A Complete Body of Divinity, Sermons · 140 (Question 37 cont.)
SERMON CXL.
2. THE Soul being thus perfected in Holineſs, paſſeth into Glory. It is neceſſary that Holineſs in them be thus compleated in order to that paſſage. And that whether we conſider the Glory which they paſs over into, do refer to a State, Place, Entertainment, or Employment; all of which are included in it: and in neither whereof can we be intirely happy, till we are indefectively holy. The very Nature of the Bleſſedneſs which God confers on his Children infers this. Our wretchedneſs therefore ſo long abides as there abides any thing of the body of Death with us. But now the Soul, being immaculate, enters upon its Glory. Which, what it is, who can tell, but one that hath been in the poſſeſſion of it? Or who could entertain it, while clogged with the remains of Sin? Paul once had an admirable proſpect of it, but he could not tell how, nor could he declare what it was, though it made admirable impreſſions on his heart, 2 Cor. 12. begin. However the reports that are made of it in the Word of God are ſurprizing. And that may be peculiarly applied to this, Pſal. 87.3. Glorious things are ſpoken of thee, O city of God. Selah. Let us then make a few Remarks upon it, under the Four forecited Heads, in which we may have a reliſhing taſte of the future Happineſs of the Souls of Believers, when they are paſt out of the Body.
1. THE Soul enters into a Glorious State. Glory is often taken for a ſtate tranſcendently excellent: Such is the Condition the Soul now arrives at. And in this two Things are conſiderable, viz.
1. IT is ſet at liberty from thoſe evil things which incommoded it in this Life. There were ſuch things here which clogged it, & alloyed its felicity, which are now removed from it, or rather it from them. And theſe of Four ſorts,
(1.) ALL that impeded it in its Operations, when in the Body now ceaſeth. The Body was made to be the Souls Organ in performing its Operations, for which reaſon it was much tied up to the quality of its Inſtrument. The Body was at the firſt excellently ſuited for this Service, but the Apoſ…acy …th put it out of …e, and every ſtrong of it now j…s. The Body i… …e ind…ſpeted … the Souls performing its imp…te acts is it, that it can do nothing that it ſould of would. And, tho' it be Sanctified in …ct, not it …th much of Death abiding on it, which makes the Soul doing herely in all ſori…ol Service. An heavy, drowny, …piſh Body, … And the very conſtitution of the Body … poſition of the Or… of it and Spirits i… it. …lind the Underſtanding, indiſpo…e the Will, diſtemper the Affection … And the many &c cidents it is …ble … it for Serve; and while it is ſo, what poor work … it make… But now all theſe Fe…ers are … it enjoys full freed … for its … Operations: And becauſe Sin bad turned its Honeſe … Priſon, it is part of its preſent …ppineſs to be …ged.
(2.) ALL that is ſ…d by ſy…ly with the Body is … at an end. The Body was its o…s and it had a re…der…eſs for it. If a fi…ger did but abe, it was affected work it. All the …iſeries of this Life touched it; The cares and ſolli…itudes for Life and Bodily ſupport, the labour and travail be was put …o; the b… ger, thirſt, …dneſs, and d…e… be exc…e… t…ed; the i…i…ities be laboured o… were not a light b…t…en and retaion to the Soul. This alſo now it is diſcharged from; theſe Te…s are all wiped away. It hath c…mm…ded its Body to Chriſt's care and keeping, and is no m… … for it.
(3.) IT ha… now done with Si…ting. This …elongs to its perfection in Holineſs; where we obſerved it. But we are to obſerve that it is very thing belongs to its ſtate of Glory. Hither we may re…er that, Rom. 6.7. For be that is …ad, is ſ…ed f… ſin. A findeſs ſtate is a Glorifyed eſtate. It was its greateſt miſery here, and therefore this muſt be an happilying Priviledge then. And that which en…anceeth this is, that not only ſhall all indications to Sin ceaſe, but it ſhall be out of the reach of all temptations to it. None ſhall be offered to it from without, nor will there be any more danger of being overcome by them, if they were offered.
(4.) IT ſhall no more forever be madeſled with Eval Men, and Sorr…ful Things that at wet with in this Life. Davil complains, Pſal. 120.5, 6. Wo is me, that I ſ…journ in Aleſech, that I …nell in the te…s of Ked…r. My ſoul hath …ng dwelt with him that b…eth peace. And hence wiſheth, Pſal. 55.6, 7. And I ſaid, O that I had …ings it…e a deve; for their would I …ly …ry and be at reſt. Lo, then would I wander after off, and remain in the wilderneſs. Selab. No more ſhall he he perſecuted with the Tongues and Hands of them that have him; falſe Friends, and open Enemies ſhall moleſt him no more: his righteous Soul ſhall be vexed no more with the evil Converſation of the Ungodly; nor ſhall it any more cry out by reaſon of Mu…derers. Not ſhall it any longer be grieved at the doleful Changes that imbitter it in this World; …ing for the publiſhed … mi…ies that here troubled it, ſhall be a… an end. Jer…h hath dome with that Ei… …, J…r. 4.19. The …ched Lives and … g…cal Death… of deare… Friends and Re…ing ſhall …o more affect it: All theſe La… ſhall perfectly …eſt from. It was tho… … part at the bleſſ…dneſs promiſed …ſ…lly … ca…ſequent upon its being … an … Fathers in peace, 2 Caton 34.2…. … I … gather the… to thy f…tbors, and th… … is g…erred …o th… gr… in peace, neither ſhall three eyes ſ… all the …al that I will bring … thus …ce, and upon the … of the ….
2. IT as …ed … all thoſe G…o… … its …ippineſs is not only Nogrive, but P. Srive too. Its C… …all give it the moſt inla…ged Co… … in ſu… co…prebends two Things i… it.
(1.) IT ſhall be a…ed to the p…ſſ…ſſion … the Go… that was ſoured to it i… the Pro… and that is Glory in …e aſide. The … miſes are great and p…cious, and the … m…ce of them ſhall exceed the report … of them here. It ſhall paſs from faith … fight, from h…me to enjoyment; from faith …es, and earneſts to the whole …abe… And if the Apoſtle could ſay of the beginning … enjoyed here, 1 Cor 2.9. But it is … Eye hath not ſeen, nor our heard, another … retured unto the heart of men, the things … God hath prepared for them that …ve him. … then ſhall it be, when it comes to that … 16.11. Then with ſh…r… …e the path of … thy p…rſ…e it ſmineſs of joy, at thy right … there we pleaſares for ever…e.
(2.) IT ſhall be ſ…rr… d…gh…d if … Poſſ…ſſion…. Its deſires ſhall be filled, all by hopes ſhall be anſwered, it ſhall be … …able to all thoſe Beatitudes, that are … for its Entertain meat. Could David. … the Sanctuary Priviledges, Pſal. 63.5. … ſhall be ſ…ſ…ed as with marrow & fa… … my mo…th ſhall pro…ſe thee with joyful hope. … will theſe be? But the Poſitive Pe… … this ſtate, will be further Illunſtrated … Things that follow.
2 THE Soul ſhall enter into a Glorious … to dwell in for ever. And there is … … ble Glory contained in its pa…ſing over … Place, and entra…e into it. Here two ….
(1.) THE Sa… ſhall have a Glorious Con… tranſport it to the place of its endleſs … I… ſhall be honourably and ſafely G… … thereby the Holy Angels. We read … 16.22. And it came to paſs that the … and was corried by the Angels into … boſ…. Which, tho' it be a Parable, y…t … pro…er ſcope and deſign of it… i… to give … underſtand the different ſtate of the … Men in another Life. As it is the hap… of Believers to have the Miniſtry of the … Angels in this Life, they ſhall be here… happy, in having their Souls conductued … theſe to their Everleſting Habitations. … is a …aſt diſtance between this Earth, who the Soul was lately converſing in its … what Heaven to which it is to remove: It …ed the higheſt Heaven. It is ſ… above … Region. The Soul moſt paſs thro' … to its place of Abode. This … lies is a great part through the Ai…, … is called the Devils Kingdom; and the … never wea… that way before. How happy an advantage then is it, to have this Royal … granted it? God hereby puts a great … on his Children, who were deſpiſed … this World, by affording them ſuch noble …, and wit…eſſeth his great love, care, … …t which be hath for them. There is … ſafety in it; they can neither miſs … nor ſuffer danger in it by a…octs from … …dly Enemies. And it cannot but be … …ly delightful, to go home in ſuch … Company; and what pleaſant & ra…ing Communion they ſhall have in the … we can but gueſs.
(2.) THE Heaven, to which it c… g…t, is a … P…ace. There have been great Diſ… … the Place to which the Souls of … Children go when they die. But the … of God may ſatisfy us, that they re… from the Body to the Third Heaven. … elſe can be intended by the Paradiſe, … 23.43. 2 Cor. 12.8. And by Abraham's … L…k. 16.23. Hence plainly oppoſed …, …er. 23. the Soul goes to be with …, P…il. 1.23. and that is, to Heaven. …, Act. 3.21. As for thoſe who inter… theſe, and like Scriptures, of a State, and … of a Place, they miſtake the nature of … …ind the ſ…reples about the Souls of … …s died before Chriſt's Aſcenſion, are nice …leſs; for, as they were ſaved by the … of his Merits, accepted in the Ever… Covenant, ſo their Souls went to Heaven the ſame account. And how unſpeak… … this contribute to the Souls Felicity, … …s a Place ſo Glorious in it ſelf, and … on purpoſe for the moſt ſatisfying …meat of thoſe that ſhall be made the … of it. All the commendations that … of that Place in the Word of God, …ces, that they muſt needs be tran…ly happy who ſhall come to dwell … It is a Place of Delights is it ſelf, it …ed for them from the foundation … World, on purpoſe to diſcover what … will God had for his Choſen in Chriſt. … then they ſhall be brought, and here … ſhall be lodged. Here they had no …ing City, but they looked for one, and … are arrived at it. And it muſt needs …ious from the commendations given … Cor. 5.1. For we know, that if our … houſe of this tabernacle were diſſolved, … a building of God, …n houſe not made …, eternal in the heavens. Heb. 11.10 … …o…ed for a city which hath foundations, … …ither and maker is God.
… …HE Souls Entertainment in this Place … very Glorious. As the Place it ſelf is … …ngly Accommodated for the Souls E… Felicity, ſo every thing that it meets with there, ſhall be excellently ſuited to the happifying of it. Paul, who had been there in a rapture, could not u…ter theſe things, 2 Cor. 12.4. How little then can we tell of it; who have had but ſome remote, reports about it? But certainly, their Entertainment there will be compleatly happifying. And there are Four Things wherein this more eſpecially conſiſts,
1. THE Reception which they ſhall have in Heaven o… their firſt Arrival, which will be very G…rious. How happy will the Soul then find it ſelf to be, when thoſe Noble Angles ſhall bring it into the Preſence Chamber, into the Holy Court, and preſent it to the Lord Jeſus Chriſt its Redeemer. When he ſhall with widened Arms receive it, and with the moſt tender Embraces, lodge it in his Boſom, and thereby give it the feeling Aſſun…ces of His Everlaſting Love. When Heaven, which before rej…yced at his Converſion, ſhall be made to ring with Acclamations of Joy, upon his Entrance into it; and give ſignal Teſtimonies how glad they are that their Company is increaſed, and a new Gueſt is removed from the Church Militant to the Church Triumphant. When the Lord Jeſus Chriſt ſhall bring him to that ſtately Manſion which he had prepared for him, and make all the Glories of that bleſſed Place to reſt upon him.
2. THE Communion the ſhall be entertained with, will alſo very Glorious. Man is made a ſociable Creature. The Communion therefore which he ſhall have in Heaven, will abundantly contribute to his Felicity: In two reſpects.
(1.) THE Company it ſelt which they ſhall forever enjoy is Glorious. He therefore who is made one of that bleſſed Society, …t enjoys freedom and commerce with them, muſt ne…d be happy in it We have an account of this, Heb. 12.22.23, 24. But ye are … …e unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jeruſalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general aſſembly & church of the firſt born which are written in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the ſpirits of juſt men made perfect. And to Jeſus the mediator of the new Covenant, and to the blood of ſprinkling, that ſpeaketh better things tham that of Abel. And every one of theſe is Glorious. There is God, in whoſe Favour is Life, one Smile of whoſe Countenance is enough to fill the Soul with extaſy. There is Jeſus Chriſt the Mediator, He who purchaſed it with his Blood. And if a fight of him by Faith be ſo Tranſporting, 1 Pet. 1.8. What will it be to dwell in his Preſence, and ſit down on his Throne with him for ever? And there are all the Bleſſed Angels, that innumerable Company, whoſe Love to God's Choſen is very great, and whoſe Society will be honourable and ſuitable to the Spiritual Nature of the Soul. And there are all the bleſſed Souls that went before it, who will delight in its acceſs to them. And being purged from all the dregs of ſinful imperfection that here attended them, which often obſtructed their Communion on Earth; and made perfect in Holineſs ſhall lay aſide all their jealouſies and animoſities, and with one heart love one another intirely; and joyn with the moſt entire unity in the Heavenly Conſort. Here is all Good Company, and ſuch as the Soul now perfected in Holineſs is only ſuited for, and in whom it ſhall take the greateſt delight; ſuch as be lo…ed for when on Earth, and was beſt pleaſed when he could get a little imperfect Communion with in this World.
(2.) THE manner of the Souls Communion there ſhall be greatly Happyfying. There was a Communion which they had with theſe in this Life, which they took much content in, but it was more remote, and a… a diſtance, and much aſ…oyed: But now it will be cloſe and intimate. It was much interrupted by many ſinful-imperfections, and unhappy diverſions, but now it will be inceſſant, not ſhall any thing obſcure it. It was more mediate, and through dark glaſſes; but now it will be immediate, and face to face. It was in loweſt degrees, but now it will be in he higheſt degree the Soul is capable of. It is now entertained by Chriſt as his Spo…ſe, the Marriage compleated; it is with him a… his own home, in his Palace, and filled with his Company. God the Father receives it, with the moſt i… larged expreſſions of his Divine Love to it. Angels and glorified Souls are its moſt intimate Companions, and they live and converſe together in Glory for ever.
3. THE Diſcoveries which ſhall then be made unto the Soul, will be Glorious and Happiſying. Man's Soul is of an intellectual Nature, and its Happineſs is ſuited to a rational Being. The Beatifical Viſion is therefore much uſed i… the Word of God to ſet forth its future Bleſſedneſs, 1. Job. 3.2. Beloved, … we the ſons of God, and it doth not …, appear … we ſhall be: but we know, that when he ſhall appear, we ſhall be like him: for we ſhall ſee him as he is. 1 Cor. 13.12. For …o… we ſee through a gl…ſs, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part, but then ſhall I know even as I am known. As the fights of the mind was here but dim, ſo the medium was comparatively obſcure; ſo that the Viſion was Ae…igmatical: And yet there are ſome Souls that can tell us, what glorious Raptures they have been tranſported into by theſe fights, when Chriſt took them into his Chambers, and ſpread over them his banner of Love; when his leſt Hand was under their Head, and his right Hand imbraced them. What will it be then, when their fight ſhall be clear and perfect, &c they ſhall ſee him as he is? Theſe Viſions of Glory cannot be cloathed with humane language, o… made int…igible to us while we dwell in houſes of Clay. To ſee God in the full diſplays of all his communicable Glory, to ſee Chriſt ſitting on his exalted Throne, inveſted with his Mediatorial Honour and Dignity; to dwell in God's Light, and in it to be irradiated with all the radiant beams of deſireable knowledge; to diſcern the wonderful … of God to us from Eternity, to read … My ſtories of Providence, and all the … of Infinite Wiſdom, in th…t wonderful … in which he conducted us, and con… all the Excellencies of the Heavenly Kingdom will certainly ſatisfy the Soul, and firſt … over r…i … Glory.
4. THE Fra…tions alſo, which it ſhall … made to enjoy, are Glorious. Here … upon Promiſes, and would not …ave … that Life with all the World. That … be before believed, and by Faith … ſu…ſtance of, he now is actually in… … and be hath the things themſelves. Th… was made for Goodneſs; and when it … to have an intire cloſure with that … every way complent, it is then … in its Bleſſedneſs. The Soul now g… … ter upon its Inheritance, and enjoy it … receives all that Chriſt purchaſed for … lives upon the Eternal incomes of it. … Chriſt ſets it down upon the Through … ready for it, puts the Crown upon … now it lives at the Fountain: G…d i… … is its everlaſſting Portion. It is filled … fulneſs of Joy which is in his Preſe…, … the Everlaſting Pleaſ… that are a… his … Hand. Its deſires, and longings are … ly anſwered. And what is this le… … perfect Happineſs?
4. THE Souls Employments alſo here … Happiſying. As there is an objective, … m…l happineſs of the reaſonable Crea… that conſiſts in Eupraxy, or ſuch an En… ments as is ſuitable to it. Actual Ha… therefore conſiſts in the cloſure of the… with its Object. Man's Soul can… without being employed in ſuch action … happyfying. All the buſineſs of the S… Place is Glorious, and the perfect fr… the Soul in it muſt needs reader it … And beſides what the Body will be … in another Day, there are ſome pur…ly … tual, which belong hither: More … Three,
1. IT ſhall be filled with Divine … tions. By theſe ſhall the glorifyed … ſtanding be employed. It ſhall unw… gaze upon ſuch delightful Objects … fill it with Raptures, viz. the Glori… ſections of God, as his own Portion, … will ſupply him with Eternal matter … Speculation, which will make them … The great My ſtories of the Trinity, … poſtatical Union of the Two Nature … Perſon of the Son of God, the Myſtil… … of Believers to Chriſt… all the Series … vidence, the curious Con…i…an…s in … about the Divine Purpoſes, and defe… Policies of Hell; all the new mani… of himſelf which God ſhall make …o … will be ſurprizing, and make them … is good being bore. Thus will they … Drinking of the Rivers of Pleaſures.
2. IT ſhall always exerciſe perfecteſt … Joy. The Soul it ſelf is not without … … in it. There are therefore aſcy…ed to the Angels. … the… …a…e ſomething … to them. D…re and Hope ſhall … be …tred, and … ſhall put an end of the eter… or there. Time, there are … things about when Wh… theſe ſhall employed, as the Reſe… … the Body, and … Happineſs of it; but the things enjoyed …ect, and being enjoyed, are no longer …. Love will be Eternally imbracing … Chriſt, and …lacing it ſ…ll in its … Fruitions. And theſe ſhall make it to … with Joy unſpeakable; and th…s, ſhall … for ever. Iſai. 25. ult. And th… … of the Lord ſhall retur… and … Zin… …, ſ…ngs, and …oer… … upon their …eads, … joy and goodneſs, and … ſhall ſee away.
3. IT ſhall forever Celebrate the Glory of God …. Though it hath no Tongue at pre… employ in Praiſing him, yet, as the … are preſented crying, Holy, &c. Iſal. … as a way in which Glorified Souls … themſelves in higheſt Devotions … God & Chriſt, who l…ved, and redeemed …. They have nothing now to Pray for, … the Reſurrection and laſt Judgment, in … …o themſelves: And ſo they are … in Praiſes; in which they unweariedly … …ie… Songs to ſet forth the Glory of … and their own Happineſs in the enjoy … of him. And when the Soul is totally … in this, it now perſectly a…ai…s its …, and in ſo doing cannot but be intirely …. But alas, how ſmall a portion of … things do we know?
5. LET the Children of God then Ca… … themſelves in their Priviledge with thoſe …. You at preſent labour under many …gements: Bodily lafirmities cl…gg … Body of Death peſters you; the dark … God's hiding of his Face diſquiet you: the … that oppreſs your Souls, make you …; the moleſtation of wicked Men, … …handſome carriages of the Godly, … moleſt you. Now reſieſh your … with this. This impriſoned Soul, will … its Liberty; than I ſhall know … more, then all Sorrows will be at an … then the Wicked will ceaſe from troub… and the Godly will no more be angry a…: Then I ſhall ſee and enjoy God, and …loſe fight of him more; then I ſhall … with perfect Saints and Angels. Let … you in all your toil and trouble, … I am making haſte to leave a wretch…, and enjoy the end of my Faith, the … of my Soul.
[JANUARY 16. 1699.]