A discourse of the misery of Hell and happiness of Heaven grounded from the following words, Matth. 25, 46, And these shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal.

A DISCOURSE OF THE Misery of Hell, AND Happiness of Heaven, Grounded from the following Words.

Matth. 25.46.

And these shall go away into Everlasting Pu∣nishment, but the Righteous into Life Eternal.

THE foregoing part of the Words is to be understood of the Goats, of those of all Nations, v. 32, 33. and Generations, who shall be placed on the Left Hand: That is, as it is spoken in other places of ••cripture; such as shall then be found to have been Sinners, ••nbelievers, Hypocrites, the Children of Disobedience, ••icked and Ungodly, and such like. According as is writ∣••••n, The Hour is coming, in the which all that are in the Graves ••••all hear his Voice, and shall come forth. They that have done ••ood unto the Resurrection of Life, and they that have done Evil ••••to the Resurrection of Damnation. We are told, and warned ••hat the final Condition of Mankind will be, and what ……t shall be allotted to the one, and what shall be allotted 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the other. Now, as we are in the Body, we are con∣……med herein; and in short, every one of us must go to ••••e of them, either to Heaven, or to Hell. They go to Hell, ••f whom it is written, And these shall go away into Ever∣••asting Punishment.

And here this word, Everlasting Punishment sounds terrible ••nd dismal at the very first; for alas! so weak and little, so •…•…etful and impatient is our present Nature and Condition,

that we cannot, or at least we do not care to endure, or undergo any short Pain or Punishment now; how much more intollerable must that then be which is Eternal? Who now think it so irksome to tarry a few and evil Days here on Earth, although they have several good ones intermin∣gled? How can they endure to be in Hell for Thousands and Millions of Years, without an Hour of Comfort or Free∣dom from Misery? Even now, although there are the In∣tervals of Sleep, and those necessary and common Actions of Life, which divert from the Sence and Feeling thereof, yet still a wounded and troubled Spirit who can bear? Much more may the Question be asked, Can thine Heart endure under the gnawing of the Worm which shall never die? To whom every least spark of Fire that falls upon any part of the Body is so painful, Can thine Hands be strong? or how can they abide to lie down in Everlasting Fire? Or how can they rest in a Cradle of Flames? Or to be re∣freshed in that Fire, which the Breath of the Lord like a stream of Brimstone doth kindle. It is as bad, as bad can be: For lay together all the Evils, Pains, Torments, Fears, Dis∣eases, Afflictions, Crosses; and such like, which are through∣out the whole Earth, and they do not make up the ten thousandth part so bad as the Damnation of Hell.

It will be one of the Torments of Hell to be depriv'd not only from the Beatifical Vision, but even from the sight of the Heavens of God, (Persecute and destroy them in Anger from under the Heavens of the Lord, Lam. 3.66.) which must needs be very melancholy and uncomfortable, not so much as to see the outside of that place, where Blessedness dwells. For if one should be kept in a very low Pit, with∣out Light or Company: What a restless thing would this be; or as they took Jeremiah, and cast him down into the Dun∣geon that was in the Court of the Prison; and they let down Jeremiah with Cords; and in the Dungeon there was no Water but Mire; so Jeremiah sunk in the Mire, Jer. 38.6. Here were Sufferings indeed, which would make ones Heart ake to thoroughly think of it; much more would it fill the Soul with Anguish and Restlesness to undergo it. And what is it to be in a Dungeon for a few Days or Years, in comparison to be in the lowest Hell for all Eternity? The other is Light, and as nothing in comparison unto it.

As to all the Devices and Places of Torment, Vexation and Misery, which People now use one to another; all these are but Instruments in the Hands of God, who crea∣ted the Waster to destroy, and made all those Places and Things, which are now used for Pain and Punishment: And if he hath created such on this Earth, as we sensibly know and see; much more hath he created alike Things under the Earth, and in Hell beneath: He is the great law∣giver, who is able to save, and to destroy: As he doth Good, so likewise he can, and doth punish. There are on this Earth some things, which are very grievous and irksome; but as long as there is Life, even in the worst Evils that befall the Children of Men; there is no such thing as perfect, abso∣lute and compleat Misery; I mean such Misery as is with∣out any Good or Comfort. There is no such thing on Earth as utter Darkness, or the Blackness of Darkness; for in the most cloudy and misty Night some little of Light may be still perceived, especially if you look up towards Heaven. Again, on this Earth all things are short, and passing away: But in Hell it is perfect, compleat, and ab∣solute Misery: That is, It is Misery wholly, throughout, and nothing but Misery. The Egyptians had for three Days such Darkness which may be felt, even thick Darkness, Exod. 10.21, 22, 23. But in Hell there is utter Darkness, cast the unprofitable Servant into utter Darkness, and the Blackness of Darkness for ever. Which word for ever is the greatest Sting and Aggravation of the Torment and Punishment hereof; for herein it infinitely exceeds, and is worse than all the Evils and Pains on this Earth, and of this State; for whereas they all pass away, either they go off again from the Sufferer, or else they make an end of the Suffer∣er; so as to kill him; and render him in such a Condition, that he becomes past feeling thereof. It will be otherwise as to Hell; for there, if the Spirit should fail before him, and the Souls which he hath made, yet they are kept alive, still to undergo and endure the Severity of God's Venge∣ance. It is called Death, the Second Death; for it is a State of ever dying, and never dead. In that Day shall Men seek Death, and it shall flee from them. Now Death is the worst and most terrible thing in the World; for all other things are so much the more feared, as they may the sooner oc∣casion,

or bring on this thing of Death; But the second Death, or Death Eternal, is indeed worse than any Tongue of Man can express forth. I cannot pencil forth Shadows dark enough to set forth the utmost Horror and Misery thereof. The Lord preserve every one that will be sure to comply, and to work together with his Grace from doing those things; the end whereof is Death Eternal: So that the Reader may not know and feel how bad indeed it is. One saith well, Let us not flee from Sermons of Hell, that we may flee from Hell; and by that manner of Speech of John Baptist, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come, Mat. 3.7. We learn that it is a great part of the Ministerial Office and Duty, to warn People, that they flee from, and avoid, and use all Care and Diligence, lest they fall into Hell, and to testifie unto them, lest they come to the place of Torment, Luk. 16.28. Accordingly I do take such to record, who shall Hear or Read this, that they do cease and abstain from all Appearance of Evil, and be sure not to do those things, to which this same future Pu∣nishment is annexed and threatned. We are told, that the Sinners of Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprized the Hypocrites; who among us shall dwell with devouring Fire? who amongst us shall dwell with Everlasting Burnings, Isa. 33.14. They that do Iniquity shall be cast into a Furnace of Fire, Mat. 13.41, 42. The wrath of God cometh on the Children of Disobedience, Col. 3.6. so that the Consequence is Na∣tural, Certain, and Necessary, That if we would not dwell with devouring Fire, and with Everlasting Burnings, nor yet be cast into a Furnace of Fire, nor yet fall under the Wrath of God; we must be sure to avoid all these four Things, Sin, Hypocrisie, Iniquity and Disobedience; and al∣so, in order to escape Hell, set forth by all these kinds of Expression; we must avoid Apostacy, or falling away, which I ground from this following Scripture: For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the Truth, there remaineth no more Sacrifice for Sins; but a cer∣tain fearful looking for of Judgment, and fiery Indignation, which shall devour the Adversaries, Heb. 10.25, 26.

As we here see and know what we must avoid and eschew in order to escape from everlasting Punishment, (I will re∣peat them over again for more abundant Safety and Care)

It is Sin, Hypocrisie, Iniquity, (which signifies doing those things that are not equal) Disobedience, Apostacy, or Falling away. So on the other hand, we are shewed from out of the same Scriptures of Truth, what we are to do to obtain Eter∣nal Life; If thou wilt enter into life, keep the Commandments, Mat. 19.17. Blessed are they that do his Commandments, that they may have Right unto the Tree of Life, and may enter in through the Gates into the City, Rev. 22.14. Or, as it is writ∣ten, The Righteous shall go into life eternal.

Righteousness is a Comprehensive Word, and signifies a Conformity to all the Words of Gods Law in Scripture. And it shall be our Righteousness, if we observe to do all these Com∣mandments before the Lord our God. as he hath commanded us, Deut. 6.25. And as Sin, Hypocrisie, Iniquity and Disobedience do lead towards Hell, so this thing of Righteousness (through God's gracious acceptation thereof,) furthers towards Hea∣ven. The Happiness and Blessedness whereof is called Life E∣ternal. Now there can be nothing better, and more desirable than Life. For by Life we receive, feel, and are rendred capa∣ble to enjoy all other things which can be had by Man. Ac∣cordingly, the Word of God which matle Man, and the Spirit of God which knows what is in Man, do so express it. For by Life at first he is enabled to perceive Peace, Joy, Satis∣faction and all those Good things. Said Jesus Christ. Who, is the Bread of God which cometh down from Heaven, and Giveth Life unto the World, John 6.33. I am come, that bey might have Life more abundantly. This is meant of that Godly and Spiritual Life on Earth, In order to an Eternal Life in the Heavens.

As it hath been afore observed, How the Everlasting Pu∣••ishment is set forth by all those things which are Evil and Painful; so it is contrariwise as to Life Eternal, for that again is described by all those things which seem Good and Delightful unto us, as by Meat, Drink, Riches, Pleasures, Gold, Peace, Joy, and such like. Labour not for the Meat which perisheth, but for the Meat which endureth unto Everlasting Life. And so it is most commonly expressed by the addition of that Epithet (Everlasting) to distinguish ••t from the short and perishing Pleasures here. In thy pre∣sence is fulness of Joy. This is opposite unto, and distinct

from that short and empty measure thereof, we have some times here, when the end of our Joy is Grief, and there is a mixture of Heaviness even in the midst of it. And at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore, Psal. 16.11. Which is a great and remarkable diversity from those sud∣den and perishing Pleasures here. It is called Everlasting Joy, Isa. 35.10. whereas all Joy here is but for a Moment, and for the present time. It is called pure Gold, in oppo∣sition to that mixture of Dross which is with it here. And Perfect Peace, Isa. 26.3. To distinguish it again from that broken and interrupted Peace here. This Life is but Vain, and as a Vapour and continueth not; But the future Life is so substantial and enduring that it shall have no End. Whatever we meet with here which is delightful or pleasing, yet still we should Prefer Jerusalem above our chief Joy, Psal. 137.6. So this should be the only Standard or Mea∣sure of all our Comfort or Vexation, as it furthers or hin∣ders in the way to Heaven. So we should be contented or pleased therewith, and give God thanks for the same. As again, when it hinders or obstructs, or stops up the way a∣gainst our going or Arriving there, this should be Grief and Vexation of Spirit. And we should endeavour as much a∣gainst it as we can. Truly, mine own easiness or uneasiness of mind, doth wholly depend and turn upon this Point. As I do any thing which sets me one step forward in the way to Heaven, which I know assuredly from the Word of Truth (which shews and makes known the way of Life) as also from the approbation of mine own Conscience, being guided thereby; herein I rejoyce, and give God thanks on this behalf.

Again, It is unexpressible anguish and vexation of Soul, when any thing happens which turns me backward, or sets me out of the right way. Which again I know by the very same manner as I do the other, by its being against the Scriptures; as also, I find thereupon mine own thoughts accusing me, even a sensible Regret and Condemnation. Notwithstanding in this rejoyce not, that the Spirits are sub∣ject unto you, (which yet is a good cause of rejoycing, for those Spirits do very much lett, resist and hinder, in our doing the Will of God) but rather rejoyce, because your Names are written in Heaven, Luke 10 20. For by your Names being enrolled there, you are much more sure of

coming to Heaven from the Decree of God, than the Spi∣rits can possibly hinder. And so the same Reasoning is, Whatever your worldly Priviledges and Advantages are, whether thou hast Riches, or respect from Men, whether thou hast Wisdom; Beauty, Health, or whatever is now usually desir'd, or esteem'd by the Children of Men. In this rejoyce not, but rather rejoyce, because thou hast a well grounded Hope to go to Heaven, because the Promises do belong to thee, and thou art within the Covenant, and also to thee pertaineth the Adoption inasmuch as thou art so long a Son and Servant of God, as thou dost his Will, and obeyest his Commands. The Scripture doth make known the place of Heaven, and also the way which each one must walk in, if he would arrive at, and enter therein, viz. by keeping the Commandments of God, which are written and recorded in that same Book.

The People of old time, and of former Generations, did talk and preach of the things pertaining to the King∣dom of God, after the same manner as we do now. Such as were his Saints and Children did live by Faith, Hab. 2.4. and died in Faith; Not having received the Promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, Heb. 11.13. And even the ignorant and ungodly Multitude of former Generations, have also passed through the Door, or Gate and Entrance into the invisible World: I mean Death. And as the Devils believe and trem∣ble. And as the Souls of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, do at this Day live; so their Souls also live and exist, and they have a more clear knowledge and apprehension of the De∣cree of God concerning Mankind than they had, or we have in the days of our Flesh, so that in them who sin wilfully, what was formerly Ignorance or Unbelief, is now a cer∣tain fearful looking for of Judgment, and fiery Indigna∣tion, which shall devour them for having been God's Ad∣versaries. But such as in the Days of their Flesh were willing and obedient, they shall eat the good of the Land, Isa. 1.19. even of the new Heavens and new Earth, where Righteousness dwells. And as those who did refuse and re∣bel, shall have a certain fearful looking for of Judgment, so unto the Ʋpright there ariseth Light in the Darkness, even after they are passed the darkness of the shadow of Death, and they have a comfortable expectation of good things

to come. The Children of Men will then remember how that the Sinners, and Ungodly, and merry Men of the World, did in their life time receive their good things, that is, they received their Portion in this Life, Psal. 17.14. Because by them their Portion is fat, and their Meat plente∣ous, Hab. 1.16. And the Godly and Righteous received evil things, Persecutions, Afflictions, Poverty, but now they are comforted, and the others are tormented, Luke 16.25. As is the condition of those who are already gone off from the Stage of this Earth, so will ours be in a short time; they are dead, and we are dying.

As for my part I was young, and now am elderly, tho not old, and I am fearful and apprehensive every Week of tasting of this bitterness of Death. But I do yet more ex∣ceedingly fear and quake, lest my Soul should be shut un∣der Harches by Death, before I have a better and more as∣sured Hope whither it would go. As it is written, Gather not my Soul with Sinners, Psal. 26.9. So it is the continu∣ed Desire and Prayer of my Soul, as the same should be my utmost endeavour throughout this life. O Lord, our Cre∣ator, the Invisible One, when this Body must return to the Earth as it was, and the Spirit to God that gave it, O then do Thou not gather my Soul with the Sinners and Transgressors of former Generations. Which Prayer as I did write down, and lift up my Soul unto God for the same, it was thereupon immediately answered, directed, and dictated unto me, That if thou wouldest not have thy Soul gathered with the Sinners and Transgressors of former Ge∣nerations, then thou must be sure not to be one of their number; that is, thou must not be a Sinner and Transgres∣sor in that Generation wherein thou now livest. But this is my Request, and my coueting, and the thing that I long for, That the Lord would be pleased to bind up my Soul in the bundle of Life. Into thy Hands I commit my Spi∣rit, for Thou hast Redeemed me, O Lord God of Truth, that my Soul may be gathered up unto the Father of Spi∣rits; and that when I do depart, or decease from out of this Body, I may come unto Mount Sion, and to the City of the Living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innu∣merable Company of Angels, to the general Assembly and Church of the First-born, which are written in Heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the Spirits of Just Men made perfect.

My Flesh and my Heart faileth; but God is the strength of my Heart, and my Portion for ever, Psal. 73.26. It is cer∣tain that this Flesh doth fade as a Leaf, wax old like a Garment, and wither as a Stick, and it will not long hold the Soul in; and therefore against the time that this our Heart and our Flesh faileth (yea, our Heart faileth al∣ready, and before-hand at the thorough Thought and Ap∣prehension thereof). It must be our best and wisest, and most excellent way to have God for the Strength of our Heart, and for our Portion for ever. That against the time this Tenement of Clay fails, by mouldering and falling down into the Dust; He may take us unto his own Home, and receive us into Everlasting Mansions, which are in our Father's House. That as it is written, And ye shall go forth, and grow up as the Calves of the Stall, Mal. 4.2. So we may be fixed and seated in Stalls and Apartments of Glory. For the Lord's Portion is his People; Jacob is the lot of his Inheri∣tance; He found him in a desert Land, in the waste howling Wilderness, Deut. 32.9, 10. This last is just like our Con∣dition now here on Earth, where God finds and culls out such and such of the Sons and Daughters of Men (the Lord knoweth them that are his) as are his People, and Jacob for the lot of his Inheritance. Now a Lot takes some, and leaves others, even a few, and single ones from out of the Multitude: So of old time he took out Jacob for his peculiar People from the rest of Mankind. Now therefore if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then shall ye be a peculiar people unto me above all people, for all the earth is mine, Exod. 19.4. And so he doth at this day take out by Lot as it were his peculiar People from all Nations, Countrys, and Languages of Mankind, even only those who obey his Voice indeed, and keep his Covenant. Both the Voice & Covenant shew∣ed and manifested within them; as also what is written in Ink and Paper in the lively Oracles, the Book of the Lord, which we commonly call the Bible.

There is a very great deal said in the Old. Testament con∣cerning Heaven, Immortality, and Eternal Life; yea, much more then many People are aware of; for Heaven, Immor∣tality and Eternal Life are there couched and comprehend∣ed under all those several Expressions (which are repeated over innumerable times in the Books of Moses, the Psalms, and the Prophets,) The Lords portion is his people; the Lord,

the hope of their fathers, Jer. 50.7. Happy is that people whose God is the Lord, Psal. 144.15. Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God, Psal. 146.5. And by all such Phrases and Forms of Speech there, which the Holy Ghost makes use of, to shew that such of his Creatures as serve and obey him, they have also an Interest and Propriety in him. He is their God, or my God, or such like. In all these as under a Vail is contained Heaven, Im∣mortality, and Eternal Life. For there is a way of assu∣redly gathering and reasoning out of the Scriptures, to bring out such and such Truths, although they seem to speak nothing thereof in plain and express Words. Even so it is here, for by the same way of assuredly gathering and reasoning out of the Scriptures as is used in Heb. 11.16. He was not ashamed to be called their God, (so far goes the Text there cited out of the Old-Testament, but then saith the Reasoning by the Spirit further) for he hath prepared for them a City. From this very place we lay down and establish that grand Position and Affirmation, which is cer∣tainly true, That where-ever in the Old Testament God is said to be their God, therein is contained the Promise of Heaven, Immortality, and Eternal Life; this being that City which he hath prepared for them. And to make this Matter a little more plain and clear, the Reason hereof stands on this wise, He is not ashamed to be called their God, for he hath prepared for them a City. That is, They had Confi∣dence and Assurance that God would do somewhat more for his Servants than Temporal and present Mercies, for they were also common unto others: But as he is just and good, so he would make some Requital for Obedience, and for that Hardship and Inconvenience his Servants meet with from the World for his sake, which they did expect here∣after in another place, and that is Heaven; and also them∣selves should remain, or else be raised up again into a State capable to receive and partake of that great Good God had prepared for his Creatures, which must be by continu∣ing or giving them Life again. For they were sensibly bereaved of this present Life, and here they did not con∣tinue, by reason of Death: So that of Necessity therein must virtually be contained the Promise of Immortality and Eternal Life; and therefore Paul saith appositely and pertinently to the Matter here treated of, in Hope of Eter∣nal

Life, which God, that cannot lie promised before the World began; but hath in due time manifested his Word through preaching, Tit. 1.2. for discovery hath been made thereof by little and little. It was contained in those general Expressions afore-mentioned; the Lord their God, I am the God of Abra∣ham, Isaac, and Jacob, and such like. God was the same then, and his Decrees alike sure, although they were not so clearly made known unto Men. And therefore now it is called Hope, which entreth into that within the vail, Heb. 6.19. a better hope, Heb. 7.19. a lively hope, 1 Pet. 1.3. all in opposition to those faint Guesses, and imperfect Knowledge they had thereof under the Law. It is speak∣ing plainly under the Gospel, according to John 16.25. in opposition to those dark Speeches, which God spake by Moses, or those Parables and Proverbs, which he spake by his Servants, the Prophets. They under the Old-Testament Dispensation had but a dull and glimmering Prospect beyond the Earthly Canaan: But now the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ hath abolished Death, and hath brought Life and Immortality to light thro' the Gospel, 2 Tim. 1.10.

And tho in the Gospel it is spoken more plainly concern∣ing Heaven, Immortality, and Eternal Life, and also more suitable unto our Carnal Apprehensions, and Fleshly Mind, in describing it by the outward Representations of a Marri∣age Supper, Gold, Honour, Pleasure, Satisfaction, Blessed∣ness, and such like; yet there is also somewhat spoken of these things in the Old-Testament: But all that, and much more than all that, is comprehended under that one saying; The Lord our God, the Lord is my Portion for ever.

Perhaps the Hearer or Reader may expect, that now I am a discoursing of the Happiness of Heaven; here I should be unto thee as a very lovely Song of one that hath a pleasant Voice, and can play well on an Instrument, Ezek. 33.32. This being so very delightful a Subject; that if here thou canst not tickle the Ear, and please thy Auditory, thou never wilt.

But now suppose I should here use Ten Thousand Words in Rhetorical Flourishes, in the greatest Eloquency, and Wit of Man, with the most smooth Language, with the greatest Connexion, and Exactness of Stile, and all con∣cerning this best of Subjects, the Happiness or Joys of Hea∣ven; yet as it is said, That she who cast her two mites into the

treasury, cast in more than all they who gave of their abundance: So here it would be, there would be more said concerning Heaven in these four or five words only; the Lord my God, or the Lord is my Portion for ever. For all these are the Words which the Spirit did dictate, so that there is more contain'd in them than in five Millions of other Words con∣cerning it.

This will also further appear from this following signi∣ficancy and Reasoning, viz. If the Lord is our God, or if the Lord is my Strength, and my Portion for ever, thence it follows also of consequence, That all that Blessedness, Happiness, Goodness, Delight, Satisfaction and Immortali∣ty, which is in God the Everlasting Creator of the Ends of the Earth, (as it is all in him, which is any where in the World; for they are all but Rays and Emanations from this infinite Fountain of Life and Being;) I say, all these are communicated, and imparted forth, (even as far as the small Vessel is capable to receive brimfull, and running over) to such of his Creatures and People, to whom he is the Lord their God, and they are his Portion, and the Lot of his Inheritance, ••s they can reciprocally say, The Lord is my strength, and my portion for ever.

There is but one thing in the World which hinders all the reasonable Creatures on the Earth, from this Blessed∣ness and Union with their God, and that is Sin. . O accur∣sed thing! which we gather assuredly from what is writ∣ten; Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord, Acts 3.19. As the foregoing part of the Verse doth illustrate and shew that, so by the latter part of the Verse, the Holy Ghost doth signifie, that such of his Creatures as shall then be more nearly and im∣mediately in the Presence of God (where is fulness of Joy, and at whose Right Hand are Pleasures for evermore;) all Refreshing, Content, Satisfaction, yea, and Happiness doth arise from him; as Waters do flow from the Fountain, Light doth proceed from the Sun, or as Heat doth issue forth from Burning Fire to the things that are next unto it.

As on the foregoing part of our Being he is our Creator, and he is our Preserver in the mean while, who holds our Soul in Life all the time that it is in the Body; and after∣wards also he that first breathed into us the Breath of Life,

can, and also doth preserve it when it is gone forth: So in his being our Portion for ever, he will take Care of and do good for us in the time to come, and throughout the succeeding Eternity. Ʋnto God shall all flesh come, Ps. 65.2. that is, good and bad promiscuously to appear be∣fore him in judgment; but unto him shall the gathering of the People be, Gen. 49.10. This in a particular manner is meant of his own particular Elect, Redeemed and Chosen People, who in this Life, and on this Earth do gather, and make towards God by Faith and Obedience, by Love, Trust, and Adherence; and hereafter they shall flow back unto (as Rivers again to the Sea, from whence they did first arise) and be admitted into his immediate Presence to the nearest Communion, and closest Union with the God∣head himself. He will gather all Souls which are his, which he hath made, and which he hath redeemed, that is from Sin here, and from Death and the Devil hereafter, as nearly, and as closely to himself, as a Hen doth gather her Chickens under her Wings. It is somewhat too gross an Expression to say, that the Souls of the Righteous shall be incorporated with the Deity, for that denotes somewhat too material a Conception of such Spiritual and Immaterial things. But the Union will be as near, and as close as what is ingrafted into such a Stock, is near and close to the same stock, and it becomes as one, and the same with it. And the nations of them that be saved, shall walk in the light of it, Rev. 21.24. But this is not all; for further, they shall be one, and as it were the same with God himself. Holy Father keep thorough thine own Name those whom then hast given me, that they may be one as we are: And now I come to thee, that they may be all in one, as thou Father art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us, Joh. 17.11, 13, 21. This being one, and as it were the same with God, (who shall then be all in all, but the Creatures have and derive it from him by Union and participation) will be the high∣est and greatest, and only Happiness in Heaven. The Truth whereof may be hence understood, for God is a most happy Being: For he created all Happiness and Good, and he is comprehensive of all Happiness and Good; so that all Happiness and Good do reside and lodge in him, as in their Foundation Stock or Fountain; from whence do flow forth all Derivations and Emanations of Good and Happi∣ness;

So as when any one is nearer to the Sun, he is nearer to the Light and Heat; so the Nations and Persons of those who are saved, who are nearer to God, are also there∣by nearer to Good and Happiness. Himself in a peculiar and eminent manner is stiled the Blessed, Art thou Christ the Son of the Blessed, Mark 14.61. And as Christ himself doth promise, Where I am there shall my servant be; if any man serve me, him will my father honour, John 11.26. That they may be all one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee; that they also may be one in us. And the glory which thou gavest me, I have given them, that they may be one, even as we are one, John 17.22, 23. which Prayer of Christ is heard and granted; accordingly he elsewhere calls him, My Father and your Father, my God and your God, Joh. 20.17. By expressing of which, on this wise he shews himself to be the first born of many Brethren, that Christ in all things should have the Pre-eminence: But from all this put together, it may be most surely Argued and Rea∣soned, that if Christ be the Son of the blessed, then they that are Christ's, are the Sons of the Blessed; and accor∣dingly the Scripture doth elsewhere expresly averr the same, Behold, now are we the sons of God, 1 John 3.2. and if they are the Sons of the Blessed, then we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. This Reason∣ng out of the Scriptures is right preaching, for so did Paul reason out of the Scriptures concerning several things; and so are we allowed to bring out all those ma∣ny Truths, relating to the Kingdom of God, and man's Salvation. We know further that some of his blessed∣ness will be derived from him, and conveyed and commu∣nicated forth unto us. The least Drop or Ray whereof will then suffice us; for we are but little Beings, and that is of infinite Contentment and Satisfaction. As the Apo∣stle argues, Furthermore, we have Fathers of our Flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence, shall we not much rather be in subjection to the father of spirits, and live? for they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our Profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness, Heb. 12.9, 10. From which very last words I do reason, that if we may be partakers of his Holiness here (as this Text doth most plainly import, that we may) then assuredly we shall be partakers of this Happiness and Blessedness hereaf∣ter. From whence note, That the only way to Happiness

is by Holiness, because of what is said in this same Chap∣ter, Without holiness no man shall see the Lord, ver. 24. who have not Holiness here, that man or Woman will not have Happiness or Blessedness hereafter.

Concerning this future and everlasting Happiness of Bles∣sedness, many things do arise in the Mind which are hard to be uttered, and hard to be conceived. For since the be∣ginning of the World, Men have not heard non perceived by the heart, neither hath the Eye seen, O God, besides thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him, Isa. 64.4. (As we do this Day in this Ordinance of Hearing his word) or that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit. Which same Spirit spake by the Prophets, Christ and the Apostles, out of whose Words and Writings this same description of Heaven, and the Joys thereof, hath been brought forth.

And what shall I say more? where I begun and found it, there I must leave it. If I should multiply never so many Words, I cannot say more than what I have said already, That the whole of Heaven, and the Happiness thereof, is comprised in these very few Words, The Lord our God, the Lord is the strength of my heart, and my Portion for ever. Or in the Language of the Gospel. We (that is, only his Elect) shall ever be with the Lord, 1 Thess. 4.17. If you set aside these kind of Expressions, and then if you Read, or Hear never so much concerning Heaven; yet when you come there, you will affirm, as the Queen of Sbeba did of the Wisdom of Solomon, The one half was not told me. But if you once add and mention, The Lord shall be my Portion for ever: Or, We shall ever be with the Lord, therein the whole and utmost of Heaven was told unto thee before hand, and the Souls of such as shall be Saved, and admitted there, will make their return, As we have heard, so have we seen, in the City of the Lord, of Hosts, in the City of our God, God will Establish it for ever. Selah. Psal. 48.8.

When the Apostle Paul, in 1 Thes. 4. doth mention how we shall ever be with the Lord; He thereupon immediately annexes and subjoyns, Wherefore comfort (in the Marginal Reading, there it is exhort) One another with these Words. And as it is here said, God will establish it (that is, the City he hath prepared for his People, for ever Selah. So it is Meet and Right, that by the way of Retaliation and Com∣mon good Will, (Paul Calls it a Good Mind towards God)

this little while that we are in the way, that his Servants and their Seed should be established before him, in his Worship and Service, in finishing his Work and doing his Will. They should be settled, fixed and rooted herein.

Be thou faithful unto Death, and I will give thee a Crown of Life, Rev. 2.10. But he that shall endure unto the end the same shall be saved; Mat. 24.13. Hereby also People will be enabled in this World of Tryal and Temptation, to chuse rather to suffer affliction with the People of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the Re∣proaches of Christ greater Riches than the Treasures of Egypt. For he had respect unto the recompence of reward, Heb. 11.25, 26. So they will go through the course (of what is imagi∣ned the dulness, irksomness, and tediousness of a Religious Life, which indeed is real Peace and Satisfaction to the Heart of Man, to such who universally comply and conform unto it all along, although the World, and Strangers to this Joy, and also our fleshly corrupt Nature are apt to call it so) rather than to enjoy the outward Mirth, Recreations and Pleasures of Sin for a season, knowing that all the Re∣proaches and Inconveniencies which we meet withal, for holding and continuing in this our good way, are greater. Riches than the Treasures of the World, for we have respect unto the recompence of reward. Keep an Eye still to that, and this will prevent that we wax not weary in well do∣ing; for we shall reap, in due season, if we faint not. Whilest, let others do what they will, we do all along fol∣low, propose and endeavour after an end which is worthy, viz. To serve God here with all our Mind, Body, and E∣state that we may enjoy Him hereafter, and so ever be with the Lord, Amen.

Written by Richard Stafford

FINIS