A Second Guide to Heaven, Chapter 5
CHAP. V.
I Come to the Second grand Motive to perswade Men to consider seriously; what rejoycing there will be within, what an unspeakable mercy, if Body and Soul are sav'd. I need not enter upon this large subject; there are many excellent choice Treatises to shew the Glory and happiness of Heaven; none doubt but that it's enough, large, and sweet, and lasting enough, that believe any thing of that Blessed State. Could you but believe that your Bodies should rise out of the Grave, and meet the Lord in the Clouds in the Air, coming with his Milions of Blazing Angels: Eye hath not seen, nor Ear heard, nor can it be thought on answerable to its greatness. To be deliver'd from all those Miseries and Sins before-mention'd, and have thy Body and Soul instated in Glory, when others shall cry to the Mountains to fall on them and hide them from the wrath of the Lamb, and their Hearts failing them for fear, then to lift up thy head with joy, because thy redemption draws nigh to hear God say, come thou blessed, when he says to another, go thou cursed; cast others into lakes of fire and brimstone, and bring thee into his Blessed Presence, in whose Presence is fulness of joy, and at whose right hand therr are pleasures, Rivers for abundance, the Rivers of God for excellency and for duration for evermore. Did you believingly think, I shall very shortly be with Gods Saints and Angels, now I am amongst troubles, Toads and Vipers, but I shall very shortly sin no more, and God will wipe away all Tears from mine eyes, and none can rise after his blessed hand. How little and inconsiderable would this World seem with all its crosses and comforts, did you believe this, you would throw this World as dirt and dogs-meat at your heels.
Do you judge those great and good things can be had without seeking, or very easily; your the nature, greatness, worth and spirituality of them, no worth call for life, vigour earnestness. You may triffle about straws and pebbles, sleep and be weary, dull and droanish, at your meals, about your mony, &c. But you can't pray so, to such a God, and for such a Heaven. Whatever sinners think of it, they will find and know one day, that their was more labour requir'd on Gods day, then on their own; more life, zeal and fervency requir'd about eternal life and everlasting glory, than about houses of clay, and this trash. A great God must have great praise, great fear, and honour duh to his name. We can't love him as God, unless with all our Heart and Soul:Deut. 6.5. Nor must the greatness of the work affrighten or discourage us. Is it not my concernment to be blessed and happy as well as another? Why may not my Tongue praise God, and my Heart love him? This is the way good Men walk'd in, they did strive, and pray and wrestle; and if I would have their mercies and priviledges, why should not I do the same work? If I expect the like Harvest, I must sow the same Seed.Gal. 6.7. Have I any thing to do at present, that is better, or of greater or nearer concernment? Can I expect such mercy and salvation any way else? What are the desires, hopes, fears, love and joy of the Soul given me for, but to these ends; they will be lost any way else? If I love a friend that is dying, or may be false, it can't answer my love, I love the life of an immortal Soul, that would love an immortal, never-dying, ever-living, ever-loving God.
1. Be fully satisfied, you may be more sure of this happiness, than of any thing else. That these eternal mercies may be yours, and you made everlastingly happy, that all the Devils in Hell, and all the Men in the World can't hinder you, nor deprive you of it. We have all the assurances imaginable of being made fully and compleatly happy in Heaven, whatever can settle any inheritance or good to Men on Earth, God hath declar'd in his word, that all such ways Heaven shall be made sure to us. It seems so great and good, and we so vile and unworthy, that we are apt to fear and doubt, it can never be our portion and inheritance. I might divide this into several Heads, in general with respect to God the Father, what can't an Almighty God do by power? what can't the Lord of all the World do in bounty? What will not the true and faithful God do according to his word? what will not a Gracious Father, full of love and tender bowels do for his Children? and as to Christ our Saviour, what will not he give that gave himself, that died, that purchas'd it, that espous'd us as his own, that is our Advocate to plead for us, that is our Conquerour. But I shall rather take them as so many distinct Heads. We have it by Gods choice of us, by his good will to us, by his free gift, by his mighty power, by fitting and qualifying us; by adopting us, by making us new creatures, we have it by Birth, by title of Law, by agreement on both sides, by purchase, a price sufficient paid for it, bought to the full; and by sale and bargain, we must buy it too; by conquest, Christ conquering for us, in us, and by us; by near Relation and Son-ship, by solemn engagements, Gods Promise, Writings, Oath, his Seal; by clear evidences in us, our desires, hope, faith and joy; we have the earnest, the fore-tastes of the Spirit; we have the Records of Heaven, our Names Written there, and the consent of all there, we have it as wages and reward, and we have it in present possession. But of all these I shall speak apart, and particulary afterward.
1. On our parts it's clear, in our desires after it, expecting, and waiting, and hoping, and believing, and striving, and running, and rejoycing in hope; all those are clear evidences within us. God had never wrought these things in our Souls, but that he will satisfie, and answer them.1 Pet. 1.3. He that blesses the Body, in satisfying its hungrings, will abundantly fill the hungry Soul. He hath begotten us again unto this lively hope, to an inheritance incorruptible. He that believes is said to have everlasting life, and to receive already the end of their Faith, the salvation of their Souls, Heb. 10.34. knowing in your selves, that you have in Heaven a better and enduring substance.
2. It's firm and sure in it self, so that this truth stands firm upon the strongest assurances, as sure as the great Almighty God can do it, as sure as an all-wise God knows how to do it; as sure as a faithful true God cannot but do it; as sure as a gracious Father, full of tender bowels, will save those he dearly loves; as sure as Christ the Son of God did not dye and suffer in vain; as sure as his Blood cannot be as Water spilt on the ground, and lost; as sure as he must see of the travail of his Soul, and be satisfied; as sure as he and his Father cannot, will not suffer any to be pluckt out of their hands; as sure as the head is above the Waters, and his members cannot be lost, but must have a compleat body, and not a member of his mystical body cannot be broken off; as sure as he will not loose his ransom; as sure as he can save to the uttermost; as sure as he will not break the bruised Reed, but bring forth Judgement into Victory; as sure as his Prayers and Intercessions are always effectual and prevalent; as sure as the Holy Ghost is a comforter that will abide in and with you for ever; as sure as God will never set the Seal of his Spirit on the Devils Coin; as sure as the peace Christ and the Spirit gives is such as the World cannot take away; as sure as these special gifts and graces are without repentance; as sure as they are an incorruptible seed, of an immortal nature, a well of Water within that will spring up to life everlasting; as sure as your repentance is such as you shall never repent of; your desires, and hungrings, and thirstings such, as nothing but eternal mercy will satisfy; as sure as your Hope, Faith, and Joys are fixed on eternal Objects; as sure as God will never alter one iota or tittle of his word, but Heaven and Earth shall sooner fail; as sure as the rich, full, and over-abounding promises of grace and mercy, are Yea, and Amen, in Christ, and shall never prove dry Breasts and empty Wells. What shall I more say? the time would fail me to tell of all the assurances in the word, and in this world, and the other. I shall not mention this Heaven, this Sun, Moon, and Stars, this Earth that seems to stand so firm; I shall not mention the love of the tenderest Mother to her suckling Child, she may forget: But I shall sum up all; as sure as all the preparation and provision by God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, made in Heaven, shall not be in vain; so surely shall you be wonderfully, un-alterably, compleatly, and everlastingly blessed, if you are truly Good, and sincerely Religious.
2. It may now be expected that I should insist largely on this great and astonishing Happiness, if self be sav'd to shew how great this Salvation is. There are many excellent and choise treatises about it. I can scarce forbear to enlarge on this great and weighty subject.
1. Your Being at present you prize and value, if any way comfortable, full and honourable; but I might shew you, this will render your Being transcendent and surpassing; it's set out by whatever is pleasing, honourable or profitable, to raise our esteem and value of it; the word tells you its beyond these Ears and Eys,Isa. 64.4. and our very Conception and apprehension; that 2 Cor. 4.17. we render it far more exceeding and eternel weight of glory. foreignThe Greek words cannot be render'd into English; whatsoever is high and great, it's set out by, would you be rich, be glorious and shining, live, and not dye, live and sing Allelujahs? Vvould you reign? would you rejoyce with Joy unspeakable? would you be Kings and Priests for ever? would you have Soul and Body happy? why the Body that is sown in weakness shall be raised in power; not able to lift an Hand or Finger in the Grave against a VVorm, fall like a Log, a Stone, rais'd a strong Body; sown in dishonour, how disgraceful, vile and contemptible,Dan. 12.2. and deformed, a dead Carcase, rais'd Beautiful, Comely, and Glorious? Shine as the Stars, as the Sun; nay, made like unto Christ's glorious Body,Phil. 3.12. as the Son of Righteousness; all deformities, defects, and weaknesses remov'd, blindness and lameness gone; as one Martyr said comfortably to another going to the Stake: All the incumbrances and troubles attending the Body remov'd, no more pinching Hunger, nor scorching thirst, no weeping Eyes, no weariness nor pain, Rev. 21.4. God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither any more pain, ch. 22. 3. there shall be no more curse; nor v. 5. any night or darkness. VVould you get Bread of Life, Water of Life, a Sun that will never set, a Life that will never end, Friends that will never dye, nor fail you, an Habitation that will never cast you out; then be wise for your selves, I mean for your Souls.
How glad would Men be to continue this being in prosperity to all Ages; but were it possible, how low and mean to this above.
But then for the Soul,Si talis &c. qualis erit splendor animarum. how great and glorious, shining and transparent, pleasant and joyful, rich and beautiful; oh this breath of God, this temple of the Holy Ghost, this seat of all Heavenly Graces, this partker of the Divine Nature. What will this Soul know, love and see; what the joys of the understanding are above the sensual pleasures; much more will this be above all that is said of the Body.
3. Take them both together, it is to make a rich, perfect and full Being; nothing wanting to compleat your Happiness.
2. Would you be happy with all kind of Happiness, with all Mercies and Blessings Can Heaven and all in it, can God, Christ, Angels and Saints make you happy? There is a Kingdom and Crown, durable Riches and Righteousness, Rom. 2.7. &c. Glory and Honour, and Immortality. As all Candles, and Stars, and Torches disappear at the rising of the Sun; so all these earthly matters go out at the shining forth of the Sun of Righteousness in all his Glory. When Christ comes at last, and thy Body and Soul mount up into the Clouds, into the Air to meet him, and go triumphing with him into Heaven; then all the Angels and Saints appear in their shining Robes, with Palmes of Glory in their hands, and Crowns on their heads, and the high praises of God in their mouths. What joy and triumph, when you shall find you are sav'd, after all your falls and fears, doubts and distractions, deliver'd out of Captivity, a Prison, a Dungeon, a Held, and brought to this unspeakable, matchless Glory. If such comfort now in Ordinances, in seeking God;Si tum suaris quaerentis quam invenienti. if one day here be worth a thousand elsewhere, what is a glympse of this Glory, worth all we ever had in our whole lives. Great and manifold is that goodness God hath and doth lay out upon us here every day; but oh how great is that goodness God hath laid up for them that fear him; we have many mercies in this vale of Tears, in this howling Wilderness, what shall we receive in our Heavenly Canaan, in the mount of Glory?
3. Would you be happy and blessed thus in the highest degree, to the fullest measure? There is great difference in our joyes and happiness here. Much difference between the joy at the finding a lost Groat, and a lost Child, long lookt for full of Fears, and at last found. How thy Heart leaps for joy, at the sight of a Christ! Here we soon over-reach, over-look, over-hope, promise our selves much in such a condition and relation, and disappointed;Nec Christus, nec caelum patiuntus byperbolen. but expect as much as you will here, not deceiv'd. Did John leap at the Salutation of Christ's Mother. How will thy Heart leaps for joy at the sight of Christ, oh that Christ that dyed for me, that lov'd me so dearly, that woo'd me so lovingly, that prevail'd upon me so often, that ravish'd my Soul with his love; oh how fill'd, rais'd, and ravish'd at the sight of him! What joy to the Prodigal to be receiv'd into his Fathers Arms! How sweet the home and rest to the weary Traveller! is Inheritance to the Heir! a Feast to the Hunger-starv'd! an Haven to the tost and almost Ship-wrackt; all this, and much more will this be to thee.
4. Would you be thus happy without any mixtures, allays, or intermission? Here if we delight in a Child, or Friend, there is one thing or other often imbitters it. Fain would the fond, foolish, indulgent Mother please her self, glut her Eyes with, and Glory in here Son, and it may be he scorns, laughs at her, and is stubborn; but if one thing be pleasing, many other matters are cross. There 'twill be all joy, no sorrow, all day, no night; here is a time to weep as well as to laugh, there is nothing cross or disturbing, God always shining, Heaven always pleasing, the Company all delightsom.
5. Would you be so happy for ever, then be thus wise for your selves. Here Men in all their Glory and Abundance have a damp at the thoughts of Death. Methinks it deadens me in reading the brave glorious Atchievements of Alexander and the Caesars, and their success, when I think, but where are they now? That saying seems severe of one to Aristotle. Thou art admir'd where thou art not, and tormented where thou art. All the Glory, Wealth, and Prosperity of a sinner is swallowed up with that one sentence, Thou fool this night thy soul shall be requir'd of thee; but if truly Good, thy happiness shall, never end. At the observation of all this Glory and Goodness, conclude, as Psal. 136. O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of Gods, for his mercy endureth for ever. Who alone doth all these great wonders, for his mercy endureth for ever, who pardoneth all my sins, for his mercy endureth for ever. This and that sin, for, &c. Who loadeth me with all these benefits, for his mercy endureth for ever. Live, and live for ever, love God, and love him for ever; his Face always shines upon me, his Glory never leaves adorning me, his loving kindness never, never leaves refreshing me. It's no blasphemy, but a real truth, I shall be happy and blessed, as long as the God of Heaven is happy and Blessed; this must be so, because Christ's purchase, blood, and Merits deserve everlasting happiness, the blood of the Eternal God, the rock the foundation so, and the building and superstructure so, also a building of God eternal in the Heavens; on this God's love to us is grounded, and the love of an everlasting God must be eternal,Hos. 2.19, 20. and so the mercies that flow from it. God will not forsake his here on Earth, surely then not in Heaven; therefore Grace is above Gold,Heb. 13.5. because it's of an everlasting nature; indeed all that is spoken of in Heaven, is said to be so; a Kingdom Everlasting, Life Eternal, Inheritance incorruptible, a weight of Glory eternal, pleasures for evermore.
But I shall more particularly treat of the greatness of their happiness here, and hereafter, and of the certainty of it.
1. They are happy and blessed, that are so on all accounts, every way, but so are you.
2. And they are happy that can't be made vile and miserable.
3. And they are so in comparison of whom all others are wretached and cursed.
4. They are so, whom all account so. God, Spirits, good and bad, Men good, and bad.
1. They are surely blessed, who are so on all accounts every way, but so are those that are sav'd.
(1.) They are all over sav'd. 2. They have all kind of Salvation.
1. They are perfect happy subjects of Salvation. Blessed are their heads, fraught with the knowledge of God and Christ whom to know is life eternal; blessed their Hearts, fill'd with love to God, and all the graces of the Spirit. Before an hard, proud, unbelieving deceitful Heart, now tender, humble, broken, Gods delight. A wicked Heart is said to be little worth, indeed it's the most dreadful judgement, the plague of an hard Heart, not pray, nor hear; nor prise mercies, nor bear afflictions, nor be the better, but the worse.
Tit. 1.15.All means and mercies in judgement to such an Heart, but this a tender, teachable, loving Heart, an Heart after Gods own Heart.
Blessed Conscience, tender, teachable, comforting; whereas the wicked Mans conscience is a terror, a magor missabib, an Hell upon Earth; this an Heaven a rejoycing.
All affections, blessed love, to love a God, a Christ, all good, Heaven, such a Father, such a blessed Saviour; Sorrow, and hatred and indignation against Sin, so vile, how good, fear such an Hell, and rejoyce in hope of Glory.
Blessed eyes for the things they see now, and ears for that they hear now, but what glorious things here-after.
Blessed Tongues that praise God on Earth, and sall sound forth Praises and Hallejuah's with Saints and Angels in Heaven.
Blessed hands and feet that work for Heaven, and can in such a blessed way.
Nay, blessed are your sighs and groans, God hath a Book of remembrance for them; Blessed your Tears, a Bottle for them.
They are blessed in all places and conditions, sick or poor, or dying. Job as happy on the dunghill with his sores, as in his House and Pallace; Lazarus as happy at Dives's door begging, as if with him eating of the dainties; and as fit to be carried by Angels into Abraham's bosom. A Jewel is of the same worth in the dirt, as in a choice Cabinet.
A Philosopher wore one day a rich Milesian Cloak, and another day, a mean plain Coat, and he said, he was still the same. Let a good Man be worth an Hundred Pound or a Thousand Pound, or but Ten Pound, it's all one as to his real worth. All that adds not a Cubit to his true stature.2 Cor, 4. est Let him be sick, he is happy, and gaining, he is thriving whilst decaying, gaining whilst losing. A good Man found such good by a yearly sickness, that one year missing it, he said, Lord why had'st thou not visited me this year also? he found corruptions then so strong.Cur non visitasti me Domine hoc Anno etiam? David could say, it's good for me that I have been afflicted; A wicked Man can't say so, he loseth by his Troubles, he loses Mony, and health, and Ease by a long sickness, but gains nothing.
Nay this good Man is happy, dying,Rev. 14.13. and dead, as well as living. Blessed are the Dead that die in the Lord; precious is their Death in the sight of the Lord. To live is Christ, and to die is gain, A wicked Man can soon determine which is better to die, or live; but good Paul knew not which to choose, better for him to die, and be with Christ, nay best of all. So happy in all places, abroad, or at home, blest going out and coming in, lying down and rising up at all times, blest Morning, Even, and at Noon, and therefore he is then blessing God; ay, at midnight; a wicked Man looseth all, and is curst, he saves his Night watches, he is gaining at mid-night. I knew a good Man that wept in old Age, being drowsie and sleeping all the Night, bewail'd it, and said, O my blessed waking Nights. Many times never better than in the dark Night, to converse with God, out of the sight and noise of the World. Commune with your Hearts on your Beds, and be still.Psal. 4. Nunquam minus solus, quam quum solus.
Let this good Man be alone, he can say often, never better than alone; and when in Company, either getting good of doing good. Let him be in the bottom of the Sea, in the Whale's belly, out of the bottom of such a Hell, pray; let him be in the Dungeon, in the Stocks, sing and give praise; let him be banish'd to the ends of the Earth, God shall hear from him.
What said a good Man of Banishment, You cannot banish me out of my Fathers Countrey. Another said, the way out of the world is the same there as here. vel sub coelo vel in coelo.When Luther was threatned, and said, Where would he be if the Enemy prevail'd? answered, Either under Heaven, or in Heaven, and said chearfully, Let us sing the 46 Psalm.
Happy praying, happy eating and drinking, happy sleeping, and happy plowing.
2. He is the only happy man that hath all priviledges to make him happy.
The removal of all evil, and the confluence of all good.
The removal of all Evil; that is all sin and misery. Now all his sins are blotted out, and they are dying in him, and shall wholly be consum'd, and all the sad evils that attend them. God says, Son or Daughter, speaks peace, says, Be of good cheer, gives in comfort, takes away the sting, the burden of sin, and quiets the Soul.
All good is brought to the Soul, what priviledges can be desir'd more, or greater, or longer? Blessed Father, and they must needs be hapy Children; blessed Spouse, that have such an Husband; glorious and rich they that have such full, and free, and over-abounding promises of Grace and Mercy; that are Heirs to such an Inheritance; that now have such freedom to the throne of Grace; that can pray, when, and where they please, and be heard; that are indeed a blessing to the Places, Parishes, or Families where they are, as Noah to the old World, and Lot to Sodom, God said, if but Ten there, all sav'd.
God says to Jeremy, pray not for this People, I cannot deny thee. Let me alone, says God to Moses. J…r. 15.1. Ezek. 14.14.Why Lord who can hold the hands of Omnipotency? Says God, though Moses and Samuel, and though Noah, Daniel, and Job pray'd for these, not prevail.
Then God is angry indeed, as if God should say, if any thing or person in the World prevail, these would. Let me hear thy voice for it is sweet, and see thy face for it is comely. That God should regard such above all the World.Isa. 66.1, 2. The heavens and earth the work of my hands, but to this man will I look, that is poor and contrite, beyond and above all else; he is more to me than heaven and earth. Every prayer of his is more worth than thousands of Gold and Silver.
In giving himself to God, he gives the best thing, God will not accept Gold nor Silver without this;Nec tua sinete, nec mea sineme. Bern. not all Goods, nor Bodies burnt, nor Tongues, unless the Heart, the Man's self. As God gives himself to him, its more than all the World: Others call for any good, Lord it's the light of thy countenance. With your selves you give all, your time, your strength, your parts, your names, your interest, as God in giving his Son, gives all with him.
Now this gift is only of the best Men, others give their Tongues, their Knee, their Goods, but cannot give their Hearts. God's enabling us to do this is the best gift we can receive from him.
2. They must needs be truly and only happy, whom all account so.
1. Men, Good and Bad, account them so. Good men, David calls them the excellent of the Earth,Ps. 16.3. in whom was all his delight, though a King a Companion of them, though never so poor. Whatever low thoughts they have of themselves, when they look in the Glass of their own Humility, very vile and contemptible, yet in the Eyes of a good man, honourable,Ps. 15.4. he honours them; but the greatest wicked man vile in his Eyes. A worthy Divine in Prison with Mr. Bradford, who would Subscribe his Letters, Hypocrite Bradford, hard Hearted Bradford, blest God that he was in Prison with that Angel Bradford. Says God in Heb. 11. ult. of some in dens, caves, with sheep-skin and goat-skins, destitute, of whom the world was not worthy, and, as if he should say, it's pity such Jewels should lye in such a Dunghill World.Chrysostom. One on the place says, if all the greatest, the proudest, with all their Kingdoms, Glory, and Riches, were put into one side of the Ballance, and one of these poor totter'd, despis'd ones in the other side, he would weigh down all. The People cry'd out,Melius, est ut sol non laceat, quam, ut Chrysostomus non doceat. when like to loose Chrysostom, better loose the light of Heaven, than the light that leads to Heaven. One observes on Herod's Oath, that he might have kept his Oath, and spar'd John Baptist's Head, for his Head was more worth than all his Kingdom.
When Nazianzen was leaving a place,Ʋnde Pater & tecum trinitatem jice. a good old Man broke out into a Passion, and said, Durst thou father leave us, and, carry away Father, Son, and Holy Ghost with thee. How did Elisha cry out with Elijah, 2 Kings 2.12.My father, my father, the Chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.
2. Bad men account them so, at present they have many Convictions, if speak out as Pilate's Wife, suffer many a twinge, they speak well of them when they are dead; at four hours they speak it out, in a day of conviction, when the word startle and awaken them, in a day of publick Calamity; what hard hearted Pharaoh will not send for a Moses then, and say, I have sinned: in the hour of sickness and death; then when their faces wax pale, their Joints smite against each other, their Hearts sink and dye within them, then you may perswade them to any thing, then, oh that they could dye the death of the righteous, and in the day of Judgment they speak it out loudly to their own horrour and confusion.
2. Spirits good and bad, Angels and Devils account them so. The Devils shew it by their malice at their Souls, he did not aim at Job's Houses or Cattel, but his Integrity; as a Thief aims at the Jewels not the Lumber. He spar'd one Servant after another to provoke him, and at last his Wife, which he might have cut off. He prevail'd so well by Eve, that he would try this way again. The reason why he went into the Swine, was to provoke the Gadarenes from their Covetousness, to desire Christ to depart, and he prevail'd.
The Angels and Saints shew it; by the Angels attending them, ministring unto them, and prying into the great mystery of their Salvation; but above all, by that shout and triumph there is in Heaven at the Conversion of a Sinner.
3. God accounts them so, and this is more, and above all. He only knows what is good and best. He declares in his word, his thoughts of these above all the rest of the World; calls these Wise, and the other Fools, let them be never so Great, Rich, and Politick. God puts the highest value on these, Heaven and Earth, and all attend them. Indeed little mention is made of other Kings, and Great men, but as they had some respect to Gods People. But what honourable mention doth God make of Abraham, and Moses, and David, and Job. Abraham my friend, how wast thou not afraid to speak against my servant Moses: David a man after mine own heart: Hast thou consider'd my servant Job, there is none like him.
How God commends them for their Faith? Heb. 11. How doth God speak to them, speak peace? Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem.Isa. 40.1. Say to the righteous it shall be well with them. Son, be of good cheer, thy sins are forgiven. Sends an Angel from Heaven to tell Daniel, that he was beloved, and his Prayer was heard; sends the Comforter into their hearts to chear them; speaks kindly and lovingly, full of bowels of compassion, how does he speak for them, speak terribly to their Enemies? How doth he speak of them, call them his Jewels, his Portion, his Inheritance, the Apple of his Eye.
What great things doth God do in them, and for them, to shew how precious they are in his sight; give them all Grace, root out their Sin, change their Natures, make them partakers of his own Nature; what hath God done for them,2 Pet. 1, 3, 4. born a love to them from all eternity, given his dear and only Son out of his Bosom to dye for them, which is more than if he had given Sun, Moon, and Stars out of Heaven for them. God loved them so as cannot be exprest, nor understood, oh the height, length, depth and breadth, it's past knowledge.Eph. 3, ult.
What does God do for them, sanctify, justify, heal, support and comfort them, and make Heaven and Earth to serve them, and spend themselves in their service; tho' others partake of the Sun-shine, and Rain, of the dews of Heaven, and fatness of the Earth; a Gardiner waters and dungs his Garden, and the Weeds partake of the nourishment; but he doth it meerly for the sake of the Herbs and Flowers.
God gave them an excellent Body, and wonderfully maintains it, curiously wrought at first, as with needle-work; that the Eye should see such vast Heavens and Earth at a glance,Ps. 139.15 quasi acu pictus. that so defended with Eye-brows, shutters to clap down, eight or nine defences for that little curious part, the apple of it; that the Tongue can make such a noise, speak so distinctly; who could make a piece of flesh make such a sound, that the throat made so curiously, as to receive down Meat and Drink, and convey'd into all parts of the Body? How many wonders in every part: That the Teeth set so exactly to meet, grind, and chew the Food; that the Hands plac'd at the ends of the Arms of such a length from the Body, as to help, relieve and defend every part; that all the Joints and bones so hung, as to move all presently; that we can bow down, sit, kneel down, lye along, rise up so conveniently and comfortably, that the Brain is defended with such a thick scull; and the Heart barracado'd and fenc'd with such Bones; that we can stand upright and walk on such a small part, and the Foot of that convenient bigness and breadth, as to bear up all the Body. That one Leg of that length, as to be mov'd a convenient distance from the other, and so make speed; we may say, all my Bones, Sinews, Joints and Arteries may praise thee.
Much more might be said of the Soul and the intellectual part. But all this is common; certainly you cannot think that God gives this to them as to his People; when many swear with their Tongues, and their Eyes full of Vantiy. Withall, how doth God maintain their Bodies? How many excellent, curious Creatures given for their delight and support; Sheep and Oxen seem only to have their Life, as Salt to keep them fresh and sweet for Man, when he pleases to take them down for his use. How many innocent Creatures dye for them to live? What a glorious Fabrick made for them to view forty or sixty years, to pass thorow to their Heavenly Canaan; and then to be burnt up; not good, and great, and rich enough for them, there they must have a new Heaven and a new Earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. But in this life God provides and gives greater and better things; oh what a Treasure in one Bible, what a blessing in all the Graces.
Every day God feeds them with Bread of Life, with Angels Food, and often with the body and blood of Christ.
Every day cloath'd with the Robe of Christ's Righteousness.Psal. 91. 2 Chron. 16.9. Every day guarded with Angels, nay with the God of Angels.
God is ready to do much more for you; he would give you much more, hath bid you ask what you will. But what will he do for you to all eternity; he will receive you to himself, and you shall be forever with the Lord, he will guide you by his Counsel, and bring you to his Glory. He will at the great day bring you forth with great Glory; set the Crown on your Head, put the Robe of Glory on your Back, and the palme in your Hand; and joy in your Heart, and the high praises of God, and the Song of the Lamb in your Mouths. Then Christ will say, Come ye blessed of my Father, here is a kingdom prepar'd for you before the Foundations of the World; I told you when you were on earth, if you suffer'd with me, and for me, you should reign with me. Behold it is I that speak to you, behold the print of the nails, the piercing of the sword, whence came out Blood to justifie you, and Water to sanctifie and cleanse you, and my heart blood and love to, and for you. I say not now as formerly, come take up my yoke, come take up the cross and follow me throw bryars and thorns, thorow blood and mud, sweat and storms: No, your labour is done, your sorrow is past, your race is run, here is the Crown; your Enemies are vanquisht, they stand there in chains trembling and confounded, here is your conquest and triumph. A great Person kist the hole where the Eye was put out for his Service and Suffering;Constantine. Paphnutiut. how will Christ kiss and embrace, give honour and spleadour for every Scar, Wound, Reproach and Persecution for his sake.
Then God will reward you openly: Here are your secret Prayers which no Eye saw, nor Ear heard, all in sincerity to me in secret; these Almes, these Fasts out of real love to me; here your Faith and Patience. I told you your labour should not be in vain. I give you all this glory, as God said to Abraham, Look East-ward and West-ward, &c. All this Kingdom of glory I give unto you, enter into your masters joy, this cannot enter into you. It's too great, too rich, too large and astonishing. Though 'twas a narrow way, and a strait gate, that made you strip and stoop, yet you see it was to a great Pallace, a large Kingdom.