The door of heaven opened and shut. Opened to the ready and prepared. Shut against the unready and unprepared. Or, A discourse concerning the absolute necessity of a timely preparation for a happy eternity. By John Fox Minister of the Gospel, and author of the discourse concerning time, & the end of time.

The DOOR OF HEAVEN Opened and Shut.

MATT. XXV. 1.

And they that were Ready went in with Him to the Marriage, and the Door was shut.

THE Things of greatest moment are by most men little believed, less consider|ed, till it be too late; That besides this present World, (which must have 〈◊〉〈◊〉 period) there is another World of in|ternal duration: And that according to our choise▪ life, and doing here will our doom and eternal ha|bitation be in the World to come; so that there is ••n indispensible Necessity to make ready for a bles|sed Life of Immortality. This grand Concern, the Parable of the ten Virgins warns and alarums as ••to. In which Parable are two parts▪

First, the Churches Preparation to meet Christ, called here The Bridegroom, from the first to the fifth ••se.

Secondly, the Bridegrooms coming forth to meet the••, from the fifth to the ••fth verse. The Text fall

under the second part. viz. The Bridegroomes coming to fetch home his Bride: O welcome day! The words serve as a Glass or bright Sun-beam, to represent the different estate of believers and unbelievers, wise and foolish Virgins, at Christs coming by Death or Judgement.

In which observe three things.

1. The preparation of the wise Virgins, They were ready.

2. Their Welcome and Admission to the Marriage, They went in with him, i e. into the Presence-Chamber of the King of Glory.

3. We have the doleful Rejection and Exclusion of the foolish Virgins, And the Door was shut.

The Doctrine that I shall Collect and Handle from the words is this, They and only such who are graciously qualified and prepared for Christ in this World, shall enjoy eternal Fellowship and Communion with Christ in the other World.

The greatest part of our happiness that we shall have in Heaven lies in this, That we shall be with Christ. Dost thou desire a better Countrey? viz. 〈…〉〈…〉 safe to Heaven: Keep thine eye ever upon thine end, and know that here life is gotten or lost to Eternity. Sinner, do not deceive thy self, to hope for Heaven, and do the work of Hell; if thou dost expect to go in with Christ, and enjoy God and glory hereafter, daily use the means, and go in the way to Heaven here. There is a congruity between the way and the end: They answer one another, as face an|swereth face in the water; or as the War and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Seal, the Voice and the Eco•••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 answer each 〈◊〉〈◊〉. If thy heart and Life cry ••eaven, Heaven, 〈…〉〈…〉▪ End or Death will 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Heaven; but if 〈…〉〈…〉 and Practice cry hell, hell, thine End like the E•• to the Voice will cry hell, hell. As men 〈◊〉〈◊〉

they drink, and receive wages according to their work; and as you sow you reap: the Harvest is the end of the World; they that were ready went in, not one more. Heaven consisteth partly in the fit|ness and preparation of the Soul and body for that blessed Society above. The Paradise of God would be a Prison, may I not say a hell, to the impious and unholy.

Sore eyes cannot behold the Sun without grief, Swine will not stay in the most pleasant Medows •• hence, no work so irksome as Christs, no time so uncomfortable and tedious to wicked men, as abi|ding under Christs wings in his Ordinances.

Before I proceed to speak to the several branches in the Doctrine, I must enter a Caveat or Caution.

First, this Meetness, Fitness, and Preparation for Heaven, is not to be understood in a way of Popish Purgation or Merits, viz. by Prayers, Acts of M••••ifi|cence, Almes, Pilgrimages, Penance, Purgatory, &c. The Reward is of Grace, not of Debt, or Desert, for all our Righteousnesses are but as filthy rags; and when we have done all we art but unprofitable Servants (saith our Sa|viour,) Isa. 64.6. Luke 17.10. Our good hope and everlasting consolation is through grace.

Secondly, the readiness is not to be understood▪ as if all that shall go to Heaven with Christ have an inherent, sinless, and personal Perfection; As Stars have their twinklings, and Diamonds their flaws, and the best Gold doth need some grain of al|lowance, so the most eminent Christians have their frailties and mixtures of corruption. Solomon chal|lengeth the whole world, when he saith▪ 〈…〉〈…〉 say I 〈◊〉〈◊〉 made my heart clean, I am pure from 〈…〉〈…〉 'Tis 〈◊〉〈◊〉 there is a generation pure in their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 yet, you are 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from their filthiness, Prov. 30, ••••. Such 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Pharisees, and some Perfectionists of this 〈◊〉〈◊〉; whereas the Life of the most holy Man in the World, is not as a Garden without we•••••• this is

reserved for Heaven. And if none die comfortably, or go in with Christ but those who have lived per|fectly, then every man must go out of the World with despair and terrour; for the failings of Gods People are more than their duties, their Corruptions more than their Graces: so that whoever goes to Heaven, must be beholding to the redeem|ing blood, and justifying righteousness of the Lord Jesus. This being premised, I shall proceed to the Explanation of the Doctrine, in which I shall observe this Order and Method.

First shew, That there is a Fitness and Preparedness in Believers for their future state of blessedness.

Secondly, That this Fitness is in the day and time of Life, not after Death.

Thirdly, What this Fitness for Christ & Heaven is.

Fourthly, I shall give the Reasons upon which all must prepare, and why none else must goe with Christ.

Fifthly, Improve all in several Uses.

SECT. I.

FIrst, That Believers are divinely qualified for their state of Blessedness; being a People made ready and prepared for the Lord, Luke 1.17. That those wise Virgins are fit and accounted worthy to go in with Christ, will appear three ways.

First, by their int••••••fecal Endowments and Qua|lifications, or what God hath done in them

Secondly, by the choice Epithites and Titles given to them.

Thirdly, their Priviledges and Regalities with which they are invested and ennobled.

First, their inward Frame and Constitution dot•• exceed the whole World. There is most rare, curi+ous and inimitable work of the Divine Spirit upon the souls of all that shall go in with Christ. ••|vers are his Workmanship; They are renewed in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Spirit of their mind, and have put on the new man, 〈◊〉〈◊〉

after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. They are holy Brethren, Partakers of the heavenly Calling, and a divine Nature, and transformed and changed from glory to glory into the same Image. They are said to be called to Glory and Vertue, and the life they live is cal|led the Life of God, and their conversation is said to be in Heaven, Eph 2.10. Eph 4.23, 24. Heb. 3.1. 2 Pet. 1.4. 2 Cor. 3.17.

Secondly, their Titles do speak their Fitness; They are called, the Children of the Bride-chamber, Children of the Kingdom, Children of the Resurrestion, Christs fair One, the Kings Daughter, Gods Jewels, his peculiar Treasure, his excellent Ones, such of whom the World is not worthy.

What is the chaff to the Wheat, or pebbles to Pearls, or clods of Earth to the bright Stars, or the children of hell to these earthly Angels. The Name of a Christian is a most honourable Name. Alexander thought himself happy that he might be named Achilles, and Caesar if he might be called Alexander. The Believers Name is of greater Renown. Solon was called the Wonder of Greece, and the Glory of the Greeks, but he was not to compare with the meanest Saint. Constantine and Valentinian, two famous Em|perours, called themselves Vassallos Christi, the Vassals of Christ; and Theodosius another Emperour professed, It was more honour to him, to be Membrum Ecclesiae quam Caput Imperii, a Member of the Church, than Head of the Empire.

Thirdly, their Priviledges also do evidence this Fitness, which are all Royal▪

First, they have a Royal Descent, and so the Sons and Daughters of the Lord God Almighty, My First-born, saith the Lord of Israel of his people. We read of the children of base men, viler than the Earth, Job 30.8. Jezabel is called a cursed woman, though a Kings Daughter. Nebuchadnezzar is called an abomi|nable branch, and Antiochus Epiphanes, a vile person.

Believers are of God, and born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of men, but from above, John 3.

Secondly, Moreover they have a Royal Spirit. Nebuchadnezzar told Daniel. In him was the Spirit of the holy Gods. Joshua and Caleb (that entred into the holy Land) were men of another spirit, Numb 14 24. This Spirit that fits them for Heaven is a holy Spi|rit, Rom. 1.4 A Spirit of Grace, a Spirit of Glory. 1 Pet 4 14 So called, because it comes from the God of Glory, and prepares them for Glory.

Thirdly, they have Royal Offices, and are em|ployed about Royal business They are Kings and Priests, whose Employment is Prayer & divine praise, Rev 1.6. Psal. 6 24. 1 Pet. 2.5, 9

Fourthly, they have Royal attendance, the glo|rious Angels; these Watchers who are great in strength, stand as Sentinels at their doors to protect their Persons, day and night while they live: And they must Convey their Souls thorough the Devils Territories safe to the Place of their everlasting habi|tation, after they are dead, Psal. 34 8 Heb. 1.14. Luke 16.22. If you are by Grace prepared for Glo|ry. God is your God, and this is your Guard.

Fifthly: they have a Royal Law, which is the Rule and Standard of their Obedience to God. Jam. 2. 8. The Writing was the Writing of God, who was both the Doctator and the Scribe, Exod. 32.16. where note, that the Scripture is the word of God, John 10 35.

Sixthly, they have Royal Apparel a Royal pre|sence, and belong to a Royal City: and when they go in with Christ, they shall be on the Throne Roy|al, and have the Crown-Royal.

It cannot be denied, but that they are set apart for God, and fitted for his Presence, Psal 4 3 God hath se•• as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the man that is godly for himself. Mire segre|gavit cum indicio excellentiae, (saith one upon the

Place) God hath gloriously, wonderfully, miracu|lously separated to himself the godly man. Here Note.

That we do not make our selves fit, or meet for Heaven, God must do it. Who can make his heart clean? we may wash the out-side of the Cup, God must cleanse that which is within, viz. the heart, from wickedness. I am the Lord that healeth thee.

Christians are made fit by Redemption, by Voca|tion, by Adoption, by Justification, by Sanctifica|tion.

This shall cause the godly to wonder at the Pow|er of Divine Grace. If a King cast his favour on a mean subject or slave, and prefer him to a great and honourable Office, yet he cannot change his na|ture, and give him fitness for that place: But God doth not only give a Kingdom to his Saints, but in|wardly adapt, and fit them for that Kingdom. And as none had right to the Land of Canaan but the Israe|lites, so none have right to Heaven but the Saints; (but of this more afterwards.)

SECT. II.

SEcondly, This Readiness is in the day and time of Life, not after death. Oh that thou hadst known in this thy day (said Christ to the Jews) the things that belong to thy peace. There is a time known and ap|pointed of God, after which they shall never repent and be converted, who have enjoyed and lived un|der the means of grace, and are not converted. 'Tis true, the eternal God is not limited to any term or means, but man is limited to time and means. Sin|ner, thou hast a great work to do, a long journey to go, and many and mighty adversaries to divert and hinder thee; thy Work is to prepare for Death and Judgment, which is very near; thy Voyage or Jour|ney is to the everlasting World, Provision must be

made while in the way. To apply this a little, and to quicken you to husband the precious Talent of Time in order to Eternity. I shall propose three things; First, consider how short and uncertain our being in the World is. Secondly, as life is short, so the continuance of the means of grace will not be long Thirdly, when gray hairs, old age, sick|ness, (Solomons evil day) comes, that is not so fit and proper a season to prepare for Heaven: First, re|member how short and uncertain thy being in the World is; Our life is but a vapour, Jam. 4 14. that soon appeareth and disappeareth, dispersed as soon as raised. 'Tis a little spot of time between two Eter|nities. One of the Ancients doubteth, whether to call it a dying life, or a living death: And if our life (which is a breathing death) had been less then a vapour, it had been nothing at all. The Psalmist describes Man as Grass, Psal. 90 In the Morning it flourisheth, in the Evening it is cut down, and withereth.

Man continueth but a very short time, his life is but a span long, or but a day long, like Jonah's Gourd, came up in a night, and perished in a night. The first step man sets upon the stage of this World, he is going out of the World. The Naturalists speak of a Fly they call Ephemeron, a creature of one day, which cometh forth in the Morning, is very active about Noon, but when the Sun declineth, it declineth too, and sets with the setting of the Sun.

Man is an Ephemeron, a creature of one day. The Ancient of days sets up our Glass in Heaven, there at is running, and we see not how it hastens to an end. Think, O devout soul, of the sugarity and swiftness of thy time here below, the Line and Lease of Life will quickly be out: It is but a point of time that we live, while we do but turn, Immor|tality is present. This present Life is but the

place of our Inn and Sepulchre; The Beginning of this Life is but the Exordium of Death, Vita hujus Principtum statim Mortis est Exordium We are carried every moment of time to the End of Time. Our Life is but but like one sailing; he who doth sail, whe|ther he stand or sit, whether he sleep, watch or walk, he is carried nearer the Port; may we not say with old Jacob, Gen 47.4 Few and evil have the days of the years of my life been: where we have his Ac|count cast up; God is the great Landlord of our time, the Lease is for life, not years but days, not many days but few. Life (said one) is a Rose which if we view in its growth the Cold nips it, the Heat wi|thers it, the Wind shakes it, be it never so fair it withers: Another saith, Life is a counterfeit, what if the Colours be fair, and the Resemblance near, the Shadows of Death, and the Curtains of the Grave will darken all; 'Tis a Play, We enter at our Birth, and Act all our Life, presently there is an Exit, or end, and away we go. One being asked what was Life, he shews himself a little, and hides himself again, his mean|ing was this. Our Life is but a little shew, no sooner are we seen, but immediately we are hid and gone. O sleepy and secure sinner, think of the certainty of Death, the danger of thy Soul, the nearness and length of Eternity, and the Neces|sity of preparing in a moment of time for an ever|lasting estate. Die and leave the World we must, in the Grave there is no work, after Death the Judgement, Heb. 9 27. Sin poisons the Arrow in the Quiver of the King of Terrours, and puts the Sythe into Deaths hand that cuts us down▪ Methinks Sins speaks to the several Generations of men whom Death hath conquered, as David to the Priest who had escaped Sauls bloody sword, I have been the occasion of all this. Sin and Death are coupled to|gether, Rom. 8 2.

Secondly, as Life is short, so the continuance

of the means of Grace will not be long. There are many faithful, able, painful Ministers have Preached their last; and an abundance, yea, mul|titudes of Sinners, time-losers, that have heard their last; and this will be my case and yours in a little time. The Prophets, do they live for ever?

We have but a little time to intreat and to treat with you about your Souls, to call, invite and per|swade you to come to Christ, and accept of mercy: and which Minister or Sermon shall be the last thou shalt hear, who can tell? There are six days, said the Master of the Synagogue, Luke 13. in which men ought to work, in them therefore come and be healed. We must seek the Lord while he may be found, Isa. 55 6 For behold now is the appointed time, now is the day of salvation. 2 Cor. 6.1. Moreover, as the Ministry and outward means is uncertain, so the time of the Spirits working with the Word is uncertain, My Spirit shall not always strive with man: The Spirit is compared to the Wind, who can tell when the Wind will blow, and how long it will continue its sweet gales to convey us to glory. The Door of grace is yet open to lost and undone sinners, who have slighted mercy. God did not deal so with the Angels that fell, they sinned, and the Lord cast them down, and shut the Gate of Glory upon them immediately. But the day for the things of thy peace is continued. Its said, the Devil is busie because his time is short, Rev. 12.12. And shall we be worse than the Devil: The time is short, 1 Cor. 7.27. The Angel will ere long swear by him that liveth that time shall be no more. You that are travel|ling towards Heaven must make haste, the Work|man that sets a time for his task, listens to the Clock, and counts the hours. We have a great task and a short time, redeem it in order to Eternity. This is Gods hour, and this is mine; what I do for my dear soul, what I lay up for Eternity must be now

done or never. O remember, its but an hour, but a day, and this will quickly pass away: In what anguish of soul, despair and torment, will many wish for those hours again: the loss of so many op|portunities for the gaining of Heaven, will be ••s so many drops of gall and poison in thy honey▪ it makes me weep, said one▪ when my Hour-Glass is beside me, to see every speck of sand to follow other so speedily; therefore the Apostle exhorts to Redeem time; I must work, said our dear Lord, while it is day, Joh. 9.4. Sinner, if Death should come, and find thee unready, thou art undone soul and body for ever.

The time of gray Hairs, old Age, Sickness, is not the fittest season to prepare for Heaven. When thou comest to a Bed of Languishing, and thy strength wasted, thy breath short, dost thou think to Cough-up. Lord have mercy upon my soul, and that will be sufficient to prepare thee for Christ, and bring thee to Heaven. Besides, it is almost a won|der to hear of any one converted to God at the last gasp, when men are ready to enter into the Gulf of Eternity. In the Word we have only in|stance of the Thief upon the Cross; but remember his Conversion was one of the Wonders of Christs Passion; when Christ was on the Cross, the Sun was darkned from the sixth hour to the ninth hour, the Vail of the Temple was rent in twain, the Earth did quake, the Rocks rent, the Graves opened, the Bodies of Saints which slept arose, and a notori|ous sinner was converted, all which is wonderful. Austin being sent to give his judgment of one that had delayed, and put off his repentance, returned this Answer, Non dico damnabitur, no•• dico salvabi|tur, I do not say he shall be damned, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not say he shall be saved, but repent while it is well; Life or Death, Salvation or Damnation, may depend upon this day. Tamerlain, when he had laid siege

to a City or Fort, first Erected a white Flag, there|by offering Peace; the second a Red, to signify blood; thirdly, he shewed them a black Engine, denoting devastation and destruction: The Holy Ghost saith, To day if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. There was one resolved to kill Julius Caesar such a day, the Night before a Friend sent him a Letter to acquaint him with it; but being at supper and busie, I will not look upon it now, (saith he) to morrow is a new day: The next day when he should have read the Letter he was stabbed. God sends thee a Letter, a Message from Heaven, To day hear his voice, to day repent and leave thy sins, or for ever to Hell.

SECT. III.

THirdly, Let us now enquire what this Prepara|ration to go in with Christ is. And I wish that all who read this Discourse may understand it, not only notionally, and speculatively, but also heartily and experimentally.

In answer to this third Particular, here is some|thing Negatively, and something Positively, and both in reference to believers and unbelievers.

Negatively, Preparation for Christ and Heaven, doth not lie or consist in any thing that is natural, or acquired by mans utmost industry. Let the Qualifications, Endowments, Improvements and Attainments of men be never so rare & excellent, while without supernatural regenerating Grace, they cannot be fit and prepared for immediate & eternal fellowship with God. To explicate this, take these four Particulars.

First, Readiness for Christ and Heaven doth not consist in being Virgins, i. e. Church Members,

and in having the specious leaves of Profession. There are more than a few who pretend to and profess the true Religion, that are carnal, rotten & false in that Religion: All in the visible Church, that are sealed with the Sign and Sacrament of Initiation, are not fit for Divine Communion. Ni|codemus was Circumcised, yet not fit for the King|dom of Heaven Judas was an Apostle & Preacher, but the Son of Perdition: Simon Magus was Bap|tized, and in the gall of Bitterness.

Many think, 'tis sufficient to save them, that they were born in England, and descended of Re|ligious or Protestant Parents, that they keep their Church, say their Prayers, receive the Lords Sup|per, and procure their absolution when dying; The unbelieving Jews gloried in their External Rites and Priviledges, crying out, The Temple of the Lord! And because they had their Priests and Sacrifices and could go up to Jerusalem to worship, they were (as they thought) the happiest people in the whole world. How many Atheists and Haters of God and Holiness, have been Baptized? Rest not here; for he is not a Jew that is one out|wardly, Rom. 2.28. Gal. 6.13. God calls the Cir|cumcised Israelites, Kine of Bashan, and the Children of the Ethiopian, An. 4.1, 7, 9.

Secondly, Neither doth it consist in trimming of Lamp••, i. e. in External Duties and Religious Acts, which to the view of the world may be splendid and very plausible. Bona opera non fa|ciunt bo••um ••irum, sed vir bonus facit opera bona•• Luther. Good works do not make a good man, but a good man makes good works Unregenarate men their services proceed from the same princi|ple that their sins do. The Tree must be good

before the fruit can be good▪ the outside of the cup or platter may be clean; men may hear the word gladly, so did Herod, and pray frequently, so did the Pharisees, and those Hypocrites Isa. 58. Men may receive the Lords Supper, so did Judas, and do much more, and yet be far from the King|dom of Heaven: Moreover, they may be exact in their Second Table Duties, wrong no man, be just and righteous, give unto Caesar the things that are Caesars, (so were some of the Heathen) and yet be strangers to God, the New Birth, Union & Communion with Christ, without which no man can be capacitated, and prepared for the Divine Presence.

Thirdly, Neither doth this readiness for Christ lie in being of such a party, and opinion, or in being hot and zealous for such modes and forms of Religion and Worship. A man may be Epis|copal, a Presbyterian, an Independent, an Anabap|tist, and a stranger to the Life and Power of Reli|gion. The Jews, High Priests, and Elders: The Scribes and Pharisees were zealous for Moses Law, the Custom and Traditions of their Fathers; but the worst Enemies Christ had. The Prelate of Rome sticks not to Impose on and Depose Princes, and their bloody deluded Vassals can murder and shed the blood of Protestants out of cruel religious Zeal.

Fourthly, Neither doth it lie in mental Illumi|nations and excellent rare Parts, Gifts, Common Grace, and good Opinion, and Approbation of the best, most serious and judicious men. A mans Mind and Intellectuals may be Adorned with rare Notions; he may be able to dispute most readily, accurately and profoundly about Theological

Principles; he may Pray and Preach like an An|gel, and be in high esteem in the Church; and yet have nothing in him to Intitle him to Christ, and prepare him for heaven. There is shining Dross and counterfeit Silver, which deceiveth many, as a Bristol-stone may shew and shine like a Diamond, and a Counter like a piece of Gold; the Picture of a man may be like a man, and Ar|tificial Flowers are as fair, and look like Natural Flowers; so Common Grace hath the resemblance of Saving Grace; so that some question whether it differs in Specie or Degrees only. There are partial and almost Christians, who seem to bid fair for Christ and Heaven, as Judas, Demas, and ma|ny others. And who can tell how high & emi|nent men may be in Office and Profession, how Sound and Orthodox in Judgment and Opinion, how deep in Conviction and Contrition, how re|gular in Conversation, how zealous and warm in Affection, how forward in Duties of Piety and Charity, and ready to Suffer, how lifted up with aiery tittillations of Joy, sips and tasts of comfort resulting from thoughts of Free Grace, and mis|applying the Promises, and the superficial transient Operations of the Spirit, and but have it with God, and fall short of Heaven: How much alike were these Virgins (to say nothing of their Agree|ment in number and name) they were all in So|ciety, they were all Asleep, they were all awake|ned & rowsed up, they all went to work & trim'd their Lamps, they all went out to meet the Bride-groom: & the Foolish came to the door with, Lord, Lord, open to us: If good words, and wishes, and, O let me die the Death of the Righteous, will save men, they would all go to Heaven. Many spin

small, and make Hypocrisy seem a good Web, & go through the Market as Saints among men; and yet steal quietly to Hell without Observation: So easie it is to deceive men, (said an Eminent Divine) 'Tis doleful to think, and see such Troops and Droves of prophane, ignorant, presumptuons men and women, go down merrily to Hell, with a Golden dream and hope of Heaven; Like the Fish that sport and play in Jor|dan, and then fall into the Dead Sea; like Haman that went chearfully to Hesters Banquet, not know|ing his life was the mark that she aim'd at: How many secure Souls asleep in sin go out of the World; and never Awake till they come to Hell?

Having spoken something in the Negative con|cerning this fitness and readiness for Christ. I proceed now to the Positive part of my Answer, wherein it doth consist.

1. There is an initial, or an habitual readiness for Heaven, and there is also a more actual fitness to go in with Christ.

As soon as a man is taken out of his Natural Soil, and the Seed of God is sown in his heart, he is habitually ready for his future Happiness. If a Believer should Die the first Day of his Con|version, he would certainly go to Heaven, witness the Thief upon the Cross. But truly there are many dear Children of God not actually prepared, because their Spiritual Estate is not so well settled. 'Tis a great Duty for all that are espoused to Christ, to be in a constant and continual readiness to meet Christ, and have immediate Communion with him: but sad experience proves it is not so. A Woman may be Espoused to another, and yet she may be sometimes not ready to meet him

her Ornaments may be off, and her soul Apparel on. To Resolve this I shall shew.

First, When the Christian is not Ready.

Secondly, When he is actually Ready.

First, When the Believers Soul, like Hezekiah's Sun, is gone some degrees backward, i. e. under re|markable declinings; And the best things in him are ready to die, viz. Grace, Inward Joy, Peace, Old Experiences, Godly Sorrow are ready to die. If the first warm, burning, flaming Love of the Espousals be lessened, and much abated towards Christ, so that the mans heart doth vigorously go forth after sensual Objects, and the Dead Child is put in the place of the Living Child; is he fit to go in with Christ? If Grace be under remarkable decays and witherings, and the Souls ••auty de|parted, can a man then welcome Christ? What cause have thousands to Cry out with the Prophet, My Leanness! My Leanness! Is it not Autumn or Winter in many a Soul? How little life and love have you, and much ado to maintain it. I heard a good Woman, in a despairing condition, complain of want of Natural Affection to her Hus|band and Children. And may we not with ho|ly Bradford, weep for want of love to our dearest Lord and embracing the bosom of a Stranger. If the Wives affection be withdrawn from her Hus|bands Person is she fit now to appear before him, when she hath no heart to receive him? There|fore strengthen the things that are ready to die, blow up the spark of love into a flame, and thou mayst say, Come, Lord Jesus.

Secondly, When the poor Christian, being un|der Desertion, is doubtful of his Eternal Condi|tion, and cannot tell what will be his place when he leaves the world, he is unfit. When thick

Mists surround us, and black Clouds cover us, the many sinking fears, jealousies and damping doubts about the love of Christ renders us Un|ready. This is the case of many a Soul who hath made choice of God to be his, and wonders at his love to him, yet is ready to speak as the Church, Zion said, The Lord hath forsaken me, my God hath forgotten me, Isa. 49.14. My Soul is cast down, saith David, within me, all his billows pass over me; hath God forgotten to be Gracious? I doubt my heart is not upright, that my foundation is not sound, that I shall be shut out of Heaven, saith the des|ponding Soul. Hezekiah, tho' he walked before God with a perfect heart, yet bitterly complain|ed that he was cut off. A very Holy and Learned Minister complains thus, I have often disputed, whether or no I knew any thing of Christianity, ex|cept the Letter of the Name.

The Woman in Mr, Bolton said, I have been the Mother of Nine Children, and have born them with as much Pain as most Women, yet I could be contented to bear the same Pain every Day, that I have endured with all my Children, to be assured of my Part in Christ. Another Cried out, He could be contented that his Body should burn in Hell a Thousand Years, so that he might be assured of the least Favour from God after|wards. And will you not pity me, saith Mrs. Drake, that must burn in Hell for ever? Sirs, in a time of Desertion, when God hides his Face, and Heaven is out of sight, the Child of Light walks in Dark|ness, the Soul is not ready. The thoughts of God are terrible. I remembred God, and was troubled, saith David, I sink, the deep waters are come into my Soul. The Arrows of the Almighty are within me, the Poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the Terrors of God do

set themselves in array against me, Job 6.4 O pity me my Friends, Job 19. Another walking in the Field (seeing a Fly) Cried out, This Fly comes Armed with the Wrath of God against me. Now when the trembling Soul apprehends it self to hang like an equal ballance between two Eterni|ties, and cannot tell whether he shall go up or down, live or die, be saved or damned; he is not fit to shoot the Gulf: This made David Pray, Psal. 39 ult. Spare me a little before I go hence and be no more.

Here Note, That there is a double Desperation, A Desperation of Infidelity, and, A Desperation of Ex|tremity; The former, viz. A total and perpetual Desperation, none of Gods Elect ones shall fall under: but the latter, the Desperation of Extremi|ty, (which doth cure their stupidity, and provoke and prompt them to the use of the means) they are obnoxious to: They are sometimes brought very low in their Souls. Luther, by reason of the trouble of his mind, wish'd he had never been a man. The Christian sits solitary as a Widow for|saken, his sighs are many, and his heart is faint, when God covers Himself with a Cloud. This made a Godly Woman dying (whose Evidences for Heaven could not be read) Pray, Lord, Let me not go to the Place where the Wicked are, for I never loved them in my Life.

Thirdly, After some sad Fall, and when a man is under some violent Temptation, on Passion, he is Unready. A Good Man may be under the power of some sudden, hot and sinful Passion, and assaulted with an hellish Temptation, he may be tempted to Curse and Blaspheme God, to Destroy himself; he may be bereaved of his Reason and

Understanding, and be ragingly Mad: Passi•• is the Law of the Soul, and brevis insania, a short Madness. Job and Jeremiah in their Passion, did both Curse the Day of their Birth; Jonas told God, He did well to be angry. Moreover, after a Christi|an hath fallen into some gross foul sin God may frown and write bitter things against him, fill his Conscience with terror, hang him over Hell, and threaten to remove him out of his sight: till he hath renewed his Repentance. A foul Fall doth so grieve the Spirit, that it may make God carry himself towards his as if he were an Enemy. God doth deal with his for their great Transgressions, as David with Absolom, who commanded him out of his sight, 2 Sam. 14.24 In this sad and deplo|rable Case, Evidences for Heaven are blurred, and all old Experiences of the Love and Favour of God are under Ground. David after his fall was as a Dead man, and Prayed, Cast me not away from thy presence, Psal. 51.11.

Fourthly, When a man hath Omitted known and commanded Duties, let down his Watch, and neglected his Lords Work: and falls a nodding, or into a Lethargy, (as these Virgins did) till roused up with the Cry of Midnight, he is not prepared to go in with Christ. If a Mans Conscience draweth up a black Bill of Indictment against him, for the neglect of the most weighty and important Duties, he is no more fit to meet Christ, than Adam after he had eaten the Forbid|den Fruit, or a Steward who had much betrusted him to improve for his Lords use, and let all sea|sons go wherein he might have Traded & G••in'd somewhat for him. How can he appear before him when no fair account may be seen; so the

Lord hath intrusted thee with many Talents, Grace, Parts, Time, Strength, Health, Means, &c. And you are not Lords but Stewards of all these▪ How can you with comfort and confidence stand before Christ, if that be neglected? O thus it is with many a Christian, who hath lost that vigour, zeal, activity and forwardness for the Work of God that once he had. Hence come those sad A|larms, stings & convictions of Conscience, shakings and sinkings of spirit under the sense of guilt.

And is not this the case of many Virgins? so that if Christ should arrest, and summon them by death, and call them to reddere rationem, give an Account, how many must Answer, Not ready Lord, my work is not done. O then betimes do your work, and set things right in your souls every day.

Secondly, When is a Christian actually ready?

Answ. A Christian is actually ready when he hath those rare and gracious qualifications of the wise Virgins, (viz.) his Vessel clean, and the Oyl in his Lamp and Vessel, i. e. The Spirit of Christ & the graces of the Spirit: which are called Rows of Jewels, Chains of Gold, and Rivers of Living Water. This is the Anointing, 1 Job. 2.27. That Oyl upon Aarons Head which ran down to the Skirts of his Garment: Christ the Head of Influ|ences (of whom Aaron was a Type) was Anoint|ed above his Fellows, and of his fulness Saints re|ceive grace for grace, John 1.

But more particularly,

First, When a Christian (being past from na|ture to grace) can prove by the Word that infal|lible truth, that he is in a state of Salvation, and hath therefore good hope, through grace, that his soul is safe.

When Noah was shut up in the Ark he was out of danger, and prepared for the deluge, and could not be drowned, &c.

When a Believer is gotten into Christ, he hath shot the Gulf, and cannot be damned, Rom. 8.1. If thine affection be espoused to the Lord Jesus, and divorced from all others, so that thou hast ac|cepted him for thine Husband, and given him thine heart, thou canst not fall short of heaven, or miss of going in with Christ. Sinner, do not count upon a Kingdom of Glory and eternal Sal|vation, without a sound Conversion. Read what Christ: spake to his own Disciples, Mat. 18 3. Verily I say unto you, except you be Converted you shall not en+ter into the Kingdom of Heaven: What more plain than the Doctrine Christ Preach'd to Nicodemus Except a man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of Heaven Joh. 3.3. Why then shouldst thou hope, and expect to enter into Life, who dost hide & har+bour Gods Enemies, and art yet in thy sin Christian, hath thy renewed heaven-born-soul th•• Impress of the Divine Image on it? Caesars Coi•• had Caesars Image? Is holiness to the Lord engra+ven upon thy heart? Hast thou that divine dr•• that can swim against the Stream of corrupt n••••ture? God is resolved that not one grain of savin•• Grace shall go to Hell: Certainly, thou art a ch••••sen Vessel and ready, when ever Christ shall •••• to go in with him to the Marriage. The rich of Glory are the inheritance of the Saints, and thou hast a mind to see the very Picture of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 invisible God, look upon a pious, humble, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 man: There is a resplendent beauty on the Be••••ver, no Son so much like a Father, no Daughter

like her Mother as the Saint is like God. What is brave Silken habit upon the body, Earings, Jew|els, upon the Neck, Plaited-Hair, Curls, Towers, Spots, and Paints on the face and forehead, to a Sanctified holy heart? The Church is glorious within, there is that in the Christian (viz. the new Creature) that can call God Father; Holiness is the Arms of heaven, the Harbinger of heaven; we may see the harvest of glory in the seed of grace. Grace is glory in its nonage, and glory is grace grown up to its perfect stature: The time cannot be long between a Christians Conversion and his Coronation.

Secondly, When a believer is gotten into the suburbs of Glory by Communion with God, and his heart is sincerely set to please and honor him; when it is thus, he may say with Jacob, this is no other but the house of God, and this is the Gate of Hea|ven. 'Tis real Acquaintance and Communion with Christ, and conformity to Christ, must make us ready. Canst thou take the greatest compla|cency in pleasing God, and say of it as the Mar|tyr, of his prison, This is better than any Pleasure, than any Paradise, I pronounce thee ready for the divine Presence. When a man hath a single eye to make Gods Glory his mark, and is sometimes taken into the mount of divine Communion he is certainly prepared for the vision & eternal frui|tion of God above. But on the contrary, if thou art a stranger to God, and unacquainted with Christ, and the fellowship of the Spirit, he will say to thee at the last day, as to the thready fool|ish Virgins, I know you not, Mat. 25.1••. What I shall say more to this question shall be in the Ap|plication.

SECT. IV.

THE fourth Branch of the Doctrine assigns, and shews the Reasons why those that are ready shall go in with Christ. Upon which the necessity of our pre|paring will plainly appear.

The Reasons respect God, the Lord Jesus Christ, the blessed Spirit, and Believers themselves.

The Reasons that respect God, are, 1. From the eternal purpose of God. 2. From the pure Love of God. 3. The sure Promise of God.

2. From Christ. 1. His Relation to them. 2. His Obligation to them. 3 His Prayer for them. 4 The Dignity and honour of Christ.

3. From the Spirit. 1. The Sanctification of the Spirit. 2. The habitation of the Spirit.

4. From Believers, and the right that they have to heaven. 1. They have a purchased right. 2. An hereditary right. 3. A right of fitness

1. This divine qualification of Saints for heaven is from the purpose of God, which is as unalterable as God himself. Immediate Communion with God in heaven is that happy and sublime End Believers are appointed unto, Faith, Repentance, and an innocent pious life of conformity to God, is the direct way and means to come to, and obtain that end. The way to the Temple of Honour, is through the Tem|ple of Vertue.

He that ascends the holy hill of God must have clean hands. Man by nature is in a corrupt and cursed State of Damnation: and not only disioyned from God, but Alienated from God, and there can be no fellowship without friendship. Man hates God in his heart, and two cannot walk together until the•• be Agreed, Amos 3. God and sin cannot be together if so, the Lapsed Peccant Angels might have stayed in Heaven: So then, that which cast them out mus••

needs keep us out. The best part of corrupt man is against God, his mind is enmity in the abstract, Rom. 8 7. which notes an exceeding excessive enmi|ty; and can there be any familiarity where there is this enmity? Moreover, they that do not prepare for Heaven do not mind Heaven, Rom. 8.5. All their thoughts, projects, designs, delights, do savour of the flesh; Light and Darkness, Fire and Water, Love and Enmity are not more contrary than our dispositions to God: Hence results our misery, to be at odds with our Maker; and can there be any thing more mon|strous, than for a creature to oppugn and hate his Creator? And if Absalom rise against his father Da|vid, no wonder he commands him home to his house. But who complains of this rooted enmity to God, which we have cause to bewail in tears of blood. The unholy say to God, Come not near us, stand by thy self. And 'tis no wonder if God say to them, Depart from me, ye Workers of Iniquity. But God hath ordain|ed all who shall go in with Christ to Heaven to be holy, Eph. 1.4. God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation, through the sanctification of the Spirit, 2 Thes. 2.13. 1 Pet 1.2.

Our effectual Calling, Conformity to the Image of his Son, Justification and Glorification is from Gods Purpose and Predestination, Rom 8.28, 29, 30. Holiness is, the beaten Road and High-way to our Fathers House: so that it will not consist with the purpose, honour and holiness of God to admit unholy Men to Heaven.

2. The prepared soul is infinitely and eternally belov'd of God, who hath put his Name in the Book of Life. No heart can conceive or tongue express how dear and precious these Jewels, i. e. holy Men and Women are to the God of Heaven. To every wise Virgin it may be said as to Daniel, A Man great|ly beloved, or as the Angel Gabriel said to the blessed Virgin Mary, Thou hast found favour with God, Dan. 10 11.

Luke 1.30. If a man were the Darling of all the An|gels, and a Favourite to all the Emperours, Kings and Noble Persons on the Earth; If all created Be|ings, viz Heaven, Earth, Sun, Moon and Stars, Fowls, Fishes, Beasts did love him, and rejoyce at his welfare. 'Tis nothing to the favour of God, to have a place in his heart: Gods Love was Davids life, In thy favour is life, and thy loving kindness is bet|ter than life, Psal. 63.3. Titus Vespasian was stiled Deliciae humani generis, the delight of Mankind: but the Believer is the Delight of God, his Jedidiah; Abraham was Gods Friend & Favourite, St. Paul wrote to all in Rome, beloved of God, Rom. 1.7. Christian, trace & follow the Chrystal stream of Divine Grace (which laid the foundation of thine eternal happiness) and thou shalt find it in the heart of God. But we are like men that look on the River Nilus, and gaze won|drously on the streams, remain still ignorant of the Head and Original from whence they issue, Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee; Thou hast loved them as thou hast lov|ed me, Isa. 43.4. John 17.23. And if it be a Curse to be unready, as those foolish Virgins, who were therefore shut out, it must needs be infinite mercy to be ready. The Apostle makes it the First-fruits of glory, to be ready: To be prepared unto glory is the glory of mercy. I know not which (saith a Divine) is the greatest love, to prepare for glory, or to bring into the actual possession of it. For Divine Grace so to Metamorphize and transform a Man, as to turn a Lion into a Lamb, Saul a bloody Persecutor into a zealous Preacher, a Devil into a Saint, to make of poisonous dross a vessel of Gold, and then to fill it with glory, is love with a witness, Luke 8.2. 1 Cor. 6.10.11. Augustine made one his servant that would have killed him. The great God hath made many such, Rom. 5.8. Col. 1.21. Mans heart while unregenerated is the worst part of him, Jer. 17.9.

For hardness 'tis as a stone, for darkness a dungeon, for filthiness a dunghill, for abominable wickedness and enmity to God an Epitome of Hell, so that Grace doth precede and prepare for Glory; The ground of all this, Thou hast loved them as thou hast loved me.

3. The promise of God, who will perform his truth to Jacob and his mercy to Abraham, Mic. 7. ult. The Promise hath the strength of God. God hath put all Covenant good for his Servants into Promises. The Promises are nothing else but a Deed of Gift Sealed with the Truth of God; God promised to bring his people out of Egypt into Canaan, and out of Babylon to Jerusalem, and he performed it: Heaven is not only a purchased possession, but a pro|mised possession, The Promises of the Word are ei|ther absolute or conditional of grace or to grace; To all the Believer is heir by vertue of his part in Christ, in whom all the Promises are Yea and Amen: The Promises of the new Covenant do point at the pre|pared soul, and they secure God and heaven to us. The Gospel promiseth Eternal Life to every one that Believes, John 16.36. God promised to be the Be|lievers God, to dwell in them, to walk in them, and that he will never, never, never leave them nor for|sake them, 2 Cor. 6.16. Heb. 13.5. Not one thing hath failed of all that the Lord your God hath spo|ken, said Joshua to the people, Josh. 23.14. God hath made a promise of a glorious Crown to him that perseveres in grace, Rev. 2.10. Mat. 24.13. Godli|ness hath the Promise of this life: and that which is to come; Christians, God that cannot lie, hath promised you heaven, whose Truth and Faithfulness Obliges him to the Performance.

THe next Ground and Reason is from Christ why prepared Souls shall go in with him to the Marriage.

1. His relation to them, which is very near. These ready Virgins are Christs Spouse, and must therefore go in with him to the Marriage. Christ the holy Head, and the Church the holy Bride are one, Heb. 2.11. John 17.23. He that is joy|ned to the Lord is one Spirit, 1 Cor. 6 17. They are the Lambs Wife. Christ calls Believers his Sister, his Spouse: And there is none so near by Consanguinity as a Sister, none so near by affinity as a Spouse. The Church is the Kings Daughter, and Married to the Kings Son: That which is between Christ and Believers is Mutual. 1. There is a mutual knowledg and acquaintance, I know my Sheep, and I am known of mine, Joh. 10.14. These have known me, saith Christ, John 17.25. 2. There is mutual interest and propriety, Cant. 2. 16 3. There is mutual love and affection, the Church is set on Christs heart, and Christ on the Believers heart. 4. There is mutual converse and intimacy. 5. Mutual resemblance and like|ness, they serve as a Glass to see each other. 6. There is mutual sympathy and com|passion. They being thus near and dear to each other, cannot be long a part. Christs heart in Heaven is so set upon his Militant Church on Earth, that he doth long for their company to com|fort & chear them: & this he will do in a little time, behold I come quickly, and my reward is with me.

2. Reas. Or ground is from his own Obliga|tion and Personal Promises, which will be accom|plished: Christ is the faithful and true witness, and must be as good as his word; he will sooner destroy and Annihilate the World than suffer any part of his Word or Promise to fail, Mat. 5. He told his Disciples, He went to Heaven to pre|pare

a place for them, and he hath taken up the possession of it in their behalf. This is so certain, that believers are said to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, Ephes. 2 6 He hath also promised to come again and receive them unto himself, John 14 3. Where I am (said our dear and blessed Lord) There shall my Servants be. Every holy man hath heaven and glory in the Promise of the Gospel: and that under Christs own Hand and Seal. And if with Peter ye desire to know what you shall have hereafter to requite all your services, and sufferings for Christ here. He will tell you, Mat. 19.27, 28. And Jesus said unto them, verily, I say unto you, that ye which have fol|lowed me in the regeneration, when the Son of Man shall sit in the Throne of his Glory, ye also shall sit upon Twelve Thrones.

3. Reas. Christs most excellent Mediatory Pray|er before his death, doth assure every Christian indeed that he should be with him. Christ the great Favourite of Heaven was always heard. God could never deny any request that ever Christ made. Father (said Christ) I know that thou bearest me always. I know (said Martha to Christ) Whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Joh. 11.22. Christians, for the joy of your hearts hear what your dear Lord pray••d for all his Elect. Father, I will that they whom thou hast given me be with me where I am, that they may behold my Glory. Now, there was the merit of his blood and passion went along with this Prayer, Joh. 17.24. I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do, said Christ to his Father, Joh. 17.4. Moreover, Jesus the great Advocate with the Father appears and pleads in heaven for the same thing every day,

and will, till all the Saints come safe to Glory. He ever liveth to make Intercession for us, Heb. 7. 25.

4. Reas. The honour and dignity of Christ calls for this readiness, who is the Prince of all the Kings of the Earth: the Unregenerated are with|out God, and none of Christ. His Servants you are whom ye obey, Rom. 6.16 Wicked men are the Devils Spouse, the men of the Earth are the Worlds Spouse. Justitiaries and the self Righte|ous are the Laws Spouse, and it would be a great dishonour for such to go in with Christ. Will any man invite or suffer Toads, Serpents, Vipers or Devils, to come and abide with him and Lodge in his bosom? Is it fit a man that is Le|prous, and hath Plague-Sores running on him, should come and stand in the Presence of a Prince? The Lepet under the Law, though a King, was to dwell alone, the strange Woman in Moses time was to have her Hair cut, and Nails pared before the was to come into the Congregation of Gods people, or be Admitted into the Church. Who among the Tents of the Uncircumcised can think of appearing before the Holy God, & not tremble? It was one of the Articles of High Treason brought in against Cardinal Woolsey, that he had a stinking Breath, and durst come into the Kings Presence. It will be a dishonour to Christ before Angels and Men in the Face of the whole World to own those for his, who have the Devils mark on them Sinner dost thou think to leap into Heaven, or come into the Presence of God whose Eyes are Pure, being cloathed with filthy Gar|ments? Rebeckah put on her Bracelets and Orna|ments, before she came to Isaac. Our Lord Jesus

would have the Chamber, and the Table Fur|nish'd, and made ready, where he and his Disci|ples met to eat the Passover. Preparation is ne|cessary when we come into the outward Court of Ordinances, much more when we are to enter into the Holy of Holies, viz. Heaven it self: Rehoboam did evil because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord, 2 Chron. 12.14

Soul, prepare to meet thy God in Glory, if thou hast any respect to his Honour, and thine Eter|nal Welfare. God your Father, Christians, hath infinite respect to the Dignity of his Son, and so must we. Severus never kept in his Court any ill disposed persons, and will God tolerate them in his Presence? Alexander the Great inviting Jonathan the High Priest to his Wedding, commanded that Jonathan should be cloathed in Purple, being to sit next to Alexander. It is a part of a Princes honour to have his Bride ready Atir'd to welcome and entertain him, when he shall return to her: She owes this honour to him, and he expects it from her: So the Lord Jesus deserves this honour of all his people to be in readiness for him. Sup|pose these Virgins had turn'd Harlots, and gone a Whoring from him till his very coming, and then had been taken in, what might the World think, doth he love the company of Harlots? Christian, if thy heart go a Whoring from God, after the World and Lusts, it is a disgrace to the Lord Je|sus: Whereas 'tis for the honour of this Great King at the time of Solemnizing the Marriage, for his Wife to make ready, Rev: 19.7 Be ye also ready, saith Christ.

THE third Ground respects the Spirit.

First, the Sanctification of the Spirit.

Secondly, The Habitation of the Spirit.

1. The Sanctification of the Spirit, which hath in|fused his whole Divine Nature through the holy soul of the Believer; and though a godly man is not Sanctified perfectly, yet he is Regenerated and Sanctified in every part, viz. Spirit, Soul and Body, 2 Cor. 5.17 1 Thes. 5.23. 2 Thes. 2.13. Saints are sanctified by the Holy Ghost, Rom 15.6 And must to Heaven, Tit. 3.5. Acts 26.18.

Secondly, the Habitation of the Spirit: God hath his upper house and his lower house, the highest Heavens and the lowest hearts: Hear a comfortable word from the Mouth of God, I will dwell among the Children of Israel, 1 King 6. 13. Believers are a Ha|bitation of God through the Spirit, Eph. 2. ult. The Heart of an unbeliever is the Devils house, Mat. 12.44. And he that hath the Purity of a Dove will not take up the Lodging of a Devil. And if the heart of a wicked man be a little Hell, the heart of a holy man is a little Heaven. The Believer hath Glory in him, Heaven in him, The Kingdom of Heaven is within you, (saith Christ) ye are the Temple of God, and the Spirit of God dwelleth in you, 1 Cor. 3.16. Origens father ('tis said) many times uncovered the breast of his son as he lay asleep, and kissed it, as the Tem|ple wherein the Holy Ghost had taken up his Resi|dence: Christians, stand and wonder at this mercy, and say as Elizabeth, Whence is it that the Mother of my Lord should come to me, or rather my Lord himself? Not many wise men after the flesh, not many Mighty, not many Noble are called, 1 Cor. 1.26. Under the Law the Lion and the Eagle were passed by, and the Lamb and the Dove were chosen. That God should come over the heads of Kings and Queens to visit thee▪ O wonderful Condescention that God should dwell

with us (said a serious Person) who have not a hole to put our heads in! Thus it is, God hath taken up his residence in many a little house: The pre|pared soul may say of the presence of the Living and true God, as one said of his Idols (who dwelt in a little Cottage) The gods are here with me. But will God in very deed dwell with men on Earth (saith Solo|mon) 2 Chron. 6.18. Yea, God by his Word and Spi|rit doth dwell with men on Earth, 2 Cor. 6.16 Where God hath recorded his Name, he hath promised to meet his people, and bless them, Exod. 20.24. The Saints who are pure in heart see his out-goings in the Sanctuary. The King is held in his Galleries, Cant. 7.5. And they who meet God and Christ in his low|er Galleries of Ordinances, shall ere long meet him in the upper Gallery of glory. For this we groan ear|nestly, desiring to be cloathed upon with our House, which is from Heaven, 2 Cor. 5.2.

THe fourth Ground respects Gods people, to|gether with the Place into which they are to go with Christ. Those that are prepared by Grace, have an absolute and unquestionable right to the Kingdom of glory, into which no unclean thing shall ever enter. Believers who are holy in heart and life have a threefold right to Heaven.

First, they have a purchased right, and that by the blood of God. The heavenly Inheritance of Gods prepared people is bought with a price, so that what the great Surety, and Captain of our Salvation hath purchased, Gods people shall actually possess: this is most certain, Acts 20.28. 1 Cor. 6.20. Eph. 1.14.

Secondly, they have an hereditary right to Hea|ven, being of the blood-royal, and born to the King|dom, They are not of the world, as I am not of the world; He that it born in mine house, said Abraham, is mine heir: every Believer is as Isaac, a son indeed, an heir of sal|vation,

Rom. 1.14. And they have all the right of Inheritance. Christians, you are all the Children of God, and heirs, and Joynt-heirs with Christ, Rom. 8. 17. This should affect your hearts with infinite de|light. The Kingdom wherein Augustus the Empe|rour most delighted was that which he had by In|heritance.

Thirdly, They have an aptitudinary right, viz. a right by way of fitness, and this is in the Text, Those that were ready went in with him to the Marriage. The Presence of God and Angels doth not become the unclean: Let mens Pretences and Profession be never so fair, without grace there is no glory: The Rhodians and the Lydians had a Law, That those sons which followed not their Fathers in vertue, but lived vi|tiously, should be disinherited. Without are Dogs, saith St. John, Rev. 22.15. The Irish Air will not brook a Toad or Serpent to breathe in it, much less will Hea|ven suffer wicked men to live there. Those that will not, cannot please God, are unfit to appear in his Presence. Plants and Trees may associate and converse with beasts, and beasts with men, assoon as man with God in Heaven, till they be holy: but be|lievers do please and honour God, and make it their business to do his Will, They have kept thy Word, I am glorified in them, saith Christ, John 17. And them that honour me will I honour, 1 Sam. 2.30. The well-doers must receive the commendation of Well done, They that have done good shall come forth to the Resurrection of life, John 5.29. Blessed are they that do his Com|mandments, that they may have right to the Tree of Life, and may enter in thorow the Gate into the City, Rev. 22.14.

To conclude, all Gods prepared people have now the right of propriety to Heaven, and when they die they shall have right of possession, This day thou shalt be with me in Paradise, Luke 23.43. This is that the Saints on Earth breathe and pant after, Phil. 1••.23. I desire to be dissolved, and to be with Christ, which is best of me.

SECT. V.

* 1.1MUst none go in with Christ but prepared souls, and are Gods people ready to go?

1. Then Divine Grace in the Saints is wonderfully efficacious. The best of us (like Joshua before the Angel) are clothed with polluted garments, and too much unready. Now to adorn and beautifie souls stained and fullied within (in whom there is the filthiness of the flesh and spirit, viz. an universal de|filement) is the highest evidence of the Power and Vertue of the glorious Grace of God When a Mans heart is moulded and fashioned for God the Divine Spirit (like the Sword of the Lord and Gideon) doth great things, He that hath wrought us for the self-same thing is God, (saith Paul) 2 Cor. 5.5 Thine Hands have made me and fashioned me, (saith David) I will praise thee, for I am fearfully & wonderfully made, marvellous are thy Works, I am curiously wrought. If David wondred at the Wisdom, Power and Goodness of God in his well-formed comely body, consisting of such various parts and members, how should we stand and wonder at the transforming and renewing mans soul after the Image of God. The Law was written on the two Tables with the Finger of God, and this upon the hid|den man of the heart, is also the Lords Work, and mar|vellous in our eyes. The Work in the Tabernacle and Temple was rare and curious, but yet not to compare with this of the Holy Ghost; It shall be said of Jacob and Israel, what hath God wrought. We are his workmanship, Eph. 2.10. In the great House of God the Church, all are not Vessels of Gold, and prepared for glory. But we may know what Vessels are for special use, by their metal and curious en|graving on them. Sinner, if thine eyes were open, thou mightest see Heaven, God and Glory engraves upon every such vessel of mercy. Moreover, this

supernatural grace in the heart is not a dead habit, but a living spring, which prompts men to duty, 1 Cor. 15 10.

SEcondly, Faithful Ministers (who are Workers together with God, and watch for mens souls) must vehemently urge the necessity of Faith, Repen|tance and Holiness, without which none are ready, or can possibly be saved; There is a spiritual Le|thargy seiz'd upon the Christian World: they all slumbred and slept. How stirring in our Ministry must we be to awaken men out of this stupor and security, and to fit them for Heaven. The Scrip|ture hath its sting, and its honey; there is Mount E|bal and Mount Gerizim, the Rod as well as the Man|nah; the Arrow of Repentance must be levelled at the heart, and we should deliver the whole Councel of God. The Word that I shall speak, that thou shalt speak, said the Angel to Balaam, Numb. 22.35. Christs Embassadors have their Authority and Commission from God & his Word, & therefore they must be plain, particular and piercing in their Preaching, otherwise the blood of never-dying souls will lie at their door: The Word of God like a well-drawn Picture, looks right upon every one: and what we find in Sacred Writ we must preach, please or displease. Is not this written in the New Testament, that he that believes shall be saved, and he that believes not shall be damned, Mark 16.16. He that believeth not shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him, John 3. last. Men must be turned from darkness to light, from the Power of Satan to God (which is the chief end of Preaching) before they can receive the Inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in Christ, Acts 26.18. You must turn or die, repent or perish, be in tears or flames, be holy or never see Gods Face in Glory, Luke 13.5 Heb 12.14. Happy are they that live

under a Ministry who have will and skill to prepare souls for Heaven. Particular Preaching is penetra|ting and profitable, 2 Sam. 12.7. Acts 2.36, 37. Gene|ral Preaching (said a worthy Divine) is deceitful and deluding Preaching. He that Preacheth to every one preacheth to no one, (saith a learned Doctor.) 'Tis like a loaf of bread set before a Company of little Children, said Mr. Hildersham. Universaliae non operantur King James said of a Reverend Prelate of this Land, Me|thinks this man Preacheth of death, as if death were at my back. John the Baptist, who went before Christ in the spirit and power of Elias to make ready a people prepared for the Lord, was called a Crier: and how severe and strict was he in his Doctrine and Life?

Sinners asleep upon the Mouth of Hell must be awakened, as it were with the voice of thunder. If a Traveller passing through a Town in the dead of the night, saw a house burning; Would he whisper out Fire, Fire? no but cry Fire, Fire, Fire, with a loud voice. 'Tis the Cry at Midnight that must awake the slumbring Virgins, and nothing else; Jonah must cry in the streets of Nineveh, and Jeremy must cry in the streets of Jerusalem. But what must we say or cry to the secure World? Mercy, Pardon, Peace, Salvation, Heaven? No, Fire, Fire, Hell, Hell, Damnation, eternal Wrath and Vengeance, without speedy and Hearty repentance to God: this is the Plough and Harrow of the Law, that must go deep and break the fallow ground, and turn up the Turf upon the Sinners impenient obdurate heart. John the Baptist, and Jesus began their Ministry with the doctrine of repentance, Mat. 3.8.4.17. Sound|ness, sincerity, zeal, perspicuity and impartiality in the distribution of the Word, is ordinarily blest of God, to make ready a people prepared for him. So did the holy Man preach who was called the Hea|ven-driver. Our errand and business is the same

with John the Baptist, to perswade and woo for Christ, and when we have gained Mens consent, and espoused them to Christ, our work is half done. Ministers are Gods Builders, Men must be fitted for the Building: The Stones in the Temple were not rude and unpolish'd Stones, but hewed, squar'd and made ready, so also were the Utensils of the Tabernacle, the Gold, Silver, Brass, and carved Tim|ber. There are no dead and durty stones fit for Gods great House above, They that were ready went in with him, &c.

Sinner, is thy state hopeful, who cannot, will not live a life of holiness; It may be thou hast the face, profession, and form of Godliness, so had the foolish Virgins, so had the Pastor and Members of the Church in Sardis, Rev. 3, 1. There are also many that have not so much as the bark or form of Religion, and hate the life and power of it. Canst thou mock, and scoff at a vertuous pious life, and think thy self un|done to part with thy lusts, and give thy heart to God, and yet hope well? If Christ doth not reign in thine heart, and make it holy, thou canst have no hope here, nor Heaven hereafter; Command (saith God) that every Leper be put out of the Camp, Numb. 5.2. Heaven, that Crown of Righteousness is called The Inheritance of the Saints. The Crown of heavenly glory will not suit with, or be set on a Lepers head, Col. 1.12. 2 Tim. 4.8.

THirdly, If none shall go in with Christ but those which are ready, but a few then com|paratively of this great World shall be Saved, and enter into Glory. God hath said it, whose Word must stand. 'Tis but one of a City, and two of a Family, Jer. 3 14 There is but a handful ready for Heaven, but Millions of men unready. How

few of the six hundred thousand that came out of Egypt entred into the Promised Land? Look into the broad way to death, and hell, and see what Troops and Droves of men and women are there, and how few there be in the narrow way: No wonder you hear the Apostle say, Tho' Israel be as the Sand of the Sea, but a Remnant shall be saved. And who can read, and hear this, and not be astonished? Are there not Multitudes, Thousands, and Ten Thousands that have the Image of Hell on them, and ready to drop into Eternal Flames, and will you not believe it? Separate the Wheat from, the Tares, the Swine from the Sheep, the Precious from the Vile, viz. all Prophane persons, all Hy|pocrites, and it will appear. What thoughts of heart, fear & trembling, should this cause in every place and among all people? When Christ told his Friends, the Elect, Tender-hearted Disciples, there was but one bad among them, they were all afraid. What cares, fears, jealousies should we have about our Souls? All that concerns the soul is weighty, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. The evil of the soul is an Eternal evil, and the good of the soul is an Eternal good: Where then is your caution, and solicitude about this soul affair? If the Soul miscarry and is lost, all goes with it, Mat. 16.26 What will it profit a man, to gain the whole World, and to lose his own Soul? Christian, dost thou not see many set out in the Race, that fall short, and lose the Crown? and shall we not serve the Lord with fear? 1 Cor. 9 24. Psal. 2 11. Heb. 4 1. Many shall seek to enter in at the Gate of Glory, and shall not be able, therefore strive, and strive as in an agony, as for thy life, to pass the strait Gate, Luk. 13.24 Many are Called, few

Converted. The Children of the Kingdom shall he cast out, (said Christ) Oh, how sad is this! Mat. 8 12 Be not deceived, the heart is a great deep, very deceitful, a most accurate Impostor. Grace is a Mystery, the Old Serpent is subtil and very busie, and Pirate-like, sets forth his false Colours, and transforms himself into an Angel of Light. There|fore take thine heart with thee in Private, and search and try thy state, and compare thy Heart and Life by the Word, that thou mayst find whether thou art ready, Isa. 28.20. 2 Cor. 13.5. Gal. 6.4

FOurthly, If those that are ready shall go in with Christ, then Gods dear Saints should not fear Death, but rather desire it. Those that are fit to die, need not fear to die. Death is yours, (saith St. Paul to Believers) which tho' it dissolve the Union between the Soul and Body, it cannot part God and his People. 'Tis more facil and easie to dry up the vast Ocean, or to separate Light and Heat from the Sun, than to separate Christ from his Church, Rom. 8.35. God saith, They are his, my Portion my Jewels, not one of which shall be lost. All Gods holy Ones shall come safe to their Fathers House. Their Names are written in Heaven, their Head & Husband is in Heaven, John 14 2. And as St. Paul affirmeth, That Saints sit there, Eph. 2.6. The Righteous, said St. Peter, are scarcely Saved, 1 Pet. 4.18. But truly saved. Where|as they that are but almost saved, are never saved. A thing done with difficulty is done; it was with difficulty and danger the Israelites got into the Land of Canaan, with danger Paul and his com|pany

got safe to shore, and tho' they were in great Peril, not one perished. A Babe in Christ is built upon a Rock, and a Child in the Ark had been as safe as a Giant. Heaven and Happiness is not in our hands, but in the hands of One mighty to save. None can pluck them out of my Fathers hands, underneath are everlasting Arms. Who can be too hard for Omnipotency, or fetch a Be|liever out of Gods Hand? The Covenant of Grace is an Everlasting Covenant, and shall stand fast. Death and the Grave could not dissolve the Hypostatical Union of Christ, He took his humane Body never to be separated from it; so also his Mystical Body. 'Tis true, Death and Dooms|day must be very terrible to Vessels of Wrath, fitted to Destruction, God, Christ, Scripture, and Conscience are against them, and all their Hea|ven is here, Luke 16. Psal. 17.14 The Malefactor must needs fear the coming & face of the Judge: When Paul reason'd of Judgment, Felix trembled, and cause enough, Acts 24.26 But lift up your Heads and Rejoice, saith Christ: Haste, my Beloved, Haste. Amen. So come Lord Jesus. When the Bride is attired, and her beautiful Ornaments about her, she expecteth the coming of the Bridegroom; and when he comes his Reward is with him: The Martyr could say, 'Tis well for the present (who had the First fruits of Glory) and it would be better. Your sorrow (said Christ) to his disconsolate Disciples, shall be turned into joy, I will not leave you, I will see you again. Say then, Welcome Death, who must carry me home: The beloved Wife doth not fear, when abroad, to come to her Husband, nor the dutiful Child to his indulgent Father: Christ called his Death, A going to his

Father: Who died to bring many Sons to Glory. A Godly Gentlewoman had made Death so fami|liar to her (by conversing with it, and preparing for it) that she did look upon it as her Fathers Servant sent to fetch her home, from School, Death doth the Saints more good than all Ordi|nances or Afflictions, it brings into fellowship with Christ quickly, immediately, eternally; the certainty of all Believers coming to Heaven, was Typified in the Israelites passing over the Red-Sea, not one was Drowned, neither was one Egyptian Saved. To note, that all wicked men will be Damned. The men of the world have a short Heaven, and all in hand; but the Christians best is yet behind. In this strange Land, Gods Peo|ple are not known, being as Princes out of their own Countrey; But when Christ who is our life shall appear, we shall be like him, and see him as he is, 1 John 3.2.

FIfthly, It greatly concerns all while they have time and means, to make ready for Eternity, Two things argues an excellent spirit and great wisdom.

• 1. To see Evils afar off.
• 2. To see Time and Opportunity when it is near.

First, To see Evils afar off, especially Soul-evils, an Eternal loss; A prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself. Secure sinner, look forward, and see what is before thee, or over thine head, viz. a cloud big|ger than a mans hand, yea, a storm in the clouds▪ which Noah saw a hundred and twenty Years before it came. The threatning Word, like Lightning, hath ••••asht in thine eyes, expect a Clack and Thunder-bolt of Divine Wrath shortly to follow. The Lord will

come with Fire, to render his anger with fury, and his rebukes with flames of Fire. The day cometh that shall burn as an Oven, and all that do wickedly shall be stubble, Isa. 66 15. Mal. 4.1. The Coming of the Lord draweth near. James 5.8. Behold the Judge standeth before the door; the year of vengeance and day of recom|pence is at hand; He hath appointed a day in which he will judge the World in Righteousness, Act. 17.31. He that shall come, will come, and will not tarry, Heb. 10.37. The day of the Lord so cometh as a Thief in the night, and when they shall say Peace and Safety, sudden destruction cometh upon them, and they shall not escape, 1 Thes 5. 13.

Secondly, To see time, and opportunity when it is near, for every thing is beautiful in its Season: God hath joyned Time and Duty together, so must we. Hear what advice wise Solomon giveth us for our future welfare, Eccl. 9.10. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might, for there is no Work, nor Device, nor Wisdom, nor Knowledge, in the Grave, whither thou goest. When thy breath is gone nothing can be done; what we leave undone here will be undone for ever: There is no coming back into the World to act another part, to live a Second life, to mend our work: For as the Tree falleth so it lieth; after death there is no means, no Ministry, no mercy, no duty: It will then be Impossible to re|pent, the date of Gods long suffering will be out, and the day of grace over, and no patience, no pity, no pardon on Gods part: There is no heaven to be found in hell, nor one drop of water to cool the tongue. Then fear, and seek the Lord, and secure your Souls while he may be found, Isa. 55.6. Go now to the Fountain of Divine Grace, and fill and furnish your hearts with oil, or it will be too late to buy in a little time. 'Tis sad & doleful to think how poor Sinners will cry out for oil and grace, pity and pardon when it is too late, Give us of your Oil, for our Lamps are gone out, (saith the foolish Virgins.)

Is it nothing, Sinner, to slight an offered Saviour, will it not be bitterness in the latter end? This is the Condemnation, for how shall we escape if we neglest so great Salvation? Heb. 2.3 Now, or never; the Holy God saith, To Day, and Christ saith, He is at the Door, Rev. 3.20 Will you open to him, or keep the door of your Hearts shut? What, shut out, and put off a Christ, a Christ, who is worth infinite Worlds? God; forbid. Say in the words of the Psalmist, Be ye lifted up ye everlasting Doors, and the King of Glory shall come in, Psal. 24, 7, 9 Sinner, remember this, if thou dost Bar and Bolt thy Door against Christ now, there will be two other Doors shut in a little time.

First, the Door of Heaven, the Gate of Mercy and Glory, to keep all out that are out

Secondly, The Gate of Hell will be shut to keep all in that are in. When Noah that righteous man was shut up in the Ark, there was no Entrance for any more, all without were left to the deluge, and lost. It's dreadful to the Malefactor, when the Gaoler turns the Key upon him, and leaves him in his Bolts and close Prison. If it went so near Moses his heart to be shut out of Canaan, how wilt thou bear the shutting out of Heaven? There was a doleful Out-cry, when the Earth closed her Mouth, and Korah and his company went down. O what a hideous shreck and cry will men make when the Mouth of Hell shall be shut upon Sinners for ever, for ever.

SIxthly, Believers should highly esteem and heartily Love one another, being to go in to|gether. Christians, Love is of God, and Christs new Commandment; And let me tell you, Saints have the greatest Obligation to Love.

First, You are everlastingly and equally belove•• of one God and Father, and are given to one 〈◊〉〈◊〉

Redeemer, to whom your hearts are joyned as your Head and Husband. You are renewed and sanctified by one most holy Spirit, whose mark is set upon you all; You are going to Jerusalem that is above, towards which your faces are, being Fellow-Citizens with the Saints and Houshold of God. And when your War|fare and Peregrination is ended, you shall begin with Christ, and meet in an everlasting Habitation. Bre|thren, and Beloved, will you not love them whom not only the great and good God, but great and good men have loved. The Righteous is more excellent than his Neighbour; and such were Davids excellent ones, and his companions, Psal. 16.3. and 119.63. 'Tis a Character of a Citizen of Zion to contemn a vile person, but he honoureth them that fear the Lord, Psal 15.4. And by this we know, said the beloved Dis|ciple, that we are passed from Death to life. 'Tis storied of an ancient King who made a Feast, and invited a company of poor Christians, and he bade his Nobles also. Now when the Nobles came, he set them in his Hall; when the Christians came, he had them up into his Presence-Chamber: One ask'd him the Rea|son; He answered, I do not this as I am their King here, for I respect you more than them: but as I am King of another World, I must needs honour them, because God doth most honour them, and they be Kings and Princes with me. Moreover, 'tis said, that Constantine the Great, kept many Godly Ministers about him, and tho' they were but meanly habited, he not considering their out|side, but honouring the Image of God in them, set them at his Table, and took them with him whithe•• soever he went. Maud the Wife to Henry the First, King of England, to shew her Piety, did wash, dress, wipe and kiss the Ulcers, Sores and Feet of poor peo|ple; which her Brother seeing and disliking, said, If the King your Husband knew this, you should never kiss his 〈◊〉〈◊〉; She replied, The Feet of the King of Heaven are to be preferred before the Lips of a King 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Lar••h. Mr.

John Fox that wrote our Book of Martyrs, being asked (upon his return into England, after the Death of Queen Mary) whether he did remember such poor Christians of his former acquaintance? Answered, I forget Lords and Ladies to remember them:

SEventhly, See the Reason why Gods People (be|ing in the pursuit of Christ and Heaven) are & must be very Serious, Diligent and Constant in holy Performances. Davids soul longed for Gods Courts, to see his Power and his Glory in his Sanctuary, Psal. ••3. 2. Christian, art resolved to secure thy Soul, and make sure for Heaven, go to the Ordinances of God as Christs Mother went into the Temple to find her Son, Divine Ordinances are the ways and walks of the Lord in which the Spirit works: The Bed where|in Christ and the Spouse meet and solace themselves. Here the North and South-wind blow upon Christs Garden, and cause the Spices to flow forth The Honey-dews and Showers of Blessings under the Spouts of the Sanctuary, make their souls like Gideons Fleece, moist when others are dry and dead. Holy David had cause to say, I love the Habitation of thine House, and the Place where thine Honour dwelleth; and he desired not only sometimes to go into Gods House, but to stay there for ever, Psal. 26.8. and 27, 4. What a comforting, encouraging, and comely sight is it to see men going to Heaven, resort to the Word and pure Worship of God, as Doves to their Win|dows, Psal. 122.1 Christians, when and where should holy men meet, but under the Ordinances of Hea|ven, and that upon holy Sabbaths, to hear awakening Sermons, and to receive sealing Sacraments? Shall wicked men who serve the Devil, and are likely to perish forever, meet in Taverns, Ale-houses, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 houses, and at other Flesh-pleasing Recreations. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 will not you meet at the ••••sts of Wisdoms door.

Here are the green and fresh Pastures in which the Souls of the Righteous flourish. And what makes so many declining Christians, (who are afraid to die, be|cause unfit to die) but the loss of such sweet oppor|tunities for their Souls? Now to quicken all to daily Diligence, in the fear of God consider these things.

1. You that are most remiss and careless would be as well thought of, as the most Laborious, Lively, Watchful, Thriving Christian, to whom the Word Preached is sweet as Honey, and prefer'd above their appoinred food. There are who can willingly part with a Meals-meat, to hear a Sermon for their souls.

2. You would gladly reap their Sick-bed Com|forts, Joys, Refreshments, when dying and going to the everlasting World. How many careless Christians, with Ephraim, will tread out the Corn, but will not break the Clods, i. e. take pains for their Souls?

3. You will be willing to go into Heaven with them. There were that would have gone into the Ark with Noah, who had no mind to build an Ark to save them. To close this I shall add two things:

1. To live in the Neglect of commanded Duties, and in the Practice of known sins, will be a sting and stab to thy Soul.

2. To be sleight, formal and heartless in Duties, will starve thy Soul. Christian, this will not make for thy comfortable Account, or prepare thee to go into Heaven with Christ.

SECT. VI.

SEcond Use of Caution or Dehortation; Must ••ope go in with Christ, but those that are innocently prepared and fitted?

1. Take heed of leaning upon, and trusting too much to Lamps, Duties, Parts, common Grace,

Baptismal Regeneration, Morality, self Righte|ousness, legal Terrour, servile fear, or any thing that may leave you short of Christ and Heaven? Think upon Chorazin and Bethsaida, and the Is|raelites that came to the borders of Canaan, and were shut out of that good Land. How many have fallen from the Pinacle of the Temple into the place of torment? And if some go to heaven by the gates of hell, others go to hell by the gates of Heaven. Self-ignorance, carnal con|fidence, presumption & a false peace have caused thousands to perish. The peace and calm in ma|ny a Mans conscience, is the Devils peace, Luke 11.21. It's sad to see men go singing to hell; whereas true Peace is grounded upon the Cove|nant of Grace, the Righteousness of Christ, u|nion and communion with Christ, likeness and conformity to Christ, and the witness of the Spirit, Isai. 10. Rom. 8 6 Heb 12 14

2. Tremble at the thoughts of being a Sinner in Zion. Take heed of hypocrisie in the Pro|fession of Religion. An hypocrite is a wicked man under a disguise, or in a godly mans habit; but the Vizard and Paint on mens faces will fall off when they shall stand before God, who sear|ches the heart.

3. Do not judge of Mens Preparedness for Hea|ven by their Agreement with us in opinion, or by their mild and good Natures, &c. We are very apt to judge of mens habits and graces, by their natural tempers, and hereby we run upon a mistake. A Dram of Evangelical Sincerity would have made the young man in the Gospel seem a great Saint. A little grace makes a great shew in some tempers, and a great deal scarce

appears in others. A little Sugar serves for sweet Wine, but there is more required to sweeten that wich is more sharp.

4. Let young Converts not meddle too much with hard and difficult things in Religion. O|pinions and knotty Controversies will soon en|gross the heart, and puzzle the head, and waste much time, and hurt your Souls. Read the Word, study well your Catechisms, and be well acquainted with the Substantials and Fundamentals of Reli|gion, which are essential to the being and well-being of your Souls in Grace. Consult with your faithful Pastors, take heed of Impostors, and be earnest with God in Prayer for the spirit of a sound mind.

5. You that are Sincere must yield to no base Doubts, Fears and Objections of Satan and your own hearts. Deny not the Grace of God in you, which is great dishonour to God, and to the Spi|rit of God. Hath God taken thee out of the herd of Sinners, and converted thine heart, and written thy Name in Heaven, and wilt thou at|tempt to raze it out, and write thy Name upon the Doors of Hell? Christian, do not hearken to the Father of Lies, who works upon thy dark and melancholy humour, to rob thy soul of comfort.

6. Let all take heed of Neglecting frequent Trial of your selves and state, left your Hearts and the Old Serpent be too hard for you. It thou would not be deceived about thy Soul and Hea|ven, and Undone for ever, reflect and cast thine Eve•• upon thy self. Let thine Eyes be as the Faces of the Cherubims, inward. A timely, di|ligent and plain-hearted Examination of a mans self, is a most weighty and important Day. If

the Merchant or Shop-keeper doth not take an ac|compt of his Wares, and cast up his Books, how can he judge of his Estate? How can we under|stand how matters go between God and us, if we never look within? This leads the way to the next thing in order.

SECT. VII.

THE third Ʋse. By way of enquiry, They that were ready went in with him to the Mar|riage. Enquire, is all well within me, have I the white Stone, and new Name? viz. The things that accompany Salvation? Some are cu|rious in diffecting of Bodies to understand the Anatomy, viz. The inward parts and contex|ture of it: But see that thou art skilful in the Souls Anatomy. Dive into the secrets of thy soul, and closet of thine heart, and be critical in this disquisition. Self-Examination is a serious and busie work of the soul, whereby it takes a true Prospect and Estimate of its spiritual Estate. But how few are well read in the Book of their own 〈◊〉〈◊〉? The foolish Virgins, had they searched their Vest 〈…〉〈…〉 have found the want of Oil. Soul, a 〈…〉〈…〉 not ready? This is a great question, a 〈…〉〈…〉 to be resolved. 'Tis much 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the man that came to the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 without a 〈…〉〈…〉-Garment: When Christ asked him, How 〈…〉〈…〉 thither, he was speech|less. Sirs, if the thing here enquired after were about fecular and worldly Affairs, I might ex|pect a ready Answer. Ask the skilful Husband 〈◊〉〈◊〉, whether the Corn and Grass be ripe and ready for the Sythe or Sickle? he will soon answer.

Ask the Heir whether he be ready for the Inhe|ritance? and he will tell you. Ask the Student, whether he be ready to ascend the Pulpit? or the Apprentice, when his time is out, whether he is ready to set up for himself? and ask young Men and Maids that are grown to their ripe and flourishing Age, whether they are ready for Mar|riage? and they can answer, We are ready. But are you fit for Christ, and prepared for Death and Judgment? Who can or dare say, Ready, ready, Lord? There are who please themselves to think or say, they have so many bags ready for a Mortgage or Pu••••, such Portions, so many hundreds, such 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Livings, Farms or Mannors ready for their Children; and it may be their souls are so 〈…〉〈…〉 being prepared for Christ and Heaven, that they are ready for the Devil and Damnation. Remember here only, that they which were ready were received in, and the Door was shut. Five did lie so long asleep, that did little think they were unready, till the Bride|groom came, and it was too late. There are who deceive themselves with a Golden flattering dream of Glory, and are ready to drop down in|to eternal flames. Whereas many tender-hearted gracious souls that are ready, fear to step in at the Passage, or over the narrow Bridge, between life and death, the End of Time and the Begin|ning of Eternity. O how accurate, curious and serious should all be in enquiring about signs and marks of readiness for Christ. Now before I come to the Solution of the Question, I must let you know (by the way) whom I intend not in this use of Trial.

1. I intend no ignorant or impious Person.

2. No Heretick or wretched Apostate, who is departed from the faith and form of sound words, and denieth the Lord that bought him

3. No Hypocrite, or washed-Swine, whose Conscience and the Word of Truth will tell him, his heart is not right in the sight of God. These may have Evidences for Hell, they have none for Heaven. And that very man may prove his own works, here are added marks of Readiness for Christ and Heaven.

First, When a Beliver by Faith, Repentance, and new Obedience, hath made his Calling, E|lection, and love of ••••rist sure to him, he is rea|dy for the Marriage. And 〈◊〉〈◊〉 enjoy Eternal Fel|lowship with Christ in Heaven. Christian, if thou art Christs Garden, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Branch in the true Vine, thou canst not miss of glory. It was not hanging on the out-side of the Ark did save, but being in the Ark. So when a poor Christian hath good hope that he is one of the Sinners Christ came to save, and can say as St. Paul, Gal. 2. 20. Christ loved me, and gave himself for me. I know in whom I have believed, he is ready, I shall but change my place, I shall not change my company, said one dying. I know I believe, as I know I live, said an Eminent Minister. 'Tis no more for me to die (said another) than to close my eyes. I see all Heaven; O what a blessed fight is the face of God, said a famous Minister, when going out of the World! I see Heaven-gate stand wide open, said a Christian when departing this life. When Mr. Bolton came to dye, and some of his Parish being at the Bed-side, desir'd him to ex|press what he felt in his soul of the Comforts of Christ; He answered, I am by the wonderful mercy

of God as full of comfort as my heart can hold; I feel nothing in my Soul but Christ, with whom I heartily desire to be. When a Believer hath tasted the sweetness of the Pardon of Sin, and inward Peace, his Conscience being calm and quiet, he is ready for a dying-hour, and to step into Heaven. He may say. Now let thy Servant depart in peace: for mine eyes have seen thy Salvation Haste, my Beloved, make no tarrying, O my God; I desire to be dissolv'd, and to be with Christ. Which is far, far the better, Phil. 1.

SEcondly, When the King of Glory doth bring in his rich Ornaments and Hangings, and beautifie the Soul, and dwells in it, the Saint is ready to go in with Christ. Our own righteous|ness is a filthy Garment that must be cast off. Whereas when the Kings Daughter and Spouse of Christ is made lovely by the change of Rayment or Wedding-Garment, the glorious Robe of Christ, pure, perfect, personal righteousness, she is ready. We are compleat in him, yea, all fair, and without spot. Though Christ finds his Church speckled, sullied and polluted, he doth not leave her so. I put a beautiful Crown upon thy head, and thou wert perfect through my comeliness, Ezek. 16.8, 13, 14. Ephes. 5.25, 26. This Righteousness of God doth reconcile and pacifie God. 'Tis said, that Pilate wearing Christs Coat without a Seam, pacified the wrath of angry Caesar. Christian, if by the Hand of Faith thou hast put on Christ, thou art as a Queen prepared for the Presence of the King of Glory. Where|as without this Righteousness, there is nothing

but shameful nakedness in the best, so that you will be ready to cry out, as the Israelites to Moses, (when God appeared upon Mount Sinai) Let not the Lord come near us lest we die: Or you will (with Adam) rather seek to hide your selves from God than appear before him. Now soul, look in and examine thy state; the time was thou wert without God and Christ in the world, and couldst commit evil with both hands earnestly; the time was, when thy Conscience was sear'd, and Sin was no burden or shame to thee, though thou didst lick up this vomit, and wallow in the mire, and livedst in it as thy trade; but now God hath broken thy conscience, and brought thee under a sence and sentance of death, and made thee poor in spirit, and to lie down asham|ed and confounded, because of all thy sins before him: And the Lord hath endeared Christ to thee, and caused thee to see a glorious rising Sun in his Righteousness, which the Gospel hath brought to light: tho' thou wert the greatest Sin|ner, a poor, naked, condemned, vile, cursed Creature; thou hast that which renders thee like an Angel in the pure eyes of God, and which will quiet thy conscience, and answer to all the demands of Law and Justice. Therefore be not discouraged to die and stand before God, if he should send for thee this day or to night; Thou hast a Christ to carry with thee, and the Angels will bid All welcome to the Quire of heavenly Glory that are clad with Christs Righteousness.

THirdly, When the Bias, Inclination, and Streem of the Heart, that was wont to run

downward toward Sin, and the World, doth now run upward towards Christ and Heaven, the Be|liever is actually ready If there be a Supream and Conquering affection in thy soul to Christ, and there is none above him in thine heart, so that thou canst not, wilt not be quiet, or satisfi|ed without him, thou art fit to go in with him. The soul of the Believer doth follow so hard after God, that ye may as soon nourish and satiate a lively child with dry Breasts, and a craving Ap|petite with Air and Words, as a Christian with|out a Christ. Canst say as the Church in her Pathetical Suit. Cant 8.6, 7. Set me as a Seal up|on thine heart. No Place but the heart of Sa|viour, for a panting soul. 'Tis as if she had said, carry me in thy mind, in thy eyes, and in thine hands as a Jewel on the Breast, as a Ring on the Finger; Let me be near thine heart, and carried up and down in thy heart for ever. The Churches Love to Christ was so vehement and strong, and of that Conquering Nature, that she could no more resist it, or stand before it, than Death Fire, or the Grave could be resisted. Sinner, is Christ so lifted up in thy esteem, as to attract and draw thy soul after him. Moreover, when Christ comes in, the World must give place and go out. Is thine heart in a good measure dead to the World? Doth it appear to be (as our call|eth it, a great Nothing) dust and shadow▪ 'Tis said of the Israelites, Acts 7.39. Their heart ••••|ed back again into Egypt; They carried Egypt into the Wilderness with them. 'Tis said of Queen Mary if she had been ript up after her death, Calice, might have been found in her heart. Lot's Wife was commanded to make hast out of Sodom, but

she left her heart behind. But how is it with thee? Art thou risen with Christ, and is the World crucified to thee, and thine heart above it? Dost look upon the World as the Jews on Babylon, as a strange Land? Canst say as David, 1 Chron. 29.15. We are strangers before thee. I am a strang|er in the Earth, Psal 119. When the things of the World draw our affections strongly after them; Christ and Heaven cannot be so precious and desirable; but Believers know the things of the World are not worthy of their Love. They are common to good and bad, they are uncertain, they cannot save nor satisfie, they cannot keep us from sickness, nor from death, nor save our souls from hell. They are no carriage for another world. I am going to the Place (said the Martyr) where Money is no current coyn. 'Tis said of Gods Worthies, They did seek a better Country, that is an heavenly; and conffessed, They were Strangers and Pilgrims in the Earth, Heb. 11.13, 14 Now if your Treasures be in Heaven, your Affections in Heaven, and your Conversations heavenly, you may be assured of being there in a little time. Again, dost conflict with sin, and get some con|quest over it day by day? Is thy soul estranged from all kinds of sin? sinner, canst thou be fit to go in with Christ, and hide and harbour his Enemies, and hold a truce with some secret sins?

The Use is for Enquiry, therefore ask thy self these Queries, Dost thou spare no Agag, a ruling sin? Withdraw no wedge of Gold or Babylonish Garment, a gainful sin? Dost make a League with no Gibeonite? Canst with Joshua destroy e|very Canaanite, even that sin which for sweetness thou rollest under thy tongue, the stumbling-block

of thine own iniquity, the Pecatum in deli|ciis? Dost batter the Tower of Jericho? Canst break down the Bulwark of the Flesh? and say of every sin, as the Jews of Christ, Away with him, let him be crucified? thou art a prepared Soul. When Christ that glorious Sun is risen and enthron'd in the hearts that a man can say, Come and see the place where the Lord reigns; He is ready for Heaven.

4. WHen the Believer hath so increased his Ta|lent, that the Grain of Mustard-seed is be|come a great Tree, (viz) He hath gotten such a stock of grace, that he can say as the rich man of his Ground, I have much laid up, he is ready. Three things Saints do ardently desire in order to this Fitness:

• 1. Grace in the reality of it.
• 2. Grace in the fulness of it.
• 3. The gracious Presence, Let my Beloved come into his Garden, said the Church.

Christians, you must not only have Grace habitu|ally, but actually, in its most lively and vigorous exercise, to prepare you for Heaven. Grace is a Talent sent down from Heaven, and put into our hands to trade with. When the Oil is in the Vessel, and the Lamps burn bright, i. e. divine Grace shines in the Soul like Stars in the Night; the Christ|ian is in a fit posture to meet Christ. Christian••▪ Why should you take up your stand in Religion and not go on to Perfection. Even as Apelles upon all his Pict|ures would write, Faciebat, non facit, You must not suffer your Lamps to wax dim, and your Oyl to wast. A Dwarf is a monster in Nature. As there are some decayed in their Trades and Estates, and others grow poor and consumptive in their Bodies, so are there withered and decayed Professors in every Soci|ety,

the new man is very weak and feeble in very many. What are become of the graces, comforts, and delights of the Spirit? This streem doth not run, Rivers of Living Water do not flow out of our Bellies: Where is the old stock, and the new in|crease? That plenty and fulness of the Spirit, that must ripen our Souls and make us ready? If grace like the house of David did revive, and wax stronger and stronger in you, it would cure your Stupor and Security: and give you (bear with the expression) a fresh Start, or new Alarm for Heaven. That grace is not in the gaining hand, is most apparent by your letting down your Watch, and falling asleep. By your Listlessness to Duties, and want of Life, and affection in them, by them, by the prevalency of cor|ruption, and decay of Godly sorrow for sin, and in|ward peace, by the blotting of your Evidences for heaven, and want of communion with Christ, who stands aloof off from the withered & decayed Christi|an. Friend, dost then not hear the Lord say, I have something against thee because thou hast lost thy first Love? We read of the first days of David, and of the first Ripe Fruits; The first Fruits of the Spirit; the love of the Espousals. But where shall we find it? What is become of the sweet Incense of Pray|er and Praise, thou wast wont to send up to heaven? The time was, thou couldst be early and late with God by solemn and secret Prayer, and direct, and dart up thy soul to heaven often in a day, by oc|casional ejaculatory Prayers, Is not this golden Lamp gone out? Was there never a Spirit of Pray|er among Gods People in this Nation? What is become of that inward affection in Prayer, where shall we find it? Is all our Religion resolv'd into forms and formality? How little spiritual Wor|ship hath God by the best of us, who will accept of no other Worship? Where are those frequent

Visits from Christ in his Ordinances you have found? Where are the choice fruits in Christs Gar|den? You that, are planted in the House of the Lord, must flourish in the Courts of our God, and cast forth your Roots like Lebanon. Grow in Grace, and you shall come into glory, 2 Pet. 1.11.

Question. Do all Gods People (who shall go in with Christ) die in a comfortable condition, and with Moses see the Promised Land: or have they a Prospect of their heavenly Country?

Answ. No: Scripture and Experience prove the contrary. And here I shall lay down some Particu|lars, both to quicken and support Gods people, whose souls seem to be at the very point of despair.

1. The state of a godly man, and his future feli|city is not to be adjudged by the manner of his death, or his sensible comforts at the end of his days, but by the general course and tendency of his life. A Ship that comes home richly laden may meet with a storm at the Harbours mouth. It mat|ters not much (saith Dr. Harris to his holy disconso|late wife,) whether comfort comes an hour before death, or an hour after death. A godly man may die mourn|ing; God may give him the Garment of gladness in Heaven, for his spirit of heaviness in Earth. A holy Minister of this Nation was wont to say 〈◊〉〈◊〉 never tasted the sweet of Religion all his Life, the ••••ng Assurance of Heaven.

Secondly, Believing doth precede sea••••g▪ the direct act of Faith goes before the reflect act of Faith, the Faith of Adherence before the Faith of Evidence, Eph. 1.13.

Thirdly, The Kingdom of Glory is not promised to Assurance, but to Faith and Repentance. There are many now in heaven that were not assured of it

till they come thither. And how many tender se|rious souls are there who prize none in the World like a Christ, who love him with all the regards of the Lord, who hate the Enemies of his Scepter with a perfect hatred, who would not willingly offend or grieve him in the least measure, who cleave unto him as the only Rock of Salvation, who would not re|linquish their interest in him for Millions of Worlds. And yet they weep with Mary, because they cannot see their Lord. They conflict with fears and doubts day and night, and have not that reflective Evidence and Assurance that he is their Christ their God. The hour (said one) in which Assurance comes is sel|dom, and its stay is short. Those that have it, have it not at all times; as there are degrees of Grace, so there are different measures of Assurance. The Jewels of Grace may lie hid in the close and dark Cabinet of the heart, until the Spirit shine upon its own Grace, The choicest Flowers have their Roots out of sight. There are who be as truly in the favour of God, as the Angels themselves, but they are very doubt|ful of it. 'Tis reported that two Ministers came to visit a godly woman, who was weeping over her Child in the Cradle: and being asked by one of the Ministers the cause of griefs, she said, Because I have profest Religion more than twenty years, and am not Assured of my Salvation. One of the Ministers asked the woman, Whose child is this in the Cra|dle? she answered, Mine, but said he, Doth the Christ know you are the Mother of it? She replied, No: which question was a consolation to this de|••ected 〈◊〉〈◊〉 woman. The Lord knoweth those that are his.

Fourthly, A man may come safe to heaven without Assurance, but not without Grace and inherent▪ Ho|liness. But remember this, the more careless and in|different a man or woman is about the assurance of Heaven, the further off he is from it. Therefore

prize it highly, press after it vehemently, if thou wouldst attain it.

Fifthly, Great castings down, and soul-distresses, do often usher in much joy and inward peace. As a dark misty Night goes before a bright Morning, and a cold long Winter before a Fruitful Spring. Some that have been brought down to the Valley of the shadow of Death, have also been carried up to the Mount of Transfiguration. The Spirit of Bondage doth lead the way to the Spirit of Adoption, Rom. 8. A Christian that is poor and contrite in his own sense, may have his Soul in a prosperous condition. And 'tis a great Faith to cleave to Christ and the Promises, when man hath little comfort. The time may come (saith a great Divine) when the Faith of Adherence may be all in all. Tho' thy soul is cast down, assurance may be at the door. When Mary Magdelen was weep|ing, and thought her Lord was risen and gone, Christ was behind her, Joh. 20.

Sixthly, Saints do not usually die in a Swoon or Spiritual Consumption. If Eutichus fall down dead, he must rise up again. So God will one way or o|ther recover his declining people, and revive his work in them, and make them ready. Consider, it greatly concerns all that will live and die comfortably, and enjoy Christ and Heaven Eternally, to press after certainty, and to make ready. Are all our desirable and best things in the world uncertain, and shall our Souls and Heaven be so too? In things of infinite less value, men are for certainty, and why not in this? The Usurer would have Money told twice, who was wont to say to his man, It is good to be sure. In case of Money lent, men will have double Security, by Bond and Land In London, there is an Ensuring-Office for Merchandize. And will you have no care to preserve your Souls; If certainty of Salvation were to be bought, God knows, if I had ten Earths (said a very Holy and Learned Divine) I would part with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for it.

SECT. VIII.

THE 4. Ʋse. is to perswade all who have any regard to God and their dear souls, to be in readiness. Awake out of sleep, and get your Garments on, Oyl in the Vessel, Loins girt, your Lamps burning, that you may be ready, and the Lord find you so, as well as men think you so.

This plain Ʋse of Exhortation is directed to two sorts of Persons.

1. Those who are wholly unready for Death and Judgment.

2. To those who are in part ready, but not so ready as they should be, who must stand before the Lord: And as they themselves another day will wish they had been.

1. Those who are wholly unready to go in with Christ.

Quest. Are there any such? yea, more then a few. How many here, and now read these Sermons, do know themselves unready, and will not prepare: whose Conscience tell them if they should die, and stand before God in their pre|sent condition, they are undone for ever? If they should receive a Summons to come to Gods Bar this day, or this night, we might here them cry, out, Spare me a little longer, Lord, spare me the Prince, and me the Priest▪ Spare me the Fa|ther, and me the Son; Spare me the Mother, and me the Daughter; Spare me the rich man, and me the poor man▪ Spare me the Master, and and me the Servant; Spare me the young man, and me the old man; Spare me the Mistress, and

me the Maid; Spare me the Learned, and me the Unlearned man; me the sickly man, and me the healthy man; Lord for one month, or year more, before I go to the place from whence I shall never return.

To open and Illustrate, viz. that there are a|bundance unready. Let me ask you, What think you of the Infidel World, the Uncircumcised in heart and flesh? How many Kingdoms and Na|tions are there, who know not the way to a life of Immortality by a Mediator? These are the Devils Free-hold, without hope, and stumble down to Hell in the dark. But to leave the poor Pagans, (who perish for want of vision) and to come nearer to our selves: What, vast multi|tudes are there in the Christian World, and that among baptized Persons, who enjoy the means of Salvation, and are altogether unready, for Christ and Heaven.

To descend to Particulars.

1. Those that are grosly ignorant of God and Jesus Christ, viz. Ignorant of his Nature, Per|son, Offices, they have neither a head or hearty knowledge of Christ. Their minds are blind and understandings darkned. The first Work God doth to prepare sinners for Heaven, is to open their eyes, and to bring them into the Light of Life. But to these, God, Christ, Faith, Repen|tance is a mystery. A woman being asked by a Minister, Whether Christ by whom she expect|ed Salvation, was a Man or a Woman? Answer|ed, She could not tell. Are such ready? shall they be saved who are under the power of the Prince of Darkness? Righteous Father (said Christ) the World hath not known thee, John 17.25. And

truly Heaven is no more in Hell than preparati|on for it is in an ignorant Person. Those who are made fit for Heaven, are delivered from the Power of Darkness, Col. 1, 12, 13. Under the Law God would not accept of blind Sacrifices, Deut. 15.21. Psal. 11.27. 2 Cor. 4 3. O then, cry after Knowledge, and lift up thy voice for Understanding; Take hold of Instruction, and let her not go, for she is thy Life, Prov. 2.2. Without knowledge the heart cannot be good, nor fit for God and Heaven.

2. What shall we think of those that rest only in outward Priviledges, who being born of Blood, and of the will of the Flesh! And by timely E|ducation have attained the knowledge of sound principles and way of Salvation, but were never awakened, convinced, and under any distress a|bout their souls; are these ready for Christ and Heaven? Jo. 8.39. Rom. 7.9. Rev. 3.17. The whole need not the Physitian, said Christ. Those who are strangers to the Spirit of Bondage, and Pangs of the new Birth, who never saw those treasures of wrath due to sin, he that was never heard to say, I am unclean, I am cast down, I am heavy Laden, I am lost, I am undone, I die, I I am damned, if Christ and Mercy come not spee|dily. Without conviction there can be no con|version. A woman travels and then brings forth a Child, Acts 2.36.16 30. Many steal quietly to Hell, few or none go smoothly to Heaven. Men commonly pass thorow the straits before they en|ter into the Harbour or Haven of Rest. The Lash of the Law is our School-Master to bring•• to Christ, Gal. 3.24 But alas, thou 〈…〉〈…〉 deluded with a cheap conversion, that ne|ver

had a sick night or a pained-soul for sin, In|deed all are not converted with a voice of Thun|der, are brought to Christ with a mighty Rushing Wind, and terrible Tempest and Consternation of Spirit. Christ may steal secretly into the heart, as into Lydia, but tis very seldom. Se|curity sends many to Hell, whereas a sore Consci|ence is better then a seared Conscience, and a burning-Ague is more hopeful than a Lethargy.

3. What think you of the Belialists and Damme's, who curse Jacob and defie Israel? viz that deride holiness, and make a sport of sin, and fly in the face of their Creator, and dare God to kill & damn them every day. There are who live as if they were sent into the World to do nothing but sin, serve the Devil, and ruine themselves. What droves and multitudes of libidinous profane per|sons are there in every place? How is the broad way crowded with men of corrupt Minds and cursed Practices, who drop poison as they go, and ride post to Hell? These scarlet-sinners will break thorow all dangers to have their lusts satisfied. As Nero's Mother said, Let him kill me so he may Reign.

Occidat modo imperet.

Let the Devil damn us, so we may have the sweet of Sin. These do not believe a day of Eternal Retri|bution after death. And are they prepared for Christ and Heaven, who are ready for the Devil & Hell?

4.What are the Spiritually Barren under all the Dressings and Dews of Heaven, & the abundance of Apostates in heart & practice? We may take up 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Lamentation upon the Death of Saul & Jonathan, and say with grief, How are the mighty fallen? The Falling Sickness hath been very rife, and an Epidemical

Disease among us. These are days of as many in|stances of Apostacy and Back-sliding, and that from as high and glorious pitches as any Age since the A|postles days can parallel. How many Stars have been cast from Heaven? How many Trees plucked up by the Roots? Many seeming Stars are discovered to be but Meteors▪ and now gone down in obscurity. Are these ready for Christ? The Penny will not be paid until the Evening; the End crowns the Action. He that presseth on, and runs to the end of the Race shall have the Prize, Ezek 3.20. Mat. 24.12, 13. Heb 6.4.11, 38, 39. 2 Pet. 2.20. 1 Cor. 9.24. Rev. 2.10.

5. What think you of those Millions of Unholy Worldlings, who trade altogether for the Earth, and lay up no Treasure in Heaven? Their Gold, Silver, Houses, Lands, Wives, Children, are their god. They desire no better heaven than to be perpetuated in the Honours▪ Profits and Pleasures of the World. I would not leave my part in Paris, for my part in Pa|ridise, said a prophane Wretch. A Nobleman of Vi|enna, at his great Feast, and in the midst of his Jol|lity, said, If God would leave me my Riches, and suffer me to live but a Thousand Years to take my Pleasure, I would willingly leave God his Heaven. The Children of Reuben and Gad, being enriched with the spoil of their Enemies, and come into a good Land, desired to have it for their Inheritance, and not to go into the Promised Land, Numb. 31.1, 2, 3, 4. Are they prepar'd for Heaven, who can take the World for their Portion? Mat. 19.23.

6. What are the Thousands and Ten Thousands of Christ and Mercy-sleighting Sinners, many of which will not come within the sound of the Silver▪ Trumpets, (viz.) to wait upon God in the Use of Means. There are who seem to be resolved to throw their Souls to Hell. God commands to do no Mur|der, and Self-Murder is wondred at, because the care

of Life, and fear of Death is planted in mans Na|ture; but Self-Destruction. Self-Damnation, is very common. There are who will say, We are no Thieves, nor Murderers nor Adulterers, or Drunkards, but to be Christ-sleighters is worse, and more Damnable. This made Christ grieve, sigh, weep, in a melting manner over Jerusalem, and his com|passionate bewailing of them, was enough to turn Stones into Tears, nevertheless, they wilfully re|fused him, Mat. 23.37. This will be sad, like the impenitent Thief to perish, and a Saviour by his side. We read of a whole City, upon the loss of their Swine, intreated Christ to be gone out of their Coasts, Mat. 8 ult. Are these ready to wear the Crown of Glory?

7. Add to these, those, (and not a few) who hold not the head, but Execrable, and Abominable opi|nions, which they pertinaciously defend. If 〈◊〉〈◊〉 make not the Person of the Mediator the object of their faith and hope, and with the Sadduces deny the Resurrection of the Body, Are they prepar'd to go in with Christ? Heresie is reckoned among the worst of the sins of the Flesh: 'tis a Spiritual Witch|craft, and a covert, close way to hell. Not only wicked practises, but corrupt opinions will damn mens souls, 2 Pet. 2 Paul told the erronious Gala|tions they were bewitched; when mens Cattel, or the bodies of their Children are bewitched, how sad is it, but 'tis more dreadful to have souls bewit|ched. There are an abundance of Virtiginous Le|prous heads in this Nation. Head-diseases are hardly cured, they do often kill. Ye therefore Beloved, seeing ye know these things before, be|ware lest ye also being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness, 2 Pet. 3.17.

8. Joyn to these your sinners in Zion, and Tar•••• among the Wheat, the false-hearted professors, and

those who think their good Intentions and own Righ|teousness will save them. This Golden Idol of Self-Righteousness hath shut many out of heaven, Mat. 5.20. Luk. 18 11, 12, 13 Rom. 10.3.

9. What are those that say they are too Young, and it is too soon to part with Sin, and prepare for Hea|ven? Are such ready for the Bridegrooms coming? These do not consider that more die Young, than live Long; and how little Graves, small Bones, and Skulls of all sizes are in our Burial-places? Our Proverb is, That the Lambs-skin many times come to the Market, before the Sheeps-skin. The Young men are Dead; 'tis said of Jobs Sons, Job 1.17. Again, En|quire about the time of mens Conversion, and you will find few Converted in Old Age. 'Tis almost a Prodigy to see an Old Man or Woman convert and turn to God. Moreover, those who put off their Preparation for Heaven, do not know what a life of Joy and Pleasure they live, who have tasted the sweet of Religion, and gotten Evidence for Heaven early. And who can tell what an abundance of Young men and women are now in Flames? The Sins of Youth David Pray'd for the Pardon of, Psal. 25.

10. And Lastly, What will you say of Foolish Virgins? Are they prepared for the Eternal World? Here are Virgins unready, suppose they represent Particular Churches, half had not Oil in their Ves|sels. What if you should be such? St. Paul telleth the Church of Corinth, He had Espoused them as a chast Virgin to Christ, and yet there were bad Members a|mong them. They were convinced Virgins, that made a Profession, and kept themselves from gross Pollution, Mat. 25.1. They were sound in their Principles, no Heriticks; they expected Christs coming. They were in high Esteem, and did shine as Lights, their Lamps did burn, and they went 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in Religion for a time. How many are pleas'd with the Name or Reputation of being Religious: they would

be thought good, Is thy heart right (said Jehu) as my ••art is? The wise Virgins thought well of them, and that they had been prepared. The Disciples thought well of Judas, and Paul of Demas; they were in a complaining condition, and sensible of the want of Grace, and came for a supply to the Wise Virgins, but ••twas too late. Lastly, their expectation was high, and their confidence held out to the last. They came Boldly to the Door, and pray'd for admission.

You have heard there is a numberless number un|ready, and truly you may as soon find sweet Flowers growing upon the Sea, and Fish upon the Mountains, yea, ••earls upon the tops of Trees, as preparation for Heaven in Carnal Hearts. Now to fasten this Truth as a Nail in a sure place, ask thy self these Questions, that thou mayst know to which sort thou belongest.

1. Quest. Am not I the poor blind Soul, whom the Gospel saith is Lost?

2 Quest. Have I been savingly sensible of Sin, and the want of a Saviour? Did I ever taste of Spiritual Grief or Godly Sorrow? Is Sin as a Talent of Lead, or as light as a Feather to me?

3. Quest. Is not my Name among the Dead in Jerusa|lem, and in the List of prodigious Sinners, who look like Hell it self?

Read over the Catalogue of the Sins of the Flesh, ••al. 5.19, 20, 21. 1 Cor. 6.9, 10. And say, are not ••ese my Sins?

〈◊〉〈◊〉 Quest. Am not I the man went out of Babylon to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that set Sail for Heaven, and once seem'd a bright ••r, viz. a forward, active, zealous Christian, and dili|••nt in Duties, now become a Comet? Where is my ser•••• ••nd affection? Is not my latter end likely to be worse 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the beginning? What is profession, without progression?

〈◊〉〈◊〉 Quest. Am not I an Adolatrous Worldling, whose Name ••atten in Earth, and whose Portion is in this Life, Psal. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 4. Luk. 16, 24. Col. 3.5. Jam. 5.••••▪

6 Quest. May not I be rank'd among the Desperate Chri•••• rejecting Sinners, over whose Head Gods wrath hangs?

7. Quest. Do I hold no Corrupt, Dangerous, Damna•• Opinion, contrary to the Form of Sound Words, and t•• Doctrine of the Apostles and Martyrs? 2 Tim. 1 14

8. Quest. Do I not build upon the Rotten Sandy Founda+tion of mine own Righteousness? What beside my g•• Purposes, my Baptism, and some imperfect Performances, a•• vain hopes have I to satisfy God, and to entitle me 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Heaven? Mat 7.22.

9. Quest. Do I not think it too soon to Believe, Love God, and Live a Strict, Pious Life? Should I be a looser to part with my Lusts, and give my Heart to Christ?

10. Quest. Am not I a Foolish Virgin?

Let GOD and all your Consciences Judge in this case. Sinner, may I not say to thee, as Nathan to Da|vid, Thou art the Man, not ready for Christ and Hea|ven. When God Created the first man, he gave him a Name that answered to his Original; dost the•• know thy Name when thou Readest it, or Hearest it? Then thus it is.

If thou belongest to the first of these, Ignoramus is thy Name. If to the second sort, Senseless-secure Sleeper is thy Name. If to the third, Sensualist, or Flesh-In|dulger is thy Name. If to the fourth, Backslider is thy Name. If to the fifth, Mammonist, or Man of the Earth is thy Name. If thou belongest to the sixth, Self-Murderer is thy Name. If to the seventh, Heretick is thy Name. If to the eighth, Justiciary is thy 〈…〉〈…〉 If to the Ninth sort, Trifling-time-delayer is thy 〈…〉〈…〉 If to the last, Counterfeit-Christian, or Silly-Soul 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is thy Name. Poor wretched man, thy Name 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••|minous, and doth presage Evil to come upon th•• in the latter end. Nabal is his Name, and 〈…〉〈…〉 so is he. But is there no remedy? Yes, 〈…〉〈…〉 thy Cursed Lusts and receive the Lord Jesus 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and thou she have a new, most excellent and hon••|rable

Name, first given to the Disciples at Antioch; CHRISTIAN, shall be thy Name.

NOw having heard, what an abundance are unready, I shall go on with the most important Use of Exhortation. If you have any belief of the World to come, or regard to your Spiritual welfare, as you will stand with joy and boldness in the Day of Judgment, before the great and terrible God, let it be the present and great business of your lives to prepare and make ready for your dearest Lord. Friend, to be kind to thy own soul, is that I do here perswade thee unto. And I shall begin with you that are Young, who are to be the Seminary and Plants in Gods Nur|sery, when those that are Grave and more Aged are laid up in their Graves. The Lord God of my Master Abraham, send me good speed, was the Pray|er of a Faithful Servant, when going to procure a Wife for Isaac, Gen. 24. St. Paul, who was a young Persecutor, and soon Converted to be a Preacher, exhorts young men to fly. Youthful Lusts; there are many of them, 2 Tim. 2.22. How many strong and perillous Temptations are inci|dent to Youth? There is no such glassy slippery piece of way between you and Heaven as Youth. Beware, saith a Divine, of this Green Young Devil, the hot and fiery Passions of Youth. That true Father in God, John, writes to Young men, who were Believers betimes. Youth and Grace, Christ and a Young man or a Young woman are a sweet Couple (saith the same Author.) Old Ja|•• commanded his Sons to carry down 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Joseph, the best Fruits of the Land of Canaan, Co••. 43.11.

This Primrose or Spring-flower of Grace and Vertue, will be very grateful to sweet JESUS. Young Men and Young Women hearken to the advice of him who knew by sweet Experience how good it was to begin with God early, Eccl. 12.1. Remember thy Creator in the days of thy Youth. The Kingdom of Heaven (saith Christ) is like a man that is an Housholder, which went out early to hire La|bourers into his Vineyard, Mat. 22.1. Will you in the Aurora or Golden-Morning of your Youth, go about your Masters work, or rather your own? Mine Offering are for a sweet savour unto me (saith the Lord,) ye shall observe to offer in their season. The young Bullock, and Lambs of the first Year are for the Lord, Numb. 28. The God|ly Child mentioned in the little Book, when it saw the Tokens of Death on it, Cried out, I am mark'd, Death was welcome to it, being mark'd for Christ, and ready for Heaven. Thou hast promised to be the Lords before this day, and a Free-will-offering vowed was not to be released, Numb. 30. The Daughters of Zelophehad (being Young Virgins) sued for an Inheritance among their Brethren (viz.) to have a Lot in the Holy Land. Do you seek for an Inheritance among Believers in the better Countrey? Heaven is be|fore you, and God bids you, as once Abraham and Lot to make your choice; he expects it, who will requite your Youthful Kindness, Jer. 2.12. No Wife to the Wife of the Youth. In the Morn|ing resolve to sow the Seed of Vertue, and thou shalt Reap. Sanctifie to me the First-born, saith the Lord. Deal by thy Soul, as Hannah did with her Son, who gave him to the Lord, 'Tis the best time for such a designation; and if thou dost in|tend

Heaven, remember who saith, My Son give me thy heart, Prov. 2.26. Be holy and thou shalt be accepted. Sinner, thou canst not make too much hast to Heaven. When did you hear a Young Woman being Espoused to a Person, Comely, Rich, Wise and Honourable, say, It was too soon for such an Advantage. Let this day be thy Marriage-day; Marriage is honourable, especially this Marriage, it being to the Kings Son, & Heir of Heaven. And if none have been Converted that heard these Sermons: Oh! that you that read them may be the First-fruits, Exod. 34.26 Micah 7.1•• Rom. 15.5. It hath been and is the best sight in England, and in our Assemblies, to see so many Young Faces towards Heaven, ready to go in with Christ. To perswade you to bestow the dew of your Youth on Christ, and that your re|solution for Heaven may as a mighty torrent car|ry down all before it,

Take these Incentives.

1. The Church is called a Virgin, Christ the Bridegroom, and the flourishing Age of Youth must be the best time to make this Match. The Birds chuse their Mates in the Spring; the young Bees, when thrust out by the old ones, work in the Summer for Honey in the Winter. The Marriages of the Aged, when men should think of a Grave, are wondred at; and somewhat rare. Sinner, the time of Youth is the choicest and fit|test season for thy Soul. Now, thine affections, viz Desire, Love, Joy, Delight, (the wings and feet of thy Soul, to carry thee to the arms and bosom of Christ) are ripe and flourish. While thy Love is warm, strong, and all thy senses and facu•••• quick, lively, active, place them on sweet 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

or Priority we must have ever respect unto in this grand Affair; as the Woman came to Christs Grave early, Luk 24 1 so early must we get Grace. How excellent is it for a Young Man, or Maid, to have such a spring of Grace as to invite Christ to come and dwell with him, Cant. 4 ult. The Owner of the Garden delights to see the young Plants Bud, Blossom, and bear Fruit, Cant. 6.11. To trade with God for the Oil of Grace, and to prepare for Heaven early, is the richest Trade in the World. Say with him who was pious in his Youth, and could tell what God had done for his Soul, Whom have I in Heaven but thee? O God, thou art my God, early will I seek thee, Psal. 62.1. & 73.25. Do as the Primitive Christians, who gave themselves to the Lord, 2 Cor. 8.5. It may be thou art Poor in the world, and hast not Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh to offer unto thy God, nor a thousand Rams, and ten thousand Rivers of Oyl, yet thou hast an Heart which is a Present for a Prince, a Gift for the Great God. Lord, such as I have I give thee: and 'tis thine own, my body and my soul I resign to thee, Rom. 12.1. This is the Male; do not bring the Blind, the Lame, and the Maimed; lest he say to thee, as to those sacrilegious Persons, Go offer it to thy Governour see whether he will accept of it; where thou hast spent the best of thy Floure, bestow thy Bran. Let the World, Flesh and Devil, that have had thy Youth, have the Snuffs and dregs of Old Age too. Sinner, stay till old Age, and no thanks to part with thy sins; Sin will leave thee: when the Oil is wasted the Lamp will go out. Then stand forth Young man, and say to God as Ahab to Benhadad, I am thine, and all that I have. My

head, and my heart is thine, my feet, and my hands, and all is thine. My heart is thine to love thee, my head is thine to plot for thee, my hands shall work for thee, my feet shall go for thee, my tongue shall speak to thee and for thee. If I had a thousand hearts, Lord, thou shouldst have them all. This is to honour him with thy First-fruits, Prov. 3.9. Jam 1.16.

2. Break off from the Devil and Sin early, and gather up this heavenly hidden Mannah of Divine Grace in the Morning, and go forward, and thou wilt be a Mother in Israel, or a Father in Gods Family. The new born Babe, will come to be a young Man, and a young Man a Father. The hot fiery Lust of Youth is the Devil in his Flow|ers, (saith one) in Youth the Devil finds dry Sticks, and dry Coals, and an hearth Stone, and how soon can he with his Flint cast fire, & with his Bellows blow it up and fire the House. There|fore get Grace betimes into the Garrison of thy heart, that thou mayest be able to repel his hellish Temptations. 'Tis Christs delight to be early in the Vineyard, Cant. 7.12. Trees that Blossom in the Spring, are most fruitful and most useful. God made use of the Almond-Tree ('tis said) be|cause it Blossomed first. When the Image of Heaven is stampt early upon a mans soul, such ordinarily attain great Eminency in Grace and Holiness, Moses, Samuel, David, Daniel, Timothy, began with God betimes, and were in the upper Form in Gods School, and Stars of the first Mag|nitude. Obadiah feared the Lord from his Youth, and how useful was he? First seek 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Kingdom of Heaven, Mat. 6▪33. 'Tis an honour to be first in Christ, and first Converted in a Town or Family▪

But to be the first Drunkard, the first Adulterer, the first Persecutor, or the first inventer of fan|tastick, disguised Fashions, and wicked Practices, deserves to be branded with Infamy & Reproach. Seniority or Priority in the Faith and true Piety, is a Praise, Rom 6 5. Salute Andronicus and Junia, who are of Note, (saith Paul) and were in Christ be|fore me. Whereas to be a young Sabbath-breaker, a young Fornicator, a young Thief, a young A|thiest, is a horrible shame and ignominy. On the contrary, to be first in Gods fear and favour, and to have early experience of Christs Love, is both commendable and comfortable.

3. Delay is the sad Character of the wicked Servant, and very deceitful and dangerous for thy Soul, Mat. 24 48. To linger and procrastinate in a matter of this moment, is a trick and cheat of the Old Serpent to undo thee for ever. To day, •••• day, saith the great Landlord and Limiter of our time. To-morrow, hereafter, (saith the Devil) to whose voice, Sinner, wilt thou listen, to GOD, or the Devil? Haste, for thy life, stay not, said the Angel to Lot, if he had stayed a little longer he had been burn'd. Will you by delays please the Devil, and make whips and stings for your selves, treasure up wrath, this is to add to the heap, and bring fewel to the fire, that must burn upon thee to Eternity. But what need such Haste? The Thief went from the Cross to the Crown the same day. Do not trust to that, it was but one Thief, and he a Prodigy, and truly Penitent. Sup|pose God should say to thee that art Young, as once Joseph to his Brethren, Except your younger Bro|ther 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with you, ye shall not see my Face; if thou dost not serve, fear and obey me in thy Youth,

thou shalt never obtain my Favour. Trees that Blossom not till Autumn, afford little Fruit. The Inhabitants of China Marry their Children very young, to prevent their Debauchery. I will not say of the Hoary-head, there is no hope, because some few in the Evening, or seventh hour, have been called and come to Christ: But with fear and trembling, consider, thou that sayest to day it is too soon, to-morrow may with anguish of soul Cry out it is too late. 'Tis good for a man to bear the Yoak in his Youth, i. e. Christs yoke, not the Devils yoke, whose Slaves and Drudges he will make you, until he Damn you. What a grief is it, that Youthful-sins and Old-bones should meet in the Grave, Job 28.11.

4 Divine Precepts and Promises are to the pre|sent Time, none for Hereafter. The Imparative Mood hath no Future Tense. Seeking out of season hath had no success. While Esau was hunting, he lost the blessing. Many shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able. While they were to buy, the Bridegroom came, seek the Lord while he may be found, Isa. 55.7. Prov. 8.17. Are not the shadows of the Evening stretched out over some of you? Gray hairs are here and there, they will tell you the Night is near: Look up you Old and Young Loyterers, and see whether your Morn|ing-Sun is not past its Meridian, yea near its Setting. Dost thou not see many young Men di••, and go before thee to the Grave? Art thou cer|tain of another day? Will not God reckon with thee for so rich a Talent, and treasure of time put into thy hand? What meanest thou, O Slugga••••••; O Sleeper, awake, arise, pray, prepare, that thou Perish not. Thy Lord intends to come, how

wilt thou fear and tremble to look him in the Face, and thy work not done! Sinner; go home and mourn over this great and irreparable Loss, the Loss of thy precious Time. And now before Death draweth the black shade over thee, set all things at rights betwixt God and thy Soul. And if thy Soul and Heaven depend upon an inch of Time, do not waste it for a World.

5. To know, fear, love and serve God in our Youth, is the best comfort of Old Age. A young Saint, and an old Angel, is a true saying.

HEre I shall subjoyn Motives for Saints and sinners to prepare; and means and directions in order to it.

1. Mo. Consider with greatest seriousness the sure passing excellency, dignity, and glory of the Per|son, for whose sweet and delightful presence thou must prepare. Here I am at a loss, and know not how to think, speak, or write of this infinite, matchless, and transcendent beauty and glory of Christ. Which will keep all created tongues of Men and Angels in exercise and busie, night and ••y to speak of it. Now if you would have a Glimpse of this glorious One, view his Titles, and hear what a true Character they give of him, who have seen him, not face to face, but through a Glass ••kly. Christians, you are invited to see this King, and Son of the highest in his Glory, Cant. 3.11. Go ye forth, O ye Daughters of Zion, and behold King Solo|mon, with the Crown wherewith his Mother crowned him in the day of his Espousais. Christ appeared to John in wonderful Lustre and Majesty, cloathed with a Garment down to the ground, gi••e with a golden ••dle, his Head and is Hair white as snow 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Eyes is a flame of Fire, his Countenance as the

Sun shining in his strength, Rev. 1.13, 14. O what a fair One, what an only One, what an excellent lovely, ravishing One is Christ! Put the beauty of ten thousand Worlds of Paradices, like the Gar|den of Eden, put all Trees, all Flowers, all Smells, all Colours, all Tasts, all Joys, all Sweetness, all Loveliness in one. O what a fair excellent thing would it be! and yet it should be less to the dearest and fairest, beloved, than one drop of rain to the whole Sea, Lakes, Rivers and Fountains of ten thousand Earths, (saith a famous Divine.) The Church, who had the most acquaintance with the King of Glory, affirms, He is altogether Lovely, C••. 5 10. And do you expect his Company and Pre|sence in Heaven, and not prepare? If a man be to eat with the Ruler, he will make himself ready. Joseph shaved himself, and put off his Prison-gar|ments when he was to appear in Pharoahs Presence Is it fit Swine should come into a Kings Presence-Chamber? The Maids that went into Ahasu••s were for six Months to be purified with Oyl of Myrrh, and sweet Odors; Art thou a filthy Swine, or Goat, and durst come before the King of Glory. His Wife hath made her self ready, Rev. 19.7, 8. Friend, dost thou love, and look for Christ, and ple•• thy self with the thoughts of seeing of him, and not cast off thy sins as a menstruous Cloth? Peter expresseth his love to his Lord, by pro|fessing he was not only ready to go to Prison but to die for his sake, Luke 22.33. Was Peter and Paul ready to suffer and die for Christ, and will you not make ready to live and reign with Christ, in heaven for ever?

2. MO. The red Dragon and Old Serpent 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Devil that designs thy Eternal ••oe. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 i•• his main business to hinder this world, therefore

make ready. Tobiah and Sanballat were not so busie to retard, and hinder the building of Jerusalem and Temple, as the Devil is to hinder thy preparation for heaven. He hath his Devices, his Wiles, his Depths, and all imployed to impede and obstruct this work. Here I shall endeavour to detect some of the stra|tagems of this active and malicious Adversary the Devil.

Q How doth Satan hinder this Work?

Answ. 1. By suggesting delays and putting off our duty: and to this end he will perswade.

1. Though it may and must be done, it is too soon, another season is better than the present time.

2. That there is no life so sweet as a life of sin and sensuality.

3. That preparation for heaven is a short and easie work, and may be done hereafter, or when we will. Sinner, if thou dost think it easie to repent, believe, and change thy heart, and secure heaven at any time. Let me ask thee, Canst make an other World, and keep the whole Laws? Canst raise the dead, or live here for ever? Thou mayst do one as well as the other.

2. By withdrawing men from the use of pow|erful and awakening means, in which they may meet with Christ and be converted.

3. By representing the difficulty and impossibility of a strict and pious life. To insinuate and fasten this temptation, the Devil will make men believe,

1. That there is no absolute necessity of such preciseness.

2. That men may live ill, and die well. Go in the way to Hell, and come to Heaven.

3. That no man can live such a life, if so, 'tis 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sad, pensive life, and no way Eligible, or to be chosen.

4. By raising prejudice and evil thoughts in mens

minds against the Preachers and Professors of the Gospel: such as these:

1. That the best are not so good towards God, as they seem to the World, but false and counter|feit.

2. That thy sin is secret, and in corners, though not openly, and in the face of the Sun: And be|cause of the grosser faults, and miscarriage of some, and the weaknesses, infirmities, and passions of o|thers, they will think well of none. Here note, 'tis a cursed design of Hell, to put bad men upon the profession of Religion on purpose to disgrace it, and render it odious to the World.

5. By abusing and misapplying the Doctrine of Election and Predestination, so as to infer and draw from it, wild and desperate conclusions.

6 By suggesting to poor desponding souls, that the day of Grace, and time of preparation for Hea|ven is over.

7. By corrupting and poysoning mens Judgments with heretical and damnable Opinions and Princi|ples. There's many a mans head hath brought him to hell. To instance,

1. That Scripture is not of Divine Authority; That the World was from Eternity; That Religion is a meer Fiction; That Regeneration, Faith, Re|pentance, Communion with Christ is but moral ver|tue; That Men may be saved of any Religion; That Hell is a Bug-bear, and Heaven a Fools Paradise. But let God and his Word be true, and every Blas|phemer a Liar.

8 By calming and quieting Mens Conscience with an out-side and carnal Religion, and good purposes.

9. By proposing false Grounds and Evidences for Heaven, viz. That Conviction, and legal 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is Conversion, that an honest, civil, sober life, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Christ and Faith in him, will bring men to Heaven

These are the Fig-leaves Men sow together, who walk in the sparks and light of their own fire, Isa. 50.

10. By suggesting the numberless number of non-Professors, and these many of them honourable, rich, learned, wise men, and that it will be of dange|rous consequence openly to own & practise Religion, and therefore they cannot prepare for Christ, and purchase Heaven at so dear a rate. Sinner, let me tell thee, whatever Satan doth make thee believe, thou hast no cause to take a Minute rest, while un|ready.

* 1.2THere are multitudes of careless souls (as you have heard) asleep and secure, who will be sadly disappointed! tremble, lest it should be your case. Wee to them that are at ease in Zion. Carnal security, rising from self-ignorance, self-righteousness, and hope of future repentance, its secret Enemy, like an Imposthume, never mani|festing it self, but when immediately killing. In the great House of God the Church, are not only Vessels of Gold, but of Wood, Earth and Stone, some to honour, and some to dishonour, 2 Tim 2.20. There are who have not the title or name of Virgins, much less the nature. Some have not so much love to Christ and his Gospel as to profess it. They loath to be in company with the sincere Saints of Christ, neither will they take any pains for their immortal souls, but wholly neglect the performing of those duties, and gaining those Graces necessary for pre|paration. The Children of the great King, and Fa|vourites of Heaven do make ready: let this be as a good in your side to provoke and quicken you. The Vessels of the Temple for sacred use, were pure 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Vessels: Christians, you are designed to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in Gods Presence, to see his Face, and lodge

in his bosom to Eternity: therefore you must not love and follow whom you please. The Kings Daughter is glorious within, and her Clothing is of wrought Gold, she shall be brought to the King in Ray|ment of Needle-work, and the Virgins her Companions follow her, Psal. 45 13, 14. Sons and Daughters must be received, when dogs and swine are shut out. Hagar and Ishmael are turned out, Sarah and Isaac stay in the Family. Now, sensual, secure sinner, whose example wilt thou follow? the Devils herd, or those instances and patterns of Piety that make ready; 1 Cor. 11.1. Phil 3.17. Great Alexander being asked, Whether he would exercise himself in the Olympian Games? Answered, Yea, if I may run with Kings. The Saints on the most high are honourable persons, and prepare and run with them for this Crown and Kingdom. Here is the Race, above is the Crown, said Ignatius the Martyr. Run and get the Prize, said Mr. Bradford to his Fellow-sufferers.

* 1.3THink upon the present, future, and un|speakable advantage of Preparation for Heaven; Get an assurance of going in with Christ to eternal fellowship, and you need not fear. No Man or Woman can possibly get above the dread of Death and Hell, without a well-grounded home of Heaven. The thoughts of a sick-bed, and death, the last enemy, will be a stab to the soul unready. What tremblings and shiverings of heart, and per|turbation of spirit, doth the thoughts of the Cham|bers of Death cause, till a man can say, 'Tis better for him to die than to live. When a man in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 upon the Grace and Image of God in him▪ and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his title to Heaven clear, it will prevent Armies of fear, and Legions of doubts. Now 'tis no more for me to die than to close mine eyes, said a godly Minister. When a man carries his Evidences for Heaven i••

his heart and hand, he will be chearful, and con|tent with a small pittance of the World. A holy poor Woman, whose Fare was often bread and wa|ter, said, She would not change her condition for the greatest Lady in the Land. Mr. Jordan of Exeter, (to excite his Neighbours to make sure for Heaven) was wont to say, Brown-bread and Kennel-water was good Fare, with an Assurance of Heaven. When a Christian considers what he hath is by Covenant with Christ, and be it more or less, 'tis for his good and best for him: How refreshing and com|fortable is a little? I might have been wealthy and wicked, and eat the fat, drink the sweet, and enjoy many outward comforts, and no Christ. I might have had a Farm, a Mannor, rich Apparel, delicate Fare, many Servants, and Attendants, but Sins, Snares, and the Curse of God on all, and at last have gone to Hell. Moreover, the Assurance of going in with Christ will deaden the heart to the World, and make a man willing to leave all for Christ; yea, it will reconcile a godly man to the sharpest Providences, and severest stroke of Gods Hand. It will make a Christian suffer willingly, and bear the Cross patiently and comfortably. When that great Sufferer look'd up to his exceeding eternal weight of Glory, his afflictions seemed light. The hope of Heaven will lighten and sweeten any Af|fliction, Heb. 10.34. Latimer rejoyced when his Bishoprick was taken from him, Dr. Taylor leapt for joy when going to be burned, If you lessen or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of any thing of my sufferings, (said the Martyr) it will be to my loss. At Stratford-Bowe were burned in Queen Maries days, at one stake, a lame man and a blind man. The lame man, after he was 〈◊〉〈◊〉, cast away his Crutch, bade the blind man, Be of good comfort, for death would heal them both▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they patiently suffered with a calm and sedate 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Again, Preparation for Heaven will make

a Man go singing in the way of the Lord, and cause our duties to flow from us like water from a Foun|tain; and free-will offerings are always best and most grateful to God. In fine, due Preparation for going in with Christ, will be an effectual means to prevent that active adversary the Devil, who im|proves all opportunities and advantages against Gods poor people, especially their weaknesses, when they are brought low in body and mind too. 'Tis said of the natural Serpent, Non nisi moriens in long am producitur, he is never at his full length till dying. When a godly man is dying, the old Serpent shews himself, lets out his sting, but an Assurance of Gods favour will quench his fiery darts.

* 1.4CHrists long absence, Gods unwearied patience, and all the calls, threatnings, warnings and alarms of the Word are, that men should make ready for him, and escape the wrath that is to come. Why are means and Ministers con|tinued, and the offers of Grace by the Gospel re|newed, but to bring Souls over unto Christ, and safe to Heaven? He sent forth other Servants, Matt. 22. The first in the Morning, others at the sixth, ninth and eleventh hour. Why is the Cry at mid|night, but to raise and rouze up the sleepier Virgins to make Ready? There are four Cries God makes use on, to startle and awaken men to mind their souls business.

1. The first is, the cry or voice of the Spirit, which is a more secret and still voice to excite us unto our duty. The Holy Ghost saith, To day, The Spirit saith, Come, Rev. ult.

2. There is the cry of the Word. This is as the Voice of the Trumpet, Isa. 58 1. John the Baptist was a Cryer. Go and cry in the Ears of Jerusalem, said the Lord, Jer. 2.2.

3. There's the cry of the Rod. The Lords Voice cried unto the City Samaria, Hos.

4. There is also the cry of Conscience. All which serve to prompt us to our duty, and prepare us for Eternity. Christ had kindled the fire upon the Earth, and burnt it, and set up his Tribunal, and sounded the Trumpet of Judgment long before, but that he is willing to save undone sinners, 2 Pet. 3.9. His long-suffering to us-ward, is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to Repen|tance.

Mora sponsi poeditentiae tempus est.

The delay of the Bridegroom, is the time of re|pentance. There's not a Sabbath-day, nor a Sacra|ment-day, nor a Sermon-day, after the Judgment-day. Now God warns by his Judgments, waits to be gracious, calls by his Ministers, strives by his Spirit: and you may be welcome to him. And upon your Repentance, and closing with Christ, you shall be justified, pardoned, accepted, and taken into the Marriage, and Crowned: But stay a little longer, and the Door is shut, and then all your prayers, cryes, tears, will be fruitless, O sinner, arise; make haste and return unto the Lord before it be too late.

* 1.5CHrists coming will be certain, and you know not how soon, his Word is sure. The ungodly Carnal World will be swallowed up, and drowned in sensuality before that day, as it was in the days of Noah, and many Professors will be careless and secure: The Lord is not slack concerning his promise. The promise to Adam of the Seed of the Woman, was many hundred years before Christ; Incarnation, who in the fulness of time came

'Tis now more than sixteen hundred years since his going in Triumph, from Earth to Heaven: And though he seemeth long or late before he comes, he will certainly come at last.

Q. But to whom doth the coming of the Lord seem long?

Answ. 1. Christs coming seems long to Atheistical mockers, who say, Where is the Promise of his coming? 2 Pet. 3.3, 4.

2. To his suffering Members. Their cry to Vin|dictive Justice is, Lord, how long? Psal. 94.3. Revel. 6.10. If these days of sin and misery should not be shortned, no Flesh could be saved.

3. Christs coming is long to passionate Lovers, who prize his Presence, and long to see his Person: Haste, my Beloved, said the longing Spouse. But count upon it, he will not fail in coming. 'Tis the great Article of our Creed, That Christ shall come to judge the quick and the dead. Moreover, he told his tender-hearted, and dearly beloved Disciples, (who were sad at the tiding of his going from them) he would come and see them again. And he hath, according to his Promise, ever since sent another to supply his room, to teach, refresh and comfort them until he comes, and to keep the recent memory of him in their minds. He hath also once and again presented himself to the view of his suffering Saints, as ready to come and avenge their cause for them, Acts 7.55. Rev. 1.13, 18. And he hath often met them in his Ordinances, and holy Appointments, as an Answer of their holy Prayers; He is come, saith the Martyr; Many a token of his love, comforts 〈◊〉〈◊〉 converse, and sweet meeting with Christ his Ch•• hath had already, all which assures and tells 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that he will be with us in a little time, He that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 come, will come, and will not tarry, Heb 10.

Quest. 2. But how will he come? and why will he come?

Answ. First▪ He will come Personally.

Secondly, He will come with Perspicuity.

Thirdly, He will come with Power and infinite Majesty.

Fourthly, He will come suddenly and unexpected|ly.

1. Christians, your dear Lord Jesus Christ will come personally. He will not only employ and send forth his glorious Attendants, their ministring Spirits the Angels, but come himself: He longed to come to his Cross to redeem us from Hell, he must needs love to appear with his Crown to fetch us to Heaven, I will come unto you, &c. It will be said unto you, to the comfort and ravishment of your souls, Behold, the Bridegroom cometh, go ye forth to meet him. The same that suffered and ascended for you, shall appear the second time without sin unto salvation, John 14.3. Acts 1.11. Heb. 9.28. Christs Person laid up in Heaven is our hope, Col. 1.4. Take the Person of the Mediatour out of the holy Scripture, and 'tis a Cabinet without a Jewel. Take the Sun out of the Firmament, and it's a dark Curtain. Christ is all, and in all; and what is Hea|ven if Christ were not there? The King makes the Court.

SEcondly, Christ will come with wonderful and amazing Perspicuity, and to the view of the whole World at once. There were but few 〈◊〉〈◊〉 saw him in the Manger, not many saw him in the Garden, in his Agony and bloody Sweat; Or on the Cross between two Thieves, with his hands nailed, and his side pierced; but when he comes again, every eye shall see him. Men shall

not say (as now) Lo, here is Christ, or lo, there is Christ, for as the Lightning that cometh out of the East, and shineth to the West, so shall the coming of the Son of Man be, Mat. 24 27. Note, Christ is called the Son of Man, for he hath his Humane Nature still: I am he that was dead, and am now alive, and I live for evermore; And tho' few in comparison were Spectators of him at his Crucifixion and A|scension, when he shall be on the Throne all shall behold him, Rev. 1.7. Behold, he cometh with Clouds, and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: And all Kindreds of the Earth shall wait because of him: even so, Amen. Christs appear|ance will be a sad sight to two sorts of men:

1. To those who do not believe in his ••••r|son.

2. To his bold and audacious Adversaries, that violate his Commands, and oppose his Regal Au|thority, Bring forth these mine Enemies, and slay them before me.

THirdly, Christ will come with Power and infinite Majesty, for he hath all Power both in Heaven and in Earth, Mat. 28 18. Chap. 24. 30. John 17.2. His first coming and appearance was mean, as a man, in the form of a Servant, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a Root out of a dry ground, and his Countenance more marred than any mans, Isa. 52.14. & 〈◊〉〈◊〉 2, 3. Therefore they despised and rejected him, sp•••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 him, reproached him, arraigned condemned him, crowned him with thorns, and crucified him. In the state 〈◊〉〈◊〉 humiliation He was attended with poor despica|ble Fishermen, and a company of weak contemp|tible women, not many Wise or Noble, or of the

Rulers believed on him. But when he shall ap|pear the second time, 'twill be with Power and great Glory, as a King in Triumph or mighty Monarch; We read that Agrippa and Bernice with great Pomp came to the place of Judgment, Act. 25.23. So will this great Judge, the Man Christ Jesus come, when attended with innumerable Company of Angels, and ten thousands of his Saints, Mat. 25 31, When the Son of Man shall come in his Glory and all the holy Angels with him, then shall he sit upon the Throne of his Glory: Jude 14. And E|noch also the Seventh from Adam, Prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousand of his Saints. 1 Thes. 4 16, 17. For the Lord him|self shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Arch-Angel, and with the Trumpet of God: And the Dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive, and remain, shall be caught up together with them in the Clouds, to meet the Lord in the Air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

FOurthly. He will come Suddenly, as a Thief in the Night. When men are secure, there will be a Cry at Midnight. When the Son of Man cometh, shall he find Faith in the Earth? Few or none will believe his coming is so near. Of that day knoweth no man, but my Father only, saith Christ, 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 24.36. Be ye therefore ready, for in such an 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as you think not, the Son of Man cometh, Mat. •• 44. And if thou art a Carnal Worldling, or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••ormal Sleepy Pretender to Christ, thou wilt be Undone, Undone Everlastingly.

Quest. WHy will Christ come?

Answ. 1. By his Fathers Appointment and Designation, he is Ordained Judge of the World. Christian, thy Lord Jesus is the Lord Judge. The Father hath committed all Judgment to the Son, Joh. 5.22 Act. 17 31. Because he hath appointed a Day in which he will Judge the World in Righteousness, by that Man whom he hath Ordained, whereof he hath given Assurance unto all men, in that he hath Raised him from the Dead. God hath highly exalted him, viz above the Grave by his Resurrection, above the Earth by his Ascension, above the Hea|vens by his Session at the Fathers Right Hand. He shall be sent of God as Judge: Judgment hath not been fully Executed in any one Age of the World, Eccl. 3 16 & 5 8 That of the Old. World reserved a Cursed Cham in the Ark. But the Last Judgment is called, The Revelation of the Righteous Judgment of God, Rom. 2 5.

2. CHrists Truth, Faithfulness, Affection ob|liges him to come. He cannot falsifie his Word, I will come, saith Christ, nothing of Gods Word ever failed, Josh. 23 4.14. Christ hath an infinite Affection to his little Flock in the world: Love and Pity brought him from Heaven to Earth at first, and love will constrain him to re|turn; his going hence, or change of place hath made no change in Christs heart. When Lazarus was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Dead. Christ must come, and raise him to life, because he loved him. So also all

that are Dead in the Lord, he will come and raise. Believers are Christs Brethren, his Sister, his Spouse, he will come for his own Bride. The Bridegrooms departure was not upon a differ|ence, or divorce, he did not leave his Bride with a purpose to return no more. When he went to Heaven he left his heart here, and will come to present himself a glorious Church. Joseph was sent before into Egypt, to provide for his Fathers Family, before they came to him: Jesus hath made all ready, the Presence-Chamber is pre|pared, therefore the Marriage must be consum|mate, and the Lambs Wi••e put into actual pos|session of the Everlasting Kingdom. And it is the true Character of Saints to love, and desire Christs coming, 2 Tim. 4.8. Henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness, which the Lord the Righteous Judge shall give me at that Day: And not to me only, but unto them also that love his Appearing. O how often should Christi|ans look to that Princely Palace from whence Christ must come: and speak in the Language of a singular Saint, O Fairest among the Sons of Men, why starest thou so long away? O Heaven move fast, Time run away, hasten the Marriage Day; for Love is Tormented with delay.

••. AGain, The Saints full Redemption, com|pleat and perfect Salvation will not be till that Day. When your Dearest and Affecti|onate Lord shall appear, your Joy shall be full. Here with Paul, they complain of their Body of Death, and Sigh, and Groan under their 〈◊〉〈◊〉

then and Bondage. Then their Cry will be, Redemption, Redemption.

LAstly, Christ will come for the Conviction and Eternal Confutation of the Devil and his Instruments, who mock at serious Piety, and the Doctrine of Christs Coming. When Christ shall appear, their Mouths will be stopt, and Shame and Contempt will fall upon them for ever. Here the Tares and the Wheat, the Sheep and the Goats, the Foolish Virgins and the Wise are together.

As the Raven and the Dove, the Lion and the Lamb were in the Ark: then they shall be separa|ted. The Harvest is the End of the world. The conclusion and end of each Generation of men, is as a particular Harvest. This will be a huge, general and ultimate Harvest; the Harvest brings all the fruits in the Fields of this world to Ripe|ness and Maturity; bad men will be ripe for Ruine, Saints for Glory. Then the Reapers, and Grain-gatherers will come forth, and every Proprietor takes to his own. Beelzebub, and his hellish Train will appear, that have lain close and convert, and the blessed Angels will come forth also: The Reapers are the Angels. The Devil will come, glean, and gather in this Field, and take to his own. And God will take to his own. The Husbandmen have their Home Har|vest. Satan hath his Home, his House, his Pri|son; and all that have the Devils mark, must be ••ed to his Home. And Gods Jewels and Choice Grain must be gathered & carried to their Father's House & Garner of Glory. GOD & the

Devil will divide the whole World. O how will the Devils Roar, Cry and Exult, when they shall have so great a Crop, viz so many Millions of Men and Women, they will Cry Home, Home; these are mine, and must abide with me in my Prison; then the Devil and his Retinue shall be sent down, down, down to Hell together.

* 1.6COnsider what Multitudes of Men and Women are going down the swift Torrent of Time, which emptieth itself into the Lake and Gulf of Eternity. Secure soul, open thine Eyes wide, and look abroad to see how thick Gods deadly Arrows flie, and do Execution every day. What various and mortal Diseases are there in the World? Many are Sick, Weak, Dying, and going to their long Home. We are Posting daily to the shore of Death, and Bars of the Pit; and most have their Faces toward the Bottomless Pit, and place of Endless Woe. Wretched and Sleepy Soul, didst thou stand but one Night or Day at Hell gate, and see what Droves of Ungodly Men the De|vils bring in, it would make thine Heart and Flesh to tremble. And didst thou hear what doleful Cries and Shrieks they make as they go down, and what cutting Acclamations and Tri|umphs the damned Spirits make, when the Ma|ster Beasts▪ the mighty Monarchs and Governours of the World come in, it would be worse than a Fire in thy Bones, or a Sword in thy ••••wels Read and Dread what the Prophet Isaiah 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the King of Babel, Isa. 14 9, 10. H•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be|neath is 〈…〉〈…〉 for thee at thy coming, it 〈…〉〈…〉

the Dead for thee. But blessed be God, some few holy Resolved Souls for Christ and Heaven have escaped this dreadful danger, and made rea|dy for the Marriage. Sinner, hast thou had the ••ame Means & Opportunities, and done nothing? Know, thou hast but a Day for it; stay till the Day be ended, and thou art Lost for ever. The Servant went out to invite to the Marriage, told the Guests, All things were Ready. I have finished the Work (said Christ to his Father) thou gavest me to do. All things on Gods part, on Christs part are ready: Heaven is ready for thee, if Christ be formed in thee. Christ is waiting for thee, longing far thee, praying for thee, O then pre|pare speedily. Thou hast seen the Marks and Messengers of Death in others Faces, expect thy Turn, who may be next in the Town, City, Parish, or Family carried to the Grave.

* 1.7ANd last of all, with Fear and Asto|nishment think upon the dismal and dreadful Case and End of one that Lives and Dies, and goes to Eternity Unready. Sinner, consider with what Anguish, Horror and Constor|nation of Spirit men go hence, if awakened and sensible of their Doleful, Damnable Condition. For a man Dying, and at the door of Eternity to look backward, and take a view of his Cursed, Hellish Course and Practice, and to turn his eyes inward upon his Soul, that is, a polluted Vessel▪ without the Oil of Grace; and to see nothing but Sin, Guilt, and all the Beastly and Impure Abomi|••••ion of Heart and Life, with his Secret closet|•••• ••••anies. And to look upward to that Christ,

Heaven and Glory, which he hath forfeited by his wilful Impenitency, and refusal of Mercy: And to look downward to the Grave where his Body must rot, and to those Devils and Reprobates in Hell, who must be his Company and Tormentors. This tremendous, unless thou art like Judas, who heard Christ say, Wee be to that man by whom the Son of Man shall be betrayed, it had been better be had never been Born. O who can see such a sight, and not pluck off his Hair, and tear his very Bowels with rage and indignation; and wish he never had a being, and a Soul of such inestimable worth, that must die and burn for ever Was not this the condition of Francis Spira, and of another who said, She shall go down to Hell alive: And it may be the case of some other convinced desperate Soul, whom the Lord leaves for terror, to the secure world, who be as men hang'd up in Irons in the way to Hell; or as men risen from the Dead, to tell o|thers of the vanity and danger of their sinful Courses. For a man to look on time past, and see that gone for over, and look on time present as just come to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 period, and his account not ready, hi•• Lamp gone out, his short heaven on earth concluded, his Conscience biting and tear|ing like a Lion, and summoning him to the Bar of Justice, his Body dying his Passing bell tolling, Curtains drawn, Physicians and Friends taking their leaves of him, Sermons, Counsels, Ministry and all means of doing good to soul of 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉. The Vault▪ Tomb or Grave read•••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 opened to received the filthy Carcass: The ••••••ned Devils waiting 〈…〉〈…〉 receive and ca•••• Soul down to the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 dungeon and fie••••

and never to have any other company or com|••••rts but wicked Devils, and they insulting o|••••er thee everlastingly with hellish spite, and ••inging exprobation, for neglecting so great Sal|vation all thy long life, and losing Heaven for ••••ne base Lust, Pride and Vanity. O the Hor|••••r!

Look also to Dooms-day, and there they see and hear the Earth burning, the Elements melt|ing, Stars falling, the Trumpet sounding, Dead rising, Kings and Captains, Bond and Free, Cry|ing out, O Rocks fall on us, O Fire burn us, O Water drown us, O wild Beasts devour us, O Graves cover and hide us from the Wrath of him, whose Blood and Bowels we have slighted. Will not this awaken?

Sinner, is it so? O then come, now Christ calls, and do not cast away Mercy and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thy self miserable. Refuse Christ and his Cra••••, and whilst thou livest thou art a Cursed Crea|ture, and when thou diest thou shalt be a Damned Creature.

What sayst thou to this▪ thou Time losing and Christ-rejecting wretch? Is there another World, or is there not? Hast thou a Soul, or no Soul? Is there a Blessed Life of Communion and Fellowship with Christ or no? Is it worth the seeking after and praying for or no? Wilt thou resolvedly set about the work of Preparing, and not give-over till thou art ready for Christ, or wilt thou sit still and do nothing▪ and leave thine eternal Condition at uncertainties? Is it a ••••i••te to thee, or a thing indifferent whether thou hast 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Christ, or no Christ? A Heaven or no Hea|ven? Whether thou hast an Eternal Felicity a|bove,

or Eternal Flames below? How will thy spirit fail, and thy heart recoil at the sight a•• appearance of Eternity?

But if this be a scare-crow, or some invent•• fable, or dream of a melancholy fancy. Co•• sinner, Let us go down to Tophet, that is, in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Valley of the Son of Hinnom, and look into 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Chambers of darkness, and lay thine Ear to t•• door of thine infernal Prison; and hear what the•• say, whose dolourous Cries and cutting Com|plaints are enough to rend the hardest Rocks. With one Voice they roar out and say, What we see and suffer is the woful and bitter fruit and effect of the sweet Pleasures of sin wher•• we were in the World. This is the fire in our bosom, and hot coals that burn us.

If the Spirits in Prison, and Damned in Hell shall tell thee, hear what they say in their seve|ral Complaints, how they Cry out of the prin|cipal and instrumental Causes of their Damna|tion.

1. My Neglect of Glorious Gospel-Grace•• sleighting and rejecting Salvation offered in Christ•• and putting off Repentance, hath undone my Soul. Christ called and knocked at the door of my heart often, but I would not open to him▪ now he hath shut the gate of Mercy on me for ever.

2. My Worldliness, Covetousness, Earthly-mindedness; I was mad upon the World, this is my Woe, and utter Undoing.

3. My Cursing, Swearing, Lying, Blaspemy Perjury, False-witness, Damn'd my Soul, Zec••▪ 5.4.

4. My Frowardness, Fassion, Ambition, Pride and Haughtiness sent me to Hell.

5. My Unfruitfulness, Barrenness, Unprofita|bleness under the Means of Grace, was my De|struction.

6. My indulging the Flesh in Drunken 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Gluttony, Wantonness, Uncleanness, ••••in't me▪ This was the Dart that went through my Li|ver.

7. My uncharitableness, H••••red, Back-biting, Malice, Envy, Revenge, brought me to Hell.

8. Murder, Theft, False Weights and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Cou••••ning Widows, Orphans, E•••• the ••••ead of Wickedness, and Drinking the Wi•• Violence was my Damnation. Murder is a sin that always bleeds afresh in the Eyes of God.

9. My Stubbornness, Wilfulness, Disobedi|ence to my Parents, not becoming to their Counsels, Admonitions, Reproofs, caused me to Perish.

10. My Unrighteousness, Injustice, Bribery, U|sury, Oppression, Extortion destroyed my Soul.

11. My Inticing Infectious Companions in sin, and secret Night-wickedness, was my Ruine.

12. The ill Example of my Tutor, School-Master, Minister, Landlord, whom I feared and followed for some base Ends was my Undoing.

13. Spending my Precious Time in Vain, Childish Sports, as Hawking, Hunting, Carding, Dicing, Playing-houses, when I should have been Reading, Praying, was fatal to my Soul.

14. My Irreligious, Foolish, Fond, Wicked Parents, who delighted in Trimming and Adorn|ing my Body, and took no care of my Soul, but let me have my Will, and did not Restrain

me, Instruct and Catechise me, were my De|stroyers.

15. My Marrying and Living in such a Fami|ly, where was no Religion, my being of such a Calling, where were so many Snares and Temp|tations, and my Friends sending me for the gain of the world beyond the Seas, where I had not the Means of Salvation, but Wickedness and De|bauchery winked at, laid the foundation of my Damnation.

16. My Knowledge, Learning, Parts, (my head being better than my heart) lifted me up, made me forget God, was the Trap and Gin by which the Devil caught my Soul.

17. My Idleness, Sloth, Sabbath-breaking, and neglecting the most weighty Duties, was my Ru|ine. If I had been as serious and diligent in Duties, as often under the Ordinances, and on my Knees, as my Wife or Husband, my Child or Servant, I might have been saved.

18. My Greatness and Prosperity in the world, as Honour, Offices, Riches, were my Ruine; if I had been Poor, I should have minded Heaven.

19. My erroneous Head and deluded Heart, my Herisie and distractive Opinions, cast me down to hell. We have a useful Book, called, The Book of Martyrs; and if a Collection were made of the horrid and prodigious Opinions now in England, it may be called, A Book of Monsters. Polycarpus called Marcion, the Heretick, The First-born of the Devil.

Novi te esse Primogenitum Satanae.

20. My Cowardise, carnal Complance, Back-sliding, being willing to save my stake, hath debauched my Conscience and undone me.

21. My trusting to Lamps, common Grace, Security, Presumption, Self-righteousness, secret Hypocrisie, brought me to this place of Burn|ing.

O what Fools and how Mad were we, who were often told of these things, and this cursed place, and would take no Warning! Oh, what a doleful Prison is this! Here we be al|ways dying, and never dead. Here are the Chains of Darkness and no Light. Here is the Biting-worm of Conscience: Here are scorching and devouring Flames: Here be all the damned Devils, and is it for ever, for ever? Is there no hope of Mercy, and Deliverance? Are all these Yellings, piercing Cries, C••••ans, Tears, to no purpose? Who but we in Hell that drink of the wrath of the Almighty, know the power of his Anger. O what a fearful and grie••ous thing it is, to fall into the Hands of the Living God▪ Heb. 10.31. Nah. 1.6. Who can stand before his Indignation? Who can abide the fierconess of his Anger? Poor perishing soul, is it nothing to be seperated from God, and to be a Fire-brand of Hell for ever? O what a misery is it, that you can 〈◊〉〈◊〉 nothing of this, nor fear it till you see it and feel 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪

What if thou shouldst be deprived of all thy senses and faculties: suppose thou shouldst be struck Deaf, and never hear more; Dumb, and never speak more, Blind, and never see mor•••• Lame, and never go more; loose thy Palate, hi•• never taste more? What if thou shouldst be de|prived

of all thy Comforts, how couldst thou bear it?

If thou shouldst never see the light of the Sun, Moon and Stars more, and never see Father Mo|ther, Wife, Children, and thy own Land more, or never wear Cloathes, put on thine Ornaments, or eat Bread more, would it not sadden thine heart?

If the Sun should go down in England, and never shine more; if there should never be a Seed time, nor Harvest more, what a Woe with a witness would this be, and pierce a heart of Flint? What Crying would there be to GOD to Command the Sun to Appear and Shine a|gain?

But O what a misery is it to be shut out from God, In whose Presence is fulness of Joy, and Plea|sures for evermore! Sinner, wilt thou say, Soul, take thine ease, & be merry, when the Wrath and Vengeance of God hangs over thy head, ready to be poured out upon thee; yea, when these is nothing but a little Breath between thee, and endless, easeless and remediless Misery.

Friend, Thou canst bear the hearing, reading, and discourse of Hell and Dooms-day, and be no more frighted than to lock upon a dead Lion, or a Painted-fire, but what will the thing it self be? Can thine heart endure, or thine hands be strong, in the day that I shall contend with thee? saith the Lord, Ezek. 22.14.

If the giving of the Law, with Thundrings, ••ightning and Tempest, made Moses and all

••l tremble, O what will the strict Execution, and inflicting the utmost Penalty of the Law up|on Soul and Body for ever be?

If Christ the Babe of Bethlehem was terrible in the Manger to Herod and all Jerusalem, what will his Bar and Throne of Justice be!

Is a perpetual Banishment out of England, as terrible to some Malefactors as Death; and dost thou think it (O careless Soul) no great matter to be Banish'd Eternally from CHRIST? Absalom would rather die than to lose the favour and pre|sence of his Father David; you can hear, the Sen|tence will be Depart, and take no notice of it; but when there shall be a General Conflagration of all things, and the Earth, Heaven, Sea in a F••ame. And the Lord Judge shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Arch-Angel and the Trumpet of God, and the Dead in Christ shall rise, and the Living be caught up to meet the Lord in the Air, who shall be owned, and honoured of Christ in the face of the whole World, and shall go in with Christ. Then a se|paration from Christ will be something: To see all the Elect of God come from the East, and from the West, and from the North, and from the South, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the Kingdom of Heaven, and your selves shut out. Can you bear such a fight?

O that you would believe it, and think of it be|fore the day be ended, and the Gate of Mercy shut. Go home and prostrate thy self before the Lord, that he will make you ready to go 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Christ, and if this might work be done 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thine heart, O stand and wonder at the infinite Love of God, and do as Christ bid the man out of whom he had cast the Unclean Spirit: Go home to thi•• House, and tell how great things the Lord hath done for thee, Mark 5.19.

SECT. IX. Means and Directions to make ready to go in with Christ to the Marriage.

Direction. I.

LOOK as for thy life, that thy beginning in Religion be right: Then are those beginnings hopeful, when the Spirit of God in the Ministry of the Word, or any other means of grace works upon us, so that we be sure to lay a good Foun|dation at first. An error at the Threshold of the House, or first setting out in the profession and practise of Religion is very dangerous, like a defect in the Foundation, that threatens the fall of the whole Fabrick, like a leak in the Ship that in|dangers the Ship and Men too; or like a flaw in a mans Deed, that threatens the loss of the whole Estate. There will be a beginning and an end alike, when Grace is radicated, and the operation of the Spirit enters deep into the soul: Whereas a child mishapen in the Womb, is ever afterwards a Mon|ster.

Quest. But when is it right?

Answ. This right beginning may include th•• things, according to which compare and try your selves:

1. A clear conviction of sin, with an inward con|version to God.

2. A most deliberate, joyful, and cordial Recep|tion of the Lord Jesus Christ. And that upon such 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as the Gospel propounds him unto us, viz. ••••th all his Commands in his Person and Offices.

3. An hearty, total and unreserved resignation, and dedication of a mans self to God: with an

abhorrency of sin, and a constant resolution to love God, and to live to him for ever, Acts 2 37, 38. 1 Chron. 26.18. Luke 19.6. Isa. 26.13.44 4. Prov. 23.26. 2 Cor 4 8. What St. Paul that great Apostle Preach't, we must practice, or no pre|paration to go in with Christ. Repentance is one of the principles of the Doctrine of Christ, and called a Foundation, Heb. 6. Soul, Thou must know the Plague of thy Heart, and be sensible of thine own iniquity, and look upon him whom thou hast pierced, and sit alone, and keep silent, and put thy mouth in the dust, and mourn like the Doves of the Valley, or no hopes of Heaven. Moreover, this is not a work for one day only, but upon every particular failing, you must renew your Repentance, and make the Sword of godly sorrow to go deep into thy soul: When thou hast fallen, think with thy self, I have done that now which will make me guilty of the whole Law, and enough to cast me out of Gods favour for ever: There|fore open the Sore, make confession and give Glory to God; and run to thy Advocate to make peace and procure thy pardon.

They are all pardoned Penitents, who are pre|pared to go in with Christ.

Direction II.

WOuld you be ready to go in with Christ, cast off all Incumbrances, and make hast in your way to Heaven: Heaven is a glorious Crown, we must strip and strain, run and win it: How can a man run with a Burthen on his Shoulders, and Fetters on his Feet? The Snail is very slow in his motion, who carries his house on his back; Christian, get the bolts off thy hands, and fetters off thy feet. Cast out the lading, lighten the

Vessel of thy Soul, and prevent thy Shipwrack. The burthen of worldly cares, the lime-twigs to our wings and affections, and (which sticks to us as Pitch and Tar to the sides of the Ship) are the bane of many a soul. The glittering things of the World which sparkle in our eyes, and attract our hearts, are but like rotten wood or Glow-worms, which shine in the dark: Set not thine heart upon the Ass••s, said Samuel to Saul; Regard not your stuff, said Joseph to his Brethren.

Christians, you are going to Mount Sion, value not your moveables. We may carry the World, and the pleasing objects of it, our Children and Relations in our hands, but not in our hearts. All outward comforts are but like Flowers that will wither in our hands, or like dead water which will soon putrifie. They are thornes and snares to very many:

Licitis perimus omnes:

The World kept the young man out of Hea|ven, who could (as he thought) easier keep the whole Law, than part with his Riches. He was sad, 'tis said; why so? he had his Estate, but he would have had the World, and Christ too! Thousands lose Christ and Heaven to gain the Earth▪ How doth the love of the World creep into our hearts▪ where there can be but little room for God and Grace▪

Christians, startle at gross and scandalous Sins, that look with a black and ugly Aspect, as Murther, Adultery, Damming, Swearing, Theft: but the World may be welcome, though the immoderate love of the World is at contrary and inconsistent with Grace as the fore-mentioned sins. Other sins walk naked, this must have a covering a cloak of covetousness.

Love not the world keep your hearts above; 'tis below a Christian to love the world, who hath bet|ter objects for his love 〈◊〉〈◊〉 must not sit on Solomon's Throne: 'Tis not for Lions and Master-beasts to prey on Mice, nor for Eagles to catch at Flies. The Sons of Princes must not live like Beg|gars and mean persons.

Christian▪ do not wring thy Hands, nor hang thy Wings, though Creature-comforts withdraw from thee: when there is no water in the Cistern▪ there is enough in the Fountaine▪ In my Fathers house is bread enough, said the Prodigal Son. Caesar was wont to say, Cogitate Caesarem ess••, think thou art Caesar: Horses can trample upon Pearles and Mines of Gold, Birds mute upon Princes Palaces, and shall we set up this Clay-Idol of Bastards in our hearts, and not the Inheritance of Sons (as one calls the world) Hear what God said to Baruch, Seekest thou great things, seek them not, Jer. 45.5.

Christian, Heaven is thy home, the World is but thy Inn; though a man hath better Diet, better At|tendants, better Lodging in his Inn than at Home, yet he remembers 'tis but for a night, and he must be gone. 1 Chron. 29.15.

Take a view of all your profits, pleasures, trea|sures and comforts of this life, viz. husband, wife, children, pearls, rich apparel, silver, gold, great friends, large possessions, offices, honours, sumptu|ous buildings, pleasant walks, upon which thou hast lost so much labour, time and care, and upon the Arrest and stroke of death are gone forever.

One of the Ancients standing at Caesars Tomb; he wept, and cried out, Where is now the flourishing beau|ty of Caesar? what is become of His Magnificence? where are the Armies, where is the honour of Caesar? where are now the Victories, the Triumphs and Trophies of Caesar? are they all gone and departed? Christian, love the ••ut a little, which thou canst not love long; Rip▪

reach not to Eternity. I am going, said one, where money is no current Coin.

Contemne vivens quae post habere non potes.

Direction. III.

BE diligent, constant and serious in the use of every known means and practice of every com|manded duty. If you will go in to heaven here|after, you must follow the Lord here. Christian, with greatest care and conscience practise these four duties to make ready for Christ.

1. With love and delight attend the Ministry of the Word, wait on it, as the poor man at the Pool for healing, and so hear that thy Soul may live. Mary attending upon the Word is commended by Christ. The Gospel (saith Dr. Sibs) is a Chariot to carry Christ up and down in the World; resolve to follow this Chariot, be often under the Influences of Heaven, ••at the Sun of Righteousness may let down his warm 〈◊〉〈◊〉 upon you. The Spirit of God in the Mini|stry of the Word hath converted many a Soul, and prepared them for Heaven.

Secondly, Let the holy Sabbath or Lords day be always welcome to thee. How glad am I, said one, when I see the first light of the Lords day: Inure thy self to the strict Observation of that high and holy day of God, keep it as for thy life, that at the end of every Lords day, thou mayst be fit to enter upon an eternal Sabbath: how seasonable and sweet is it when Gods Spirit and our Hearts meet in the Duties we perform. I was in the Spirit, saith John, on the Lords day.

Three Duties in Religion are very hard, viz. 1. we watch the heart. 2. To pray without wan|dring

and distraction; and 3. To keep the Lords Day well.

3. Be frequent and affectionate in the celebration of that most useful and glorious Ordinance the Lords Supper, by which we must shew forth the Lords death till he come. And if you would feed on, and feast with Christ in this blessed Banquet, of which Christ is both the Master and the Matter, do three things: First, always come with due Pre|paration. Secondly, with high expectation. Thirdly, when come, make application.

4. Be very solemn and serious in thy Closet-Visits, viz. be early and late with God by secret Prayer. The great Roman Captain Scipio, before he under|took any business, was wont first to enter the Ca|pital, pretending a consulting with the gods; several Ministers being at Table where the Question was asked, What was the best Trade? One answered, Begging, meaning Prayer. Wouldst thou be pre|pared to go in with Christ, follow him with un|utterable groans from day to day for Grace, and fitness for Heaven, speak out thine heart before God, as Hannah did when she obtained a Son. The Voice is not absolutely necessary in Prayer, but the Heart: It matters not though the door of the Lips be shut, so the closet of the Heart be open. When thou art going into thy Chamber, or come into thy Closet to bow before the Lord, observe these Particulars.

1. Search and find out thine heart, and say, I am going about a great work, to beg Grace to prepare me for Heaven, Where art thou my heart?

2. Summon in thine heart; 'tis often out of the way, send a word of command after it, and fetch it in.

3. Stir and lift up thine heart; the heart is like bell that will make no Musick till it be raised

up, like green Wood that will not burn without much blowing.

4. Fix thy Heart on God to whom thou prayest, and on Jesus Christ in whose Name thou dost it. Should a Man make a suit to the King for his life, and not mind his business? The most High looks upon the heart.

5. Watch thine heart, and look for a return of thy Prayer, otherwise thine heart will give thee the slip, and thy Prayer is lost. Prayer one com|pares to a Chain, one end of which is fastened to the Believers tongue, the other to Gods Ear, who is called, A God hearing Prayer. Say with Job, I will fill my mouth with Arguments. When David had taken good order for building the Temple, he directs his Prayer to God to prepare their hearts.

The Lacedemonians had a custom to ask nothing of their gods, but things of weight and moment. Is not this of greatest concernment? Try what Prayer can do, plead before God by Ardent and Importunate Prayer to make thee ready, render thy self to God as an undone Creature to new mould, form and fashion thine Heart for himself; carry thy Heart to him on thy Knees, as Moses brought the two Tables of Stone after the first were bro|ken and defaced, for God to Write what he Will. Say Lord, I have heard what a dismal, dark, dread|ful place Hell is, and what a blessed and glorious place Heaven is, and yet I am not prepared for it. This heart of mine I have had on many a sick-bed, and sentence of Death, and under many a Sermon, and sometimes it hath been startled, and awakned, then I have purposed and promised to repent, pray, leave my sins, to part with the World, and to be|come a new man, but I have acted the Hypocrite, all this is come to nothing; Lord do that in me and for me, which none but a God can do.

The bloody Child cannot beautifie and adorn

it self. The Ethiopian cannot change his Skin, nor the Leopard his Spots. The preparation of the heart in man is from the Lord. And I have cryed day & night before thee, said David: 'Tis storied of a Wo|man in Essex, after the Sentence was past upon her, she cryed so earnestly to the Judge for Mercy, that the Judge and Justices rebuked her, to whom she replied, I beseech you my Lord, it is for my life. Christian, 'tis for Heaven and the Eternal life of thy Soul, therefore be earnest with God for his Spirit to sanctifie, and prepare thine heart, which by Nature, is a filthy polluted Vessel. God can make thine heart as soft Wax, and stamp his Image on it, but he will be sought unto. The poor man cryed, and the Lord heard him, Psal. 34 6. My Prayers (said Jonah) came in unto thee, Chap. 2.••. At that great and dreadful day, when the Sun shall be turned into darkness, and the Moon into blood, whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved, Acts 2.20.

Direction IV

KEEP this eye upon God and thine account, expect every moment the cry at Midnight, and be often thinking of Heaven and Hell, Death and Judgment: and at the end of every day, reflect upon the preceding actions and passages of it. Mine eyes are ever towards the Lord 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••ave set the Lord always before me, said David. 〈…〉〈…〉 me|ditate daily on these three things

1. Think of the great day of Account

2. The great Account you are to give.

3. The Just and great Judge to wh•••• the Ac|count is to be given. Some have their Hou••••s scituate near Golgotha; and view the Graves of the dead every day, and do not think of ••••ath and Eternity. Charles the First, that War-like and glo|rious

Emperour of Germany, resigned his Empire, and liv'd two years retiredly, before his death, in the company of Religious Men, providing for Eternity. Devout soul, if thou wouldst begin with God every morning, and walk with God all day, and lie down with God at night in the Evening, ask thy self these or the like Queries.

1. Quest. How did I awake this Morning, with God on the World?

2. Quest. What hath been the constant Frame of my Heart in society, and in my solitude this day?

3. Quest. Have I bowed twice before the Mercy-Seat this day? and opened my case to God seriously, or have my Closet-visits been short and slight?

4. Quest. What have I done in order to my great Account this day? Have my word, and actions tended to Gods Glory?

5. Quest. Have I neglected no opportunity of doing or receiving good this day? who hath been the better for me this day?

6. Quest. How have I behaved my self in Company, in my Calling, and in my Family this day?

7. Quest. How hath my heart been affected and en|larged in holy Performances, both in secret, or my house? Do I habituate my self to holy Duties? Is Religion my main business?

8. Quest. What serious and awakening apprehensions and thoughs of God, Christ, the Spirit, my Soul, Death and Judgment have I had this day?

9. Quest. Have not I by some sin of Omission or Commission made work for Repentance and Humiliation this day? and is my heart in a melting and mourning frame? can I offer to God the sacrifice of a broken heart?

10. Quest. Have I met with Christ this day, and have gone one step forward in my way to Heaven?

what Power have I gotten over my corruptions and passions, what Grace have I exercised?

Direction. V.

LEt it be thy constant and greatest care to keep a good Conscience in all things. Stand off from iniquity; see that there be no allowed reigning sin in thine heart and life: God will know it, whose eyes are pure and in every place. Sinner, it will be bad looking God in the face with a galled, guilty Conscience, and enemy in thy bo|som. If our heart condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and knoweth all things, 1 Joh. 3.19, 20.

Vox Conscientiae est Vox Dei.

Conscience is Gods Vice-gerent in us, and it will be a friend or a fury, and cause an Hell within, or a Heaven without. 'Tis dreadful for a man to carry Hell about with him, the Evidence of his Condemnation in his own breast. Whereas the in-witness of a good Conscience will be as a Wall of Brass to a Believer, 2 Cor. 1.12 For our rejoycing is this, the testimony of our Conscience, that in simplici|ty and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the Grace of God we have had our conversation in the World, and more abundantly to you wards. Keep this ••••rd of Paradise always in thy bosom, that thine ••eart may not reproach and smite thee.

A guilty Conscience representeth Death and Judg|ment dreadful, and terrible to great men; even to ••hings, the gods of this World. Richard the Third, after the murther of his own two innocent Ne|phews, had fearful dreams, insomuch that he did often leap out of his bed in the dark, and run about the Chamber, even distracted with horrour,

as if all the Furies of Hell were hanging about him. So Charles the Ninth of France, after the bloody Massacre of Paris, was so inwardly terri|fied, that he was every right laid to sleep, and awakened with a set of Musitians. Sins against Conscience, are nearest to the Devils sin. O how astonishing is this, when a man dying must say, (if he speaks the truth) I have rebell'd against my Creator. I have served the Devil, I have satis|fied my Lusts, and now I go to Eternal torments.

Therefore forsake thy sins, repent, and get thy Conscience sprinkled with the blood of Christ.

Direction. VI.

Be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and for some space continue, that so much neglected Duty of Consideration, and take the most convenient time and place for it. Do not say of the Work of Heaven, as the Jews of the Temple; The time is not come, that time the Lord House should be built. But what said the Lord by the Prophet, Is this a time to dwell in ceiled houses, and my House is not built. Poor Soul, wilt thou ••leep and be secure, indulge thy Flesh, Sin, and pursue the World, and hast made no prepara|tion for thy Eternal Habitation ? Thus saith the Lord, Consider your ways. Thus saith the Lord of Hosts, consider your ways, Hag. 1.5, 7. This Work through the blessing of God hath been very successful. I have heard a very Religious Father dying, make his prodigal ungodly Son promise him, after his death to go into his Closet, and set alone for several times; which being performed, he at last consider|ed, that his Father did it out of love to his Soul, that he might not perish Everlastingly, and so it was made the means of his Conversion. There is another Story like unto this, of a Traveller coming

to an Inn, where he found a very Beautiful and Witty young Woman, but very vain and frothy; when he went from the Inn, he gave her a piece of gold upon Condition, she would ingage, and promise to retire into her Chamber, at several sea|sons, and upon her Knees utter such words before the Lord, Lord, thou hast given me thes•• Natural Parts, and comely proportion; Is it not pity that so Amiable a Creature as thou hast made me, should be damn'd, and burn in Hell for ever? And after this she be|came Sober, Religious, and left the Inn. 'Tis a Character of a true penitent to sit alone. But if I resolve and promise to go alone, and consider, what must I think of: Ask thy self these questions.

Quest. 1. What was I when first 〈◊〉〈◊〉 into this wretched World? Did I bring any thing that was good with me, to entitle me to, and prepare me for Hea|ven? Am I not worse now? Have I answered the glo|rious end of my Creation?

Quest. 2. O my Soul, have I not often dared God to Damn thee? Is it not a wonder I am now in the World, that so many of my Acquaintance and Com|panions in sin are Dead, and in Hell, and I am not there?

Quest. 3. Where had I been if I had Died when last Sick, or when my Husband, Wife, Father, Mother, Brother and Sister Died?

Quest. 4 Whom do I resemble, the Holy GOD, or the Black, Devil? Doth not my practice tell me I am unfit to stand before God, and to go in with Christ to the Marriage?

Quest. 5. What Influence hath all the Powerful and Soul searching Sermons of Death and Judgment I have heard, and all the Sicknesses and Loss of Friends had upon my Heart? And this I have read about Prepara|tion

for Heaven? What hatred of Sin, what love of Holiness, what desire after Christ and Heaven is there in my Heart?

Quest. 6. Have I any thing to say or object a|gainst Christ and a Holy Life? Is it not the way to Heaven, and to secure and save my Soul for ever? If it be not good to live the Life of the Righteous, why did Balaam desire to die the Death of the Righteous? Why should I not be and do that now, which I will wish I had been and done at Death and Dooms day? Are there no Resolutions stirred up in me to a Strict and Pious Course?

Quest. 7. Why are the Company and Prayers of Good Ministers and Christians, more pleasing to Men Dying, (who have Liv'd ill) than their Companions in Sin? Will the Baudy Songs, Jokes and Hellish Oathes of Swearers, Drunkards and Adulterers Com|fort thee in a departing Hour?

Quest. 8. Shall not I have a Thousand times more cause, when I go hence, to Curse the Day of my Birth, than Job or Jeremiah, and wish I had never had a Being?

Quest. 9. O my Soul! Who art now in a House of Clay, must not thou have another Habitation in a little Time? Thou art far in thy way towards the E|ternal World. Why was I Born? What have I Done? Whom have I Serv'd? Whose of right am I? Where wilt thou be my Soul, when out of this vile Bo|dy? O Death, where wilt thou Land and Lodge my Soul, in the Region of Darkness, or in the Land of Light? In the Rivers of Life and Joy, or in the Lake and Dungeon of Death? Wilt thou bring me to the Vision of God, and Bosom of Christ in the New Jeru|salem, among the Glorious Angels and Saints in Eternal Pleasure And Felicities, or into the Dark Vale

and Prison with Devils and Reprobates, to be Pained, Plagued and Tormented for ever?

Quest. 10. Will the Way and Course I am now in bring me to Heaven, or will it not? Sit down and consider, O my Soul, thy Time is short, Death is cer|tain, Eternity is near, thy Work is great, thy Ac|count will be strict, Heaven is glorious, Hell is into|lerable, eternal; I must be Regenerated and Prepared in a few days, or all is Lost.

Direction VII.

Resolve, Love and Delight to be that towards God, who seeth in secret, which thou wouldst have men think thou art, or speak and write of thee living and dead. Commune with thine heart, and Enquire, Am I a Jew inwardly, or more Religious and Serious in shew than in sincerity? The most upright cannot be de|ceived.

To apply this home to thine Heart, let me ask thee these Questions,

• 1. What doth thy Conscience say when thou art alone?
• 2. What doth thy Closet say, or those Duties which none observeth but God?
• 3. What do thy Fellow-Christians say, who are most Judicious, Spiritual, and best Able to discern?
• 4. What doth thy Conversation say?
• 5. What do thy Family, viz. Wife, Children, Ser|vants say?
• 6.What doth the Sacred Records of the Word say?

Speak Conscience, speak Closet, speak Christi|ans and Neighbours, speak Life, speak Wife, Husband, Children, Servants; speak Law and Testimony; Is this Man or Woman sincere, and fit to go into Heaven with Christ? Why wouldst thou be thought that thou art not▪ When thou art in the house of the Grave, wouldst thou have this written on thy Tomb or Sepulcher?

Here lieth an Atheist, who said in his heart there was no God nor Devil, Heaven nor Hell, till he came into Hell among the Devils.

Here lieth a seeming Saint, one that profess'd and owned Religion, but was rotten and false-hearted, who deceived himself and the world, & lost Heaven by his Hypocrisie.

Here lieth an Earth-worm, a man that laboured all his life for the world, that would be Rich & raise his Family, tho' with the ruine of his Soul, and made no preparation for Eternity. He lived and laboured as if Bodies had been Immortal, & Souls Mortal.

Here lieth an Heretick and Blasphemer, whose Opinions caused him to Perish.

Here lieth a man that mock'd at Holiness, and hated the Preachers, Professors and Practisers of Religion, whose blood he would have shed with all his heart.

Here lieth a Drunkard, a Swearer, a Mur|derer, a Thief, a False Perjured Person, a Liar, a Backbiter, who hurt others, and has undone themselves.

Here lieth a man that had fair opportunities for Heaven, but would not improve them; he made no Conscience of hearing Sermons, Reading and Sanctifying the Lords Day.

Here lieth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that had holy Parents, and was piously Educated, but he would not hearken to their Reproofs and Counsels, and tread in their Religious steps, who walk'd in the way to Hea|ven.

Here lieth •• man that lived without God in the world, that neither Prayed in his Closet nor Family.

Here lieth an Apostate, who lost his Soul and Heaven by departing from the Truth: and his Carnal compliance.

Here lieth a Pharisee, a man hot, zealous, and furious for the Form, Bark, and Suburbs of Reli|gion, and there rested, but never had the Power of it.

Friend, wouldst thou be reputed and counted a good Christian among men, see thou be such a one before God: or woe be unto thee when Christ shall come. The Ʋpright shall dwell in his presence, Psal. 140.13.

Direction VIII.

WOuld you go in with Christ, begin the work of Heaven while in the world, and drive a great Trade for Heaven. Christian, send and search out the Holy Land, get a Prospect or Pis|gan-sight of Heaven, and having tasted this pleasant Fruit, press on, possess it. Keep Grace in its most lively and vigorous exercise, let it not decline for a World.

True Grace is persevering, a spark that will never cease, aspiring till it be joyned with the Flame of Eternal Glory.

The best sight in England, (saith a Reverend Divine) is to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 an Old Professor to grow bet|ter and better. Christian, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the stream of thy heart be Heaven-ward: Ascend the Mount of Divine Communion every day, and when you are in your Private Devotions, get your Heart into Heaven. Delight in that which must be your Heaven, viz in the Face and Fa|vour of God, Mat. 5. 8. Blessed are the pure in Heart, for they shall see God. Joh. 17.24. Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am, that they may behold my Glory which thou hast given me, for thou lovedst me before the Foundation of the world.

Be much in Praising and Blessing God. Prayer and Thanks are (saith one) like the double motion of the Lungs, the Air suck'd in by Prayer, is breathed out in Thanks. Mercies that come down by Prayer, should be returned and ascend in Praises.

Moreover, keep a constant, and sensible Com|munion with Christ: Let thine heart go forth to meet him every day, and in every duty, Psal. 63. 8. When Christ and the Soul meet in his Ordinances, the Believer may say, This is the Gate of Glory; Communion must prepare us for Fruition. Augustus Caesar died in the kisse•• of his Wife Livia: The prepared Soul many times Dies in the Kisses of his dear Lord.

Direction IX.

CArefully discharge your Relative Dutie•• and abound in Acts of Mercy and Cha••••

to all. Follow the Holy Examples of former Saints, viz. Abraham, Gen. 18.19. For I know him, that be will command his Children, and his Houshold after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do Justice and Judgment, that the Lord may bring upon him that which he hath spoken of him. Josh. 24. 15. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your Fathers ser|ved that were on the other side of the Flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose Land ye dwell, but as for me and my House, we will serve the LORD. David, Psal. 101. 2, 3, 6, 7. I will behave my self wisely in a perfest way, O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes▪ I hate the work of them that turn aside, it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not cleave to me. Mine eyes shall be upon the Faithful of the Land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me. He that worketh deceit, shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth Lies shall not tarry in my sight.

Do your utmost to breed and train up your Children and Servants for Christ and Heaven, and not for the Devil and Hell.

Shall God make Inquisition for the Blood of the Body when murdered, and will he not for the Blood of a Soul?

Suppose when the beloved Child is in the Cradle, or at the Mothers Breast, the Devil should come, and say to the Parent, Take this Child and train it up for me; teach it to be Proud, to Lie, Swear, Steal, Prophane Gods Day, to Mock at Holiness, let it have its Will,

and never Restrain or Correct it; do not put it in mind of God, or Catechise it while you live. Send this Child early to my Schools, to Ale|houses, Taverns, Comedies, teach it to Card and Dice, and all Fleshly Delights, Sports and Re|creations; this would seem dreadful to you: and you would say, Get thee behind me Satan.

O then let every Father take the same care, as David did of his Son Solomon, and as Solomon did of his Son Rehoboam. See the Pious and Pa|rental Charge of David, 1 Chron. 21.9. And So|lomon, as it's thought, wrote the first eight Chap|ters of the Proverbs for the sake of Rehoboam. Let all Parents say, as Psal. 34.11. Come, ye Children, hearken unto me, and I will teach you the Fear of the Lord.

But who can say of his Children, as one said of Austin to his Mother Monica, That it was im|possible a Child of so many Prayers should Pe|rish. Are your Children the Children of Prayers and Tears?

Job was careful of his Children, who sent and sanctified them after their Feasting. The study and care of most Parents is to Enrich their Children, to leave them ample Portions and Estates, to make them Great and Honourable, and to provide Husbands and Wives for them▪ but to Sanctifie and Save their Souls is not their care.

Happy is that man, when leaving the world, can say to his Children, as old Jacob, I die, but the Lord will be with you. When God by Death removes your near and dear Relations, you are troubled that you were no serviceable to their Souls.

Again, To your Relative Piety, add your Alms, draw out your Souls to the hungry. The Poor shall never cease out of the Land. The poor you have always with you, saith Christ. Be Open-hearted and Liberal-handed to Necessi|tous persons, but especially to Gods Poor. This Duty is Costly, but it will be Comfortable. The Apostle calleth it, A good Foundation against the time to come. And Christ will Publickly ac|knowledge, and take all that is done in his Name, to his Ministers and Members, as done to him|self, Mat. 25. 45. 1 Tim. 6. 18, 19.

Direction X.

LAstly, Would you go into Heaven with Christ, labour to live like him here, who hath left us an example that we should follow his steps. Christians, in all things imitable we must imitate Christ. His natural actions, his occasional actions, his miraculous and mediatory actions we are not to imitate, but his moral actions and religious actions we must imitate. 'Tis recorded of the French men, that they are wonderfully pleased with whatsoever is said or done by their Kings, whom they love to resemble. Their Song is,

Mihi placet quicquid Regi place••,

Whatsoever pleaseth the King, pleaseth me. The Disciples and Subjects of Christ, the King of Saints, must follow him, as Jonathans Armour-bearer did his Master, as the Jews did the Cloudy-Pillar, as the Israelites did their Captain Joshua, who led them into Canaan, as the wise men did the Star which brought them to Christ. The Life of Christ is a Copy without a blot or any uneven let|ter

in it; And every one that saith he abideth in him, must so walk even •••• Christ walked, 1 Joh. 2. 9. The Life of Christ is a Christians Bible to read in, his Glass to dress himself by, his Compass to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by, his Touchstone to try himself by▪ And he that that professeth Faith in Christ must follow Christ. God hath appointed us to be conformable to the Image of his Son, Rom. 8. In these twenty Particu|lars I have drawn forth the Life of Christ. Look every day upon this unparallel'd Picture for your imitation.

First, You must imitate your dear and blessed Redeemer in his meekness and patience. Isa. 53.7. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a Lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her Shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth, Jam. 1. 4. But let Patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

2. Imitate Christ in his Humility and infinite Condescension, who though he was the highest be|came the lowest, Mat. 11.29. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart▪ and ye shall find rest unto your souls, Phil. 2.3, 4 5, 6, 7. Let nothing be done through strife or vain-glory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than them|selves; Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others; Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God. But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness if men, Joh. 13.14.15. If then your Lord and Master have washed your feet, ye ought also to wash one ano|ther▪ feet: for I have given you an example, that ye shall do as I have done to you. Pri••••, saith a Re|verend Divine, is the part of the Devils Image in man. And so filthy a Weed, (saith another) that nothing will thrive near it.

3 Imitate Christ in his universal compliance with his Fathers Will, both in his Active and Passive Obedience, Joh. 5 30. I can of mine own self do no|thing: as I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Fa|ther, which hath sent me, Chap. 6.38. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will but the will of him that sent me. Luke 22. 42. Saying, Fa|ther if thou be willing, remove this Cup from me: nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done.

4. Resemble Christ in his kindness unto and prayers for his Enemies, Luke 22. 50, 51. And one of them smote the servant of the High Priest, and cut off his right Ear. And Jesus answered, and said, Suffer ye thus far. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he touched his Ear, and healed him. Luke 23.34. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.

5. Imitate Christ in his conformity to and dili|gent Attendance upon Gods holy Ordinances, and Institutions, Luke 4 16. And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and as his custom was he went into the Synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. Luke 12.16. Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread, the Disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for the•• to eat the Passover?

6 Imitate Christ in his tenderness of sin, whose Innocency was attested by his Enemies, and he acquitted by his Judge, Joh. 8. 40. Which of you con|vinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? Chap. 14 30. Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the Prince of this World cometh, and hath nothing in me. Chap. 19. 4. Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Be|hold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.

7. Imitate the Lord from heaven in his contempt of the World, and the Honours of it, Mat. 12. 15, 16.

But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew 〈…〉〈…〉 and great multitudes followed him, 〈…〉〈…〉 all. And charged them that they should not make it known.

8. Imitate your dearest, and sweetest Lord in hea|venly-mindness, whose heart was in Heaven while he was upon the Earth, Joh 16.28 I came forth from the Father, and am come into th•• World: again, I have the World, and go to the Father, Chap. 17.5. A•••• now, O Father, glorifie thou me, with thine own self, with the Glory which I had with thee befor•• the W••••ld was.

9. Imitate your Lord and Master, in his wonder|ful self-denial, Mat. 16 24. Then 〈…〉〈…〉 as unto 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Disciples, If any man will come after 〈◊〉〈◊〉 him deny herself, and take up his Cross and follow me.

10 Imitate your blessed Redeemer in his burn|ing Zeal for Gods glory, Joh 2.17. And his Disci|ples remembred that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up

11 Imitate your holy Lord in his subjection to, and care of his Parents, Luke 2 51. And he went down with them, and come to Nazareth, and was sub|ject unto them Joh 19 26, 27. When Jesus therefore saw his Mother, and the Disciple standing by, whom he t••••ed, he saith unto his Mother. Woman behold thy Son. ••••en saith h•• to the Disciple, behold thy Mother. And from that hour that Disciple took her unto his own home. Eph. 6.1, 2, 3 Children obey your Parents in the ••••rd: for th••t is right. Honour thy father and mo••he••, (which is the first Commandment with promise) ••hat it may 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with thee, and thou mayest live 〈◊〉〈◊〉 on the Earth

12. Imitate your compassionate Saviour in h••s sympath••z••••g with his di••consolate and afflicted friends and do what you can to relieve and com|fort them, J•••• 11.33 Whe•• Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 w••th

〈…〉〈…〉 and was troubled. Col. 〈…〉〈…〉 the E••ect of God, Holy and belov•••• 〈…〉〈…〉 humi••eness of mind, 〈…〉〈…〉.

13 Imita•••• Christ in his carefulness to maintain the Truth, witness his most strict Exposition of the Law, Mat. 5. his Disputing with the Doctors, and his confuting of 〈…〉〈…〉, Luke 2.••••. And it came to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that 〈…〉〈…〉 they found him in the Temple, sitting in the m••••st ••f the Doctors, both hearing them, and asking them Question Matt. 22 ••••▪ But when the Pharisees had heard, that he had put the ••adduces to silence, they were gathered together. Con|tend earnestly for the Faith.

14. Imitate your Lord Jesus in his Wisdom and Prudence, to avoid the catching, entrapping, en|snaring Questions of his subtil, malicious enemies, Luke 20.26. And they could not take hold of his words before the people, and they marvelled at his Answers and held their pea••e Job 8 34, 5 6. And the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Pharisees brought unto him a Woman taken 〈◊〉〈◊〉 A|dultery, and when they had 〈◊〉〈◊〉 her in the ma••••, they say unto him, Ma••e this Woman was taken in Adul|tery, in the very act. Now Moses in the Law com|manded us, that such in the Law should be s••oned▪ but that sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they m••ght have to accuse him. But Jesus stooping down, and with his Finger wrote on the ground, as th••ugh he heard them no••. Psal. ••9.1. I said I wi•••• 〈…〉〈…〉 to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue I will keep my mou••h with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 trial 〈…〉〈…〉 before me. Prov. 19.•• He that kee••eth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 keepeth his l••f••

15 Imitate Christ i•• his Truth and ••••••|ness to God and Man; And see that you who s••em religious be just and righteous, sp•••• every 〈…〉〈…〉 truth to his Neighbour Pet. •• 2. Who did 〈◊〉〈◊〉, neither was guilt found in his mouth. Eph ••.

25. Wherefore putting away 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sp••ak every man truth with his Neighbour, for we are member; one of another.

16 Imitate your Lord in secret Duties particu|larly in Closet-prayer. Ma•••• 1 ••5. And in the morn|ing rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed He continued all night in prayer to God. Luke 6.12 Mat. ••.6. But thou when 〈…〉〈…〉 enter into thy Closet, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thou 〈…〉〈…〉 thy Father wi•• 〈…〉〈…〉 ••n secret, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thy 〈…〉〈…〉 seeth in secr•••• 〈…〉〈…〉.

17 Imitate your Lord and Master in his religi|ous ••••re ••are of his Family, his Disciples, in praying with them, and for them, and teaching them to pray, affl••cting of them, and expounding the Parable to them. Luke 11.1. And it ••re 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was praying in a certain place, when 〈…〉〈…〉 me of hi•• Disci•••••• said unto him, Lord teach us to pray, as John also taught his Disciple•• Mark 14 38. Watch ye and pray lest ye inter into temptation▪ The spirit 〈…〉〈…〉 ready, but the fl••sh is weak Mark 4.34. And when they were alone, he expanded all things unto his Disciples.

18 Imitate Christ in his Thankfulness to his 〈…〉〈…〉 for mercies of all kinds, Mat. 15 35, 36. And he ••••••anded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven Loaves and Fis••es, and gave 〈…〉〈…〉, and brake them, and gave to his Disciples, and the Disciples to the multitude: 1 Thess. 5 18. In every thing give thanks: for this is the Will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

19. Imitate your dear Lord in redeeming the golden opportunity of time, John 9.4. I must work the works of him that sent me while it is day: the night cometh when no man can work. Eph. 5.16. Re|deeming the time, because the days are evil.

20. Lastly, Imitate Christ in his publick spi|ritedness in his whole course, who went about doing good to all with whom he had to do, Mat 4.23. And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their Synagogues, and Preaching the Gospel of the King|dom, and healing all manner of sickness, and all manner of diseases among the people. Acts 10.38. How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost, and with Power, who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the Devil: for God was with him.

O what rare and singular Saints should we be, if we did every day write after this Copy! Christi|ans, is Christ your Head, and you his mystical Body, how monstruous and incongruous is it to see a deformed, Leprous body, joyned to a most beautiful comely Head. You hope to go in with Christ, therefore purifie your selves even as he is pure. The Sons of Constantine the great wholly put on their Father, whom they did exactly re|semble, (saith Eusebius.) Will you bewail your unlikeness to Christ, and now look often upon his Picture? 1 Cor. 11.1. Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

A certain Duke of Bavaria, each morning used to call his servant to bring him water in a Bason, in the bottom whereof was stamped in gold the Picture of Cato Major, that so he might cause the Impression of his Image to be fixed in his mind, the imitation of whose vertues he had prudently proposed for his practise. Do you often look to the Image of Christ, represented in the Glass of the Scriptures, and let his Vertues, Graces, and exact Conversation be proposed by you for your imitation. Oh how apt are we to miss the mark, to go down the stream, and over the hedge daily. Its no less a miracle to be kept from the sins of the world whilst we live in it, than for those three Worthies not to be burned when in the fiery Fur|nance.

We among the Tents of the Uncircumcised are as in the infected Pest-house, we cannot live not breath, but must suck in this Pestilential Air. Egypt was not fuller of Frogs and Lice in every Cham|ber, in every hole, than the world is of sins, snares, and temptations; for prevention whereof, furnish your selves with divine Precepts, and set before you the best Paterns of Piety: Methinks I hear the Lord Jesus from heaven, say to every Christian and Professor in the World, as Gideon to his Souldiers, Look on me, and do likewise, Judg 17 Go in Christs steps, and you shall certainly partake of his grace, and glory, John 13.15.

SECT. X.

THe fifth Ʋse is of Comfort, to those who are prepared to go in with Christ.

Christian, why weepest thou? Why is thine Heart grieved? Why is thy Countenance sad? Thou art to go in with Christ, where is fulness of Joy, and Pleasures for evermore. Say, Why art thou ••••st down, O my Soul? Go thy way, eat thy Bread, and drink thy Wine with a merry Heart, Col. 9.7. Psal. 42.5.

Here are four great grounds of Comfort: If We consider,

• 1. What you shall go in from, and leave be|hind.
• 2. Who you shall go in with.
• 3. What you shall go into.
• 4. The Duration and Perpetuity of it.

First, In general, You shall go in from, and leave behind every thing that is afflictive and grievous to you. When Elijah went to Heaven,

he left his Mantle behind him. So when Chri|stians go in with Christ, they shall be perfectly and perpetually exempted from all Sinful and Penal Evils, both of Soul and Body.

Secondly, In particular,

1. You shall be freed from all the Defector Deformities, and Superfluities of the Body. There will be no Dim or Sore Eyes, no Feeble Knees, Trembling Hands, Bald Heads, Crooked Backs, Broken Bones; no Wens, Warts, Wounds, Can|cers, Fistulaes, Scars, or any Bodily Blemish.

2. You shall be Perfectly, and for ever free from all your Bodily Toil, Pain, Labour, with which the Lives of many of Gods People have been made bitter. Some to get a little bread have been labouring in the very Fire, others grind|ing at the Mill, some digging in the Mines, others casting up of Ditches, some spinning at the Tourn, others weaving at the Loom, & thresh|ing in the Barn, and carrying heavy Burdens, and many of them have been Servants to cruel hard Masters, like Israel under their Task-Masters: This will be the Jubilee and Year of the Lords Release.

3. You shall be freed from all your anxious, vexing and tormenting Cares and Perplexities, about your carnal and bad Relations, as Hus|bands, Wives, parents, Children, Friends, Estates, Law-Suits, Debts, Ill-neighbours, &c.

4. You shall be freed from all your Sighs, Complaints, Groans, Rising from within or from without. Abraham shall no more complain for the want of an Heir, nor Rachel of her Barren|ness, nor Rebecca of the Daughters of Heth, nor Jacob of his lost 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ David shall not complain

of his treacherous familiar Friend, nor of his rebellious Son Absalom, or of being in the Tents of Kedar, the Song of the Drunkard, There shall be no grieving Thorn, or pricking Briar, or a Canaanite in the House of the Lord, neither shall they be sensible of Hunger, or Cold, or Naked|ness, any more for ever.

5. You shall be freed from all your Weaknesses, Sicknesses, and all Diseases whatsoever. There shall be no more Ague, Fever, Gout, Stone, Stran|gury, Spleen, Scurvy, Consumption, Dropsies and Lethargies, &c. The cause of all this will be removed. There will be neither an Aking-head nor Sinful Heart.

6. You shall be freed from all your Pain and Travel, through Cold, Dirt, Winds, Storms, and other Difficulties, to come at the Word and Or|dinances of God, and from all your Deadness and Weariness in Duties, which is the grief and sor|row of your Souls.

7. You shall be perfectly freed from all your Fears, Corruptions, Temptations, Desertions and Doubts, about your Souls and Heaven. The Spouse will never say, Her Beloved is withdrawn and gone from her. Job shall never feel the poisoned Arrows within him more. David will never say, Save me, O Lord, for the Waters are come in upon my Soul: mine Eyes fail, while I wait for my God. The Believer shall never be heard to say or wish, Oh! That I knew the work of Grace in me were true and saving, that God's Heart were towards me, and that my Heart were truly set on God. Then all their Desires shall be satisfied, all their Fears removed, all their Doubts resolved, all their Prayers fully answered,

and all their Graces perfected: and each Saint shall come to the fulness of the Stature of the Gift of Christ. When Moses was in the Mount, he came shining down. Surely, the prepared Christian shall go shining in, when clad with the Robe of Christs Glorious Righteousness. The Bodies and Souls of Believers shall be as Adam, when the Crown of Original Righteousness was set upon his head: The Body will be in its per|fect strength, and (as some think) as it was be|tween Thirty and Forty Years; and the Colours so rare, fresh, bright and transparent, that all the veins and nerves will be discerned, and so full of strength and agility, as it shall be able (saith Luther) to Toss the greatest Mountain as a Ball. The Apostle speaking of the Glory of the Bodies of the Saints at the Resurrection, saith, It is sown in Corruption, it is raised in Incorruption; it is sown in Dishonour, it is raised in Glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in Power, 1 Cor. 15.42, 43. The same Apostle affirmeth, That their vile Bo|dies shall be made like unto Christs Glorious Body. Then shall each Saint shine brighter than the Sun in the Kingdom of their Father, for ever and ever.

2. IT is very comfortable to reflect upon the Persons that shall be Copartners with you of this Glory, who shall go in with Christ to the Marriage. We read, Psal. 45. of the Queen in Gold of Ophir, the Kings Daughters, and honou|rable Women, the Virgins thy Companions, which with gladness and rejoycing shall be bro't, they shall enter the Kings Palace. That numberless

number of Sealed Ones, Rev. 7 9. & great Assembly, at First-born, which are written in Heaven, many of which you have known, shall go in with you. Those that have gone to the House of God with you, Fasted, Mourned, Prayed with you, those that have Suffered with you, and who have heard the Word, and received the Lords Supper with you, and all that have Died in the Lord, and gone to Heaven before you.

All the Holy Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, Ministers, (viz.) your Godly Pastors, Godly Parents, Godly Husbands, Godly Wives, Godly Children, Godly Servants, Godly Neigh|bours, whom ye have not seen many Years, shall go in with you.

Is not this comfortable? Christian, thou shalt see Adam the first man, that God made, and Abel the first Martyr, Enoch that walked with God, and was Translated: Thou shalt see Noah that was in the Ark, and saved from the Flood, and Lot who lived in Sodom, whose righteous Soul was vexed with their Uncleanness. Thou shalt have the sight of Abraham, who offered up his Son, and Joseph who was sold into Egypt: Thou shalt see Jacob who wrestled with the Angel, and got the blessing. Thou shalt see Moses the great Pro|phet that was in the Mount, and brought down the Law to the People, and Aaron the High Priest, and Joshua who went with the People into Ca|naan, and Samuel who Ministred to the Lord when he was but a Child: Thou shalt see Sampson who pulled down the House upon the Philistines, and David the man after Gods own Heart, who slew Goliah; and Solomon that built the Temple, and the rest of the Godly Kings of Judah: Thou shalt

also see the Three Children that were cast into the fiery Furnace, and Daniel that was cast into the Den of Lions. Thou shalt see John the Bap|tist, ••••at was the fore-runner of Christ, and Paul that was beheaded for Christ, and Peter that was Crucified for Christ, and the good Women that ministred to him, and stood by him in his Suffer|ings, and Joseph of Arimathea, who begged his sacred Body, and put it in his Sepulchre. Thou shalt see the Blessed Virgin in whose Womb he was conceived; Thou shalt see Cranmer, Ridley, Latimer, and many faithful Ministers and Christi|ans, who were Burned and Died for the Truth in the Marian Days. Here is a blessed time indeed, to go in with all those, and who can tell how many more, who shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the Air, 1 Thes. 4.

3. WHat they shall go into, is unspeakable Joy to reflect upon.

To the Publick Consummation of the Mar|ri•••• ••hat is to be between the Kings Son and the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Daughter, Christ and the Church, Rev. 19. What a comfort will this be to the Daughters of Zion to behold King Solomon, i. e. Christ, in the day of his Espousals, and in the day of the gladness of his heart. Here we see but at a distance, and thro' a Glass darkly, then face to face; we shall see him as he is, and behold his Glory, 1 Cor. 13.9, 10, 11, 12. 1. John 3.2. Joh 17.24. The Queen of Sheba, took a great Journey to behold the Glory of Solomon, which did transport her with wonder, what will the sight of Christs Person and Glory do?

Secondly, They shall be openly Owned and Ac|knowledged by Christ, when he is exalted above all.

For a King to manifest signal Respect to some of his Subjects and Favourites on his Marriage or Corona|tion-day, is an high Honour.

Thirdly, They shall be Enthroned and Crowned with Christ, yea, sit down with him in his Throne, Rev. 3.21. And if there were such Shouts, Joy, Sing|ing and Triumphs, when Solomon was on the Throne, that the very Earth did rent with the sound of them, 1 King. 1.39, 40. O what will there be when the Saints shall be on the Throne-Royal, to Judge the world! And if there is joy among the Angels at the Conversion of one Sinner, what Acclamations and Triumphs will be among the Angels at the Co|ronation of so many Saints. There was great Joy when Joseph and his Brethren met in Pharaohs Court, what Joy will there be when JESUS and Believers shall meet above the Clouds, and in their Fathers House!

Fourthly, They shall go into the very Presence of God, and have the full Vision of him, to see his E|ternal Records, Counsels and Decrees that have been concealed so long. Then it will appear what they shall be. Believers▪ Christ Spouse will never ••••lly understand her Dignity and Greatness till sh•• ••ome to God.

Candala Queen of Fanema sometime said to the Venetians, for her Royal Entertainment, That she never knew her self to be a Queen, till she came to their Terri|tories. The same may Saints say, when they come to the upper Regions and Mansions of Glory.

LAstly, 'tis strong Consolation to consider the Duration of the Joys and Happiness of the Saints in Heaven, which will be without any Inter|mission, Succession, or Conclusion. To go into the New Jerusalem, that needeth no Light of the Sun,

Moon nor Stars, and to be with God, Christ, Angels and Saints for ever, will be incomparable Joy, St. Paul affirmeth, That Believers shall be ever with the Lord, 1 Th•••• 4.17, 18. 'Tis said of that Holy Man Mr. Ward, That being in the midst of a Dinner, and the People wondering what he was musing about, he pre|sently brake out, For ever, for ever, for ever, for almost a Quarter of an Hour he could not be still'd, but Cried out, For ever, for ever, for ever.

TO Conclude, Christian speedily get an Assu|rance of Faith, that thou mayst come to a Victorious Conclusion against the strength of Doubts, whereby thy pure mind may be ascertained, per|swaded, and upon good ground settled in the belief of going in with Christ.

I shall shut up all in a few Queries.

1. Q. Sinner, Canst thou believe that those only who are Prepared, shall be for ever with Christ, and not one more?

2. Q Hast thou done as God Commanded Hezeki|ah at his Summons for Death? Set thy House in Or|der, disposed of thine Estate, and laid no Foundation for thy Wife, children, Friends, Relations, to quarrel when thou art Dead, and laid in thy Grave?

3. Q. Shalt thou leave a good Savour behind thee when ever thou goest hence? And is there any just cause of any Shimei to Curse, or Dog to Bark at thee?

4 Q. Darest thou own all that thou hast gotten be|fore the Great & Dreadful Judge, and say as Samuel, 1 Sam. 12.3, 5. Whose Ox have I taken? Whose Ass have I taken? Or whom have I Defrauded? And he said, the Lord is witness that you have

not found ought in my Hand. Is there no Man, Orphan, or Widow wronged, or Debts contracted, and not Paid?

5. Q Hast thou carried thy self like a Christian in thy Calling, Office and Relation, and Entail'd a Blessing upon thy Estate and Family? Where is the Man or Womans Child or Servant, that can rise up and call thee Blessed, or Cordially Bless God for thy Example, Company, Counsel?

6 Q What hast thou done for the Church of Christ, his Honour, Interest, Ministers and afflicted Members? Have they been the better for thee or thine Estate? Great Receipts will have a great Account.

Lastly, If the Cry at Midnight should now sound in thine Ears, art thou ready for the Marriage?

Mr. Bolton Dying told his Children, That none of them should dare to meet him at Gods Tribunal in an Ʋnregenerate Estate: The Reason is in the Text. Oh! Let it never, never be forgotten, That those that were Ready went in with him to the Marriage, and the Door was Shut.

FINIS.

Notes

• * 1.1

  1. Use
• * 1.2

  Mo. 3
• * 1.3

  Mo. 4.
• * 1.4

  Mo. 5.
• * 1.5

  Mo. 6.
• * 1.6

  Mo. 7.
• * 1.7

  Mo 8.