Motives to holy living, or, Heads for meditation divided into consideratins, counsels, duties : together with some forms of devotion in litanies, collects, doxologies, &c.

§. 9.

2 The great reward of it for the future.

1. The happiness of the Souls of Saints immediately after Death. Exemplified, in the Soul of the H. Thief, accompanying the Soul of our Lord in Paradise the same day he suffered: In that of the H. Beggar, Lazarus, re∣ceiving in Abraham's bosome Consolations, for his former sufferings, in the life-time of Dives his Brethren, as the Parable represents it; wherein we may presume our Lord would hint to the people no mistaken Notions of the fu∣ture life. Who also elsewhere, opposing the Sadduces that denied Spirits, argues Abraham to live still at this present, because God after his death stiled himself his God. Again, Exemplified in the Souls of the Martyrs; who Rev. 6.9, 10, 11. —7.9.15. are clothed in white Robes and attending on the Lamb, till, the residue of the Saints their like sufferings for Christ being fulfilled, they should all at once resume, from present corruption, their bodies glorified. The same happiness of separated Souls instanced-in by St. Paul Heb. 12.23. where he numbers, standing in the Divine presence, amongst Angels the Souls also of just men consummate. Therefore our Lord,

commends his spirit into the hands of his Father: and, St. Stephen again, dying, recommends his into the hands of Jesus. And St. Peter 1. Ep. 3, 4. chap. consti∣tutes the hidden man of the heart, or the righteousness of the Soul, in that which is not corruptible. Lastly; this future happy State frequently represented in the joys, which holy Souls sometimes receive in this life, in the loss of the senses, and cessation of the animal-functions; and, particularly shewed, in that rapt of St. Paul into the third Heaven, and Paradise; and there receiving those unutterable Caresses: from whose doubting language [whether in, or out of the Body, I know not,] may be ga∣thered, that if his Soul did not, yet it might have visi∣ted those places, when it was separate from the Body. Which Apostle after this short experiment of those other blisses, pronounceth it much better to have this earthly tabernacle dissolved, so to put on another celestial, an house not made with hands, a building of God, eternal in the Heavens: and much better to be absent from the Body, so to be present with Christ. And St. Peter, using much what the same language, speaks of deposing his present tabernacle, or changing his habitation at his death. 2. Ep. 1.14. As also he makes mention of Souls in Prison, who were preached-to in the days of Noah. 1. Pet. 3.19.

2. The happiness of Soul and Body after the day of Judgment; where you may entertain your thoughts on such contemplations as these, promised in his word, who is faithful and true. The then renewed youth, vigor, beauty and agility of the Body: The purity of the Soul from all Sin: Our glorious Habitation Celestial: The most amiable Society of the Saints: Our vision and fa∣miliar acquaintance, and conversation, with Angels; and Spirits: One Holy Spirit, and an ardent, and mutual, love flaming in all: Christ our Spouse: God our Father:

All, Temples of the Holy Ghost, Members of Christ, Sons of God: The heavenly City and Temple: Kings, and Preists: White Robes, Crowns, and Palms: Harps, Songs, and Festi∣vals; Life, Rest, and Peace for ever and ever: Heu mihi, quia incolatus meus prolongatus est. Non sunt condignae passiones hujus Saeculi &c. Momentaneum hoc & leve Tribu∣lationis, quod in praesenti est, operatur immensum supra modum gloriae pondus in sublimitate.

3. The several Degrees, of Glory, and also of our Graces, and services, [i. e. our satisfaction, love, our praising, and glorifiing, God] nobler there, according to the several Degrees of our Service here.

4. Contemplation of the Reward, a great incourage∣ment to the work.

5. Contemplation of the many various Degrees, and heights thereof proportioned to our obedience, a great incouragement of an holy zeal to attain perfection in our Works.