A Second Guide to Heaven, Chapter 6
CHAP. VI.
SInners here on Earth, nay good humble Christians are too apt to fear, and think that this is too great and too good news to be true; what! for God to reward my weak imperfect services, with such a massy Crown, such a ponderous weight of Glory, I that deserv'd not the crumbs that fell from mine own Table, to have bread of Life, and sit down at my Father's Table; I cannot reckon my present services worthy to be compar'd with this Glory: How comes it to pass, that I that was but of yesterday, it's but a little while since, I had not a Being, and now to expect an eternal Being. When Saul's Servants told David of being the Kings Son, he answer'd, Seemeth it to you a light thing to be the King's Son in law, seeing that I am a poor man, and lightly esteem'd; and to God he saith, Who am I, 1 Sam. 18.13.O Lord God, and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord God, but thou hast spoken of thy Servants house for a great while to come, 2 Sam. 7.28, 29.and is this the manner of Man, O Lord God? How were David and others astonisht at this great kindness for an Eternity to come; for thy words sake, and according to thine own heart hast thou done these great things.v. 21, 22, 23.
Well, but if God will choose you, qualify you, adopt you to be his Heirs and Children, and give you all this Glory, and give you all the assurances that can confirm any Estate and Happiness, that can make it firm and settled, you have no cause to doubt and question. Only say, not unto us, not unto us, but unto thy name be all the glory and praise, even so father, for so it seems good in thy sight.
We have this happiness made sure in it felf, and to us.
1. We have it by Choice, by Election.
1. God ordain'd and design'd this Happiness for Us, and Us for it. Before the Foundation of the World,Eph. 1.1. God had thoughts of Eternal Mercy and Love to our Souls.
2. God hath since propos'd and proffer'd it to us; which he would not have done, but that he is ready to make good his part to us.
3. Nay, God earnestly perswades and intreats us to accept of this unspeakable, Eternal Mercy. Oh what large, loving, and earnest invitations; is any thing in the World like it? The Apostle says,2 Cor. 5.20. As though God did beseech you by us, we pray you in Christs stead, strange expressions.
4. God commands us to seek and accept this great Mercy, and it's our sin and disobedience to refuse or slight it, Heb. 2.3. How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation? He bids us first seek the Kingdom of God, and lay up our treasure in Heaven, and lay up in store for our selves a good Foundation against the time to come, that we may lay hold on Eternal Life, 1 Tim. 6.19.
5. We are chosen out of the rest of Mankind for this Eternal Salvation, to be for ever with the Lord. God will not loose his choice. Many called, but few chosen, but these are chosen to Salvation, Jam. 2.5 Rev. 17.14.2 Thess. 2.13. When others are damned, v. 12. these are called, chosen, and faithful.
2. We have it by Gift; though we deserve not so great a favour and blessing. Death is the wages of sin, its due desert, but eternal life is God's free gift, Rom. 6. last. Fear not little Flock, says Christ, Luke 12.32. though you are small, and contemptible, and inconsiderable here, it's your Fathers good pleasure to give you a kingdom. When Alexander tender'd a great thing to a mean Person, he reply'd, 'twas too big for him to receive; but he answer'd, it was not too much nor too great for him to give. It's Gods own to dispose of, and he may do with his own what pleases him, as Christ says, Mark 10.40. It's a sure possession, when the right is in the Donour, and he freely makes it over to you. Though you are mean and unworthy, God is not asham'd to be called your God, and he hath prepar'd a City for you, Heb. 11.16. Great things Araunah gave to David, 2 Sam. 24.22.as a King.
1. We have it from his love, with his good will and favour, God delights in us, and to do this for us, it is your Fathers good pleasure, Luke 12.32. God so loved us, as to give his Son, John 3.16. and that love inclines him to give us all things; if Heaven and Earth, and all in it will make us happy, and do us good, we shall have it. He hath bid us ask whatsoever we will.
2. We have it by his mighty power working in Us, and for Us, preparing that for us, and us for it. Says Christ, John 14.1, 2. Be not troubled in my Fathers House are many mansions, and I go to prepare a place, and then on our part; we are kept by the mighty power of God thorow Faith unto Salvation, 1 Pet. 1.4, 5.
3. We have it out of his inexhaustible Fountain, rich treasure, and unsearchable riches of his goodness. What cannot the Great, Almighty and Infinitely good God give.
3. We have it as Children and Heirs from our Father these ways.
1. By adopting us.
2. By the new Birth.
1. By Adoption. This is when a Man adopts and takes anothers Child for his own. We were strangers and Enemies, and God predestinated us to the Adoption of Children, Eph. 1.5. And because we may be afraid and not so bold, as to call God Father, therefore he gives us the Spirit of Adoption, whereby we cry Abba Father, Rom. 8.15. and then the Spirit witnesses in, and with us, that we are Children, v. 16. and it follows of necessity v. 17. if Children, then Heirs, nay Heirs of God, ay, and joint Heirs with Christ; the same Inference we have, Gal. 4.5, 6, 7, 8. First you are Sons, then you have the Spirit to cry Abba Father; no more a slavish, servile, mean, common Servant, but a Son, and if so, then, certainly an heir of God through Christ.
Hence, Christ is called our Elder Brother, the first born among many brethren; and at the day of Judgement he says,Rom. 8.29. Math. 25.40. In as much as ye did it unto the least of these my Brethren, ye have done it unto me. How high the Dignity, how great the Happiness, how firm the Security of the least of Gods Children, and when he was risen before he ascended, he said, Go tell my brethren, and say unto them, I go to my father and your father, Math. 28.10. John 20.17.to my God and your God. And the Apostle takes particular notice of it, Heb. 2.10. They are brought to Glory as Sons, and v. 11. they are all one, and he is not asham'd to call them brethren, v. 12. my Brethren, v. 13. I, and the Children; and therefore v. 14. took out flesh and blood.
2. We have it by Birth,
1. This Birth gives us a Title to it.
2. This Birth fits us for it.
1. We have this Priviledge by the new Birth;John 3.3. because we are at first born Children of Wrath, and Heirs of Hell; we must be born again, that we may enter into this Kingdom; Christ preacht this Doctrine at the very first; they are called born of God, 1 John 3.9. and so said to be begotten of God, chap. 5.1, 4, 18. and on this account called as Children, and Sons and Daughters, therefore Heirs, Gal. 4.7. No more a Servant, but a Son, and if a Son, then an Heir of God. Rom. 8.17.Now who can hinder this Heir of his Inheritance. It is not here as with Earthly Parents, the Father must dye before the Son can inherit, but our Heavenly Father ever lives.
2. By this new Birth qualifying, preparing and fitting us for this Kingdom, we are begotten again to a lively hope, 1 Pet. 1.3, 4. to this Inheritance incorruptible, and that fades not away; and now as new born babes have new and suitable desires, chap. 2. 2. we beeome Sons of God, John 1.12. but how? Born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God, v. 13. it's call'd the work of God, chap. 6.29. born not of corruptible seed, but of in-corruptible? there is cleansing, washing, and sanctifying, when we were as others before, Tit. 3.3, 5. But such were some of you, but you are washed, ye are sanctifyed, they have new Heads, new Hearts, new Tongues, and new Lives.
3. We have a right and title to it by Marriage. Christ the Son of God our Husband, and we his Spouse, and this given by God, and settled as your Dowry, Portion and Jointure: Giving you his Son in Marriage, how shall he not with him freely give you all things. You shall find the word expressing Christ's great love to his People this way. So ought men to love their wives as their own Bodies; Eph. 5.23.no man hateth his own Flesh, but v. 32. concludes at last, This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and his Church. God calls it at first,Hephzilah, i. e. My delight is in her. Beulah, Married. a Marriage-feast for his Son, Math. 22.1. and bids Sinners to the Wedding, and tells them the rich entertainment, Isa. 62.4, 5. The Lord delighteth in thee, as a Bridegroom rejoyceth over the Bride. Heb. With the joy of a Bride-groom, so the Lord shall rejoice over thee; nay, ch. 54.5, &c. said plainly, Thy maker is thy Husband, the Lord of Hosts is his name; nor is this exprest only in this life, but with respect to our entrance into Heaven, Rev. 19.7. The marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made her self ready; v. 9. Blessed are they that are called to the marriage supper: And the day of Judgment is set forth by the Bridegroom and his Bride, Math. 25. beg. v. 10. The Bridegroom came, and they that were ready, went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut. The Bridegroom will certainly have his Bride with him in Glory; and therefore he gave himself for her, that he might sanctify and cleanse her, and present her a glorious Bride without spot or blemish.2 Cor. 11.2. I have espoused you to one Husband, that I may present you a chaste Virgin to Christ.
4. We have it by purchase; a price laid down sufficient for it; it's fully paid and accepted. Though we deserve nothing at Gods hands, Christ bought Heaven and all its Glory for us: The Apostle is large on this, Rom. 5.2. On Christ's account we rejoyce in hope of the Glory of God; v. 9. we shall be sav'd from wrath through him; v. 10. we shall be sav'd by his life; v. 17. we shall reign in Life by one Jesus Christ; v. 21. grace doth reign through righteousness unto eternal life; by Jesus Christ our Lord.
1. This is done by buying us out of Slavery, redeeming us with this purchase.Rom. 7.14. We were Captives and Bond-Slaves, sold under Sin and Satan. There is a great price given to redeem Captives out of Turky; we could not be got off without a great Ransome. The Devil, the World, and Lusts challenge a right in us; now Christ buys us from out of this cruel bondage, 1 Pet. 1.18, 19. We are not redeem'd with corruptible things, but with the pretious blood of Christ; and therefore Christ challengeth a right in us, as his own, 1 Cor. 6.20. Ye are bought with a price, therefore ye are Gods, v. 19,1 Cor. 7.23. and ye are not your own. Therefore the Apostle reasoneth strongly, Rom. 6. that if Christ dyed for us, we should live to him, because we shall live by him eternally. We have redemption through his Blood, Eph. 1.7. Col. 1.14.who hath deliver'd us from the power of darkness, and translated us into his Kingdom. Christ hath purchased you with his own blood, Acts 20.28. and hath redeem'd us from the curse of the Law, Gal. 3.13.
Eph. 1.14. Acts 8.20, 21.2. So hath he also purchased the glorious possession for us, call'd the Redemption of the purchased possession; Gold and Silver cannot buy the least corner of Heaven, not the common Gifts, much less Grace.
3. Nay, God is pleas'd to join us in as joint Purchasers, and will have us put our Hands and Hearts to the bargain, and God deals with us as if we bought it. Christ says, Rev. 3.18. I counsell thee to buy of me gold tried in the Fire, Isa. 55.1, 2. Come buy of me though you have no Money nor price to lay down. In that Math. 25.10. the foolish Virgins are sent to buy Oil; and the Wiseman says, Buy the truth and sell it not. Now there is much, a Sinner must lay down; as you must part with your Lusts, and all Wickedness, you must part with the World, all that is near and dear to you here; sell all and buy the pearl of price; part with Father and Mother, Children, and Life it self, and not account it dear; and the Apostles say, We have left all; Maet. 19.27, 28, 29.why, says Christ, you shall have a kingdom. Alas! what a small matter was it, why a few Fisher-nets. On the other hand, Esau sells this Birth-right for a mess of Pottage, Heb. 12.16.Luke 14.18, 19. Thus Sinners sell Grace, Christ, and Heaven for the trifles of this World; they make as it were a bargain; give me Food, and Cloathing, and Health,Phil. 3.7, 8. and Ease, and Prosperity, and take the Gospel, the love of God, the pardon of sin, and a Kingdom of Glory, and deny the Lord that bought them, 2 Pet. 1. Now a good Christian accounts all here but Dung and Dross, for the excellency of this knowledge. But above all he prizeth, and embraceth, and admires Christ, that bought this inheritance for him, and Him for it.
4. By paying our Debts for us: A Man may be Heir to a large Inheritance, but such Incumbrances, and vast debts may lye upon the Estate, that he may never come to enjoy it. Indeed we are deeply in debt to God, to the Law, and to our own Consciences. But Christ cancell'd all these Debts; we could not pay one farthing; we were Debters to the whole Law, Gal. 5.3. Jesus Christ fulfilled the Law, and bids us pray daily to God to forgive our Debts, and we may plead his Blood and Merits, Col. 2.13, 14. Forgiving all Trespasses, and blotting out the Hand-writing of Ordinances against you, nailing all up to his Cross.
6. We have the Title clear'd up by Law, because there are many Controversies may arise, and we loose our Writings, and often blur our Evidences; the word is clear on our side, the title hath been tryed, and all is well.
1. The Judge is on our side, and approves of our right.
2. The Advocate and Counsellour pleads our Cause, and prevails.
3. The Title is clear'd, the Writings produced and owned.
4. The Witnesses are many, and creditable, and believ'd.
5. The Enemies are baffled, their Mouths stopped and they asham'd.
6. The Forfeitures are cancell'd, and the Accusations answer'd.
7. All Assessours, approve of the Judgement on your side.
8. The Law is satisfied, and we are admitted.
It would be too large a Digression to clear up these truths, I leave them as matter for your own Meditation, Search, and Satisfaction, Rom. 8. lat. The Apostle challengeth all the World, Who shall lay any thing to their charge? Many can, their Enemies, their Friends, their own Consciences; ay, but it's God that justifieth, who condemneth? Many will; ay, but Christ died. If we sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, 1 John 2. begin.
7. We have it as Wages and Reward. Though we deserve nothing; yet to encourage us in our work, God will reckon it to us as a due debt, as our hire, and we may humbly challenge it as what belongs to us. That is, as bottom'd on Christ's merits, founded in rich grace, and grounded on Gods gracious promise; so that now God tells us he will reward every man according to his works, and he will not forget our work and labour of love, and our labour shall not be in vain; and having fought the good fight, and kept the Faith, we shall have a Crown of Righteousness as well as of Mercy. Blessed such dying, their works shall follow them, and receive a glorious reward, therefore bid so to run as to obtain, and so fight and wrestle, as to overcome; so to strive as if we took Heaven by violence, Rev. 22.12. Behold I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. Therefore we should think every day, how we live, and what we are doing, whether we can reasonably and righteously expect God should say, Well done good and faithful Servants, especially, when we are doing little or no good. Thou hast been faithful in a little, I will make thee ruler over, and give thee much.
8. We have it by conquest. Sir Francis Bacon says, that Henry the VII had a threefold right to the Crown, by Birth, by Marriage, by Victory; But a Christian hath a manifold right to this Heavenly Crown and Kingdom. You must know, that we are all by Nature Heirs of Hell, and have naturally no right nor Title to this Kingdom; and there are many Enemies, mihgty adversaries that stand in our way to hinder us coming thither. And we must fight our way through them, and overcome them, if we will go to Heaven, Rev. 21.7. He that overcometh shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be my Son.
1. Christ is call'd the Captain of our Salvation, and he conquers for us, he fights our battels,Heb. 2.10. and hath given all our Enemies their deaths wound, they are dying and must dye, Col. 2.15. having spoil'd all principalities and powers, triumphing over them openly. He dragg'd them all at his Chariot-Wheels,1 Cor. 15.25. last. ascending into Heaven; the last Enemy is Death, and that is a conquer'd Enemy also. He rides on in the triumphing Chariot of his Gospel, conquering, and to conquer, Rev. 6.2. He will run the Wheels of his Vengeance over the loins of all his implacable Enemies, and those that will not bow to the Golden Scepter of his Grace, shall be broken in pieces by the Iron Rod of his Wrath;Ps 68.17, 18. he hath subdued all, and is exalted above all, Phil. 2.7. &c.
2. Christ conquers in us, and helps us to conquer our own Lusts.2 Cor. 10.3, 4, 5. We War against the Flesh, our weapons are not carnal, but mighty thorow God, to the pulling down strong holds,Qui semel vicit pro nobis semper vincit in nobis. bringing into Captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Christ knocks at the door of our Hearts, and the Gates, the everlasting doors lift up their Heads, and the King of Glory comes in, and sways the Scepter of his righteousness in our Souls. The Apostle speaks of the war between the Flesh and the Spirit, Rom. 7, and in v. 24. He cries out as one overcome, he triumphs in Jesus Christ, v. 25. and says, ch. 8.1. There is no condemnation to them. The Lusts war against the Soul to destroy it,1 Pet. 2.11. and these war in themselves; But you must war a good warfare, holding Faith and a good Conscience.
3. Christ also overcomes by and with you; as to the World, your Enemies, as to Temptations and Afflictions, as a good Souldier you must endure hardness,2 Tim. 2.3, 4. and not too much entangle your selves with the Affairs of this life. You must put on the whole Armour of God, Eph. 6.10. &c. You must be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might; that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil; you wrestle not only with Flesh and Blood, but against Principalities and Powers, against the Rulers of the darkness of this World, against spiritual wickedness; surely the Devil is a subtile adversary, an old experienc'd adversary, an inveterate malicious Enemy, unwearied and cruel, one that did dare to set on Adam in Paradice; on Christ on the Mount, on Peter and all the Apostles; after Christ had given them his blessed Body and Blood, warn'd them, pray'd for them, and yet how did he foyl and cast them; how may we fear and look to our selves; wherefore take unto you the whole Armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. There is no yielding, no running away; here is no provision to defend the back; if you run from them, you run against God and Christ,Acts 5.39. ch. 23.9. and woe be to you, if you engage God against you.
1. Here is a rich magazine, armour of proof provided against all the spiritual Enemies, a girdle of truth and sincerity for your Loins, a breast-plate of righteousness to defend your Heart; no Sword nor Bullets can enter to hurt or kill; the Gospel of Peace for your Feet, against the stony, stumbling, and uneven way, the Shield of Faith for your Heads, against the fiery darts of Satan, and an Helmit of Salvation, or as 1 Thess. 5.8. the hope of Salvation, which wili support, strengthen, and encourage; and with all take offensive, as well as defensive Weapons, i. e. The Word and Prayer. Here is much for a Christian to do, to understand all this spiritual Armour, to prove and use them; So fight I, says the Apostle, not as one that beateth the Air. You must be sober, be vigilant, and resist the Devil, though he comes as a roaring Lyon, and resist him and be stedfast in the Faith, and he will flee from you.
2. And you are encourag'd, that if you fight, you shall certainly overcome, 1 John 2.13, 14. ch. 4.4. You have overcome; you shall be more than Conquerours, thorow Christ strengthning you, Rom. 8. lat. The Apostle sends a Challenge to all Enemies in his own and others names. We are perswaded, neither Peril, nor Famine, nor Sword, either of those would vanquish the proudest, the stoutest wicked man.
3. And then you are assur'd, that overcoming, you shall be Crown'd with Glory and Honour eternally, Rev. 2.7. To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God, v. 11. he shall not be hurt of the second death, and therefore must live eternally; v. 17. He shall eat of the hidden Manna, I will give him a white stone and new name; v. 26.27. I will give him power over the Nations, and he shall rule them, as I receiv'd of my Father, v. 28. I will give him the morning Star; he shall sit in judgement with me, and he shall be cloathed with my Glory and brightness; ch. 3.5. the same shall be cloathed in white raiment,a meiofis. his name shall not be blotted out of the book of Life; there is more in it, shine there gloriously, and I will own him as Conquerour and Triumpher before my Father and his Angels, v. 12. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the Temple of my God, and he shall go no more out; that is, I will settle him in Heaven with splendid Glory forever, v. 21. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit in my Throne, even as I overcame, and am set in my Fathers Throne. At every verse there is a various expression of this Glory, and to each added, He that hath Ears let him hear; this is added to the end of each Epistle to the several Churches.
Upon the whole you have all the Right and Title to this Happiness, the firmest assurance that possible can be given. He whose it is, hath chosen you for it, and that for you. Its all his own, and at his disposal, and he freely gives it you. He adopts you for his Children, and by the new Birth qualifies you for it, and entitles you to it. He espouseth you to his dear and only Son, who is Heir of all things. Its bought for you by an invaluable price and purchase. The title to it is clear'd up by Law. It's paid to you, as Wages for your Work. And obtain'd by Conquest and overcoming.
4. As we have it thus made sure in it self, so is it made sure to us, both with respect to God, and to our selves.
1. As to God.
1. He publickly owns all this, and makes an open discovery of it to all the World, and declares that he is not asham'd to be call'd their God, because he hath provided for them a City, Heb. 11.16. A remarkable place that Isa. 45.17, 18, 19. Israel shall be sav'd with an everlasting Salvation. Thus saith the Lord that created the Heavens, God himself; I have not spoken it in secret, in a dark place of the Earth. The seed of Jacob shall not seek me in vain; I the Lord speak righteousness. God publickly owns all those Titles, Rights and Assurances, and as I may speak with reverence, seems to glory and boast in them; that he hath chosen us, that it's his good will, great pleasure to give us no less than a Kingdom; the Lord Almighty calls you his Sons and Daughters,2 Cor. 6.18. and gives you his Spirit, that you may call him Father, chooseth and delights in you as a Spouse for his Son, Rev. 21.9, 10. Come says the Angel, I will shew thee the Bride, and the Lambs Wife
2. As to all those, he adds solemn engagements, and his promise. How often hath God promis'd Heaven to his People? How is it exprest Tit. 1.2. In hope of Eternal Life, which God that cannot lie, promised before the World began: And Gods people are not only called Heirs of Heaven, but Children, and Heirs according to the Promise, and Heirs with Abraham of the same Promise, and that they inherit the promises:Rom. 9.8. Gal. 3.29. Heb. 6.17. Godliness hath the Promise of the Life that now is, and of that which is to come. They which are called,1 Tim. 4.6. receive the Promise of Eternal Inheritance. He that is tried, and endureth Temptation, is Blessed, because he shall receive the Crown of Life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him, and Jam. 2.5. Call'd Heirs of this Kingdom, promis'd to you; therefore, though never so poor here, are rich in Faith.
3. This promise he hath confirm'd with his Oath. As God hath Sworn in his wrath, that Sinners and unbelievers shall not enter into that Rest. Heb. 3.11.18. Ch. 4.1. So hath he Sworn in his Love to this promise, that they shall enter into his Glory. Ch. 6.16. &c.
4. He hath set to his Seal; he hath Sealed it with his Sons Blood, and Sealed it in their Hearts, by his Spirit. Eph. 1.13.14. Sealed with the Holy Spirit of Promise; and this is also given you as an earnest; therefore advis'd Ch. 4.30. not to grieve this Holy Spirit, whereby you are Sealed unto the day of Redemption.
5. He hath Written down our Names in the Book of Life, in those Records of Heaven,Luke 10.20. Rev. 20.12, 15. ch. 21.27. ch. 22.19. that cannot be blotted out: Phil. 4.3. Whose Names are Written in the Book of Life.
6. He gives us the forecasts, nay, the Kingdom comes down to us: We have it in primitiis, in primordiis, in praecursore.
7. God hath not only given these assurances on his part, but also wrought in us those Gracious Qualifications, that do abundantly shew it, that it's ours.
1. He hath given a lively Faith, that makes those things absent, present;Heb. 11.1. and what is hop'd for, evident; now this raiseth the Soul to do great things on this account: Moses by this, saw him that was Invisible, and had this Eye to the recompense of reward, and therefore slighted Pharoah's Court and Crown. Abraham left his own Country, looking by Faith for this that is Heavenly, and so did all the Patriarks do and suffer by Faith, looking for this unspeakable and matchless Glory. He that believeth,John 2. last. hath Everlasting Life; how often is it said Nay? 1 Pet. 1.8, 9. Whom having not seen, ye Love, in whom, though now you see him not, yet believing, ye rejoyce with joy unspeakable, and full of Glory, receiving the end of your Faith, even the Salvation of your Souls. Faith goes up into Heaven, and views the Mansions, and feeds, and lives upon that Glory above. What says the Apostle 2 Cor. 4.17, 18. We faint not though the outward Man decays, the inward man is renewed; why there is a far more exceeding and Eternal weight of Glory, it's just before us, and by Faith we look above these lower things, to those not seen by the bodily eyes, that are Eternal; and therefore, Ch. 1. We Groan, and Long, and Wait. As Faith is the Evidence of that Glory, so Gods working that Grace in the Soul, is a sure Evidence of his giving that Glory.
2. Upon this flow forth earnest and importunate desires, breathings and pantings, groanings and longings; which nothing but this Eternal Glory will satisfie. God hath begotten in you those immortal desires, that only God and Christ, and Heaven, can fill and answer. When Luther had a great Present sent him, he goes to God, and solemnly protests, that he would not be put off with these things. So David often, my Soul Thirsteth after God,Valde protestatus sum, &c. the Living God. Psal. 17.15. As for me I shall behold thy Face in Righteousness, I shall be satisfied, when I awake with thy likeness: Whom have I in Heaven and Earth, but thee? Thou shalt guide me by thy Counsel, till thou bring me to Glory. My flesh fail, that is bad; Heart fail,Ps. 73.25, 26. that is worse; both fail, that is worst of all, however thou art the strength of my Heart and my Portion for ever. God hath wrought such Hungerings and Thirstings in the Soul, that nothing, but Bread of Life, Water of Life will satisfie; and therefore are these carried out in Prayers and Wrestlings, and are bid to pray, and seek, and cry for no less than this Crown and Kingdom.
3. Upon this is grounded a firm and sure Hope, which wonderfully supports and encourageth the Soul; which God would never have wrought and given, but that he will answer and not disappoint it, Tit. 1.2. in hopes of eternal life, which God that cannot lye hath promis'd. See he hath begotten us again to a lively hope, to an inheritance incorruptible, &c. 1 Pet. 1.3, 4.And still that we may not faint and question all, that our hope should deceive us, Heb. 6.18, 19. That we might have strong consolation from this hope, this hope is an Anchor of the Soul, sure and stedfast; this Anchor is fast'ned on the rock Christ Jesus, that all the Waves and Storms cannot shake or at least break. Why should God deceive or flatter such poor Worms, to raise in us such hope, if he would not fulfill it. If we do not deceive our selves, God will not fail nor deceive us.
4. Upon all these ariseth an ardent Love, workings and breathings of Love to such a Christ, such a God, that will give such great and glorious things, to such poor wretchless. Worms. When he cries out, oh the heighth and depth of God's love, he would love highly and largely, 1 Pet. 1.8. Whom having not seen, ye love, and therefore long for and love his appearing; many promises of Heaven made particularly to this grace of Love. Eye hath not seen,Jam. 2.5. what God hath prepar'd for them that love him. God so loves them, and they love God, that they shall live and love together for ever.
5. Upon all flow great joy and rejoycing; joy unspeakable and full of Glory; it is what the Soul really finds, rejoyce that your Names are written in Heaven; rejoyce and be exceeding glad, leap for joy, for great is your reward in Heaven, Rom. 5.1, 2. there is Faith, being justified by Faith; there is love, peace with God; there are desires exprest in Prayer, we have access now into his presence to beg it; add hope of Glory, and rejoice in hope of this Glory.
Upon the whole we may certainly conclude, that Heaven must be ours; and that if we are wise to look to our selves, we shall be sav'd in a wonderful glorious manner; and all the Devils in Hell, and Men on Earth cannot hinder it, nor stop us from it.