A sermon preached at the funeral of Mr. Thomas Grigg, B.D. and rector of St. Andrew-Undershaft, Septemb. 4, 1670 by Symon Patrick.

I.

I begin with the first; the knowledge which the Apostles had of this happy state, in a greater free∣dom and liberty, joy and pleasure, constancy and settlement, than our present condition affords. It was a matter of certainty, which they made no scruple to assert. It was not a probable opinion, but an undoubted conclusion. There were sound Arguments which led them to this strong per∣swasion:

necessary, causes, which made them of this unmovable belief. What they were, must be our enquiry at this time. And upon due exa∣mination, I make no question, we shall find, that their judgement was setled upon substantial Rea∣sons; and that they did not pretend to a knowledge, without such solid grounds, as were able to sustain so great a confidence as they express in all their writings and actions.

1. For they knew, that Jesus their Master, who made discovery of these things to them, had cer∣tain knowledge of them himself, and could not deceive them. They knew, I mean, that he came out from God, that he descended from Heaven, to lay open that place; and shew us, what God hath provided there, for those that love him. This was very effectual to perswade them, of a building of God; because one that came from God, assured them of it: and they doubted not of an house in the Heavens, because they were told it by one that had been there himself, and knew very well the state of that Heavenly Countrey which he described. He was not like to many idle persons, who draw Mapps of such Territories as they never saw (wherein they paint Chimaera's and whatsoever ex∣travagant fancies come into their minds) but he was acknowledged by more than themselves, to be a Teacher that came from God, and therefore acquainted

with the glory of the other world, and the happy condition, which God intends for souls there. This he set before their eyes, to their great satis∣faction; both because the heavenly Countrey was described by him that had been in it, and, which is more, by him that was the owner and possessor of it. How could they refuse to surrender their belief to such a person? To him that came down from Heaven, even the Son of man who is in Heaven, John 3. 13. That which our Saviour saith to Nicodemus, in that place, V. 11. was their assurance in all cases, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, we speak that we do know, and testifie that we have seen. This he told them over and over again, that he had seen the Father; that he was the living bread which came down from Heaven; and that thither he should ascend up where he was be∣fore, John 6. 46, 51, 62. and divers other places. Nor did he only say it, but he proved it too, by do∣ing such things, as none could do, but one that had the power of Heaven. Which made Nicodemus say, John 3. 2. We know that thou art a Teacher come from God: for no man can do these Miracles that thou dost, ex∣cept God be with him. And the blind man also con∣cludes, John 9. 32, 33. That if he were not of God, he could not have done such a thing, as was never heard of since the world began. These, and such like wonders, made the Apostles cry out, We believe and are sure, that thou art Christ the Son of the living God. Joh. 6. 69. We know, that the Son of God is come, and hath given us

understanding, that we may know him that is true. This is the true God and eternal life, 1 John 5. 20. And the certainty of this, made them sure of all the rest. For, why should they question the words of such a Master? Why should they make any doubt of that which was averred by one of such credit? If they questioned any thing, it must be, whether he came from Heaven or no. But this being grant∣ed, they might very well say, they knew they had a building of God eternal there. Now of that they had assurance, by Voices from Heaven, by Mira∣culous Works, by his Resurrection from the dead, and by the Holy Ghost sent down from thence. Be∣fore which coming of the Holy Ghost, they were confident of this; and therefore much more, after they had received it. For that our Saviour testifi∣ed of them in his Prayer to the Father, before his departure, John 17. 8. I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and have believed that thou didst send me.

II. They knew likewise that this person, who could not but speak the truth, had promised to purified souls, that they should see God. It is one of the first encouragements, that he gave to them in his Sermon on the Mount, Matth. 5. 8. to become his followers. From whence they could not but plainly discern, not only, that there is a felicity

hereafter for holy men; but, that it is so exceed∣ing great and glorious; that we must be very much heightned and inlarged in all our faculties, before we can be capable to enjoy it. We must be strangely changed, they knew, both in soul and body (neither of which, he promised should pe∣rish) before we can be rendred fit for conversati∣on with the Most High and Holy One, the blessed and only Potentate: who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto, whom no man hath seen, nor can see. For in this body, we cannot bear the sight of an An∣gel in his brightness. The lustre of one of those coelestial creatures dazzles the eyes of flesh; and made men anciently think they should exspire pre∣sently, when they were admitted to their compa∣ny. The reason of which, perhaps was, that they concluded, this earthly state in this corrup∣tible body, was not strong enough, to endure such manifestations from above. How can we behold then the Glory of God, unless we be made over again, and moulded into a new shape? How can we be able to look upon the Splendor of the Divine Majesty, unless all our powers be mightily raised; widened, and fortified beyond the highest of our present conceptions? We must shine forth as the Sun (according to our Saviours Promise, Matth. 13. 43.) in the Kingdom of the Father. That transforming sight of God (which the Apostle speaks of) which

shall so alter our souls, as to render us like unto him; must be in an habitation, where we shall be capable to know more of him, and look longer and more stedfastly upon him, than we can in this dark and narrow dwelling. For, though it doth not fully appear, what we shall be; yet thus much we know, saith St. John 1 Epist. 3. 2. that when he shall appear, we shall be like him; because we shall see him as he is.

III. Of this change they saw an instance in our Lord himself. Whose very body, as soon as he was raised from the grave, was so clarified and refined; that they could not but be sensible of a marvel∣lous transmutation to be made in themselves, and of a better dwelling, which their souls should one day have. Especially, since his Resurrection also was the great thing to which he appealed, for a proof of the truth of all his Promises. They per∣ceived a manifest difference in his condition now, from what it was before; and that his body was become more subtil and aiery, than it was when he dwelt among them. For, on a sudden he appeared in the midst of them; and again in a mo∣ment he vanished out of their fight. His body was now in a preparation to an higher state: and therefore, though they felt really flesh and bones, yet, he shewed them, by the hasty disappearance of it, into what a pure substance, it was shortly to be

turn'd. They saw it was to be so thin and rari∣fied, that it would be a Spirit, rather than a body; and was to suffer such a change, that now it was not fit for them to converse withal, while they were in this earthly tabernacle. This was the reason that he came to them only at certain seasons, and con∣tinued not alwayes with them: and that he charg∣ed Mary not to touch him (John 20. 17.) as if she mean't to hold him fast, and keep him with her. For though he intended, to afford them some of his company, being not yet ascended to the Father; yet, he would have her know, they must not expect his stay with them after his wonted manner; but go to his Brethren, the Disciples, and say to them, I ascend to my Father and your Father, and to my God and your God.

IV. Accordingly they knew, that he did ascend up to Heaven, forty dayes after his Resurrection. For they themselves saw him transported thither; and had his own word for it, that he went to prepare a place for them, and would come again, and receive them unto himself, that where he was, there they might be also, John 14. 3. For this they had also the word of two of the Heavenly Court, who stood by them in bright rayment, as they gazed upon him when he was taken up, saying; This same Jesus which is taken up from you into Heaven, shall so come, in like man•••••• as ye have seen him go into Heaven, Acts 1. 10.

And how glorious his body was made after he came thither, they also very well knew. For St. Stephen, at his tryal, saw the Heavens opened, and beheld the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. This he openly testified to the whole Council, before whom he stood accused, Acts 7. 55, 56. and it signifies, the illustrious condition wherein he was; for, as he was the Son of man, he stood next to the Divine Majesty, and was arrayed with the glory of God. St. Paul also, who so lit∣tle believed Steven's words, that he was consent∣ing to his death, as if he had been a Blasphemer; saw our Saviour, not long after this, as he was journeying to Damascus. But he beheld him in such an astonishing brightness, that it struck him to the ground, and put out his eyes, which were not able to endure the glory of it, Acts 9. 3, 4, &c. Which in his Apology to the people, he calls a great light that shone round about him, Acts 22. 6. and in his Apology to Agrippa, a light from Heaven at mid-day, above the brightness of the Sun, Acts 26. 13. To these two, you may add, the Testimony of the beloved Disciple, who when he was in the Isle of Patmos, for the testimony of Jesus, saw him in a Majestick shape, and his countenance was as the Sun shineth in his strength. And when he saw him, he was so dismayed, that he fell as dead at his feet, Rev. 1. 16, 17. By these means, they knew to what an amazing glory, they should one day be exalted; a

little glimpse of which in this mortal nature, they were not strong enough to bear.

V. For they knew withal, that their very bodies should be made like unto his. 1. They remembred how he called them Brethren, and told them that his Father was their Father, and his God their God; and therefore doubted not, that what was done for him should be done for them. 2. And how he prayed that they might be with him where he was, and behold (i. e. enjoy) his glory which the Father hath given him, John 17. 24. 3. And how he assured them, it was the will of him that sent him, that every one who seeth the Son, and believ∣eth on him, may have everlasting life, and he should raise him up at the last day, John 6. 40. Which made the Apostle say, as you heard (in the Chapter before my Text, V. 14.) they knew, that he who raised up the Lord Jesus, would raise us up by Jesus. 4. And being raised up, they knew that they should be car∣ried into the air, to meet the Lord, 1 Thess. 4. 17. Now these bodies which we wear at present, are not of an aërial nature, but altogether of an earthly. They are not fit to be transported beyond this lower Re∣gion: nor were made to live in any other Ele∣ment, than that in which they are. Nay, it would be a great terror to us in this body, to be caught and lifted up above; we should be in continual dread of falling down to this earth, whether the heaviness of them doth incline us. And therefore

they must be changed, if we go to meet the Lord in the air; as he hath promised we shall. For the Apostle saith, he spake this by the word of the Lord, V. 15. 5 And he promised by the same word, that so we shall be ever with him, Ib. V. 17. Which we cannot conceive how this earthly body should endure. It would soon be weary of that strange place: and groan and sigh there, as much as the soul doth here. It would be pined for want of meat and drink, as the Spirit now is often too much stifled with them. And therefore, in pursuance of his Promise, they must be made another kind of bodies fitted to that Countrey, to which they shall be transported. Where there is no earth, nor wa∣ter, nor such creatures as live in them; but pure light of unconceivable brightness. Lastly, they knew that the Members must needs be made con∣formable to the head: and therefore his body being glorious, so must this vile body of ours be made too; as the Apostle tells us, Phil. 3. 21. It would be but an ugly sight among us, to behold an hansome beautiful face, of the purest complexion, joyned to a body black and sooty, whose limbs were all deformed and dis-proportioned. And much more ill-favour∣ed, to see an head of light, glistering like the Sun; and all the Members dark as pitch, resembling this sluggish Earth. They made no question there∣fore, but that when he should appear again visibly with them attending on him, they should be con∣formed

to the condition and quality of his person; to whom they related as members of his body: that so he might be admired in his Saints, and glorified in all that believe. They look't for him to come from Heaven, and fashion them after his own image: i. e. to make them lightsome, heavenly and spiri∣tual; according to the working whereby he is able to sub∣due all things unto himself, 1 Cor. 15. 49. Phil. 3. 21.

VI. And this truly they knew, as well as any thing else, that he lives for evermore, and can make good his kind intentions and gracious promises. According to his own words which he spake to St. John when he appeared to him, Rev. 1. 18. I am he that liveth and was dead; and behold, I live for ever∣more, Amen; and have the keyes of Hell and Death. That he promised such glorious things, they were very certain; for they heard him speak them, with their own ears. That it was his goodness and kindness alone, which moved him, to engage himself in those promises they were well assured, for nothing else could perswade him to it. And that his pow∣er was equal to his will, they had abundant de∣monstration; for they saw him open the eyes of him that was born blind, and raise Lazarus out of his Grave, to behold the light of the Sun, and all the beauties of this world. Now, what reason had they to imagine, that his goodness was lessen∣ed, when his Glory was encreased; since there is

no good man, but is still growing better? Or, how could they suspect any defect in his power, now that he was made Lord of all: and they felt him also every where present, to work such won∣ders at their word, that they raised the dead to life again, as he himself had done? What greater evidence could they desire of his ability to make good all his promises, of raising up themselves to a more glorious life? They might very well trust his word, that as the Father hath life in himself, so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself, John 5. 26. that be came that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly, John 10. 10. and that because he lived, they should live also, John 14. 19.

VII. Especially since they knew by the strange change that he had wrought already in every one of their souls, that he could easily do as much for their bodies. It was no harder for him, they knew, to give a luminous body, than it was so marvel∣lously to illuminate their minds: to turn this earthly house into an heavenly, than to fill the spi∣rits of common men, with the Spirit and Wisdom of God. That pureness, agility and incorruption of the body which they looked for, was as easie to be effected in the twinkling of an eye; as it was for their souls, to receive on a sudden such quick∣ness of thoughts, the light of Prophecy, the gift of Languages, and all the other excellent endow∣ments,

which they found themselves possessed of. He that had converted their minds into a kind of Angelical understanding, they knew, could raise them still to what degree he pleased; and convert their other part into as high a glory. So that the Angels should as much admire the change of the one, as they did of the other; and as now they desired to look into the goodly state of the Christian Church: so hereafter, they should be very much surprized with the greater splendor of it; when they saw the dead raised, and made equal to themselves.

Marcion indeed, and other ancient Hereticks, vili∣fied the body so much, that they thought it unwor∣thy of the Care of God. But as Tertullian smartly replyed, they loved it too well, though they de∣spised and undervalued it so much: and as for God, he will never despise the work of his own hands. And it is not one of his ordinary works neither, but the work of his Counsel;

The receptacle of a noble Spirit; that which ministers to the Most High, and doth him service; that which is offer∣ed and sacrificed to him by the holy Martyrs; that which the Son of God himself did not de∣spise. Therefore, Absit, absit, ut Deus ingenii sui curam, &c. Far be it from God, far be it from him, to abandon and cast away the care of his Counsel, and admirable contrivance, the receiver of his breath, the Queen of his Creation, the Heir

of his Liberality, the Priest and Minister of his Religion, the Souldier of his Testimony, which witnesses to him by sufferings; and, in one word, the Sister of Christ Jesus, which he hath purchas∣ed also with his blood.

He will not forsake it, and leave it for ever in its ruines. He will make it the subject of more of his care, and bestow on it more of his Coun∣sel. He will make it far better, and turn it into a Nobler Being. And though the Apostles did not now feel the beginning of a change in it, as they did in their Spirits: yet, the wonderful advance∣ment which they felt in them, forced them to con∣clude, that he could as easily raise and improve their mortal bodies. And it was a proof also that he would: for one Promise being fulfilled, of send∣ing the Spirit upon them, it was an earnest of the other Promise, that he would turn these earthly bo∣dies into heavenly. Planè accepit & hîc Spiritum Ca∣ro, sed arrabonem, as the same Tertullian speaks. The Flesh it self also hath plainly here received the Spirit: but as an earnest only. What God poured out upon their souls, was a pledge of his love to their bodies. Their flesh hereby received a testi∣mony, that it should be made spiritual and incor∣ruptible.

VIII. To conclude, they knew likewise there had been some alteration already made, upon oc∣casion,

in the body of some of them, and that others also felt an higher elevation of their soul. As for the body, St. Steven's face was seen, as it had been the face of an Angel, Acts 6. ult. Angelicum jam fastigium induer at, as the fore-named Author speaks; he had already put on the Angelical state and dignity: he was arrayed, for a time, with their brightness and glory. It was not the Author of this Religion on∣ly, which was transfigured; but his followers al∣so, in some measure. And as that transfigura∣tion of our Saviour on the holy Mount, was to fore-shadow his glory in the Heavens: so might this of St. Steven's be, to shew what God would do for his faithful servants there. St. Paul was more than ordinarily assured of it; for he was lifted up in soul, at least, to the third Heavens, and carried likewise into Paradise, as he tells us in Chap. 12. of this Epistle. In which places he heard, among the hea∣venly company there, unexpressible words: which it was not possible for him to utter, and relate to others; when he came down to conceive with his brain, and speak with his tongue again. But this ecstasie of Spirit, or translation of his thither, gave him a high fore-taste of the bliss of the coelestial inhabitants: And clearly demonstrated what un∣speakable joy and pleasures our souls are capable of, when they remove into those Mansions; and to what a pitch of glory both soul and body shall be promoted, at the resurrection of the dead.

It was manifest to them by all these means, that he that hath the Son (i. e. effectually believes in Christ and is his faithful follower) hath life. And these things they have written unto us, that believe on the Name of the Son of God, that we may know, that we have eternal life. 1 John 5. 12, 13. For faith is a certain and sure way of knowledge, as well as any else. And our Faith relies, you see, on the Testimony of the Men of God: who did not follow cunningly devised fables, when they made known the power and coming of our Lord Jesus, but were eye witnesses of his Majesty, &c. 2 Pet. 1. 16, 17. And as St. Paul speaks in Ver. 2. of the fore-going Chapter, had re∣nounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craf∣tiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by ma∣nifestation of the truth, commending themselves to every mans conscience in the sight of God. There appeared nothing of fraud and guile in any of their speeches or actions; but the greatest simplicity, ingenuity and singleness of heart, that can be imagined. They abominated all dishonest dealing; and did not pretend to receive things from the Lord, when they were but the devices or dreams of their own brains. But, as the Apostle tells them in this Epistle, Chap. 12. 12. the signs of his being sent of God were wrought among them, in all patience, in signs, and wonders and mighty deeds. That which they had heard, which they had seen with their eyes, which they had looked upon, and their hands had handled of

the word of life, they declared unto the world. For the life was manifested (saith St. John) and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you, that eternal life which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us. 1. John 1. 1, 2, 3. Let us not therefore be faith∣less, but believe the testimony of men so well as∣sured. For to think, that there is no habitation for us in the Heavens, after we depart from these earth∣ly houses, because we were never there; is as fool∣lish and senseless, as if a man but poorly bred, and that had never stirred beyond the door of his Cot∣tage, should imagine, that all the goodly buildings he hears of at London, or which are shown him from the top of an Hill, some Miles distance from it, are but so many Clouds and phantasms in the Air, and have no real being. Let us but a little awaken our souls, to look beyond this house of clay: Let us but go out of doors in our thoughts and medita∣tions, stretching our minds further than the things of sense; and we shall clearly discern in this light of God which hath shone from Heaven upon us, that there is a far more glorious state, in a building not made with hands eternal in the Heavens. For these things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness; the beginning of the Creation of God. Rev. 3. 14. These things, say the Servants of Christ, the Stewards of the Mysteries of God; in all things approving themselves to be his Ministers, 1 Cor. 4. 1. 2. 6. 4. We ought therefore to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have

heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. How shall we escape, if we neglect such great salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was con∣firmed unto us, by them that heard him: God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers Miracles and Gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his will? 2 Heb. 1. 3, 4.