Jesus and the resurrection justified by witnesses in heaven and in earth in two parts : the first shewing that Jesus is the Son of God, the second that in him we have eternall life / by Symon Patrick ...

VI.

And what now remains, but to put those in mind who obediently believe in the Lord Jesus, what cause they have to

entertain themselves beforehand with great joy, in the comfortable expectation of God's mercy in Him to Eternall life? Let all his true-hearted Disciples, who hear his voice, and follow him, rejoyce; yea, let them be glad in him with excee∣ding joy. Let them say, O how great is the goodness of God! how rich are those blessings which he hath laid up for them that love him! how exceeding great and precious are the promises he hath made them! Our calling in Christ Jesus, how high is it! what is there nobler then his kingdom and glory? To which also he hath called us, by glory and vertue. Hea∣ven and earth concur in the most glori∣ous and powerfull manner to give us as∣surance, that it shall be well, exceeding well, with all those that love the Lord Jesus in sincerity.

Why should we suffer our selves then to be dejected at any accident in this world, which falls cross to us? Shall we take pet when any thing troubles us, and let our spirits die within us, who have such glorious hopes to live upon, and mightily support us? Jesus is alive: He is alive for evermore: And in him is E∣ternall life for all his followers. The Fa∣ther,

the Word, the Holy Ghost, are come to comfort us with this joyfull news. The Water, the Bloud, and the Spirit, all say the same; and ask us why we are so sad, when life and immortality is brought to light by the Gospell. It is the desire of the Lord Jesus, that we would not mourn; as though he still lay in his grave, and could doe nothing for us. He is certainly risen, and gone into the heavens; where God hath made him ex∣ceeding glad with his countenance. And it will adde to his joy, if it be capable of increase, to see us rejoyce with joy un∣speakable and full of glory. And therefore let us doe him the honour, to glory in his holy Name: and let us say alway, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which, according to his abun∣dant mercy, hath begotten us again unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead; to an inheritance in∣corruptible, and undefiled, and that fa∣deth not away, reserved in heaven for us. 1 Pet. i. 3, 4.

We ought to say so with joyfull hearts, even when death it self approaches; which of all other is the most frightfull Enemy of mankind, but is made our

Friend by the appearing of our Saviour Je∣sus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light, through the Gospell. 2 Tim. i. 10. Which hath given us, as the same Apostle saith, such everlasting consolation, that it would be a great reproach to it to receive Death timorously; which Wise men, before our Saviour came, concluded might be, for any thing they knew, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the greatest of all goods. Our Lord assures us they were right in their conjectures; and hath made that certain, which Socrates (whose words those are) left doubtfull. And therefore we ought not to leave the world, as if it were the greatest unhappiness that could befall us. It is for him onely to fear death (as St. Cy∣prian speaks ) who would not go to Christ; and he onely hath reason to be unwilling to go to Christ, who doth not believe he shall begin to reign with him. This is the one∣ly thing (as he writes a little after) which makes men take death so heavily, quia fides deest, because Faith is wanting; be∣cause they do not believe those things are true, which He who is Truth it self hath promised: But though they give credit to what a grave and laudable person promises, they are wavering about that which God

saith, and receive it with an incredulous mind. For if they believed, they would entertain that which now seems dreadfull, as St. Greg. Nazianzen says that blessed Martyr did; whose Death he doubts whether he should call his departure from this life, or rather, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, his departure of God, or the fulfilling of his desire. And thus (if we may believe Calcidius) the famous Trismegistus died, saying to his Son that stood by him, My Son, hitherto I have li∣ved an exile from my country; but now I am going safe thither. And therefore when, a little while hence, I shall be freed from the chain of this body, see that you do not bewail me as if I was dead. For I am one∣ly returning to that most excellent blessed City; whither the Citizens cannot arrive, unless they take death in their way. There God onely is the Governour in chief; who entertains his Citizens with a marvellous sweetness: in comparison with which, that which we now call Life, is rather to be ter∣med Death.

And what if, in our passage to it, we should fall into divers temptations, or tri∣alls of our sincere affection to the Lord Jesus? There is no reason that this

should dishearten us, and deaden our spirits: For it is the singular privilege of a Christian, to rejoyce in the Lord alway, (iv. Phil. 4.) especially when he suffers for righteousness sake. In that case the Apostles thought it an honour, that they were counted worthy to be beaten, and suffer shame for his Name. v. Act. 41. And St. James thought their example was not unimitable by other Christians, to whom he saith, i. 2. My Brethren, count it all joy, when ye fall into divers temptations. And so they did, as you reade in the E∣pistle to the Christian Hebrews; of whom the Apostle gives this testimony, x. 34. Ye took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in your selves, that you have in heaven a better and enduring substance. This consideration made them look upon the rapine, which the seditious people committed in their houses, without that dejection which on such occasions ap∣pears in other countenances. And yet they were men like our selves, who wal∣ked by faith, and not by sight; that is, did not enjoy the thing it self which they ex∣pected. 2 Cor. v. 7. And therefore what should hinder the same effect in our hearts, if we believe as they did?

And to shew the mighty power of this heavenly principle, these three things may be here pertinently noted, out of the records they have left us of their spirit in all their sufferings.

I. And first, I find, that when the hea∣viest cross lay upon them, the sense they had of things to come supported them un∣der it with admirable resolution. This was the least effect of their holy Faith; which made them, when the hearts of others sunk under the load, and fell down, as we say, into their knees, stand like a strong pillar, which bears up the whole weight of the house, and never yield at all. The thoughts of what our Lord had promised, not onely preser∣ved them from murmuring and repining at their present condition (knowing what good provision he had made for them hereafter,) but from fainting, and being sluggish in their Ministry. For which cause we faint not, or do not grow lazy, saith St. Paul: (knowing, that is, that he who raised up the Lord Jesus, would raise up them also:) for though our outward man perish, (or wear away,) yet the inward man is renewed (or grows

more youthfull) day by day. 2 Cor. iv. 14, 16. And (2.) this faith also preser∣ved them from swounding fear, either of disgrace, or pain, or death; being in no∣thing terrified by their adversaries: (saith the same Apostle i. Phil. 28.) who, see∣ing them undaunted under all their suf∣ferings, had reason to look upon this as an evident token of their perdition, and of the Salvation God would give to these his valiant Champions. And (3.) from sorrowing also, and lamenting the loss of any thing; because this Good, they found, was still secure. 2 Cor. vi. 10. Which made them, as he there saith a∣gain, to be always full of joy, though in the eye of the world they lookt very sor∣rowfully. And so (lastly) they kept their stedfastness, and turned not away from the holy commandment delivered unto them. Whereby they marvellous∣ly promoted Christianity: And the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternall glory by Christ Jesus, after that they had suffered a while, made them per∣fect, stablished, strengthened, settled them. 1 Pet. v. 10.

II. But the hope of Eternall life did not merely support and uphold their spi∣rits;

it wonderfully refreshed and comforted them in all their afflictions: so that they durst confidently promise to all other suf∣fering Christians the same heavenly com∣forts from God. Who comforteth us (saith St. Paul) in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we our selves are comforted of God. And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation. 2 Cor. i. 4, 7. Their comfort and rejoycing was, the te∣stimony of their conscience, that every∣where they acted sincerely; (ver. 12.) and that they served a good Master, who had promised them better fare in the next World, where he reigns in full power and glory. His Kingdom, they knew, was not of this World, even as he was not of the World; and therefore they did not expect he should give them a portion of good things here. No; He told them plainly, in the World ye shall have tribulation; but adds in the same breath, be of good chear, I have overcome the World. xvi. Joh. 33.

III. Which victory of his over death and the grave incouraged them to follow

him in all their tribulations, not merely with simple comfort, but with joy, as I have observed already; and more then that, made them exceeding glad, and even shout for joy. So our Saviour himself re∣quired them to doe, when they were re∣viled and persecuted for his Name sake. v. Matt. 12. Rejoyce, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven. And so they did, as St. Paul tells us v. Rom. 2, 3. We rejoyce in hope of the glo∣ry of God; and not onely so, but we glory in tribulations also. For they had this strong consolation, as the Divine Writer to the Hebrews calls it; First, that no∣thing, either in this World or the other, could take away that heavenly Good from them. As St. Paul also testifies in that triumph of his, viii. Rom. 38, 39. I am perswaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. When their goods were taken away, they could make their boast in Christ, and say, Our inheritance is immovable. When they were driven from house and home, (as we speak,) they could triumph, and

say, Our house is eternall in the heavens, from which none can exclude us. When they were in pain, they still remembred our Saviour's own words, Your joy shall no man take from you. In death it self they could glory, and say, Jesus, our Life, dies not; and because he lives, we shall live also. And (2.) as they knew they could not lose their future Happiness, so they knew it to be incomparably greater then all their sufferings. viii. Rom. 18. For I reckon, that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more excee∣ding and eternall weight of glory. 2 Cor. iv. 17. Where there is a Third Reason of their exceeding great joy; because these afflictions, which they endured for Christ's sake, would increase their glory hereaf∣ter, and make their crown beyond all expression heavier. And more then that, (4.) hereby not onely their present afflic∣tions were alleviated and seemed triviall; but they gave them a clearer sight of that most excellent glory beforehand: while they looked not (as it there follows ver. 18.) at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; The removall

of these things here below from before their eyes, fixed them more stedfastly on the invisible World. Now their joy was full, as our Saviour speaks xvi. Joh. 24. now it overflowed; when all things else had forsaken them, and nothing else but those unseen enjoyments remained to comfort them. This heavenly glory shone brightest in the dark and horrible pit: where their afflictions brought them sweeter contentment, then ever was the fruit of any earthly pleasure. And so we may still hope, that when other things, by any calamity in this world, stand afar off, and can doe nothing for us; there will be the more room for the thoughts and sense of this future bliss, to spread it self, and fill the whole capacity of pious hearts. Then they will be most at lei∣sure; then invisible things will seem most reall; then they will most strongly af∣fect the heart: so that they will not be the worse for their afflictions, but the better; and their pains will but bring them the sooner to heavenly joys.

And should not our Faith work thus mightily in our hearts, at least supporting us with true satisfaction under all our troubles, it would be an exceeding great

shame to us: when we consider with what resolution, courage and chearful∣ness, they, whose knowledge of heaven∣ly things was darker then ours, received the most dreadfull sufferings, even death it self, before the coming of our Saviour. The Mother and her seven Sons, whose story is recorded in the second Book of the Maccabees, Chap. vii. are a famous in∣stance of this; who in hope of a blessed Resurrection, when the belief of it stood on a feebler foundation then ours, offe∣red themselves to the sharpest torments, rather then break the Law of their Crea∣tour.

Neither the Strapado, nor the Wheel to rack their joynts, nor Hooks of iron to tear their flesh, nor the fury of wild Beasts, nor boiling Caldrons, nor the fiercest Fires, no evill present, no evill to come, could move the hearts of these young men, who were in their flourishing years; or make them yield a jot to the wicked tyrant, who would have had them transgress the Ordinan∣ces of Moses.

They are the words of that great man, St. Gregory Nazianzen; who hath admirably summed up their speeches, in an Oration of his which he made in their commendation: where he proceeds in this manner.

One of the

Brethren spoke in one fashion, and the rest in another; according as the words of the Tyrant, or the order of their suf∣ferings, gave occasion. But to comprise all in a little compass, this was the sub∣stance of what they said. O King An∣tiochus, and all you that are here pre∣sent, be it known unto you that we have one King, even God Almighty, from whom we come, and unto whom we must return. And we have one Law-giver, Moses, whom we will ne∣ver betray nor reproach; though ano∣ther Antiochus, more fierce and severe then thou, should threaten us. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Our onely security is, to keep the command∣ment; and not to break the law where∣by we are guarded. Our onely glory is, for such great things to despise all glory beside. Our onely riches are, the hopes we have hereafter. Our onely fear, lest we should fear any thing more then God. With these reasons we now come armed into the field of danger. We are but young, it is true, and this World is sweet; our native Country, our Friends, our Kindred, our dear Companions, invite us to stay with them. But none of them are so

sweet as God, none so dear as those very dangers, which we expose our selves unto for Vertue's sake. Harbour no such thoughts, we humbly beseech you; for there is another World also which expects us, more lofty and du∣rable by far then all that we behold in this. Jerusalem that is above is our Country; which no Antiochus can be∣siege, no power on earth can touch or indanger. All those that are born of God, are our Kindred: the Prophets and Patriarchs our Friends, from whom we have received a pattern of piety. And our Companions are all those who hazzard themselves with us this day, and are our contemporaries in constant suffering. Heaven is more glorious then our Temple it self: the Quire of Angels infinitely beyond our solemn Assemblies: And there is one great Mystery, GOD himself, whom all our sacred Mysteries here respect. And therefore cease to make us any more offers and promises of little things, which are nothing worth. We love not those shamefull honours, which we shall get by denying God. We were not bred to make such unthrifty bar∣gains; and cannot traffick with thee

on such base and ignoble terms. And therefore cease also to threaten us; or we can return more dreadfull threat∣nings, which will reprove thy weak∣ness. For know that we have a fire, into which to throw our Persecutours. Dost thou think thou hast to doe with Gentile people? Those, it is true, thou hast overcome: they have yielded to thy threatnings and power. And no wonder; for they did not fight for such glorious things as we. They one∣ly defended their cities and goods; but we defend the Law of the most High. Thou opposest thy self now against the Tables writ with the finger of God; against the most holy and divine Ser∣vice; against the Rites of our country, which reason and time have made ho∣nourable; against seven Brethren, who are linkt together by one Soul; whom it is no such mighty business to over∣come, but to be worsted by them will be most shamefull. And be assured, we will set up seven Monuments of thy disgrace: for we are the progeny and disciples of those who were led by a pillar of fire and a cloud; to whom the Sea parted it self, and the Sun stood still, and Bread rained down from hea∣ven;

and who triumphed over mighty kings, by prayer and lifting up their hands to heaven. And to say some∣thing that comes within the compass of thy knowledge, we are bred up under Eleazar, whose fortitude and courage thou art not ignorant of. The Father led the way; the Sons follow him to the like combate. Therefore it is to no purpose, to adde any more threat∣nings: we can suffer greater things then those thou speakest of. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, There are none more valiant then they that are ready to endure all things. Why do you delay to begin your cruelty? what do you stay for, or expect? Do you think we may change our minds, and recant? No; we protest again and again, we will never eat impure flesh: we will never break the Law of our God. Thou shalt sooner turn to our Religion, then we to thine. Let hotter fires be kindled; let more rave∣nous beasts be brought forth; let more exquisite torments be invented: in short, either devise some new punish∣ment, or know that we despise these that are before us.

These, saith he, were their words to the Tyrant; in the relation of which I am wonderfully delighted. And then embracing and kissing one another, with no less chearfulness then if they had been come to receive their reward,

Let us go, said they with a loud voice, let us go to meet these dangers. Let us make haste, while the Tyrant is hot and chafes; lest he cool again, and we lose the Salvation. What though it cost us our lives? must not we leave them some time or other? must we not pay the debt we owe to Nature? Let us convert then a necessity, into our choice and a glory. Let us deceive the grave; and make that peculiar, which is com∣mon. By death, let us make a purchace of life. Let none of us faint in our un∣dertaking, nor be desirous to live here any longer. Let us make the Tyrant despair of moving others, by seeing our constancy. Let him appoint our suf∣ferings, we will put an end to them. Let us make it appear that, as we are Brethren by birth, so we are in all things else; not excepting death.

Such was the resolution, saith he, of these men; who did not serve pleasure, nor suffered themselves to be governed by their passions: but purified their bo∣dies and their spirits, and in this manner were translated 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to that life which is incapable of any passi∣on, and free from all the troubles and miseries to which here we are exposed. It would be too long to relate the speech of the Mother; who likewise gave an il∣lustrious testimony of her faith in God, and hath left a rare example, to all poste∣rity, of constancy and patience under the greatest sufferings. The Apostle himself hath perpetuated their Memory in his Epistle to the Hebrews, and made it sa∣cred to all generations. Where it will stand to our great confusion, if we should not learn of those who had so great a Faith, under so dark a revelation. What would not these persons have done, saith the forenamed Father, if they had lived in our times; who were so courageous before the sufferings of Christ, and the glory (I may adde) that followed after? If without example they behaved them∣selves so undauntedly; what rare Souls would they have been with one; espe∣cially

with the example of Christ Jesus? Such we ought to strive to be, not onely as they were, but as we conceive they would have been under our Master. Strengthened, I mean, as St. Paul speaks, with all might according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness; giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be par∣takers of the inheritance of the Saints in light. i. Col. 11, 12. And so we shall, if the same spirit of faith be in us that was in them. For it tells us how Jesus went this way to heaven; and that if we over∣come, we shall shine with him in his glo∣ry, and sit down with him in his throne, and inherit all things.

There need no more be said to encou∣rage even those Christians who have been most delicately bred, or that are of the tenderer Sex, to wade through the grea∣test difficulties. Let them but look up unto Jesus, and He will inflame them with such ardent love, that they will be glad to follow him to his Cross, if they must go that way to come where He is. This moved Dorotheus and divers other Courtiers, (who, as Eusebius reports, were 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, of the Emperour's

Bedchamber, and in such high favour, that they were no less beloved then if they had been the Emperour's own chil∣dren,) to prefer the reproaches and pains of piety, and the new-devised deaths they were to suffer for its sake, before all the glory and delights wherein they li∣ved. And St. Peter, we are told by Cle∣mens Alexandrinus , seeing his own Wife led to death, rejoyced at the grace to which she was called; thinking now she was upon her return home. And chearfully exhorting her to proceed to the execution, he called her by her name, saying onely these few words, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, REMEMBER THE LORD. That was sufficient, he knew, to make her constant and courageous: It being a faithfull saying, (an undoubted principle of Christianity, on which we may ever safely build,) For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: if we suffer with him, we shall also reign with him. 2 Tim. ii. 11, 12. And it was no less sted∣fastly believed, that they who suffered with him should also reign with him in a greater glory then others; as we heard before from St. Paul, who saith, their afflictions would work for them a most ponderous crown of glory. Nay,

they gave the like encouragement to all those who did any eminent service to our Blessed Lord. They that laboured hard, for instance, in the Word and Doc∣trine, St. Paul saith, were worthy of double honour, or reward, in this World. 1 Tim. v. 17. Which few receiving, (but quite contrary, they were least esteemed, as he himself found by experience, who took the most pains,) there was the grea∣ter reason to hope to find it in another life: when the chief Shepherd appearing, they were sure to receive an excellent crown of glory. 1 Pet. v. 4. To every Saint our Lord promises a crown of glory: (as those crowns were wont to be called, that they used in times of greatest joy:) the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 added to it (which is never used in any other place of Scrip∣ture, and is that whereby some of the crowns given to persons of desert in o∣ther Nations are called,) denotes, I think, something extraordinary in the glory of those good Shepherds, who fed the flock of God according to the di∣rections the Apostle had been giving them.

The Martyrs, we are sure, expected it; who building on this foundation,

that they who suffer with him, shall reign with him, gave God thanks when they received the sentence of death; and went to the execution singing; and expired with hymns in their mouths; and exhor∣ted others, in the midst of their torments, to the like chearfull constancy. Of all which I could produce instances out of the Ecclesiasticall story; but I shall one∣ly set down that of Liberatus and his Monks. Who defending the Christian Faith against the Heresy of Arius, when they were condemned to be thrown bound into a ship full of faggots, and there to be burnt in the midst of the Sea, sang aloud this hymn; Glory be to God in the highest. Behold, now is the acceptable time: Behold, now is the day of Salvati∣on; in which we suffer punishment for the faith of our God.

And why should not this faith, much more easily, comfort us against the death of our dearest Friends; when we can reasonably hope they depart from us, to go into the eternall Happiness of a better World? Their gain is so great, which they have made by the exchange, that we ought not so heavily, as we are wont, to take our own loss. This Photius re∣presents

very handsomely to his Brother Tarasius; after he had said a great many other things, to stop the tears that he shed immoderately for a daughter who was dead.

Suppose, saith he, thy Daugh∣ter should appear to thee, and, taking thee by the hand, should kiss it with a chearfull and smiling countenance, say∣ing, My Father, why dost thou afflict thy self in this manner? why dost thou bemoan me, as if I was gone to an e∣vill condition? My lot is faln unto me in Paradise; a place most sweet to behold, and far sweeter to enjoy: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, but the experiment exceeds all belief. Into this the crooked Serpent cannot wind himself, as he did into that of our Fore∣fathers; nor so much as whisper any of his deceitfull temptations. There is none among us, but whose Mind is impregnable, and cannot be overcome by any artifice; nor can we desire to be gratified with any greater good. For we are all of us wise, with the Di∣vine and heavenly wisedom; and our whole life is a continued magnificent festivall, in the enjoyment of infinite and unspeakable goods. Splendidly cloathed, we see God in a splendid

manner, (as far as man can see him;) and ravished with his inexplicable, in∣conceivable beauty, we rejoyce alway, and are never weary. Which abun∣dant pleasure is the very perfection of love; and the power of enjoying ac∣companying love, begets that ineffable joy and exultation of spirit. So that now, while I converse with thee, a most mighty love to those things draws me away, and suffers me not to ex∣pound the least part of them. Thou, and my dear Mother, shall one day come thither; and then confess I have said very little of such great Goods; but accuse thy self very much for be∣wailing me, who happily enjoy them. Therefore, my dearest Father, let me go away with joy, and do not detain me any longer; lest thou suffer a grea∣ter loss, and for that be more bitterly afflicted.

If thy Daughter, I say, could after this or the like sort speak to thee, wouldst thou not be ashamed to con∣tinue thy lamentations? and chuse ra∣ther, with joy to let her go away re∣joycing? Consider then, if upon a Child's saying such things, we should

presently grow better, and be of good comfort; shall we, when our common Creatour and Lord cries, He that be∣lieveth in me, though he die, yet shall he live; and, God hath prepared for them that love him such things as eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have they entred into the heart of man; be no∣thing better for such joyfull tidings, but, like infidels, go on still to increase our sad lamentations?

We cannot answer this Question any other way, but by silence; or rather, chearfull thanksgivings to God, who hath given us such everlasting consolation, and good hope through his grace, as may well enable us to say in every other troublesome condition, Why art thou thus cast down, O my Soul? why art thou dis∣quieted within me? Hope in God, and re∣joyce in his holy Name, who, thanks be to his goodness, giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us shake hands with grief, sadness and sor∣row; and leave them to those who have no hope of Eternall Life. Let us make our boast in the Lord, and say that He is good, for his mercy endureth for ever. Come, my Soul, what is it that afflicts

thee? Will not the thoughts of the joys of heaven give thee ease, nay perfectly cure thee? Will not a sight of Jesus, sitting on the throne of his glory, revive thee? It is but a moment or two, and we shall be with him where he is. Let us have patience for a few days more of banishment from our heavenly country. Hold out, my Soul, for a short pilgri∣mage, and we shall arrive at our promi∣sed inheritance. Shall we bemoan our selves thus miserably, for whom our God hath made such gracious provision? Shall we be weary, who want but a few steps, and we are at our eternall rest? Behold, behold thy Saviour: Yonder he is: I see him shining in his celestiall glory. He looks upon me, methinks, and saith, Be of good chear, for I am preparing a place for thee.

Do we not forget, O my Soul, that Jesus is so highly advanced; when we suffer our selves to be thus cast down and sadly dejected? Do we not reproach his memory, and, in effect, say too gross∣ly, He is dead, He is not risen; who can chuse but mourn and be sorrowfull? For shame let us stay our tears, till the testimonies we have heard can be dispro∣ved;

till it appear that Jesus is still in his grave, and these are Six false Witnes∣ses, which stand up for him. But in the mean time let us rejoyce, that they never yet could be confuted; but have born down all the opposition of the World and the Devill for more then Sixteen hundred years, to the eternall honour of Jesus.

O sweet Name! why do we dishonour it with sour faces, and sad countenances, and a melancholick life? If he live, sure he will be as good as his word, that we shall live also. Let us never forget those words of grace, Because I live, ye shall live also. And let us never remember them, but with new delight. Let it de∣light us to repeat them a thousand times in a day. As long as we live, let us com∣fort our selves with this; Our Lord hath said, Because I live, ye shall live also. Doth it not fill a Merchant's heart with joy, to hear that his Ship is arrived at a safe port; though many leagues from his own house? Doth not the Country-man look brisk when his Seed-time is good; though he must wait many weeks before he reap his desired Harvest? Let not us then be the onely lumpish insensible

things, who hear the joyfull news that Jesus is alive, and safely arrived at our Father's house, where there are many Mansions. Let not us be so stupid as to be discontented, who have his word for it, that we shall live with him. But let us rejoyce, and say as the Psalmist doth, (we have more reason for it, ) In God will I praise his word: in the Lord will I praise his word. In him have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man, or any thing else, can doe unto me. Jesus hath said I shall live: I will depend on his word; and expect, after all my tos∣sings up and down in this troublesome World, to land shortly in the Paradise of God.

Paradise! O that comfortable word! that sweetest of all words! What should we not have given to hear of any hopes of it, if God had not promised it? And shall we now make light account of it? God forbid. We will not sigh at the thoughts of death it self; seeing it is but the gate of Paradise. We will look upon it with a smile, and say it is welcome. We will tell it that it is a long-lookt-for friend; and bid it doe its office, and make way for our entrance into the place

that Jesus hath prepared for us. What though we have not much acquaintance with that World? what though it be a place where we never were; and from whence no Friend that is gone thither hath returned, to tell us what it is? Je∣sus knew it very well, (that's enough;) else he would not have endured so much for it. He is perfectly acquainted with it; for from thence he came, and there he is. And therefore let us not be timo∣rous, when we think of removing to a strange country; but confidently rely on his knowledge more then our own. Let us remember the words of these Wit∣nesses, which say, He is the Son of God, in whom is Eternall Life. Let us trust his judgment, who thought it more desirable to go away, though upon a Cross, then to stay here in the greatest pleasure. And since all these Witnesses say, He is in hea∣ven; let us resolve that we will die looking up to him, and saying,

Lord, remember it is the will of the Father, that we should have Everlasting Life. Thou thy self appearedst to St. Ste∣phen, and madest him confident thou wilt receive our Spirit. The Holy Ghost, which is the Spirit of Truth, saith thou

art glorified, and wilt glorifie us with thy self. This thou hast preached to us. This thy Bloud hath purchased for us. This thou didst rise again to prepare, against our coming to thee. This thy holy Apostles say thou sentest them to publish to the World. This thou hast made us believe, and wait for, and suffer for, and long to enjoy. O Dearest Lord, and most mercifull Saviour, who art the true and faithfull Witness, though we miserable sinners deserve to be denied, yet deny not thy self: let not the price of thy precious Bloud be lost; let not the Word of the Father, of the Holy Ghost, thine own Word, fail. If thou art not alive, I am content to perish. But if thou art, as thou hast perswaded me; then I will not cease to call upon thee: I will die with these words in my mouth, and be confident thou wilt hear me, LORD JESUS, RECEIVE MY SPIRIT.

Thus the blessed Martyr St. Stephen expired; looking up stedfastly unto Je∣sus, the Authour and Finisher of our Faith, who then appeared in glory to him. Whose example all the rest of that No∣ble Army followed; triumphing over

death, in an assured hope of immortall life. Which they had not the least doubt of, it is manifest from hence, that (as Clemens Alexandrinus observes ) 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in the very extremity of their torments they gave thanks to God, who they knew would reward their fidelity; having in this very way con∣secrated Jesus to the highest Office, of being the Finisher or Crowner of our Faith. Therefore their heart was glad, and their glory rejoyced: And they sang chearfully, with the holy Psalmist, but with a far greater confidence; God shall redeem my Soul from the power of the grave, for he shall receive me. xlix. Psal. 15.

And, O thou Lord, and Creatour of all things, especially of this thy Workmanship! O thou God, and Father of thy Men! O thou Lord of life and death! O thou benefactour of Souls, and dispenser of all good things! O thou who didst form all things, and in due time, thou best know∣est how in the depth of thy wisedom and administration, wilt transform us, by that Divine Artificer, the WORD! Receive me also hereafter, when thou seest

most convenient; in the mean time gover∣ning me in this flesh, as long as it will be profitable. And receive me in thy fear, prepared, not disturbed, nor hanging back at the last day, and dragg'd by force from hence, (like the lovers of the World and the Flesh,) but chearfully and willingly, unto that everlasting and blessed Life which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

And, O thou WORD of God! thou Light! thou Life, and Wisedom and Power! (for I delight in all thy Names:) O thou Off-spring and Image of that great Mind! O intellectuall WORD, and visible Man, who upholdest all things by the word of thy power! May it now please thee to accept of this Book, (though not the first-fruits, yet the last perhaps that I may be able to offer thee,) both as a gratefull acknowledgment for all thy bene∣fits, and an humble supplication that I may have no other troubles, beside the necessary, sacred ones of my Charge. Stop the fury of any disease which may seize on me; or thy sentence, if I be removed by thee. And if thou art pleased to grant me a dissolution according to my desire, and I be received into the Heavenly Ta∣bernacles; there I hope to offer accep∣table

Sacrifices to thee, at thy holy Altar, O FATHER, and WORD, and HOLY GHOST: for to thee be∣longs all Glory, Honour, and Dominion, for ever and ever. Amen.

Notes

• Plato Apo∣log. Socr.
• L. de Mortalita∣te, p. 208.
• Orat. xviii. p. 284.
• Fr. Arch∣angel. Dogm. Ca∣balistica.
• Orat. xxii. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, p. 401, &c.
• L. viii. Eccles. Histor. c. 6.
• L. vii. Stromat. p. 756.
• Victor U∣ticensis L. iv. Van∣dal. Persec.
• Epist. ccxxxii. p. 352.
• Psal. lvi. 10, 11.
• L. vii. Stromat. p. 756.
• Greg. Naz. Orat. x. in Caesarium fratrem, p. 176.
• Id. Orat. xlii. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, p. 696.