A Complete Body of Divinity, Sermons · 139 (Question 37 cont.)
SERMON CXXXIX.
II. WE proceed to conſider the Happineſs of Believers at their Death, which is here aſſerted and deſeribed. That theſe muſt Dye as well as other Men hath been Diſcourſed, and the Reaſons of it Exhibited. That which is now to be made appear, is their certain Happineſs when they Dye. And here two Things may be cleared, viz.
1. That all Believers, and … but ſuch ſhall be happy at their Death
2. The things wherein this Happineſs of wh…irs doth conſiſt.
1. THAT all Believers, and none but ſuch, ſhall be happy … their Death. Death is the common Lot of all Men. Pſal. 49.10. & 89.48. Every Godly Man expects it, and will ſay as he, Job 30.23. For I know that thou wilt bring me to death, and to the houſe appointed for all living. But to be happy when they come to Dye, is a Prerogative of thoſe that are entitled to Chriſt by Faith in him. According to Rev. 14.13. …eſſed are the dead which die in the Lord. Death indeed was brought in as a Penalty, being the execution of the threatning, Gen. 2.17. It was therefore Sin that introduced It, Rom. 5.12. and ſo it part of the Curſe: and all the poiſon of it lies in Sin, which is its ſting, 1 Cor. 15.56. But this Curſe is removed from the Children of God, and they may make that triumphant Challenge, ver. 55. O Death, where is thy Sting? It can therefore no longer obſtruct their Felicity. But that is not all, it ſhall alſo contribute to their well Being, for which reaſon it is put into their Inventory, 1 Cor. 3.22. There is an Incheate Bleſſedneſs, which God's People partake i… in this Life, which they would not exchange for all the delights of this World, which the moſt flouriſhing Minion of it doth enjoy; but Death paſſeth them over to a yet more glorious State, and makes an inexpreſſible advance of their Happineſs. Every Believer hath this ſecured to him, for the Promiſe of Eternal Life is ſettled on all ſuch without exception, Job. 3.16. It is therefore indefinitely aſſerted, in Pſal. 116.25. Precious in the ſight of the Lord is the death of his ſaints. But the Wicked are not ſo: And tho' Death …aſeth them of ſome preſent Calamitles of this Life, according to Job. 3.17, 18. yet in the whole, it adds to their Miſery, in th… it puts an end to … Hopes, ſhuts up their Day of Grace, pu… Souls to Eternal To…ts. and lays by … Bodies in Corruption, to be reſerved … …nazing Reſurrection, and more … Eternity. The Foundation of this … the Sons of God, is laid in the Cov… Grace whoſe Promiſes engroſs this. … are told, 1 Tim. 4.8. Godlineſs is … unto all things, having pr…niſe of the … now is, and of that which is to come. But … will be made to appear by conſidering … thing it ſelf; we paſs on tho… to …,
2. THE Things wherein this Happineſs, … theirs doth conſiſt?
Anſ. IN ſum, There are the pr…tion… … which Chriſt bath reſerved for, and will … upon them at that time, and theſe re… … whole Man, in both the conſti… …. Man conſiſts of two eſſential Parts, … Body; the Union of theſe two d… … the Man entire; and ſo the ſeparation … divides the Man from himſelf; the S… ing made for the Body, is but a p… … Man, when divided from it, becauſe … ſomething that is of the eſſence of … And the Body when left by the S…, … Carcaſs. But for all this, tho' God … pointed them to ſuch a ſeperate … his good Pleaſure, there are thoſe Pri… beſtowed on each of them, for which … truly call them happy. We have … of theſe ſeverally, and may accord… … them up.
1. LET us take a proſpect of the Happ… the Soul, or the Benefits at enters upon … The Soul is the principal part of the … is by this that he is a reaſonable C… enjoys a more noble Being than … piece of the viſible Creation, and … tle lower than the Angels. As therefo… … loſs of this, the Man is undone. (M… …) ſo, if it be well with this, he is … for ever. Now the Believers Soul … its quirting the Body, enter upon B… in ſome reſpect perfect. Happineſs … to be perfect either Eſſentialy, or Co…p… Now it is a Complement of the … city of the Soul, to enjoy the Body … junction with it, participating in … and con-glorify'd together with … reſpect, it is not yet perfectly bl…ſſ… … it waits for that happy re-union. … hath a natural deſire. Hence that, … — Waiting for the adoption, to wit, … tion of our body. There is alſo th… … together of all the Elect, and the … of all Chriſt's Redeemed in the Ch… umphant, which will contribute … plemental Happineſs of Believers, … he muſt wait till the Conſumm… … things. But as to that which is the … Happineſs of the Soul, conſidered, … Spiritual Subſtance, it enters upon … Death. And this is it we are … template. But what low ſhallow … ons are we capable of entertaining at … … this Myſtery? It is but a little that we … about the nature & preſent ſtate of our …, how much leſs then of that which is …? Nay, the Word of God it ſelf tells … that it doth not yet appear what we ſhall be, 1 Joh. 3.2. i.e. in that Clarity which we ſhall … theſe things in hereafter. But, if the Phi…pher could ſay, that a little, tho' confu… knowledge of Heavenly things, is to be …ered to a great d…al, how diſtinct ſoever. …rthly; may not the Chriſtian much more? let us then ſoberly inquire into this matter, by the Light which the Word of God affords … our help, by laying open the Deſcription which our Catechiſm gives us of it. … then, two Things are to be taken notice …. 1. The Immediateneſs of the Souls Happineſs at Death. 1. The Things wherein it is … made Happy. Of which ſeverally.
1. THE Souls of Believers do at Death Imme… enter upon their Happineſs. And this …ceth the ſtate of the Soul, from that of … Body, from the time of our Diſſolution, till …arrection; the Body is reſerved for its …, but the Soul is preſently inveſted with … There is a drowſy Opinion of ſome, who … the Soul to fall aſleep in the Body, …int…e ſo till awakned by the Sound of … Trumpet, and ſo make the Happineſs … alſo, to be only in reverſion; and they … ſome miſinterpreted Scriptures in … of it. A very diſcouraging Opinion, … …gh to terrify a Child of God at the … of Dying: For, tho' it be after but a … and imperfect manner that be glorifieth God … yet it is better than not to do it at all. It … no comfortable thing to loſe part of Happineſs by dying, the Perfection whereof …here groaning after. Had it been ſo, … …ded not to have been in a ſtrait, Phil. … The Queſtion would ſoon have been …: it is better to ſerve God in infirmi… … not at all, better to have obſcure … God, than loſe all, and be in no better … at preſent neither for Soul nor … the Beaſts that periſh. But it is … ſo, but quite otherwiſe: The man's … Happineſs is wonderfully increaſed by … The Soul in its very paſſage out of … paſſeth into a wonderful Felicity, the … is made in a moment. And this may …med,
(1.) FROM Scripture Teſtimony: Which … abundant Light for the eſtabliſhing … Concluſion. Paul tells us, Phil. 1.21. … is Gain. But what Gain, if neither Soul … be immediately bettered. And he … with Chriſt, and that is far better than … Surely then it contributes to his well … What ſaid Chriſt to the dying Thief, … 43. To day ſhalt thou be with me in …ſe. This muſt both intend his Soul, and … a ſtate of Bleſſedneſs. Dying Stephen …nds his departing Soul to Chriſt, asking …ertainment of it, Act. 7.52. The Beg… is preſently wafted into Abraham's Beſom, Luk. 16.22. This is give for the Encouragement of the Martyrs, who were talled to loſe their Lives in Chriſt's Cauſe, Rev. 14.13. And for this reaſon the Scripture ſo often ſpeaks of Godly Men's being gathered to their people, as of Jacob, G…. 49.33.
(2.) FROM the Nature of the Soul, confidered with the ſtate the Believer is in by the New Covenant. This may be opened in a few Particulars,
1. THE Reaſenable Soul is capable of performing its Operations in a Jeparate State independent on the Body. The Body indeed was an Organ firted for its Uſe, but the Soul, is a Spiritual Subſtance, and hath its. Faculties proper to it, and inſeperable from it, which are poweres of Operation; it doth many things by itſelf, whithout the help of the Body, while in it, which prove it able to act without the aid of this Inſtrument. It hath an Underſtanding. Will, and Affections, like the Angels, and can therefore contemplare, chuſe, refuſe, rejoyce. &c. The Soul is a Spirit, and Spirits have their Operations, elſe Angels would be uſeleſs.
2. THE ſeparate Soul, cannot be, and he out of Action. It is a ſtrain beyond Hyperbole, of them that ſay. Angels an the Souls of Men are pure Acts, which is to aſcribe an abſolute Deity to them; but yet. the Souls Activity is inceſſant, and is ſo twiſted in its nature, that it muſt ceaſe to be a Soul in loſing of it. The Soul in the Body never ſleeps, is never tired, is always buſy, tho' the Body be aſleep. It is contrary to the nature of a Soul to lie ſtill, and nothing but annihilation can put it our of Action, which it doth not undergo at Death.
3. IT muſt needs be happy or miſerable in that Activity. And it is certain, that the Souls of Believers muſt be happy. For the Covenant-Promiſe hath ſecured their Bleſſedneſs at the end of their Race. Now their working time is over, and their Works are to follow them, The departing Soul goes to receive its Recompence, and conſequently muſt either enter into a ſtate of Felicity or Infelicity; nor can the active Soul be conceived to be in neither: either it acts with Delight, and that is its Happineſs, or with Sorrow, which is its Miſery.
4. THE ſeparate Soul paſſeth immediately unto a Judgment. Death and Judgment are connected, as things whereof, one neads on the heels of the other, Heb. 9.27. It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. So that befides the Great and General Judgment of the Laſt Day, where hoth Soul and Body will be openly proceeded with; the Soul paſſeth a particular one, on its Departure, for the diſpoſing of it till that other comes. And what need of this, but that it may preſently enter upon its Joy? There would be no Occaſion for it, if the Soul ſteps till the Laſt Day.
5. WICKED Men's Souls do immediately paſs into T…rments. Their Miſery is not delayed, not do they ſleep. For tho' this Truth be p…t into a Parable, yet the pain ſc…pe of the Parable, is to give us an account of the vaſt Change that Death makes upon men. And we read of the ru… men. Luk. 16.23. In H… be liſt up his eyes being in Tormens& And by parity of reaſon we may argue, to the preſent Felicity of the Souls of the Godly; and doubtleſs, Abraham's B…ſom, where L…s's Soul was carried by a …o…y of Angels, ver. 22. intends that which is …trary to Hell, and ſo muſt p…i…t us to Heaven's Glories, in a ſtate of Bleſſedneſs. And how comfortable a tho… is this for the Children of God to thi…k upon, when they have a proſpect of their Diſſol…tion, and feel in them the t…ns of the haſ…ing of it; …o look forward and ſay, this d…k Entry opens into a glorious Light; a few moments, and this Soul will take its fl…ght from a morral Body, and the firſt look it ſ…all make, will ſatisfy it, when it …adeth itſelf compaſſed with the badges of Eternal Glory: When its Doubts are all fully ſati…y'd, and it ſhall paſs into thoſe Hands which ſhall guard it to the Eternal Kingdom. Let us believe this firmly, and let our perſ…ion of it, make us cheerfully ready to depart at the firſt Call.
2. PASS … now over to the Things wherein the S…l is …em made Happy: Theſe are two,
1. It is r…de perfect in H…lineſs.
2. It paſſeth into G…ry. And what a World of Felicity do t…ſe graſp in them? Here then,
(1.) THE Soul is then made perfect in Holineſs. … ſhall here wave inſiſting on the Enlagement which the Soul now receives from the Inconveniences it ſuffered in and with the Body: either as to its Operation in the Body, which through the defects & infirmities of it much impeded its work; or in regard of its Sympathy with the Body, in all thoſe ſorrows and troubles that attended it, which were many and grievous, from all which it is ſet at liberty, Rev. 14.13. They reſt from their Labours. Here is that which will ſwallow up all: The Work of Sanctification is now conſummated. We are made holy in Regeneration, the Image of God is renewed in us in Holineſs, Eph. 4.14. And when this was done for the Man, he began to live. But this was but in part. How happy then will he be, when this is arrived at the top of Perfection? And here let us take a brief account of this matter, in which the Nature of this Benefit will be opened, and the Souls Felicity by it made to appear, in a few Glances.
1. MAN i… made h-appy, only by re…hing the End of his Being. It is a Maxim undoubted, that the End, and the Good of a thing are one. Now the Good that Man was made capable of, was Happineſs; and there was a way laid out for him to obtain it in and by, and in the miſſing whereof, he muſt needs be miſerable. For man to loſe his End, is his Miſery. If the Reaſonable Creature do finally fall under Vanity, he is undone, which he muſt do, if he miſs his end, for that is the very Nature of Vanity.
2. THE G…ory of G…d was M…s … That which is the higheſt Object of … Service, that muſt be his laſt End, which … be no other but God and his Glory. Th… … a Service and 4 Reward, but the la…er … pay an enti… ſubordiantion to the … God hath made ſuch a Connexion … our Glo…ying him, and Enjoying of … Life, that Man's Happineſs or Miſery … upon it, 1 Sam. 2.30. Them that be… … wi… ben…, and they that deſpiſe the … …ghtly eſ…e…ed.
3. IT was neceſſary for Men's being … to glorify God and be happy, that he … a Principle of Holineſs concre… with … There was a Rule given to Man, in … ance with which, he was to ſerve to his … and becauſe that Rule was holy, it … … ceſſary that he ſhould have an …a…i… … neſs conformable to it, elſe he would … certainly come ſhort of it, which could … agree with Infinite Wiſdom in maki… … for ſuch an End. We are therefore … 7.29. L…, this only have I ſound, that God … made man upright; but they have ſou… … many inventions.
4. WHEN Man loſt this Holineſs, he … diſabled himſelf from ſerving to his goods … He did not fall out from ſpecial Go… God could …ill glorify himſelf upon him … he could not now actually glorify God, … 24.19. And J…ſ… ſaid unto the pe… … ſerve the Lord; for he is … …ip God … is a jealous God, he will not forgive … greſſ…as … your ſins. Rom. 3.12., 23. … are all gone out of the way, they are … come unprofitable, there is none th… doth … not one. For all h…ve ſinned, and come … the glory of God. He thus became without … Rom 5.6.
5. HE is agian reſtored to this Power … renewal of the Principle of Holineſs in… ſion. In this he is made a New Creature … 5.17. Hereby, he who before was … quickned, Eph, 2.1. And by being made … he begins to be able to put forth Life … tho' at firſt very infirm; for according … ſtrength of the principle inſ…cing … be the Action done by it.
6. IT is the Believers preſent Inſo… … this Grace of his, is in this Life impo… … His Happineſs cannot be perfect ſo … is thus with him, becauſe there is … of his former Miſery abiding on him. A… … is nothing equally afflictive to a … …f God, when himſelf, with this: all … Troubles of this Life are ſmall, a … with it. Paul can triumph over other … and ſay, as Rom. 8.18. For I rech… … ſufferings of this preſent time, are not … be compared with the glory which ſhall be … in us. But of this he cries out as out … terrible diſtreſs, Rom. 7.24.
7. THIS Work of Sanctification in a … is Progreſſive, from the hour of his C… This Foundation is laid with a deſign, … perfected, P…il. 1.6. In order where…, … affords his Word and Ordinances to be … this End, 1. Pet. …. 2. So he affords ſui… fluences of his Spirit to carry it on, … give Efficacy to all the Means, in purſu… of the New Covenant Promiſes for this, … 92.12. Prov. 14.18. Joh 17. …. But he … ſhall brid on his way, and he that hath … hands ſhall be ſtronger & ſtronger.
8. THERE is yet much of this Work to do, … a S…int come to dye. When their Death … it ſinds not the Work done, but their …dneſs is that they are ſtill doing it, Mat. …. 46. Bleſſed is that ſervant, whom his Lord … be cometh ſhall find ſo doing. A Child of … gr…ns under the ſenſe of his finful Im…ion to his laſt Breath, and ſometimes … Oppreſſed with it, as he ſeems to ſet in …,
9. IN the inſtant of Death, all that remains … d…, is …pleared. No finful imperfecti… … accompany any of God's Children … this Life. When that ends, their … …ve that denomination, Heb. 12.23. … general aſſembly and church of the firſt…, which are written in heaven, and to God … …dge of all, and to the ſpirits of juſt men, … …erfect. Their Sanctification is now …ted in all its degrees. And here,
… THERE is a total Ceſſation of Sin. The …ments of it are wholly waſhed off. All … of, and inclinations to Sin ceaſe: Not … the Soul without this be fit either for … …ce or Company it is going unto. Hea… …its no defilement, Rev. 21.27. Fulf …nion with an holy God cannot be had, … any dregs of pollution abide. Chriſt …s them to himſelf without ſpo… or wrin… And a ſinleſs Soul, muſt be an happy …
(2.) THEIR Grace now arrives to an entire …. 1 Cor. 13.10. But when that which … is come, then that which is in part is … …ay. Some Graces are reckoned Mili… and others Triumphant: The former … our Warfare, in withſtanding & van…ng Tempration, and doing Duty; theſe … …e perfected, in that they will enjoy a … triumph over all that reſiſted them. But …, which are principally Love & Joy, … filled and run over, in the Exerciſes … the Soul ſhall ſolace itſelf forever. … …ing perfectly holy, it ſhall take com… and unwearied Delight in all the Bea…es, which it ſhall there poſſeſs.
(3.) HOW happy than muſt the Soul needs … the poſſeſſion of this Benefit? When it is … …p…red to be filled with all the Glories … …en, all of which are full of Holineſs, … happify us no farther than we are …. Then alſo ſhall we be enabled to … God for ever, to the utmoſt Capacity … Nature, moſt extenſively and unweari… Where the loud Sound, of Hallelujah's, …ly, ſhall not tire our Spirits, or make …y. Let this then ſweeten the thot's … …orth to Believers. If a little Holineſs in … be now ſo ſweet to you, how preci… … the Compleatneſs of it be? Let then, the aſſured Expectation of this, make you reckon the Day of your Death, far better than that wherein you were born. And let ſuch thoughts as theſe, I am b…ſ…ning to the Time and State wherein I ſhall ſin no more, never be troubled with one Temptation …re, when I ſhall be compleat in Chriſt, and filled with his Fulneſs, and enabled, to love, admire, praiſe and delight in him for ever, without Interruption or If earineſs, make you cheerfully look out for the approach of that Change which will introduce you into this ſo longed for Felicity.
[DECEMBER 19. 1699.]