Christians Earnest Expectation and Longing for the Glorious Appearing

Upon the much Lamented Decease of Mr. Noah Webb, who Died Aug. 14. in the 42 ^d . year of his Age, A. D. 1675.

To the Lord Jesus, declaring that he will not let it be long e're he come to judge the world, the Saints echo back, Amen!

THE very Apostles who saw our Lord Jesus his Transfiguration on the Mount, (which was a Rudiment and Specimen of that Glory wherein he shall appear at his second coming), those Apostles (all three of them, as Junius thinks; two of them, as Grotius, and all (necessarily confess) did in their time warn the world, that he would soon be with them. He is ready to judge the quick and dead, said Peter; adding, that he was not slack concerning the Promise of his coming: see 1 Pet. 4.5. & 2 Pet. 3.9, 10. The Coming of the Lord draweth nigh, the judge standeth before the door, said James, Jam. 5.8, 9. It is the last time (or hour) the last time of the World, (the last Monarchy, some construe it), so said John. There are more than sixteen hundred years expired and gone since; and now certainly Christ's Ministers may, and with advantage, reurge those warnings. He is, at least sixteen hundred years nigher to Coming now. Blessed Souls they, that knowingly, and sincerely, and fervently too, can say unto this, Amen!

That (which is the Doctrine I offer from this word) the Church of God doth Christ's members, say Amen, so be it unto, and cordially wish for, his Coming to judgment, according to his Promise. Christ's Members do so, I say, and (knowingly) none but they. His Enemies wish no more for his Coming, than Malefactors, when surest of death, wish for the Assizes. Were it in their power to stop him, he should never come. But Christ's Members all love his appearance (as 'tis 2 Tim. 4.8.) and desire his Coming; as Prisoners, whose Friend is Judge, and who have well-grounded hopes of releasement and liberty, long to hear the Trumpets sounding. Yet do they not all, nay I am confifident, not any at all times thus desire and long for Christ's Coming. Children of light walk sometimes in darkness, nor are they always themselves, as we use to speak. But then they lament that so it is. And (mostly) while they cannot, its an heartake to them that they cannot say Amen, to their Lord's Coming. Still they have the wit, though not always the Power, to say it. And 'tis not the least Care and Business of their lives, to seek and pray for Will and Power and Act too. So that, methinks, they do in a sort say Amen, when they do not and dare not. Because though to Do they find not, yet even then, to Will is present with them; to Will it, I mean, on the best terms. And (ordinarily) he who gives that said Will, is not long before he gives to Do also: and so is this the keeping of the Churches song, Amen! Come Lord Jesu, come quickly! † It's well known how passionately the Church of old longed for his first coming; weary of the Shades and Darkness She dwelt under; sick of desire to see him in the flesh: see Cant. 2.17. Godly Kings and Prophets would have given much t' have seen it.

In like manner, the Church ever since, hath, and till he comes, ever will pray, Come Lord Jesu! The Jews retain it as an old maxim; That prayer wherein's no mention of the Kingdom of God is no prayer. It's true, whether meant of the Kingdom of Grace or Glory. Christ teacheth to pray for the coming of the latter, as well as the former, Mat. 6.10. I understand that second Petition: Thy Kingdom come, principally, if not wholly, of the Kingdom of Glory. Were it intended of the Kingdom of Grace, I judge with them who think it would have been thus worded; Thy Kingdom be promoted! for come it is already, that of Grace. Many Learned and Godly Ancients and Moderns understand it purely of the Kingdom of Glory, and (with submission) I think, upon good grounds.

But pass we on to the Consideration of those grounds and motives, which Saints have for the foresaid Amen. These will singularly well make both for the proof and Improvement of the Doctrine offered. I shall tender but these few, of which some respect Saints themselves more nearly; and others, God himself, the whole Trinity. For the first,

M. 1. Saints Sorrows and Troubles in this world are true and just motives to them todesire their Lord's Coming. They know that they shall never be without Sorrows of their own, and others too; never without Passions and Compassions, Feelings of their own, and Fellow-feelings of others miseries, in this World. They cannot look upon inferior Creatures without Trouble at their misery and Bondage for man's sin. The Earth struck with barrenness, and fruitfulness of things hurtful; the Air (how often) with Pestilential fumes; the Stars with malign influences that infect the Air; the Sun and Moon with eclipses; the tiresome drudgery of all poor Creatures for man's Necessity, Pleasure, yea and sinful Lust too; these are Eyesores and Heart-sores to Saints. And so are (much more) all the Oppressions done under the Sun to mankind, that is so full of them. Their Contentions, Wars, Frauds, and all methods of making one the other miserable, disquiet, and go to the hearts of Saints. The Persecutions of God's Church by professed Enemies, by false Friends, and (sometimes too) by mistaking erring Brethren, these are gall and Wormwood to Saints. Add hereto what they often suffer themselves, in Soul, Body, Name, Estate, and Friends: Sometimes, because they have sinned; and sometimes, because they will not, dare not sin. All these spur them up to pray for his coming, who will deliver (then) the Creatures from their Bondage, Rom. 8.21. and will wipe away all their Tears, Rev. 7.16, 17, and drive away Sorrow and Crying, Rev. 21.4. yea will give fullness of joy and pleasures for evermore, Psal. 16.11.

M. 2. Saints manifold Temptations and incessant ones unto sin, in every place, time, and condition. This world is no pleasant place under the (first) Consideration of it, as 'tis a great Hospital of sick and sad wretches; and Bedlam of wild folks let loose, and tearing each other. But it's worse as 'tis a Pest-house, without one Room or part of it but hugely full of Noisom fumes; and without any one Person in it but infected and infectious; and without possibility of being lived in, for the infection, any longer than you use strong Antidotes, and high Cordials. Were you locked into such an house and could not get out, you and your dearest ones, till some good Freind came home; would you not say Amen! to his speedy coming? Sirs, Sin is the Plague of Plagues; The World 's a Pest-house of it. Where's that spot of ground on it, but the Flesh, Devil and Devilish men will be infecting one with it? Nay, where's the man in it, that is not infected himself with it, and apt (of Wickedness or weakness ) to infect one with it, and tempt one into it? Can you live sinless a minute without God's preservatives? Without God's Antidotes can you keep out Disobedience? or without his cordials keep off Distrust? Saints are Souls that know the defiling damning nature of Sin; and know the deceitfulness of their own hearts, the bewitchingness of the Worlds favors and frowns and customs; as also the Devils devices, snares, wiles darts, depths; and find so much ado to keep a flood of Hell out, and a spark of Heaven in them, that they cannot forbear longing for Christ to come and carry them into Heaven, and put them up, above the Gunshot of Hell, and hellish men, and lusts. They know David's, and Peters, and Paul's, can no longer stand, than they Fight in this world, and they know Jehovah-Jesus, when he comes, will find them a place, where the weary are at rest and the wicked (Devils, men, Objects, and Lusts) cease from troubling, as Job speaks, Job. 2.17.

M. 3. Saints Sins are yet the sharpest goads in their sides, and quickening motives in their hearts to pray for Christ's coming. Patience will make Troubles; and divine Valour makes Temptations Tolerable, though not Pleasant. But for Sin, Oh what can a holy heart say, or do? Other men's sins, the World's, the Kingdom 's, wherein he lives, the Town 's, Congregation 's the Family 's; Oh how do all, join in with his own, to cut his Soul in meditation, His own weakness of Grace, strength of Corruption, Frequency of offending and grieving God the Holy Ghost, to the gratifying of damned Devils! what daggers are these in a gracious heart? Saints consider further; before Conversion that they do nothing but sin; that after it, they do nothing without sin, that if they should also live a thousand years yet more, still sin against God they should, more or less, as long as their pulses beat. And this makes heart-ache, and Soul-smart, this is a Scorpion. Look into your Bibles, Brethren, yea look into Houses where Saints are to be seen! You shall learn in the History of former ones, and so in the Observation of the living ones this day, that sin is no such Fleabite to them, as Formalists imagine. They know 'tis a Renouncing of the Blessed God; yea a striking at him as far as Sinners can reach, and (as the Schools say well) a murdering of God, his Essence, Sovereignty, Perfections, Laws, all together virtually. They know sin's as evil (Objectively) as God is Good, and therefore infinitely evil. They know that it hath effected dismal things in Heaven, Earth, and Hell; that it turned Angels into Devils, that it (even one sin) damned the whole World, brought God's wrath and curse on Mankind, and all the Creatures for our sakes; that it founded Hell, kindled and set flaming all the Fire there; that to expiate it, it cost the Eternal God's becoming man, the Blessed God 's being made a Curse, the Lord of Life 's enduring Death, the Prince of Glory 's lying under Shame, with a load of his Fathers wrath upon it, hotter and heavier than ten thousand mountains of melted scalding Lead. And the sight of this cursed Quality, this evil of evils, sin, the sight of it daily in themselves, their hearts and their Lives, this overwhelms; and but for a great God Mediator, a Jehovah's righteousness, would sink into distracting raving despair. Especially considering, (as I know not what kind of Saints they be that do not consider) that there still cleaveth a Body of Sin (a heavy Noisome stinking carcass of it) and there dwelleth still within, a busy stirring active Rebel-sin, never in this Life to be quite expelled. But is it thus, may some say, with very Saints? I say read Rom. 7th Ch. and judge. Ask the Godliest Souls alive, and hear what they say! † Observe on, Saints do also know, that except but the sin against the Holy Ghost, there's no sin but they may (and being left by God to themselves, they are most ready ) to fall into; even the foulest ones, that very graceless Moralists themselves would abhor. They know (and shake in their thoughts) Aaron himself fell into foul Idolatry, David into Adultery and Murder; Joseph's Brethren (the Patriarchs ) were in a sense Murderers of him. Sampson so sinful, that had not God numbered him among Saints, men might justly have doubted his being one. Peter Lied, Sware, Cursed; not Christ indeed I judge, but himself he cursed most dreadfully. The Original word's such, that makes it as if he said in the late dialect of Hell, God Damn him! or, God Curse his Soul! Saints I say know this, and stand justly affected with Sollicitousness and Care, lest their feet slide even so far away; and lest their sins in dwelling, like Snakes lurking in the holes of a dunghill, when 'tis cold, should crawl out and come into Act, upon the gloom of Temptation. Shall I add? Satan and their own hearts rise up sometimes, and suggest, that they are from eternity Reprobates; be now but Hypocrites, and one time or another before they die, will prove Apostates: and poor gracious hearts, frighted first into a discomposure and disability to make a judgment reasonably of themselves, by and by faint under the doubt; nay sometimes fall to stark raving in the dread that 'tis indeed, and 'twill be so, with them. † These things, my Brethren, (and what wonder?) stimulate and provoke Saints (many of yourselves I hope) to abound in hearty Amens to the speedy coming of the great God and our Savior: of him I say, who when he appears, will make his Saints like himself, 1 John 3.2. and set them far above and out of the reach of Sorrow, Temptation, and sin, and sinful Doubts, and Fears. Yea will also satisfy them with his likeness, Psal. 17.15. Ult. make them joint possessors of Grace and Glory with himself, Rom. 8.17. and forever hold them in an undisturbed Possession.

M. 4. Saints (innocent, yea gracious) earnest Covetousness of the best things, adds to all their foresaid incitements and incentives, to say Amen to their Lord's coming. † As they are heart-weary of Troubles, Temptations, and sins, so are they heart-sick for better things. Could you look through their breasts and to the pit of their hearts, you would see there, 1. a Pit that all the Creation cannot fill; and 2. an impossibility of being (fully) satisfied with but Grace itself. Grace, I say, which is but a short antepast to them, to stay their stomachs and appetites of Glory; the Glory which (alone) is their satisfying feast, Psal. 17.15. You would see, Sirs, 3. you would see their Cravings and Pantings for Incorruption, and freedom from Poverty, Violence Sickness, &c. for Honor, and such brightness and splendor as that of Christ was in his Transfiguration, fairer than the Sun; for Power and Vigor, perfect freedom from all impediments; and for Spirituality, no need of Cloathing or Food or any animal Provisions; all these do Saints crave, for their very Bodies, 1. Cor. 15.42, 43, 44. And what then for their Souls? Hear a few hints! Saints for their Souls crave, 1. Full Sight of God as he is, and face to face; with such perfection as leaves no Desire unsatisfied, or Capacity unfilled. 2. Full Possession of God, with all the Faculties of their Souls as full of him, as the Sun's of Light, or Sea of water. 3. Full Conformity unto Christ. 4. Full Complacence and Delight in the sight, enjoyment and likeness of God; and Communion with him, Angels, Patriarchs, Prophets, Evangelists, Apostles, Martyrs, all God's, and our own Godly dear Relations, to everlasting Ages. Being men of such Desires, (Desires so unfillable till Jesus comes,) what wonder if Hope delayed make the hearts of Saints sick and sick of Love, to pray, Come Lord Jesus, come quickly! who knows not the quickening force of enlarged Desires?)

M. 5. Saints Loves of God, and hearty Desires of his Glory, do eminently and excellently urge them to join their Amen to Christ's coming quickly. Attend you, Sirs, 1. God is the dearly beloved Father of Saints; the Trinity is their one God. 2. This Holy and beloved Trinity is in the world forgotten, scorned, hated, rebel'd against, wished out of Heaven yea out of Being. Most of the Nations of the earth by far, make Professedly other gods. The Jews Curse our Blessed Jehovah-Jesus every day. The Turks prefer a filthy impostor (Mahomet) before him. The Papists (generally) go near the Jews in their doctrines, and the Pagans in their manners: Especially the Italian, Spanish, and Irish Papists. Protestants, if they must be so called, how many Hypocrites? how many Profane? Socinians and Quakers, heretics knownly odious (in Doctrine and Life ) to God and Saints, how do they swarm? how very little is the flock of true Israelites? And in this little flock itself, how very great sins be there, and dishonors to God (as hath been foresaid.) Saints see their Father hath a small income of Honor here; but Dishonor, every minute of time, inexpressible. And 3. They so Love God, that they cannot see it unconcernedly: No, Rivers of tears it stood David in, Psal. 119.136, 139. They know, in the day of Christ it must be, that their Father is (I was about to say, anything worth a speaking of,) Glorified in his very saints themselves, 2 Thes. 1.10. They themselves can do but little at that work before; others, be sure will do contrarily. Wherefore, as dear Children, impatient of their Fathers dishonor, (by themselves and others,) desirous of his Glory, longing to have it shine forth; and to behold him Honouring and Magnifying himself upon his Friends and Enemies too, they pour out Amen and Amen to the quick approach of the day thereof. In the former Considerations, eye was had to their own Good and divine Glory therein: In this, the respect of Saints is purely to the Glory of their Father. And I am persuaded many there be, so concerned for his Glory, that were the Day of Christ's coming to be a day of their Annihilation, yet they would wish for it; and wish it straightways come, rather than God's name and Glory should any longer be such sufferers in the world. (I hope no man will say, But is 't not fit we should wait Christ's own time? If any ask so weakly, I answer, yes surely, it is so. And 'tis with holy submission that Saints, upon all these Motives, do pray Come Lord Jesu! Also, that 'tis with Prayer of his first accomplishing his Promises too, unto his elect.)

This Doctrine is of excellent Use (among others) unto these Purposes.

Use 1. It turns out all our carnalminded, earthly-spirited Professors, from the number of Christ's-members; and declares them to be but whiter (incarnate) Devils, than Swinish Drunkards and filthy Whoremongers, &c. They, Christ's members and Bride, and careless for, yea pleased with, his absence! A likely matter! I am certain that as many of you as Love (inordinately) this world, you wish it would last forever; and that you could forever dwell in it; and (consequently) that Christ were never to come, and no Judgment-day to be; and so (by consequence again) that there were no God. And, let your Consciences say then, is it just we should esteem you Converts to God, and members of Jesus Christ, or can you think yourselves such? I am persuaded, your hearts tell you, that 'tis as proper to a Saint to Pray and Desire Christ's coming, as 'tis to a loving Wife when her house is every day so pestered with the Clamors of Outrages of Violent men upon herself, and her whole family, that she scarce knows where to be, to Desire her Husbands return: Especially, if her Chastity be assaulted, her Life endangered, and her only Hope of rescue be in his return. I Pray let the same hearts of yours then tell you, that if you can lie hugging the world, and brook it's troubles and temptations, and suffer your sins, and be listless of Glory in Heaven, and unconcerned for the Dishonor done to God in the world, and pour out no sincere Amens to Christ's coming, you are then no members of his. You are strangers, enemies, Anti-Christ's, for all your Orthodoxie, for all your shadows and shapes of Godliness, for all your presumptions and others Opinions of your being Well-inclined, Good, or whatever it be. I am sure St. Paul stretches the promise of the Crown of Righteousness, no further than to the Lovers of Christ's Appearance, 2. Tim. 4.8. And I know not any ground they can have to expect that Crown, who wish not cordially for that Appearance. Blessed Luther says plainly, ( Tom. 5. fol. 507.) He's no Christian, nor can he (without lying) say the Lord's prayer, that wisheth not for Christ's coming (and that) with all his heart.

Use. 2. It sounds an alarm unto Heart-search, and enquiry how it is with you. Whether you can say, say truly, and with any fervency, Amen to Jesus his speedy Coming. † We should not conclude overhastily; or by any means lie at uncertainties in this thing. You are Certified that God's true Church doth say Amen! and that you, if of that number, must say so too. I Charge and beseech you by the tender mercies of God, and all the regards you bear to Sanctification and Salvation, go labor to certify yourselves, whether you can and do verily say it. Away to your Closets, and the places of your Retiracy, and ask your Souls in such manner as this, each of you! Oh my never-dying Soul! ( Qu. 1.) Sayest not thou of this world, of this valley of sin and sorrow and Temptation and absence from the Lord, as Peter of the mount, It's good to be here? Mat. 17.4. ( Qu. 2.) Art thou not at ease in Zion, fat at heart, a Gallio and careless for the sins and miseries abroad in the world? As of old, Noah 's Soul, art thou vexed with them from day today, 2 Pet. 2.8. ( Qu. 3) Art thou looking expecting and waiting for that blessed hope and the glorious appearance of the great God and thy Savior Jesus Christ? Tit. 2.13. Dost look for and hasten to it, as 'tis 2 Pet. 3.12? Dost join with the Souls under the Altar, in their cry, for the cutting off all delays? Rev. 6.10. Doth the Holy Spirit in thee, and thou as Christ's bride say, come! as 'tis Rev. 22.17. ( Qu. 4.) Dost thou live like one that doth, and may say, safely say Amen! How is that? That is, doing thy God's will with diligence, and suffering it with Patience; and so Cleaving to Jesus a Savior, that thou mayst not need to fear him a Judge, as St. Austin speaks.

Use. 3. It writes in Sun -beams the blessed Estate of the truly Godly. 〈…〉 seems, have in this world 〈…〉 that's more worth than all 〈…〉 the wallings Enjoyments: and have 〈◊〉 Coming, beyond measure, 〈…〉 imagination good. They are Souls acquainted with, and interested in, the Heir of all things! They have an assured Hope of a good Day of his bringing, when Flames fed with rivers of brimstone and the wrath of God, shall mercilessly devour all besides. As well the formal Hypocrite and empty Professor, as the Prophanest rakehel Helhound that ever lived. Oh Blessed! thrice Blessed Souls without peradventure! If they can say Amen to Christ's Coming, and long even for that day of Fire, tell me whereof they need be afraid? or what in this world need they be very solicitous for, who are so well provided for the next? I have (with my own ears) heard Persons of Honor and huge estate and substance in the world profess, that they would give all, and Life itself too; for ability to say, with the Church of God, this Amen! Nor wonder I anymore, than if they should say, they would give a pebble for a rock of Diamonds, or a nutshel for the spice-Islands. Since the profane and Hypocritical World, have not the grace to Love Saints, I will never wonder that they Envy them. It cannot be strange that a Happiness so great is Envied, though 'tis sad that it's not rather learned and sought for. Seek it, oh my Brethren, Wrestle humbly with God, Fight flesh World and Devil; Rest not till your Longings for Jesus his Coming are restless, and Mr. Herbert 's ejaculation stirs daily in, and springs forth from your Souls, to Jesus Christ.

Need you Motives hereunto? Sirs! your hearts are deceitful; the World 's Temptation-full; Devils (that in Nature be spirits, in Number be many, in place be so near you, in Power be Lions, in Policy be serpents, in industry be restless, in malice be implacable, in Plots and all Projects be soul-strikers: ) Devils, I say, are Opposition-full; your Lives be short, and most uncertain; your Deaths be at hand; God's judgment is just and unavoidable; Heaven 's infinitely desirable; Hell is as dreadful, and Eternity is boundless, to very astonishment. Unto all which, add you this; The day of Grace is far spent; The Night 's at hand wherein no man can work; God is apace taking up to himself his Ambassadors. An Observation-worthy token, that he intends not much longer to await your Motion. The Prophets do not live forever, Zech. 1.5. Yea neither doth God suffer them, [many of them] to live out so many years as the people ordinarily do. Hereof, the Servant and Minister of Christ whose Translation we lament, is an instance; I need not superadd Blessed Jo. Alleine, Janeway, Hen. Blake, Si. Barret, and others.

Methinks the late Translation of the first named, (whose Memory is so justly Precious to you,) should be more than ordinary Impressive on you. I hope you forget not, but will ever remember, how much his 1. Providential succession to the Chrysostom of this age and most Powerful Preacher driven from you; his 2. Unwearied pains and heavenly Teachings among you; also his 3. Conversation and holy Life so passing Exemplary to you how much all these do add to your Accounts at God's bar! 'Twere a foul and fearful mistake, if any should dream that they had answered all these, by procuring and attending his Funeral Sermon. Alas, that must be done, by holding in Mind and Practice, his own more Powerful ones.

Nevertheless-of (this in particular, and all) Funeral-Sermons, I am of Renowned Ro. Bolton 's mind, which he hath left in these words ( Discourse of true happiness, Pag. 63.)

Indeed, if this stroke of Providence (taking away him, who, so often in Journeying, and in Perils, so much in Weariness, Painfulness, Watchings, &c. labored to espouse you to Christ Jesus,) if this work not your minds into anymore easy Perswadableness, if due Consideracy of Blessed Mr. WEBS Sanctity, kindle not in you any fire for Zeal of imitation, I shall reasonably esteem it portending, (and judge 't highly probable) that God will follow you with more such blows; take away more of your Ministers, who I can assure you, are (many of them) very willing to be gone; yea and by such Obduracy of yours, will be made more willing. The Obduracy of one Congregation [within twenty miles of this place] made a most excellent Minister of Jesus Christ profess to me, that his Ejection in the year 1662. was unto him as the taking off of a heavy burden from tired shoulders. So weary, so heavy-laden, so broken was his gracious Soul, for his people's unbrokenness. An eminent one in the City of Dublin in Ireland hath oft told me his heart; and oft in these words: I am certain I am as willing to die, as God will allow me to be. He himself, I think, feared, I am sure I feared, that his people's Obduracy made him more willing than God approved. Think not this unworthy to be thought on.

But go ye, My Dearest Friends, go I beseech you to God, beseech him that neither the Doctrine, the Life, nor the Death of this blessed Star now in Glory, may rise up in Judgment against you! Cry mightily to God, to fill you with the fruits of righteousness, to give you such fore-tastes of Glory, as may enamour you of Heaven, and set you craving for that Day, which ye Profane and ye Hypocrites too, [as close as they hide it from themselves and others] do wish would never be: Pray to be enabled to Pray, yea to be made unable to forbear Praying, Come Lord Jesus, come quickly! I need not tell you, (I think I need not,) that 1. come he will, and quickly too, whether you will or no: And that 2. when he comes, you will see the Wrath of the Lamb to be intolerable, ( Rev. 6.16, 17.) and his anger, though he be the Lamb of God, to be unavoidably destructive, ( Psal. 2.12.) God's character of him being infinitely true, that which I pray you consult, Exod. 22.21. Jesuits and Socinians would have an Angel created on purpose to keep out the Blessed Jesus from being meant in that Text. But he is so very plainly understood there, that besides all our sound commentators, the Hebrew Rabbins say, 'tis meant of the Angel-Redeemer, the Messiah. So Ainsworth from Rabbi Menahem, and he from the ancient Rabbins. Hear it then, He will not let your sins go unpunished, for my Name is in him: that is, he will be as severe as I am, saith God the Father; for, he hath just my Nature, Justice, &c. and is no other than what I am. Neither are you to learn now I hope, 3. that Christ's coming will bring with it enough and enough, to quit the cost, defray all the charge, and make good amends for all losses and labors spent in waiting and craving for it, even a bottomless depth and dearest confluence of all Delights. Delights, [oh Amazement, where art thou?] Delights in 1. glorious sight of God, his Face, Essence, Will, Counsels, Perfections! and 2. in Blessed filledness with the fullness of God; even through Jesus, by his Human Nature uniting us to God, and through his Divine Nature uniting God unto us; and so making us (in a manner unutterable) Partakers and Possessors of God himself. The devout Ancients have soared high. Our Modern Divines speak the words I put my mind in One of great same, hath ventured to say, that in Heaven,

(Dr. Jo. Donne in 2. Ser. on Gen. 1.26.) To conclude, I trust, ye need not that I stand to tell you, 4. that Christ Jesus doth heartily long for Saints coming to Heaven to him, their speedy coming; and his longing is fervent and constant. (See Dr. Tho. Goodwin 's little Treatise, called the Heart of Christ in Heaven, p. 49, &c.) And what eye is that which sees not, how hellish ungratitude 'twould be in them, either not to desire, or but coldly to desire Christ's coming to them. Oh Brethren, who will be the gainers? Can a man be profitable to God? No, No, not God: man. Christ by the Psalmist hath told God, no. My goodness (saith he to the Father) extendeth not unto thee, but unto the Saints, Psal. 16.2, 3. 'It is Jesus his goodness to Saints, not Saints that extendeth to him. Have done, have done then with this world, wherein, sometimes in Poverty you will be wanting other creatures; sometimes (it may be) in banishment, wanting other men; sometimes in sickness wanting your own Bodies; sometimes in Impatience wanting your Souls, & always (as long you are) in Sin wanting your God. Live by Faith, Watch & wait in hope. Keep an open ear to Jesus proclaiming his readiness to come. And thereto let your daily Antiphonie and return be, Amen, come Lord Jesu, come quickly.

Upon Prov. 10.7. one of the Hebrew Doctors is reported to have thus glossed;

If so it indeed be, I know what we have to do, as oft as we name a Rabbin. But the very truth is, we should break I think many of the Laws of God, (written in our own hearts, and in the blessed Bible ) if we should either make no mention, or no honorable mention, or not bless the Memory of this holy Embassador of Christ, whose Decease is the providential occasion of this Discourse this day. Much need not be said of him, because more is known than can (in our limited Discourse) be said. And though it excuse not our duty, (as a Landlords having money enough besides, excuseth not a Tenant for not paying his rent) yet it pleaseth us to consider, that his Life and Labors have found him very sufficient Praise in the Church of Christ. And that which we utter in his Praise, is but jointly to pay duty to his justly blest memory, and learn duty from his excellent Example. Wherefore all I shall offer concerning him, I shall put into these few particulars.

First, His Parts and Endowments, (Natural and Acquired) were not ordinary, but excelling; as the Judicious and Learned of his Acquaintance attest. He had wherewithal to captivate and charm, and edify the lowest understandings, and the while to satisfy and delight the highest. A faculty not bestowed on every, even of learned and godly Divines, and of justly considerable Repute in the Church of God. I say nothing of his Parentage. What Honor is any Birth but the New Birth? the Birth from that Heaven, whence he was Born, and whither he is (as to his native place) returned. 'It is known some Western Counties over, that he had a Father of whom he might justly (in a sense) Glory; (Prov. 17.6.) and to whom he was equally a Delight and Honor, Prov. 23.24, 25. The Father of the Righteous shall greatly rejoice, &c.

Secondly, His Graces, in the eyes of the most spiritually discerning Christians, were both True and great. Except but his humble self, I challenge all that read me, to name that competent judge of him, whoever thought him either no Saint, or no Excelling one? His dear Yokefellow tells me, that she was informed by himself, that's Conversion was wrought in Oxford. Blessed Soul! to whom the Holy Ghost (the Author and special In-worker of all Gifts, (1 Cor. 12.) gave Art and Grace, Divine and Human Learning, in the same place! The Vigilant Masters of the Literate Societies there, do sadly know, how very many come away from them, without bringing either Sarah or Hagar, Grace (I mean) or Learning with them; and how many more that get the Handmaid of Philosophy, obtain not more than the Shadow or Shape of the Mistress, Divinity! Thrice-Blessed, our dear Brother! to whom Free Grace vouchsafed Capacitating Nature, Polishing Art, and Accomplishing Grace, now itself Accomplished in Glory.

Thirdly, His Ministerial Labors, and Painfulness in the Lord's work, were extraordinary. He did not only, more than others do Do, but more than he himself could Do, with his health consulted for. The Devil knows to his woe, how unweariedly he labor'd to get Souls out of his hands; (and how many he got too.) No doubt but the hundreds made partakers of his Pains, give the Lord thousands and ten-thousands of Praises with thanksgiving for them. Lions in the way of duty, seemed no Lions to him. Though wisely Zealous, he was daringly Good; I had almost said, Desperately. For even then would he Labor, when he had no hope of avoiding the weakening consequents of it to his feeble Consumptive body. Oh that they were not able to forbear Imitating his holy industry, who will not be able to forbear Praising it! Ay, and (it may be) coveting the Praise of it too.

Now to you, my Brethren, to whom his painfulness was so well known, by you (of any Souls) let it not be unimitated! God, my God, persuade you to be such, as he persuaded you to be; and to Labor in the Word and Practice of it, as he labored in the Word, and Doctrine, and joint-practice of it. Let not his Counsels or Example die with him! The Jews have a saying, that No day hath in it any so good a Man dying, but it hath as good a one born on it. I pray God, it may prove true of the day of our Blessed Brother 's death. Recall, recall, I charge you before God and the elect Angels, recall his heavenly Instructions! Beg, beg on bended knees, the Holy Ghost to bring to your Remembrance those Teachings that he sent you by him! Shall I give you some particular Hints, which the Lord's good Providence hath enabled me to do, by a sight of some Notes kindly communicated by his Widow: hear, I beseech you, and with Solemn attentiveness!

1. Excellently he taught you, the Vanity and Nothingness and less than nothing of all that can be taught, besides the knowledge of Jesus. Not (to use his own words,) the Carnal, the Historical, or General knowledge of Christ: but the spiritual, particular, heart and Life-reforming, and transforming knowledge. He showed you 'twas in Jesus that all the Attributes of God did Shine! that 'twas to Jesus all the Types, Ceremonies, Legal washings, &c. of old, and all the Prophecies, and Promises ever given of God, pointed! that Life-eternal in the End, the excellent End, whereof knowledge of Christ is the excellent and only means! that this knowledge of Christ is, 1. Revealed, 2. Certain, and 3. Sweet, Savory knowledge. He rows'd you to the Trial, by heart-search, whether you had this knowledge: And directed you to try, by a Consideracy of the Causes and Effects: All this from that text, 1. Cor. 2.2.

2dly, He showed you likewise, what you are till you come to the foresaid knowledge of Christ. Even, Children of wrath, and Alienated, and Enemies to God in your minds by wicked works; both from Ephes. 2.3. and Col. 1.2. He told you, and proved, that you and all the world (no man, save God-man excepted) are by Natural Propagation sinful: Sinful (not by imitation only, though very much; but) 1. by nature; and 2. universally; all men, and in all of man. He showed how 1. Fruitful of sin and misery this sin of Nature is! How 2. Powerful; itself a Law (Rom 7.23.) and making your Souls Lawless. 3. How Fierce and Furious! 4. How Unavoidable! 5. How (yet) Voluntary! Inherent in the Will, and making men Wilfully to sell themselves to sin and Satan. He made it plain to you, that unsanctified men are God's Enemies, Haters of God; as 'tis Rom. 1.30. They Enemies to God, and God an Enemy to them. He showed you wherein men's Enmity to God appeareth: In their Opposition to his Will! 2. Their hatred and Opposition to his Saints and Servants, and Friends! 3 And their Friendship with God's Enemies; to wit, Devil, World and Sin. Also, 1. How unreasonable this Enmity is; how, 2. Unprofitable; and 3. how Destructive.

3dly, He set forth the blessed Doctrine (the Soul of the Gospel,) of Christ's being Peace-maker 'twixt God and Man. And that, 1. by Perchase, bearing the Chastisement of our Peace: (as Isai. 53.) 2. by the Tendring of pu • chased Peace to poor Souls; and 3. by Conquering the Enmity of the heart, and making Souls willing to be Reconciled to God.

4ly. Incitingly and Invitingly, to your Reconciliation unto God, he s • ew'd you, 1. That Reconciliation unto God, is a mercy highly to be valued, much to be desired, and endeavored after: And 2. that taking hold of God in Christ is the only and certain means of Reconciliation with God. And 3. to such laying hold on God are required, 1. Conviction of the unableness of all beside Jesus, to satisfy God's Justice. 2. Sense of your inability to save yourselves, and to lay hold on Christ offered. 3. Faith of Christ's All-sufficiency. 5. Letting go of your hold of all other things, which may hinder resting on him. 6. Speedy laying hold on him, as offered in the Gospel: and 7. Union with him, Spiritual Union by Faith. He told you, you had 1. God's word, yea, 2. God's Oath for your peace on these terms: This, on Isai. 27.5.

5ly. Hereupon God directed him to tell you, that (as he made it his work) it is the work of Ministers, to persuade sinners to accept of Christ as their Husband. And that, whereas unto Marriage there's required, Consent of Parents and consent of Parties; God, the only Parents willing, Christ, the one Partie's willing; the query is, whether the Sinner be willing. He told you, you must consent, 1. Understandingly, 2. Freely, 3. Presently, 4. Universally and Perpetually. And come unto a 1. Real, a 2. Spiritual, and 3. Total Union with Jesus; and 4. an Indissoluble one; one never to be broke off, by any threatening or bribing Temptation.

To Conclude; he further shown you, Christ is the only way to Justification, and Sanctification and Glory: and excellently displayed before you, how altogether Lovely (his beloved, now fully enjoyed) Jesus is. Of the which (though I can Hint no more) I pray God bring much more to your Remembrance, Consideration, Practice, and Delight.

I am most certain, if the good Spirit of Grace shall Powerfully set home these Instructions and Counsels, Dead hearts among you shall live; and they that have spiritual Life, shall have it more abundantly; and the Jewish maxim aforesaid, will be verisied, and more, even exceeded. Not one only, but many, shall be born to God, and made to increase with the increases of God, and fitted (as our Blessed Dear Brother ) for an entrance into the Kingdom of God. Amen, and Amen