A Complete Body of Divinity

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 threatening, 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 though' 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 itself; we pass on though • 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, though' God 〈◊〉 pointed them to such a separate 〈…〉 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 〈7 letters〉 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 〈…〉 forever. 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-glorified 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 itself 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, though' confu ••• knowledge of Heavenly things, is to be •••• ered to a great d • all, 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 awakened 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, though' 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, considered 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 inseparable from it, which are poweres of Operation; it doth many things by itself, without 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, choose, refuse, rejoice. &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, though' 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 hath 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 though' 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 • some, 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 though •• 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 Labors. 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 Connection 〈◊〉 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 〈◊〉 quickened, Eph, 2.1. And by being made 〈◊〉 he begins to be able to put forth Life 〈…〉 though' 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 〈7 letters〉 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 die. 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 come •••• 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 forever, to the utmost Capacity 〈◊〉 Nature, most extensively and unweari ••• Where the loud Sound, of Hallelujah's, •••• lie, 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 complete in Christ, and filled with his Fulness, and enabled, to love, admire, praise and delight in him forever, 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.

SERMON CXL.

2. THE Soul being thus perfected in Holiness, passeth into Glory. It is necessary that Holiness in them be thus completed 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 entirely 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 anything 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 sold of would. And, though' 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 •••• lie 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 labor and travail be was put • o; the b •• ger, thirst, ••••• dness, and d •••• e •• be exc • e •• t • ed; the i •• i ••• ities be labored 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 Privilege 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 anymore danger of being overcome by them, if they were offered.
• (4.) IT shall no more forever be madesled with Eval Men, and Sorr •• full Things that at wet with in this Life. Davil complains, Psal. 120.5, 6. Woe 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 • lie •• 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 anymore cry out by reason of Mu • derers. Not shall it any longer be grieved at the doleful Changes that embitter 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 dear •• Friends and Re •• ing shall • o more affect it: All these La 〈7 letters〉 shall perfectly • est from. It was though ••••• 〈◊〉 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 •• all 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 〈7 letters〉 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 forever •••• 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 Privileges, 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 forever. 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, though' 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 〈◊〉 ••• lie 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 itself, 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 •••• lie happy who shall come to dwell 〈◊〉 It is a Place of Delights is itself, 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 itself is 〈◊〉 • ngly Accommodated for the Souls E ••• Felicity, so everything 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 completely 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 itself 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 Zion, 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 everyone of these is Glorious. There is God, in whose Favor is Life, one Smile of whose Countenance is enough to fill the Soul with ecstasy. 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 forever? And there are all the Blessed Angels, that innumerable Company, whose Love to God's Chosen is very great, and whose Society will be honorable 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 entirely; and join 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 anything 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 completed; 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 forever.

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 embraced 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 clothed with human 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 Honor and Dignity; to dwell in God's Light, and in it to be irradiated with all the radiant beams of desirable 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 entire 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 〈◊〉 fullness of Joy which is in his Prese ••• , 〈◊〉 the Everlasting Pleas ••• that are a • his 〈◊〉 Hand. Its desires, and longings are •••• lie 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 • lie •••• tual, which belong hither: More 〈◊〉 Three,

• 1. IT shall be filled with Divine ••••• tions. By these shall the glorified 〈◊〉 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 itself 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 ••• tread, 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 embracing 〈◊〉 Christ, and ••• lacing it s • ll in its 〈◊〉 Fruitions. And these shall make it to 〈◊〉 with Joy unspeakable; and th • s, shall 〈◊〉 forever. 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 entirely 〈◊〉 . But alas, how small a portion of 〈◊〉 things do we know?

5. LET the Children of God then Ca • ••• themselves in their Privilege with those 〈◊〉 . You at present labor 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.

SERMON CXLI.

We have followed the Departing, Soul of the Believer, from its Earthly •• ••• de to its Heavenly Habitation, a • d 〈◊〉 it lodged in Everlasting Arms, a • d So •• cing it selt in the full p • ffe • on of ••• lest •• i ••• pressible Glo ••• . It retains that we look after the Body which it hath left behind, and see how it •• res with that mean wh • le: or what Benefit it remains owner of, which may being it under th •• •• pre ••• sice of Happiness at least in reversion. That the Bodies of Beliervers in their separate state, are not actually happy, in the strict 〈◊〉 of Felicity, much less perfectly so, as the Soul it. is beyond Dispute. Happiness can be predicated of 〈◊〉 but intellectual and rational beings Things merely seafitire, much more so s • less and ••• eless things cannot hare that decomination. Actual Happiness confists in a complete and retional Satisfaction taken in the fruition of the Object; and that cannot be some by the dead Body, which hath neither life, s •• se, not reason abiding in it. The wise man tells us, Eccl. 9.5. For the siving 〈…〉 that they shall 〈◊〉 : but the dead know not •• ything. It we consider a bodily Death in the proper or physical nature and notion of it, it is certain, that the Bodies of Believers do undergo the same Changes by Death, with the Bodies of other Mea. As there is no d • fference in the Death itself, in all there is a separation of the Soul, by which the Body is l •• t a lifeless and senselest Carcass, and every way anserviceable for the functions which it was made for; so there is nothing that can befall the Bodies of the Wicked, which those of the Godly are not liable to, both that which is natural, and that which is violent. It is a Subject of putrefaction, and ready to boled on by the Worms, Job 17.13, 14. Is I wait, the grace is •• ne bouse: I have made my bed in the darkness. I b • ve said to corruption. Thon 〈◊〉 my father: to the worm, Thon art my mother, and my sister. It becomes noisome and noxious to the living. Sarah was a precious Saint, yet when dead, Abraham must bury her out of his fight, Gen. 23 4. Its beauty is lost, and it becomes • haftly and frightful. And it may have all the indiguities offered to it, which the rage & malice of men can vent. A decent Burial may be denied it, it may be dug out of the Grave, hung up on a Gibbet, and Indibriously exposed to all manner of Contempt, Rev. 11.8, 9. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is ca • led Sodow & Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. And they of the people and kindreds, and tongues, & nations, shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, & shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put into graves. Which may be literally as well as meraphorically understood. And what indignities have been offered to the dead Bodies of Christ's Martyrs, Ecclesiafical History sornisheth us with plentiful instances of. So that there is no Judgment to be made by men in this regard; nor do the Bodies of the Saints hear any Character upon them, by which men may distinguish them from the Bodies of other men. This notwithstanding, there is an Happiness in reserve for these very Bodies, and they also are reserved for that, and shall in due season be brought to enjoy it in conjunction with their re-united Souls. This state of the Saints Bodies at present may in a more large sense be called their Happiness, in as much as it is a safe reserve of them for it, and makes a vast difference between the Bodies of the Godly and the Weeked, though it be secret and not discerned by sensible Observation.

THIS then is that Benefit which now cometh under our Deliberation. The Sum of it is, the Body is kept safe for Glory, and shall not miss of it in due time: And this is for the present a Complement of the Happiness of the Soul it felt now in Heaven; viz. the satisfying assurance that it hath of sh • . David hath such a consideration on this Subject, Psal. 16.9. Theref • re my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth; my flesh also shall rest in hope. Which hope cannot properly be ascribed to the dead Body, for it cannot exercise any faculty or power of a rational being: but it is the Soul which hath this hope, and it rejoiceth in it. God's Children are solicitous for the Bodies, being essential parts of themselves; nor can the Soul enjoy a complete humanity without its Body. The thought fullness about in now is anxious & perplexing; but there it will be with quietness and satisfaction. It knows that it shall have it restored to it with all desirable Adventages, and can cont • ntedly tarry God's time for the Accomplishment of it. But there are more particularly two things, by which this Benefit is set forth in our Catechism, viz.

• 1. That the Union between Christ and their Bodies doth abide.
• 2. That the Body shall rest in the Grave till the Resurrection.

And we may take a short Survey of these two, and fie how great a Privilege Believers have in regard of their Dead Bodies above other Men,

1. THE Union between Christ & their Bodies doth abide. I shall not here meddle with nice and curious Enquiries about this Union, which have no footing in the Word of God, and no way serve to Edification, but he content to Discourse of it Soberly and Scripturally. Here then observe,

(1.) THAT there is a near Union made between Christ and all Believers. This is made in Conversion, and the ratification of the New-Covenant between them. That there is such an Union, and what is the Nature of it, we have already taken an account, under the Head of Effectual Calling. And were are here to call to mind, that th • s Union is not Carnal, but Spiritual and Mystical. It is Relative, or consists in the Relation that is made between Christ and his People, and accordingly resembled by Marriage Union, Hos. 2.19. And yet it is such an Union as derives influences from Christ to those that partake in it. Hence compared to Head and Members, 1 Cor. 12.12 And so close is it, that they are said mutually to have their inbeing, one in another. He is said to be in them, Rom. 8.10. And they to abide in him, and be in them, Job. 15.5. And this flows fron the Covenant th • 〈◊〉 between them.

(2.) THAT this Union, comprehends 〈◊〉 the Souls only, but also the Bodies of the Children 〈◊〉 God. And this is evident from the Woe ••• of God. Not only are we said personally is •• one with Christ; and yet the Person con •• i ••• both the essential parts of Man, viz. Soul 〈◊〉 Body: though' that might admit of a Syne ••• ••• chical Interpretation, intending the Person 〈◊〉 the Soul: but the Body it felt is expressly •• clared to parricipate in in. Their Bodies 〈◊〉 thereupon said to be Members of Christ, 〈◊〉 6.15. Christ Mystical is compared to a •• tural Body, consisting of Head & Members. 〈◊〉 the Members or the Body, being parts of 〈◊〉 are united to it, firmly knit, and cannot 〈◊〉 separated from it without mutilation. 〈◊〉 relation which is made between Christ 〈◊〉 his Redeemed upon their Believing in 〈◊〉 grasps in it their Bodies. And therefore 〈◊〉 Soul and Body are said to be Christ's, 〈◊〉 6.20. For ye are brought with a price: 〈◊〉 glorify God in your body and in your spi •••• 〈◊〉 are God's.

(3.) THE Death of the Body doth not bro ••• Union, or make a Separation between Christ 〈◊〉 it. Death indeed separates Soul and 〈◊〉 and they are divided each from the 〈◊〉 and can be no longer serviceable one to 〈◊〉 there; but it separates neither of them 〈◊〉 Christ. That was a Natural Union, and 〈◊〉 broke asunder by the dissolution of the 〈◊〉 of Nature in the Man; but this is a 〈◊〉 Union, and it remains indissoluble for 〈◊〉 Death itself is one of those things of 〈◊〉 it is said, that they shall not be able to 〈◊〉 us from the Love of God in Christ. Rom 〈…〉 When the Soul goes one way, and the 〈◊〉 another, Christ still abides firmly knir •• 〈◊〉 both. For this reason Dying. Believ •• 〈◊〉 said to sleep in Jesus, 1 Thef. 4.14. And 〈◊〉 the Body that only can properly be 〈◊〉 sleep; that the Soul doth not, we 〈◊〉 ready observed. Jesus Christ looks 〈◊〉 dead Body, that Dust, to be still a 〈◊〉 himself, under a mystical considerable 〈◊〉 is therefore precious Dust in his effe ••• 〈◊〉 is a piece of Christ that goeth into 〈◊〉 every time that the Body of a Saint 〈◊〉 thither, and he goes along with it 〈◊〉 shady Vale.

(4) IT is a wonderful Privilege that 〈◊〉 to the Bodies of Be • evers, that this Union theirs to Christ abides after Death. 〈…〉 indeed cannot at present resent it, but 〈◊〉 is really and admirably privileged by 〈◊〉 of it. The difference with this puts 〈◊〉 the dead Body of a Saint, and that of 〈◊〉 is astonishing, however, to an eye of 〈◊〉 may seem to be alike. Christ hath an ••• ed Love to that Body, he delights If 〈◊〉 Relicts, and accordingly, it is his g ••• 〈◊〉 and therefore he will do well for and 〈◊〉 But this Privilege may be more 〈◊〉 Illustrated in the next particular.

2. THE body of the 〈…〉 on 〈…〉 till the Resurve •• ion. The 〈…〉 used of R • s • ing in the Grave, is to be 〈◊〉 in a large, and not a limited sense. 〈…〉 of the Grave properly, for a R • po ••• provided to lay by the Body in, by an ••••• ble Bor •• l of it; this is a Privilege 〈◊〉 belongs to Civility, and is asso • ded so 〈◊〉 and Bad. And yet the boly ones of God. 〈◊〉 not always this respect shown them: 〈◊〉 casually in the Providence of God 〈◊〉 d • ow are and in the Sea, or • o •• with 〈…〉 , and have no Fu ••• all gives them: 〈◊〉 the c • u • lry and spirs of their Ad •••• ties will not admit of it. We read, in 〈◊〉 79.2, 9. The deal bodies of thy servants 〈◊〉 they given to be meat unto the souls of the 〈◊〉 , the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of 〈…〉 . Their hi •• d h •• e they shed like mater 〈…〉 Jerusalem: and there was ••• e to 〈…〉 . By the Grave therefore we are 〈…〉 understand the State of Death, or the 〈◊〉 of the Separation of the Soul from 〈◊〉 Body, in which the Carcass can take no 〈◊〉 , not look after itself. And by Rest ••••• not to understand merely a Sleep, a 〈◊〉 from Motion, or a continuance of the 〈◊〉 i • that posture it died in, and in that Place 〈◊〉 it was Buried. For the Body passeth a 〈◊〉 Dissolution, than a mere Separation 〈◊〉 the Soul; it is resolved into its Princi ••• it 〈◊〉 into dust, Eccl. 12.7. And that 〈◊〉 is many times thrown out of its 〈◊〉 s ••••• ced in the Air, and mixed with 〈◊〉 Dust: But there is something more 〈◊〉 , and i •••• icial intended in it; and 〈◊〉 , in that singular Preservation and 〈◊〉 that Jesus Christ will offered to it, by ver ••• 〈◊〉 it shall be forth coming in the ap •••• ti •• . But we may take a more parti ••• 〈◊〉 of what is contained in this 〈◊〉 , in the following Conclusions,

〈◊〉 THAT there is a Glorious Resurrection, 〈◊〉 deed Bodies of the Saints are appointed 〈…〉 Doctrine of the Resurrection, will 〈◊〉 •••• ted of under the next Question. 〈◊〉 have mentioned as that, which is 〈…〉 of all that Care which Christ now 〈…〉 dead Body. For if it were never 〈…〉 is would be supe •• tuous. This 〈◊〉 the Saints of old had a prospect and 〈…〉 : and with this they comforted them ••••• under the sorrows of Life, and appre •••• of Death. So did Job, Chap. 19.26, 27. 〈◊〉 after my skin, worms destroy this 〈…〉 in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I 〈◊〉 myself, and mine eyes shall behold, 〈◊〉 another's: though my reins be consumed 〈◊〉 So did David, Psal. 49.15. So 〈◊〉 ••• pher, Isai. 26.29. And the Apostle 〈◊〉 remark, 1 Cor. 15.19. If in this life 〈…〉 hope in Christ, we are of all men 〈◊〉 ••• ble. And he tells us, that all the 〈◊〉 of God green for it, Rom. 8.23.

〈◊〉 •• AT there is a Time appointed, when this 〈…〉 shall be. It is not a thing uncer •••• ed, though' it be so to us. The Resurrection is to be the •• epar • tory to the last Judgment, and is to in ••• date it, for Men are to rise in it, Joh. 9.28, 29. And we are told, that God hath appointed the very Day for th ••• Acts 17.31. There are a great 〈◊〉 things to be done in order to it, for elect of which God hath allotted the Season, & when they are brought to pass, then • e will 〈◊〉 all with that.

3. THAT the Body must abide in the state of Death till that. It m • st tarry till the Great Day, when all shall be raised, and that is, after the Affairs of this present Would are accomplished. The 〈◊〉 in Christ are to rise first, but it is to be, when Christ shall descend, &c. 1 Thes. 4.16. Mean while, they are to rest in the Grave, as in a •• d, Isai. 57.2 When the Apostle in Vision had a prospect of the Souls and of the Altar, crying to God for Vengeance, they had that Answer given them, Rev. 6.11. They shall rest for a ••• tl • season, until their fellow sermons also, and their brethren that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled. Christ will do this at once, & there are a great many yet to be born both naturally and spiritually; they must therefore wait.

4 WHEN that Time comes, the same Body must be raised. I list not to dispute, in what respects it is the same. This is certain, that it shall not be another, but that which died. Job is confident of this, Job. 19.27. Not will all the Cavils of men against the rational possibility of this, undermine God's Omnipotency, or dispute the veracity of his Word, The Apostle • ells us, that the same Body that was sown, shall be raised, 1 Cor. 19.42, 43. Not indeed, could it hear the Title of a Resurrection, if it were not the same; but would be more properly a New Creation, it another Body were bestowed on the Soul, than that which it once dwelt in.

5. THERE are certain Privileges, which the Body enjoys in the mean while; by virtue of its Union unto Christ. Several of them indeed, are materially no other than what befalls the Bodies of the wicked; but yet, because they derive from Christ, and are of their Communion with him, consequent on their being United to him; they are not feal Privileges to those, though' they are so to these. viz.

(1.) THE Body rests from all the Labors of this Life. This is enumerated to their blessedness, Rev. 14.13.— They rest from their Labors — By which is Intended, not only a ceasing of the toil, and travail, of the Employments of this Life, but the putting an end to all the bodily Troubles of this World, which the Soul felt only by concomitancy. This indeed belongs to the state of Humanity, and the ungodly Sinner hath this Rest as well as the Saint. The Grave is thus a Place of Quiet to all sorts, Job 3.17, 18, 19. But, it is a poor Rest, which is only a dark Interval, and a Prologue to more dismal Troubles, and so it is with the Ungodly; whereas it hath this accompanying it, relating to the Children of God, that now they put off all Troubles, never to take them up again. The Wic •••••• Trouble and s •• begin against, as the last Day, but who Godly's ends, forever: Alt Tr ••• and u • p •• 〈◊〉 , Rev. 21.4.

(2.) IT is no longer 〈◊〉 Instrument of Concusis •• nce, in the commuting of 〈◊〉 • dr • w •• indeed an lost immen •• ti the N • w Nature to perform 〈◊〉 • oly Acti ••• , and so a Servant of Righteousness. However, the bodily Sor • ses and Members were 〈◊〉 a • p •• y • risp • loyed too often by the Law in the Members, in fulfilling the lusts of it, nod • by • this means the man was •• rought into Caprivity, 〈◊〉 which made him 〈◊〉 ou • , as, Rom. 7.24 ••• retched 〈◊〉 that I 〈…〉 shall delwe • 〈◊〉 from the holy of this death 〈◊〉 this shall now • ehe no more, nor will an heavy indisposed Body hinder him, or be longer thus miserably misemployed, Rom. 6.7.

(3.) IT shall be put one of the 〈◊〉 of any Her • , by 〈◊〉 thing 〈◊〉 World: 〈◊〉 the Body is now made insensible of any injuries or • ssion is that are offered to it, so there can no hurt be done to it by them. Wiched Men may show their spite, and make it appear what they would be 〈◊〉 if it were within their power, but it is out of the reach of real injury •• though they should •• angle it into Atoms, hang its Quarters on Gibbers, expose it to all imaginable Se •• n: as it feels none of this, so neither will it render it ever the more unpleasing to God, nor hinder it of a Glorious is • s •••• ction. It is all this while as • ep in Jesus. 1 Thes. 4.14.

(4.) THERE shall be no Curse in his Death. It is a Privilege of the New Jerusalem, whereof every true Believer is a Member Rev. 22.3.— There shall be no more Curse. It was one part of the Curse that fell upon Man for Sin, that he should die a Bodily Death, which •• se had never befalls him. But though' the Thing abides, yet the Curse is takes out of it, Christ having born the Curse, by being made one, Gal. 3.1 • . their Death is become a Blessing, and they are blessed in it, Rev. 14.13. And this very Death of theirs is a precious thing in the sight of God, Psal. 1 16.15.

(5.) THIS Dust shall be looked after p •• d none of it lost, but be all south coming in the • hast Day. This is a great Mystery, and the fleshly mind entertains grievous Covillings against it. But there is no doubt to be made of the possibility of i • by one that hath right conceptions of the A • knowledge and Infinite Power of God. If this Affair were loss, to the management of Angels, in would sail; their Alchyany would never attain to separate the remains of the Children of God from the other Elementary Parts with which it is mingled, we recollect it from the four Winds into which it is seattered. But God, who hath promised it is Almighty, and therefore can; Faithful and therefore will perform it for them. When God asked the Prophet that Question, we have his reply, Ezek. 37.3. And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? and I answered, O Lord God, thou knowest. And if God had not known how to accomplish it, he would nev •• have given the Security 〈…〉 , the D • st of the Wicked, 〈◊〉 by the powerful Providence of God 〈…〉 Surr ••• ion, but that is to Con ••••• I 〈…〉 G •• he hath of that of his People i • 〈◊〉 caller respect the hath for them Ap •••• t •••• sove it is a proper fruit of 〈…〉 continuing united 〈◊〉 him. 〈…〉 ••• • er • seasons why, 〈◊〉 Union •• iding, Go • i •• 〈◊〉 do this for the B •••• i •• of G •• his 〈◊〉 the ••••• ing of our Faith in the •• li • f of it 〈…〉

(1.) BECAUSE God the Fai •• 〈…〉 this Body, and given the Charge of 〈…〉 Christ cannot but be careful of, and 〈◊〉 to the Trust reposed on him 〈◊〉 the Eres •••• Cor •• ant. He •• erescre fait •• , 〈…〉 give Eternal base to all that • is 〈…〉 given him, Joh. • 7.2. And God 〈…〉 his Chosen to him for this end. And 〈…〉 not only bestowed their Souls 〈…〉 their whole men. Whenever mention is 〈◊〉 of this, they are named persona ••• y.

(2.) BECAUSE He himself •• ie •• 〈…〉 only his Faithfulnesy to his Trust 〈…〉 Love to this Body engageth him. The 〈◊〉 Jesus Christ took a complete P ••• uiable 〈…〉 upon him, and a Body as well as a Soul 〈◊〉 105. And that was, that he might be 〈◊〉 Brethren in at •• ibing excepting Sin. As 〈◊〉 ••• fore he took care of his own Body, 〈…〉 have him comforting himself about the 〈◊〉 and redelivery of it, Psul. 16. 〈…〉 wilt not leave my soul in bell; well 〈…〉 suffer thine body One to set corruption 〈◊〉 will proportionably do for the Bodley 〈◊〉 because his Love to them made him 〈…〉 a Body like theirs.

(3.) BECAUSE He hath 〈…〉 rainly Christ cannot forget or Righte ••••• which he laid down his Else for the 〈…〉 of. The Redemption made by Christ 〈…〉 too much for him so lose anything 〈…〉 want of looking after. It cost him 〈…〉 and he would not shed any of th • y 〈…〉 Now this Redemption was for 〈…〉 Man • The w • ele was forfeit •• by 〈…〉 postacy; and that which was 〈…〉 ••• sed. This is the Argument for our •••• ing God with our Body, 〈◊〉 Cor •• . 19. 〈…〉 Christ hath bought the Body from W ••••• will keep it for the purchased Good, 〈◊〉 laft ransom is from the Grave.

(4.) BECAUSE it is the Souls, 〈…〉 The Soul a • present enjoys a •• 〈…〉 that it is capable of in a supara ••• 〈…〉 it is not itself perfect us • o Hum •• 〈…〉 wants a Body to complete in which 〈…〉 it must have rest ••• tu •• , else 〈…〉 have the entire sy • ci •••• Nature? 〈…〉 one once, and was so • olated to 〈…〉 longs for that, and shall be 〈…〉 the Fruition of it, Joh 19.16.

(5.) BECAUSE this Body was an 〈…〉 of the Service of God in this. Life 〈◊〉 Temple of the Holy Ghost, in which he 〈◊〉 abode, 1 Cor. 6.19. And he manage 〈◊〉 the Glory of God. This Tongue 〈…〉 〈◊〉 • t • n • s wrought for Christ, these Feet 〈◊〉 him to the Service of the • ingdo •• . 〈◊〉 all his Powers were confecra • ed for this 〈◊〉 . This Service God accepted and Christ 〈◊〉 •• light in, and it shall have its steward. 〈◊〉 therefore he kept to it.

〈◊〉 LET the C ••••• es of God improve the ••• s •• er • tion of these things, to fortify their 〈◊〉 against the srights of Death. Nature 〈◊〉 and reducts at the Thoughts of it. Let 〈◊〉 Grace be exercised to compose your 〈◊〉 against the Distractions of such a re •••• cy. You love your Bodies, and it may 〈◊〉 too fond of the present L •• e of them. 〈◊〉 cannot sec • re against a Dissolution, • spand • you know how soon it shall be. Your 〈…〉 in God's Hand. Take care then to 〈◊〉 your inbeing in Christ, and that happy 〈◊〉 which is the Foundation of your Feli ••• and then improve the Thoughts of it, 〈◊〉 the Death of your Body very come •••• e, whensoever it comes. That when 〈◊〉 • issolution approacheth, and the Thread of Life is r •• dy to be snap • af •• der, you may not only be able to commend your Spirit to Christ, and believe that he will rece • te it, but may also be able to commit your Body to the Grave, as a Bed sanctified by Christ for your comfortable Rest; knowing that if he will warth over it, and look after it, through all that Night, and keep it safe till the Mo ••••• of the Resurrection, and that no Changes that shall pass over it shall frustrate your expectation of that happy Resurrection; count your Death to be no other but a Rest, a sweet Sleep, secured from all Storms and Tempests. And when you close your Eyes, comfort yourselves with this Thought, that you shall awake again, and when that is, that you shall be satisfied with his Image, Psal. 17. ult. Think then, in the instant of your Departure, that you hear your Redeemer saying to you, as on •• he bespoke good J ••• h, Gen. 46.3, 4. Fair not to go down to Egypt.

SERMON CXLII.

〈◊〉 farther we follow the Child of God 〈◊〉 tracing of his Happiness, the more •••• ing it appears to be. We have traced •••• gh its Inchoations in this Life, and the ••• rance that it made towards its Per ••• at his Death, but the greatest Glory 〈◊〉 domains: As Sanctification so Glorisi ••• it progressive; It is not perfected at 〈◊〉 by steps and degrees: yet there is 〈◊〉 which it shall in due season arrive ••••• her we are now to follow it. The •• en, which now lies before us for our ••• ptation, is the consummate Glory 〈◊〉 Christ will at la •• bring his Redeemed 〈◊〉 • od put them into possession of; the •••••• tion whereof must needs be sweet to all 〈◊〉 have here forsaken all for Christ, and 〈◊〉 confined their Hope in Christ to this 〈◊〉 Time, but expect and wait for it in 〈◊〉 Life, and through Eternity. The 〈◊〉 • hen this Affair shall be transacted, and 〈◊〉 •• ory, consummated, we are told, is at 〈◊〉 •••• rection. But here also there is a 〈◊〉 or several steps to be taken in the 〈◊〉 •• e • ting of it; And our Catechism sums them up in Three remarkable passages,

• 1. The Quality in which they shall rise; they shall • e raised up in Glory.
• 2. The Entertainment that shall be given them in the Great and Last Judgment, they shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted at the Day of Judgment.
• 3. The ••• nner bow they shall spend their Eternity; they shall be perfectly blessed in the full Enjoyment of God 〈◊〉 all Eternity. We may take a distinct account of these things.

1. THE Quality in which they shall rise; they shall be raised up in Glory. There are Two Things here proper to be taken under Consideration, viz. That there shall be a Resurrection? 2. That in that Resurrection, Believers shall be raised in Glory.

1. THAT there shall be a Resurrection. And here it is proper to handle the general Doctrine of it, though our Catechism only mentions it with respect to Believers. The Article of the Resurrection is purely of Revelation and the whole Confirmation of it must be fe • ch'd from Divine Testimony. The light of Nature is not only dim, but quite dark as to any discovery made by it of this great and preciou •• Truth. Hence there is so deep a silence about it among the Great and Celebrated Philosophers of the Pagan World. For, though' we have some of them disputing strongly and rationally for the immortality of the Soul, and a future state of Rewards or Punishments, which it is to be the Subject of, yet as to the restoring of the Body, and the Sould retu •• to it again, they rather ridicule it than assert it: And if there be any rare and obscure hints of it to be found in any of them, we may suppose, they had it not from the light of Nature, but from their Converse with the People of God. There are two Topics, to which the Consideration of this Doctrine may be refe • red, viz. the Possibility & the F •••• rity of it: And there is a great difference between these two. As to the Possibility of it, i • must be argued, either from the Nature of the Thing, or from the Unlimited Power of him who is the God of Nature. This latter, the natural than hath little acquaitance with or belief of, and therefore is wont to confine his Credit of things to the former, and or, believe • o •• fore about it than be can discover to •• ow from the Nature of the Thing. Now car •• l reason pleads is impossible, from the Nature both of the dissolved Body, and separate Soul. Man's blinded reason is non-plust here, and thinks the Faith of it Infatuation. The Philosopher looks upon the Soul to be incarcerated in the Body, and woefully manach •• by it, and that in Death it receives a Jail Delivery and therefore to have no mo •• inclination to return to it, than an enlarged Prisoner hath to go back to his Dungeon; and that the dissolved Body passeth through so many Changes, that it can never become the same anymore. Hence when Paul preached the Doctrine of the Resurrection at Athens, they turned it into a flour, Act. 17.32. And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will bear thee again of this matter. And though' some have argued the possibility & facility of this from the equivocal Generation of Insects, the reviving and flourishing of Plants in the Spring; and some curious, Experiments in Alchy my; yet all these are rather Illustrations than Demonstrations. And it is certain these are accommodated to Nature; whereas this Resurrection is supernatural, and requires no less than a Creating Powe •• And hence Job argues contrary from the same head, Job 14.7, 10, 12. For there is hope of a tree. if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender breach • thereof will not cease. But man dieth, and wafteth away: yea man giveth up the ghost, and where is be? Man lieth down, and riseth not till the heavens be no more, they shall not • ma •• , not be raised out of their sleep. As to the Futurity of it; that is a farther s • ep, and doth not necessarily follow from the former. It is no demonstration that a thing shall be, because it may be. God doth not work in his Efficiency to the utmost of his Divine Power, but hath bounded his Works by his Will; and there is the residue of the Spirit with him. For, though' an Argument from the Divine Power be of use to confirm out Faith of any revealed Truth, and therefore the Apostle argueth thus about the Resurrection, Phil. 3.21. Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working, whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. And though' there are moral Reasons that may be given for a Resurrection; yet the force of them depends upon the good Pleasure of God, and therefore do not of themselves enforce a necessity, though' they infer a great probabilty of it. But the Word of God, which is the rule of our Faith, gi ••• 〈◊〉 firm ass •• ance of it, in as much as it 〈◊〉 declares it, and gives us instances of 〈…〉 are the first fruits & ••• nests of it. Or 〈◊〉 we had a sufficient Account under th •• 〈◊〉 Discourse. But sort a more distinct 〈◊〉 of the Nature of this Article, I shall 〈◊〉 few Particulars to Consideration,

1. THAT the Resurrection is purp •••••• restoring and reviving of the dead Body, 〈◊〉 • uiting of it to its o •• n Soul. We have ••• phetical Type of it express in Ezek. 37. 〈◊〉 The Resurrection most peculiarly 〈◊〉 the Body, and so it is recorded in our 〈◊〉 It is that which fell, that is raised 〈…〉 is that which was dissolved, which is 〈◊〉 and that is the Body. Hence that i • 〈◊〉 19. Thy do • d men shall live, together with 〈◊〉 body shall they arise: amake & sing ye 〈…〉 in the dust: for thy 〈◊〉 is as the d •• of 〈◊〉 and the earth shall cast out her do •• ! D •••••• dissipated all the parts of it, reduced 〈◊〉 their Elements, brought them into D ••• , 〈◊〉 taken from it all sense and life and 〈◊〉 it is gathered together again to the Re •••••• on, and Life put into it. And this is •••• lie the return of the Soul again; and it is 〈◊〉 same Soul which returns and takes up •••• bode in that individual Body from which 〈◊〉 was separated; as hath formerly 〈…〉 evident. And in this respect in a 〈…〉 sense, Resurrection is attributed to the 〈◊〉 Man, because, as Death made the Sep •••• 〈◊〉 so the Resurrection procures the to 〈…〉 them, one to another. Hence that 〈◊〉 1 Kin. 17.21. And he stretched himself 〈◊〉 the child three times, and tried unto 〈…〉 and said, O Lord my God, I pray that 〈◊〉 child's soul come into him again.

2. THAT this Resurrection is produced 〈◊〉 Almighty Po ••• of God. This is the 〈◊〉 Head to which it must be reserved. T ••• it from the Nature of the Subject is 〈◊〉 for there is no natural return from 〈◊〉 privation to the Habit again. All th •• 〈◊〉 said on that account, is, that it is a 〈◊〉 capable for Omnipotency to word upon 〈◊〉 that nothing else can do it to effect is 〈◊〉 certain: He who denies that God 〈…〉 may as well deny the Creation. What 〈◊〉 too hard for him, who could call 〈…〉 out of nothing? The Resurrection of 〈◊〉 is therefore assigned to this power of 〈…〉 1.19, 20. And what is the exceeding 〈◊〉 of his power to us-word who believe, 〈…〉 the working of his mighty power: 〈…〉 worought in Christ when he raised him 〈…〉 deal, and set him at his own right 〈…〉 heavenly places. And because the Po ••• ••• erted herein is supornatural, there are 〈◊〉 struments that are used to be instru •• 〈◊〉 to or causual of it, but it is an im ••••• 〈◊〉 work of Divine Power. The Voice 〈…〉 Arch Angel, and Sould of the last 〈◊〉 may be preparitory to it, and signal of 〈…〉 the Efficacious Will and Word of God, 〈…〉 bring it to pass. Hence that, Joh. • pan • Marvel not at this: for the hour is 〈…〉 〈◊〉 which all that are in the graves shall bear his 〈◊〉 , And shall come forth, they that have done 〈◊〉 , unto the resurrection of life, and they that 〈◊〉 done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

3. THAT there shall be a Resurrection both of the 〈◊〉 , & the Unjust. We have this distribution asserted in the forecited Text, joh. 5.20. P • is also was a piece of Paul 's Creed. Act. 24.15. And have hope a wards G • d, ••• ci they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. Not only shall the Redeemed of Christ, and th • se that have believed in him, have a Resurrection, as if all others should remain unraised; •• ich is the Opinion of some: but in direct •••••• diction to the Word of God: But Wicked Men must rise too. So that the mere be ••• of a Resurrection doth not afford matter of Consolation to sinful men against the fears of Death, in as much as this is not a singular •••• ledge of some, but a common Lot of 〈◊〉 Good and Bad; and must therefore carry •• ich Terro • ia it to the one, as Comfort 〈◊〉 the other.

4. THAT all the Individuals that ever Died, 〈◊〉 Rise again. Here we have both the exten ••• and the limitation of the Subject. If the •••• iry be, Who shall Rise again? It may be •••• ered, Negatively, Not such as never Died, and consequently, not such as never Lived. 〈◊〉 have been some, who did not taste 〈◊〉 , as Enoch and Elias, these will not rise 〈◊〉 , being Glorified already in Soul and 〈◊〉 ; though' it is to be thought that they will 〈◊〉 to the Judgment with Christ. There 〈◊〉 some who were raised at Christ's Resurrection, Mat. 27.52, 53. And these were to be ••• rt of the first-fruits of the power of his ••••• rection. And it is not to be thought 〈◊〉 these died again, but that they went 〈◊〉 him to his Kingdom, and so their Re ••••• tion is already past. There will be 〈◊〉 , sound alive in the World, when Christ ••••• h to Judgment. Of these, 1. Thes. 4.17. 〈…〉 which are alive, & remain, shall be 〈◊〉 up together with them in the clouds to meet 〈…〉 in the air; and so shall we be ever 〈◊〉 • e Lord. Now these shall not die, but 〈…〉 , 1 Cor. 15.51, 52. What this Change 〈◊〉 be is disputed, and I may speak something 〈◊〉 hereafter; only it will not be Death, and •••• ey will need no Resurrection. But then 〈…〉 be said Affirmatively, all that ever 〈◊〉 , and are then sound Dead without Excep ••• . It will be of as large extent as Death 〈◊〉 Those very Abortions which died in 〈◊〉 • omb, and never saw the Light, if yet 〈◊〉 Bodies were formed, and their reasona ••• ••• ls infused, shall stand up again; for 〈◊〉 • ad an entire Humanity, and these Souls 〈◊〉 •••• metral. And that all of all Sexes, 〈◊〉 Degrees, shall thus rise, we are assured 〈◊〉 they shall all appear in the Judgment, 〈◊〉 ••• ch this is an Introduction. See, Rev. 20. 〈…〉 And I saw the dead small and great, stand 〈◊〉 God: and the books were opened: and 〈◊〉 book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged 〈◊〉 of those things which were written in the books, according to th •• t works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it: and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to •• s works.

5. THE Time of this general Resurrection shall be at the End of the World, and immediately before, and prep •• i •• ry to the Day of General Judgment. There were some raised in the days of Christ's being upon Earth, • nd the times of the Apostles, was died again; there remains a second Resurrection for these. I list •• t here to dispute about the first Resurrection, mentioned, Rev. 20.5. but shall leave those who apply it to a bodily Resurrection, antecedaneous to the Thousand happy Years expected, to abound in their own sense, craving I be •• y to dissent from them, a • in a Point extra fundamental: But that the Resurrection and the last Judgment shall be together, and the one shall make way • or and introduce the other, I firmly believe according to Scripture. Christ therefore tells us, that they shall rise to the Judgment, Joh. 5.29. And they are declared to commence at once, Rev. 20.12, 13. How near the approach of this is, it is not for Men to determine, it belongs to the times and seasons which it is not for us to know, the Father having put them in his own Power, Act. 1.7. Only this I believe, that there is a Glorious State of the Church Militant to intervene between this and that.

6. THE great Ender Design of the Resurrection is, that God may be Everlastingly Glorified in Man, in his whole specifical Nature. A Soul and a Body are both essential to Humanity, not can a Being be truly called Man, that doth not consist of both. Now Man being placed under God's special Government, was to be led by it to an Everlasting State; for which end he was placed under a Law requiring the Obedience of his whole Man, and engaging. either Rewards or Punishments to the whole according to his deporting himself; for which there is a Day of Judgment appointed: And that he may be there tried, and accordingly disposed of, he must rise again. And in this respect we may say, that Justice is self requires it not Absolutely, but Relatively, according as the Rules of God's Governing the reasonable Creature are fixed In the Covenant Transactions between him and them. And in this senso the Apostle refers us to the Righteousness of God, 2 Thes. 1.7, 8.

7. THOUGH all rise, yet there is a vast difference between the Resurrection of the Godly and of the Wicked. This appears in a double respect, viz both the Grounds & Causes of their Rising, and the Quality in which they shall Rise. The latter of these will be distinctly considered afterwards. Tonching the former l •• us observe,

1. THERE is indeed the Power of God, equally appe •• ing in th • one, as in the other. Their Death, under a Physical Consideration, puts their Bodies into alike Condition, and therefore there must the same Omnipotency be exerted in the raising of a Godly, and a Wicked Man. It is equally a Divine Work, and therefore universally appropriated to God. 2 Co • . 1.9. But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that the the should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raised the dead.

2. CHRIST is to be equally the Judge of b • th. The Resurrection is a preparitory to the Judgment, which Christ is to be the Dispenser of, and all are to appear before Him, and receive their Sentence from Him, 2 Cor. 5.10. For the must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ, that everyone may receive the things done i • his holy, according to that he hath done, whether is he good or bad. He is therefore said to be Constituted the Judge of both quick and dead, Act. 10.42. which comprehends both the Godly and the Wicked.

3. BOTH rise, so as not to die a natural Death anymore. When their Souls & Bodies are thus s • united, they shall never be separated anymore. In this respect they shall alike partake in Immortality. There is an unchangible Everlastingness that will attend upon the Change that will be made on them by the Resurrection. And her •• • here are Eternal Receptacles provided for their perpetual Abode, Mat. 25. ult. And these shall go •• ay into everlasting punishment: but the righteons into life eternal.

4. THERE are yet divers respects in which there is a manifest apposition in the Grounds or Reasons of the Resurrection of these and those. Particularly,

(1.) THE Golly rise to perfect their Happiness, but the Wicked to complete their Misery. This appears, in that the great design of their Rising is to be judged, in which judgment they are to be disposed of according to what they have been in this Life, and therefore they are to receive the Sentence accordingly, Mat. 25. 34, 41. Then shall the king say unto them on his right hand, Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Then shall be say also to them on the life hand. Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the divi • and his angels. Accordingly we have that distribution, Dan. 12.2. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

(2.) THE Godly rise in pursuance of God's Promise, but the Wicked according to his Threatning. There is indeed, God's Faithfulness to his Word in both, but one is from a Word of Promise, the other a fearful Threatning. God hath engaged Eternal Life to his Children, and they rise to go to possess it: and he hath threat • ed Eternal Destruction to his Enemies, and this disposeth them for it. The Godly rise to enjoy endless Glory with Christ in Heaven; the Wicked rise to suffer enduring Torments with the Devils in Hell.

(3.) THE Resurrection of the one flows from God's Love; whereas the other's is from his just Severity. As the Resurrection is to the Wicked a Penalty, so it is to the Godly a Bene •• . Now all the Benefits which be bestows upon his own, derive from the Fountain of his Everlasting Love: and therefore he will this make these the Everlasting Monuments of it a Whereas, because he will show his Wrath and make his Power known in the other, be will thus f •• them for it.

(4.) THE Just rise to stand forever, but the Unj • st rise to have the more • earsul fall. Both these are Intimated in, Psal. 1.5. Therefore the ungodly shall n •• stand the judgment, no • s ••• in the congregation of the reg ••• on • . God • i • eth his own, that be may bring them to the Eternal Kingdom, and exalt them to a Gl • ious Throne, there to abide • umo • ed forever: whereas the Wicked are raised, but it is 〈◊〉 order to their being thr •••• 〈◊〉 into the Lake of Fire, and • alling into the 〈◊〉 Pit. Then will that Triumph are in glorious Accomplishment, Psal. 20.8. They 〈◊〉 brought 〈◊〉 and fallen, but we are risen 〈◊〉 stand utrigh • .

(5.) THE resurrection of these is an 〈◊〉 Christ's Merit, whereas that of these 〈…〉 his S • v • re • gn Justice. The Resurrection 〈◊〉 . Believers must needs be precious, 〈◊〉 Christ hath purchased it for them. The 〈◊〉 end of his Dying, was that we might five through him, 1 Joh. 4 3. Now the Resurrection 〈◊〉 one part of this Life. Christ on this ac ••••• calls himself the Resurrection, Joh. 11.25. which intends, not only the ••• icient, but 〈◊〉 the Meritorious Cause of it: And for 〈◊〉 reason Christ tells us, that he is to 〈…〉 his whom his Father hath given him, Joh. 5.33. Whereas, the Resurrection of the Un •••• , was not merited for them by Christ, 〈◊〉 pointed in God's Counsel to them, and 〈◊〉 only secured to Christ as Judge, which 〈◊〉 of the glorious Rewards of his Medi ••••• Service, Act. 17.31.

(6.) THE Resurrection of Christ, but a p •••• cular and peculiar influence into the Resurrection of his Redeemed. As he died to purchase it for them, so he rose again to confirm it 〈◊〉 them. The Apostle, in 1 Cor. 15. groun •• 〈◊〉 Believers Faith of the Resurrection of the Just, upon the Resurrection of Christ 〈◊〉 makes so close a Connection between th ••• , that he lets us understand, that all our •••• Faith stands or falls with our beief of Christ Resurrection, ver. 14. And if Christ • e • n risen, then is our preaching •• in, end your saith is also vai • . &c. Now there is a minifold Co ••• mation of God's Children in this •• ticle f ••• the raising of Christ. His Resurrection 〈◊〉 us, that the purchase of ours is made. He •• e that, Rom. 4. ult. Who was delivered 〈◊〉 offenses, and was raised again for our justi •••• . It witnesseth that he hath made a pers •• . Conquest over Death, and it cannot bo •• 〈◊〉 when he requires us. It is to be an 〈◊〉 for the Confirmation of our Faith, be •••• he rose as the first-fruits; and his are 〈◊〉 the Harvest, ver. 20. He rose as their 〈◊〉 〈…〉 Members most follow 〈…〉 . Now this is only the Co • s • lation 〈…〉 , and others have no late •• st in 〈…〉 therefore gives this as the Reason 〈…〉 •• ce on this account, Job. 14.19. 〈…〉 •• ye shall live also.

〈…〉 divers B • quiries made about the 〈…〉 which because they have more 〈…〉 Curiosity is them, than matter 〈…〉 . I shall pass over, only leaving 〈…〉 Remark, viz. That whatsoever 〈◊〉 ••• fire for the perfect Glorification 〈◊〉 •• es of Believers, or for the making 〈◊〉 ••• ies of the Wicked fit to be Vessels 〈◊〉 •• creally, will then be done to them, 〈…〉 A •• ighty Power, which will 〈…〉

〈…〉 we out then a • vised, to •• y in thee 〈…〉 ••• y the F •••• cy of this Resurrection. 〈…〉 how sollici • ous he was, P •• l. 3.11. 〈…〉 that he might rise again, for he 〈…〉 •• as unavoidable, but that he might 〈…〉 it. If all must rise again, surely 〈…〉 •• orly • aid in, who never took care 〈…〉 beyond the present time. How 〈…〉 • ust they needs be, who have laid 〈…〉 most Care for this Life only, and 〈◊〉 the 〈…〉 , or provided, for the Life 〈◊〉 is 〈◊〉 me? Is there a Resurrection to 〈…〉 to Contempo? it infinitely con • es 〈◊〉 one of us, to use utmost care to 〈◊〉 th •• , 〈◊〉 and escape the other. And 〈…〉 Unchangeable State that the •••• ect 〈◊〉 will put as into, and that according as D •••• finds us, when it makes a Sie ••• 〈…〉 . They then are the only wise 〈…〉 make it the great Business of the 〈…〉 and Time, to make Provision, that 〈…〉 •• th • nti • led to this Death & Re ••••• 〈◊〉 Christ, they may lie down and 〈…〉 and that when that Morning 〈…〉 may arise clothed with his I ••••• 〈…〉 that you be risen with Christ now; 〈…〉 and true Conversion, then shall 〈…〉 which abode during your state of 〈…〉 ••• ue in your Restauration; and if 〈…〉 he sure to die in the grounded 〈…〉 , Death is unslinged, the terror 〈…〉 way. And while the Pore-their 〈…〉 •••• ction affords matter of Horror to 〈…〉 yield you abundant Consolation, 〈…〉 in your Flesh you shall see God.

SERMON CXLIII.

〈…〉 in that Resurrection, Believers shall 〈…〉 •• sed in Glory. The Resurrection it 〈…〉 on to Good and Bad: And shall 〈…〉 different Grounds, and on a diverse 〈…〉 already been observed. We 〈…〉 now to proceed to a particular 〈…〉 of the Benesis that Believers re ••• 〈◊〉 •• ist by and in this Resurrection, 〈…〉 be very wonderful & surprizing. And that wi ••• take a proper account of this Affair, but us observe in general. That t • e •• otime of the •• surrection consists, in the res •• ring of the diss • lt of Body, end re- ••• ting of it with the Soul, which Death hath separated from it. New thi • •• otious State which the Man shall be put into, hath a proper reference to his Body. We have before observed that the Soul is perfected at Death, and enters into a wonderful Felicity before hand, whiles the Body is made a Carcass, and returns to its Duff. but was received for a better Condition in the appointed Season; and now it comes. The Body shall now have wonderful Beauty and Glory put upon it; and this shall be at the Resurrection. The Apostle therefore cells as, that we lock for such a thing, in which he gives as a comprehensive description of this, Phil. 3.20. For our conversation is in he ••• , from whereas also we book for the Savi ••• , the Lord Jesus Christ. And be illustrateth it by opposing the Qualities that Death puts it into, to such as the Resurrection confers upon it, 1 Cor. 15.42, 43, 44. That therefore which now lies before us, is to take an account of the State in which the Bodies of Believers shall rise; by which we shall plainly discover the Glory in which they shall be raised, and what an Happiness shall be conferred upon them in •• d by it. The word Glory, is used in various Senses among Men: As also are the Hebrew and Greek Words by which it is expressed in the Scriptures. I shall here only point at Three; all of which may be supposed to refer to the thing under Consideration. Sometimes Glory & Happiness are put Synony mically; so in Psal. 73.24. Thes. shalt guide me with thy counsel, and after receive me to glory. i.e. into a state of perfect Blessedness. And it is certain that the Resurrection of Believers belongs to their Glorification. It in one Article of the Felicity which God hath promised to make them to partake in at the last Day. As Christ's rising from the Dead was one step of his Exaltation; so shall that of his Redeemed be of theirs. Sometimes it intends a paculiar and transcendent acknowledgment that is paid to a Person, for some singular & extraordinary virtues which we conceive to be in him Praise, Honor, and Glory, seem to be so many degrees of deference given to another. Praise being a verbal Commendation, Honor a signal respect added to make it appear indeed that we have an high esteem of him, and Glory a superlative Praise and Honor that we confer upon him; by raising Trophies, erecting Monuments for his Memory, recording his worthy Actions, and renowned Endowments. Thus are we commanded to give Glory to God, Psal. 29.1, 2. Give unto the Lord (O y • mighty) give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name. And without doubt, the luster in which the Bodies of the Saints shall then appear, will gain them glorious esteem. But the main thing, and that which is nextly here intended, is, Glory is put for the worth, of excellency which is make Subject, which • ecders it worthy of having that Glory paid 〈◊〉 it. When the worth of it is surpassing, it is said to be Glorious. Hence it is said of God Enod. 17.11. who is like 〈◊〉 thee, O Lord, amongst the gods! who is like time, gl ••• in baba ••• fearful in praises, dang ••• ders. And 1 Chron. • 9.11. There, O Lord is the greatness and the power, and the glory, and the 〈◊〉 and the majesty, for all that is in the heaven and in the 〈◊〉 ; there is the kingdom. O Lord, and thou 〈◊〉 exalted as bead 〈◊〉 all. So that by the Glory in which the Body shall be raised, we are to understand all those admitable O • r • ments that shall be consorved upon it by which it shall be mode fit for the happy State which it is raised to possess, in which it shall be come-glorified with its restored Soul. And that we •• y take a right account of this, we must confine out selves to those notices that are given us about it in the Word of God; from whence alone we have the assurance that these shall be a Resurrection, and what manner of one if shall be. We may therefore essay the laying out the grounds and rat ••• of this in the following Conclusions.

1. THAT the great and of the raising of the Saints Body, is, this it may accompany the Soul, and ••• re with it in •• erad Blessedness. The Resurrection is in order to the Consummation of our Glorification, and is made a necessary step to it. God having chosen the Man to Eternal Life and the Man consisting of Soul and Body, he cannot be completely hapor but in-both in conjunction: And because Death had made a separation between them, they must be brought together again, else the Man doch not enjoy an entire Humanity; not can the Body be capable of any sense of well being till it be animated again with its Soul; and this is the very thing that it is come to by this Change: For which reason it is called the Resurrection of life, Joh. 5.29.

2. To the fitting of the Body thus to s ••• e in Happiness. It must be a suitable Organ for the Soul to perform its blessed Operations in. The Glory of the Body consists in its being completely suited for its end. Now it was made for the Soul, to be its Instrument; and must therefore serve it to its ends. Should the Soul, which is the most noble part in Man, be prejudiced or obstructed in its Felicity, by being re-united to the Body, it would be a Penalty and not a Benefit bestowed upon it. It must therefore be such a Body, as in it the Soul may enjoy itself, and not be clogged or impeded, in its seeing, enjoying, and glorifying of God forever, in which its Eternal Blessedness doth consist. Not can the Body itself be perfect in Glory, unless it be qualified; because otherwise it would lose its end and usefulness: and that would be its real misery. It must therefore be wholly freed from any either natural or occasional Indispositions, in order to its enjoying of a conjunct Glory with the Soul.

3. THE Body of Man had such a Glory as this put upon it as first, which it Lost by the Apo •••• Whether we consider it 〈◊〉 its •• tural 〈◊〉 and Compo •• cie, or in its co •• atural San ••• Infi •• re Wisdom suited it • o its great 〈◊〉 Glorifying God. It we confider the composed of the Body and disposing of it to be 〈…〉 its Sanctions, it was a wondrous Pabrick 〈◊〉 1 • 9.14. I will praise thee, for I am fearful 〈◊〉 wonderfully made: 〈…〉 are thy 〈…〉 that my soul 〈…〉 well. But when if consider, the Body as adorned with the 〈◊〉 of God, and every Member and Power of 〈◊〉 Sanctifyed, what a Glory was this. Well 〈◊〉 the Psalmist say, Psal 6.5. For then 〈…〉 have a little lower then the angels, and best 〈…〉 glory and 〈◊〉 . But Man 〈◊〉 hath laid all this Glory in the Dust, and 〈◊〉 vested it of the image of God, indispos ••• to all that is honorable, and debased it 〈◊〉 Slavery that renders it igacmi • ious, and 〈◊〉 sequently exposeth it to Contempt. For 〈◊〉 reason it hath gotten that Epithet of 〈…〉 tributed to it, Phil. 3.21.

4. THERE soull therefore be a 〈…〉 Change made in the Body, by the Risu •••• from what it was in this Life. Whether 〈◊〉 Man had kept his Integrity, there would 〈◊〉 have post some Alteration on his Body, 〈◊〉 him for a glorified State, is matter of 〈◊〉 Speculation. But it in certain, that all 〈◊〉 Damages which it hath sustained by the 〈◊〉 which have put it out of Repair, must 〈◊〉 newed, all its Defects be supplied; i • ••• ners must he taken away, and that by a ••• derful Change. Of which, Phil. 3.21. 〈◊〉 shall change our •• de body, that it may be 〈◊〉 like unto his own glorious body, according as 〈◊〉 working, whereby he is able even to sub ••• 〈◊〉 things unto himself. Where we have the •• thor of it, Christ himself; the Change it 〈◊〉 , is from Vileness to Glory; the Pattern of 〈◊〉 his own most Glorious Body; the Vertes 〈◊〉 which it shall be done, the Working of 〈◊〉 mighty Power. When therefore we 〈◊〉 taken a view of this Change, we shall 〈◊〉 a Prospect of the Glory under Considers 〈◊〉 Here then we may consider this Change.

1. Negatively. in two Things.

1. THIS Change will not be in the 〈◊〉 Frame, or human Shape of the Body. 〈◊〉 be an human Body still. For substance 〈◊〉 be the same Body that we had before. 〈◊〉 Body that went into the Grave shall be 〈◊〉 out of the Dust. This hath been before made evident; only let me add to the Con ••••• on of it, that we are told that the • esum •••• , on of our Body shall be analogous to th •• 〈◊〉 Christ, Phil. 3.21. And we are sure his 〈◊〉 the same. And therefore he said to his ••• ciples, Luk. 24.39. Behold • rcy bands & my 〈◊〉 that it is I myself; handle me, and see, 〈◊〉 spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see 〈…〉 Christ will take the same Materials, & 〈◊〉 them a new Make, and build them into a ••• lie Fabric. Our Bodies are said to be of the Dust. i. e. they are Elementary; and it is this Dust that shall awake, Isal. 26.19. 〈◊〉 shall not be an Etherial Body •• rrogated in the 〈◊〉 of the other, as some have without 〈◊〉 and contrary to Scripture imagined. And it shall return to an human Shape, for 〈◊〉 Christ's and in that Form or Figure 〈◊〉 he repeat to his Disciples, after he was 〈◊〉 . And indeed, infinite Wisdom contrived his Shape at that which was most covenant for such a Creature, both for Beauty, & Glory and F •• ess for being and streamer of the S •• in its Operations; and therefore it shall ••• h when rased. It shall therefore: have all the bodily Members which it had before. 〈◊〉 they were everyone placed in the Body in the perfection of Humanity, and fitting is for its End. And it is presump •• ou • tly ••• ed that some shall then be useless, for 〈◊〉 do we know what honor Good will have by 〈◊〉 ? And it is certain that Ca ••• , who in the Pattern of our Resurrection rose in the 〈◊〉 Body, with all its Members, for his 〈◊〉 were saw Corruption.

1. HENCE it follows, that the Man stall 〈◊〉 be ••• ged unto any other Species, or kind of 〈◊〉 . Some mistaking that expression (in 1 Cor. 15.44. It is form a natural body it is 〈◊〉 a spiritual body. There is a anurad body, 〈◊〉 is a spiritual body. ) have supposed that shall be charged into a Spirit, or an Arge ••• Substance; But how then will it be a 〈◊〉 Far Bodies and Spirits. are of two 〈◊〉 Species; so that it must thus • ose its 〈◊〉 . It shall have nothing put upon it 〈◊〉 Change, which is inconsistent with, or ••• ctive to at Human Body. for so had at Christ's Body. When therefore Christ 〈◊〉 that it shall be equal to the Angels, 〈◊〉 20.36. Neither can they die anymore; for 〈…〉 unto the angels, and are the chil ••• of God, being the children of the resurrection he doth not intend that they shall be 〈◊〉 into Angels, but only that they shall 〈◊〉 ••• lly privileged with them in that 〈◊〉 State. Much less then shall their 〈◊〉 be adorned with Divine Perfections, 〈…〉 ••• quity, Omnipotence, &c. for neither in Christ so in his Humanity, whatsoever some love vainly dreamed.

2. Mainely: Observe in general, that this 〈◊〉 George will be in their bodily Quality; and 〈◊〉 will consist their conformity to Christ's 〈◊〉 Body. And this Change will be so 〈◊〉 and wonderful, as will advance them ••• lations State. And the more attonish ••• must needs be, in that it will be done, 〈◊〉 or a Body made of Earth, or of an 〈◊〉 Original, but also on a Body which 〈◊〉 de •• ced, and made so vile. And this 〈◊〉 be summarily compeized under two 〈◊〉

3. • LL the evil Qualities which the Body was 〈◊〉 with by Sin, shall be removed and all •••• rory Qualities requisite to make it Glori •• full be restored or bestowed upon it. I put those two together, because they do mutually 〈◊〉 me the other; and there is in it as it 〈◊〉 return from the Privation to the tis •• . We observed, that Man's Body was made Glorious 〈◊〉 first, that it lost this Glory and became vile by Sin. All this shall no •• be recoreted, and the raised Body shall have none of those Mischief upon 〈◊〉 leave them behind; not shall it 〈◊〉 any of these Primitive Excellencies, which were put upon it in its Creation. In particular.

(1.) THE Body shall by 〈◊〉 all its Deformity, and be made must be •••• . It shall have a Conel •• ess put upon it, and r ••• ing will be unlovely in its. All the Defomities on Man's Bodies are Penalties of Sin: whether it be a ••• netry of Parts, redundancy of deficiency of Members, or the like. Whatever of these the Body had before, it shall not rise with them. Christ is altogether lovely, and so shall the Believer be. Among Christ's Redeemed at the Resurrection, there shall be no Dwarfs, no little Children, none with any Member wanting or supers •• ous; none Crooked or Deformed; but all shall be Comely, Beautiful, Amiable. And this is •• eluded in that, 1 Cor. 15.42. It is from in 〈◊〉 , it is raised in glory; it is from in weakness, it is raised in power.

(2.) IT shall put off us 〈◊〉 , and be •• de Immortal. It was Sin that brought Death into the World, Rom. 5.12. Man in his state of Integrity, was so made Immortal, that if he had not sinned, he had never died. The Resurrection shall put an end to this Death. They shall die no more, but live Eternally. We shall therefore after that be ever with the Lord in our Bodies, 1 Ths. 4.17. And this is intended, in 1 Cor. 15.42. So also is the resurrection of the dead, it is some in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. Hence that of our Savior, Luk. 20.26. Immortality is a new Spit which the Body shall put on when it riseth, ver. 53. For this corruption must put on incorruption and this mortal must put on immortality. Not shall it anymore have the least disposition or tendency to a Dissolution.

(3.) IT shall be pecfectly second from all Diseases, and Informities. It was here full of Maladies. an Hospital for all manner of Distempers to lodge in, liable to the infections of the All and every all Accident, exposed to acute and chronical Maladies, which woefully impeded both its Service and Comfort. But all these were buried with it, and shall be left behind and rise no more; it shall enjoy perfect Health and Vigour, without the least Pain or Grief. Then shall that prophecy be completed, Isal. 33.24. And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the pesp • a that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.

(4.) IT shall no more stand in need of Ch ••• ing. Man in innocence had no occasion for it, much less shall there be any in the Resurrection. That which first made it necessary was the shame that Sin had brought upon it's and the need was increased by the Miseries of the Seasons, that we were hereupon exposed unto. And though' Pride hath made Man count it their Glory, yet every Garment that we not on is a Bedge of our lg ••• ion a mark of Disgrace upon us. This will their be itm • eed. The Body will be so glorious that to shame will abide as it, and it will tem •• e to a C •• rate where a will actor be exposed to any Injutice. In a Word.

(5) THERE stall be •• thing is the 〈◊〉 ••• g the Sads free, and aninter •••• d 〈◊〉 February; had all 〈◊〉 is a q ••• t is a B • dy that frail 〈◊〉 for 〈…〉 be given to it. There shall be neither Weak es ••• Weariness to a •• eml it. It shall spend a F ••••• lie lathe Celebra ••• g the Praises of God in Singing endless Halol losses. It shall be ever Co •• em plating of the Glory of God and acting Love upon him, and never •••• ed; it shall be quick and active. And in this respect it may be said to be s • uc • t u •• kness, &c. And a m •••• all half, &c. 1 Cor. 15.43, 44. Had Man kept his integrity, he had never known what it was to be tited in his Work, to he faint, and forced to give out. Not shall the raised B • dy be anymore a clog to the Soul, or the Bo •• ver have any ••• asion to say, the Spirit indeed is willing, but the Flesh is weak. And when it hath been employed in that Happilying Business of Heaven Miltions of Ages, it shall remain still as frost, and active, and ready to pursue it as ever. So that there was nothing loss in Adam, but what shall be restored in Christ, when that Day comes, in regard of the Body.

2. THE Body shall have something superadded unto it, • b • ve what it had in us first Creation which shall further augment the Glory in which it shall he rais • d. What might have been it he had never sell, I dispute not, but this is certain, that the state of the Body in Creation, was in some things short of what, that • f the Saints shall be in the Ressurrection. And that will appear in the things that are appr • p •• ted to the C • lestial State, to the Possession whereof, the Resurrection is a designed Medium, And they are chiefly,

(1.) THEY shall live with at Food. The first Adam, and Mankind in him, had a subordinate Done dance on the Creature for the Na ••• meant of his Body, and maintaining that Life which was put into it. G • d therefore provided other Creatures for his Sustentation, and bestowed them upon him for Food. Gen. 2.10. And the Lord God commanded the man, sling. Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat. But the State of Heaven to which he is raised is another thing. They are corruptible things which were to sustain our Life, but there is no such thing there, where we are to be entertained after we rise. And therefore out Bodies shall have no occasion for them, else the want would be our Misery. Thus also it is Spiritual Body. God will hold it up in his own Hand, as he doth the Angels, and therefore Hungering & Thirsting shall then cease, Rev. 7.16.

(2) IT shall live without Sleep. And in this it shall also be like the Angels. Sleep is thought to arise from Fumes engendered by the Nourishment taken, and the ex •••• ed the Spirits by Labor. Adam in 〈◊〉 could not do without Sleep, because be 〈◊〉 to live upon Nutriment, and on their 〈◊〉 there was a Night for Reft, as well as a l ••• for Work. But now nothing of this will be not the Body need it. And hence there 〈◊〉 be 〈◊〉 Night, Rev. 21.25.

(3) It shall five without Merri • ge. The reason of that was because God would have all Mankind to derive from one Originator, so be might treat with them in a Cove ••• is one Head; and accordingly this Ordi •••• was it sliteted in Man's State of la ••• my. But now all Generation shall be at an 〈◊〉 and such Relations will cease and be 〈◊〉 Th • s therefore is the main thing in wisdom Savior tells us that they shall be like the •• gen, Mat. 22.30.

(4.) THE Body shall no more be empl ••• d in such Caller as were app •• l • tted for Near p •• vi • ing for his holly Ke • e • . For when he Occasions for it shall cease the Vocations 〈◊〉 were purposely designed for it, will case too. Adam was put into the Garden to 〈◊〉 it, Gen. 2 15. But now the Body is di ••• ged from all such Business, to be intimity a L • betty for those Glorit us and Cela ••• 〈◊〉 ployments in which in stall rest from all 〈◊〉 Labors, and Celebrate an Eternal wh ••• rapted Subbath, in which its actual ••• dy will consist. Thus will the Body be 〈◊〉 in Glory.

USE I. LET the Toughts of re ••• 〈◊〉 help the Children of God th •• rsally is 〈…〉 the b •• lity in •• vention is of this Life. 〈◊〉 part of our Trouble in his World ariseth 〈◊〉 the Body, and I know no better reflet t ••• 's contemplate this great Change that 〈◊〉 shortly have. When you see and feel 〈◊〉 is now, at begin to be discouraged, look 〈…〉 and believe what it shall be then, and 〈◊〉 over against the other, and let that 〈…〉 with Patience to beat the Present 〈◊〉 cause it will be over are long, and 〈…〉 Change shall come upon you. An 〈…〉 be your Comfort, Psal. 17.15. 〈…〉 will beheld they face in righteousn it 〈◊〉 satished, when I awake, with th •• 〈◊〉 .

USE. II. LET this ats • gement to 〈◊〉 thoughts of your Dissolution. There are •• y things apt to imb ••• en them, and we do 〈◊〉 dily pore upon them; but here is th •• 〈◊〉 may put a better relish into them. Wh ••• this Frame must be taken in piecer. 〈◊〉 member, Sin hath put it out of off •••• , 〈◊〉 is dissolved but to being new b •• ist. I will when you are going to lie down in the 〈◊〉 how gloriously you shall rise against; 〈…〉 this make the Meditation of that D •• y 〈◊〉 ous to you. Think often what an an ••• ble Benefit it will be, to have this 〈◊〉 shine like the Sun in the Firmament, 〈◊〉 adomed with all the stately Perfection 〈◊〉 shailmake is fit for the most noble • mploy 〈◊〉 and Enjoyments in the Eternal Kingdom: W •• made immortal, impassible, spiritual. 〈…〉 〈◊〉 make you free to beat the Changes which 〈◊〉 passover you in the coerse of Providence. •••• ding to God's Al wise Counsel, in order to the making 〈◊〉 for this happy Change. Be •• ling to be down in the Dust, till he shall 〈◊〉 you our of it, and dress you up as a Bride 〈◊〉 meet her Bridegroom, in the Day of his •• rest Solemnities. Believe, that he who 〈◊〉 promised is able and faithful to perform 〈◊〉 , and threfore it shall be thus and a great 〈◊〉 better than you can at present to conceive. And let this Faith make you test in Hope and very willing to pass through and out of, this ••• e of Tears, that so that which is imperfect may be done away, and that which is p •• fect may come.

SERMON CXLIV.

1. WE are now to pass over to the Consideration of the Second step of 〈◊〉 Consummate Glorification of Believers at 〈◊〉 Last Day: which consists in the Enter •• meant that shall be given them, upon their •••• ction, in the Day of Judgment, th • y 〈◊〉 be openly &c. And here two things will 〈◊〉 under our Consideration.

• 1. That the •• s ••• ection shall be followed with the Great and 〈◊〉 Judgment.
• 2. That the Happiness of •••• ers then will be, in that they shall be open •• •••• ledged and acquitted. Something 〈◊〉 may here be spoken to each of 〈◊〉 severally.

1. That the Res •••• ion shall be followed 〈…〉 Gre ••• 〈◊〉 General Judgment. There 〈…〉 • opicks in Divinity under which the 〈◊〉 of the last Judgment may have a 〈◊〉 ••• gned it to be treated of, viz. either • pan • ex ••• ation of Christ, whereof this is 〈◊〉 •• ep, that He shall come to judge the 〈◊〉 the last Day; or in the Glorification of 〈◊〉 one stop to which is the last judgment. 〈◊〉 hath been said of this under the 〈◊〉 •• vetofore, peculiarly with respect to 〈◊〉 of Christ, which will then shine 〈◊〉 illustriously; for the laying open 〈◊〉 many points reserring to that Day 〈◊〉 •••• y touched; I shall therefore with 〈…〉 Brevity handle it here: That Christ 〈…〉 shall be the Judge, and of the great •••• yo • d Glory in which be shall then appear, 〈◊〉 before taken and account. The Things 〈◊〉 which may here come urder out 〈◊〉 are,

• 1. That there shall be such a Day 〈◊〉 ••• gment.
• 2. Who they are that shall be 〈◊〉
• 3. That the Resurrection will make may 〈◊〉 introduce this Judgment.
• 4. On what 〈◊〉 or Rules it will proceed?

1. That there shall be such a Day of Judgment. This is an Article of our Faith; and 〈◊〉 to be believed by all those that pro ••• •• istianity. An Article of Faith, is that 〈◊〉 commands our embracing of it, upon 〈◊〉 •••• ony that God hath given of it in his Word according to that. Joh. 3.2 • . 〈◊〉 that receiveth his •• p ••• ny, 〈◊〉 set to his s ••• that God is true. Now this is plumply and plentifully witnessed to in the Scriptures both of the Old and New Testament. Psal. 96.13. Before the Lord, for he cometh, for he c • meth 〈◊〉 judge the • erth: • e shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth. And Psal. 98.9. Eccl. 12.14. Met. 2 • .24, &c. Act. 27.31. Because he hath appointed a day wherein he will judge the world in righteousness, by that man whom he hath ordained, whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath re • sed • im from the dead. Yea, it was an article before the Flood, Jude 14, 15. And Ex • ch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon a • l, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed and of all their hard speeched, which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. So that if there were no more to be said for it, yet this is enough to silence all dispute against it. How far this truth may be demonstrated by the light of Nature, may be disputed: That the Gentiles, who had not the Oracles of God commi • ted to them, had some apprchension about it, and did many of them entertain it with Credit, is certain from their Writings; but whether they gathered it from their own Improvement of their Reason in the search of the light of Nature, or only built it upon what they received from Commerce with the Jewish Nation may be demurred. Nevertheless the Word of God furnisheth us with sufficient Arguments for the illustration of this Truth by which we may give a reason of our Faith in it. For which we may take up these Scripture Conclusions.

• 1. THAT God put Man at first under his specia! Government: in which he gave him a Love with Sanctions. Touching this Government and the Nature of it, we have formerly had an Account, the Sum whereof amounts to thus much; That God having made Man a reasonable Creature, and treatable in the way of a Covenant with him, he gave him a Rule according to which he was to serve to his end; and as he carried himself towards it, was to expect either Life or Death; and to make it an Instrument fit for such a Transaction, he guarded it with Promises and Threatenings: And here was the Foundation laid for this Judgment.
• 2. THAT hence there were Rewards and Punishments ratified by and in these Sanctions. That they do contain such things in them, is evidently the very renonr of them That they carried in them the nature of Rewards and Punishments is evident, because of the connection they have with the Command, Life was to be the recompe • ce of Obedience, Rom. 10.5. Death the wages of Sin, Rom. 6.2 • . And hat these were herein ratified in these Hypotheses, or that the connection was firm, and not arbitrary, is evident, both because God asserts to it, Gen 2 17. In the day thou carest thereof, thou shall surely die. And because this Covenant, so established: was the fixed Rule of relative Justice. Hence that, Mat. 5.18. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass one jet or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be su • p •• ed.
• 3 That all Mankind by the Apostasy. • ell under the threatening of the • rst Covenant. We are told that all the World as guilty. Rom 3 18. And Guilt is nothing else but the hinding of the Person over to suffer the penalty of the Threatning; and the Reason of this is, because the Punishment denounced was for Sin; and therefore, because all by the Fall come to be Sinners, they so were laid under the Sentence of Death; and this way of the Derivation of it is fully asserted in Rom. 5 12. So that everyone to whom Sin may be imputed, is thereby under a Threatning to die.
• 4. THAT God hath pened a new Covenant, in which he hath secured Life again by Christ, to such as believe in him. There was nothing but Death to be looked for by the old Covenant; but God, to show his Mercy to some, hath opened 〈◊〉 new and living way by the Gospel. Hence that, 2 Tim. 1.10. but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who hath though •• shed death, and hath brought life and ••• m •• ality to light by the Gospel. Rom. 8.3. There is therefore a good Hope. set before Men. God Covenanted with his Son about it, a • d he hath opened a Covenant of Grace to Men concerning it: and this also is settled on Covenant Promises; and such as are pleadable by these who have gotten a title to them, by Faith in Christ, to which there is a firm Promise made of it. John 2.16. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that wh • soever believeth in him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life.
• 5. THAT God in those things, designed the luster of the Glory of his Justice and Grace. These two. Attributes were specially concerned in the management of his Government of Men, under the first and second Covenant. There were other of his Perfections which shined in them together with other second Beings, in their Creation and common Government, but those were to be the peculias Monuments of these moral Perfections of his; and their Relations to these Covenants and the Terms of them, made way hereto; the Re • ributions of the first Covenant being exact •• according to Justice and the Rewards of the New Covenant though' righteous, yet adapted to the manifectation of free Mercy to the Subjects of them. For we are told, Eph. 2.8. For by grape are ye saved, through saith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.
• 6. THAT to the illustration of these. there must be a fair and open Process with those who are the Subjects hereof. That the World may see and know. that God is so righteous and merciful, there must he a Trial of the Persons concerned, and their Carriage with respo •• to the Rule under which they are, must be brought to Light and made manifest. There 〈…〉 a Reward according as men have been, 1 Cor. 5.10 Rom. 2.7, 8. And they must therefore be Judged that Right may be done then, and • ll mouths stopped. It is therefore called 〈◊〉 • ay of Revelation. &c. ver. 5. And then 〈◊〉 secrets will be revealed, Chap. 2.16.
• 7. THAT there is a promise • ous Dispen •••• of God, in his visible Providences to these in this Lase. Not but that there are the real applications both of Justice and Grace here, but It 〈◊〉 secret and unaccountable, and Men are 〈◊〉 loss about it. Wicked Men turn Athe ••• upon it, and Godly Men are too often p •••• about it, and ready to trip in their Observation of it, Psal. 73. begin. We have therefore th ••• Remarks that have been made upon the •• ward Providences of God, Eccl. 9. begin. And Chap. 8 14. Wicked Men go on in Sin, 〈◊〉 prosper; Godly Men sew him, and • e ph • g ••• every day: And the one is mode secure by it. Psal. 50.21. And the other almost ready to be discouraged: And expostulate, as Hab. 2.13. 〈◊〉 art of parer eyes then to behold evil, and 〈◊〉 not lock on inequity: wherefore lookest th •• upon them that deal treacherously, and 〈…〉 i • gue when the wicked deve • reth the 〈…〉 is more righteous them he?
• 8. THIS therefore must be done, after 〈◊〉 Aff • irs of this World and Time are funished. 〈◊〉 it must be done, and is not accomplished before Men go our of the Congregation of the Living: if ungodly Men die in 〈◊〉 Peace, and Godly in Trouble: th •• 〈◊〉 then be a Time afterwards wherein 〈…〉 Concern will be attended and transacted for this reason the wife Man strongly 〈◊〉 future Judgment, from his Observation 〈◊〉 things went here, Eccl. 3.16, 17. And 〈◊〉 I saw under the sun the place of judgment 〈◊〉 wickedness is there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there. Isa • d in 〈◊〉 God shall judge the righteous and the 〈◊〉 for there is a time there, for every purpose 〈◊〉 for every work. God will certainly 〈◊〉 these things to rights, and hath in his 〈◊〉 Wisdom adjourned the Doing of it th ••• 〈◊〉 till that appointed Time comes, wh •• 〈◊〉 last great Court of Assize shall be kept.

2. WHAT hath been already 〈◊〉 will guide us in the Consideration of the next Head, viz. Who they are, that 〈◊〉 be Judged? viz. All those who have come 〈◊〉 the Cognizance of the Law of special Government For, it that Law was the Rule according 〈◊〉 which God would distribute Rewards 〈◊〉 Punishments to the Subjects of it. •••• ding as they are found conformable to, 〈◊〉 ••• gressors of it, then of necessity 〈…〉 second Being, which stands in relation 〈◊〉 Law, come into this Judgment, because God hath appointed this way for the 〈…〉 this Affair: For if this be the Way. 〈…〉 God will glorify himself in such a 〈◊〉 and he will have his Glory by every 〈◊〉 his Creatures, then 〈◊〉 of these 〈…〉 〈◊〉 Appe ••••• . Now the Subjects of this Government are of two sorts, Angels & Men, which of these shall be. Judged. That the Angels shall be so, is assorted in the 〈◊〉 of God. Angelt are of two sorts, Good and Evil; Touching the Good, it is certain that they are under the Government of Christ Eph. 1.21, 2 • . Far above all principally, and power, and might and deminion, and every name that is names, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put of things under his feet, and gave him to be head 〈◊〉 all things to the church. And there are the Rewards of Obedience which they shall 〈◊〉 . As for the Evil Angels, they are fally 〈◊〉 Guilt, and for that reason we are 〈◊〉 that they are reserved for that Judge ••• . 2 Pet. 1.4. Jude. 6. It is therefore 〈◊〉 one of the Prerogatives of the Saints, 〈◊〉 6.3. Know ye not that we shall judge an ••• . As to Men, we are assured that every 〈◊〉 that hath been or shall be, will the • appear and receive their Trial and Sen •• e: High and low, rich and poor, noble and ignoble, male and female, small & great. This is manifest from , Rev. 20 12. The A •••• therefore extends it to all, 2 Cor. 5.10. 〈◊〉 it may be assigned from, Eccl. 12.14. For God 〈◊〉 bring every work unto judgment, with • spand • thing, whether it be good, or whether in the evil. The Godly expect it, and come ••• themselves from the expectation of the gl ••• us Reward, which they then shall re ••• 2 Tim, 4.8. The Wicked shall not 〈◊〉 for there they are to receive their 〈◊〉 , aacording to their Works, Mat. 13.41. •••• ngly, we have the Distribution & Se •••• of these in that Day, asserted by Christ himself, Mat. 25.31, 32. When the Son 〈…〉 shall come in his glory, and all the holy 〈…〉 him, then shall be sit upon the throne 〈◊〉 glory, And before him shall be gathered all 〈◊〉 and he shall separate them one from another. 〈◊〉 shepherd divideth his sheep from the 〈◊〉 . None shall be able to escape the Ap •••• and Trial of that Day. It will be rain a seek to hide away from it. Rocks and s •• eeins will not be able to secure them wi •• : Willing or anwilling, they shall 〈…〉 that Trial.

THAT the Resurrection shall make way for, allow •• ce this Judgment. As for the Day and •• ing when this shall be, it is a Secret which God hath put out of our Cognizance, p ••• rved in his own Breast; but that it and sit made way unto by, and immediately s •• upon this Universal Resurrection, we •• p •• ed. We are therefore told, that this 〈◊〉 is preparitory for that, Rev. 20.13. had is it be here inquired, Why must there be direction in order to the Judgment? It •• gle answered, Because the whole Man, con •••• 〈◊〉 soul & Body was placed under the Rule of