The general assembly: or, A discourse of the gathering of all saints to Christ Wherein it appears that all saints in all places and ages, shall be at last gathered together to Christ their head. Together with the time, manner, ends and reasons of this last great congregating of all saints, and what use may be made thereof. Being some meditations upon 2 Thess. II. 1. By O. H. minister of the Gospel.

2 THES. II. 1.

Now we beseech you, brethren by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him.

CHAP. I. The Context cleared, the Text opened, Doctrine raised.

THAT Jesus Christ will come down from Heaven to Judge the World, is an Article of our Faith, commonly believed among professed Christians: But there have been useless, endless Disputes a∣bout the Time of his Coming; but one would think, what our Lord saith in Math. 24.36. should silence Men's curious and presumptuous Assertions concerning this Secret, for he saith,

thereof that day and hour knoweth no Man, no not the Angels of Heaven, but my Father only: No nor Christ himself as Man: No say they, the Day and Hour cannot be known but the Year may: But that's a poor Evasion, for by day and hour is meant the Time; and if Christ know not, no wonder if he foretold it not to his Disciples, for wise Reasons, that we might be always rea∣dy: Grotius indeed saith, that Paul thought the coming of Christ would be in his days, yet you see here, that it would not be till cer∣tain Signs foretold should come to pass, and af∣ter that, they were still to expect it as uncer∣tain: Ignorance of it is needful, but errour a∣bout it is hurtful; let us study what tends to Practice.

In this Text the blessed Apostle doth vehe∣mently beseech them by all that is dear unto them, that no pretence either of Spirit, Word or Apostolical Letter, do perswade them that Christs coming is near at hand, and so torment their Minds or stagger their Faith when they find it otherwise: What those preceding Signs are, see Baxter's Paraphrase on this Chapter, those that can let them consult it.

All that I shall do is, to take notice of this solemn obsecration or obtestation in this Text, wherein he adjures them:

• 1. By the coming of our Lord.
• 2. By our gathering together unto him.

It is a sacred and solemn Oath, like that in 1 Cor. 15.31. I protest by your rejoycing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily: So here, it is as if he should say, as you have an high and honourable Esteem of Jesus Christ himself, and as you have a great esteem of, and make due preparation for the coming of Christ, by which he will gather us all to himself, and re∣ally perfect the Unity of his Body, both which are represented as proper objects of Faith, which we admire and expect, and highly esteem. I do again beseech you by these, be not too credulous of Men's predictions, who state that day to this or that time as they fancy; sometimes preposterously hastening it, other whiles procrastinating it, to a vast dimention: I must tell you, saith Paul, these conceits are scattered by Satan's Artifice: And it becomes an [exitiale commentum] dangerous figment or invention of Men's Brains, for if it come not to pass, some languish in their Faith, others grow presumptuous in their Security: If the Devil prevail thus far, he will so work [ut ni∣hil in Religione certum aut fixam reliqueret] that he will leave nothing sure or fixed in Matters of Religion, as Calvin saith on this Text; yea, by this means Men loosen the cords, and break the bands that join together the Articles of our Faith, yea, strike at the foundation Article of the Resurrection.

〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉

〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉

Doct. I. Ministers must be Beseechers.

As they may command in their Masters nam•• so they must beseech as Servants t•• all the Faithful, 1 Thes. 4.1. We be¦seech you and exhort you: [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉•• we humbly and earnestly desire you, as if w•• went down on our knees to you; hence 1 The•• 2.7, 8. We were gentle among you even as a Nurs•• cherisheth her Children: Our business is great sinners inexorable, we have great need to use the most obliging Terms, as though God did beseech Sinners by us, to pray them in Christ stead to be reconciled to God, 2 Cor. 5.20.

Doct. II. All God's Servants are Brethren.

Be they high or low, rich or poor, the most eminent Apostle and meanest, yea, weakest believe they are Brethren, they have all one Father, God, our elder Brother Christ, one holy Spirit that animates them all, one Cove∣nant of Grace to wrap them up in, one hea∣venly Inheritance that they are Heirs of; hence Col. 1.2. To the Saints and faithful Brethren in Christ: O what an endearing Relation is this! Let us live up to it.

Doct. III. Christ will certainly come to Judg∣ment.

It is certain this noble Man is gone into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to re∣turn, to reckon with his Servanrs, Luke 19.

12-27. Christ's coming to Judge the Jews, was [Imago & Arrabo Adceptus ultimi] the I∣mage and earnest of his last coming; descri∣bed in 1 Thes. 4.15, 16, 17.

Doct. IV. The coming of Christ is a most en∣dearing Consideration to believers.

This is to the Christian as the Harvest is to the Husband-man, James 5.7, 8. Be ye also pa∣tient saith he, stablish your Heart for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh: O what a glorious Mor∣ning will that day be, when the Sun of Righ∣teousness will shine once again with help and healing in his Wings! Then let the heirs of glory lift up their heads, for the day of their Redemption draws nigh: You cannot intreat them by more strong and obliging Obtestations or Argu∣ments.

Doct. V. Though Christ's coming be stopt to the Saints and certain in it self, yet the Time is uncertain to us.

Our Lord saith to his inquisitive Disciples, Acts. 1.6, 7. It is not for you to know the times and the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own Power; hence he saith, Mat. 24.42, 44. Watch therefore, be ye also ready, for in such an hour as you think not; the Son of Man cometh: This is a Key that the wise God locks under his Gir∣dle; he keeps this Secret [inter arcana imperij] among the Mysteries of this glorious Empire;

〈2 pages missing〉〈2 pages missing〉

In discoursing upon this pleasant Subject, I shall open these Seven things,

• 1. What this gathering alludes to.
• 2. After what manner they are gathered.
• 3. What is imply'd in this gathering.
• 4. For what End they are gathered.
• 5. How they are gathered to Christ.
• 6. Why will God thus gather them.
• 7. What improvement may be made of it.

CHAP. II. What's meant by this gathering together, 1. What it alludes to, 2. How it is ma∣naged, and when transacted.

1. I Shall briefly explain the Emphasis of this Word, what it signifies, and the Allu∣sions to something in common view.

1. It alludes to an Hospitable Persons taking in Wanderers to lodge them, and kindly enter∣tain them: So the Word is used, Mat. 25.35. I was a stranger and he took me in [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] ye gathered me: Alass, God's Children are Strangers and Pilgrims in the Path, Heb. 11.13. as Men oft cast them out, and they wander about in Sheep-skins and Goats-skins, in Deserts, Mountains, Dens and Caves of the Earth,

v. 37, 38. but their loving Father takes them in and provides them House and Harbour, an house not made with hands eternal in the Heavens; La∣zarus at the rich Man's Gates is taken up into Abraham's bosom, a better lodging then the rich Man's stateliest Chamber, thus God gathers them.

2. It alludes to a Man's gathering a rich Treasure together, Gold, Silver, precious Stones, as David gather∣ed a prodigious Treasure for buil∣ding the Temple, three thousand talents of gold, seven thousand talents of refined silver, all manner of precious stones, 1 Chron. 29.2, 4. Solomon gathered silver and gold, and the peculiar treasures of King's: But what are all these to God's treasure? Which too calls his peculiar treasure, more worth then both the Indies: These God hath his time and way to gather up, Mat. 3.17. They shall be mine saith the Lord in the day when I make up my jewels: God's jewels lie loose and scattered, but he will string them, and lay them up safe with himself in Heaven.

3. This word alludes to congregating toge∣ther, as in a Synagogue for Religious Acts [cae∣tus & conventus sacer] an holy Re∣ligious meeting, He hath built us a Synagogue, that's for Religious worship, so the Hebrew word [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] imports

a Religious meeting: And we read of a Synagogue of the Liber∣tines, but this may be called the Synagogue or the Congregation of Licentiates or highest Graduates in Divinity, that have in some sense commenced per Saltum, and have leapt out of the Church below into the Church triumphant above, being highly preferred by their blessed Master.

4. The word imports a meeting in an hon∣ourable Councel, that's above an ordinary As∣sembly, Mat. 26.3. Then assembled together the chief Priests, and Scribes and Elders, &c. these were the Sanhedrim and sat as Judges upon causes Criminal and Capital [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] it sig∣nifies not a vulgar, or a common meeting, but a convention of States, to sit upon Life and Death; and though that was a wicked meeting to condemn the Son of God, yet this glorious Assembly of Saints shall be convened to be As∣sessors with Christ to judge their Judges, 1 Cor. 6.2. Know ye not that the Saints shall judge the World, yea Angels: All the Saints of God are Kings and Princes in all the Earth; Oh what an honourable Jury will there be to ap∣plaud the sacred Judicature of our Lord!

This is the meaning of the Word.

2. I must shew the manner, means and me∣thod, how this gathering together is managed, or how the Saints come to be gathered toge∣ther, and when;

1. Converting Grace gathers Sinners out of the world to God: This is initial and prepara∣tory; the word in Eph. 1.10. gathering together in one [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] is very emphatical, it signifies to recapitalate, or recollect, or reduce all to an Head, it implies that mankind by Sin, is separated from God, disjointed one from a∣nother, the Members scattered; just like an old ruinous House that's fallen: All the pieces thereof are gone asunder, till the workman come and set them together, and rear up a state∣ly Fabrick of the old Materials; Man hath not lost the faculties of his Soul by the fall, but the rectitude thereof: All the imaginations of Man's heart are become evil; He hath banish't himself from God, into a foreign Country: In a natural Sense, God is not far from every one of us: But in a moral Sense, God and unconverted Sinners are at a great distance, they are far off, alienated from the life of God, but Grace brings Sinners from their wanderings: The Spirit in the word unites them by a blessed cement in an efficaci∣ous manner, and that, he that is joined to the Lord is one Spirit: And the Blood of Christ unites God and the Soul meritoriously: O blessed conjunction, Oh, happy meeting! God hath found out a

way in the Gospel to gather toge∣ther the outcasts of Israel: Alass, we are all as Sheep going astray, but our Lord gathers the lambs into his armes, and brings them into fold, Jews and Gentiles make one fold: For, saith the Apostle Paul, ye are all the Children of God by faith in Christ Jesus, Gal. 3.26. Faith makes a mistical Union, Love a Moral, Eph. 4.15. But speaking the truth in love (or teaching it in love) may grow up into him in all things, which is the head even Christ: Oh this, this is the foundation of all the rest; conversion is the first collection.

2. God gathers his Saints by Death to him∣self: Its said of Abraham, that he should be ga∣thered to his Fathers in peace, Gen. 15.15. and he was gathered to his people, Gen. 25.8. Inter∣preters observe that this is usually applyed in Scripture to good Men, and it refers to the Soul, that they go to their godly progenitors, and because this is applied to Ishmael, therefore the Jews think he was a Penitent: But however, the Phrase is appli∣ed most ordinarily to good Men, as Jacob, and of Aaron, of Moses, of Josiah; 'tis said, 2 Kings 22.20. I will gather thee to thy Fathers, and thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace: Its true, he died in Battle, but in peace with God, and was translated into the everlasting peace with the Saints; this is the

way of Divine Providence to carry his Children through a tempestuous Sea into an Haven of Rest; they shall not always be tormented with Satan's temptations, the Worlds oppositions, their own corruptions, but when they have done their work here in this wary World, they shall enter into peace, they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness, Isa. 57.2. Oh blessed change, God gives them a quietus est from the Troubles of this wary Pilgrimage, they rest from their labours: their bodies sleep in Jesus, and are laid up safe in a quiet Repository, and their Souls do enter into Paradice, i. e. the third Heaven, the immediate presence of God: As Earth is the common Mother of all, so Heaven is the receptacle of all Believers.

3. God gathers them up out of their graves by the resurrection of their Bodies, and the re∣union of their Souls to those self same Bodies: This was a Doctrine believed and well digested in the Old Testament, Job 19.25, 26, 27. Though after my skin, worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God; thy dead Men shall live saith Isaiah, ch. 26.19. together with my dead body shall they arise: The New Testament doth abundantly confirm this great Article of our Faith, John 5.28, 29. 1 Cor. 15. Oh what an Army of Saints will start up out of the Earth! Their scattered bones and dust shall be reared up, and coagulated, and our Lord will bring

their glorified Souls along with him to sing out the high Praises of Jehovah: Roses die, sweet∣est Flowers perish, and the beauteous Complex∣ion of the Earth turns to a bleak and withered hue in Winter, yet in Summer there is a kind of Resurrection: If you say in them, life is re∣maining in the Root and Seed, we say, the Soul is the root of the Body, and Christ the root of the Soul, and both are living, Col. 3.34. and though there be no physical Contract, yet there is a relative Union betwixt Soul and Body, and a deep rooted love and inclination the Soul hath to it; the silly Snail by its natural life and power, can make for it self an Habitation, yea a Silk-worm becomes a winged Fly, the warmth of the Hen turns the Egg into a Chicken; these: are Emblems of the Resurrection. And what cannot the Power of God effect? If a skilful work-man can turn a little earth and ashes into such curious trans∣parent Glasses, why should we doubt whether the mighty Power of God can communicate a glorious perfection to the Flesh that's dissolved into its Elements? Luther saith, I love the no∣ble Art of Chymistry, it is such a brave Em∣blem of the Resurrection: O what a blessed ravishing sight will that be, to see the sancti∣fied Soul united to the glorified Body, to receive their reward together! This is the next.

4. By the same power of God some shall be changed, others raised from the dead, the Souls of the glorified Saints shall descend and be uni∣ted to their own Bodies, and then ascend to meet the Lord in the Air, and the wicked are left behind on their dunghil the earth in set∣ters to receive their Sentence, and confined to their Prisons, this is that Mystery, which pos∣sibly the blessed Apostle Paul heard from God when he was caught up into the third Heaven, and heard unspeakable words [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] worldles words: This is 1 Cor. 15.51, 52. Behold I shew you a mystery, we shall not all sleep (i. e. die) but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twink∣ling of an eye: This is further confirmed and ex∣plained in 1 Thes. 4.15. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are a∣live and remain unto the coming of the Lord, shall not prevent them which are asleep: And verse 16. The dead in Christ shall rise first, then we which are alive and remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: Verse 17. Calvin saith, he speaks here of the Faithful only, the resurrection of the Wicked, is a kind of change, though thy be not mentioned there; but of such as shall bear the name of the heavenly or of Christ, verse 49.50. this is equivalent to Death, when there shall be an abolishing of the former Na∣ture, and introducing a new one: This is a

species or kind of death, but as it is not a sepa∣ration of Soul from the Body, so 'tis not a sleep, but it is a sudden transition from corruptible Nature into a blessed immortality: Here is the difference betwixt those that die and such as are changed, that the former put off the substance of the body, but they that are changed, put off nothing but the qualities of the body, the dead shall rise, before the living are rapt up: He sends the Clouds for Chariots, as Joseph his Wagons for Jacob and his Family: O what vast numbers will then mount up like a Cloud and darken the Heavens? This is in order to their congregating above.

5. The Angeles of God are sent to gather up the scattered Saints, Mat. 24.31. And he shall send his Angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his Elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other: Its true, some take this to refer to the destruction of Jerusa∣lem, but the most solid interpre∣ters apply it to this last Day: Paul saith, the trumpet shall sound, as of old, they called the Congregation of Israel to∣gether by the sound of a Trumpet: So now, the Lord shall descend from heaven with a shout with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trumpet of God, 1 Thes. 4.16. I confess here are hard Points, which no mortal can resolve, as 1st. Con∣cerning this Trumpet, what it is, Calvin saith [Relinquo aliis subtilius disserrendum] leave to

others to discourse subtilty of it: 2dly. What kind of shout this is, which is a kind of mag∣nificent Acclamation to the Judge; and sum∣moning all to appear, for the word in Greek [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] doth also signify a Command: Alluding to Marriners or Souldiers summoned to be ready. 3dly. Who this Archangel is, and what Degrees there are among the Angels, (which School-men voluminously dispute,) or whether it be not Christ himself, because its said, the dead that are in their graves shall hear his voice, John 5.28. and 4thly. Whether this shall be an oral shout or voice from the mouth of Christ, or only an expression of his Divine Power, I am not able to determine: But such a Summons there shall be, and all the Sons and Daughters of Adam shall appear, not one Per∣son gentle or simple can skulk or hide them∣selves, the meanest shall not be lookt on as in∣considerable, and the most potent Princes are not at that day invincible: In vain shall the Kings of the earth, great Men, rich Men, the chief Captains and mighty Men, bond and free hide themselves, or call to the mountains and rocks to fall on them, Rev. 6.15, 16. No, no, the Summons shall reach all, and all must obey and appear, whether they will or no; the mighty, Almigh∣ty God can fetch them out, his all-seeing Eve can spy them out: See the Summons, Psalm 50. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. He shall call to the heavens from above and to the earth that he may judge his people: These be words, gather my Saints together, un∣to

to me, those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice: O what a vast multitude will then ap∣pear! Thousand, thousands Mini∣ster to him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stand before him: Yea, a great multitude which no Man can number, of all nations, kindred and people, and tongues stand before the throne and the lamb, cloathed with white robes and palms in their hands: O what a glorious, celebrious, shining company of beautiful Per∣sons will there be!

6. Yet further, these multitudes gathered to∣gether will have their Spirits perfectly united, they shall all speak one Language, as the whole earth did before the confusion at Babel: There will be an harmony of Minds, Wills, Affections, Consciences, conversations; no clashing, no discord, they shall be fully united, cemented and perfectly joined together, and all to one Rule and Canon: They all conspire together in one celestial Song, the heavenly quire of Angels stand round about the Throne, eccho∣ing to that innumerable company of believing glorified Jews and Gentiles; saying, Amen, bles∣sing, honour and glory, and wisdom and thanksgive∣ing be unto our God for ever and ever Amen, Rev. 7.10, 11, 12. Its worth observing, that upon Antichrists ruine, a great voice of much people in heaven saying Alleluja, Rev. 19.1. And again they said Alleluja, v. 3. then again, the four and twenty Elders, and four Beasts, still eccho out

the same tune Alleluja: The former were more private this publick, of the whole Congregati∣on: But still upon a new Summons they add ever Alleluja, this was the Hosanna Rabba (as the Jews call it,) or an [Hallelujatica victoria] as old Britans called their Victory over the Saxons: All but faint Emblems of that great Solemnity, in which the multitudes of glorified Souls are of one heart and lip, unanimously adoring their Redeemer, acquiessing in his righteous Sentence [nemine contradicente] they neither contradict one another, nor the will of God: There is not a jarring String in this Musick: Whatever apprehensions or languages may be here; they all speak the same there: Yea, though they did not understand one anothers Dialect in this World, yet they shall all speak the Language of Canaan, whether it shall be Hebrew (as some conceive) who knows, but it will be intelligible by all that then meet together: The Text saith, they shall see eye to eye when the Lord shall bring again Zion, Isa. 52.8. Now if ever that Text shall be fulfilled; even as two Eyes look both on one Object, so the Eyes of all Saints shall be towards the Lord: There will be a sweet agreement in Principles, Practi∣ces, Professions, Affections, as the Primitive Christians that were of one heart and of one soul, Acts 4.32. Then shall we all come to the unity of the faith, Eph. 4.13.

7. These congregated Saints shall be admit∣ted into one place, and state of Glory: They

are before the throne of God, and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them, Rev. 7.15. These bright Stars shall make a glorious Con∣stellation in the heavenly orb: Though posibly one Star may differ from another Star in Glo∣ry, yet they shall all be irradiated with the Sun of Righteousness, according to their Capacities, though these vessels of grace be of various quan∣tity; yet they shall all be full in that vast ocean, not the weakest, feeblest, shall be lost or left behind, the feeble among them shall be as David, and the house of David shall be as God, as the An∣gel of the Lord before them, Zech. 12.8. Not a grace duty, not a mite given in charity shall be lost: Tears shall be here botled, and a cup of cold Water shall be rewarded, there is room enough in Heaven for all the Saints, in my fathers house, saith he, are many mansions, John 14.2. Many for number, large for extension: That City is four square having twelve Gates, filled from all quarters of the World: The gates of it continually open, never shut: O the stupendious vastness of that upper Region! Earth is but a point, a small Pin-head compared to it; though the Text in Revelations speak but of twelve thousand Furlongs, which according to some make but fifteen hundred Miles: But what is that to Heaven, if the Ci∣ty of the great King be meant there by the New Jerusalem as some think: But doubtless it

is exceeding spacious, if indeed it be a place circumscriptively taken; but where the King is there is the Court, as the Angels do always be∣hold the Face of God, and there∣fore are still in Heaven, though imployed about Saints on Earth; so it may possibly be with the Saints after the Resurrection: Who knows whether the purified Earth may be one Place of their Coelestial Happiness; yet some think it will be wicked Men's Hell, and place of Tor∣ments: But be that as it may, we are sure there is room enough for all the Saints in Hea∣ven; and our Lord will have them all with him, not an hoof left behind as slighted, for he purchased all at a dear rate, prayed for them when he was leaving the World: An idea and sum of his present Intercession, we have in John 17. particularly verse 24. Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am: This will be a blessed Congre∣gation indeed, a spacious Temple, a large Pa∣radice not in corners, houses, chappels, where they are crowded, and often persecuted, fined, imprisoned, here they have liberty, yea, pos∣sibly every Saint shall have his proper Mansion, yet in full communion with God, and the rest of glorified Spirits: But more of this hereafter.

Thus I have shewed how they are gathered.

CHAP III. What is implied in this gathering together, what is included in it, and consequences of it.

3. THE next Head to be opened is, to give a more particular account of this work of the Saints gathering toge∣ther, and this I shall do in these Seven particu∣lars.

1. That all the Saints in the several ages, places, conditions wherein they have lived, shall be gathered into one general Assembly, this may seem strange, but its true; all the Children of God that ever have lived this five thousand Years and upwards, since Man was placed on this earthly Globe, all that ever have lived, do live, or shall live till the end of time, shall be assembled, such as have lived in far di∣stant places many thousand Miles asunder, by vast tracts of ground, mountains, seas, in Europe, Asia, Africa and America, such as have died many thousand Years ago, and have been long singing praises and enjoying God in the Church triumphant, Old Testament Saints, and New Testament Saints: The Children of God in the Church militant, yet fighting un∣der

the banner of Christ, shall meet with Vi∣ctors that have been long crowned: Persons of all Conditions, Ages, Sexes, Qualities, Rich and Poor, Old and Young; such as never saw each others Faces in this World, no, nor ever heard of each other, yet then they shall meet together, Luke 13.29. And they shall come from the East and from the West, and from the North, and from the South, and shall sit down in the Kingdom of God: Its said, Acts 2.5. There were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout Men, out of every Nation under Hea∣ven: But what are those to these out of all Coun∣tries of the World: O what a vast number of Souls shall be congregated! Such as never ap∣peared together in this lower Region: When there shall be a general Collection of Mortals beyond the Theaters, or Amphitheaters of the Ancient Romans, or Armies of Mahometans: Multitudes, multi∣tudes in this Mount as Joel speaks in the valley of decision.

2. That all this Congregation shall then be perfectly holy: So it may be truly said of this Assembly, as the murmuring Princes said of Israel, All the Con∣gregation are Holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them; there is not one feeble Person among them, no infant of day's, but they are grown up to be strong, turn Gyants in Grace: They stand in no need of Ordinances, ministerial Gifts, and the exercise thereof are only for perfecting of the Saints, Eph.

4.12. But now they are above them, being perfected: That City hath no need of the Sun, or of the Moon to shine in it: As soon as ever the breath departs out of the body of a Child of God, it shakes off all Sin, and puts on a new Garment of perfect Holiness: They take their leave of the Body of Death and Earth together: Not one speck of dirt to be seen upon all this great Multitude: Souls take their leave of Sin, as they are taking their leave of this World: O what a glorious sight will that be of milk-white Saints! Surely a lovely sight; there will be no Pride, Passion, Impatience, nor any thing to vex themselves or others: The dregs are left behind, and pure quintescence floats upwards: Consecrated Souls are now elevated to the highest pitch, and defecated from filthy and defiling dregs: Oh what a blessed day will that be!

3. That all Troubles and Temptations in this lower World shall then cease: Neither the De∣vil nor wicked Men can follow them off this Dung-hill, although the Devil be called the Prince of the Power of the Air, yet he cannot stop or hurt the Saints as they pass through his Domi∣nions; nor shall he shoot a Dart at them or af∣ter them: All Troubles are at a Period: Death it self the King of Terrours is strangled; it had no Sting to wound the Saints before, now it hath no being: The fear of it was gone in some

degrees in their lives; now the very feeling of it is gone: They are delivered not only from the Second but from the First Death: They shall never receive a mortal wound, no, nor a∣ny wound: The accuser (and abu∣ser) of the Brethren is cast out: Not only cast down, but quite cast out, and all his Artillery and his Instruments.

4. When Saints are thus gathered together, they shall know one another: Its true, some kind of imperfect knowledge shall cease, that knowledge which is only acquired in the use of Means shall vanish away, 1 Cor. 13.8. Or, that which sees through a glass darkly, then shall we see face to face, verse 12. I must needs con∣fess those two words are beyond my compre∣hension, of knowing even as we are known, and of seeing God as he is: And I suspect that no Mortal can understand what they mean: But I think the Faculties will be strangely in∣larged, so that the Saints will know all natural things, and pierce into the Essence of the most intricate Beings, the Nature and Efficacy of Creatures, the Properties of Angels, the My∣steries of Redemption, the Councels of God: Though they are not omniscient, their Know∣ledge is limited, yet I think they will know all the Antient Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, David, Paul, Peter, though they had never seen them in this World: Thus the rich

Man though damned, knew Fa∣ther Abraham, and Lazarus in his bosom: Luther discoursed the Night before he died, that Saints shall know one another hereafter, from Adam's knowing who Eve was, though he was a∣sleep, the Disciples knowing Mo∣ses and Elias in Christ's transfigura∣tion, Mat. 17.3. and indeed his mutual know∣ledge will not be the least part of Saints hea∣venly delight.

5. The Souls of Men live after they are se∣parated from the Body: For, what is it which is gathered with the Saints? Its not the Body, for that is laid in the dust, but its the Soul, for the Body and Soul meet not till the great Day of the Resurrection: Nor doth the Soul sleep in the dust till then, for our Lord said to the penitent Thief, to day shalt thou be with me in Paradice: And Paul desired to be loosed, that he might be with Christ; nor doth the Soul cease to be, it hath an existence in a separate State: Men may kill the Body not the Soul: Atomists and Epicureans will not grant an annihilation of any one Atom in the Universe, surely then not this excellent Creature, the Soul of Man: Yea the Soul of Man continues its inviduation, i. e. its distinct being, and falls not into one common univer∣sal Soul of the World, as some have imagined:

Spirits have a numerical Difference, a distinct Being: Nor are we to think that the Soul re∣turns into the Essence of God, because the Text saith, The Spirit returns to God who gave it, Eccl. 12.7. It doth return to God to receive its Sentence from him, not into his Being, for then we should make God Divisible, and con∣sisting of Parts, which is contrary to his infi∣nite Divine Nature; thus Souls have a distinct Being, yet depending on God the first Being, and are individuals, and must be accordingly judged.

6. That the Soul being gathered with the Elect enters immediately into glory; to know where Lazarus's Soul was, while he was in the Grave, requires more skill then I can pretend to: Some think it hovered about the Grave by Christ's order, as designing its re-entring the Body; but Scripture assures us of the im∣mediate Salvation of gracious Souls: They en∣ter into peace, when the Body rests in its Bed, Isa. 57.2. They are pronounced blessed that die in the Lord: When Christ who is our life shall appear, then shall we appear with him in Glory, Col. 3.4. Now they shall be glorious in their Souls: At the Resurrection, their Bodies will be Glorious, even like Christ's glorious Body: This answers that Query, whether the Saints shall have greater Glory at the Resurrection then they had im∣mediately after their Death? It is easy to de∣termine,

that so far as there is an Addition of a glorified Body to the glorified Spirit, so far is the Glory greater, what further, I know not: Though Dr. Hammond thinks the Word [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] when Flesh is not joined to it, signifies, that Life which the Soul enters upon immediately after Death, called Resurrection, i. e. Glorifi∣cation: Certainly the Soul hath some intuitive Knowledge in its separate State and Felicity al∣so, so far as it is capable.

7. When these blessed Souls are thus gather∣ed together they shall never part, they shall live with God and each other for ever: Here we part and meet again, and meet and part again, and part so as we shall never meet again in this World: But in the other World we shall part no more through the Ages of Eternity: After Millions of Years the Comforts are as fresh as at the first Moment, never weary, nor interrup∣ted, they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: These Waters have a per∣petual Spring; this Day hath no Night: They shall reign with Christ not a thousand Years definitively, but for ever and ever: O what a lasting and ever∣lasting injoyment of God and Saints will that be! What can part them, God will not, the Devil and wicked Men cannot, themselves shall not, for they have within them an incorrupti∣ble Seed, even of that Word that liveth and abi∣deth for ever, 1 Pet. 1.23. It is not with Saints

in Heaven as with Boon-companions in play∣ing, drinking, carousing Matches of sport and vanity, that must part; nor is it with Saints there as with God's Children here in the Wor∣ship of God, that have their Intermission, Ces∣sations, Interruptions, are forced to break off: But there the work continues praising God, the place continues, it hath Foundations, the per∣sons continue, he that doth the will of God abi∣deth for ever, 1 John 2.17.

CHAP. IV. For what End the Saints are gathered together.

4. THE next Head is to open the End or Design of the Saints gathering together, these are of Two Sorts, 1. Principal, 2. Secondary and Subordinate.

1. The primary and principal End is, the Glorifying of God; the great God doth all things for this great End, 2 Thes. 1.10. When he shall come to be glorified in his Saints, and to be admired in all them that believe: The glory of the Saints shall reflect glory to God: God takes himself honoured in his Saints Honour, as the Prince is magnified in the splendour of his

Court: If God be glorified in the bitterest Sufferings of his Saints, how much more in their Exaltations? Oh what a Luster will they cast, when they are all crowned as Kings, when they shall shine as the Firmament, yea as Stars, yea as the Sun in its Me∣ridian glory, O what a strange change is this to be raised out of the Durst and Dung-hill, to sit upon Thrones? How came this to pass, surely the Author of this Glory will have the chief share therein, all God's perfections will be conspicuous: The Saints meeting together in the foresaid Manner, will tend to the glory of

1. God's Soveraignty, wherein he chose these that were Children of Wrath even as o∣thers to make them Vessels of Mercy, and left others as good as they to perish and be banish∣ed from God to all Eternity; then those eter∣nal Councels will be displayed, and that Scrip∣ture fully explained, Rom. 9.15, 18, 22, 23.

2. God's Wisdom shall be illustrious in con∣triving a way for Man's Redemption and Sal∣vation: This Wisdom of God in a Mystery, even the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the world unto our glory, 1 Cor. 2.7. Then the Secrets of this Wisdom will be clearly laid open, to Angels and Men, which now they desire

to look into, yea become Scho∣lars in the Church to learn more of, Eph. 3.10.

3. The Power of God will be illustrious in bringing poor weak Creatures through such a world of Difficulties and Oppositions, as Sheep in the midst of Wolves, Lions, Bears, in an how∣ling Wilderness, yea themselves shall wonder how they ever got thither, and shall reflect with comfort and triumph, that they were kept by the power of God through Faith unto Salvation, 1 Pet. 1.5.

4. But no Attribute of God will shine so bright in that day of Saints meeting together, as that of his Free-grace, Love and Mercy, this orient Pearl in the Gold-ring of Glory will shine brightest: That up-hill City is built all of Free-stone, they had none mounted so high, had not the arms of love been under them: When this Head-stone of Glory is laid, it will be with shoutings, grace, grace unto it, Zech. 4.7. The Coelestial Pallace will ring with Accla∣mations of Grace: Grace laid the Foundation, and Grace lays the Top-stone in Glory: The glorified Soul will stand amazed, and say, who am I O Lord God, and what is my house that thou hast brought me hi∣therto? And Saints and Angels will stand gazing at them, and at God in them, that of such filthy Beasts hath made such holy Saints, of such Lepers not fit to be toucht, hath advanced them above the ordinary rate of

Men, equal unto the Angels: Fel∣low-saints shall adore Free-grace, Devils shall fret, Reprobates gnash their Teeth with envy, and Angels will gladly admit them into their Society: And God will be glorified in all.

This is the first and chief End God hath in gathering the Saints together.

2. There is also a secondary subordinate End of God's bringing his Saints together, and that is for their mutual Communion, Converse and Society with each other, and all with God together.

Negatively it shall not be.

1. To Trade, Buy and Sell, and have civil Commerce together, to make great Purchases, or to go to Fairs and Markets, or meet upon Exchange for Merchandice: There's no such things there: Nor shall they Marry or be given in Marriage; nor converse as Husband and Wives, Luke 20.35.

2. Nor shall they suffer together, or be thrown into Prisons, Dens, Caves of the Earth, to en∣dure Hardships, seeking Relief, or begging their Bread; the Devil and his Instruments are there non-suited, the accuser of the brethren is cast down, Rev. 12.10. And all his Angels, Agents.

3. Much less shall they Sin together, by Acts of Immorality, or idle Talk or Chat, there shall not be uttered one vain Word to all Eter∣nity; nor shall they Quarrel, or Contend, and thereby grieve and fret or vex the Spirits one of

another, or sadden the Hearts of each other; No, no, there shall be perfection of Grace, and compleat harmony of Minds and Affecti∣ons.

4. Nor shall there be one word of Complaint as now there is, Christians when they meet here, spend much of their Time in bemoan∣ing themselves, or bemoaning one another, in mutual Compassion, confessing their Faults to each other, ac∣quainting Christian Friends with their Grievances, begging their Advice, and the help of their Prayers; O saith one, I am Ig∣norant, Hard-hearted, Unbelieving, have a treacherous Memory, am very Unprofitable; saith another, I am sore assaulted with Satans Suggestions, hellish Temptations; another saith, I am in the dark, God hides his Face, I know not what to make of my Condition; another complains of dark Providences, and is afraid of missing his Way, in such a Case; e∣very one hath his peculiar Ailings and Grie∣vances; and one while raise their Hearts to God, another while to Christian Friends; but there shall be no such thing as a whimper of complaining, when they meet together in that Solemn day.

2. More positively and affirmatively, the Ends and Business for which the Saints shall come together are these Two.

1. The former concerns their personal Feli∣city: The Second concerns their mutual Soci∣ety and Entercourse.

1. For their own personal Felicity, they shall meet together for these Ends:

1. To rest together, as their Bodies shall rest in the Grave, so shall their Soul rest with God: This is the time of refreshing that comes from the presence of the Lord, Acts 3.19. Now they rest from their labours, sinful, evil, and natural, never more to be pestered any more with the Hurries of a mad World, Temptations of a malicious Devil, or Corruptions of a treache∣rous Heart: Rest is sweet, this Rest is most sweet, when they enter into Peace they rest in their Beds, Isa. 57.2.

2. To be rewarded; great is their reward in Heaven, Mat. 5.12. This Reward doth greatly animate God's Saints in their Labours and Los∣ses, they still have respect to the re∣compence of Reward, and they shall not be disappointed for it is a sure Reward; and their Confidence hath great recompence of Reward, Heb. 10.35. Not by any thing we have done in point of commutative Justice, yet by distributive Ju∣stice, by vertue of God's promise in the New Covenant, God will be as good as his Word.

3. They meet to rejoyce together, at pre∣sent, they rejoyce in hope of the Glory of God,

Rom. 5.2. But Heaven is the true proper Ele∣ment of Joy: If at a distance and unseen, the Christian can rejoyce with Joy unspeakable and full of Glory, upon actings of a Faith of Adherence: Oh what Joy will the Christian have above, this is an entring into our Masters Joy, because our Vessels are too narrow for this joy to enter into us; O what transport of joy at the Saints arrival!

4. They meet to Reign: The Saints of the most high shall take the Kingdom and possess the King∣dom for ever, even for ever and ever, Dan. 7. 18. Rev. 22.5. Not only shall godly Ministers receive a crown of glory that fadeth not a way; but suffering Saints shall have the Crown of Life, which God hath promised to all that love him, James 1.12. Earthly Crowns are but rotten Trifles to this Crown that all Saints shall re∣ceive: This is an high transcendent Prefer∣ment.

5. They meet together to receive their Inhe∣ritance: At present they are but as Children in their Minority, but at Death they take posses∣sion of their rightful Inheritance, and it is an Inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fa∣deth not away, reserved in Heaven for them, 1 Pet. 1.4. All God's Children are Heirs, and heirs according to pro∣mise, and this Glory they have

hereafter is a reward of inheritance, Col. 3.24. The Kingdoms of the Earth countervail not this blessed Inheritance above.

6. They meet together to triumph upon their blessed Conquest: What strange Triumphers shall Saints be hereafter, that are more then Con∣querours here? All the Saints shall be cloathed with white robes and palmes in their hands, Rev. 7.9. O the triumphant Song they sing, Rev. 15.3. It is unintelligible by others, and cannot be learned by any but overcomers: O happy Souls!

7. They meet to see the Execution of God's Vengance upon the Wicked, Jude 14.15. Be∣hold the Lord cometh to execute Judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly, of their un∣godly deeds and hard speeches,—the righteous shall re∣joyce when he seeth the vengance, Psal. 58.10. The more the Saints Will is melted into God's Will, the more content will they have in the execu∣ting of Justice, not so much on God's Crea∣tures, but his Enemies, see 2 Thes. 1. 6, 7, 8, 9.

8. They meet for a clear Manifestation of their inward Principles and outward Practices to each other: Saints are called hidden ones, their best part is most out of sight; their life is hid with Christ in God, but when Christ who is our life shall appear, then shall we appear with him in glory, Col. 3.3, 4. Yea, and the Creature waiteth for

the manifestation of the Sons of God, Rom. 8.19. O what a display will there be at that day of Men's inward States one to another, never be∣fore known, 1 John 3.1, 2.

9. They meet to have their Graces perfect∣ed: This (and never till then) is the day when that is accomplished, Eph. 4.12, 13. The perfecting of the Saints till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect Man unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: Then will every cor∣ner of the Soul be filled with Grace, to the full brim: He that begun a good work here, will per∣form till the day of Jesus Christ, Phil. 1.6. Now they have attained to that they were pres∣sing after; O blessed day! Oh sweet attain∣ment!

10. Yet, once more they meet together to injoy God immediately together: This Crowns all the rest, this is the top of all, the Achme and highest Felicity of a rational Soul: This is that they have been long breathing after: Some glimpes of his blessed Face they saw through the glass of Ordinances, and were thereby changed into the same image from glory to glory, 2 Cor. 3.18. But that sight of God was but through a glass darkly, but then face to face, 1 Cor. 13.12. When he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is, 1 John 3.2. What Man dwelling on this side Death knows the meaning of that Word? God said to Mo∣ses,

thou canst not see my face, its well if we can see his back parts; but then the Lord will unveil his blessed Face to glorified Souls: We cannot till now how a finite Soul is capable of seeing an infinite Object, but then as the faculties will be strangely inlarged and extended, so this Vi∣sion will exceed our present low Apprehensions: This is called the beautiful Vision, promised to the pure in heart that they shall see God; and its this that makes them compleatly Happy: That's one of the sweetest words in the Bible, 1 Thes. 4.17, 18. Then we which are alive and remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord, wherefore comfort one another with these words.

CHAP. V. An Account of the Intercourse the Saints have at their meeting together.

THE former Head referred to the main Business of the Saints meeting together, which was glorifying God, injoying of him, which consists in their personal Felicity.

2. This latter concerns their mutual Society, and familiar Entercourse one with another, which will be additional to their comfort and happiness in those heavenly Regions.

Communion of Saints is one Article of our Faith, and the great Priviledge of Believers in this lower World; both that which is Catho∣lick with all Saints through the World, and that which is Personal and Immediate with Members of the same Society: As soon as any Man commenceth Christian, he espouseth this Communion, Phil. 1.5. For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now: Wicked Men talk their good Fellowship in feasting, drinking, jesting, gaming, alass they are all but Child's play, yea Devils sport to this, and leave the Soul sapless and guilty: But this Fellowship of God's Children is delectable, honourable and profitable, a distinctive Character of a Saint, an Emblem of Heaven, a step to Communion with God.

Yet that Fellowship they have in Glory far exceeds that they have below, for they are de∣fecated from the dregs of Corruption and sinful Pasions, their Souls purified, their Graces per∣fected, and though they be different Lives, yet all center in God.

That the Saints above have familiar Enter∣course one with another, is generally asserted, and very probable; because such a Communi∣cation doth greatly heighten their Comfort and Happiness: But how this is carried on, is not

so Evident; whether it be [imprimendo] im∣printing their Conceptions in the Minds of each other, as Scotus saith, or [representando, ordi∣nando] ordering their Conceptions in their own Minds, and so in some peculiar way represent∣ing them by certain Species to others: So Aqui∣nas; or [sonando] by forming Sounds, which after their way are intelligible: But we that are so much strangers to the Nature of Spirits, cannot conceive of these things.

Yet after the Resurrection, when Bodies are united to their Souls, possibly they may hold Discourse vocally; yet, it must be said, whil'st in this World, in a sound Sense, that they know no Man after the flesh, 2 Cor. 5.16. How much less in Heaven, when their Bodies be∣come Spiritual, will they know each other, or confer together in a low carnal Manner, as they do here in this World.

Let the more learned read Dr. Tuckny's Dis∣couse in his Praelect. Theol, Page 152 to 157, up∣on this Question [Beati in statu gloriae se mutuo sunt aquituri:] That the Blessed in the State of Glory shall know each other, for which he brings Proofs out of Scripture, of Dives and Lazarus and Moses, and this in Christ's Transfi∣guration, &c. and some Argument.

But of this I shall say as he [quòd questio ista in se contineat veritatem theologicam non fundamen∣tatem fidei Articulum] that this Question con∣tains in it a Theological Truth, not a Funda∣mental Article of Faith; not necessary to our

Salvation, but useful to our Edification and Con∣solation.

Now if it be asked, what Subjects the Saints glorified shall in all probability discourse upon, I confess its an high an hard Question; for, I do find in the 2 Cor. 12.4. that when the Apo∣stle Paul was lifted up into the Third Heavens, he heard [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] wordless Words, or Words that could not be uttered, or which it is not law∣ful for a Man to utter: God forbid that I should presume to express either the Matter or the Manner of these Conferences above: But words or things they are that are uttered, and we may lawfully guess at what the Saints above confer of, by the holy laudible Discourses they have here; and they may be such as these:

1. Concerning the Work of Creation: For though the visible Heavens and Earth shall be burnt up, yet nevertheless, according to his Promise, they shall see new heavens and new earth, wherein dwells Righteousness, 2 Pet. 3.12, 13. Fire purifies, so the visible Heavens which were defiled with Men's Sin, shall be purged with Fire, and the creature shall be deli∣vered from the bondage of corruption: And oh what a brave shew will that present? Far beyond Golden Mountains, Rocks of Pearl or Diamonds, or Christal streams: A semblance of it we have in Rev. 21. which is the wonder∣ful Workmanship of the great Creator, enough to imploy the Eyes and Tongues of those Coe∣lestial

Inhabitants to the Praise of Jehovah, Rev. 4.9, 10, 11. and though the first Creation be past away, yet the mighty Fabrick of this vast Universe will possess the Thoughts of the Saints, with admiration of God's Power, Wisdom, Holiness which shines therein, and they will re∣flect, upon with Discourses one to another, and adoring God: To the Honour of his Majesty.

2. Concerning Man's Apostacy: How ex∣cellently God had placed Man in the Primi∣tive state of Perfection in his own Image, with perfect Faculties in the Image of of God, with dominion over the works of God's hands: Yet he un∣reasonably made defection from God, and rose up in rebellion against God, by violating the Moral Law engraven in his Heart; and the Positive Law of not eating the Fruit of one Tree: Whereby he utterly ruined all his Poste∣rity, made himself and his Off-spring subject to God's wrath and curse here and hereafter to all Eternity: This will be greatly aggravated to the advancement of Free-grace in our deli∣verance out of it.

3. Especially the Saints shall discourse of the Means of our Redemption: The infinite Wis∣dom, Grace and Love in God's Contrivance of it; the transcendent Love, Care, Faithful∣ness of Christ in the managing of it, the Na∣ture, Birth, Death, Resurrection, Ascention of the Son of God, his Offices, suited to our

State, and all his Mediatory Undertakings: This will be a Voluminous Book for Saints to read, fairly written in indelible Characters; and the glorious Ob∣ject before their Eyes, at the right Hand of God, in heavenly Places, above Prin∣cipalities; to be a perpetual Monitor of his glorious Transactions: This shall be the trium∣phant Harmony of the Coelestial Inhabitants to all Eternity, Rev. 5.8, 9, 13, 14.

4. The priviledge of Believers; the blessed Fruits of Christ's purchases: Now they shall more fully understand and take the due dimen∣sions of the Benefits of Reconciliation, Justifi∣cation, Adoption, peace of Conscience, joy of the Holy-Ghost; these priviledges will be better understood then, and discoursed of one to another: O what blessed Effects of Divine Grace! We enjoyed them, but did not duly conceive of them, now we see what it is to be the Children of God, to be Justified, Sanctifi∣ed; these were greater Mercies then we were aware of: Let us cast our Eye back, and con∣sider what we were once, what Bruits, Sots, but how we were washed, sanctified, justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the spirit of our God, 1 Cor. 6.11. Ah, what a pleasant Theam is this!

5. The Ordinances injoyed: Oh, how ma∣ny savory Sermons have we heard! How often have we been feasted together at the Lord's Ta∣ble? What sweet Fellowship have we had with

the Saints in the lower World! Many an Heart-melting Fast, many a Soul-refreshing Thanks∣giving, many an edifying, Heart-warning Con∣ference: I could then say, it was good for me to draw nigh to God: Those Duties led us to this Glory: God help us to improve Ordinances, and now we are got quite above Ordinances.

6. The difficulties of our Pilgrimage: While the Saints stand on the shore of Eternity, and look back at the stormy tempestuous Sea they have passed, the Pirats, Rocks and Sands they escaped, by the conduct of the great Pilot, it fills them with Admiration and Astonishment: How many roaring Devils, surious onsets of Men: What Temptations, Persecutions they have passed through, what hard Duties they have performed, what Corruptions they have mortified, what Burthens they have born; all these do accent their Joy to an high pitch.

7. Ministers, and their Hearers will com∣municate their former Experiences: Oh, will the Convert say, it was a blessed Day that ever I saw such a Ministers Face, or heard his Voice: I remember the Text, the Doctrine, the Par∣ticular, that first touched my Heart: I sat under that shadow with great delight, the fruit was sweet to my Soul, God healed me by the same Hand, that wounded me; possibly the Minister never knew till now all the Souls he hath been an In∣strument to Convert: Now they have a reci∣procal

Joy, when sower and reaper rejoyce toge∣ther, John 4.26.

8. Godly Relations will mutually reflect on Days that are past, though now not as Hus∣band and Wife, yet as quondam in that Relati∣on: They were heirs together of the grace of life, prayed, wept, suf∣fered, and sweetly converst toge∣gether, the Father wept over the miscarrying Child, prevail'd with God, his Miscarriages cost him dear, but his Conversion was as life from the dead, that was a costly Child, how the more lovely the gracious Child reflects up∣on, recounts the godly Fathers and Mothers Prayers and Tears, Counsels, Admonitions.

9. The distinction Grace hath made betwixt them and others: Such a one as well Born, Bred, Educated as we, sometimes under Con∣victions, sat under the same means of Grace, of fine Parts, made a Profession, and were once as likely for Heaven as I, but fell into gross Sin, or kept in a course of Formality, and these are now swallowed up in Eternal Torments, why, am not I in their Case? Who made us to differ? It was nothing but Free grace that gave me a Re∣penting-heart: I was as likely to Perish as he, and as unable to help my Self as he.

10. Christians will discourse of the various Providences of God in this World: I was Sick and the Lord raised me up, had I dyed then, I had been undone, for I was in a graceless

State: God in faithfulness afflicted me, I had perished, if I had not perished, I was wandring, and God brought me home by weeping Cross: I had not been thus Happy, if I had not been Miserable; all things did work for my Good: The Lord supplyed my Wants, supported me in Troubles, vouchsafed many Mercies in my Pilgrimage, wereby he rendred my Condition comfortable: Many a particular Dispensation of Providence will be then laid open to others.

11. The seasons of special Inlargement; they will then declare what God hath done for their Souls: Many things that passed betwixt God and their Souls, that were not fit to be divulged in this World, will then be laid open to the glory of God, and their own and others joy and abundant content as those two Disci∣ples said, Luke 24.32. did not our hearts burn within us, while he talked with us by the way? Oh, what sweet Intercourse with God had my Soul in such a Cham∣ber, Close••; there did he give me his Loves, and I gave him mine: It was a little corner of Heaven: Such an Ordinance, Presence, was as one of the Days of Hea∣ven; I could have been content to have died there.

12. Lastly, They shall discourse of the Fe∣licity they are now advanced to, and the Per∣petuity of it: This State is beyond, what eye

hath seen, ear heard, or could enter into the heart of Man; little, ah little did I then know what I now enjoy: One hour in this blisful State, compensates all my days of Service or Suffer∣ing: O that I had done more for God! I am saith Luther, ashamed that God should so abundantly reward so little Work: But God acts like himself, I did but little for God, but God doth much for me: Who would not serve such a Master? My Sufferings were but light and momentary, but this is a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory: O What a beautiful Master have we served: Nor is this for a short Season, to have an End, but it is lasting, everlasting; it would damp our Joy, if we were in danger to lose this Felicity, but let us take Courage, we shall never be expelled out of this our Paradice as Adam was out of his: This Happiness shall run Paralel with the Life of God, and live of Eternity.

You'l say, how do you know that this shall be their Discourses, have you been there to hear it, or who told you?

I Answer no, but we may rationally guess at it, partly from some general Hints in Scrip∣ture, partly from their profitable and comfor∣table Discourse on Earth, which will then be heightened, and indeed because they shall speak and act such things as most tend to the Glory of God, and their own greater Joy and Comfort.

CHAP VI. How the Saints shall be gathered together unto Christ, and Reasons why thy must be gathered together.

5. THE next general Head is what is to be meant by the Saints gathering to∣gether unto Christ, so saith the Text.

I must confess, Interpreters greatly differ about the meaning of these Words, [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] which some Interpret of meetings of Christians together in Assem∣blies, Heb. 10.25. And so render [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] propter ipsum, as Jam. 2.7. that worthy name [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] which is called upon you, super vos: So they will have this to refer to the free Liberty of Christians, in uninterrup∣ted meetings in Countries, Cities, after the Scattering of the Jewish Nation that censured Christians as a wicked Sect; but in the days of Vespasian, Titus, but especially in Constantines Time, injoyed liberty of meeting together for celebrating God's publick Worship: So indeed [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] and [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] convenire, congrega∣re, in publick Edict signify: But most take it for that general universal Meeting at Christ's second coming in the Air at the last Day,

1 Thes. 4.14, 17. when all the Elect shall be gathered to Christ: Now this gathering of Saints to Christ doth comprehend these Four things;

• 1. The State and Qualification of the Object.
• 2. The Reason or Relation betwixt them.
• 3. The Frame and Disposition of the Subject.
• 4. The Sight, Vision or Fruition of him.

I shall very briefly open all these.

1. The State and Qualification of the Ob∣ject, that is Christ, under a double Notion, 1st. As God, Man; 2dly. As advanced to the right Hand of God.

1. They shall be gathered to him as God and Man, which is a State of the highest Per∣fection: Compleat Man as glorious a Creature as Adam in Innocency, and yet much more en∣deared to his Saints, by that reflecting on what he hath done and suffered for them and the Fruits thereof; this is he of whom 'tis said, when he bringeth in his first begotten into the world, he saith and let all the Angels of God wor∣ship him, Heb. 1.6. This is the admirable Per∣son, consisting of his two Natures, Divine and Humane; never did created or uncreated Na∣ture afford the like: In whom all Perfections meet, in whom all Excellencies are united.

2. As exalted to the right Hand of God: They are not now to be gathered to Christ, as he was in his State of Humiliation, when Mul∣titudes flockt to his Preaching, working Mira∣cles,

when he was but in the form of a Ser∣vant, or going to suffer on the Cross, no, nor yet in his State of Transfiguration, which was Glorious but Temporary; but now he is set down on the right hand of the Majesty on high, Heb. 1.3. God hath now given him a name above every name far a∣bove all principalities and powers and hath put all things under his feet and gave him to be the head over all things to the Church, Eph. 1.20, 21, 22. It is this State of Glory in which Christ is inthroned, and now receiving Ho∣mage from all ranks of Creatures (Devils be∣ing confined to their Prisons,) attended with innumerable Angels; 'tis Christ in this glori∣ous State, that the Saints are to be gathered to.

2. The Reason thereof, which consists in the Relation betwixt Christ and his Saints, all which carry abundance of delight and sweet∣ness in them: For, it is not as Strangers or E∣nemies that love him not, nor yet as Malefa∣ctors brought to the Bar, that dread him as Judge: But they are gathered to Christ under these sweet Relations.

1. As Sheep to their Shepheard, whose Voice they know here, and follow him, John 10.3, 4. yea they own him with a more then ordinary endearedness, because he laid down his Life for the Sheep, verse 15. and carried those poor lambs in his arms, and leades them to quiet resting-pla∣ces,

where they shall dwell safely, and none shall make them afraid.

2. As Souldiers to their Captain, not to Fight, but to take the Spoil, the Captain of our Sal∣vation is made perfect through sufferings: He is now crowned with glory and honour and brings ma∣ny Sons unto glory, Heb. 2.9, 10. He pitcheth out a Crown to every Souldier, and sets the victorious Champion with him on his own Throne, Rev. 3.21.

3. As Scholars to their Master, who sets them not in a low Form, as under Graduates, but they commence the highest degree of Per∣fection in the University of Glory, to know as much as Creatures are capable, they shall know as they are known, 1 Cor. 13.12. Now he is a vessel unto Honour, meet for his Masters use, set on the shelf of Glory.

4. As Subjects to their Prince, to pe pre∣ferred into the King's Presence-chamber: Not any longer to be banisht into a foreign Coun∣try; no, nor yet to be Retainers, hanging a∣bout the Court at a distance, but approaching into his Presence: Jesus Christ is in the immediate Presence of God, Saints shall be with him: In whose presence is fulness of joy at his right hand are pleasures for ever more, Psal. 10.11.

5. As Friends to a Feast: Our Lord called and accounted all his Saints, Friends in this

World, John 15.14, 15. and he deales famili∣arly with them, providing for them a Feast of fat things: But there will come a day when he will drink this wine new with them in his fathers kingdom, Mat. 26.29. O blessed Feast! O sweet Society! When he will say, eat oh friends, drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved, Cant. 5.2.

6. As Children are gathered to their Father, not only to receive a Blessing, but to take full possession of their Inheritance, Col. 3.24. know∣ing that of the Lord, ye shall revive the reward of the inheritance, for ye serve the Lord Christ: All God's Son's are Heirs, and then it will be manifest who are Son's, that's a blessed Word, Rev. 21.7. He that overcometh shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be my Son.

7. As Members are gathered to their Heart, Eph. 5.30. for we are members of his body of his flesh and of his bones: Now alass the Members are oft disjointed from each other, and too much distant from the Head, but there will come a day when they shall be joined all in one: There's then no discrepancy betwixt Head and Members, but they are grown up into him in all things, which is the head even Christ, Eph. 4.15, 16.

Thus much for the Relation they have to Christ, which is the Reason of this gathering together to him.

3. The Frame and Disposition of the Sub∣ject: There is in every Child of God, a kind of natural Propensity, which inclines them in a peculiar Manner towards Christ as the Nee∣dle towards the Loadstone, by which they move and bend Heaven wards: Return unto thy rest, O my Soul saith David, Psal. 116.7. As all Creatures move to their center, so doth the sin∣cere Soul God-wards; and can never be quiet till it be closely joined and cemented to him, and that God that hath fixed these innate Prin∣ciples in the Soul, will promote and perfect them: Now this Frame and Disposition of a Child of God, proceeds 1st. From the Con∣viction of Conscience, and Deficiency he finds in other things: 2dly. From a sensible Experi∣ence that the Soul hath of Satisfaction in Christ.

1. The Consciences of God's Children are fully satisfyed, that all the World cannot give the least ease to their Souls: This made Solomon cry out, vanity of vanitie•…•…, all is vanity: The Chri∣stian cries out, away with these Toys: World∣ly Enjoyments are not commensurate to an im∣mortal Soul, Mat. 16.26. The Judgment is convinced that the world passeth away, and the lust ••hereof, 1 John 2.17. All the Splendor of the 〈…〉〈…〉ld fades, there's a varity and emptiness in all Sublimaries [non est mortale quod opto] that's the Christians Motto: I wish not, for, I am not content with mundane or worldly

things: I must look beyond the Moon to Hea∣ven for a Felicity: I have suck'd the juice of every Flower in this Garden of the World, yet my Soul is empty.

2. The Christian hath tasted that the Lord is Gracious, and this sets him a longing and hungring for more Grace and Incomes from a∣bove, 1 Pet. 2.23. The Gauls having tasted the sweet Wine of the Grapes that grew in Ita∣ly, were never at rest till they had conquered the Country: So it is with the godly Soul [op∣tima demonstratio est à sensibus] Sense brings the clearest Evidence, especially Spiritual Senses, for some Natural Sences may be deceived, this I pray, saith the Apostle, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge, and in all judgment, Phil. 1.9. [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,] in all Sense, for the Soul hath its Senses as well as the Body, and being sanctifyed and duly exercised, they discern be∣twixt Good and Evil: And in∣deed this is the proper Genius of the new Creature, to press forwards and aspire upwards, Rom. 8.23. we which have the first fruits of the spirit groan within our selves, waiting for the a∣doption; the redemption of our body: There are Heaven born Principles laid up in godly Souls, that make them sore aloft to injoy God.

4. The gathering to Christ, includes the Sight, Vision and Fruition of Christ, the full Injoyment of him: Beholding God is proper∣ly Fruitive Vision of him: Blessed are the pure

in heart, for they shall see God, Mat. 5.8. This is not of meer Speculation, but Fruition; if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him, Rom. 6.8. This is by sight of him and appearing with him in glory, Col. 3.4. This blisful sight of Christ, is that which makes Heaven, for where the King is, there is the Court; this Glory is in conformity to him, and communion with him: This is it to be gather¦ed to Christ, i. e. to have Christ fully revealed to us, the approach to him under dearest Rela∣tions, the Soul disposed and duly qualified to injoy him, and full Vision and Fruition of him: If any of these be wanting, we cannot in Scrip∣ture-Sense be gathered to Christ.

6. The next Head is the Reasons why our Lord will thus gather his Saints to Christ at the last day?

Though I have toucht at some things alrea∣dy, that might be improved as Reasons, yet I shall add.

1. Because this is the good Pleasure of God, John 6.39. And this is the Fathers will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me, I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day, how tender is God of his Jewels, he will gather them and make them up carefully, Mat. 3.17. To be sure he will neither keep them out, nor cast them out: The foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, the Lord knoweth [and will own] them that are his, 2 Tim. 2.19. the electi∣on

must obtain salvation: It runs invisibly much under ground, but will appear at last in Mansions a∣bove.

2. Because this is the Fruit of Christ's Pur∣chase, 1 Pet. 3.18. For Christ hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust that he might bring us to God; He is the Ladder of Jacob, upon whom Elect Souls ascend to Glory: This was the End of his reconciling us by his Blood, to present us holy, unblamable, and unreprovable in his sight, Col. 1.20, 22. our Lord will not lose the Fruits of his dear Purchase: Yea he follows it with his Prayer, John 17.24. Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am, God always hears him.

3. Because of the sanctifying and sealing Work of the Spirit, 2 Thes. 2.13. God hath chosen you to salvation, through sanctification of the spirit, and belief of the truth; observe it, San∣ctification and Salvation, have an inseparable Connexion: Saints in the Old Testament and in the New have the same spirit of faith, 2 Cor. 4.13. This animates all the Members of Christ, running through the Veins of his mystical Body; and this is the seal and earnest of our future inheri∣tance, Eph. 1.13, 14. To be sure God will not lose his Earnest, or throw it to Hell.

4. Saints shall be gathered together to Christ, because they are all wrapt in the same Bond of the Everlasting Covenant; its called the bond

of the covenant, Ezek. 20.37. And by this Co∣venant all the Saints become one stick in the Lords hand, Ezek. 37.17. Suppose abundance of Twigs be bound up together, yet they all make up but one Rod; many Stones make but one building; many Inhabitants make but one City or Kingdom: All Saints are fellow ci∣tizens, Eph. 2.19, 20, 21, 22. God will not part them either in this or in the other World: Sincere and persevering Souls, shall all meet be∣fore the Throne, to sing Hallelujahs with har∣monious Melody: All the Saints through the World are Children of the same Father, God; yea they that are of faith, are children of Abra∣ham, Gal. 3.7. In a Spiritual Sense, one hou∣shold of faith, Gal. 6.10. fellow heirs of the same body, Eph. 3.6. fellow servants, Col. 1.7. bre∣thren in Christ, faithful brethren, Col. 1.2. fellow citizens with the Saints, Eph. 2.19. and of the houshold of God: Such special Relation calls for this Congregating: No doubt, they must be gathered together at last.

CHAP. VII. Inferences from this Doctrine of Saints being gathered together.

THE Improvement I shall make of this Point, shall be 1st. for Doctrine, or in∣formation of our Minds and Judgments in these Ten Inferences and Consectaries.

1. That God is Omniscent and Omnipotent known, unto God are all his works from the begin∣ning of the world, Acts 15.18. He is infinite in Knowledge and Wisdom, that takes account of the meanest Creatures, and he is of infinite Power to gather them up; these are the Lord's People, and his Inheritance, which he hath brought out by his mighty power and stretched out arm, Deut 9.29. As God brought his Israel out of Egypt, so he laid out the same Power in bringing them into Canaan, so the same Power that converted Sinners, will also save them, for they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, 1 Pet. 1.5.

2. That Jesus Christ is a compleat Saviour, He is able to save to the uttermost, Heb. 7.25. [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] every way, to all intents and purposes, Soul and Body in all cases, difficul∣ties, conditions, in all Dispensations: Yet it

hath a further meaning, He is able to save total∣ly, finally, perfectly and perpetually, so as none shall need to come after him, to finish what he hath begun; yet further, He saves, so as he shall never cease to be a Saviour to all Eternity: For, though he finished his suffering Work on Earth, and his crowning Work at the great Day of Judgment, yet the God-in∣joying Work shall be by him, through the A∣ges of Eternity; as he shall be lookt on as the Authour, so he will be the Object of their Happiness, and embrace them in the Arms of his Love for evermore.

3. That Death is not terrible to a gracious Person: Its true to Nature it may well be called the king of terrours; it is a dissolving of this compound Man, but it is the shell and cloathing of the Soul that's laid by, an Elementary composition that's dissolved, the Soul is thereby set at liber∣ty and takes its flight into another World, a World of Spirits: A better State then here, Death is but a bridge, a portal that opens the Door to Heaven: Christ hath unstung Death, perfumed the Grave, and made it a means of Manumission into the blessed Society of God, Angels and Saints, thousands better then we are gone, who are we to be exempted? Its no un∣trodden Path, our best Friends are above, let us not be afraid to follow them.

4. That Heaven is a capacious place; all the Saints in the Old Testament are gone thi∣ther, and Millions in New-Testament days, are mounted to Glory, an hundred forty four thousand of all the Tribes of Israel, and a great mul∣titude which no man could number, Rev. 7.49. Moses and Elias came from Heaven at Christ's Transfiguration; Abraham in glory, and all his spiritual Off-spring, which makes a vast num∣ber; yet there's room enough left in those ex∣tracted Mansions above: How small a point is this habitable World compared with Heaven, where there is innumerable company of Angels and spirits of just Men made perfect: Yet none refused or kept out that are written in the lambs book of life: Heaven is capable of entertaining all the Son's of God, it is a [this 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] universal Receptacle for all Pil∣grims and Strangers here on the Earth.

5. No unclean thing shall enter Heaven: Nothing that defileth; no Dogs shall tread on that golden Pave∣ment, without are dogs, as large as it is, wicked graceless Sinners shall not creep or croud into it; our Lord keeps the Keys of Paradice in his own Hands, he can∣not be guilty of an over sight, for his Eyes are like a flame of fire, none can give him the slip undis∣crep••bly; he knows them that are his, and he

disowns others: For without holiness no Man shall see the Lord, Heb. 12.14. Grace and Glory go hand in hand, unconverted Sinners can no sooner enter Heaven (continuing so) then De∣vils or damned Souls: Persons must be gather∣ed by Conversion, or not gathered by Salva∣tion.

6. Saints glorified, shall retain their Intel∣lection and some kind of Sensation, as they shall intuitively see God, know as they are known, discern spiritual Mysteries more clearly then ever: So they shall have some kind of sense and feeling, from whence come Love, Joy, Delight; for the Soul wants not the ex∣ercise of its essential Faculties, for want of bo∣dily Organs: These opperations of the Soul in Flesh, are but imperfect shadows of that Intel∣lection and volition above, and so of that ex∣cellent Sense and Affections of Love and Joy, which we now cannot clearly conceive of here below: See this fully in Mr. Baxter's Dying Thoughts, page 201.

7. The Saints in Heaven will know one ano∣ther; as the Disciples knew Moses and Elias, and those that never saw one anothers Faces in this World shall meet together with great con∣tent; and this shall be no small part of their Happiness, when they shall say, there stands holy Enoch, righteous Noah, grieving Lot, be∣lieving Abraham, upright David, patient Job, penitent Peter, zealous Paul the beloved, love∣ly

Disciple John, victorious Champions, and my glorious Companions for ever: And we to∣gether are perfected and glorified, Oh happy day, blessed meeting!

8. The multitudes injoying God in Heaven, will be no diminution of their Joy: Those thousands of Eyes beholding the Sun, do not extenuate its Light: For the Acts diminish not the Object, no more then the King is less for his Courtiers beholding him: The King of Heaven can give content to all the Coelestial Inhabitants, all the Saints shall bath in this pleasant River, and drink abundantly of the fountain of life, nor will the different De∣grees of Glory beget want or envy in such as have less, for every Vessel shall be as full as it can hold: The Coelestial Courti∣ers have all God, shall be all in all; it is thought, that such as had more Grace, and had done God more service here, shall shine brighter then others, from Dan. 12.3. 1 Cor. 15.41. But yet there shall be no Emulation, nay, they shall rather re∣joyce in each others Graces and Glory.

9. That in Heaven there will be a mutual and reciprocal exchange of Gifts and Graces: And this will be no small part of their Com∣fort; O what clasping of Arms! What endea∣redness of Affection! What inlettings into each others Hearts! As the Sun shineth on the Stars, so the Stars shine on each other: God doth a∣bundantly

irradiate their Souls, and they com∣fort one anothers: Not but that there is enough in God to delight them, but this is in some respect accumulative: The Saints above will look on each others Grace as if it were their own: Yea there will be a mutual Aptitude and Disposition to serve each other, and contribute to their Felicity.

10. The sweet Harmony of Spirits will be inconceivable Melody in Heaven, far beyond the Musick of the Sphears they talk of: Those blessed Inhabitants shall be filled with the Spirit, Love, Joy, Peace, then they shall indeed speak among themselves, in Psalms and Hymns and spiritual Songs, singing and making Melody in their Hearts to the Lord, Eph. 5.18, 19. Then they shall with one Mind and one Mouth glorify God: Not one jar∣ring String in the heavenly Con∣sort: Their Hearts will be centred on God, and their Lines streight with each other: O blessed day when there will be no jars or wranglings, but Luther and Calvin will sweetly agree, when Melancthon and Zuinglius will sweet∣ly conspire to celebrate the Praises of our com∣mon Lord: O sweet and blessed day.

CHAP. VIII. Reprehension and Conviction of Graceless and Gracious Souls.

2. ANother Use is of Conviction: 1. O such as are Graceless, 2. Of Godly Persons.

1. Of unconverted graceless Persons.

1. Must there be a gathering together o•• Saints, and only Saints, what then will becom•• of Wicked men? They are not to be gathered with Saints, they cared not for their Company here, and they shall not have their Society in the other World.

1. Wicked men shall be banished from a¦mong the Godly, this is no small Punishment He shall set the sheep on the right-hand, and th•• goats on the left, Mat. 25.32, 33. He shall se¦parate them one from another, as a shepherd di∣videth his sheep from the goats. In this Worl•• they were mingled together, in the same Kingdom, City, House, Assembly, and none wa•• able to distinguish them; they were taken t•• be as Devout as the best, and they took themselves to be as good as any: But now the shall be detected, and the rottenness of the•…•…

Hearts shall be laid open, before themselves, ••ngels, and Men, and they shall be an abhorring ••nto all flesh, so says the Evangelical Prophet, ••sal. 66.24. This will be none of the least of Wicked mens Punishment to see those that ••hey had scorned, slighted, and censured, as ••ot worthy Humane Society, to mount up, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, ••n the Kingdom of Heaven; and the Children of ••he Kingdom (these Church-members) to be ••ast out into utter darkness, Mat. 8.11, 12. O ••ad parting, never to meet again! How will ••he Wicked wish they had lived in Prisons, Poverty, and woful straits in this World, so ••hey might now go along with them into Glory. O that we had spent our time in Prayer, Reading, Meditation, Conference, and Works of Mortification, as these Holy Souls ••id, then had we been happy, as these are: But now we see our loss: We thought your Life madness, but now we are convinced of ••ur Folly, and the wisdom of your Choice.

2. These poor graceless Souls must be for ••ver banished from the Eternal God, the Foun∣••ain of all Happiness: They bid God depart, Depart from us, for we desire not the knowledge of ••hy ways, Job 21.14. If not in so many words, yet interpretatively by their Works: And now God will say, Depart from me, ye ••ursed, Mat. 25.41. The dreadfullest Word ••n the Bible, the most astonishing Sentence that can come out of the Mouth of God, or

〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉

〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉

can be heard by the Ears of Men. The enjoyment of God is the Saints Heaven, banishment from God is the Wickeds Hell; yea, th•• very Hell of Hells; the only Venom, Sting and Poison of that Infernal Lake. They th•…•… are not gathered to God, are separated from God; and once banished, and for ever banish'd; they cannot be parted from his Revenging Justice, but from his Comfortin•• Love: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction, from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power, 2 Thess. 1.9. The pai•• of loss is greater than the pain of sense: O•• dreadful Case! Now poor Sinners will be banished from the Beatifical Presence, and shal•• never more see God or Christ to their Comfort. O wretched State! Sinners shall the•• know what the loss of God meaneth. They gathered themselves together under Ordinance•• but desired not God's Presence in Ordinances more know what Communion with God meant, but they shall know what Separation from God now means: Where Love ended Wrath begins, Fury comes in the room o•• Mercy. Now consider this, ye that forget God lest he tear you in pieces, and there be none to de∣liver, Psal. 50.22.

3. Wicked Men shall be bound up together in bundles, and cast into the Fire of Hell So saith the Text, Mat. 13.30. In the time of harvest, I will say to the reapers, gather ye to∣gether, first, the Tares, and bind them in bundles

to burn them. And why in bundles? Will this be any ease to them in Torments? They are wont to say, Here, Neighbours Fare is good Fare: But it will be otherwise there, the sight of each other will increase their Torment, where they shall reflect upon their Guilt toge∣ther, how they tempted others, and were tempted by others to sin; thou wast one In∣strument to bring me into this Place of Tor∣ment: O that I had never known thee! Now merry Companions will be torturing Com∣pany; their sweet Meat must have sour Sauce. This, this is the dreadful consequence of our frantick Frolicks. It is thought, that this was the reason why the Rich Man was loth his five Brethren should come to him in Hell; not for love to them (for there's no such Charity in Hell) but Self-love, lest their presence should aggra∣vate his Torments. Hence is the gnashing of teeth also mentioned, for spleen and spight both against themselves, and against each other; as Commu∣nion advanceth the Saints Glory above, so Com∣pany of old Sinners aggravates the Wicked's misery in Hell.

4. It will greatly aggravate Wicked mens Torment, to consider, that this was their own doing: Their destruction is of them∣selves; they can challenge none but themselves, though they had many Incentives and Temptations: Neither

the Devil nor Wicked men could ever pu•…•… them to Hell against their wills: God saith He wills not the death of a Sinner. Jesus Chri•…•… expressed his earnest desire of their Salvation by his Death, the Spirit came with its lovin•• motions and impulses, Godly Ministers, Christian Friends prayed for them, took pains wit•• them to save them; so that our Lord himsel•• saith, Mat. 23.37. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how often would I have gathered thy Children together even as a Hen gathereth her Chickens under he•• wings; and ye would not? There was God's gathering time of Mercy, but that's past; now there's a gathering time of Wrath When the Chaff must be burnt i•• unquenchable fire. They migh•• have been happy, but would no•• They observed lying vanities, an•• forsook their own mercies; now there's no remedy. They chose the thing wherein he delighted not, and now he will chus•• their delusions, Isa. 66.3, 4. Alas, poor Sinner chuse the Devil's Drudgery here, and Go•• gives them up into his hands, to be tormente•• for ever; and as Christ will gather up his Saint whom he purchased, so the Devil will gathe•• up all his Slaves, not one shall escape him the Wicked are gathered by Death to thei•• Master, and to their proper place as it's said of Judas, That he wen•• to his own place, that's Hell; Fo•• the wicked shall be turned into Hell, and all th••

Nations that forget God, Psal. 9.17. O, what a vast Assembly will that be! Millions, Mil∣lions of Souls descend down into that Place of Torments. Wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be that go in thereat, Mat. 7.13. O tremble, lest you be found among this greater number of the Sons of men.

Remember, all Mankind have their Faces Hell-wards, when they are born; The wicked are estranged from the womb, they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lyes, Psal. 58.3. There is none righteous, no, not one; we are altogether become unprofitable, without a saving turn we are all marching Hell-ward, and must be gathered together, and, like Faggots, piled up in that Infernal Lake, but especially such as have im∣proved the stock of Original Corruption in a course of Profane Swearing, Rioting, Drun∣kenness, mocking of Religion, ridiculing Pre∣ciseness, condemning the Righteous, justify∣ing the Wicked: How can such as these ex∣pect to be gathered with the Saints in the other World, whom they cannot endure in this? Surely the Godly and Wicked go contrary ways, when they go off the Stage of this World into an Eternal state.

2. As Wicked, Graceless Persons state is sad and hopeless, so continuing, so also professed Christians, yea, real Saints are in some things too saulty, and blame-worthy.

〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉

〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉

1. Shall there be a gathering together at last, then how unaccountable are those Distances, Animosities, and Heart-burnings among Chri∣stians? There is utterly a fault among us: How contrary is this to Christian Love, so often re∣commended by Christ and his Apostles? Yea, our Lord hath made it the Characteristical Note of his Disciples, to love one another, John 13.35. It was wont to be said of the Primitive Christians by Heathens, See how they love one another. But alas, Brotherly Love doth not continue: It hath been declared, to the scandal of our Noble Profession, That there are Contentions among us. Further, it hath been said, That where strictest Professors fall out, they are most implacable; Drunkards will sooner be Friends than these Puritans: God forbid it should be true; God forbid that there should be Debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, back bitings, whisperings, tumults, swellings. Alas, that such unbecoming Fruits of the Flesh should be found among us! There hath been too much of this Evil Spirit; O, let us take heed, lest if we bite and devour one ano∣ther, we be not consumed one by another, Gal. 5.15. These are the Devil's Artillery, whereby he sights, and too often prevails to do abun∣dance of mischief, and hinder much good; For where envy and strife is, there is confusion, and every evil work. How can you think of the Day

of meeting one another in Heaven with such peevish Spirits? Will you perpetuate your Quarrels into another World? Are you Chil∣dren of Peace, that thus Quarrel? For shame lay aside your Differences, or lay aside your Profession of this Gospel of Peace.

2. If the Saints be gathered at last, why do they not keep close together in this World? What unaccountable Separations do men make from each other upon small Occasions? This is a Duty practiced by all the Saints in all Ages, the Primitive Christians continued sted∣fastly in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship, Acts 2.42. As soon as Paul was con∣verted, he assayed to joyn himself to the Disciples, and others consorted with Paul and Barnabas. The Phi∣lippians were in the fellowship of the Gospel from the first day of their Conversion. Like will to like: It's Natural for a Child of God to hold close Communion with his Father's Children: How comes it to pass then, that some that profess themselves Chri∣stians, keep at a distance? Alas, have you the same Name, Nature, and Divine Image, and do you not care for their Company? How will you like to live with them for ever in Heaven, that love not their Society on Earth? How comes it to pass that you keep off? It's possible some do it out of modesty, they are not worthy to associate with them; these are but few: Others out of Singularity, Re∣tiredness,

they can find none good enough to whom they think fit to vouchsafe intimate Fa∣miliarity. Others have a pique against such and such Christians, or against the whole Party, and most hold off from supine Negligence, Carelesness, and Oscitancy; most men are un∣concerned about their Edification: How un∣willing are some Christians to be drawn to Communion of Saints? If it be an Article in their Creed, 'tis no part of their Practice, as though they had never subscribed to it; yea, there are some, that were once forward for this Work of Christian Communion, that are now fallen off, like those Hebrews that believed, of whom the Apostle saith, Not forsaking the assembling of our selves together, as the manner of some is, Heb. 10.25. The Donatists of old, and the Sectaries of late, have made dreadful Rents and Schisms in the Church; the more Holy Christians are, the more Catholick Spirits they have: They are most likely to be sensual, that needlesly separate themselves, yea, not having the spirit, Jude 19. however they may boast themselves to be more full of the Spirit than others they separate from. Well, Sirs, consi∣der what you do, how you prejudice your selves, weaken your Brethrens Hands, sadden their Hearts, yea, you weaken the Interest of Religion hereby: What, Friends, shall one Heaven hold you, and cannot one Church hold you? Do you look for comfort at Christ's second Coming among his Saints, and will you

not keep by the foot-steps of the flock? The Lord awaken you.

3. Some Christians make nothing of offend∣ting the Saints of God, that they should not offend; that's a dreadful word, Mat. 18.6. Whoso shall offend one of these little ones, which believe in me, it were better for him that a mill-stone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the Sea. I confess this is spoken of open and violent Persecu∣tors, whom our Lord will banish among the pushing Goats: But even Christians are too apt to offend one another; sometimes by pro∣voking words, sometimes by offensive carria∣ges, doing that which (however it seem in∣different to us) yet thereby a Brother stumbleth, or is offended, or made weak, Rom. 14.21. Un∣advised walking may hinder much good, oc∣casion much evil, at least may make sad the hearts of those whose hearts God would not have made sad: With what comfort or con∣fidence will you look in the Faces of those whom you have justly offended? An eminent Divine saith, if it be my weakness, I have much ado to think but some shame with confusion will accompany me, when I first meet any there, that I have been unkind to, or wronged, or that will know my faults better than here they did, and that I shall ask them forgiveness, which will be soon granted, being forgiven

by Christ. However matters will go then, it becomes all the Saints to be very choice and chary of the Holiness and Comsort of their Fellow-members on Earth, and to say, with Paul, 1 Cor. 8.13. Wherefore if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend. Happy are they that neither give Offence carelesly, nor take Offence causelesly.

4. Yet still there's a great (if not greater) fault, of good People, and that is, to be too familiar with Wicked Men, to comply too far with Sinners, to the dishonour of God, scan∣dal of Religion, and wronging of our own Consciences. Paul writes, and writes again, not to keep company with fornicators; the word is very emphatical, [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] not to be mingled with them by intimate familiarity, as streams of Water mix together; but Christians must be like Oyl, that will not mix with Water; espe∣cially scandalous Professors of the True Reli∣gion, if such be disorderly Persons, Idle, Busie-bodies, disobedient to the Word; sound close-walking Christians must note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed, 2 Thess. 3.11.14. Brand such an one as in∣famous, discover a strangeness in your Car∣riage to him, [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] that he may turn into himself, and consider what may be the cause in him of this your alienation from him: Such a Recognition may become a means of

his Repentance; whereas if you still smile upon him, as if you saw nothing amiss in him, you do but harden him in sin: Yet there's something worse in your sinful complyance, you contract Guilt to your own Souls, and are in danger to be infected, and so partake of their Sins, and of their Plagues. How often doth God call, Come out from among them, and be ye se∣parate, saith the Lord — What fel∣lowship hath righteousness with un∣righteousness? Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but reprove them rather, Eph. 5.11. How often doth Da∣vid bid Wicked Men depart from him? And if they will not be gone, he will flee from them as from a Pest-house: Psal. 26.4, 5. I have not sate with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers. I have hated the Congregation of evil doers, and will not sit with the wicked: And then prays, ver. 9. Gather not my soul with sinners. Oh, Friends, tremble to be found among Wicked Men in the Gathering-day.

CHAP. IX. Examination of our Souls, whether we shall be gathered with Saints.

3 ANother Use is of Tryal, Whether we be the Persons that shall be gathered to Christ with the rest of his Saints in that Solemn Day of his Appearing.

1. Consider, you may know whether you be of that number yea or no; assurance is possible, attainable; God's Children have ob∣tained it, 2 Cor. 5.1. For we know that if our earthly house of this Tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. We can be well content to forego this tottering Cottage, because we are well assured of a Coelestial Palace; there we shall lodge with God, Christ, Angels, and glorified Spirits for ever.

2. Nor is this Assurance only communicated by Divine Revelation, but may be obtained in the diligent use of God's appointed means, hearing the Word, Prayer, Meditation, ex∣citing and exercising of Grace, holy Warfare, and Victory over Temptations, Corruptions, walking close with God, particularly by a Practical Syllogism, where the Word of God

is the Major, Conscience the Minor, the Spi∣rit makes the Conclusion: Thus, such whose Eyes are opened that are turned from darkness to light, from the power of Satan to God, shall have an inheritance among them that are sanctified, Acts 26.18. Then Conscience brings in the Minor, I have found my Heart and Life thus changed by Conversion; then the holy Spirit brings in the Inference or Conclusion, therefore I do groundedly hope, I shall obtain the Inheritance of Glory with the rest of the Saints: This is called the witnessing of the Spirit with our Spi∣rits that we are the Children of God, Rom. 8.16.

3. Therefore it is the Duty of all Christi∣ans to endeavour after it, we are commanded to give diligence to make our calling and election sure, 2 Pet. 1.10. We desire saith the Apostle, that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope to the End, Heb. 6.11. Such as look not after Assurance conscientiously, render their spiritual Estate suspicious: For it is the Nature of Grace to put the Possessour forwards to Perfection: The sin∣cere Christian will be perfecting ho∣liness in the fear of God, and press forward to injoy more of God's Presence: Let us (saith the Apostle) draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, Heb. 19.22.

4. And oh the advantage and benefit that God's Children have by a well-grounded Assu∣rance of their Salvation, it will raise your

Hearts in praise of God, and transport your Spirits in love to and delight in him: This drops sweetness into all worldly Injoyments; it chears up the Heart in Sufferings, Heb. 10.34. fortifies the Soul against Temptations; ex∣cites the Christian to all Acts of new Obedi∣ence; gives Contentment in every Condition: This strengthens against fears of Death, and is a certain preludium and fore-runner of Hea∣ven: O happy Soul that can say God is my Father, Saints my elder Brothers, and I shall meet them all in Glory, and sing praises with them to God and the Lamb for ever∣more.

Quest. But how shall a Man know that he shall be one of those that shall be gathered to∣gether to Christ, in that Solemn day?

Answ. I desire you will faithfully Answer these Seven Questions.

1. Have you been gathered to Christ by con∣verting Grace? To him (i. e. to Shiloh) shall the gathering of the People be, Gen. 49.10. Hath the Spirit of God in the Word convinced you of your distance from God, prevailed with you to enter into Solemn covenant with him? Alas, by nature we are as Sheep going astray, Prodigals in a far Country, have neither skill nor will to return to God, but Christ the good Shephard calleth his own Sheep by name, and lea∣deth them out, they know his voice and follow him, John 10.34. Formerly (saith the returning

Sinner) I heard but the Voice of Man, now methinks I hear the Voice of God, rending my Heart, discovering those Secret-lusts, that no mortal can know of, the very Secrets of my Heart are made manifest; I must fall down on my face and worship God and must report that God is there (in such an Ordinance) of a truth, 1 Cor. 14.24, 25. What concussions and sha∣kings of Soul have you found to unsettle you from your carnal Peace and Security? Hath the Lord hewed you by his Prophets, and slain you with the words of his mouth? What convictions of your lost Condition? What tremblings after the Lord? When he roar∣eth as a Lion? Are you of those that tremble at the Word of the Lord? Yet it doth not afright you from him, but to him: I can be safe no where but under the shadow of his Wings: Come let us join our selves to the Lord in a perpetu∣al Covenant that shall not be forgotten, Jer. 50.5. I will tie this slippery Heart to the Lord, with the strongest and streightest Bonds: I will not only say it with my Mouth, but subscribe it with my Hand, yea and swear my self to be the Lords, and his only: Some indeed Swear by the Name of the Lord, but not in truth, nor in righteousness, but the sincere Christian is most afraid of Hypocrisy, longs after sincerity, approves his

Heart to God, resolves to resort to his Standard, fight his Battles, and be on his Side for ever: Let Flesh and Blood and all the Devils in Hell say what they can to the contrary, is this your Peremptory resolution?

2. Have you separated from Sinners, 2 Cor. 6.17. Wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate saith the Lord, and touch not the un∣clean thing, and I will receive you: For, what communion hath light with darkness? As Man cannot carry their vain Companions to Heaven, so not into the Church-state: No unclean thing or person can en∣ter the Gates of this holy City: For without are Dogs: Saints may not deny civil Converse with the worst of Men in Neighbourhood or near Relation, 1 Cor. 5.10. But in two respects the Apostle denies Society with gross Sinners, 1st. Not too much or needless Familiarity with them; not to be mingled with them, as Wa∣ter and Oil will not mix, Christians must not, will not be Hail-fellow with dissolute Persons: 2dly. Especially with such as are pretended Christians, and bely their Profession by scan∣dalous Actions; these of all others we must keep at a distance from, as a piece of their Punishment to bring them to Shame and so to Repentance: If you Act as Christians, you will let him see a strangeness in you towards him, ut quaeras ubi.

So possit prae pudore occultare, that he may turn in∣to himself by Self-reflection, recognize his Disorders, or seek where to hide himself: But that's not all, for a godly Person hath a kind of antipathy against wilful Sinners, and avoids them as afraid of being infected by them, as Joseph was shy of his Mistress: And as Solomon adviseth, Prov. 58.9. By familiar Converse you may incourage them in Sin, and prejudice your Selves: Hence all Pious Persons have been afraid to associate with Sinners, so David, Psal. 26.4. I have not sat with vain Persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers: For, in their Com∣pany I shall get either Guilt or Grief; if I Act as they, I shall be guilty; if not, I shall be grieved: The best is, to meddle as little as I can with them, for God's Honour, and my own Peace: I will resolve with Old Jacob, Gen. 49.6. O my Soul come not into their Secret: I dare not touch the Rope, least I hear the Bell: I will abstain from the appearance of evil; and hate the Garment spotted by the flesh.

3. Have you associated your Selves to them that fear God? Godly Persons were holy Da∣vid's intimate Friends, Psalm 16.3. the Saints were in his Account the excellent in the Earth, in whom is all my delight: Compa∣nion am I to all them that fear thee: I have wise Senators, valiant Soul∣diers, but what are these to me, if they be not truly Religious, one Jonathan is better then

many Joabs, one Hushai better then a thou∣sand Achitophels; I love them that fear God with a peculiar Love, yea though they should be severe upon me if I offend, I will not only pa∣tiently bear it, but thankfully own them as my Benefactors: Let the righteous smite me, it shall be a kindness: Faithful are the wounds of a friend: I will love Nathan the better whil'st I live, for his Faithfulness: [Sit anima mea piis] let my Soul be united to Saints: I will live with them on Earth with whom I would sing Praises in Heaven: Communion of Saints, is not only an Article in my Creed, but a main Point of Practice, yet next to Com∣munion with God my highest Priviledge: These, these will I converse familiarly with; I will confer with them about the things of God, pray and praise God with them, sit down with these at the holy Supper, and walk hand in hand with them in my journey Heaven-wards: There is an holy Union of all Saints, which yet is not natural, or corporal, political nor yet personal, but yet it is Real, and this Uni∣on is either Mystical, as Members of the same mystical Body, Eph. 5.30. or Ecclesiastical: These Converts are said to be added to the Church, and have mutual external Fellowship, Acts 2.41.42. Thus Paul when converted assayed to joyn himself to the Disciples, Acts 9.26. And others consorted with Paul and Silas, and indeed 'tis na∣tural for a Child of God to desire, yea and

delight in the Society of the Saints; thence the Apostle mentions the Philip∣pians fellowship in the gospel, from the first day until now mark it, it was early and permanent: A good Man knows not how to go to Heaven alone: They must go forth by the foot-steps of the flock, and are like a company of horses in Pharaohs chariot: So ami∣able, profitable and pleasant is Christian Society.

4. Do you lay to Heart the scatterings of Christians? Zeph. 3.18. I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn Assembly who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burthen: This scattering is either by Persecution or Dis∣sention, 1st. If Enemies prevail and break up the Saints solemn meetings, God's poor Chil∣dren lay it deeply to Heart; hence such la∣mentable complaints and expostulations of God's People, Psal. 143.4. Lift up thy feet unto the perpetual desolations even all that the enemy hath done wickedly in the sanctuary, Isa. 64.9.—12. This was one Ingredient of Judah's Lamentati∣on, that the ways of Zion mourn, and God's Peo∣ple did mourn with her, Lam. 1.4.—7. Such sympathy speaks kindly bowels, and moves God's Heart, and possibly in this World, they may be gathered however in the other, Isa 66.10. Rejoyce ye with Jerusalem and be glad with her, all ye that love her, rejoyce for joy with her all ye that mourn for her: Sions Friends shall partake of Sions Comforts: 2dly. Such as grieve for the

Divisions of the Church within her self, Judg. 5.15, 16. For the divisions of Reuben, there were great thoughts of heart, great searchings of heart: O the sad Contentions and Animosities that have risen up in the Church in all Ages, and the pious and peaceable Members thereof have been grievously afflicted therewith! Sometimes upon Personal, sometimes Doctrinal differen∣cess have rent the Bowels thereof, and rent the Hearts of publick-uniting Spirits, and they have almost despaired of seeing an End of them in this World, till they arrive in the place where Luther and Calvin are made perfect Friends, and all the Saints shall be of one Mind; Mourners for these Breaches shall be perfectly cured and comforted, Isa. 51.11. Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return and come with singing unto Zion, and everlasting joy shall be upon their head, they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.

5. Do you follow the Army of Martyrs in bearing your Cross, and preparedness to suffer for Christ? [hâc fitur ad astra] This way have all the Saints gone to Heaven, this is the esta∣blished, enacted Law of Heaven: If any man will come after me let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me, Mat. 16.24. We must through much tribula∣tion enter into the kingdom of God: Heaven is taken by Storm, and the gracious Soul is resolved to go through Storms: For Persecution and [Evangelii genius] the com∣mon

constant Lot of all the Saints: All that will live godly in Christ Je∣sus shall suffer persecution: Yea, but the Christian is not appaled with nor ashamed of the Cross of Christ; nay, he takes pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecu∣tions, in distresses for Christ's sake, 2 Cor. 12.10. Nay, he glories in the Cross, and in the marks of the Lord Jesus, as much as an Old Soldier in his Wounds received in the Wars: As the poor Woman in the Book of Martyrs thought it a piece of Honour and Happiness, that her Foot was put in the same Hole of the Stocks where∣in Mr. Philpot's had been before. So the Chri∣stian rejoyceth to follow that blessed Army of Martyrs to Heaven, not meerly by an Apish Imitation from a good Conceit they have of them, but having the same spirit of Faith, they make their Profession, and endure Opposition; what∣ever it cost, onwards he will, though he die in the Conflict; he sees a Crown attending him, and so gathers strength by every bout, yea, by every foil, as it was said of Rome, [Roma cla∣dibus animosior,] that every Battel, yea, every slaughter of Men made her more couragious. So it is with the conflicting Soul, none of these things move him, that startle others, but animate him with more Courage in his Christian War∣fare and Voyage through this boisterous Sea to

the Haven of Rest: Is it thus with you?

6. Do you daily make Proficiency in Grace? Are you marching on in your Christian course, adding daily some Cubits to your Spiritual stature? There's no standing still in Heaven's Road, [non progredi est regredi,] not to go for∣ward, is to go backward. Paul saith, I press toward the mark for the Prize of the high Calling of God in Christ Jesus, Phil. 3.14. Nothing would serve him on this side Perfection: He longs after that pitch of Grace he shall attain to in the Resurrection. The sincere Christian grows brighter and better, as the shining Light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Where there is Truth, there will be Growth. Grace is like a Grain of Mustard-Seed; the Christian never thinks he hath grown enough, he is still perfecting Holiness in the fear of God, getting Ground daily of the Body of Death. This is their Duty, this is their Property, this is what the Apostle ear∣nestly prays for, 1 Thess. 3.12, 13. And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one towards another, and towards all men, &c. I would, saith the Saint, be holier than the ho∣liest Saint on Earth, but judge my self lesser than the least of all Saints. O that I were perfectly free from Sin! O that my Blossoms of Grace were ripe Fruit!

O that I could increase with the increase of God! Let my Faith grow exceedingly to full assu∣rance; let my Love grow to de∣light in God, my Repentance be more Evan∣gelical, my Hope more fixed, my Fear more filial, my Obedience more universal, and all my Graces more lively, and my whole Man more conformable to Christ, the perfect Pat∣tern of Holiness. Oh that I could go from strength to strength, till in Zion I appear before God.

7. What blessed Instinct inclines you Hea∣ven-wards? Heavy things move downwards, light things upwards; every thing moves to∣wards its Center. The Church is compared to pillars of Smoak, still mounting towards its proper Element. So the Christian is [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] born from above, and naturally inclines to things above. Grace resembles God, it widens the Soul's Faculties, and makes it altogether unsatisfied with Subluna∣ries: Even an Heathen Seneca could say, [ma∣jor sum & ad majora natus,] I am born to higher things than to these Trifles; my thoughts are carried quite above visible Objects, Mortal things cannot fill an Immortal Soul, especially touch'd with a Coal from the Altar, and raiseth sparks upwards to the Fountain of Light and Love. Our Lord gives this as a certain [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or] token of a Soul that is either

for this or for another World: Mat. 6.21. Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. The workings of the Heart are an infallible demon∣stration of a Christian's state. Is the rational, habitual motion, and tendency of your Hearts God-wards, Heaven-wards? Have you a strong, impetuous motion and bent of Soul to things above? Are you best pleased when your Hearts are in a frame for God? Do you take it ill, and resent that with some regret and indigna∣tion that obstructs your Soul's motion? Have you a strong impulse Heaven-wards, by the restless motion of Desire, and by the acqui∣escing affection of Delight? Never so well as when you are conversant about Heavenly Ob∣jects. It's also the blessed Apostle's Character of a Saint, Col. 3.7. If you then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above. There, there is a Christian's Life, his Love, and De∣light; thither he is mounting as on Eagles Wings, and is never satisfied till he be swallowed up in the Divine Embraces: He is glad of Com∣munion of Saints below, more glad of Com∣munion with God in his Ordinances, but still most restless till he be wrapt up in the full En∣joyment of God above. For our Lord hath said in, ••uke ••7 37. Wheresoever the body is, thi∣ther will the Eagles be gathered together. The Saints are united to Christ by Faith, as Mem∣bers to the Head, and have an innate Propen∣sity to him, and cannot be satisfied without

a full Enjoyment of him, and that will never be, till the Soul get above this drossy, reeling Earth into the Regions above. Is this your frame? Are these your aims? Are your mo∣tions Heaven-wards, though, alas, too often in∣terrupted, to the grief of your hearts? Your Souls are now espoused to Christ your Hus∣band, and you earnestly long for the compleat Nuptials, That you may be presented to your Heavenly Husband as chast Virgins.

CHAP. X. A Perswasion to all to seek after this blessed Gathering at last.

4. USE of Exhortation: 1. To Sinners. 2. To Saints.

1. To Sinners: A word or two to those Souls that are yet in the gall of bit∣terness, and bonds of iniquity; tyed with Chains to the Prince of Darkness, led captive by him at his pleasure. Suffer your selves to be gathered un∣to Christ; what would poor Ministers give that they might prevail with you? How doth our Lord spread his Arms to embrace you? After all your wandrings, and Extravagancies, the Father of the Prodigal would run towards the returning Prodigal, fall on your Neck, kiss you, and make you kindly welcom; and Godly Christians would not envy your Enter∣tainment, but delight in your Society, as not diminishing but increasing their Felicity. There is joy in Heaven over one sinner that repenteth, saith our Lord; yea, there's joy in the presence of the Angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. Glad

are the Saints of such Consorts, glad are the Holy Angels of such Babes to attend upon; glad would poor Ministers be if your Souls were savingly converted and gathered to Christ: But if you still stand out, you have neither part nor lot in this matter, but must be Ex∣iles, banish'd and punished with everlasting de∣struction from the presence of the Lord, and the glory of his power, 2 Thess. 1.7, 8, 9. As meanly as you think of God's Children now, it will be a doleful parting from them in the great Day: Now be wise for your precious Souls.

1. Yet there's a possibility that you may be converted and saved; Now is the accepted time, now is the day of Salvation; to Morrow it may be past, and never return again. You are yet alive, many are past hope, past help, thou∣sands are dead and damned since you deserved to be in Hell, you are yet Monuments of Mercy.

2. The Spirit is yet striving with you, poor Ministers are studying for you, pouring out their Souls to God for you, longing after you, crying out, Why will you die? Why will you refuse this blessed Call of God? Be it known to you, God will not always be affronted, His spirit shall not al∣ways strive.

3. If ever your Souls be converted and sa∣ved, your selves must be Instruments as well as God is the Efficient cause thereof; for God

works Morally, so as to preserve Men's nature and the principles thereof; if ever you repent the Work is your's, though the power to work is from God, Phil. 2.12, 13. [omne opus humanum est virium no∣strarum opus & vires nullae sunt no∣bis nisi à deo libere donatae] saith a great Divine: The Duty is our's, the Grace is his: God is the efficient, Man the Agent.

4. Your work is then to fall down on your Knees, and beg of God a Spirit suited to the Grace of God, and fitted for this day of ga∣thering; Lord, I am now going to hear thy Word, oh come with power from on high, open my Heart as thou didst the Heart of Lydia: Melt my Heart like wax, then set thy stamp upon me: Cast down my vain imaginations—and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ: Square my Soul to be a Temple of the holy Ghost: Put spiritual Life into my Soul, and let me be one of those lively Stones, built up a spiritual House with the rest of thy Saints: Put thy Hand in by the hole of the door of my heart, and make my bowels move towards thee: Let the power of thy Grace be such an hidden, pre∣vailing, uncontroulable Efficacy as may win my Soul to thee: All I can do is nothing un∣less

the Spirit prevail: If thou wilt work who can let it? If thou work not, all I do is in vain O Lord let me not perish with the rest of the Infidel World, gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men, but in the midst of thy congre∣gation let me bless the Lord.

2. But the parties I have to deal with, more directly are Christians, real Saints, who are ga∣thered to Christ, and hope to be gathered to him at last with the rest of God's People; such as these I will give these few Instructions to, and all Professors:

1. Be Sincere: Be really what you seem to be by Profession: It will be a dreadful disappoint∣ment to pass for Saints, and be found among them, and not be of them; for its said, Rom. 9.6. They are not all Israel, which are of Israel, i. e. they are not of the same Spirit that are of the stock of Israel, some Goats may be found a∣mong the Sheep till the separating day: Some may have a name to live and be dead: All's not Gold that glisters, shining Lamps, and Oil in the Vessels, are different things: It will be a dread∣ful thing when the Master of the Feast comes to view his Guests, and finds one not having on a wedding Garment, and thus Expostulates with him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment! Alas he was speech∣less and cast into utter darkness: Oh what weep∣ing and gnashing of teeth! Mat. 22.11, 12, 13.

O take heed of a shew and semblance of Re∣ligion: Tremble least when you are weighed you be found wanting, least your Works be not perfect before God, [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] filled up with the necessary Essentials that constitute a Christian. Sirs, a day is coming when your inside will be turned out, to the open view of all: When God will bring to light the hidden things of dark∣ness and make manifest the councels of the heart, 1 Cor. 4.5. See then that your Hearts be sound in God's Statutes that you may not be ashamed: Be sincere and then you will be with∣out offence till the day of Christ: Be upright in Heart and downright in Life: Keep Conscience void of Offence: Walk with God, and you shall rest with God.

2. Gather your selves together in solemn Ex∣ercises of Religion: Especially in cases of pub∣lick Calamity and common Danger, so God calls to Israel, Zeph. 2.1, 2. Gather your selves together, yea gather your selves together, O nation not desired, before the decree bring forth: Be una∣nimous and harmonious in Fasting and Pray∣ing: How often doth God call his People of Old, to sanctify a fast, call a solemn Assembly, gather the Elders,—there's great reason for it, all have sinned, all must be humbled, all are concerned: Persons may be helpful one

to another, a threefold cord is not easily broken: God sometimes ex∣pects unanimous Votes, which make a great sound in his Ears: Let Christi∣ans do as the Children of Israel and Judah, go together to God weeping and seeking the Lord their God, covenanting with God, as in Jer. 50. 4, 5. Yea in ordinary Duties of Prayer, Con∣ference, Reading; let them strengthen one a∣nothers Hands in God: Provoke each other to love and to good works: Sing God's praises together: Oh what an Emblem of Heaven is this Commu∣nion of Saints! Many live sticks make a great blaze: Grapes put together ripen one a∣nother: Is Communion of Saints good in Heaven, and is it not good here? Are not some Christians ignorant and want informing? Are not some dead and want quickening? Hard and want softening? Wandring and want re∣ducing? Are not some staggering and want set∣ling? Are not some weak, and should not we lift up the hands that hang down, and the feeble knees? Get together here as you hope to come together hereafter.

3. Agree lovingly: Let not Christians fall out by the way, that hope to meet in the End: Away with discords and divisions, if any occa∣sions of Difference fall out (as its likely there will) rest not till you seek and obtain Recon∣ciliation: If thou have any thing against thy Brother, be thou faithful in admonishing if it

be his Fault, to bring him to Repentance, keep not Malice burning in thy Heart; avenge not your selves, express brotherly kindness to him: Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good, study Rom. 12.18,—21. If thou remember that thy brother hath ought against thee leave thy gift before the altar, and go thy way, first be reconci∣led to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift, Mat. 5.23, 24. God will rather tarry for his due then thou should'st neglect thy Duty; if thou be conscious to thy self that he hath just reason to be offended with thee, humble thy self, confess thy Fault to God and Him; if thou be conscious that thou hast done him wrong, go to him and know the reason of his Strange∣ness to thee, and endeavour to pacify him, but do not fall out with any Brother, but live in peace, that the God of love and peace may be with you: Oh take heed of Quarrels and Animosities; study the Wisdom which is from above, that's first pure, then peaceable, gen∣tle, easy to be intreated; you must agree in the End, now lovingly Agree, for shame of the World, for the credit of Religi∣on, for your own Comfort live peaceably; cut not asunder the Veins and Sinews of the Mysti∣cal Body of Christ, study 1 Cor. 1.10. Phil. 2.1, 2.

4. Travel over Sinners for their Conversion: Do your utmost, endeavour to bring in Souls to God, that there may be more at that great Day to be gathered together to Christ: This is your

present Duty, this will be your future Comfort: This is Ministers proper Work, and every Christians Concern: I have heard of a private Christian that used to follow Persons to their Shops, Plows, and discoursed with them about Soul-affairs, and thereby was an instrument to convert forty Souls to Christ: O what an ho∣nour would this be, doubtless private Christians if Wise, Serious, and Zealous, might do much good this way, and yet keep their Places, Jude 22.23. Of some have compassion, making a differ∣ence, others save with fear, putting them out of the fire: Alas Sirs, how can you find in your Hearts to see Relation or any miserable Sin∣ner dropping into the Fire of Hell, and not speak one Word to stop them? O dreadful cruelty! Are you not some way accessary to that Man's death that's a going to cut his own Throat, and you neglect to lay hands on him? Consider this, and be not Merciless to Souls: Advise, admonish, rebuke, intreat them for Christ's sake, for their Souls sake to pity them∣selves, and not leap into the Pit of Destruction; who knows what good you may do, if you be but instrumental to convert one poor Sinner from the errour of his way, you save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins, Jam. 5.20. And oh what joy on both sides will there be at your next meeting before the Throne!

5. Moderately lament and profitably improve dead Christian Friends: They are gathered to Christ and the rest of their Brethren: They

are safely laid up out of danger, they would be loath to be back again in this sinful sorrow∣ful World: You may lawfully lament your loss, but envy not your Friends gain: Sorrow not e∣ven as others which have no hope, 1 Thes. 4.13. As if they were lost, or as if you should never meet again, for the dead in Christ and survivers shall be ever with the Lord, 15, 17. it is but a short absence, there shall be a joyful meeting: A little recess, shall be attended with an everlasting converse: David would not mourn for his dead Child, for saith he, I shall go to him but he shall not return to me, but he lamented sore for Absolon whom he was never to see again with comfort: Those that die in the Lord are not lost but laid up: Their Bodies sleep in Jesus, and, their Souls rest in the bosom of their dear Lord: They are with him in Pa∣radise and say, weep not for us but weep for your selves: Imitate our Example, worship the same God as we do, live at the rate of Heaven, let your Affections be with ours, hold Communion with us: This I have treated of in my Book of Heavenly Converse.

6. Make ready to follow these crowned Saints: They are got above, we are below, they pray for the filling up of their Number, let us pray that we may be made meet to be par∣takers of the inheritances of the Saints in light, Col. 1.12. The Language of Jesus Christ (and

all the Saints) is, be ye therefore ready also: Be dressing your selves for that Marriage-day: Blessed are they that are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb, and have put on their fine linnen, clean and white, which is the righteousness of Saints, Rev. 19. 7, 8, 9. [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] Righteousnesses both inhe∣rent and imputed: Both are necessary for their several Ends and Uses: Whether this refer to the Day of Antichrist's fall or at the Resurrecti∣on, its true in both: There's great and good things which God hath prepared for them that love him, freedom from Sin, Sorrows, perfection of Peace and Joy, immediate Communion with God, fulness of Grace and eternal Happiness: Where∣fore, beloved seeing that you look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace with∣out spot and blameless, 2 Pet. 3.14. Watching, warring, wrestling, working, well-doing, waiting till your change come, with your Loins girt, your Lamps light, burning and shining with Splendour, and you your selves like unto men that wait for your Lord.

7. Be longing for that blessed Day, when your Souls shall be gathered among them, with our blessed Lord; Paul saith, he desired to depart and be with Christ, which is far better: Its good to be with Saints here, but its far better, infinitely better to be with them in Heaven,

where the King makes the Court, and the Courtiers are all crowned Kings: Is there not great reason the Saints should cry out with Mo∣nica, Austin's Mother [quid hic facio?] What do I here? Or with Calvin [usque quo Domine?] How long Lord? Oh when shall my poor im∣prisoned Soul be set at liberty from this body of clay and this body of death? When shall I mount up above the Stars, into those Coelestial Regions? Oh the groanings of my Soul under this body of death and distance from God: Yea I groan earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with an house which is from heaven: When will my dear Lord break down these clay-walls, and break this cage and let this Soul fly up in∣to the Heavens, where it shall be perfected? How long shall I dwell in Meshech, and sojourn in the tents of Kedar: I am weary of Sin, and distance from my dear Lord, most of my godly Friends are gone, when shall I follow after? Why is his chariot so long in coming, why tar∣ry the wheels of his Chariots: Make hast my beloved and be thou like to a roe or to a young hart upon the moun∣tains of spices: Why doth my Soul thus linger and lagg behind my old Compani∣ons? Such and such are gone with whom I took sweet councel in familiar Conference a∣bout the things of God, and our heavenly Country; many with whom I have pray'd and

praised God, with whom I have sitten down at the Lord's Table; now they are drinking this Wine new in my Father's Kingdom, and why am I left thus far behind, worshipping afar off? Lord come thou down to me or take me up to thee, reach out thy hand pluck me out of this low Dungeon, and set me where thou hast promised, such as have followed thee in the Regeneration, upon Thrones, yea thou hast pro∣mised. that such as overcome shall sit with thee in thy throne: The pre∣ferment is too high for such a worthless worm, such a dirty villain as I am, but thy promise is sure to be performed: I depend upon it, I long for such a day; some, yea thousands have taken possession; I am one of thy redeemed ones, thou hast given me the earnest of thy Spirit, and some foretasts and perelibations of Glory: Oh for a full harvest! I reach out my arms to∣wards thee, and hope at last to injoy thee the spirit and the bride say come, and let him that heareth say come, he which testifieth these things saith sure∣ly I come quickly, my soul eccho's Amen, even so come Lord Jesus.

CHAP. XI. Encouragement to God's Children from the Saints gathering together in sun∣dry Cases.

5. THE last use is of Consolation, or Incouragement to the People of God, that there shall be such a blessed ga∣thering together.

1. That the Saints of God that have lived in all Ages, shall then meet and know and in∣joy each other with mutual Content. 'Tis worth observing, that Plato brings in Socrate's comforting himself with the hopes that upon his Removal hence, he should be with Orpheus and Musaeu's, with Hesiod and Homer: Yea, he should greatly be pleased with the Society of Palamedes and Ajax: But oh how much more content shall translated Saints take in the Socie∣ty of those Coelestial Inhabitants, of whom they have so often read, and heard of with de∣light, when they shall say, there stands holy E∣noch that walkt with God, and was translated Body and Soul to Heaven: There stands Noah that just and perfect Man, the Father and Founder of a New World: There stands A∣braham the Father of the Faithful, and Friend

of God: There stands just Lot, wrestling Ja∣cob: The beloved Joseph more glorious now then in Pharaoh's Court: There stands meek Moses the Jews Lawgiver, once King in Jeshu∣run, that conversed with God face to face: There stands Aaron the Saint of God far more glorious now then in his priestly Garments in the Holy of Holies: There appears holy Lot, patient Job, zealous Josiah, David the Man af∣ter God's own Heart: Behold a troop comes up of Old and New Testament Saints, all the Prophets, Apostles, Ministers, Martyrs, Con∣fessours, and Saints in all Ages; which will re∣present a splendid shew, next to the infinite God, and our glorious Redeemer: If Augustin judged it a brave sight, and worth wishing for to see Rome Flourishing, hear Paul Preaching, and behold Christ in the Flesh, much more will it be a ravishing sight to behold our glorifyed Redeemer sur∣rounded with myriads of blessed Souls: This will be a delectable sight.

2. Saints that have injoyed sweet Communi∣on together in this World, shall injoy sweeter and perpetual Communion above; they that have kept day's of Fasting and Prayer, day's of Thanksgiving and Conference, that have sitten under the same Preaching, have sung Psalms together, have sat down together at the holy Supper, and feasted upon the Fruits of Christ's meritorious Sacrifice, shall now drink

this Wine new with him, in his Fathers King∣dom: Oh what communication of Experien∣ces, of what they met with in their Passage through this Wilderness into their Coelestial Ca∣naan: How will they eccho to each other and say, We sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my tast: It was sweet then, it is sweeter now: O the peculiar Acts of di∣stinguishing Grace! Why did God chuse us ra∣ther then others to be Objects of this transcen∣dent Love! We were fed with Manna in the Wilderness, now we are come into the Land of Promise, we have royal dainties, and drink a∣bundantly of these Rivers of Pleasures; and bath our Souls in this boundless Sea of satisfy∣ing Delights; then they will sing with a low∣der Eccho then ever, Come, and hear all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my Soul: I was with my dear Lord in such a corner, now I declare his Goodness in the height of Zion.

3. Saints that parted sorrowfully with their Relations by Death, now meet them again to part no more. Death drew a Cloud over our Natural and Christian Friends: They disap∣peared, and we saw them again no more; but now we are met again in a better place than in our Houses, or Temples made with hands. We once took mutual content in each other, but that was but a shadow, a saint resemblance

of that we now enjoy; the Hus∣band and Wife were heirs together of the grace of life, now they are Possessors together of the fulness of that Grace in Glory. We prayed, wept, discoursed to∣gether: We loved each other in the Flesh, but now our spark is become a flame; we love one another at another rate. The Godly Child will say, This is my tender-hearted Mother, my prudent, pious Father, that shed many a Tear for me. The Parent shall say, This my Child cost me many times a sad heart, many a bitter groan, he is the Son of my Vows; then the Child of my Hopes, now the Child of my Joys; his miscarriages cost me dear, his happiness raiseth my Spirits; he caused me to make many an Errand to the Throne of Grace, he now raiseth my Spirit into an Ex∣tasie of Joy: My Prayers are fully heard, my Joy is fulfilled in the Enjoyment of God with my dear Relations.

4. Souls fully refined from the dregs of Pas∣sion and Corruption, shall then without such allays injoy each other: Alas, we cannot dis∣course together here, but some piece of Vanity interposeth it self: Our discourses are oft im∣pertinent, sometimes unsavory, sometimes giv∣ing and often taking offence: Alas, what dis∣cords, distances, dissentions are there among Christians: Even Paul and Barnabas may part in a pet: Alas, what Animosities and Heart-burnings are to be found here in this lower

World even among the Saints! That we may sadly sigh and say [tant aene animis coelestibus irae] how comes it to pass that such hellish sulphu∣rous Flames should rise out of heavenly Hearts! But now those Flames are quenched, now they all unite in an harmonious Melody, singing the Song of Moses, and of the Lamb, now they are perfect, of good comfort, of one mind, they live in peace, and the God of love and peace is with them, and they are with God. They shall never quarrel more. O the delectable Melody of this Palm-bearing Company! Far beyond the Musick of the Sphears: Not one jarring string in all that blessed Consort: They have left behind them all their cudgils at the entrance of this Temple of Peace: Their Hearts are centred in God, and their Loins are streight with each other: Luther and Calvin are there perfectly agreed, never to contend more.

5. Saints shall be perfectly drained from the Converse with vile Persons in this dirty World! Here the godly and wicked are mixed: It is impossible to forbear some civil Converse with carnal Neighbours, for then must we needs go out of the world: Even notorious Blasphemers, Idolaters, Covetous, that •…•…et and vex the Hearts of the godly: But in Heaven there's none such: No unclean thing enters there: The godly Soul shall never be vexed with unruly Company more: There in a day when the Saints and none

but Saints shall be gathered together: There shall be no more the Canaanite (or Hypocrite) in the house of the Lord of hosts: Not a prophane Esau, or a scoffing Ishmael in that houshold of God, among all those innumerable Saints: These have left the mad World on Earth sinning, or in Hell suffering for ever.

6. Godly Ministers and their gracious Con∣verts shall meet together with Joy: Oh what reciprocal Joy, and transcendent Satisfaction will they take in each other, when both he that soweth and he that reap∣eth shall rejoyce together: O saith the glorified Saint, yonder is my spiritual Fa∣ther, under whose Ministry I have sate with trembling many a time, by astonishing Convi∣ctions upon my Conscience, when the Law hath thundred wrath against me: The same hand hath closed the wound and applyed a plaister of a Gospel-promise to my bleeding Soul: Many melting, heart scearching Truths, have these Ears heard from that Mouth, that have come warm to my Heart: Blessed be God that ever I saw his Face or heard his Voice: The Minister shall be surprized with a transport of Joy when he shall see his spiritual Children, begot in the bonds of the Gospel, over whom he hath wept many a Tear, tra∣velled with Cares and Fears, and for whom he hath put up many affectionate Prayers: Now he shall see, and say his Labour was not in

vain in the Lord; I must say of these, what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoycing? are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming; for ye are our glory and joy, 1 Thess. 2.19, 20.

7. Christians that have been scattered by Persecution, shall now quietly meet and part no more: How will they with comfort reflect on the solemn Assemblies sorrowfully broken up by Officers and unruly Bailiffs, their Names taken, their Persons dragg'd before Magistrates, their Houses rifled, and themselves hurried to Prison; now those days are over and gone, no danger of Conventicles or unlawful Assem∣blies in that upper Region, they shall wor∣ship God on an Hill, in the Mountain of the height of Israel: They shall no more be prose∣cuted by Murthering or scattering Acts, they shall now be out of date, they shall no more hear the Voice of the Oppressour, there have been many such days as those in the Apostles times, great persecutions against the Church, that they were all scat∣tered abroad through forreign Regi∣ons: But now the storms are blown over, the clouds scattered, and the glorified Saints shall never be broken up or disturbed by the Sons of Violence any more: They shall recount those by past troubles with Songs of Praise.

8. The Saints of God that have been confi∣ned to Prisons, shall be set at liberty and in∣joy sweet content together: The Lord made their very Prisons sweet by mutual Communi∣on,

but Heaven will be sweeter: The impriso∣ned Bird never sings so sweetly in the Cage as at liberty: O blessed inlargement! Now they are delivered (with the rest of the Creation) into the glorious liberty of the chil∣dren of God: They walk abroad at liberty at another rate then ever: How shall they with joy and tri∣umph recount their wandring a∣bout in Deserts and Mountains, in Dens and Caves of the Earth: Sometimes thrust into dark and dirty Dungeons with Felons and Malefactors, yea condemned, tortured, executed, but now they have obtain∣ed a better Resurrection: O happy delive∣rance! These shall have their proper Mansions in their Fathers House, and the Coelestial Pal∣lace will resound sweet Eccho's of their trium∣phant Praises, they shall not now with Paul and Silas sing in the Stocks, but above where they shall be advanced together.

9. The Saints that have providentially par∣ted one from another upon any occasion, shall meet again and part no more: When Paul was to be bound at Jerusalem, and the Disciples un∣derstood it, they took on heavily, Paul said, what mean ye to weep and to break my heart? Their weeping breaks his Heart: But especially saith the Text, they sorrowed most of all, for the words that he spake, that they

should see his face no more: And this is the Case of many Christian-friends, but the relief is, they shall see each others Faces again, and their Faces will shine as the Sun, and their Contentment shall be exceeding the bounds of any Capacity in this lower World: They par∣ted but for a Season, that they should receive each other for ever, when the gracious God hath received them into everlasting Habitati∣ons.

10. The Saints that divided and could not agree to walk together in one Church upon Earth, shall be perfectly reconciled above, and then shall mutually embrace each other: They shall all speak the same thing, and never have the least reflecting Speech or Thought against each other: Possibly in this World the Contention [or Paroxism] betwixt a Paul, and Barnabas may be so sharp that they may depart asunder one from another: As all God's People are necessarily scattered into distinct Societies, though uniting in Spirit in the bonds of Peace; yet good Persons of different Perswasions, may in some cases refuse to hold Communion occa∣sionally one with another (some being for grea∣ter Latitude, others for smaller Bonds, or be∣ing of different Principles in smaller Matters, or through Prejudice or Passion,) yet in Hea∣ven they shall be all of one Mind and one Heart, and all Dissention and Division will be

laid aside; O what perfect Love, sweet Har∣mony, and joyful Delight will there be in the Persons and Graces of each other! There will be no saying then, I am of this Opinion, or of this Party, or a Member of this Church and not of another; but they shall attain to be in the Unity of the Faith, and united Mem∣bers of the Triumphant Church.

11. Christians that had their natural Infir∣mity, shall leave them behind them, and their united Spirits shall be made perfect: How rough-hewn Natures have some godly Souls? How unsociable are some that proves a great Affliction to themselves and all about them, still quarrelsom and discontented, nothing pleas∣eth them, and sometimes they cannot help it, though they strive and fight and pray against it, it still recurs and returns, and breeds much vex∣ation; but upon this blessed gathering toge∣ther, the crooked shall be made streight, and the rough places (and spirits) plain, when the glory of the Lord shall be revealed: O happy day, when there will be no envy or discontent, but the Saints shall rejoyce in each others Graces and Comfort as their own, and lie square to each others Spirits: Though some Stars shall out∣shine others in luster and glory, yet every Ves∣sel shall be full both of Grace and Comfort, and not a wry Look or peevish Word shall be found there to all Eternity.

12. The Saints that here condoled themselves and each other in their Personal afflictions, shall leave their Sorrows behind them, and all the occasions and grounds thereof, and unani∣mously thank God for compleat Immunity from all, some are sick, some are pained, some are pinched with Poverty, others are tormen∣ted with wicked Children and bad Relations: Some have troubles of Conscience under dark∣ness, hidings of God's Face, some assaulted with hellish Infections, Fatanical Temptations, some are deeply Melancholy, and under sad Complaints: Now we are requi∣red to bear one anothers burthens: And Paul saith, who is weak and I am not weak? Who is offended and I burn not? Grace in the Heart commands sympathy with others; but that perfect State dischargeth all Compassion as well as Passion: They that mourned together shall rejoyce together, not a sigh or groan shall e∣ver possess a glorified Spirit.

13. The Saints shall lay aside all difficult and self-denying Duties: There are many personal Duties that require some cost, and it becomes a Christian before hand to sit down and count the cost, to mortify some special Lusts, to maintain a strict watch over Heart and Life, to worship God in the Spirit, exercise every Grace, main∣tain constant Communion with God, these will cost a Soul much care and industry, and

though these are sweet in manag∣ing to purpose, for wisdoms ways are pleasantness, yet because of the corruption of our Hearts, and aversness to any thing that's good, they become difficult, and then relative Duties are difficult, to discharge trust to Relations, Parents to Children, Masters to Servants, Christians one to another, mutual Inspection, Admonition, giving and taking Reproofs, faithfully, humbly: Christians find these Duties hard and grievous to flesh and blood: But the more Spiritual any Man grows, the more Easy they grow, the more Love is in our Hearts to God, the less are his commandments grievous: Now in Heaven Love will be per∣fected: And holy Souls will be in their Ele∣ment while they are serving God and doing the works of that Place: But the more you can sing in the ways of the Lord, the more chearfully will you sing in the height of Zion.

14. The Saints that have attended Ordinan∣ces with many defects and imperfections will leave them all behind them, and attend the Lord without the least defect, distraction or imperfection: The best of God's Children have a weight hanging on them, and a sin that too easily besets them, and impedes their Motion and ob∣structs their Ascent upwards: But these shackles shall be shak'd off with the Body, never a

wandring Thought more to all Eternity: Here we weaken the hands one of ano∣ther, by our hands falling down and our feeble knees, bodily in∣firmities oft render the best Services wearisom, because the holiest Saints have but a Measure of Affection, hence it was that Three of Christ's choicest Disciples slept while Jesus was in his Agony, for though the spirit was willing yet the flesh was weak: Alas Aaron and Hur must hold up Mo∣ses hands here, the best at some seasons may be out of frame for Duty; but in Heaven the Saints shall join hearts and hands without weariness or distraction in singing the high Praises of God in that heavenly Quire, and none shall fail his Fellow, or fall short of Duty.

15. Saints of the meanest stature and stand∣ing here shall be compleat, and commence the highest degree of Grace in Glory: I say, not that all the Saints shall have equal Degrees of Glory; the Text saith, that at the Resurrection, one star differeth from another star in glory: Its true all these heavenly luminaries shall be perfectly joined in one constellation: But good Divines think, that as there will be Degrees of Torments in Hell, so of Joys in Heaven: As the Vessels are larger to contain more, or as Men have honoured God more here below, yet the meanest Saint will be top full of glory:

For they that are wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many unto righ∣teousness, as the stars for ever and ever, Dan. 12.3. Weak Christians shall no more complain of Defects, but he that it feeble in that day shall be as David, and the house of David as God, as the Angel of the Lord before them: There will no more be thence an infant of days: The meanest Christian will in some respects be equal with the Angels in heaven. Children in Grace shall be grown up to be perfect Men, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.

16. Saints at that day shall he raised above the revilings, calumnies, and slanders of a malici∣ous World, and be advanced to the highest Honour: In this World every one can throw dirt on God's Children, and account them the vilest of Men, not worthy to live upon Earth, and cry as they against Paul, away with such a fellow from the earth for it is not fit that he should live: But what saith God of such: Of whom the world was not worthy: No Nicknames shall follow them to Heaven, they shall not be there called Puritans, Fanaticks, Schismaticks, Fools, nay, possibly they shall be honoured among Men when dead and raised to glory: The memory of the just is blessed: The godly a∣bove

shall honour them, though sometimes they thought and spoke slightly of them, nay, the wicked and damned in Hell shall esteem honourably of them, as the Rich Man that thought (once Poor) Lazarus a fit Embassa∣dour to send to his Rich Brethren on Earth, yea it may be wretched Hypo∣crites on Earth will build the tombs of deceased prophets, and gar∣nish the sepulchers of the righteous, in honour to them, whom they or such as they were, did once abuse and revile on Earth, they will call the dead Saints and canonize them, when as they miscal such as they, are Hypo∣crites and no better then Devils: God oft turns the Scales and rolls away the Reproach of all his Servants.

17. Saints that have exercised Charity and Hospitality, and such as received their Boun∣ty, shall embrace each other with mutual Ala∣crity: Our Lord affirms it, That whosoever gives but a cup of cold water (if he hath not a fire to warm it) to a little one in the name of a disciple (though he may be mistaken) verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward, Mat. 10.42. O will the poor Beggar say, there's my loving Benefactor, the Debtor will there own his Creditor that forgave him all when he had nothing to pay; well saith the Free-hearted dis∣burser, I do not repent it, since I am so richly rewarded, this Recompence is a∣bove

my expectations, and contrary to my de∣serts: Strange that I should receive so much for laying out so little, this is above Isaac's reap∣ing an hundred Fold: How comfortable will that Language of our Lord be, when he shall say as in Mat. 25.34,—40. Come ye blessed of my father inherit the kingdom prepared for you, &c. Behold my Deputies, in relieving of whom you relieved me, I took it as done to my Per∣son what you did to my Members, and you shall be glorified together.

18. Saints that have wanted many things in this World, when they meet above shall want nothing: In this World the Body is full of Wants, we want necessaries to supply Nature, we want food to nourish us, cloaths to cover us, physick to cure us, arrows to defend us, sleep to refresh us, yet these but supply particu∣lar wants, and Men ordinarily have depen∣dance one upon another for Supplies: But when God's Children get above, yet though they shall have sweet Communion with each other, yet their Happiness chiefly depends on the Vision and Fruition of God: With him is the fountain of life, in in his light they see light, in his pre∣sence is fulness of joy: The Sun doth dart its Beams through the whole Uni∣verse: God's Presence (not Saints) makes Heaven: The King makes the Court not Cour∣tiers: Nothing can satisfy the capacious Soul but

〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉

〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉

God: I shall be satisfied, saith Da∣vid, when I awake with thy like∣ness: That and nothing else gives content: Angels, and glorified Spirits, as Crea∣tures must say, it is not in me to satisfy you: God alone can: Now and never till now the Soul saith, I have enough, I need no more: I have not only tasted but drunk deep of this River of Pleasures, yea bathed my Soul in this blessed Ocean of Delights: Nor do I surfeit upon these, but fresh Springs of joy yield me perpetual contentment.

19. All Saints pass through the valley of the shadow of Death to that Glory: None exemp∣ted but Enock and Elias, and those that shall be found alive at the last day: It is no strange thing, For it is appointed to Men once to die: It is the common Lot of Mankind, even the best Men: The Sting of Death is gone, its but a Trap-door to let us into Heaven: Thousands are gone before us, they are not lost but laid up: We shall meet them again: O who would be afraid of Death when Jesus Christ hath per∣fumed the Grave for us? Well may a graceless Soul be afraid to die, because he knows not what Company he shall converse with in the o∣ther World, but may fare with Devils and damned Souls, but the righteous hath hope in his death, and sees Je∣sus Christ standing with a Crown on his Head and another in his Hand, saying

Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life: Why should we then fear this King of Terrours that's disarmed, it may hiss, but cannot sting us: It may kill us, but cannot hurt us: See yonder glorified Assembly of the Spirits of Just Men made perfect have con∣quered Death, and are set upon triumphant Thrones.

20. This blessed Society of departed Souls, shall continue through the Ages of Eternity: In this World they met and parted again, there was many intermissions in their sweet Communion: But now they shall for ever dwell in the House of the Lord, and sing praises to the lamb for e∣vermore: Such as overcome shall be pillars in the temple of God, and shall go no more out: They shall never be banished out of this heavenly Paradise: This word ever, evermore, everlasting, puts new Life into the glorious Songs of Praise, and daily revives their Spirits: After ten thousands of Millions of Ages shall the Joy be as fresh as at their first Entrance: That River is still running, in thy presence is fulness of joy, at thy right hand there are pleasures for e∣vermore: Mortality is writ upon all Sublunaries: Eternity puts an Accent upon Spirituals: There shall be no night there [no Clouds, no Eclipes of that Glory,]

for the Lord God giveth them light, and they shall reign for ever and ever: It is recorded of Diago∣ras, that when he saw his three Son's crowned in one day at the Olympick Games as Victors, died away while he was embracing them for joy: But though the Saints shall be in a con∣tinual Extacy and transport of Joy, in behold∣ing their Children in Christ, and their godly Christian-Friends, yet their Heart-strings shall not break, but be inlarged with comfort, and per∣petuated for evermore.

Oh what a day will that be, when all the Son's of the Second Adam shall meet together, so many pure Spirits defecated from the sordid dregs of Sin and Suffering shall join their, Har∣monious Musick and Melody in praising our dear Lord, whose glorious Perfections we could never extoll! What a brave Quire will that make! Not a discordant String among them all: But as one Eye moves the other rolls, when one String is struck the other sounds, such a blending sympathy will there be of well-tuned Praises in that heavenly Chorus: Ignati∣us thinks the Sun Moon and Stars, made a Quire about the Star that appeared at Christ's Incarnation; oh then what an Halcyon-day will that be, when the morning stars shall sing together, and the son's of God shall shout for joy: O what in harmonious Harmony, in perfect Sympho∣•…•… What mutual Love and Delight in each 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Yea they shall Love one another the

better for the perfect Love they have to God: And bathing their Souls in that fathomless O∣cean of divine Love.

Its true, the infinite God is ultimately and objectively the Saints proper delight both here and in Heaven, but glorified Bodies united to these blessed Souls, and the blissful Society of Angels and Saints, will be no small accessories of the Saints Happiness: As there will be no Hypocrite there to cool their Charity, so there will not be missing the meanest Member of Christ: The weak Christian that cryed out my lameness, my lameness, shall then be strong: The dark Soul that rarely got a glimpse of God, or a sealing of the Spirit, shall walk for ever in the light of God's countenance: The grieved Saint shall be now in an Extacy of Joy: Not a gracious Soul shall be missing, not the least Grace wanting, not a Duty lost, all secret Prayers, Tears, Groans, shall come to light and be rewarded, their Tears were bottled, their Prayers bookt, and now shall be produced: Not an Act of Charity, though the Left-hand knew not what the Right-hand did (much less others) but it shall be brought to light before Angels and Men, with high Approbation and Commendation.

Oh who would not be preparing for such a Day? Who would not long for it, breath after it, and freely welcom it? Let all

the Children of the bride-chamber make themselves ready, let your loins be girded about and your lights bur∣ning: Be waking and watchful, attend his Motions, be glad of his Approaches, and glad∣ly welcom the Bridegrooms coming with all his holy Angels and glorified Spirits, descend∣ing in the Clouds to fetch you home into those Coelestial Mansions to be for ever with the Lord: Be not afraid, when he saith, surely I come quickly, let the redeemed of the Lord eccho, Amen, even so come Lord Jesus, Amen, so be it.

FINIS.

Notes

• Mark. 13.32.
• 1 Thes. 5.12.
• Luke 21.28.
• 2 Cor. 5.1.
• Laying up in store, Isa. 39.6.
• Eccl. 2.8. Exod. 19.5.
• Luke 7.5.
• Acts 6.9.
• Rev. 1.6. Psalm 45.16.
• Gen. 6.5. Gen. 3.8. Luke 15.
• Acts 17.27.
• Eph. 2.13. Chap. 4.18.
• 1 Cor. 6.17.
• Eph. 2.13, 22.
• Isa. 56.8.
• Isa. 40.11. John 10.16.
• Gen. 25.17. Gen. 49.29.
• Num. 20.24. Chap. 27.13.
• Rev. 14.13.
• 1 Thes. 4.14.
• Luke 23.43.
• See Mr. Bax∣ter of Self-de∣nial, Page 206.
• 2 Cor. 12.4.
• Calvin in 1 Cor. 15.5.
• Mark 13.27.
• 1 Cor. 15.52.
• Dan. 7.10.
• Rev. 7.9.
• Psal. 56.8. Mat. 12.42.
• Rev. 21.10, 12, 25.
• Mat. 18.10. Heb. 1.14.
• Joel 3.14.
• Num. 16.3.
• Rev. 21.23.
• Eph. 2.2.
• 1 Cor. 15.56. Heb. 2.15.
• Rev. 12.10.
• 1 Cor. 13.12. 1 John 3.2.
• Luke 16.23.
• Gen. 2.23.
• Luke 23.43.
• Psalm. 1.23.
• Mat. 10.20.
• Rev. 14.13.
• Phi. 3.21.
• Rev. 7.15. chap. 20.6. chap. 22.5.
• 1 Pet. 4.14.
• Dan. 12.3. Mat. 13.43.
• 1 Pet. 1.12.
• 2 Sam. 7.18.
• Luke 20.36.
• James 5.16,
• Rev. 14.13.
• Heb. 11.26. Pro. 11.18.
• Isa. 35.10.
• 1 Pet. 1.8.
• Mat. 25.21.
• 1 Pet. 5.4.
• Gal. 3.29.
• Rom. 8.37.
• Psal. 83.3.
• Exod. 33.20.
• Mat. 5.8.
• Rev. 18.5.
• Rom. 8.21.
• Psal. 8.6.
• Eph. 1.20, 21.
• Psal. 73.28.
• Cant. 2.3.
• 1 Pet. 3.7.
• 1 Cor. 4.6.
• Psal. 119.75.
• Cant. 7.12.
• 1 Cor. 2.9.
• 2 Cor. 4.17.
• Phil. 2.9, 10.
• Isa. 40.11.
• Ezek. 34.28.
• 2 Tim. 2.21.
• Heb. 9.24.
• Rom. 8.17. 1 John 3.2.
• Eccl. 1.2.
• Heb. 5.14.
• Rom. 6.27.
• Rom. 11.7.
• 2 Cor. 1.22.
• Job 18.14.
• Heb. 12.22.
• Heb. 11.13.
• Rev. 21.27. Chap. 22.15.
• Rev. 2.18.
• Mat. 5.8. 1 Cor. 13 12.
• Psal. 16.11. Chap. 36.9.
• 1 Cor. 15.28.
• Gal. 5.22.
• Rom. 15.6.
• Euke 16.28.
• Mat. 13.50.
• Hos. 13.9.
• Mat. 3.12.
• Jonah 2.8.
• Acts 1.25.
• Rom. 3.10, 11, 12.
• 1 Cor. 1.11.
• 2 Cor. 12.20.
• James 3.16.
• Acts 9.26. & 17.4.
• Phil. 1.5.
• Mr. Baxter in a Letter before Mr. Burgess's Book of Chri∣stian Comme∣moration.
• 1 Cor. 5.9.11.
• Rev. 18.4.
• 2 Cor. 6.14.17.
• 2 Cor. 7.1.
• Psal. 119.176.
• Hos. 6.5.
• Hos. 11.10, 11.
• Isa. 66.5.
• Isa. 44.5.
• Isa. 45.23. ch. 48. 1. ch. 49. 22.
• ver. 14. 15.
• Rev. 21.27.
• ch. 22. 15.
• 2 Thes. 3.14.
• 1 Thes. 5.22. Jude 23.
• Psal. 119.63.
• Psal. 141.5. Prov. 27.6.
• Acts 17.4.
• Phil. 1.5.
• Song. 1.8, 6.
• Acts 14.22.
• 2 Tim. 3.12.
• Gal. 6.14.17.
• 2 Cor. 4.13.
• Acts 20.24.
• Ver. 11.
• Prov. 4.18.
• 2 Cor. 7.1.
• Eph 3.8.
• Col. 2.19. 2 Thess. 1.13.
• Psal. 84.7.
• Cant. 3.6.
• John 3.3.
• Isaiah 40.
• 2 Cor. 11.2.
• Acts 8.23. 2 Tim. 2.26.
• Luke 15.7.10.
• 2 Cor. 6.2.
• Gen. 6.3.
• Baxter's Myth. Theol. Part III. page 46.
• Acts 16.14.
• 2 Cor. 10.5.
• 1 Pet. 2.5.
• Song 5.4.
• Psal. 26.9, 12.
• Rev. 3.1.
• Rev. 3.2.
• Psal. 119.80.
• Phil. 1.10.
• Joel. 1.14. ch. 2.16.
• Eccl. 4.9,—12.
• Heb. 10.24.
• Heb. 12.12.
• 2 Cor. 13.11.
• James 3.17.
• 2 Sam. 12.23. ch. 18.33.
• Luke 23.28, 43.
• Luke 12.40.
• 1 Cor. 2.9.
• Luke 12.35. v. 36.
• Phil. 1.23.
• 2 Cor. 5.1, 2, 3.
• Psalm 120.5.
• Jude 5.18.
• Rom. 6.27.
• Mat. 19.25.
• Rev. 3.21.
• Rev. 22.17, 20.
• Romam in flo∣re Paulum in ore Christum in corpore.
• Song 2.3.
• Psalm 66.16.
• 1 Pet. 3.7.
• 2 Cor. 13.11.
• 1 Cor. 5.10.
• Zecha. 14.21.
• John 4.36.
• Acts 8.1.
• Rom. 8.21.
• Heb. 11.37, 38.
• Acts 16.24, 25.
• Acts 21.11.13.
• Acts 20.38.
• Philemon. 15.
• Acts 15.39.
• Isa. 40.45.
• Gal. 6.2.
• 2 Cor. 11.29.
• Luke 14.28.
• Prov. 3.17.
• 1 John 5.3.
• Psal. 138.5. Jer. 31.12.
• Heb. 12.1.
• Heb. 12.12.
• Mat. 26.36,—41.
• 1 Cor. 15.41, 42.
• Zech. 12.8.
• Isa. 65.20.
• Mat. 22.30.
• Eph. 4.13.
• Acts 22.22.
• Heb. 11.38.
• Prov. 10.7, 14.
• Luke 16.28.
• Mat. 23.29.
• Mat. 18.26, 27.
• Psal. 36.9. Psal. 16.11.
• Psal. 17.15.
• Heb. 9.27.
• Prov. 14.32.
• Rev. 2.10.
• 1 Cor. 15.56, 57.
• Rev. 3.12.
• Psal. 16.11.
• Rev. 22.5.
• Job ••8.7.
• Psal. 56.8.
• Luke 12.35.