Invitations to the Gospel Feast, Sermons · Sermon 3

Invitations to the Gospel Feast · Sermons · Sermon 3

p. 34SERMON III.

2. THE Trueſt, Greateſt Pleaſure and Comfort. The Time of Feaſting, is commonly reckon'd a Time of Joy and Gladneſs. When Providence Wrought Wonderfully for the Jews, Delivering of them from Great Dangers, tis ſaid, Eſther 8.17. The … had Joy and Gladneſs, a Feaſt and a Good D…. The Goſpel p. 35Invites Sinners to the beſt Feaſt that can be, to Accept of Chriſt and all His Saving Benefits; thoſe who Comply and Accept this Invitation, thereby they are Intereſted in that which is Matter of the Trueſt Greateſt Comfort and Delight. Tis truly Matter of great Joy,

1. That Sovereign Almighty Grace has enabled them to Accept this Invitation. He that truly Receives Chriſt on Goſpel Terms, has the Waſhing of Regeneration, and the Renewing of the Holy Ghoſt: The Image of God in Righteouſneſs and True Holineſs is Created in Him. He's turn'd from Darkneſs to Light, from the Power of Satan unto God. His Eyes are Open'd to ſee his True Intereſt; the Tyranical Bonds of Sin and Satan wherein he was held are broken, he's brought to Hunger and Thirſt after Righteouſneſs, to Savour and Reliſh Spiritual Nouriſhment, to throw of Satan's Yoke and Submit to Chriſt's, to Mortifie Sin, and Practice Holineſs, to Forſake the Way of Deſtruction, and Walk in the Way of Salvation. Tis indeed proper Matter of great Joy, to have this Bleſſed Change Wrought in the Soul: To be enabled to chuſe the Bleſſings Offered in the Goſpel. The Perſon thus Favoured, is Free'd from the moſt Diſgraceful Ignominious Tyranny and Slavery▪s He's brought into the moſt Noble, Excellent, Honourable Imployment that can be, viz. Willingly and Heartily to Seek and Serve his Glorious Creator, Preſerver, only Redeemer and Benefactor. And p. 36tis Infinite Sovereign Grace has Wrought this Change in him; even the Exceeding Greatneſs of Gods Power, according to the Working of his Mighty Power, Eph. 1.19. By Grace ye are Saved, thro' Faith; and that not of your ſelves, it is the Gift of God, Eph. 2.8.

2. That their Sins are Pardoned. They who Receive Chriſt on Goſpel Terms, are Pardoned thro' His Blood. Acts 10.43. Whoſoever Believeth on him ſhall receive Remiſſion of Sins, Eph. 1.7. In whom we have Redemption thro' his Blood, the Forgiveneſs of Sins, according to the Riches of his Grace. This Remiſſion of Sins is a great Bleſſing, Incomparably Greater than all Outward Proſperity whatſoever. The Wrath of a King, is reckoned Terrible. Prov. 19.12. —The Kings Wrath is as the Roaring of a Lyon. What then is the Wrath of the LORD GOD Almighty? Who can ſtand before That? Who can Suſtain or Endure it? The Earth Trembles, the Hills melt at His Preſence, Pſal. 97.4, 5. He tears to Pieces ſo that none can deliver: ſurely, tis a fearful thing to fall into the Hands of the Living God, Heb. 10.31. It muſt needs then be a very great Benefit, to be deliver'd from the Vindictive Anger, the Terrible Inſupportable Wrath and Curſe of this Almighty Jehovah. And every Pardoned one, is thus delivered. GOD the Great Lawgiver (who alone can Save or Deſtroy) is at Peace with ſuch an one, Reconcil'd to him by the Death of His Son, Rom. 5.1, 10. God receives him into ſpecial Favour, and will be his God and Friend and Helper. Pardon of Sin is an unſpeakable p. 37great Benefit. From this Benefit, a Perſon is Denominated Bleſſed or Happy. Bleſſed is he whoſe Tranſgreſſion is forgiven, Pſal. 32.1. Tis not ſaid, Bleſſed is he that has Health, Honour, Riches, all manner of Outward Proſperity. A Man may have all this and yet be Curſed, under the Wrath and Curſe of God for Sin. But he that is Pardoned is truly Bleſſed. If a Man ſhould ſee an heap of ſtrong Fetters and Chains all broken to Pieces, and think, that he was lately Bound with them, but now they're broken and he at liberty: or if he ſhould look into an horrible Pit, the miry Clay, or a deſtructive Dungeon, and think▪ that he was lately reſcu'd from Periſhing in thoſe dreadful Places; would not this be matter of Joy and Gladneſs to him? Yes indeed. But then it muſt needs be matter of Inconceavably greater Joy, if he thinks of the Priſon of Hell, that Dungeon of Eternal Darkneſs, where the Worm never Dies and the Fire is never Quenched, and conſiders with himſelf, that he was lately Bound by the Condemning Sentence of Gods Law, to have his Eternal abode in thoſe Matchleſs Miſeries, but now by being Freely Pardoned he is freed from thoſe Bonds. This deliverance from the Guilt of Sin, is Incomparably Greater, more Glorious and Beneficial than all Outward Temporary Deliverances whatſoever. Chriſt once ſaid to a Man Sick of the Palſie, Mat. 9.2.— Son, be of good cheer, thy Sins are forgiven thee. Our Lord deſign'd preſently to cure his Bodily Maladies, which were ſo great that he could not go, he was carried by others; yet our Lord did not bid him Rejoyce on the account of ſuch Healing Mercy preſently p. 38to be appli'd to his Body; but to be of Good Cheer and rejoyce that his Sins were Pardoned. Pardon of Sin, is matter of greater joy and comfort; than curing the worſt bodily Maladies, or beſtowing the greateſt Outward Comforts that can be. To have a Miraculous Power to Caſt out Devils, is not matter of ſo great …on; as to be Intereſted in the Pardoning Saving Mercy of God, Luk. 10.20. Yet every one that heartily complies with the Goſpel Invitation to Imbrace Chriſt, is a Pardoned, and therefore a Bleſſed Perſon. To ſuch perſons, it's matter of comfort,

3. That they are the Adopted Children of GOD. Every one who receives Chriſt by Faith, is thus favour'd, honour…d, priviledg'd. Gal. 3.…8. Ye are all the Children of God, by faith in Christ Jeſus, 2 Cor. 6.18. I will be a Father to you, and ye ſhall be my Sons and my Daughters, ſaith the Lord A…mighty. This Relation (of being an Adop…ed Child) to the Infinitely glorious GOD, is unſpeakably high, noble, honourable. For one who lately was a Child of the Devil (by bearing his Image, Imitating his Rebellious example▪ doing his Luſts) to be made an Adopted Ch…d of the Eternal GOD; Oh how great an hono…r and priviledge is this? Twas reckon'd a great thing, to be Son-in-Law to an Earthly King, 1 Sam. 18.23. But this is nothing, compar'd to the honour and priviledge of being an Adopted Child of the Glorious God. Parents are commonly kind to their Children; but God is more kind unloving to, and tender of His Adopted Children. If Earthly Parents know how to give good things p. 39to their Children; much more will God give good things, yea his Holy Spirit to them that ask Him, Mat. 7.11. Luk. 11.13. It's poſſible for a Mother to forget her Sucking Child, that ſhe ſhould not have compaſſion on the Son of her Womb; but God will not forget His Children, Iſai. 49.15. Kind Parents if able, commonly give Portions to their Children (Children ought not to lay up for their Parents, but Parents for th… Children, 2 Cor. 12.14.) and will the Infinite GOD (who has all the Riches and Treaſures of this World and of the next too, at His diſpoſe) …urn off His Children without a Portion? No, Hell never do it, He'll give them a Goodly Inheritance. Rom. 8.17. If Children, then Heirs; Heirs of God and Joynt Heirs with Jeſus Chriſt. But what are they Heirs to? Why, to an Inheritance Incorruptible, Undefiled, that Fadeth not away, reſe…ved i… Heaven for them, 1 Pet. 1.4. Verily then▪ tis both Honourable & Profitable to be the Adopted Children of the Bleſſed God. All ſuch are the Brethren of Chriſt; He is not aſhamed to call them Brethren, Heb. 2.11. They are the Temples of the Holy Ghoſt too. 1 Cor. 6.19. What, know ye not that your Body is the Temple of the Holy Ghoſt that is in you, which ye have of God? Thus to be the Adopted Children of God, the Brethren of Chriſt, the Temples of the Holy Ghoſt; contain matter of Great Joy and Comfort, and yet this is the Caſe of all that Heartily Comply with Goſpel Invitations. It's matter of Comfort to them:

4. That their Spiritual Enemies ſhall never be able to Ruine them. Ordinarily when Men Ingage in War with one another, they know not p. 40the Event: neither the one Party nor the other… know whether they ſhall Conquer or be Conquered. The Life of Saints on Earth is Compared to a Warfare, they are bid to Fight the Good Fight of Faith, 1 Tim. 6.12. The Saints have Spiritual Enemies that would Ruin them if they could; the Devil and their own Luſts are ſuch Enemies; yea Wicked Men often Seek to Ruine them. Our Lord ſaid to his Diſciples. Joh. 15.19. — Becauſe ye are not of the World, but I have choſen you out of the World, therefore the World hateth you. Well, though the Saints have ſuch Enemies, yet they ſhall never be utterly Ruined. Tho' their Enemies are never ſo Numerous, Politick, Watchful, Spiteful, Powerful; yet they ſhall never cauſe one Saint to miſs of Glory. It's poſſible indeed, that Saints may have many Buffettings from ſome Thorn or other in the Fleſh, many Smarting Wounds from Satan's Fiery Darts, and be too often led into Captivity by the Law of S…n in their Members, to the great Grief and Perp…ty of their Souls; yet none of them ſhall F…n… … …iſh by their Spiritual Enemies. … not have Dominion over them, Rom. 6.14. Tho… while they are on Earth Sin Lives in them, yet it ſhall not Reign in them nor Ruine them. Satan alſo is a Conquered Enemy, their Redeemer is Stronger than that Strong Man Armed, has Deſtroyed him that has the Power of Death that is the Devil; Chriſt wont Suffer that Raging Lion of Hell to Devour any of His Sheep None ſhall ever pluck them out of h…s Ha…d, Joh. 10.28, 29. If the Saints are Wo…ted in any Particular Combat (as they too often p. 41are) yet they ſhall Overcome at the laſt. Their Glorious Shepherd will Restore their Souls, and lead them in the Paths of Righteouſneſs for his Name ſake, Pſal. 23.3. If they Fall they ſhall not be Utterly Caſt Down, the Lord will uphold them with His Hand. He'll never leave nor forſake them; He'll help, ſtrengthen, uphold them with the Right Hand of his Righteouſneſs, Iſa. 41.10. They ſhall Renew their ſtrength, Run and not be Weary, Walk and not Faint. God has ſet His moſt Free, Unchangible Love upon them, and will never ſuffer them to Periſh. If their Enemies ſo Prevail as to Kill their Bodies, yet they can't Kill their Souls: But Bleſſed ſhall be the Dead who Die in the LORD. God whoſe Love is Unchangible, whoſe Power is Infinite, whoſe Veracity is Stedfaſt; will be to them a Sun and a Shield, He'll give them Grace and Glory, and no good Thing will he withold from them, Pſal. 84.4. There is Matter of Comfort in all this. It is Matter of great Comfort to the Saints,

5. That they have Free Acceſs to God in Prayer, and abundant Incouragement to that Profitable Duty. Men commonly reckon it a great Favour to have the King's Ear, to have free Acceſs when they will to ſome Mighty Earthly Monarch, to lay their Requeſts before him: but the free Acceſs the Saints have to God in Prayer, is a far greater Priviledge and Benefit. Thro' Faith in Chriſt they may come with humble Boldneſs to God, for every needful Bleſſing; and He's ready to hear them. Eph 3.12. In whom we have boldneſs and acceſs with Confidence thro' the Faith of Him. Heb. 14.6. Let us therefore come boldly unto the Throne p. 42of Grace, that we may obtain Mercy, and find Grace to help in a time of need. And is God ready to hear the ſuitable Petitions of His Childrin? Yes indeed, more ready than Parents are to hear the Requeſts of their Children; as was hinted but now. Mat. 7.11. Luk. 11.13. The Eyes of the Lord are upon the Righteous, and His Ears are open to their Cry. Pſal. 34.15. This is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask any thing according to His Will, He heareth us, 1 Joh. 5.14. Well, but may the Saints only in ſome Special ſtraits and difficulties, or may they at all times and in all caſes Petition to God for needful help, with hopes of obtaining Favour? Why ſuch is the wondrous Grace of God, that He not only allows but commands them, as Phil. 4.6. Be careful for nothing, but in every thing by Prayer and Supplication with Thankſgiving, let your Requeſts be made known to God. Well, but we Read of an unjuſt Judge who being frequently ſought to by a Widow, ſaid Luk. 18.5. Yet becauſe this Widow troubleth me, I will avenge her (as ſhe deſires, v. 3.) leſt by her continual coming ſhe weary me. And wont the Great GOD be Troubled, Burthened, Wearied and Diſſatisfied with the continual Petitions of His Children? No indeed, He's always at leaſure to hear them, His Ears are Open to their cry: the more they Pray to God, ſo much the more they pleaſe Him. The Prayer of the Upright is His Delight, Prov. 15.8. He ſays to them. Cant. 2.14—Let me hear thy voice, for ſweet is thy voice. He bids them Call on Him in the day of Troble, in their Affliction (Pſal. 50.15. Jam. 5.13.) caſt their burdens and cares upon him (Pſal. 55.22. 1 Pet. 5.7.) p. 43bids them Pray alwayes, Eph. 6.18. To bid them be thus constant in Praying to Him, and to tell them that t…ir Prayers are ſweet and delightful to Him, and that He'll give them whatever they ask according to His Will; this indeed is a vaſt Privilege and Benefit: the Saints eſteem it ſo, they would not be without it for a World, it contains matter of unſpeakable Comfort and Satisfaction to them. Again, It's matter of great Comfort to the Saints.

6. That all Things ſhall work together for the… Good. This Preſent World is full of Changes and Troubles; it is an Evil World to the Saints. They are Plainly told, that in it they ſhall have Tribulation, and that tis through much Tribulation they ſhall enter into the Kingdom of God, Joh. 16.33. Act. 14.22. Indeed they know not what Troubles and Changes, what Reproach, Contempt, Poverty, Sickneſs, Pain, Perſecution, what grievous loſſes by the Death of Relatives, what numerous or heavy trials they may meet with while in this World; but yet they have that plain promiſe: Rom. 8.28. All things ſhall work together for good to them that love God, and are called according to his purpoſe. This promiſe is full of comfort, it contains more ground of Joy to a Saint, than his being Poſſeſs'd of this whole World could yield him. God is Infinitely wiſe, good & powerful; He can extract good out of evil, light out of darkneſs, medicine out of poyſon, gain out of loſs; He can call things that are not as if they were. He can make thoſe things profitable to the Saints, which for the preſent are not Joyous but grievous to them. p. 44When God in His Providence afflicts them, 'tis to purge away their Iniquity and take away their Sin. When He purges, prunes them, Lopping off luxruiant twigs or branches, taking away deſireable Injoyments, 'tis to make them fruitful in holineſs, and to keep them from being condemn'd with the World. When He ſuffers the Wolves of Hell, to worry and affright his Sheep; 'tis that his Sheep may prize their Shepherd & their Fold the better. When He brings them into great Dangers, 'tis that …ey may not truſt in themſelves but in God that Raiſeth the Dead. Indeed their ſufferings of this preſent time, are to Wean them more from this World, and Ripen them more for another. Their Light Afflictions which are but for a moment, ſhall work for them a far more exceeding and an Eternal weight of Glory, 2 Cor. 4.17. The true and faithful Promiſes of God aſſure them, that Neither Tribulation, Distreſs, Perſecution, Famine, Nakedneſs, Peril, Sword, Death, Life, Angels, Principalities, Powers, things preſent nor things to come, neither Heigth nor Depth nor any other Creature, ſhall ever ſeparate them from the Love of God which is in Chriſt Jeſus, Rom. 8.33—39. What ſays the Apoſtle to the Saints? 1 Cor. 3.21, 22 23. All things are yours, whether Paul, or Apollo, or' Cephas, or the World, or Life, or Death, or things preſent or things to come; all are yours, and ye are Chriſt's, and Christ is God's. Here's indeed a large Catalogue of Benefits, a comprehenſive Invoice of Bleſſings belonging to the Saints. In all their ſtraits and difficulties, GOD Almighty yet ſtand… their Friend. He's their preſent help in time of Trouble: if Father and Mother forſake p. 45them, yet the Lord will take them up: when they paſs thro' Fire and Water, he'll ſuſtain them. In matchleſs Wiſdom, Power and Love, He'll Order all things for the beſt for them; ſo that they may boldly ſay, the Lord is mine helper, I will not fear what man ſhall do unto me, Heb. 13.6. If they look on their right hand, and refuge fails them, no man will know them, nor any care for their Souls; yet they may ſay to God, thou art my refuge and portion in the Land of the Living, Pſal. 142.4, 5. If the Fig-tree does not bloſſom, and there is no fruit in the Vine; if all Creature helps fail them, if they deſpair even of Life; yet they may Rejoyce in the Lord and Joy in the God of their Salvation, Hab. 3.17, 18. Therefore they ſhould not be diſquieted, nor caſt down in their Souls, but hope in God (Pſal. 42.11.) who can do exceeding abundantly above all that they aſk or think, Eph. 3.20. Do not theſe bleſſings which the Saints are Intereſted in, contain matter of comfort and delight? Yea verily, matter of more comfort than all Outward Proſperity whatſoever. It's matter of comfort to them:

7. That the Holy Angels are Employ'd to Miniſter for their good. Thoſe bright Spirits who excel in Wiſdom and Power; who are always on the Wing to do what their glorious Creator bids them (they do his Will, and hearken to the voice of his Word) they are Employ'd to do good for the Saints. Are they not all miniſtring Spirits, ſent forth to miniſter to them that ſhall be Heirs of Salvation? Heb. 1.14. The Angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear p. 46him, and delivereth them, Pſal. 34.7. Numberleſs are the benefits, which the holy Angels by an Inviſible Efficacy are Inſtrumental of to the Saints. This is an honour and favour to the Saints, that God Employs the Courtiers on Heaven who ſurround His glorious Throne, to promote their good and wellfare. Indeed ſuch are the benefits belonging to the Saints, and aſſur'd to them by the true and faithful Promiſes of God; that there's ſufficient ground for that Precept, Phil. 4.4. Rejoyce in the Lord always, and again I ſay Rejoyce. It's marter of comfort to the Saints:

8. That great happineſs is reſerved for them in the future World. Whatever they meet with on Earth whether of Health or Sickneſs, Eaſe or Pain, Honour or Contempt, Riches or Poverty, however tis with them as to theſe things while they're Pilgrims in the World, yet at and after Death great bleſſedneſs will be their Portion. Great will be their bleſſedneſs:

1. At their Death. When their Souls are abſent from their Bodies, they go to be preſent with the Lord: They go to be with Christ, which is far better than being here; and therefore for them to die is gain, 2 Cor. 5.8. Phil. 1.21, 23. Unto them, the day of their Death is better than that of their Birth: They are bleſſed, they Reſt from their Labours and their works follow them, Eccl. 7.1. Rev. 14.13. They are bleſſed Indeed,

for,

1. They're for ever fre'd from all Outward Troubles and Afflictions. The moſt and worſt that p. 47Men can do to them is, to Kill their Bodies, Mar. 10.28. Men can't hurt them after this, after the Body is dead; for then their Souls will be out of Mens reach, and if never ſo great Indignities are offered to their dead bodies, they'll not be ſenſible of any Pain or hurt thereby, but will be ſafely reſerv'd to a glogious Reſurrection. When the Saints are departed; then the Wicked ceaſe to trouble them, and the weary are at reſt, Job 3.17. The Saints when dead, are not capable of being afflicted by Pain, Sickneſs, Contempt, Reproach, Perſecution, &c. nor by ſeeing or hearing the abominations committed by the Children of Men. All their Tears and Sorrows are ended for ever. Tis only while in this World that they have their Evil Things, after Death they are Comforted, as was ſaid of Pious Lazarus, Luk. 16.25.

2. They are freed from all the Temptations of Satan. Satan's Temptations are often Unſpeakably Vexatious and Perplexing to the Saints while here on Earth: Oh the curſed helliſh Suggeſtions, the fiery darts he often ſhoots into them! But when the Saints die, their Souls are out of the reach of theſe fiery darts; they go to be with Chriſt, and Satan's Temptations can never reach nor aſſault them there. Satan is Emphatically called the Wicked One, Eph. 6.16. But when the Saints die, the Wicked (it may comprehend Devils as well as Men) ſhall ceaſe troubling them, as in the fore-cited, Job 3.17. When the Saints die, they die in the Lord, die United to Chriſt, and ſuch are bleſſed for they Reſt from their Labours, Rev. 14.13 Labours, p. 48may there ſignifie not only Toi…ſome fatiguing Work▪ but alſo Troubles and Distreſſes. So that when the Saints die, they're for ever fre'd from all the perplexing Aſſaults of Satan, their Mortal and Envious Adverſary.

Further,

3. They're Eternally fre'd from all Diſturbance from their Own Lusts and Corruptions. When a Perſon is truly Regenerated, born of the Spirit of God; the Reigning, Tyrannizing Power of Sin is then deſtroy'd in him: but tho' the Reigning Power of ſin is deſtroyed, yet the Liſt and Being of ſin is never deſtroy'd while here on Earth. There's no ſuch thing as perfect Sinleſs Purity and Holineſs, to be obtain'd here in this World. There is not a Juſt man upon Earth, that doth good and Sinneth not, Eccl. 7.20. If we ſay we have no Sin, we deceive our ſelves and the truth is not in us, 1 Joh. 1.8. The beſt Saints on Earth, have ſin living and warring, tho' not ruling and reigning in them. This remaining ſin in them, draws back and ſtrives to hinder them from every duty, it inclines and prompts to all manner of Wickedneſs. It Luſts againſt the Spirit, is contrary to it, ſo that the Saints cannot do the things which they would, Gal. 5.17. When they would do good, evil is preſent with them. Very often, the good which they would they do not, and the evil which they would not that they do: they find a law in their Members warring againſt the law in their Minds, and bringing them into Captivity to the law of ſin that is in their Members. This is unutterably grievous and perplexing to them, it often makes them cry out as he, Rom. 7.24. p. 49Oh wretched man that I am, who ſhall deliver me from the body of this Death! This holy Apoſtle Paul, could bear his Outward Troubles Patiently, and ſay, None of theſe things move me, Act. 20.24. He had learned in every State (as to Outward Proſperity or Adverſity) therein to be Content, Phil. 4.11. But his remaining Indwelling Corruption, and the curſed effects and eſſays of it, made him cry out (as One earneſtly deſirous of deliverance) Oh wretched man, that I am, who ſhall deliver me? Nothing in the whole World is ſo grievous, diſtreſſing, perplexing to the Saints, as the remains and workings of Sin in them. As for their Outward Troubles, they count them Light comparatively, and think they could bear them eaſily, if they could but find their Hearts ſtedfaſtly Meek, Humble, Penitent, Patient, Prayerful, Thankful, Truſting and Confiding in God, Submitting and Reſigning all to Him, Rejoycing in Him at all times as their Portion: They think if they could get and keep their hearts in ſuch a temper as this, they could be quiet and eaſy as to all Outward Events: but that contrariety they find to God in their own Souls, that's the greateſt Uneaſineſs they have in the World. This makes them go mourning & bowed down, ſometimes doubting that they have no Grace in them, that they never yet took one right ſtep in the way to Heaven; ſometimes fearing, that there is no hope for them, that their day of Grace is ended, or that their Spiritual Enemies will finally be too ſtrong for them. No Tongue can tell, the Perplexities of Soul the Saints often meet with from Indwelling Sin. Well, but when p. 50Death comes, they'll be eternally fre'd from theſe the greateſt Perplexities of their whole Lives. As when they die, their Souls go to be Preſent with the Lord, 2 Cor. 5.8. So, they ſhall then be, the Spirits of Juſt Men made Perfect, Heb. 12.23. They ſhall be perfectly fre'd from all the remains of Sin, from the very life and being of it; and being perfectly holy ſhall Serve God with the greateſt joy and gladneſs. And as at Death the Saints ſhall be perfectly freed from all Outward Troubles, from Satan's Temptations, from all their Own Corruptions; ſo,

4. They ſhall Poſſeſs that Joy, bleſſedneſs and glory which is at preſent Inconceivably great. Therefore the ſtate of their Souls after Death, is ſaid to be their Gain, and to be better than what it was here on Earth: Phil. 1.21, 23. They are ſaid to be Comforted, Luke 16.25. The whole of their Condition is ſet forth by that word, Comfort, and ſo may Intimate that they ſhall have Good, Joy, Comfort and nothing elſe. They ſhall be Preſent with the Lord, and in His Preſence there is fullneſs of joy and pleaſures for ever more, Pſal. 16.11. And, as great will be the bleſſedneſs of the Saints at their Death; ſo,

2. Greater will be their bleſſedneſs at and for ever after the Reſurrection. All the Dead ſhall live again. There ſhall be a Reſurrection of the Dead, both of the Just and the Unjuſt, Acts 24.15. When this time comes, the happineſs of the Saints ſhall be greatly Increaſed. Tho' their Souls in their Separate State were free from all Sin, Sorrow, Trouble, and entertain'd with p. 51Inexpreſſible Joys, yet it will be an Increaſe of their bleſſedneſs, when their whole Man Body and Soul ſhall be United in a moſt bliſsful State. Their Bodies which conſum'd and rotted in the Grave, and return'd to their Duſt; ſhall be rais'd Incorruptable, Glorious, Powerful, Spiritual, 1 Cor. 15.42—44. Tho' their Bodies in this preſent State are liable to loathſome Diſeaſes, and will be vile (or in an humbled State indeed) when corrupting and rotting in the Grave; yet theſe vile Bodies ſhall be faſhion'd like to the Glorious Body of Chriſt, Phil. 3.21. When their Bodies are thus Rais'd in Glory, reunited to their happy Souls; Chriſt the Univerſal Judge of all, Seated on His Bright Exalted Throne, Incompaſs'd with Matchleſs Inconcievable Splendor and Majeſty, will Openly own them for His; will ſay to them (…nd how will their hearts leap for Joy at it?) Come ye Bleſſed of my Father, Inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the Foundation of the World, Mat. 25.34. He'll then Recount and graciouſly Reward, all their Sincere Services performed here on Earth. Their Secret Prayers ſhall then be Openly Rewarded, Mat. 6.6. No Deed of Charity, tho' ſo ſmall as the giving a Cup of Cold Water, ſhall then miſs of being Rewarded, Mat. 10.42. Their Faith which is now more precious than tried Gold, ſhall then be found to Praiſe, Honour and Glory, 1 Pet. 1.6, 7. Yea, Whatſoever good thing they ever did, the ſame ſhall they then receive of the Lord, Eph. 6.8. This their Future Glory and Felicity, is ſet forth by things commonly much eſteem'd by Men in this World; 'tis call'd a Crown, Kingdom, Inheritance, p. 52&c. But indeed their Future Glory and Happineſs, will be far greater than we can at preſent conceive of. The Apoſtle plainly ſays of it, 1 Joh. 3.2. It doth not yet appear what we ſhall be. The meaning is, Future Bleſſedneſs exceeds all preſent Conceptions and Apprehenſions. And this Future Inconcievable Bleſſedneſs of the Saints, will be Eternal too; 'twill never have an end nor ceaſe to be, 'tis therefore ſet forth by ſuch Epithets as Eternal, 2 Cor. 4.17. Everlaſting, Joh. 3.16. Unfading, or that never fades away, 1 Pet. 5.4. All this Inconceivable good and glory at & after Death, is reſerv'd for the Saints, and aſſured to them by the Unchangible Promiſes of the Lord Almighty. And it muſt needs be matter of great comfort and joy to the Saints, even at preſent, to think of & meditate on theſe things. They ſhould Rejoyce in the hope of the Glory of God, Rom. 5.2. No Feaſt on Earth is ſo delightful to an hungry Perſon, as the belief and hope of future glory often is to the Saints. They Rejoyce with joy unſpeakable and full of Glory, 1 Pet. 1.8. The bleſſings belonging to thoſe that accept of Goſpel Invitations, contain matter of greater joy, than any Feaſt on Earth can yield to the Gueſts that partake of it. Yea I might further add, the more careful the Saints are to Live according to Goſpel Invitations and Precepts, ſo much the clearer view they're likely to have, of their firm Title to future Matchleſs Glory: 1 Joh. 2.3. Herely do we know that we know him, if we keep his Commandments. The more they have of preſent Holineſs, ſo much the more ordinarily of preſent p. 53Joy, 2 Cor. 1.12. This is our rejoycing, even the teſtimony of our Conſcience, that in Simplicity and Godly Sincerity; not with Fleſhly Wiſdom but by the Grace of God, we have had our Converſation in the World. The more they find of the Fruits of the Spirit in them, (Gal. 5.22.) So much the more likely to know in themſelves, that they have in Heaven a better and an enduring ſubſtance, Heb. 10.34. Indeed the ways of Wiſdom are ways of Pleaſantneſs, and all her Paths are Peace. From what has been ſaid under this Second General Head of Compariſon, we may Infer,

1. The Saints ſhould be thankful, for the great Bleſſings Divine Grace has provided for them, and intitled them unto. It well becomes them to ſay, as, Pſal. 103.1, 2. Bleſs the Lord, Oh my Soul, and all that is within me Bleſs His Holy Name. Bleſs the Lord, Oh my Soul, and forget not all His Benefits. 1 Cor. 15.57. Thanks be to God which giveth us the Victory, through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt.

2. The thoughts of this Future Bleſſedneſs reſerved for the Saints ſhould make them Patient under all their preſent Trials. They ſhould imitate Moſes, Heb. 11.25, 26. Chooſing rather to ſuffer Affliction with the People of God, than to injoy the Pleaſures of Sin for a Seaſon: eſteeming the Reproach of Christ greater Riches than the Treaſures of Egypt, for he had reſpect to the Recompence of Reward. Yea they ſhould imitate our Bleſſed Redeemer, who for the Joy that was ſet before Him, endured the Croſs, deſpiſing the ſhame, &c. Heb. 12.2.

p. 543. The Sai…s ſhould diligently ſeek after Aſſurance of their Title to Heaven, that ſo they may rej…yce (as they're bidden, 1 Theſ. 5.16.) evermore They ſhould indeavour to have the matter clear'd up, and evidenc'd to their own Souls, that they have indeed compli'd with Goſpel Invitations, that ſo they may rejoyce in the Bleſſings thereby belonging to them. The Joy of ſuch Aſſurance, will more than countervail all the pains they can take for it; therefore they ſhould d…ligently ſeek it. Phil. 2.12. Work out your Salvation with fear and trembling. 2 Pet. 1.10. Give diligence to make your Calling and Election ſure.

4. Unutterably great is the folly of thoſe, who ſuffer the vanities of this World to make them miſs of Future Glory. Unto ſuch an one God ſaid, Luk. …2.20—Thou Fool, this night thy Soul ſhall be required of thee; then whoſe ſhall thoſe things be which thou haſt provided?