
8. The life above will be an everlaſting life. Death it ſelf will be deſtroyed and ſwallowed up in victory. The eternity of the Saints joyes and enjoyments, makes them infinitely of the greater value. Heaven would be no longer Heaven, were they ever to be turned out of it; all the ſweetneſs would be imbittered with the thoughts of its period. But adored be the riches of mercy, the inheritance is ſaid to be incorruptible, the Kingdome cannot be moved, the Crown of glory fadeth not away; the gift of God is eternal life, through Jeſus Chriſt our Lord, Rom. 6. ult.
How… ye damned ſpirits, your miſeries are everlaſting, you are baniſhed from God, and ſhall never be called back; but be unconſumed fewel for unquench able flames. Triumph and r…j…yce ye glorified Souls: As long as God is, he will be your God, your portion, your reward; as long as God is, you ſhall live in his preſence, and enjoy him. Thus you ſee what▪ & what manner of life the Text ſpeaks of.
In the ſecond place I am to ſhew upon what ſcore this Life is called a Crown.
1. This Crown intimates that the Saints are Conquerours. They have run the Race, and won the prize; they have fought the good fight of Faith, and laid hold on eternal life. They may truly ſay ſuper-ſuperamus, we are more than conquerours. They have, being ſtrengthned by him that loveth them, conquered the whole World, conquered the Principallities and Powers of Hell, conquered themſelves too, their own luſts, and paſſions, and affections. All other Battels are but petty skirmiſhes to the ſpiritual combate; mortal men are but inconſiderable enemies compared with fleſhly luſts and evil Angels. All the Conquerours recorded in Hiſtory are hardly worth the mentioning with a Chriſtian that endures and overcomes. And what is Lawrel to that Crown at laſt put upon the Chriſtians Head?
2. This Crown ſpeaks the honour and dignity whereunto the Saints are advanced. Though exceedingly filled with contempt and the ſcorning of thoſe that are at eaſe, yet even here the Saints are Kings & Prieſts, Rev. 1. 5, 6. Ʋnto him that loved us, …nd waſhed us from our ſins in his own blood, and hath made us Kings and Prieſts unto God and his Father; to him be Glory and Dominion for ever and ever. And when they come to Glory they are actually crown'd; then 'tis evident the World was not worthy of them, and that far better than what the world could beſtow, is freely given them. Heaven is called a Kingdome, the Reward a Crown, to ſhew 'tis no mean prize the Chriſtian aimes at. What is all the height and grandeur on earth to the Kingly dignity put upon believers? What are all the Kingdomes of the world, and the glory of them, to reigning with the Lord for ever? The four great Monarchies by the Holy Ghoſt are compared unto four great Beaſts, Dan. 7. 3. Surely earthly Crowns are but baſe and ſordid to the heavenly.
3. This expreſſion, a Crown of life, is uſed to ſhew that the Crown fades not, will never be leſs bright for wearing, 'twill never be thrown off, 'tis a living Crown, a Crown of immortality.
In the next place follow the Arguments to prove the Doctrine, that the Saints ſhall be thus Crowned; and they are theſe.
1. One ſhall be drawn from the Fathers good pleaſure. This good pleaſure Chriſt declares to the little flocks encouragement, Luk. 12. 32. Fear not little Flock, 'tis your Fathers good pleaſure to give you the Kingdome: And this his counſel is immutable, he will do this his pleaſure. This pleaſure he hath plainly ſignified in his Covenant and Promiſes, wherein Glory as well as Grace is aſſured: and hereby he hath heightned beli…vers hopes and expectations; and certainly to fruſtrate them is not conſiſtent with his truth and goodneſs.
2. A ſecond Argument ſhall be drawn from Chriſts purchaſe; He hath purchaſed that poſſeſſion for his Saints in the next world; he hath bought that Crown by his Croſs. In the New Teſtament the Lord Jeſus hath bequeathed life to them, and by the Death of Himſelf the Teſtatour, this Teſtament is confirmed, Heb. 9. 16. So that this Life is as ſure, as 'tis ſure our Lord dyed.
3. A third Argument ſhall be drawn from Chriſts entring into life, and taking poſſeſſion of the Kingdome. He liveth, and was dead, and behold he is alive for …vermore: He is ſet down with his Father in his Throne, and is gone thither partly to this end, that he might fit Crowns and prepare Manſions for his perſevering followers, Joh. 14. 2.
4. A fourth Argument ſhall be drawn from the for…aſts of this glorious life that at preſent are vouchſafed. Life ſpiritual is Life eternal in the Bud, and the Bud will at length be fully blown. In Ordinances an heaven upon earth is ſomtimes enjoyed. Oh then how are the things unſeen made evident! When faith and ſpiritual ſenſe and experience go together, then there is that which the Apoſtle calls a full aſſurance of underſtanding, Col. 2. 2.
5. A fifth Argument ſhall be drawn from the earneſt of the Spirit, Eph. 1. 13, 14. In whom after that ye believed, ye were ſealed with that holy Spirit of promiſe, which is the carneſt of our inheritance until the Redemption of the purchaſed poſſeſſion to the praiſe of his Glory. And in other places we read of the …arneſt of the Spirit. The Spirit of wiſdome and revelation makes the Saints know what is the hope of their Calling, and what the riches of their glorious inheritance. And the Lord gives his Spirit, not only to reveal this to them, but as an earneſt and pledge to aſſure them of it, and that after they are made meet to be partakers of the life and glory which he hath promiſed, they ſhall undoubtedly enjoy it. I come at laſt to the Uſes.
USE I.
Of Inſtruction. We may learn the wo…ul condition of the ungodly: a Crown there is, but not for them; a glorious life above, but they ſhall dye the everlaſting death. By the ungodly I mean they that allow themſelves in ſin, which the Word and Conſcience tels them they ought to caſt away. Not only the open unbeliever, but the ſecret hypocrite is concerned, who is an unbeliever as well as the other. When theſe do read of Heavens joyes, it ſhould fill them with ſorrow to conſider, that their triumph will be but ſhort, and their joy will laſt but for a moment, Job 20. 5. There are theſe Five things that will exceedingly aggravate the loſs of life to the ungodly.
1. This life was proffer'd often to the ungodly in the Goſpel. The Fountain of living waters was not a Fountain ſealed, but 'twas ſet open; and yet this Fountain was forſaken for the ſake of broken Ciſterns. The Spirit and the Bride ſay come, the Miniſters of the Goſpel ſay come, and the ſinners preſſing neceſſity and want ſayes Go, and drink of the waters of life, ſince thou mayeſt do it freely, Rev. 22. 17. and yet he refuſeth to accept the invitation. Pardon goes as it were a begging, and Glory a begging in the Goſpel, and yet neither are accepted, though offered upon terms moſt juſt and reaſonable. Oh how will it torture the damned to reflect upon this, that they would not come to Chriſt, though life was aſſured upon their coming, Joh. 5. 40.
2. 'Twill heighten the miſery of undone ſinners to conſider what they preferr'd before this Crown of life. Oh where were their wits, when ſin was cheriſhed in their hearts, while Chriſt ſtood at the door? When the world that is ſo empty, ſo unſtable, …o enſnaring, was lookt upon as a better inheritance then that which is incorruptible.
3. Some that periſh, have been not far from the kingdom. The ſpirit of God hath ſtriven; their own ſpirits have been ſtartled, and almoſt perſwaded to turn indeed; and if they had done ſo, they would have lived, this crown had been their own: But ſome ſin or other was a cord to hold them faſt; ſome command wherein ſuffering, ſelfdenial, ſtrictneſs is enjoyned, made them firſt demur, then conſulting with fleſh and blood, to take offence at Chriſt, and ſo away. And 'tis an hightning of miſery, to have been▪ near to happineſs, & through our own fault and folly to have miſs't of i….
4. The ungodly hereafter will have other apprehenſions of this crown which they have ſlighted. When they ſee the Prophets, and Apoſtles, and Saints in the Kingdom, and do perceive what a luſtre their crowns have; what bliſs, and glory is their portion; Oh how will they grow mad mad at themſelves for grief and vexation, that they were ſo ſo…tiſhly ignorant, to contemn ſuch a treaſure.
5. Deſpair of ever gaining that Crown of Life will ſeize upon them. Now there is hope, but hereafter the door of heaven, and the door of hope too will be ſhut, and never open'd more. No prayers will be heard no tears will move compaſſion. Chriſt the giver of life will ſay, depart ye curſed: and the invitation to come to him will be heard no more for ever. How will deſperation torture them, when they conſider what they have loſt, and how their loſs is irreparable: Fools they lived, and fools they dyed, and then after-wiſdom cannot at all avail them.
Bring theſe things to mind, conſider and ſhew your ſelves men, O ye tranſgreſſours. When life and death were ſet before you, why ſhould death as the beſt of the two be choſen?
USE II.
Of Examination. It highly concerns all to examine whether they have a right to this Crown of life, or no? Moſt expect it, but moſt will be aſhamed of their ungrounded hope and expectation. To help you againſt deceiving your own ſouls in this ſelf-examination, I ſhall deſcribe thoſe that have a title to this Crown, that are indeed the heirs of life: by theſe enſuing characters.
1. They who have a right to the Crown of life: are believers on the Son of God, Joh. 3. ult. He that believeth on the Son of God hath everlaſting life What is it to believe on Chriſt? 'Tis to recieve him as he is offered in the Goſpel How is Chriſt offered in the Goſpel? As a Prince, and as a Savi…ur. Chriſt cannot be received as a Prince, but the dominion of ſin muſt be pulled down. He cannot be received as a Saviour, but our own righteouſneſs and ſtrength muſt be look't upon as inſufficient and unavaluable to ſalvation. He that thus hath accepted the Son, hath life by him, 1 Joh. 5. 11. This is th… record that God hath given us eternal life an… this life is in …his Son, ſeek it elſewhere, … you will never find it.
2. They who are heirs to the Crown of life, are quickned by the Spirit. 'Tis the Spirit that quickens, Joh. 6. 63. Sometime they were dead in treſpaſſes and ſins; but God who is rich in mercy, for the great love wherewith he loved them, did quicken them by the holy Ghoſt, Eph. 2. 4 They are alive to God: his ſpirit dwels in them, they breathe after him, they walk in his wayes; they do his work, they aim at his glory. And this life ſpiritual is the forerunner of, and preparative to that which is eternal.
3. They who are heirs to the Crown of life, diligently hearken to the word of God, they are willing to be reproved for ſin, to be inſtructed concerning duty; they hear, they keep the word as well as hear it, Prov. 10. 17. He is in the way of life that keepeth inſtruction. So Prov. 6. 23. For the commandment is a Lamp, and the Law is light, and the reproofs of inſtruction is the way of life. The word of God hath not only a convincing and a converting, and an edifying power, put 'twill put the crown at laſt upon the head of the faithful: therefore the Apoſtle affirms it, able to give the inheritance, Act. 20. 32. And now Brethren I commend you to God, and to the word of his Grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them that are ſanctified.
4. They who are Heirs to the Crown of Life, do mortifie the deeds of the body; by the Spirits help they do it, Rom. 8. 13. If ye live after the fleſh, ye ſhall dye; but if ye through the ſpirit do mortifie the deeds of the body, ye ſhall live. The Heirs of life are weary of the body of ſin and death; therefore they crucifie the fleſh with the affections and luſts of …. They mortifie their members on earth, fornication, uncleanneſs, inordinate affection, evil concupiſcence, & covetouſneſs which is idolatry, Col. 3. 5. Every ſin that they ſee, they look upon with an eye of grief and hatred, and ſtrike at it.
5. They who are heirs to the Crown of Life have their fruit unto holineſs, Rom. 6. 22. But now being made free from ſin, and become the ſervants of God, ye have your fruit unto holineſs, and the end everlaſting life. The pure in heart ſhall ſee the Lord, Mat. 5. 8. his back parts now, his face in glory. And truly the holy are only fit to behold the Holy One. Art thou an enemy to holineſs? Thou art an enemy to thy own life. The heirs of life underſtand that Jeruſalem above is an holy City; therefore they apply & plead the promiſe of ſanctification; they cleanſe themſelves from all filthineſs of the fleſh & ſpirit, perfecting holineſs in the fear of God, 2 Cor. 7. 1.
6. They who are heirs to the Crown of Life perſevere to the end; they are faithful to the death, as the Tex… ſpeaks; they hold faſt what they have, that none may take their Crown away; they not only begin, but finiſh their courſe, and keep the faith, and ſo they receive a Crown of righteouſneſs at the hand of the Lord, the righteous Judge.
USE III.
Suffer I beſeech you a few words of Exhortation, and I ſhall conclude with them.
1. Let the ſerious and believing conſideration of this Crown of life enliven and quicken you to every duty. Art thou hearing for a Crown, and praying for a Crown, and wilt thou hear careleſly, and pray coldly? Doth not ſuch a Kingdom as heaven is, deſerve thou ſhouldſt uſe an holy violence to take it? what, ſlothful and dead when ſuch glory is in view? Oh ſtrive to enter in at the ſtrait gate, that when thou ſeekeſt to enter in at Heavens door, and cryeſt Lord, Lord, open to me, entrance may not be denyed.
2. Let this Crown of life be made uſe of to ſilence Satan, & to fence thee againſt temptation. When the Devil tells thee of …aſe and gain and pleaſure, which ſin will afford, reply, Come O thou lying and deceitful ſpirit, put thy …aſe and gain and pleaſure into one Ballance, of the Sanctuary, and I will put the Crown of life and glory into the other, and what is ſinful …aſe to the Saints reſt? or the gain of gold, to the Saints glory? or pleaſures for a moment, to eternal rejoycing? Satan will not know what to ſay to this, but perceiving unlikelyhood of prevailing will flee from you.
3. Let this crown of Life looſen your hearts from the world. Do not defile and load your ſelves with thick clay, do not ſtick faſt therein, when ſuch glory is ſo certain and near at hand. Be not deſirous of, or content with a portion in this life, ſince you are juſt entring upon a better. Live as ſtrangers and pilgrims on earth, & declare plainly that you ſeek a better country then the world hath any.
4. Let this crown of Life, ſteel your hearts againſt ſufferings. Fear not what enemies can do, ſince the keyes of heaven hang not at their girdle, nor glory is given of their pleaſure. Our Lord ſet the joy before him▪ ſo he endured the croſs and deſpiſed the ſhame, Heb. 12. 2. and if you imitate him, you ſhall at length ſit down where he is at the right hand of the throne of God.
5. Let this crown of life, ſet you above the fear of diſſolution; it cannot be enjoyed till you are gone from hence, you muſt dye before you can live the life above. Let your death be natural or violent, you muſt not be ſtartled or amazed. The Angels are ready to do their office, to convey you to paradiſe: Chriſts arms are open to receive you, which are a part of his purchaſe, and his redeemed ones. Chriſt underſtands what 'tis to dye, 'tis an unuſual tryal, which you can have experience of but once; unuſual ſtrength ſhall be afforded. If death were but lookt upon only as a dark paſſage into the glorious and lightſome inheritance, it would be no longer terrible, but deſireable.
6. let this crown of Life, make you long for your Lords appearing. Oh cry unto him to remove time and dayes out of the way, and that the wheels of his chariot may make greater haſt. Long for the time when the heavens ſhall break aſunder, and the faireſt of ten thouſand ſhall ſhew his face through the clouds, and ſit upon his great white throne to judge the world in righteouſneſs. When he comes his reward will be with him, Rev. 2 2. 12. Never a Saint ſhall be ſeen without a crown at that day. And Oh what a ſpectacle will it be to behold the Head, and all the members together! every one having on a rich and ſparkling diadem! The Saints are deſcribed to be ſuch as love their Lords appearing. And there is reaſon they ſhould wiſh for it: For when Chriſt who is their life ſhall appear, then ſhall they alſo appear with him in glory.
FINIS.
End of the text · Nathanael Vincent, A Covert from the Storm (1671)