A Plain Discourse on Vain Thoughts, Doctrine 2

A Plain Discourse on Vain Thoughts · Doctrine 2

p. 113DOCTRINE, It ought to be the great Concern of every Man, That when he comes to Die, his Spirit may be received by JESUS CHRIST.

THIS was the great Concern of Holy Stephen, who herein ſhows what ought to be the Concern of every Man.

Under ſeveral Propoſitions this Doctrine may be ſpoken to.

Prop. 1. THERE is a Spirit in Man which is a diſtinct Being from his Body. Man conſiſts of two parts, a Spirit and a Body which are diſtinct Subſtances, and of a vaſtly different Nature. Man is not all Body, but is principally Spirit. This is his Chief and moſt Excellent Part: Though what and how Excellent it is, we do not our ſelves perfectly know. The Body of Man is indeed, a moſt wonderful and excellent Work of GOD; Pſal. 139.14. I will praiſe thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. The frame and conſtitution of the Body is truly marvellous. The Spirit of Man however is a far p. 114more Glorious and Excellent Being than the Body. The Spirit of Man, has ſuch a power of Thinking, as to be able in a Moment to extend it's Thought beyond the utmoſt bounds of the whole Creation. It has ſuch a power of Underſtanding, as to be able to diſcern between Truth and Error, Good and Evil. It has ſuch a power of Election, as to be capable underſtandingly to chooſe GOD for its laſt end and chief Good. It has ſuch vaſt and large Deſires, which all Created Good is not ſufficient fully to Satisfy. In ſhort, it is a Being of far more worth and excellency than the whole World, Math. 16.26. What is a Man profited if he ſhall gain the whole world, and loſs his own Soul? Or what ſhall a man give in exchange for his Soul?

Prop. 2. THE Spirit of a Man remains after the Death of his Body. As for the Body that is Mortal and muſt Die; ſo has GOD Ordained, and ſo it ſhall be, Heb. 9.27. It is appointed unto men once to die. Death paſſes upon all Men by the unalterable appointment of GOD; and at Death the Body periſhes, turning to rottenneſs and duſt: But as for the Spirit of a Man that remains entire after the Diſſolution of the Body. The Spirit does not Periſh with the Body, as Men may Atheiſtically imagine.

Here,

1. IT remains as to its Eſſence. For it is not capable of Diſſolution into any pre-exiſtent Principles as the Body is; and that becauſe it is formed immediately out of nothing. And tho' it be in the Power of GOD to annihilate it, or turn it into nothing again, yet He will not p. 115thus do. He has plainly revealed it to us, that the Soul is of an immortal Nature, that it dies not with the Body, but ſurvives it and exiſts after Death, (which will be evinced under the following Propoſitions.)

2. IT remains as to it's Faculties and the Exerciſe of them. The Underſtanding, Will and Affections do ſtill continue and perform their proper Operations. The Spirit of a Man after Death does not ceaſe to act its Rational Powers; but undoubtedly exerciſes them more vigorouſly than ever. At Death it is freed from thoſe clogs and obſtructions, which it often met with from the Body; and ſo has nothing to hinder its exerting its Powers to the utmoſt. The way and manner of its acting is to us as yet unknown; yet this ſhould not make us in the leaſt to queſtion the Truth of it; for we do not know the way of our Spirit's acting while it is in the Body: Who can comprehend the manner of the Souls acting by the ſeveral Organs of the Body? And yet we make not the leaſt doubt concerning the reality of its Actings. Why then ſhould we diſbelieve the Activity of the Soul after Death, becauſe we cannot conceive the manner of its Operations? But that it Lives and Acts after Death, and is a Subject of Bleſſedneſs or Miſery will be hereafter ſhown.

Prop. 3. AFTER Death the Spirit of a Man remains not with the Body, but is ſeparated from it. It does not abide in the Body, nor is it preſent with the Body, but departs from the Body; Gen. 35.18. And it came paſs as her ſoul was in p. 116departing; for ſhe died. 1 King. 17.21. Let this Childs ſoul come into him again. It was then gone out of him. Death diſſolves the Union between Soul and Body, upon which the Soul immediately departs away from the Body. Hence after Death the Spirit is ſaid to be abſent from the Body, 2 Cor. 5.8. We are willing rather to be abſent from the body i. e. as to our Spirits. After Death there is a real local diſtance between the Soul and Body, though how great a diſtance we know not in particular, only in general, they are as far diſtant from each other, as Heaven or Hell, the receptacles of Men's Spirits are from the Grave.

Prop. 4. THE Spirit of a Man upon its ſeparation from the Body, goes to Jeſus Chriſt as its Judge. The Lord Jeſus Chriſt is the Great Judge of all Men; all Judgment is committed unto Him. The laſt Judgment of Men and Angels will be managed by Jeſus Chriſt; and ſo is the particular Judgment of Men as to their Spirits immediately upon Death, their Spirits do then go to GOD their Judge, Eccl. 12.7. Then ſhall the duſt return to the earth as it was, and the ſpirit ſhall return to God who gave it. The Spirits of Men do not all go to Heaven to appear in the immediate Preſence of the human nature of Jeſus Chriſt, for nothing unclean enters thereunto: But they go to Chriſt as GOD who is every where, and ſo can manifeſt himſelf in any Place whatſoever. Tho' in what Place or after what manner He will thus manifeſt Himſelf, is unknown to us. But this we know that Jeſus Chriſt has all Power in Heaven and Earth, power over all Fleſh, and power to Judge and p. 117Diſpoſe of the ſeparate Spirits of Men, Rev. 1.18. I am he that liveth, and was dean; and behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen, and have the Keys of Hell and Death. He has the Keys of Hell or the Inviſible World: He has power to diſpoſe of the Spirits of Men when they paſs out of this viſible, into the other inviſible World.

Prop. 5. WHEN the Spirit of a Man goes to Chriſt after Death, it is received or rejected by Him. One or the other is what befalls the Soul of every Man, according to the State in which he dies.

1. IF a Man die in a State of Sin, his Spirit is rejected by Chriſt the Righteous Judge. The Son of GOD Judges it, Condemns it, Baniſhes it from His Preſence, and caſts it into Hell. How this particular Judgment is managed, and how long it is in Tranſacting, we cannot ſay: But that Judgment paſſes upon the ſeparate Soul of a Sinner, and that the Judicial Sentence is executed upon it in its rejection from Chriſt into the place of Puniſhment, is moſt evident from the Scriptures of Truth. Thus it is ſaid concerning the World of ungodly Men who Periſhed in the Blood, that their ſpirits are in the infernal Priſon, 1 Pet. 3.19. And it is ſaid concerning the People of Sodom and Gomorrah, that they are actually Suffering the vengeance of Eternal Fire, Jude 7. Which can be underſtood only of their Spirits, for their Bodies were conſumed in the …ire which turned the Cities into Aſhes. Thus it is alſo ſaid of the Wicked rich Man that when he died he went to Hell and was in Torments, Luk. 16.23. Which cannot be meant of his p. 118Body for that was buried in a Grave. It was therefore his Soul which was tormented in the Flames of Hell; and though this be but a Parable yet with the Scope it as clearly repreſents to us the Miſery of ſeperate ſinful Souls, as if it were a real Hyſtory, and aſſerted it in the moſt plain words. Again, We read concerning Treacherous Judas, that when he died, he went to his … place, Acts 1.25. This place that he went to cannot mean the Grave, for …hat is not Judas's own and proper place, but the common place of all Men good and bad, J…b 30.23. It was therefore a place which of ſpecial right belonged to him, as a Betrayer of the Lord of Glory, and this can be no other than Hell the place of Torments. And conſequently he went to this place at Death, only as to his Spirit; his miſerable Corps remain … upon the Earth as a Spectacle of Horror, while his perfidious Spirit was Suffering the Vengeance of GOD in the place of Devils.

THUS it appears from the Word of GOD, that the departed Spirits of ungodly Men are ſeperated from Chriſt and ſent to Hell. And beſides the Word of GOD, are there not many Providential Demonſtrations of this Truth, in thoſe dreadful Anguiſhes which ſeize the Souls of Convinced Sinners, when they ſee the Day of their Death approaching? What amazing Diſtreſſes of Conſcience are they under! what fearful Expectations of Wrath and fiery Indignation from the Lord, are they filled withal! Th…ſe things are the fore-runners and fore-aſſurances of that deplorable Eſtate their Spirits are entering upon

p. 1192. IF a M…n die in a State of Grace, his Spirit is received by Jeſus Chriſt; is meets with a kind Reception from that Glorious Lord.

1. JESUS CHRIST receives it into …is Gracious Care. When the Spirit of a Godly Man goes out of his Body, Jeſus Chriſt takes the Charge of it. He looks after it, that no injury be offered to it by the Prince of the Power of the Air, and his Helliſh hoſt; as He Himſelf paſſed in Safety and Triumph, thro' the Territories of Satan in His Aſcention to Heaven, ſo He takes care that the Spirits of His Servants ſhall have the like ſafe and triumphant Paſſage. And He not only exerts His own Power herein, but alſo ſends His Holy and Mighty Angels to ſafe-guard the paſſing Spirits of Believers. They are all Miniſtring Spirits ſent forth by Jeſus Chriſt to Miniſter to them that are the Heirs of Salvation. Heb. 1.14. And as they Miniſter to the Saints in their Life-time, ſo alſo at and after their Death. Their ſeparated Spirits are committed to the Cuſtody and Conduct of Glorious Angels by the Lord of Angels, and are by them conveyed to the Place prepared for them; Luk. 16.2…. And it came to paſs that the Beggar died, and was carried by the Angels into A…aham's boſom. They ſhew the Believing Soul the way to Chriſt, and bring it to the Place of Reſt, Refreſhment and Conſolation, which is reſerved for the People of GOD.

2. JESUS CHRIST receives it into H…s Gl…rious Kingdom. The Bleſſed Angels that are p. 120the Souls Attendants and Guardians, do introduce it into the Kingdom of Heaven, where it is received by Jeſus Chriſt, to be and abide with Him. The Souls of Believers are then admitted into the immediate, perſonal Preſence of Jeſus Chriſt. When they are abſent from the body, they are preſent with the Lord, 2 Cor. 5.8. He then fulfils that Promiſe which He made to them as far as it reſpects their ſeparate Spirits, Joh. 14.3. I will come again and receive you to myſelf, that where I am there ye may be alſo. He takes them to Himſelf to be with Him in Heaven, as He ſaid to the Penitent Thief on the Croſs, Luk. 23.43. This Day ſhalt thou be with me in Paradiſe. And therefore the Apoſtle Paul expected to be with Chriſt, when his Soul was ſeparated from his Body, Phil. 1.23. Having a deſire to depart and be with Chriſt. Thus is the Spirit of every Man received or rejected by Chriſt, which is the fifth Propoſition.

Prop. 6. IT ought to be the great Concern of every Man, that when his Spirit goes to Chriſt at Death, it may be received by Him and not rejected. This ſhould be his deſire, this ſhould be his endeavour, that when his dying Hour comes, his Spirit may be received into the Gracious Care and Glorious Kingdom of GOD our Saviour.

FOR two Reaſons every Man ſhould make this his great Concern.

Reaſ. 1. IF Jeſus Christ receive his Spirit, it ſhall be ſafe and happy; no evil ſhall befall it, all good ſhall come unto it. What it's Condition ſhall p. 121be, is repreſented to us in, Heb. 12.23. It ſhall be made Perfect, it arrives to a State of Perfection to the uttermoſt. I Shall here but briefly mention a few Particulars in which may be ſet before us ſome Repreſentation of that Perfection which is enjoyed by the departed Spirit of a Believer.

1. IT enjoys a moſt perfect …iſon of the Glory of Chriſt. This is one thing which Chriſt prayed for on the account of all Believers, Joh. 17.24. I will that thoſe whom thou haſt given me, may be where I am to behold my Glory. This Prayer is in part anſwered to every Believer at his Death. The Soul of a Believer is then received to that ſight of Chriſt's Glory, which be Prayed for. The Underſtanding which is as the eve of the Soul, has a clear view and diſcerning of the Glory of Jeſus Chriſt.

Particularly,

1. IT beholds the Glory of Chriſt as GOD, in the higheſt Manifeſtations thereof. This Glory of Chriſt is in it ſelf invariably the ſame: But there are different degrees of its manifeſtation; and in Heaven there are the fulleſt manifeſtations of it to the Spirits of Juſt Men. Then eminently does Jeſus Chriſt ſo manifeſt Himſelf to them as not unto the World. There the Saints are not in the Dark, not under any Doubts concerning His Glorious Godhead, as they are ſometimes in this World. They ſee the Glory of His participation in all the Excellencies and Perfections of GOD, which render Him Infinitely Glorious. They ſee the Glory of His Divine Perſonality, or the incomprehenſible manner of His Subſiſting from the p. 122Father in the Divine Eſſence. They ſee the Glory of His being the only begotten of the Father equal to Him in Power and Glory. They ſee the Glory of His co-operation with the Father, working the ſame things with the Father inſeparably; being together with Him the Author of all the Works of Creation and Providence. They ſee the Glory of His Communion with the Father, in that Infinite Joy and Delight which He experiences in the Boſom of t… Father. They ſee the Glory of His being …e laſt end of all things that as they are from Him, ſo they are for Him and on Him. They ſee the Glory of His being the Object of the Worſhip of every Creature in Heaven, they themſelves joining with the Glorious Angels in the Aſcriptions of Glory and Honour. Bleſſing and Praiſe …om Him. Thus have they a clear Proſpect of the Divine Glory of Jeſus Chriſt: A Comprehenſive Knowledge thereof they have not, neither can poſſibly have: For how can a Finite Being comprehend an Infinitely Glorious GOD? They have however as full and perfect a Knowledge of the Glory of the Godhead of Jeſus Chriſt as they are capable of. Their enlightned and enlarged Minds are filled with the Glory of GOD in Chriſt Jeſus.

2. IT beholds the Glory of Chriſt as Mediator. This Mediatorial Glory is peculiar to Jeſus Chriſt, who is the alone Mediator between God and Man, 1 Tim. 2.5. Some glimpſe of this Glory Believers have in this World by Faith; but it is thro' a Glaſs darkly, and as the Underſtanding of a Child. But in Heaven the Spirits of Juſt p. 123Men have an immediate, full and perfect view of the Mediator's Glory. They behold the Glory of the Conſtitution of the Perſon of the Mediator, as it any be called, who is both GOD and Man in one Perſon, a moſt Myſterious thing, and full of aſtoniſhing Glory, the like whereunto is not to be found. They behold the Glory of His Office, in the great Truſt which GOD has repoſed in Him, committing all the concerns of His Glory, a… …he Salvation of His Elect into His hands. They behold the Glory of His full Furniture for that Office, in all thoſe unſearchable Treaſures of Wiſdom and Grace that are laid up in Him. They behold the Glory of His Mediatory Performances on Earth, in His State of Humiliation, clearly perceiving the Infinite Satisfaction and Merit that is in them. They behold the Glory of His Heavenly Interceſſion, how He appears in the Preſence of GOD for His People, and how He procures for them and ſecures to them the Favour of GOD, the Gracious acceptance of their Perſons and Performances. They behold the Glory of His Mediatory Kingdom, ſeeing Him to be the L…mb upon the Throne, exerciſing Dominion over all the Works of GOD, and Governing all things in a never-failing ſubſerviency to the Glory of GOD, and the Salvation of His Church. Thus do they behold the Tranſcendant Glory of their Redeemer at the Right Hand of the Majeſty on High, having a Name given to Him, that is above every Name; and being the Conſtituted Judge before whom all ſhall ſtand, and to whom every knee ſhall bow as the Laſt Day.

p. 1243. IT beholds the Glory of Chriſt as Man. The Humane Nature of Chriſt, which was while here on Earth, under debaſing, ignominous and diſhonourable Circumſtances, is now in Heaven Crowned with Honour and Glory in the higheſt Degree. And tho' this be the loweſt and moſt Inferiour Glory of Jeſus Chriſt, yet 'tis but little of it that we do now conceive. But the Saints in Heaven have a direct and full view of this His Created Glory. He ſhines in this Glory before them, as He did before His Apoſtles in the Mount of Transfiguration here on Earth; there they behold this Man in all H…s Glory. They behold the Glory of His humane Nature, in it's Perſonal Union to the Son of GOD, which is the higheſt Dignity whereunto 'tis poſſible for a Creature to be advanced. O how Glorious is that Nature which is ſo aſſumed by the Son of GOD as to become His proper Nature, and to be United to the Divine Nature in His Perſon! They behold the Glorious Holineſs of His humane Nature in its perfect freedom from all Sin, and unmeaſurable fulneſs of Grace. They behold the Glory of His humane Nature in it's wonderful Wiſdom and Knowledge. Might and Strength, whereby it criers all things in the beſt manner, and effects them to the beſt purpoſes in concurrence with His Divine Nature. They behold the Glory of His humanity in that radiant and reſplendent Luſtre that is upon it, a dark repreſentation whereof was given in His Transfiguration, when H…s Face did ſhine as the Sun They ſee that Lamb to be the L…ght of the City of GOD, p. 125ſo as to exempt if from all need of the Sun or Moon to ſhine in it. They find that Light to be ſweet and refreſhing, and that 'tis a pleaſant thing to behold that Sun of Righteouſneſs while He ſhineth in His full brightneſs. Thus do the departed Spirits of Holy Men enjoy a perfect Viſion of the Glory of Chriſt in His Deity, Mediatorſhip and Humanity. There is no vail there upon His Glory, but it all lies open to the full Perception of the Glorified. O how bleſſed and happy are thoſe Spirits which ſtand continually before Him and behold His Face in Glory! this is that which is called the Beatifick or Bleſſed-making Viſion. Such a Viſion of the Glorious Jeſus as renders them compleatly Happy. They ſo ſee Him as to be transformed into His likeneſs, having the Everlaſting Print of His Glory left upon them. Finally, They ſhall ſee Him as theirs, in whom they have a full and Eternal Intereſt, whereupon with Triumphant Joy they ſay as in Pſal. 48.…4 This God is our God for ever and ever.

THUS for the firſt Thing enjoyed, viz. Perfect Viſion of Chriſt.

2. IF the Spirit be received by Jeſus Chriſt, it enjoys Perfect Communion with Jeſus Chriſt. When the Elect of GOD are brought into the Kingdom of Grace, they are called unto the actual Fellowſhip of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, 1 Cor. ….9. They have ſaving Intereſt in Him and Gracious Communion with Him. 1 Joh. 1.3. And truly our fellowſhip is with the Father, and with … Son Jeſus Chriſt. Yet this Communion which p. 126they have with Jeſus Chriſt here on Earth, is very imperfect: but when they ſhall be received into the Kingdom of Glory, then they ſhall be admitted unto moſt perfect Communion with Him. Their Fellowſhip with Him now, is only in inchoation and gradual Progreſs, but then it ſhall be in Perfection and Conſummation. Communion with Jeſus Chriſt is then Perfect, when it is immediate, full, uninterrupted and everlaſting. Now ſuch is the Communion which the Spirit of a Believer is received unto after its Departure from the Body.

1. THE Spirit of a Believer when received by Chriſt at Death enjoys immediate Communion with Jeſus Chriſt. While the Spirit of a Believer dwells here in the Body it is at a diſtance from the Lord Chriſt, but when it departs from the Body it goes into the immediate Perſonal Preſence of the Lord; 2 Cor. 5.6, 8. While we are at home in the body, we are abſent from the Lord. We are willing rather to be abſent from the body, and preſent with the Lord. So, Phil. 1.23. Having a deſire to depart and be with Chriſt, which is far better. The Departed Spirits of Juſt Men, do ſee Chriſt Face to Face, 1 Cor. 13.12. And therefore they do enjoy immediate and moſt intimate intercourſe with the Lord of Glory. In what manner and ways this Glorious intercourſe is carried on, we cannot particularly and diſtinctly declare. Only this we are aſſured of in general, that Glorified Spirits on their part, do immediately Exerciſe all their Powers and Graces upon Jeſus Chriſt, in Contemplating, Loving, Worſhipping and Serving of Him; Rev. 22.3, 4. p. 127And his ſervants ſhall ſerve him and ſee his face. On Chriſt's part, He ſheds abroad His Love in their Hearts, making them to partake of the cleareſt and fulleſt Manifeſtations of His moſt dear Affection for them in a moſt immediate way. Furthermore, what ſweet and Divine Conferences may paſs between Chriſt and the Church Triumphant, we cannot ſay. This we know that when He was Transfigured in the Mount, two of the moſt eminent Saints in Glory, even Moſes and Elias came down and appeared to Him, and held a Conference with Him concerning His Deceaſe at Jeruſalem, Luk. 9.30, 31. Surely this was ſomething of Heaven upon Earth, ſome ſmall repreſentation of what is done in Heaven above.

2. THE Spirit of a Believer when received by Chriſt at Death, enjoys full Communion with Chriſt. The Souls of Believers while in the Body have Communion with Chriſt only in low degrees. Tho' their Communion with Him be at ſome times more full than at other times, yet 'tis always incompleat. Chriſt now Comes into their ſouls, and ſups with them, and they with him, Rev. 3.20. They enjoy ſome manifeſtations of Chriſt to them, but not full. They enjoy ſome ſenſe of His Love to them, but not full. The fulneſs of their Communion with Chriſt is reſerved for Heaven. There the Saints Love Chriſt with all their Heart, with all their Soul, with all their Mind, and with all their Might. Their Love goes out to Chriſt in its full Strength, and all their Graces are acted on Him in the higheſt degree. There alſo the Sun of Righteouſneſs ſhines on them in His full Strength, filling them with p. 128Light, Life, Comfort, Joy unſpeakable and full of Glory, Pſal. 16.11. In thy preſence is the fulneſs of Joy. Then ſhall the Apoſtle's Prayer for the Epheſians have its utmoſt accompliſhment in all the Saints; Eph. 3.19. That ye might be filled with all the fulneſs of God. They are by Chriſt filled with all the fulneſs of GOD, to the utmoſt of their enlarged Capacity. They partake of as much of the communicable fulneſs of Chriſt as their Natures are capable of.

3. THE Spirit of a Believer when received by Christ at Death, enjoys uninterrupted Communion with Chriſt. The Communion of the Saints with Chriſt here on Earth, is much broken and interrupted by one means or other. The conſtant riſings and workings of Corruption in them, do always in ſome meaſure disturb their free Converſe with Jeſus Chriſt. Such is the remaining vanity and unſteadineſs of the mind, that it often wanders from Chriſt in the Duties of Communion. The beſt of GOD's Servants do ſadly experience how difficult a thing it is to keep their Hearts engaged in cloſe Communion with Chriſt, and how apt are they to ſtart aſide from Him in Holy Duties. Again, ſometimes Holy Men do fall into ſuch Sins which provoke Chriſt greatly to withdraw from them, and which do very much eſtrange their Hearts from Chriſt. How fearfully was David's Communion with Chriſt interrupted and cut off by his foul Sins? Their Sins do make a very great ſeparation between them and their GOD, Iſa. 59.2. Again, the neceſſary occaſions of the preſent Life, and the neceſſary repoſe of Nature by Sleep, do take them off from actual Converſe p. 129with Jeſus Chriſt. So that on one account or other there is in this World a frequent interruption of the Saints Communion with Chriſt. But now, when their Spirits are received by Chriſt into Heaven all bars in the way of their Communion with Him, are totally removed, nothing deprives them of Communion with Chriſt for a Moment; they ſerve and enjoy Him inceſſantly, Rev. 7.15. They are before the Throne of God, and ſerve him day and night in his Temple, and he that ſitteth on his Throne ſhall dwell among them. No Enemy, no Adverſary enters there to give the leaſt diſturbance to their ſweet intercourſe with the King of Glory. There are no Temptations, hurries, darkneſs, confuſion, corruptions to cauſe the withdrawing of Chriſt or …idings of His Face from them. There is nothing to occaſion the leaſt diverſion of Mind from Chriſt the Glorious Object of their Contemplations and Adorations. There they can ſay, in a far more perfect ſenſe, what David once ſaid. Pſal. 57.7. My heart is fi…ed, O God, my heart is fixed, I will ſing and give praiſe.

4. THE Spirit of a Believer when received by Chriſt at Death enjoys Everlaſting Communion with Christ. It enters upon a Communion which never ſhall have an end. When it once enters into that Temple above, It ſhall go no more out, Rev. ….12. There it ſhall make its perpetual abode with Chriſt: For this denotes the laſting Nature and Perpetuity of their Fellowſhip with Chriſt, as it is without intermiſſion, ſo without ceſſation. Our times of Fellowſhip with Chriſt here on Earth, are but of ſhort continuance; p. 130but in Heaven it ſhall be perpetuated to all Eternity, 1 Theſ 4.17. And ſo ſhall we ever be with the Lord.

THUS for the ſecond thing enjoyed by the ſeparate Spirit, viz. Perfect Communion with Jeſus Chriſt.

3. IF that Spirit of a Man be received by Chriſt, it enjoys Perfect Conformity to Christ. GOD from all Eternity, has determined with Himſelf, to make all His Choſen and Called ones like unto His Son Jeſus Chriſt; Rom 8.29. For whom he did fore know, he alſo did predestinate, to be conformed to the image of his Son. This Conformity to the Son of GOD, is begun in this Life and perfected in the next. When therefore the Spirit of a Believer departs from the Body and goes to Chriſt, it arrives unto a fullneſs of Conformity to Jeſus Chriſt.

1. IT it perfectly Conformed to Chriſt in His Sinleſsneſs. Jeſus Chriſt always was harmleſs, undefiled and ſeparate from Sinners. He knew no Sin, did no Sin, was without all Sin; no Sin was ever inherent in Him or committed by Him. Now herein the Souls of Believers are perfectly Conformed to Jeſus Chriſt in Heaven. In this World their Souls have Sin cleaving to them in all their Faculties, and all their Operations; but in Heaven this vicious quality is quite taken away, their Souls have nothing of Sin dwelling in them: They brought Sin into this World with them, but they carry none of it with them into the other World. There is not in the Mind the leaſt vanity or darkneſs; p. 131There is not in the Will the leaſt averſion from Good, or the leaſt Propenſity to Evil: There is not in the Affections the leaſt impurity or irregularity. The Soul is without the leaſt ſpot or blemiſh upon it, Eph. 5.27. And this perfect Ejection of Sin is ſweetned by the Bleſſed impoſſibility of its making any re-entrance into the Soul. It's ſtate of compleat freedom from Sin, by the Grace, Merit and Power of Jeſus Chriſt, is immutable. Thus is the ſeparate Spirit, of a Believer altogether ſinleſs and impeccable like unto the Lord who receives it.

2. IT is perfectly Conformed to Chriſt in His Holineſs. The Man Chriſt Jeſus always was and is perfectly Holy. He is in a way of eminency the Holy and Juſt One, Acts 3.14. His Nature and all His Actions were perfectly Holy. Herein the Spirit of a Believer in its ſeparate Eſtate is made like to Jeſus Chriſt. In this World the Soul of a Believer is Renewed after the image of Chriſt in righteouſneſs and true holineſs, Eph. 4.24. And it is renewed more and more Day by Day, 2. Cor. 4.16. The good Work of Grace and Sanctification begun in it is carried on in this Life, Phil. 1.6. But it attains not to Perfection till it be ſeparated from the Body and received into the Hands of Jeſus Chriſt. Chriſt has purchaſed Perfection for it but beſtows it not till the Soul goes to Him in Heaven. Then the Soul is made like to Chriſt in the higheſt degrees of Holineſs it is capable of: It is Holy as the Lord Himſelf is Holy. Not in a way of equality, for ſo none is Holy as the Lord; but in a way of as full Reſemblance as the Capacity of the p. 132Soul will admit of. And this perfect Conformity of the Soul to Chriſt in Holineſs, has reſpect both to the Nature and Actings of the Soul. It is Habitually Conformed to Chriſt, poſſeſſing ſuch habits of Grace as are in Chriſt in the heighth of Perfection: It is full of Grace and Holineſs as Chriſt is. It is alſo Actually Conformed to Chriſt, exerting ſuch perfect Acts of Holineſs as Chriſt: It Lives ſuch an Holy Life as Chriſt Lives, doing the Will of GOD perfectly as it is done by Jeſus Chriſt Himſelf in Heaven. Jeſus Chriſt and the perfected Spirits with Him, are fully of one Mind, one Heart and one Way, without the leaſt diſcrepancy. Such Thoughts as Chriſt has of GOD Holineſs. Sin, &c. juſt the ſame Thoughts have the Glorified Spirits.

THUS much for the third Thing.

4. Laſtly, IF the Spirit of a Man be received by Jeſus Chriſt, it enjoys Perfect Contentment in Chriſt. Jeſus Chriſt in His Glory, is a Soul-ſatisfying Object. The Spirits of Juſt Men that are in Heaven, take full content in Him. When Chriſt was Transfigured in the Mount, Peter was ſo tranſported and pleaſed that he ſaid, T…s good being here; and would gladly have tarr…ed there, and no more returned to the World. How ſweet and ſatisfying then is it to the Saints above, to ſee Chriſt ſhining in all His Glory▪ What a raviſhing Object is that Lord … Glory. The Glorified Soul in all his Faculties fines perfect Reſt and Satisfact…n in the Lord Jeſus Chri…t.

p. 1331.THE Underſtanding is perfectly ſatisfied or the Contemplation and Knowledge of Jeſus Chriſt. The Lord Jeſus Chriſt is an Object Infinitely Excellent; He is poſſeſſed of all Divine Perfections, All the fu…s of the Go…i…al dwells in him, Col 2.9. …e whole Nature and all the Attributes of GOD do belong to Jeſus Chriſt. He is God over … bleſſed for evermore, Rom 9 5. There is therefore an Infinite fullneſs of Glory and Excellency, of Truth, Wiſdom and Knowledge in Jeſus Chriſt. This fulneſs of His is moſt conſpicuous to the Spirits in Glory. They have a clear and diſtinct, tho' not a full and comprehenſive Knowledge thereof. Such a Knowledge they have as is fully Satisfactory to their perfectly enlighted Minds. Nothing more can be requiſite to a full Contentment of the Mind, than an Object Infinitely Glorious, and a clear perception thereof. This fil…s the Mind with a Knowledge every way ſatisfying. Such is the Knowledge which the Saints in Heaven have of Jeſus Chriſt. There the eye of the Mind is ſatisfied with Seeing. Chriſt the Light of Heaven is ſweet to the Eye, and it is a pleaſant thing to behold that Son of Righteouſneſs. The Apoſtle …au… was ſo ſatisfied in the Excellency of the Knowledge of Chriſt, tho' but imperfect, that he cared for nothing elſe in Compariſon of it, …hi… 3 8 How ſatisfied then muſt the Saints in Heaven be, who partake of this moſt excellent Knowledge in its Perfection?

2 THE … fully sati…fied i… the … and … There is i… Jeſus Chriſt an immenſity of Goodneſs. He … and p. 134chief Good, ſo that the enjoyment of Him is the higheſt bleſſedneſs. Now this is the Priviledge of the Glorified Spirits. They enjoy Him as the Fountain of Living Waters whereof they Drink and are fully ſatisfied. Their Deſires do find compleat Satisfaction in and from Him, ſo as to ſay, Whom have we in Heaven but that? and there is none that we deſire beſides thee. They deſire no Object beſides GOD in CHRIST, having Infinitely enough in Him to terminate all their Deſires, and to bring them under a Bleſſed incapacity of deſiring any thing more. This full Satisfaction of deſire is alſo attended with a fullneſs of Joy. The Imagination of Man cannot reach that gladneſs of Heart which ſprings from the refreſhing light of Chriſt's Countenance and the moſt inward ſenſe or His Love. Faith in Chriſt here on Earth does ſometimes produce in the Soul a Joy unſpeakable and full of Glory, 1 Pet. 1.8. How inconceivable then is that Joy which ariſes from the immediate ſight and full enjoyment of Chriſt in Heaven.

THUS we have ſeen what a ſafe and happy State the Spirit of a Man is in, if it be received by Chriſt at Death. And for this Reaſon every Man ſhould be greatly concerned that his Spirit may be received by Chriſt when it leaves His Body, Which is the firſt Reaſon.

Reaſ. 2. IF the Spirit of a Man be received by Chriſt at Death, the Body alſo ſhall in due time be received by Him, and be made happy in Conjunction with the Soul. If Chriſt takes care of a Man…s Spirit, He will alſo take care of his Body. If p. 135He ſave a Man's Soul, He will ſave his Body alſo, for He is a Saviour of the whole Man. Our Bodies, as well as our Spirits are purchaſed and bought by Him, and therefore ſhall partake of Perfect Redemption, 1 Cor. 6.…0. Our Bodies are ſanctified as well as our Spirits, 1 Theſ. 5.23. And therefore ſhall be made perfect in Holineſs and Happineſs. Our Bodies are United to Chriſt as well as our Souls, 1 Cor. 6.15. And therefore they ſhall enjoy perfect Communion with Chriſt in His appointed time. For the preſent they are laid in the Grave and there ſleep in Chriſt, 1 Theſ. 4.14. and Context; their Grave is but a Bed of Reſt, wherein they take their Repoſe, under the watchful Eye of Jeſus Chriſt. After a while, He will come again and awake them out of Sleep by His ſweet and Friendly Voice. When He ſhall have a deſire to theſe Works of His hand, He ſhal… call, and they will anſwer Him out of the Duſt He will raiſe theſe Bodies, He will revive them He will new make them, and reunite them to their Spirits, adorned with moſt Glorious and, Excellent Qualities; a ſummary Repreſentation of theſe things the Apoſtles gives us in 1 Cor. 15. Theſe Bodies ſhall be made immortal, incorruptible, ſpiritual, ſtrong, vigorous and beautiful: And to ſay all in a Word, Jeſus Chriſt ſhall Change theſe Bodies, and faſhion them like unto His own Glorious Body, … 3.21. When He has thus made His Saints to appear in Glory like Himſelf; He will then put the higheſt Marks of Honour upon them, and perform His laſt and greateſt Offices of K…n… neſs for them: He will place them as H…s p. 136Right Hand, He will give them His Publick Commendation, He will tranſlate them to Heaven, where He will preſent them to GOD His Father with inconceivable Solemnity and Joy, and diſpoſe of them in the ſeveral Glorious Manſions which He has prepared for them, and ſo ſhall they ever be with the Lord, beholding His Face in Righteouſneſs, and ſatisfied with His likeneſs to all Eternity. Thus ſhall it be done to the Man whoſe Spirit is at Death received by the Lord Jeſus Chriſt.

I proceed now to the Application of the Doctrine.

USE, I. of Lamentation,

THAT Men are ſo unconcerned about having their Spirits received by Chriſt at Death. Alas! how little is it the Concern of Men, that their Immortal Spirits may in a Dying Hour be received into the Redeemers Arms! How many are there that very ſeldom, if ever, do entertain ſerious Thoughts of Death! inſtead hereof they put the Thoughts of Death far away from them. They think of Living, but not of Dying. They are concerned how they ſhall Live, but unconcerned how they ſhall Dye. They are daily taking thought for the Body, what they ſhall eat, what they ſhall drink, and what they ſhall put on; but all this while take no thought about their Souls, as to what ſhall be done for them, or what ſhall become of them. How do Men Live as if … had no Souls in them, or as if they were not worth the minding, or as if it p. 137were an indifferent thing who had them after Death! How aſtoniſhing is it that Men ſhould thus Live under the Goſpel which ſo clearly brings Life and immortality to light! How ſtrange and unaccountable is it, that Men profeſſing Belief of the immortality of their Souls, and of their paſſing into a State of Eternal Bleſſedneſs or Miſery immediately after Death, ſhould yet be ſo unconcerned for them; Men believe that they muſt certainly and ſhortly Die, and it may be very ſpeedily. They believe that after Death comes the Judgment in which their Souls ſhall be acquitted or condemned, received into Heaven or caſt down into Hell by Jeſus Chriſt, the great Judge. They Believe theſe things, they ſay, and yet are very little concerned whether their Souls at Death be received or rejected by Chriſt, whether they go to Heaven or to Hell. How amazing is ſuch ſtupidity and negligence? O let us take heed that we be not found of this number of ſecure and ſottiſh Creatures, who neglect to make due Proviſion for the future welfare of their Spirits. If we are careleſs in this matter, how lightly ſoever we now account of it, we ſhall hereafter bitterly bewail it. We ſhall Mourn at the laſt, but with a fruitleſs Mourning, which will be an Aggravation of our Sorrow. Undoubtedly, When the Souls of Sinners after Death appear before the Tribunal of Jeſus Chriſt, they are ſenſible of their Sin and Folly in the neglect of themſelves. Undoubtedly, they expreſs a Grief & Repentance for thoſe neglects. Undoubtedly, they wiſh for, and deſire either a return to this World to Reform their neglects, or a Reception p. 138into Heaven, through a Gracious Pardon of their neglects, but all ſuch wiſhes and deſires ſhall be in vain. There is no paſſage from Hell, either to Heaven or Earth, to be obtained, by the moſt paſſionate and importunate prayers and cries. The Gulf is then fixed and cannot be removed. The Day of Grace is then ended and can never be recalled. The Door of Heaven is then ſhut never to be opened. O then let us fear, leaſt this ſhould prove our unhappy Lot in the other World, and leaſt we meet with that fatal repulſe, in Math. 25.11, 12. Afterward came alſo the other Virgins, ſaving, Lord, Lord, open to us But it … and ſaid, verily, I ſay unto you. I know you not.

USE, II. Of Exhortation.

LET us make this … great Concern, that when our Spirit… at Death depart from our Bodies, they may be received by Jeſus Chriſt. 'Tis poſſible the time of our departure may be very near, 'tis certain that it is not very far off, we had need therefore be ſpeedy and diligent in our endeavours that our departing Spirits may go to Chriſt to be with Him. I ſhall here ſubjoin only this one Conſideration to awaken hereunto. Let us Conſider what will become of our immortal Spirits if Jeſus Chriſt do not receive them. If they are not received by Him, they will fall into the hands of the great Enemy of our Souls. If they are rejected by the Saviour of Souls, they are delivered up to the Deſtroyer of Souls, Math. 1….34. The Lord in Wrath delivers them to the Tormentors. He conſigns them p. 139over to the full power and poſſeſſion of curſed, malicious and cruel Devils, to Torment them to the utmoſt of their Ability; and who can conceive the doleful Condition of a Soul totally ab…ed by Chriſt, and given up to the unreſtrained rage of the Tygers of Hell? Something of the Miſerable …ate of ſuch a Soul may in part be gueſſed at, from the dreadful Condition of thoſe who have been under a Bodily Poſſeſſion. The Scriptures do repreſent to us the ſad and doleful caſe of ſome whoſe Bodies Satan had got the Poſſeſſion of. Take only that one deplorable Inſtance related in Mark 5. & Luk. 8. Immediately there …et Chriſt out of the tombs, a man with an unclean ſpirit; a … man out of the city, which had devils a long time, and wear no cloths, neither abode in any houſe, … had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, … not with chains, becauſe he had been often …d with fetters and chains, and the … had been plucked a…under by him, and the fet…e…s be … in pieces, … could any man … him: … always night and day, he was in the mou…tains, … to the tombs, crying, and … himſelf w…th …: The ear of Man cannot hear this Tragical Story, without an inward, deep and con…incing ſenſe of the deplorableneſs of his condition. Yet however, this Miſerable Demoniac, was in a moſt happy Condition to what a ſepa…ate Spirit delivered up to Satan is in. For the Devil had not unlimited power over his Body to do all that Miſchief to him, that he would have done; and all this while the Soul of this poor Poſſeſſed Perſon was precious in the ſight of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt: But a Spirit p. 140after Death put into the Poſſeſſion of Satan, is Eternally caſt away, and abhorred of the Lord, and given up to the Devil to ſatisfy his whole will on it. The Lord lays no reſtraints upon the Devil, but leaves him to do all that he can to ſuch a Soul in a way of Puniſhing and Tormenting it. Surely, the ſtate of ſuch a Soul is as Miſerable, as Diabolical Malice, Hatred and Power can poſſibly make it; and in this moſt Miſerable ſtate, muſt it abide with Devils▪ under the more dreadful burning Wrath of GOD to all Eternity: For the Sentence which Chriſt paſſes upon it is that, Math. 25.41. Depart ye curſed into everlaſting Fire, prepared for the Devil and his Angels. O let this awful Conſideration dwell much upon our Spirits, that we may be concerned to have our Spirits received by the Bleſſed Jeſus, and not by the Curſed Devil at laſt. Now if we would have our departing Spirits received by Jeſus Chriſt, let us attend theſe following Directions.

Direct 1. LET us endeavour, that our … may be broken Spirits. A broken Spirit, is a Spirit greatly afflicted, humbled and penitent under the ſenſe of its own exceeding ſinfulneſs. It is ſenſible of the multitude and greatneſs of its Sins. It ſees the horrid Evil that is in them, as they have been contrary to the Holy Nature, Law and Glory of GOD: It ſees how its Sins have diſpleaſed and diſhonoured GOD▪ wounded and pierced Jeſus Chriſt, ſeparated between GOD and it, and expoſeth it to Eternal Deſtruction. This ſight and ſenſe of Sin's Evil is attended with Godly ſorrow and grief for it. A broken heart is grieved and mou…ns p. 141bitterly for that it has grieved the Heart of GOD, and diſhonoured the Name of GOD by its Sins; as alſo for that it has defiled, de…aſed and wronged it ſelf by its Sins. Upon …heſe accounts, it deeply humbles it ſelf, bemoans it ſelf, loaths it ſelf, judges and condemns it ſelf before GOD. An heart under …uch a Penitential ſenſe of Sin as this, is a truly broken heart, and ſuch a heart GOD will not …eſ…ſe, but exceedingly Prize and Delight in, …ſal. 51.17. GOD Looks with an Eye of Com…lacency to that Man that is of a Contrite Spirit, ….66 2. Yea, He will Dwell with him …hat is of an Humble and Contrite Spirit, ….57.15. Our Glorious Lord Jeſus Chriſt will heal and bind up the broken-hearted, Luk. ….18. He will Pardon, Revive and Comfort all that Mourn for their Sins. Thus ſhall a …roken Spirit be healed, delighted in, dwelt with by the Lord while it is in the Body; and …fter it is ſeparated from the Body He will …ke it to Himſelf to Dwell with Him in Hea…en. This we find exemplified in the Thief upon … Croſs. The Lord ſaw in him a Penitent, broken Spirit, upon which Chriſt ſaid to him, This Day ſhalt thou be with me in Paradiſe. That broken ſpirit of thine ſhall not be caſt down into Hell; but …all go along with my Spirit, into a Place and State … Bleſſedneſs immediately after Death. If then we would have our Spirits received by Jeſus Chriſt, …et us ſee to it, that they be ſincerely broken … and from Sin. Let the pleaſing Affections of our Souls, viz. Deſire, Love, Joy, be with…rawn from Sin, and the diſliking Affections, … Fear, Sorrow, Hatred be ſet againſt Sin, p. 142then will Jeſus Chriſt receive our Spirits into His Favour and Kingdom.

Direct. 2. LET us receive Jeſus Chriſt with our Spirits. To receive Chriſt with our Spirits is heartily to approve, embrace and entertain Jeſus Chriſt as the only al-ſufficient Saviour, reſting upon Him alone for Salvation; as ſuch a Saviour Jeſus Chriſt is revealed and offered to us in the Goſpel, and if we Cordially accept Him for our Saviour, fixing our entire dependance on Him for the Salvation of our Souls, then do our Souls truly receive Him. Such an hearty Reception of Chriſt now, may aſſure us of His Reception of our Spirits at the laſt. If our hearts are opened to receive Him, He will open Heaven to receive them. It is ſaid in Joh 1.12. To as many as received him, to them gave he power or privilege to become the ſons of God. And if they partake of this High and Honourable Dignity of Adoption, they alſo partake of a Coheirſhip with Jeſus Chriſt, or a Title to His Rich Inheritance, Rom. 8.17. And if Children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Jeſus Chriſt. They have by Grace and Favour, a right to that Glorious Inheritance, whereunto Chriſt has a right by Nature and Purchaſe. Let us then with our Souls conſent to take Chriſt in all His ſaving Offices. Receive Him as the great Prophet and Light of the World; believing the infallible certainty of all His Revelations, and looking to Him for an enlightned Mind ſavingly to Underſtand them. Receive Him as the High Prieſt of our Profeſſion, believing an a…-fullneſs of Satisfaction and Merit p. 143in His Sacrifice offered on Earth, and pleaded in Heaven for us, and relying thereon for Pardon of Sin, peace with GOD and Eternal Life. Receive Him as the King of Glory, Believing his rightful Dominion over us, and yielding Profeſſed and real Subjection to Him. Thus let us with our hearts receive Jeſus Chriſt by Faith, and the end of this Faith ſhall be the Salvation of our Souls. Such Believers on Chriſt now, ſhall be Beholders of Him hereafter. Their Faith in H…m, ſhall iſſue in the Viſion of Him.

Direct 3. LET our Spirits Converſe much with Chriſt in their Thoughts. Though Chriſt be abſent and at a vaſt diſtance from us, even as far as the higheſt Heaven is from the Earth, yet our Spirits can go up to Him, and reach Him, and dwell upon Him in their Thoughts. So wonderful is the Power and Excellency of the Cogitative or thinking Faculty in Man, that the Mind can thereby viſit the remoteſt parts of the World and unite it ſelf in it's Thoughts to the Objects that are there. Thus it can aſcend into the Heavens, and follow our great High Prieſt who is paſſed thereinto, and can exerciſe it ſelf in ſweet Contemplations on Him. As Steven, by an extraordinary Strengthning of ſight, looked up to Heaven and with his Bodily Eyes beheld Jeſus Chriſt ſtanding at the Right Hand of GOD▪ ſo may a Chriſtian with the eye of his Mind look into Heaven and take a view of Jeſus Chriſt in His Glory there. His Heart and Converſation may be …n Heaven with Chriſt in the Actings of His Min… upon Him. Thus ſhould our Spirits be frequently employed in deep and fixed Meditations p. 144on the Lord of Glory. No Object i… ſo worthy to take up our Thoughts as a Glorified Chriſt. The Holy Prophets of Old, with the cloſeſt application of Mind, took a view of the Sufferings of Chriſt, and the Glory that ſhould follow, 1 Pet. 1.10, 11. The Holy Apoſtles ſcarce thought of any thing but Chriſt, and went over the World to turn the Hearts and Thoughts of Men towards Chriſt. This Holy and Heavenly Exerciſe is what Believers under the Goſpel are eſpecially called unto They are bid to Conſider the Apoſtle and high Priest of their profeſſion Chriſt Jeſus, Heb. 3.1 They ſhould view Him in His Perſon and Offices with moſt attentive Conſideration. They ſhould Look unto Jeſus the author and fre…ſher of their faith, Heb. 12.2. The eye of their mind ſhould be upon Him: Contemplating Him under the various Repreſentations of Him to us in the Goſpel, eſpecially … He is ſet forth in His Heavenly Glory which is the Reward of His Sufferings, and the higheſt demonſtration of their acceptableneſs to GOD. Well then, Let Jeſus Chriſt be the great Subject of our Meditations. Let us often and often raiſe up our Spirits towards Him, and maintain an intercourſe with Him in our Thoughts▪ Let no Day paſs without many a flight of Thought to Him: And let us have our frequent, ſet Seaſons for more thorough, fixed and ſteady pondering upon Him. If we thus do, we may hope that our Spirits ſhall e're it be long, follow our Thoughts; and that our Spirits which have ſo much converſed ſweetly with Chriſt while in the …ody, ſhall be received by Hi…r when they leave the Body.

p. 145Direct. 4. LET us commit our Spirits to the keeping of Jeſus Chriſt Our Souls are in extream Danger of being Eternally loſt. Great is the Oppoſition which they meet with, from Luſts which War againſt our Souls, and from Temptations of all kinds wherewith they are daily aſſaulted: And unleſs the Power of Chriſt be engaged for the Salvation of our Souls, they will aſſuredly fall and periſh by the hands of their Adverſaries. Our Spirits are no where ſafe but in the hands of Jeſus Chriſt, Joh. 10.28. I give unto them Eternal Life, and they ſhall never Periſh, nor ſhall any pluck them out of my hands. If He will take them into His Omnipotent hands, the Gates of Hell ſhall never prevail againſt them to their Deſtruction. And if we would have Jeſus Chriſt take them into His hands, we muſt put them over into His hands. Our Souls, by an Act of their own muſt commit the keeping of themſelves to the Lord Jeſus Chriſt. They muſt give away themſelves unto Him, Conſenting and Deſiring that He may be the Guardian of theſe precious Spirits. Let us then, under a ſenſe of our own inſufficiency to keep our Spirits, make a ſurrender of them to that moſt faithful and mighty Redeemer, Pſal. 31 5 Into thine h…nd I commit my ſpirit: Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth. Commit them to Him leave them with Him, in a way of humble Truſt and well doing, and He will preſerve them to His Everlaſting and Heavenly Kingdom; 2 Tim. 1.12. I know whom I have bel…ved, and an verily perſwaded, that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him againſt that day If we reſign up our Spirits to the Conduct and Care of J…ſus p. 146Chriſt, He will ſecure them from Damning Errors and Practices, He will lead them into all Truth and Holineſs. He will guide them by His Counſel and afterwards receive them to Glory. If we judge Him fit, and only fit, to have ſo Rich a Treaſure depoſited with Him as our immortal Spirits are, and do accordingly be truſt Him with them, they ſhall never miſcarry.

Direct 5. LET us with our Spirits Love Chriſt and delight in Him. Jeſus Chriſt calls upon us to give Him the Love and Affection of our Souls, Prov. 23.26 My ſon give me thine heart. None has ſuch right to demand it, none ſuch Excellency to deſerve it, as Jeſus Chriſt has. He is the chief of ten thouſand, and altogether lovely. Cant. 6.10, 16. He is an Object worthy of our Superlative Love and Delight. Accordingly He ſhould be our Beloved in a way of Eminency, the Perſon whom our very Souls do Love, and in whom our Spirits do rejoyce, Cant. 3.1. Luke 1.47. Let us then look upon Him as One in whom there is all lovelineſs, ſweetneſs and pleaſantneſs, and that in an Infiniteneſs of Perfection. Let Meditation on Him, he ſweet to our Souls. Let Communion with Him, be refreſhing to our Spirits. Let the Thought and Hope of an approaching Departure to be with Him, be the Joy and Rejoicing of our Hearts. Spirits thus ſolacing themſelves in Chriſt, or but panting after Him in the anxious deſires of Love, ſhall aſſuredly be carried by Angels into the boſom of that Lord, who is the Deſire of all Nations and the Delight of all Heaven. He Loves and Delights in them that Love and Delight p. 147in Him, Prov 8.17. And His Love to them will not ſuffer them long to be abſent from Him.

Direct. 6. LET us Worſhip and Serve Chriſt with our Spirits The Heavenly Hoſt of Angelical Spirits are all the Worſhippers and Miniſters of Jeſus Chriſt; Heb 1 6, 14 Let all the Angels of God worſhip him, are they not all miniſtring ſpirits ſent forth, viz. by Jeſus Chriſt. They do all of them with the greateſt indications of Humility celebrate His Glorious Excellencies and Operations; Iſa 6.2, 3. Above it ſtood the Seraphims; each one had ſix wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with … he did fl…e. And one cried unto another, end ſaid. Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord, the whole earth is full of his Glory. And as Glorious Angels, ſo the Perfected Spirits of Juſt Men do Worſhip and Serve Jeſus Chriſt. They fall down before Him, and Praiſe Him for His Redeeming them by His Blood and advancing them to greateſt Dignity, Rev. 5.8.9 And as the ſeparate Spirits of Holy Men do Worſhip and Obey Chriſt in Heaven ſo ſhould our embodied Spirits Worſhip and Serve Chriſt on Earth. He is to be made the Object of our Religious Worſhip, Pſal. 45.11. He is thy Lord and Worſhip thou him The Spouſe, the Bride of Chriſt, i. e The Church of Chriſt, is here Commanded to Worſhip Chriſt. And they that do not ſo are not Spiritually: Eſpouſed to Him. 'Tis the diſtinguiſhing Character of true Chriſtians, that they are … is call upon the name of Jeſus Chriſt our Lord 1 Cor. 1.2. And thought His Name he not always expreſly p. 148mentioned in our Prayers, yet we ever include Him in our Prayers, becauſe we Pray to GOD in Three Perſons, Father, Son and Holy Ghoſt. Jeſus Chriſt then is to be Worſhipped by us, and that with our Spirits. Such he ſeeks to Worſhip him, as Worſhip him in Spirit and in Truth, Joh. 4.23, 24. All our Worſhip and Service which we yield to Jeſus Chriſt muſt be Spiritual. We muſt Serve Him with our Spirits and Glorify Him with our Spirits as well as with our Bodies, 1 Cor. 6.20. And if we are ſuch Sincere, Hearty Worſhippers and Servants of Jeſus Chriſt while we Live, He will then at Death receive our Spirits. Joh. 12.26 Where I am, there ſhall my ſervant alſo be. If our Spirits Live to Chriſt, they ſhall certainly Live with Chriſt; Phil 1.21. For to me to live is Chriſt, and to dye is gain. What this Gain will be, he mentions in Ver. 23. Having a deſire to depart and to be with Chriſt which is far better. He ſhould as to his Spirit, after its Departure out of the Body, gain immediate Communion with Chriſt in Heaven: His Spirit ſhould be with Chriſt and Happy in the Fruition of Him.

Direct 7. LET our Spirits deſire Chriſt to receive them, and for this end principally that we may Glorify Him in Heaven for ever. If we would have Jeſus Chriſt receive our Spirits at Death, we muſt humbly, and heartily, and frequently offer up our deſires to Him for it in our Prayers. All our Prayers receive their full Anſwer in the grant of this one Petition, Lord Jeſus receive my Spirit. This then ſhould be the great matter of our R…queſts to Jeſus Chriſt, that He p. 149would at the laſt receive our Immortal Spirits unto Himſelf: And the great end for which we deſire that He ſhould receive our Spirits, ſhould be, that we might Eternally Glorify Him. As His Glory ſhould be made the main end of our preſent, ſo of our future Life. All our deſires ſhould terminate in the Glory of Chriſt; every thing ſhould be deſired in a ſubordination to His Glory; and therefore not our own Glory, but the Glory of Chriſt, is to be made our laſt end in deſiring to be with Chriſt in Glory. We ſhould deſire to be Glorified, that we may Glorify Him in the higheſt degree. Jeſus Chriſt deſired His own Glory in order to His Father's Glory; Joh. 17.1. Father, the hour is come, glorify thy Son, that thy ſon may alſo glorify thee. In like manner we ſhould deſire our own Glory in order to the Glory of Chriſt, and ſay, Lord Jeſus glorify me, that I alſo may glorify thee. Such ſincere and hearty Prayer as this is moſt pleaſing to Jeſus Chriſt, and ſhall moſt aſſuredly be anſwered by Him. If we look upon Heaven as a Place where Jeſus Chriſt is Glorified in every thing, at all times, in the higheſt degree, and upon this Conſideration do ardently deſire: to be there with Chriſt, we may be ſure that our Spirits ſhall be received by Chriſt at Death, and that an entrance ſhall be miniſtred unto them abudantly, into the Everlaſting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt.

FINIS.