Eklampsis tōn dikaiōn, or, The shining forth of the righteous a sermon preached partly upon the death of that reverend and excellent divine, Mr. Stephen Charnock, and in part at the funeral of a godly friend / by John Johnson. Johnson, John, M.A. 1680 Approx. 126 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 24 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2007-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A46911 Wing J783 ESTC R16247 12724887 ocm 12724887 66312 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A46911) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 66312) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 694:3) Eklampsis tōn dikaiōn, or, The shining forth of the righteous a sermon preached partly upon the death of that reverend and excellent divine, Mr. Stephen Charnock, and in part at the funeral of a godly friend / by John Johnson. Johnson, John, M.A. [6], 40 p. Printed for the author, and are to be sold by Tho. Parkhurst, Will. Miller, and Benj. Alsop ..., London : 1680. Includes bibliographical references. Reproduction of original in Huntington Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Charnock, Stephen, 1628-1680. Funeral sermons. Sermons, English -- 17th century. 2005-11 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2006-03 SPi Global Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2006-04 Judith Siefring Sampled and proofread 2006-04 Judith Siefring Text and markup reviewed and edited 2006-09 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion ΕΚΛΑΜΨΙΑ ΤΩΝ ΔΙΚΑΙΩΝ : OR , THE Shining forth of the RIGHTEOUS : A SERMON PREACHED Partly upon the death of that Reverend and Excellent Divine , Mr. STEPHEN CHARNOCK , And in part At the Funeral of a godly Friend . By JOHN JOHNSON , M. A. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Greg. Nyssen . Orat. de Mortuis . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys . hom . in Matt. 49. Cum a propriâ & ingenita Corruptione immunes — ab ascittiâ improborum inquinatione separati , non tum ut alim sicut Luna , quae suâ Luce mutabilis est , sed ut ipse Sol infinito fulgore fulgebunt . Cartwr . in Mat 13.43 . LONDON : Printed for the Author , and are to be sold by Tho. Parkhurst , Will. Miller , and Benj. Alsop , at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside , at the Acorn in St. Pauls Church-Yard , and at the Angel and Bible in the Poultry , 1680. TO THE READER . Courteous Reader , I Thought when it was told me that my only bosom-friend amongst the Ministers , that excellent Divine Mr. Stephen Charnock ( 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) lay a dying , that I heard a Voice from Heaven which whispered to him , Go up and Die , but spake aloud to us , Do the Prophets live for ever ? It awakened me to review a Sermon which I had preached at the request of some godly friends in Leicestershire upon a Text given by their Father the day before his Death , and to repeat it to some very few of Mr. Charnocks Hearers . My intent in publishing of it is not so much to gratifie them both , as to endeavour some small benefit to the souls of some weaker Christians as well as theirs , before I go hence and be no more . May not a little milk be handed by me to new born babes , but one or another must think strange of it ? What if they should ? I leave it to others to seed strong men with stronger meat . This prevails with me , Mr. Charnock is dead , I 'm a dying . Some other reasons I have acquainted him with who knows my thoughts afar off . Here 's nothing of an Elogium on my Country friend ( that I delivered formerly to his Relations ) little concerning Mr. Charnock . I should have said , at least attempted , much more ; but I heard a Narrative of his Life will be drawn by an able hand . All my skill could not have done it to the life . If this Sermon beyond my intention should fall into the hands of any Ministers , besides some few my acquaintance and Juniors , who may challenge it from me , I shall add only this following character taken out of several of the Fathers Writings , more applicable ( I dare avouch it ) to Mr. Charnock than those to whom they affixed it . I cite not the places , they are known to Scholars . He was , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . I pray they may be delivered into this expressed form as these lines were into their Types ; and commend them and the following Discourse to the blessing of our good God , and rest Thine in our Lord , John Johnson . THE Importunity of some constra●ns me to render into English the Character in the Epistle to the Reader , though far short of the copiousness and elegancy of the Greek Language . i. e. He was as to manners and comportment venerable and grave , like an aged person from his youth : Then well train'd up and learned in all the wisdom couched under exotick and foreign languages : In his skill in both the Originals of Sacred Writ , the wisdom taught by the holy languages , was he instructed , and so augmented and grew ripe ( as in years ) even to perfection ; and became not only the lively representation , but the original it self of humanity , love and kindness towards the sons of men ; Keeping no consort but only grace and vertue . He was the Rational house of God , Christs spiritual building , the Temple of the Holy Ghost , framed , made up of Orthodox Doctrines and good works . A person really transformed into the very Image of God himself . Always serving the only true and living God , as becomes such a God. All the work wherein he employed and exercised himself with diligence , skill and constancy , was love to God and souls . His life he examined and squared until it was in every thing exact according to the rule of the Word . His Gravity not affected in the least ; his very silence was more efficacious many times than his own , very often than the speech of others . But all his Ministerial service always such as brought down fire from Heaven upon the spiritual Sacrifices . He being a fountain of Divine Truth , a larger beam of great light , which always carries much warmth and heat as well as light along with it . He was the very mouth by which the Lord Christ spake , and a genuine Interpreter of the Holy Ghost of his mind in the words , of his meaning in the Doctrines of the Gospel . That Golden Urn ( in the Ark of God ) that preserved Divine Manna , and was fill'd to the brim with Coelestial food to nourish souls in spiritual , unto eternal life ; his heart ever-flowing , and over-flowing love , and grace abundantly poured round his lips . The Doctrines he set forth before his Hearers for food and physick , were most Divine , whom he never directed into any way of truth wherein he had not walked before them . Christs most fruitful Vine over-spread the walls of his Auditory , well hung with lovely clusters , and flourishing with pleasant fruit of all the salutiferous Doctrines of the Gospel , whence Ministers , others carried home baskets full to rejoice the hearts of new-born babes which they were to bring up for Christ . Herein lay his Eminency , he had resigned all into the hands of his Lord and Saviour that had received him , viz. his Estate , Reputation , Health , Life , and what ever might be for his comfortable being here , even his Learning and Learned Discourses ; enjoying only thus much of all these things that he over-looked them , and had wherewith he might make it appear how much he pre-esteemed Christ before them . MAT. 13.43 . Then shall the Righteous shine forth as the Sun in the Kingdom of their Father . OUR Lord in this and the two precedent verses , ascertains us what Discrimination at the end of the world shall be of Saints and Sinners . They can hardly be distinguisht here . In the Lords field , pure corn grows , and also tares , i. e. not such noisome and noxious weeds as cockle , darnel , &c. openly known , notorious sinners , such should be weeded out : But as the Learned Brederodius , after him Scultetus and others do expound it , burnt or blasted corn , which cannot be extirpated before Harvest , without endangering the plucking up good corn with it . ( From the same root I have observed , blasted ears sprang up-must then ) , since 't would sully and damage the good corn . Amongst the truly righteous , Hypocrites grow up , which are but , 1. Things that offend , i. e. not Dissenters , they are persons scandalized , offended : Nor , 2. only men Heterodox , or Hereticks , that lay Traps to ensnare others . But , 3. All such as lay , or lye themselves , as stumbling-blocks , and snares in the way ; weaker Christians can hardly get to Heaven for them , not without stumbling , wounding their Consciences , and making their hearts to ake . 2. Persons that do iniquity , no good , much mischief in the Church , and that make it their employ . Too many such there are in the visible Church , because they whose concern it is , take not that care of , and inspection over them as they ought . When both these shall be bundled up by the Angel , and hurl'd into the fiery furnace , as fewel for Hell , yet not be consumed , but Salamander-like , live in the devouring fire , and dwell with everlasting burnings . Consider these four Particulars . 1. The Subjects of future Glory , the Righteous . 2. What their Dignity , preferment , and eternal happiness will be ; viz. 1. They shall shine ( as they do in Grace and Holiness , much more ) in glory . 2. Shine forth , i. e. be perfectly freed from every thing that eclipses their light , or obscureth the splendor and brightness of their Grace and Holiness . 3. Shine forth as the Sun , i. e. gloriously , incomparably , not as the Moon that changeth ; as the Sun in its noon day glory , with unchangeable , everlasting light shall they be perfectly glorified . 3. The Firmament or place where , In the Kingdom of their Father . God may as soon be pulled out of Heaven , his Being and Glory be extinct , as they plucked out of their Orbs , and their light and glory be put out . 4. The time when , when Hypocrites , the unrighteous shall be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone , to be tormented with their Father the Devil , and abide there for ever ; there , to the torment of sinners , their own unspeakable comfort ; especially to the glory of God shall the righteous in Heaven shine out . Hence , Note , 1. They that shall be glorified , are the righteous , viz. through Regeneration , Reputation , by Sanctification and Acceptation . 1. They that are righteous through Regeneration , called ( v. 38. ) the children of the Kingdom , ( by an usual Hebraism , as in those terms , children of death , children of wrath , &c. ) 1. Because they are designed for , and constituted by God heirs of the Kingdom : And , 2. are made capable of it , being born of the Word , of the Spirit , of God himself . 1. They are born again , not of corruptible black rotting seed , but of incorruptible , the Word of God , which liveth and abideth for ever , 1 ● et . 1.23 , 24. i. e. Not of the Word of man , flowers and flourish●s of humane wit and eloquence , which soon fade , corrupt , and like rotten seed come to nothing ; but of the Word of God , pure Gospel , v. 25 whence they grow , and ( as the corn sown , and the corn in the ear are of the same nature ) by Regeneration turn as it were very word and spirit ; that incorruptible seed , the Word of the Kingdom being turned into Grace in their hearts , changes and transforms them in●o new Creatures , and they grow from it in Grace and Holiness . 2. They are born of the Spirit , Joh. 3.5 , 6. and thereby not only Evangelized , but spiritualized , 2 Cor. 3 18. Changed into the image of Christ , ( presented to them by the Gospel ) who received the Spirit without measure , and transformed from glory to glory , from grace to grace ; or from one degree of the glorious grace and graces of the Lord , the blessed spirit , to another ; made very like not only to their Lord Jesus , but the Lord the Spirit . Yea , 3 ly , They are born of God , 1 Joh. 3.9 . so implicitely termed his children in the Text , which calls Heaven by the name of the Kingdom of their Father . Though 't is true they grow after in their resemblance of him , as they grow more holy as he is holy , Eph. 4.23 , 24. in holiness of Truth wrought in them by the Word of Truth , and by the Spirit of Truth ; whereas before Conversion there is none righteous , not one Jew , one Gentile , one in all the World. All are of their father the Devil , and his works they will do . All are corrupt and do iniquity , yea abominable iniquity , and do not do good . Their best actions in holy Austin's Language are but glittering sins , ( some in our days would say the good Father is out , his bolt is soon shot ; what ! were the eminent vertues of the Heathens sins ? how differs Grace from Vertue and Morality ? therefore we 'l say ) the best actions of the unregenerate being not from a principle of Grace , have nothing of holiness , truth of grace and goodness in them . — So are sins of omission , which was Austins meaning . They do no good at all . 2. Such as are righteous by Reputation , i. e. to whom God imputeth not sin and guilt , but reckoneth and reputeth righteous in his sight , not for any thing wrought in them , or done by them , but for the merit , righteousness , perfect obedience , and full satisfaction of their Lord Jesus received by faith alone . This is the good seed , the word of truth , the Gospel of our Salvation , which being scattered by Ministers , and blown by the Blessed Spirit into the prepared hearts of Intelligent hearers , takes root and grows there ; They which come up thereby to trust , i. e. to hope in Christ , and to be justified by faith thorough him , they are the good seed , the righteous that shall be glorified . As the Sons of the first Adam were made sinners , the Sons of the second are made righteous . None ( after regeneration ) can make themselves righteous , if they could keep the whole Law ; since by Adam's disobedience , theirs in him , they were made sinners . All , and only believers are constituted righteous by the obedience of Christ , who was made of God the second Adam , a common head and representative of all that were given to him by the Father . This righteousness is not their own , but Christs ; yet 't is theirs , being made theirs , 1. by Gods Donation ; 2. by their thankful acceptance , apprehending , laying hold upon , and appropriating of it by faith . So ( if I may borrow the Learned Mr. Richard Hooker his saying ) God accepts them in Jesus Christ as perfectly righteous , as if they had fulfilled all that was commanded in the Law ; shall I say more perfectly righteous than if they had fulfilled the whole Law ? I must take heed what I say , but the Apostle saith , God made him to be sin for us who knew no sin , that we might be made the righteousness of God in him . 3 ly . They who are by Inchoation , I mean by the Word , and by the spirit of Holiness , truly in part , though not perfectly sanctified and made righteous , and daily more and more , when as 't was in an instant of their being turned to God that they were regenerate , of their believing in Christ that they were justified . Whom he justified , them he also glorified , Rom 8.30 . i. e. say Divines , he sanctified . There being not a specifical , but only a gradual difference betwixt them ; and such have , love , and do righteousness . 1. They have righteousness inherent in them , answering to what was in the first , and in some measure to that which is in the second Adam , being made partakers of the Divine Nature , and receiving of the Lord Christs fulness , Grace for grace . In Regeneration the principles and seeds of grace , in Sanctification gracious dispositions and habits are infus'd and wrought . He is a sinner that wanting original rectitude hath corruption of nature in lieu of it . Evil dispositions inclining him instead of fearing , serving and glorifying God as God , to cast off the fear of God , to sin against and dishonour him ; and instead of loving his neighbour as himself , his righteous neighbour best with such a love , to hate others as his enemies , so he becomes more like a beast than a man , and the godly most of all . So he is more like a child of the Devil , than a child of God. So he is righteous , who being created over again , hath such habitual grace and good dispositions wrought in him , as incline and facilitate him to serve the Lord : 1. In Holiness : 2. In righteousness , Luk. 1.75 . both in acts of piety towards God , and Justice towards man ; and fill him with love to God , and all that bear his image , and to all that have as Bucer spake , any thing of Christ in them . So 1 Pet. 4.18 . the righteous are opposed to the ungodly and sinners , unrighteous ones that have not the fear of God before their eyes , not the love of God in their hearts , nor grace to live and act justly and honestly towards themselves or others , Rom 1.29 , &c. Hence 2. they love righteousness as their Lord Jesus did , to whose Image they were predestinated to be conformed . He being perfectly righteous , did perfectly love righteousness and hate inquity , they receiving of his fulness , do it in their measure and degree ; which they manifest by a constant serious purpose and endeavour to follow after holiness and righteousness , ( exercising themselves herein to keep a conscience void of offence towards God and man ) and to depart from iniquity . Though through remainders of corruption they may sometimes omit some duties , or fail in the performance of them , or be overcome and fall into the commission of some sins ; yet as to the constant frame of their hearts , they love righteousness ; and as to their course , 3. They do righteousness , and do no iniquity . Sinners being void of all grace , filled with all unrighteousness , commit sin , work and do mischief , are workers of iniquity , Mat. 25. Sin-makers ; by the Trade they drive , you may know their calling . They do nothing else but sin , and manifest themselves to be ungodly , unrighteous , by their ungodly and unjust practices . By their actings they shew themselves to be men not only of loose and licentious , but flagitious lives , living in gross , open and scandalous sins . They sin like the Devil , who from the first never ceased to sin , was a lyar , a murtherer from the beginning , is and will be so , 1 Joh. 1.6 . c. 3.4.6.8 . Es . 59.6 . So 1 Joh. 1.7 . c. 2.29 . c. 3.6 , 9 , 10. They are righteous that work righteousness , making it the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the main business and employment of their lives . 4. They that are righteous by acceptation , in the Lords , though not the Laws account ; i. e. though they are not legally , absolutely and most compleatly righteous , so as they might challenge from God , and by the Law justification and life upon account of personal and perfect obedience ; yet are righteous Evangelically in a Gospel sense , yea through the Lords gracious acceptation in Gods own account . God accepts them that are truly and really righteous , though they be not absolutely perfect ; and dignifies them with that title of honour upon account of their uprightness and sincerity , which is a Jewel in the Lords eye , yea all in all in his account ; so were Abel , Noah , Zachariah and Elizabeth , righteous before God ; whereas Hypocrites are only seemingly righteous , and that before men in appearance , outward shew and profession . Righteousness usually is defined to be a constant and perpetual ( desire , purpose , and ) will to give unto every one his own . Observe wherein Noahs Righteousness lay , ( when he was the only righteous person in the age wherein he lived ) and you 'l see what that righteousness is which God approves , and accepts through Christ , and the New Covenant . 1. He gave to God his own , that faith , fear , love , obedience , that internal and external worship which was due unto him , when ( Gen. 6.12 . ) All flesh had corrupted their way : i. e. in worshipping God , and turn'd Idolaters as the Hebrew phrase oft intends , Exod. 32.7 . Deut. 32.5 . he knew 't was just , the great , the good God , His God should be served in the first place , most and best served by him , always according to his own will. 2. He gave unto others their due , when Gen. 6.18 . the earth was filled with violence : i. e. Injustice , cousenage and oppression . — He took what care he could for the good , the preservation and Salvation of others , especially of his Family , as well as of himself . 3. He was perfect : i. e. upright amongst a world of hypocrites , his heart right with God , and he was righteous before him ; what he did for God or others , he did all as under Gods eye , as in his presence , Gen 6.9 . 4. He was righteous in his faithful discharge of duty in that office and station which God set him in , as a Master of a Family , a Father , a Preacher of Righteousness , Gen. 6.22 'T is rare , but the most amiable sight to see persons , Mat. 3 1● . fulfilling all righteousness in their particular callings . John had need , as he said , to be baptized of Christ , but Christ had not entred on his office ; John had , and his office was to baptize : so Christ saith , Suffer it now , it becomes us to fulfill all righteousness . 2. As to their preferment . Note , 2 ly , The righteous shall be glorified ; being regenerate , justified and sanctified , they walk uprightly , and work righteousness : They shall be taken up , and admitted into the Kingdom of their Father , and shall dwell there , Psal . 15 1 , 2 And , 1 There they shall shine . They were darkness , but God bespoke them out of it , and they were made light in the Lord , Eph. 5.8 . as in the first , so in their new Creation . 2 Cor. 4 6. God said , Let there be light , and there was light . Light immediately sprang up out of darkness , into their understandings , and they appeared as Luminaries in the World , Phil. 2.15 and gave light to others , Mat 5 15 , 16 but they do only 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , appear sometimes , then they shall 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , always shine , and shine bright : Here their light is a little twinkling glimmering light ; as the light of here and there a Star , at distance one from another , in a pitchy dark night : look wishly , and you may see here and there a Saint in his Conversation , holding forth the word of life ; but then being fixed as thick as they can stand one by another , all together ( an innumerable company ) will shine bright in one Constellation , giving out their light . In heaven none but Saints are , all are burning and shining lights . 2. They shall shine out ; here , as the Greek word intimates , are they under a cloud , hereafter they shall break forth , shine clearly and gloriously , as the light of the Sun doth , when on a sudden it breaks out ( as we think ) from under a Cloud ; there 's too much here that darkens and obscures their lustre , splendor , radiant and shining brightness , which then shall be scattered , dispel'd , driven away , and that for ever . 1. Alas ! they are much darkened here by bodily weaknesses and distempers . 2. Much more by humane frailties ( though regenerate , they are but men ; though Saints , not glorified ) remainders of inbred corruption , and prevalent temptations much obscure them . Paul , the chief of the Apostles , speaks most of his Infirmities . 3. Most of all in the eyes of others by abundance of dirt , a world of slanders , as false , as foul aspersions flung upon them ; which at present too much Eclipse their light and lustre , but will serve then only for the better setting of it off . Besides , 4. Here they are under the Cross , and manifold Afflictions , which make many speak and censure hardly of them , and yet work together only to purge their filth away , and to file off their dross , 1 Pet. 1.6 , 7. For then , 3. they shall shine forth as the Sun , i. e. 1. With a most full , perfect and glorious light , such as we are not able to conceive of , much less to express . 'T is therefore shadowed out by a familiar Metaphor from the Sun , which even Children know to be the greatest and the clearest light . Here they appear , and twinkle now and then like the Stars , those lesser lights of Heaven ; then shall they shine with a far greater , an incomparably more glorious light , like the Sun it self . 2. Nativo lumine , with their own light , received at their first Creation , their Regeneration , and from that time encreasing in Grace , till it advance to its full growth and perfection in glory . The path of the just shineth more and more unto the perfect day . Whereas Hypocrites ( like the Ignes faetui , Fire-drakes ) blaze a little here with an Adventitious light , which will evaporate , quickly be extinct , and dye with them as soon as those gross vapors , sumes and exhalations from the Earth , whereof they consist , are spent and gone ; whilest the Coast is clear , and the Air serene , they glister ; but when the wind and storms arise , they go out in a snuff and stench . 3. With a perpetual , yea an everlasting light : The light of the Sun , who is the fountain of light , and the Eye of the World , is constant , and cannot be extinguisht , unless you could pluck , or put it out . 2. The place where , The Kingdom of their Father ; that is Mat. 5.16 . in Heaven , where he sits upon his Throne in Majesty , Isa . 66.1 . So it is 1. a most glorious place . God , as to his Essential , Powerful , Providential presence , is every where , fills Heaven and earth , Jer. 23.23 , 24. Psal . 139.8 , &c. But his most special glorious presence is in Heaven , called ( 2 Cor. 12.1 . ) the third Heaven . Whatever Philosophers may opine concerning the number of the Heavens , Scripture enumerates them to be three ; 1. The place betwixt the visible Firmament and the Earth , Gen. 1.20 . 2. Where the Sun , Moon and Stars are fixed , Gen. 1.14 . Psal . 19.1 , 4. The third above all , where is Gods Dwelling-place , Psal . 123.1 . and Sion-Colledg , the Mansions and Lodgings of Blessed Angels , and glorified Saints . They have all their name from the Hebrew word , which signifies light . Some light there is in the Aereal Heaven from the Sun , Moon and Stars , which makes it comfortable , much more in the Sidereal , where those glorious lights are set up . Infinitely more in the Empyrean , where God is light , 1 Joh. 1.5 . the Sun the fountain of it , Jam. 1.17 . and dwells in light , 2 Tim. 6.16 . the sight whereof no creature can endure , till glorified and made meet for it ; so great is the supereminence of the Divine Glory ; yet here the righteous partaking thereof shall shine forth as the Sun , according to the several degrees of Divine light which they receive . 2. A most secure place : Their several Orbs are so fixed here , they shall never fall or be plucked out . An Astrologer observed a new Star in Cassiopea , others fancy they have seen more , but was it ever found that any of the old Stars were extinct and lost ? but these lower Heavens ( 2 Pet. 3.10 ) in the twinkling of an eye shall pass away ( and be seen no more ) with a great noise , ( as many famous places , the Exchange , did in the dreadful Conflagration ) , a ratling noise , or like the noise of the wheels of Chariots that run swiftly , or of waves in a storm at Sea rushing by us , or as Parchment hizzeth when 't is cast into the fire ; the Firmament that scroll of the Heavens shall be rolled up , thrown into the fire , and shrivel up with fervent heat ; and the Sun ( shall no more set , as Poets fancied in Thetis her lap , a sea of waters , but ) shall be extinct in an Ocean of fire , and so put out ; then that Heaven wherein righteousness , the spirit of the just made perfect , Christ and God dwell for ever . For , 2. It is the highest Heaven ; far out of the reach of the Prince , and all the powers of Darkness , and their Comrades the Beast and false Prophet . All which accursed crew shall be thrown into the lowermost hell . And it is the Kingdom of God Almighty , who is able to preserve them . The Rabbins do not groundlesly assert that the souls of the righteous in Heaven do adh●re unto ( and hold fast by ) the right hand of God for ever , in that he held the Stars his faithful Ministers and Saints here ; and can any , think you , if they would attempt it in Heaven , pluck them out . 2. It is , Psal . 24.3 . the Lords holy place , the Holy of holies , where there can be no sin , ( as there was in Paradise ) , or temptation unto sin . From eternity God was a Heaven to himself . Then with his own hands he created and built Heaven of old , Ps . 102.25 . not that he might be comprehended there , but to be a palace for his residence , the habitation of his holiness , Psal . 103.19 . and an house for his children to live comfortably in safety . Saints of themselves could not , it may be would not continue in grace here , in glory hereafter ; but God is not only able to preserve them in glory , but their gracious God and Father , and he will do it . After , 3. The time , then ; which carries a double Antithesis in it : 1. More generally of time future , of eternity ; I should say to this now , this moment of their life here , Job 14.1 . the few days of Saints are full of trouble , Act. 14 22. The clearest Sun-shining day succeeds the darkest night , and glorious deliverances of particular Saints , and the whole Church , after days of most sore affliction , at length after that time of trouble , such as never was before , Dan. 12.1 , 2. ( understand it of the calamities which befell the Jews under Antiochus ) at that very time the Church shall have an eminent Temporal deliverance , a pledg of one more glorious eternal Salvation , by the coming of the great Prince Michael , the eternal Son of God ; Who is like him , the Lord of hosts , that standeth on his Churches side , against the Devil , and all in confederacy with him ? So in the Antiparallel , Rev. 20.8 . when the City is begirt , assaulted , battered and storm'd , the Lord Christ the Captain-General comes in to its relief , works such a deliverance as soon ends in everlasting salvation ; for then many ▪ all an innumerable companies of Saints , whose bodies slept in the dust , shall arise unto an eternal life in glory ; as appears by its being opposed to that shame and everlasting contempt the rest shall awake unto , Isa . 66.24 . and stand as statues of ignominy to all eternity , 1 Joh. 3.2 . Now we are , and shine as the children of God in grace , but it appears not what we shall be , and how we shall shine in glory hereafter . The Excellencies of the righteous , innate light , Grace , Holiness , and righteousness of Truth appear only to a few . Some Philosophers , unwise as they are , have gone about to number the Stars but Gen. 15.15 . Jer. 32. God only , Psal . 147.4 . all don't appear at all time , to all persons , nor to any at the first view , and at too great a distance . They that have the best eye-sight , and longest and most carefully view them , observe most . In the Church some Saints give forth more light , and are very conspicuous , 2 Cor. 8.18 . Some less , which yet is well discerned , by such as take an exact view of them , and as near as they can ( true grace will shine where ever it is , but some persons graces are little observed by others that think they have none ) . Some cast out a very little light , which is seen only by those that have the spirit of discerning , after long observation ; and some do not go for Saints , which would appear such if exactly viewed , and not at too great a distance , and will be approved at the day of Judgment , 1 Cor 4.6 . 2 Tim. 2.19 . 1 Joh. 3.1 . But as to the blind world , Saints shine not ; they that are most eminent for grace & holiness seem mean , obscure , very contemptible in the eyes of the generality , both sinners and hypocrites , especially of your Don Illustrissimo's and Virtuoso's in the world . 2. That instant when the Excellencies of Saints shall shine forth , is opposed to that moment of time when the Tares , all hypocrites , unrighteous ones , shall be thrown head-long by the Angels into the flaming fiery furnace , that deep , yea bottomless pit of far worse than Egyptian darkness ; when the world was drowned , Noah and his family were saved ; and when God will not spare hypocrites , but give them their portion , Mat. 24.51 . immerse them in a deluge of everlasting fire , Mat. 25.41 , 46. Then , Mal. 3.17 , 18. they shall appear most glorious when the childten of the Devil shall be tormented ; and seeing the children of God thus dignified , advanced , shall , envying them and their happiness , fume and fret , and for rage and madness , gnash their teeth , which it seems will be their posture and guise to all eternity . For the demonstration of this truth , the foregoing Scripture-exposition of the subject , affords us these undeniable arguments for satisfaction of our judgment , and confirmation of our belief of it . 1. Because they are the children of God ; he hath designed them for future , for eternal glory : 1. He has chosen them in Christ , that they should be holy , and shining in grace here , and most happy and glorious hereafter to the praise of his own glorious grace , Eph. 1.3 , 4 , 6 , 11. 2. In pursuance thereof God hath out of his electing love , through his abundant mercy , regenerated them . Now consider , 1. The Kingdom of Heaven is his , and the power ( 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) the right to confer it on as many and whom he pleaseth ; and Luk. 12.13 . 't is his good pleasure to bestow it upon all the righteous , and only upon them . Amongst men , the eldest son goes away with the Inheritance , the younger with Portions only ; the regenerate as children of men may not be born to any great matters ; but as they are the children of God , they are born to the glorious Kingdom of their Father in Heaven . 2. All the glory of and in Heaven , is Gods own , and at his sole disposal Rom. 5.2 . He loves the righteous , whom he hath made so near and dear to himself , as that he will confer it on them . An earthly King can bestow his Kingdom only upon the Prince his eldest Son , but the God of glory hath ( Phil. 4.19 ) riches in glory enough for the Prince and all his other children , whom he makes coheirs with Christ ( of that incorruptible inheritance , even ) heirs of God himself . This is not gotten by them , but they are begotten to it by a mighty work of God upon their hearts , and that according to his abundant mercy , 1 Pet. 1.3 . out of meer grace and love will he freely confer it on them . 2 Because they are one with Christ here , and shall have a more perfect indissoluble union with him hereafter . Christ doth , therefore all that are by faith united to him , shall shine in glory , 1 Tim. 3.16 . he was re assumed into glory ; not only received , assumed and taken up into glory . So Saints that never were in Heaven , shall be received or assumed , Psal 49.15 . after God has guided them with his counsel , he will receive them to glory ; i e. assume and take them up into a copartnership to have their share in it , ( every one his proportion ) but Christ that came down from Heaven was again received or assumed into glory according to his prayer , Joh. 17.5 . Christ was glorious within , both as God and man here , but his glory did not shine out , ( only the few that were near , and had an exact view of him , Joh. 1.14 ) he was covered with a vail of flesh ; as to humane infirmities in the likeness of sinful flesh , which darkened his glory . A world of contumelies , yea blasphemies cast on him , did more obscure it . That which did ecl●pse it , was Divine desertion , when under the sense of Divine wrath for our sins laid upon him , with a great skreik he gave up the Ghost , ( when the Sun also in the Firmament , as it were in sympathy , put on mourning , and seemed a meer lump of darkness , which made the Philosopher that observed it cry out , Either the God of Nature suffers , or the world will be dissolved . ) Christ abased himself , and emptied himself of his glory , during the state of Humiliation . At his glorious Ascension into Heaven he shone forth , as God with the glory he had with God from eternity ; and the humane nature sharing with the Divine , according to its capacity : as God man he is glorified with God himself , and shines forth in the glory of the Father . What he suffered was as our surety , as a publick person ; so he rode in triumph into Heaven , sits and shines there at the right hand of God in glory , as Head of the Church , of all his members that are by faith united to him ; And they now de jure , Ephes . 2.6 . and de facto , hereafter , shall sit down with him ; as a Father he went to prepare and take up Heaven for the children God gave him to be brought unto glory ; as soon as he has prepared them for it , he will receive them , that where he is ( in heaven , in glory ) , they may be also , Joh. 14.3 . There 's both causaelitas efficientis & causae exemplaris , in the glorification of Christ the head , as to the glorifying of his members , 2 Cor. 4.14 . Joh. 14.19 , 20. And since he doth , all true believers shall shine out in glory . Which glory is , 1. Christs purchase , he bought them for it , and it for them ; and therefore prays for all believers with such boldness and freedom , for such a perfect Union with himself , as he had with the Father in happiness and glory : 1. As God : 2. As man , in his humane nature united to the Divine : and consequently , 3. As God-man in both natures united unto one , Joh. 17.20 . That they all may be one , as thou Father art in me , and I in thee , that they also may be one in us . And the ground of his prayer we have , v. 4. because he glorified God on earth by active and passive obedience , and finished the whole work God gave him to do in order to their Redemption , which is called , Ephes . 1.14 . The redemption of the purchased possession : Being a redemption from all sin and misery , to an inheritance of life and glory , hardly procured , bought with his own precious blood . 2. 'T is his gift ; he purchased it upon no other account but this , that he lawfully might , and he will bestow it on them , Joh. 10.28 . I give unto them eternal life , in happiness and glory . And ch . 17.22 . The glory which thou gavest me , I have given them , that they may be one even as we are one . q.d. By infallible promise I have conveyed it , and by my last Will and Testament made it sure unto them ; upon their believing on me they have jus ad rem ; and when I am come again they shall have jus in re ; at their Resurrection I 'le see them take and have actual possession of it . 3. Because they are ( in part ) sanctified by the Spirit , they shall be ( perfectly ) glorified , their bodies ( and their fou●s much more ) are the Temple of the Holy Ghost , 1 Cor. 6.19 . who is called the living God , 2 Cor. 6. Now God the Father will have his children , the Son , his members , the holy Spirit , his Temple , to be in Heaven , which he will beautifie and adorn for the habitation of the ever glorious one God , Father , Son , and Spirit , to live and dwell in for ever , 2 Cor. 6.17 , 18. Rev. 21.3 . Here in part are they filled with grace , inherent righteousness the fruits of it , the fruits of the Spirit , and shall hereafter be perfectly fill'd with glory , as full as humane natures are capable . Then shall they shine , I had almost said infinitely in glory , ( and should have said so , but that I know they will remain creatures ) , I will say infinitely beyond the Sun. 'T is but an hyperbole , and yet so mean , as is far short of adumbrating the greatness of their glory . 'T is a known saying of Plato , Could Virtue be seen with corporeal eyes , 't would appear the most comely beautiful thing in the world . His Scholar spake the like of Moral Righteousness . What 's Grace ? in it self the most amiable and glorious thing in the world , Psal . 45.13 . as it shines out of the hearts and lives of gracious persons into the minds of other Saints , how great a lustre doth it carry with it ! Yet though always visible , 't is not always seen , many things intervening intercept its light . Oh how lovely ! glorious ! will all the graces of all the Saints appear in Heaven , when they shall all be in the flower expanded to the full in their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , full growth , and most absolute perfection ; for such glory is . 'T is nothing else but grace in its growth . Or all graces blown up by the blessed Spirit to the full ▪ and shining out in perfection . Saints shall be perfectly ren●wed after the Image of God , whose light and glory mainly consists , at least appears , in his holiness and righteousness . Adam was a glorious creature till he had lost the Image of God his righteousness . Righteous persons excel their neighbours : 1. They are glorious within , being created after Gods Image in righteousness and true holiness . 2. They shine as lights in the world , holding forth the word of life ; but Oh how glorious ! how excellent ! or how excellently glorious are glorified Saints , who are the Temples of the Holy Ghost , filled in their capacities , enlarged to the utmost with the Divine , the Gracious , yea the most Glorious Presence of God! They are made perfectly like Christ , who is the brightness of the glory of God , and the express image of his person , Heb. 1.3 . i. e. as much after the Image , and as perfectly like to the Son of God as is possible for the Almighty to make them to be , when he shall try his wisdom , and put his last hand to the making of them so . But I foresee an Objection , which I will anticipate : Wherefore should Saints that are sanctified but in part , be so perfectly glorified ? Why , 4. Out of Gods grace and favour , because they are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his Favourites . Though we spoke highly of their ( Gratiae gratis datae , yet they are not gratos facientes , much less are they facientes gloria dignos , and so glorificantes , i. e. ) Graces given to them , wrought in them , yet as they make them not accepted with God here , so not to be glorified by God hereafter . 'T is God that accepts them here in the beloved , that glorifies them hereafter . They are righteous , 't is by gracious acceptation ; they shall be glorious , 't will be by gracious Remuneration . Holy Austin writes some where to this effect : If a man should live and serve the Lord a thousand years , he could not by his service of God all that time earn so much as one hour of the glorious reward in Heaven , much less an eternity of happiness and glory : no , Death is the wages of the least sin , be it but an omission of duty , or a neglect to persevere in it , Gal. 3.10 . And eternal life in glory in the gift of God through Christ , Rom. 6. ult . It 's given to the righteous that work righteousness , but neither for their being righteous , and having righteousness in them , nor for their doing of it . They both are from free and meer grace , much more is the reward . Through the same grace it is that an eternal life in Heaven and happiness in glory is the inheritance , lot and portion of the righteous , i. e. sincere upright Saints according to the Covenant of grace , the precious and sure promise of the Gospel . 1. Well , Sirs , you believe this truth , then suffer the word of Exhortation . If you have been enlightened by the Word and Spirit , Mat. 5.16 . Let your light so shine before men , that they may see your good works , and glorifie your Father in Heaven . 'T is spoken of Ministers whose concern chiefly it is to enlighten the places where they live by their Doctrine , holy conference and conversations ; and they that see their good works by the Sermons they preach , and live , will glorifie God ; but the Lords advice reacheth all . If you truly desire to shine , for ever to shine forth in glory , in the most high , most holy Heaven , the Holy of holies . If you have good hopes from your Regeneration by God the Father , Vnion with Christ , God the Son , and Sanctification of the Spirit , God the Holy Ghost , and the love , grace and favour of that one God blessed for ever , ( from your being the children of God , by faith united to Christ , and also consecrated , dedicated and set apart for God and holy uses ; and though but in part sanctified , real and upright Saints shine as the righteous do . Not only before Saints . 'T is true as to your sincerity you can approve your selves only to God , as to your grace and holiness only to Saints ; from the trade you drive they may know your calling . Indeed as to particular acts , some Saints may be lyable to mistakes as well as others concerning you , and those particular acts of yours ; but by your doing righteousness giving God and man their due , 't will appear there 's some excellence in you , and your light will shine before men , Saints and sinners . What though sinners are wilfully blind , and take no notice of that light of grace , holiness and righteousness which shines in your lives , but rather censure you as hypocrites . 'T is not unusual for the vilest of sinners to condemn the best of Saints as such ; when they dare not speak against the principles of godliness they profess , and the accurate ways of Religion they walk in ; Ah! if they did so in sincerity ! but I have heard so and so of them , they are a company of hypocrites . While their false and foul mouths censure you , let your holy lives condemn them ; when they talk of your hypocrisie , more carefully look to your sincerity . Consider the Item which they give you , to have an eye to it . Alas ! if not only men , but my own heart , and God himself , should charge me to be an hypocrite ! Shine before men as to your good works . Let your graces , faith , hope , brotherly love , contentment in every condition , zeal for the glory of God , and the good of precious immortal souls , shine before Saints : they are things for Saints to judg of ; and your good works works of Justice , Righteousness , shine , before men , they are things that men may judg of . True , men can't judg of your having grace , or acting of it . Blind men cannot distinguish colours , only such as have a spirit of discerning , and a spiritual judgment can do that ; but men partly know by remainders of the light of nature , what honesty , what plain dealing ( a Jewel very rare and of great price ) is ; what works of charity are , and they expect that men who make the greatest profession of Religion should be more just in their ways , and honest in their dealings , and when they see some professors at some times fall short herein , many presently condemn them as to every other action , and the whole Community of Professors for their sakes . Yet some when they cannot but perceive a greater light shining in the lives of Professors than of other men , will be induced thereby to glorifie God , who hath bestowed more light and grace upon them . But be they amongst whom you live , what they will you ; know , do your duty , Phil. 2.15 , 16. So order your lives , as 1. you may be blameless , no man may justly complain of you . If some do , without a cause ; regard it not , what though they cause others to do so , 't is but at present , and ti●l they come to a full hearing and right understanding of your actions . And , 2. Harmless , i. e. yea , without will or power to hurt , which is the mark of the sheep of Christ ; or sincere , without mixture of deceit or guile . Whereas the wicked ( Bulls of Bashan ) have more power than authority , more will than power to harm ; and being full of guile , will smile in your face when about to cut your throat ; speak friendly , when they are doing you the shrewdest diskindness . 3. In the midst of an age of men that are crooked , full of windings and turnings , turn this way or that way according to their company ; and perverse or rather perverted ; that once had better thoughts of the ways of Religion , but now are of another opinion , ( 't is well if more be not perverted by the Devil's angels of light than are converted by Christs ) ye shine as stars that retain and keep their light , Holding forth the word of life ; for the grace of God that bringeth salvation , hath appeared to all men ; teaching us , that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts , that we should live soberly , righteously , and godly in this present world , looking for that blessed hope . As a most pious Divine saith , There may be Justice where there is only morality ; there can be no Religion where there is not Justice . The Text tells you , the light of the salutiferous Gospel more effectually teacheth sobriety , justice and piety , than the light of Nature or Morality doth , without which there can be no looking for that blessed hope , the appearing of Christ and of our selves with him in glory , with any comfort . Will hopes of keeping up their credit in the world , of getting a little gain thereby , make men deal honestly , and seem righteous before men ? Let hopes of eternal light , life and glory , make you do so , and be truly righteous before God If you have taken out that lesson , Live like men ; yea like men Evangelized , of which sort I fear there are more of the poor than of the rich , as there were in our Saviours time . I could heartily wish the words of the forementioned Divine were imprinted on your memories , engraven on your hearts . When men talk so much of Godliness , and of Church Discipline , and others come to deal with them , they are so cunning , and will fetch over men , as well as any , as griping as any , these are burdensome members to a Church , that wrong Religion ; your injustice herein is a greater evil than the injustice of any man. The injustice of a moral man does not make men shie of dealing with all moral men ; but injustice in you , makes men shie of dealing with any that make profession of Religion , and to say none are so deceitful as they ; and though that objection does come usually from malice , yet it cannot be denied but those that make profession give too much advantage for it . The truly righteous are the right Honourable ; a Saints Coat of Arms should be such as that holy Martyr Mr. Hooper had when Installed Bishop of Worcester , A Lamb in a Flaming-bush with raies from Heaven shining on it . A Lamb for meekness , innocency , and profitableness in a Bush burning , amidst wicked men , brambles and thorns set on fire of Hell , and burning with malice : Yet , 1. Sweet influences of Heaven let out upon it ; he hath the grace , and enjoys the consolation of the Blessed Spirit . Now Heb. 13.20 , 21. that you may be truly righteous , righteous before God ; then you will shine forth here , 1. With a clear , a glorious light , such a convincing light as may condemn the world of sinners for their aberrations , and shame some Saints out of their deviations from the ways of holiness and righteousness , and encourage weaker Christians to make a farther progress in them . 2. With your own innate light ; as true Nathanaels , Jews inwardly , and not only in outward show and profession , as such in whom there is no guile ; then your conversation will be as the shining light , which shineth more and more unto the perfect day , Prov. 4.18 . 3. With a constant durable light ; in Heaven your light of glory will everlastingly shine before Saints ; let your light of grace and holiness on earth continually shine before men . To quicken you thereunto . Consider again and again , security of the Coelestial Kingdom , the glory of it , and the seasonableness of the time when you shall there shine forth in glory , as you have heard . 1. It 's a most safe and secure place : 1. By reason of its height , 't is above , far out of the reach of scandals , such as do offend and do iniquity , of all sinners and persecutors be they men or Devils . Luther being asked when many were engaged and enraged against him , and sought his life , Where he thought he might be safe ? replied ▪ either ( in one corner or other ) under heaven or in heaven . I 'le assure you , you will have little content , comfort and peace on earth , if your hopes and hearts be not much in Heaven ; and they will never fix on Heaven , if your thoughts and affection be not set upon it . Every day cast up an eye towards Heaven , and by the Telescope of your faith ta●e the height of it . 2. 'T is a most holy place ; after Saints have been in heaven upon earth , had much communion with God , and comfort , they fall into some sin , and such a condition that all their hopes of ever getting to heaven are in a manner lost and gone . When God hath once seated you in heaven , you need not fear being plucked , or falling thence . Adam abode not in Paradise , Divines think , one day ; some Angels that dwelt in heaven preserving not their original excellency , soon left their habitation . But God takes his children to his house , that they may abide and dwell there for ever . 2. Take an exact observation , view the glory of it , 't is the Kingdom of our Father , where he sits in his Majesty in glory . 'T is ours , our own Inheritance , our Father prepared it for us before the foundation of the world Every morning , every evening , through the perspective of the Word , contemplate Heaven ; some mornings , Lords-days at least , rise before the Sun , look up through the Aereal to the Sidereal Heaven , and thus meditate : Yonder are the glorious Heavens , where God hath pitched a Tabernacle for the Sun ; that glorious bridegroom comes out of his chamber , how doth he smile and rejoice to run his race from the end of the heaven , to the ends thereof . Through grace I shall hereafter be even in this body more glorious than that Sun. There 's another , the Empyrean , the third heaven , the place of residence of the God of glory . Thither one day will he take me up to live for ever with himself in glory , my Redeemer is already gone thither , and sits at his right hand in the glory of the Father . Oh the height of that heaven ! 't is infinitely higher than that inferior heaven whence the Sun comes forth to shine for a while , yet a little while and that Sun will be laid aside and set , set once for all , and be and shine no more , when I with blessed Saints and Angels shall be with Christ and God , and shine with them in glory to all eternity . Oh the height of that heaven ! 't is infinitely above the reach of Persecutors , of all the Devils , of all the Damned , they will never pluck them thence , out of the hands of Jesus the Son of God ; they can't pluck him out of the right hand of his Father , nor his Father from his Throne : Oh the holiness of that place ! And when your thoughts and meditations have made you more spiritual , more holy , more heavenly , and to shine more in grace and holiness that day ; then at the evening , when ye look out of your doors or windows , or walk forth , behold and think how do those Stars , an innumerable company , differ in glory , yet all glissen . What a vaste resplendent body is the Moon , each of the Planets ! all the light they have was imparted to them by the Sun that shined in the day-time ; all is nothing to the glory of Heaven . Oh the holiness of the highest heavens ! Where all the Stars , the Saints that shined as lights in the world , shall give forth their light , and shine as the Sun , and with light and glory imparted from the Lord Jesus , the Sun of Righteousness , shall shine out in the glory of the Father ! How incomprehensible ( even to Saints , Angels , Christ himself as man ) must the glory of the Father be that communicates such light to Christ , Angels and Saints ! This bespangled firmament seems glorious , 't is not heaven , nothing like it , not like the floor and pavement of our Fathers house ; 't is an out-room , which shall be pulled down and burnt . Above , above , is the Presence-Chamber , I long to see the King in his Beauty , in his Palace , and will through grace live as a child of God , and hold forth the word of life in my conversation . 3. Ponder upon the seasonableness of the time , not now , but 1. at the Resurrection day , when sin , affliction , sorrows , shall flee away , and so forward , an inconceivable tract of time , Eternity , not measured by the duration of any creature , but of the ever-living God shall ye shine out . Think then , through the disposition of the only wise God , some have their Sun-shine , others rainy and tempestuous seasons all their days ; say , what though I have been most , if not all my days disesteemed , yea contemn'd and scorned in the world , under many various long and sore afflictions , and had small comfort but in suffering with and for Christ ! This is my lot and portion , Hereafter I shall reign with Christ , and be glorified . My Saviour once said ●o sinners , this is your hour and the power of darkness . You have your authority by Divine permission , and your Father the Devil , the Prince of Darkness , his Usurpation by your high Court of Justice , to extinguish me the Sun of Righteousness , the light of the world . 'T is but an hour . The Church once said , This is the day of Jacob's trouble . She is still militant under the Cross , eclipsed with a cloud . 'T is but for a day , then more gloriously will her light shine forth . The Pageantry of sinners will soon be over . They come on the stage , dazzle spectators eyes , the scene will alter , such as acted the part of Nobles , e're long will appear as they are , meer Beggars , nay in a worse condition , when called to account for what they profusely spent on their lust , and when thrown into Hell that most hideous prison , from whence there is no redemption . In this vale of tears I sit down and cry , Few and evil have my days been . The Church said , Though I am comely look not upon me , I am scorched , Sun-burnt and much discoloured thereby . Nay , all my days have been one night . In perils oft , and too much in fears of them . 'T will be day ! what 's this to eternal life ! What 's time to eternity ! What 's this moment to the five thousand years past since the Creation ! yet that and all the time that shall be , which the Lord only knows , till the end of the World , is nothing to Eternity ; all that endless eternity shall I shine forth in glory . 2. At the day of Judgment , when scandals , they that do iniquity , some that created me much disquiet and discomfort in the world , shall be cast into Hell , shall all my sorrow be turned into joy , and my disgrace into glory . Let Antiochus be Epiphanes here , was not he eaten up of lice or worms ? and will not that greedy worm of Conscience , gripe , gnaw , and feed upon his soul to all eternity ? Let Herod ( for his gorgeous apparel ) be most illustrious , had not he the same Exit ? Act. 12 22 , 23. But v. 24. The word of God grew and multiplied . Let Bishops at Rome come forth in their Pontificalibus , and their Olympia's in gold and silver , in all their gallantry ; and too many of our professing Gentlewomen to their shame ( for Ladies generally are more modest ) in their apish French Modes and fashions , they have little else to set themselves out with . Was not Dives one day clothed in fine linnen , in purple , ( clad in scarletrobes , which the sumptuary Laws of the Romans allowed only the chief Magistrates to wear ) the next in Hell ? and when out of curiosity he had looked for , but found not Lazarus , did he not lift up his eyes and espy Abraham in Heaven , with Lazarus in his bosom , ( in his lap , on his knee , leaning on his bosom ) cheering him . Thou wast as thy Saviour some time in the world , and receivedst , didst patiently take from the ●ands of others , since thou lawest the hand of God in it , and didst not bring upon thy self thine evil things ; thou hadst hard measure , scarce a rag to thy back , a crust for thy belly ; yonder 's one lies that had enough to spare , might and ought to have relieved thee , but had no heart to do it , he had more respect for his hounds than a child of God. Look ! now he 's in torments , thou art and shall be comforted for ever . Thy Father hath called thee into this his Kingdom of Heaven with everlasting consolation to comfort thee ; here shalt thou shine in glory for ever . So shall shine when many Diveses shall be cast into Hell to be tormented for ever , weeping , wailing , and gnashing of their teeth . 2. 'T is time for me to beseech the concern of your comfort at present , and future happiness calls you to try whether ye be righteous , and shall be glorified . 1. Are you born of the Word , of the Spirit of God himself ? 1. Of the Word ; was you ever by the Gospel read or preached , brought out of the Kingdom of Satan , the World , into the Church militant ? Has the Word of God been the power of God to your conversion ? Were you by any Ministers preaching Christ , brought over to Christ , so as you gave up your selves and your heart , souls and bodies , to the Lords Anointed , the Messiah , the Christ , the great Prophet , the only King , Head and Saviour of his Body the Church , to be taught , governed and saved by him . How shall ye know this ? why , 1. If you , v. 23. received the seed , the Gospel into good ground , ( I would not give you my own , much less other mens , but the Lord Christs characters of the Regenerate ) , i. e. you heard the Word and understood it , it made such impression , and took deep root in your hearts , as made you leave the world , and cleave to Christ with full purpose of heart , at least to be as desirous and sollicitous to be Subjects of the Kingdom of Christ in grace , as to have a lot and share with the righteous in the Kingdom of glory . You have known and learnt from the Word and Spirit , something of Christ , of his Grace and Truth , and of the life and immortality that he brought to light by the Gospel . Whereas the first , the worst sort of hearers are all ignorant , careless , willfully ignorant hearers , such as hear the Word without attention , affect on , understanding ; do not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , in their minds go along with the Word till they understand it , and get grace , spiritual light , and wisdom by it ; they resisting the motions of the good Spirit , God suffers the evil one to beguile them of it , by casting vain , at least unseasonable thoughts into their minds . God gives encrease to the conscientious , careful , attentive hearer , which he denies to the careless and negligent , that will not attend and regard , but thinks to give the Minister the hearing is enough to stop the mouth of Conscience , to save his credit with professors , yea to save his soul , ( such a cheat he puts upon himself ! 2. Are you born of the Spirit ? how shall you clear that ? why , if v. 23. you bear fruit , as good corn doth in a fertile soil , which grows and comes up in a hundred , where many ears spring from the same root ; or sixty , where fewer ; or thirty , where the fewest corns for one ; as persons are wrought upon by the Word and Spirit , some in and after hearing are made as much more spiritual in their thoughts , meditations , desires , than others . And yet there are some that herein very much exceed them ; yet all that are regenerate bear fruit , Act. 20.32 . of the same kind and nature with the seed sown ; fruits of Grace resembling the Spirit of Grace ; gracious thoughts , desires , purposes , resolutions , spiritual meditations , holy affections , gracious words and discourse , the fruits of the Spirit , Gal. 5.22 . Love , joy , peace , long suffering , gentleness , goodness faith ; Conformity to Christ : which are fruits unto holiness , Rom. 6.22 . Good works , works of Piety , Religious acts , works of honesty , righteous dealings , works of mercy and charity . In a word , all the fruits of righteousness , Phil. 1.11 . The Word works a wonderful change : 1. In their hearts : 2. In their lives and conversations ; coming up like Isaac's seed , Gen. 26.12 . in some an hundred fold . Whereas the second sort of hearers by hearkening to the Word , get only some notional knowledg and understanding of it , and are much affected with it ; they receive it with joy , yet taking no root in the heart , brings forth no fruit ; though it makes impression on their memories , stays long there , and on their affections , yet this is all the fruit , which is as good as none . They can only talk how well they liked such a Minister , such sentences , Expositions , Expressions of his , ( yet with the same breath they will speak as evil of other Ministers as well of them ) , they receive it into their ears and memories , not into their judgments , into their affections , not their hearrs . The affections of many are much wrought upon when their wills are not ; else they would not run as some do from one to many seeking scratch for the Itch in their ears , & novelties to please their fancies , but would stay most where they might profit . The third sort go farther , they receive the Word ( though not in the love of it ) and let it abide till it spring up in the blade in a fair profession , such a liking they have of it ; yet there 's no corn in the ear , no change in the judgment , heart or conversation ; for the cares of the world , distracting cares about worldly concerns in prosperity , and the deceitfulness of deceitful riches , lying vanities , choak the Word ; when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the Word , by and by are they offended , and let the Word go , rather than any part of their Estate , especially if they espy any likelihood of gain that may accrew unto themselves thereby . But new-born babes must not be forgotten : 3. Are you born of God ? partakers of the Divine Nature ? then , 1. Do you lay up , casting up all prejudice : ( i. e. by friendly communications acquaint your nursing Fathers how corrupt you were ) wherewith all carnal unregenerate persons are clogged and do abound , viz. all malice , guile , hypocrisies , envies , evil speakings . Do you desire the milk of the word that ye may grow thereby . Where spiritual life is , there will be spiritual longings for spiritual food , for the preservation and nourishment of it , for augmentation in each part , not only in the head with notions as in children which have the Rickets , such are weak in their hands and feet , can't act or go one stroke heavenward . Do you rellish most such particular subjects concerning Grace , Christ , God in Christ , as your hearts were at first most wrought upon by ? you 'l think you can never hear enough of these Truths by which you had a taste how gracious the Lord is : Sincere milk of the Word , that is not adulterated with humane inventions ; pure Gospel is spiritual , may not I say Angelical food ; they long , bow down , that with their eyes fixed upon the Propitiatory , on Christ , they may look into the Gospel which the Holy Ghost sends down from heaven ; See more of Christ and the grace of God , and get a sip whereby they may be fed with light in their love , admirations and praises of God blessed for ever . The child of God can no more digest some mens quaint Orations , others sublime Discourses , than Austin could Tullies works where he found not the name of Jesus . The end he proposes to himself in hearing , is that he may grow in grace , the knowledg of Christ , conformity to him , spiritual and heavenly-mindedness , in likeness to God , holiness in all manner of conversation , 1 Pet. 1.14 , 15 , 16. in abstaining from fleshly lusts , and having his conversation honest amongst others , that God may be glorified . Consider , 1 Pet. 1.4 , 5 , 6 , 7. 2. Do you grow by the Word ? But your growth being gradual and discernable rather by others than your selves , resolve this question . 3. Can you clear your Regeneration to your own souls by your living a new life and conversation ? a new life in holiness , which is called the life of God , argues a new , a Divine nature ; he is born of God , that is a new man created after God , after his Image and likeness in righteousness and holiness of truth ; compare your selves with Rom. 6.4 . Eph. 4 th . & 5 th . Chapters . And Col. 3. newness of life and conversation is the best evidence of Regeneration . Ye did live like men , according to the course of the world , ( in the age you live in ) according to the Devil , in disobedience , the lusts of the flesh , and carnal mind , the fulfilling your manifold wills and pleasures ; do ye now live and walk like the children of God ; i. e. in an holy awe of God , serving him with filial reverence , and out of love , in ways well pleasing to him ? Is your fear more to displease God than man ? your care to please him rather than your selves or others ? you lived a careless secure carnal life ; do you live a strict , a spiritual life now ? Ye were worldly , are you heavenly-minded , and your thoughts and affections set on the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , things of everlasting concernments to your precious immortal souls . Ye lived in the commission of such sins , the omission or careless performance of such and such duties ( your hearts tell you what Ministers cannot , therefore speak to you only in Generals ) , do you find through grace now ye dare not , do not , at least , will not do it ? Believe it , a change in the heart is best discerned by a reformation in the life ; mens living another life than they did , whilst in a state of sin , nature , and unregeneracy , both as to their leaving known sins , and living in the practise of known duties . 2. Are ye righteous through reputation ? after ye were wrought off from a course in sin , to a constant course in duty , were ye brought off from resting on your own righteousness in careful abstaining from sin , performance of duty , to relye wholly on Christ and his righteousness for Justification ? All the children of God sooner or later are brought over , not only from sin to duty , but also from self , and self-righteousness to Christ ▪ by faith united to , and ingrafted into him . They see their best services are impure , imperfect , they need Christ and his righteousness , so desire , Phil. 3.9 . They are brought to this at last , though it may be long first ; faith in Christ , the seed of it may be wrought in regeneration , long before the perceptible acting and exercise of that grace , and ( if you will call it so , the younger Twin ) Repentance towards God gets the start ; for when man has been throughly convinced he has by sin deserved hell , ( poor creature 't is natural for him so to do ) he seeks by a righteousness of his own to climb up to heaven . We should do duty as if we were to get to heaven by it ; but trust no more to it , than if we were to go to hell for it ; for failings I mean in the performance of it . Do ye know , believe , ye were made sinners , guilty , liable to eternal death , upon the special verdict of the Blessed Trinity on that righteous sentence of the Law , the Covenant of Works , Gen. 2.15 . by the disobedience of the first Adam ? and that ye can never be acquitted therefrom but through the obedience of Christ the second Adam by your believing on him , and his righteousness ? have you had the sense of that sin , that guilt lying up on you , as much as the guilt of the want of original righteousness , corruption of nature , of actual sins of omission and commission ? have you had a sight of your need of Christ , of his perfect righteousness , so as to apprehend it as that wherewith alone God is and can be well pleased and satisfied ; and as that which is only sufficient to justifie you in his sight ? Have you by faith applied and appropriated this righteousness to your selves , and so trusted , i. e. hoped in Christ after ye heard this word of Truth ? Ephes . 1.7 . This Gospel of your Salvation , Ephes . 1.12 , 13. Do you lay the weight of all your confidence , all your hopes for Salvation , on this corner-stone Christ , God-man , on whom the Church is built ? The more after Regeneration ye abstain from sin , perform duty , the more will you see sin in your natures , lives , and the guilt of commissions and omissions ; carelesness in the performance , if not neglects of duty , ( you 'l have less sin , but more light , and so not have , but see more sin in and by your selves ) and the more your sin , unrighteousness , and the impurity and imperfection of your own righteousness , the righteousness of Christ , & the perfection of it are discovered to you , the more will ye go on from faith to faith , and live by it , Rom 16.17 . 3. Are you righteous inchoatively , i. e. in part , some measure and degree purified and sanctified by the Word , and through the Sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience ? 1. Have you righteousness inherent , gracious dispositions , and habitual grace , the graces of the Spirit infused into and wrought in you ? By these is the new nature clearly evidenced . The blessed God having created a new man , will not leave off his work till he hath made him a real and conspicuous Saint ; do you find , as a corrupt nature , remainders of indwelling sin by evil dispositions inclining you to that which is evil , so a sanctified nature by gracious dispositions inclining , byassing you to that which is holy , just and good ? Do those dispositions the blessed Spirit moving you to frequent exercise ? become habitual , Rom. 4.5 , 6. & 7.14 . to the end . In the unregenerate and unsanctified ones , there are nothing but evil dispositions , which the Devil helping on , grow up into evil habits , and strongly incline them to that which is evil , to love it , and to do it . In the sanctified , though there be corruption , yet there is grace ; though there be remainders even of hypocrisie , yet there is truth of grace , and many gracious dispositions infused by the Spirit , which by his mighty co-operation with the Word , grow into habits , strongly set them against all evil , make them hate and abhor it , and byass them unto that which is good , making them to love it , Rom. 7.19 . they would do that good which they do not , and would not do that evil which they do ; whereas a sinner , a wicked man , that good that he doth , he would not do ; that evil which he doth , he would do , and he doth it in despight of God and man , and his own conscience , very freely , very willingly , indeed with all his heart . Therefore , 2. Doth grace in your heart frequently shew it self : 1. By your hatred of sin ; of every false way that appears to you by the light of the Word and Spirit so to be ? And , 2. by your love to holiness and righteousness , and an universal respect to all Gods commands ? is the firm and full resolution of your souls , and your daily endeavour , to bring your hearts and lives into as near a conformity to the mind and will of God as possibly ye can . Though ye too oft fail in the doing of it , is it the desire of your hearts and your endeavour to be as good , holy , righteous , as God would have you to be ? weaker Christians seeing many failings in their duties , much sin in their hearts , little good done in their lives , conclude they are not regenerate , they should discern and bewail that they are sanctified but in part , and pray and strive that they may be wholly . Had they not been regenerate , they could not have seen that sin which they see , nor have done duty ; and had they not been sanctified , they could not have so hated sin which they see , and so loved righteousness , as to be much troubled that they do so much of the one , so little of the other . 3. That ye may know whether you have not only gracious dispositions , but habits , the graces of the Spirit in you , Chiefly have an eye to your work , business , and employment in the world . True , Paul did not some good that he would , did do some sin that he would not ; yet he did abstain from much evil , do much good ; Who so much as he ? the weakest , poorest Saint does some good : that is not only his profession but his trade , his calling . Ye cannot but know what work you have been doing , and done since you came into the world . What good have ye done in your places and generations ? Joh. 5.28 , 29. they that should have minded things of concernment , did many frivolous things or actions that should be done , but not aright according to Gods appointment ; and many mischievous acts shall arise to condemnation ; and they which have done many and many a good act and deed , good for their kind , and the manner of their doing of them from good principles , and for right ends , shall arise to the Resurrection of life , a life in glory ; remember as much as ye can of your good actions . Try them by the Touchstone ; do you think they will abide the trial another day , at the day of judgment ? Oh that there were a heart in all of you to do all that has been desired in the sight of God! then I am sure you will. 4. Above all , try whether you have in all been upright and sincere , and righteous before God : Do you give God his due , and to men theirs , and do both as under the eye , in the sight of God ? The Formalist gives God part , not his whole due , his body , not his soul ; his cap and knee , but not his heart ; he regards not God , and God regards not him . The meer Moralist will give man his due , he either respects or fears him , but will not give God his ; he gives to God very little , if any at all ; he cares but little for God , and God as little for him . The hypocrite pretends to give both God and man their due ; carries it so as if he would have others think he doth it ; but God sees him , sees he doth all to be seen of men , nothing as in the sight of God , he hath his reward . Only the truly righteous gives ( as well as he can ) both God and man their due , and doth both as in the sight of God ; his eye is upon God , and to him God looks ; him God approves , and will accept of notwithstanding all his failings . One that is upright and sincere , is righteous before God. By these plain characters you may distinguish him from an hypocrite : 1. In general , he is one that walks with , and before God , Gen. 24.40 . & 48.15 . through his whole conversation , which way soever he goes , and every step he takes . More particularly , 1. He hath always an eye to Gods precepts , as Psal . 16.8 . He sets the Lord always before him , that he may not be moved ; so he sets Gods commands before him that he may not be mistaken or misled . So he walks in the Law of God , in his ways , Psal . 119.1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 11 , 30.97 , 142. yea , v. 6. He has respect to all Gods commands ; when he perceives a call to duty , a command from God , immediately in the fear of God , and the strength of Christ , he sets upon the performance of it , Gal. 1.15 , 16. he stands not to confer and consult with flesh and blood , any man living , not the Apostles themselves ; they might wonder , suspect him , so disswade him from preaching , v. 13. you have been a known notorious persecutor , who dares hear , trust you ? who will believe you ? or advise him in prudence to forbear a while , till Christians were better satisfied concerning him . Hypocrites are much ruled by , they take for Doctrines and Canons the commands of men . 'T is not the Will of God , but of others , or their own will , that is the rule they walk by . Have they at any time any respect to any of Gods Commands ? They 'l pick and chuse such as they can make to suit their humour , and serve their interest and reputation . 2. To the Lords Threatnings , Gen. 49. How can I do this , saith holy Joseph , and sin against God ? If I should do it , my Master may be angry , my God much more ; Adulterers , God ( that sees them , though others should never know of it ) will judge . One that is upright , serves God with reverence and godly fear , as knowing that even our God is a consuming fire , Ps . 119.120 . Ex. 1.15 . That wicked King spake to the Midwives , his word was a Law , vers . 16. ye shall kill the male Children of the Hebrews , or lose my favour , your Office , or dye your selves , vers . 17. but they feared God , that commanded , You shall not kill , and threatned , Gen. 9.6 . if ye do , ye shall dye ; and did not as the King commanded , but as God. They saved the Children , Acts 4.17 , 18 , 19. Dan. 3.15 , 17. A real Saint fears God and the King ; an Hypocrite stands only in some awe of the Civil Magistrates and the Laws , and his fear towards God is taught by the precepts and edicts of men . Es . 29.13 . Whatever Country he lives in , he will be of the same Religion the chief Magistrate , and such as are in greatest power and authority are of ; and will change his Religion , Opinions , Practises , as the times and the Laws in force change . 3. To the Lords Promises , Psal . 119 166. on them his hopes for salvation hang : That he hopes for , and so doth Gods commands . He walks with God , because that God has promised to be his God , who is Alsufficient , to make him happy here and for ever , Gen. 15.1 . As Hypocrites fear men more than God , so they look to get more by pleasing men than God ; they look to what the World promises , to what their own hearts promise them . If they do as others , serve God , they shall get acquaintance , into credit , and gain thereby . Their care is not to serve God , but to make God and Religion to serve them ; to serve themselves of them . A Saints care is to please God , he looks for all from him , he looks on all creatures as broken Reeds , empty Cisterns , as creatures that can do him no good without God. Through the Promise , he looks on God as God , as Almighty , Alsufficient , and verily believes , since God cannot lye , that he will lay out his Almighty Power and Alsufficiency , not only for his protection , but also his temporal , spiritual , and eternal good : So he walks with ( as the Apostle renders the Word ) pleaseth God , that 's all his care . 4. To our Lords Presence , to Gods Alseeing Eye ; Pharisaical hypocrites , Matt. 6. do all to be seen of men ; Pray in Market-places , blow Trumpets when they give Alms ; their charity that fills the Bellies of some , shall fill the Ears of all . Come and see my zeal , saith Jehu ! Did ever Moses , Phinehas , or David , or any of the Lords faithful , zealous Servants say so ? No , an upright Saint delights in secret holiness , and takes infinitely more content in being and doing good , than in being known to be and do so . There 's many an Hypocrite that seems much better than he is ; and many a poor Saint that is really much better than he seems to be . At all times he doth all to be seen of God , and is much in private duty , where he can be seen only of him that sees in secret . He prepares his heart , and then , Psal . 116.14 . pays his Vows to our Lord before all his people ; yea , as Jotham , 2 Chron. 27.6 . he prepares his ways before the Lord his God , i. e. his counsels , designs , ( State-affairs ) and all his actions , as under Gods Eye , knowing God stood a spectatour overlooking him , an eye-witness observing him , a Judge that would call him to account . Paul , 2 Cor. 12.13 . spake before God in Christ , he was not as many that corrupt the Word of God , but as of sincerity , as of God , in the sight of God spake he in Christ , 2 Cor. 2.17 . So he commended himself to every mans Conscience in the sight of God , 2 Cor. 4.2 . that his care of Souls in the sight of God might appear to them , 2 Cor. 7.12 . Sincere hearers present themselves before God , Acts 10.33 . He says not , we are present before thee . Some hearers , like Simon Magus , have hearts altogether corrupt , rotten , stark naught , not in the least right with God. When he saw the Word of God prevail'd more than his Sorceries , got his Disciples from him , and his Reputation was gone , he turns , hears for company , believes also , makes such a profession , as he was Baptized ; his heart was set on the advantage he might have if he could Preach , and also procure from the Apostles the faculty of giving the Holy Ghost . Others have hearts like Amaziah , not perfect , 2 Chron. 25.2 . not perfectly sound and sincere ; such will fall away as he did , vers . 14. The Apple you find under the Tree looks well , look wishly , and you 'l perceive some specks within , and see 't is rotten at the Core. How gallantly did Joash demean himself as a Religious Prince , a zealous Reformer ! he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord , all his days , i. e. all the days of Jehoiada , all his days wherein he instructed him , 2 Chron. 24.3 . 2 Kings 12.2 . His Tutor , a godly man , had an eye to him , and upon him , and he an eye to his Tutor , a respect for him , and thence did that which for the matter of it was right in the sight of the Lord ; in a good mood was more forward and zealous in repairing the House of God than his Tutor , vers . 4.5 , 6. chides him ; but , vers . 17.18 . as soon as Jehoiada was dead , out of sight and hearing , he fe●l to his own Course and Bias again , his eye being only to the Lords people ; and the Lords Minister , though he did what was right in the sight of God , his heart was not right with God ; he took up the Religion of the fawning Princes of Judah , That was more for his turn , his interest now . But would he not repent if any of the Lords Ministers would boldly tell him of his backslidings ? No , many did , vers . 18.19 . them he regarded not . Jehoiada's own Son did , and he gave express order they should Stone him . So , many are righteou● before men , that godly Ministers , good people may have a great opinion of them ; they carry it cunningly , whilst godly Ministers , Parents , Friends , Acquaintance live ; yet are Hypocrites and gross Dissemblers before God. 5. But the occasion calls louder upon me than the time , and constrains me to be thus abrupt , ( to omit the remainder of this , and the use of consolation , which will take up another S●●eet , and may come to your view . ) There●ore stay , Sirs ; Ye that have heard Mr. Charnock Preach , yea , if there be any such here , that first gave your own selves unto the Lord , then unto him by the will of God , ye will hearken , ye will be exhorted and prevailed with . Is it ? Is it not ? I know it is , your hearts desir , to be received into the Kingdom of your Father , and be perfectly glorified : Let it be your constant care and endeavour to be found still amongst the righteous , to shine in grace , in holiness and righteousness , in light and love , faith and new obedience ; above all , in uprightne● and sincerity . Be ye righteous before God , in his All-discerning eye , not only in your own , or other mens eyes , which may soon , easily be dazed , blinded , and so deluded by you . At your leasur● weigh these Scriptures , 1 Thes . 4.1 , to 10. Luke 1.75 . and 1 Thes . 3.12 , 13. Thus ye will Embalm the Deceased , put him in the best Repository , and preserve in your minds his Remains . Ye are to eternize the name of that Reverend and Excellent Divine , your faithful Pastor , Mr. Stephen Charnock , a name of precious and eternal memory ; ye are to follow his faith , to walk in the way of righteousness : you saw how he went before you . My observation of his walking , growth , and perseverance in the way that is called Holy , makes me conclude , that he was , 1. A sincere Convert , born of the Word and Spirit , the seed of Grace and Righteousness sprang up betimes in his heart . The Deed of Gift , or rather Copy of it , which shewed his title to Heaven , I believe perished with his Books in Londons flames ; and I have forgot the particular places of Scripture , by which he was most wrought upon , which were there inserted . That it was pure Gospel is evident ( whatever any ( that heard him not ) may think or have heard of his Preaching but Morality or Metaphysicks ) in all his Sermons , Prayers , Conversation , Gospel-light appeared to each that had any thing of the spirit of discerning , and Love did abound more and more in knowledg , in all judgment and experience . How would he deeply search into , and prove things that differ ( which many others at first view would well approve of ) and allow only what he found pure and excellent , whereby he might make himself , others sincere , without offence , and to be filled with the fruits of righteousness . For this I had him in my heart , at my first acquaintance with him in Cambridge , Thirty six years since ; I found him one that , Josiah-like , had turned to the Lord with all his heart , all his soul , and all his might , and none like him ; which did more endear him to me . How had he hid the Word of God , in a fertile soyl , a good and honest heart , which made him flee youthful lusts , and Antidoted him against the infection of youthful vanities ! His Study was his Recreation ; the Law of God all his delights . Had he it not , think ye , engraven on his heart ? He was as choice , circumspect and prudent in his election of Society , as of Books to converse with ; all his delight being in such as excelled in the Divine Art of directing , furthering , and quickening him in the way to Heaven , the Love of Christ and Souls . Most choice he was of the Ministers that he would hear ; what he learnt from Books , Converse , or Sermons ( that which affected and wrought most upon him ) he prayed over till he was delivered into the form of it , and had Christ , Grace and the Spirit formed in him . True , he had been darkness , and then ( he said ) full of doubtings , fears , and grievously pestred with temptations . 'T is in the night the ugly Serpent crawls forth ; alas , he was to be trained up , as he might counsel and comfort others ; but God vouchsafed to dart such raies into his heart , as gave the light of the knowledg of the glory of God in the face , the person of Jesus Christ . So was he made light in the Lord , and believing on Christ , and God in him , filled with inward peace and comfort . 2 ly , He was a sound Believer , and oft said he esteemed his own righteousness as none at all , nor would he be found in it ; 't was impure , imperfect , defiled , stain'd like a menstruous cloth . All his desire was to be found in Christ , and arrayed with the fine linnen , clean and shining , the righteousness of the Saints . One excellency of this excellent Divine lay in his knowledg , belief of , and the soundness of his judgment , to clear unto the understanding of others fundamental Truths , viz. concerning the first Covenant , the apostacy and defection of our first Parents , ( by which term the Fathers in the Primitive times judiciously delight to delineate the fall of Adam , and ours in him . ) The first promise that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , concerning Christ the seed of the Woman , and that before the Judiciary sentence past ; The Covenant of Redemption , the New Covenant of Grace ( which filled up the greatest room in his head , heart , meditations , prayers and discourses ) the nature of Original sin , want of original righteousness , corruption of nature , impossibility of being justified by the Law , by Works , Justification by Christ , by faith in him , the sufferings of Christ , Regeneration , &c. and the love of God in all . How oft have we found him ( as if he had lately been with Paul caught up into the third Heaven , and heard unspeakable words ) magnifying and adoring the mercy , love , and goodness of God , the freeness , and the riches of his Grace , in giving the promise before the sentence , giving Christ , righteousness and faith in him ? Oh! said he oft to this effect , the grace of God! the freeness and exceeding riches of his grace , who is rich in mercy , for his great love wherewith he hath loved us ! he was pleased to make us vessels of grace and mercy , when he might have made us vessels of wrath ! That ever the Lord should have thoughts of mercy on such sinful creatures , such vile wretches , worse than worms or Toads ! They have poyson in them , but no enmity against God. Oh that God should give his Christ for us , to us , and faith in Christ , both work it , and preserve it in us ! Yea , he was one that lived by faith , and he is gone to receive the end of it , the salvation of his soul . 3 ly , He was no Solifidian , but being sanctified in part , truly righteous : 1. Having infused habits of grace and righteousness in him , light and love , faith and hope , inclining him to walk in new obedience , and worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing . 1. Knowledg , without which the heart is not good ; he knew the grace of God in truth , and through grace had treasured up a large stock of saving , solid , practical , experimental knowledg , which furnished him with great abilities , not only to convince gain-sayers , which crept in as new lights , of their broaching old errors ; but ( wherein he did most delight ) to give knowledg and discretion to weaker Christians , and to illuminate and instruct the righteous . Many able Ministers loved to sit at his feet , for they received by one Sermon of his those instructions , which they could not get by many Books or Sermons of others . His heat and zeal for the honour of God , and the good of souls , was proportioned to his light ; he was as much a burning , as a shining light . 2 ly , As for his sparkling love , he had bowels of compassion for sinners to snatch them out of the flames , and for Saints to direct them into the love of Christ , of holiness and righteousness . — I need not speak unto you of his Preaching : How oft went he to children of light walking in darkness , to cheer and revive them with cordials , wherewith the Lord had usually refreshed him ! This great Physician of souls had great practice , and was rarely found out of his study , where he was commonly immured five days in the week , twelve hours each of those days . ( I will not say as some , to make one Sermon , I know he had other work there ) ; unless gone to visit and relieve his Patients . 3. For his Hope , he might appeal to God and say with David , Lord , I have hoped for thy salvation ; the great and glorious , the promised rewards , eternal life and glory ; and so have done thy commandment , as the righteous have ; he had hopes in his death . 'T was his longing desire , and his hopes were that he should shortly be in that sinless estate in Heaven , where there is the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the perfection of grace and holiness . Hypocrites fancying something they know not what of the glory and happiness of that place , I believe sometimes have desires to go to Heaven when they die , and hopes they shall go , thinking themselves too good for hell , and better than many others ; but sure they would reach and pursue more after holiness and perfection , were their desires after , and hopes for Heaven real and sincere : but as to Mr. Charnock , these gracious dispositions inclin'd him , 1 ly , To love righteousness , to cherish , countenance , and encourage holiness , and to hate iniquity , to reprove sin where he found it , thou●h in his dearest friends ( imitating his Father in Heaven , who is not only an all seeing God that espies sin where ever it is , but so holy , pure and perfect , that he hates sin where ever he finds it ) , yet his reproofs never brake the head , but heal'd the heart , went down smoothly like precious oyl , being compounded of such ingredients , much Christian meekness , prudence , compassion , love as well as zeal . Yea , 2. Grace in the heart set his hands at work , the work of righteousness , made him only mind that work , and so much abound in it . Should you bring me many eminent Saints , choice Ministers , yet I believe I may say without adulation , Mr. Charnock did labour more than them all . I am sure ( though I do not particularize them ) his works will be had in remembrance , and praise him in the gates . So I question not but the Lord did accept him , 3 ly , As Righteous in his own eye ; though I say , it may be you observed some failings in him . That which I wishly looked for , and am perswaded I found in him ; ( for so far as 't is in man to judg , it seemed to me the most sparkling Jewel in the Crown of Glory which he wore upon his head ) was sincerity ; he would give God his own , himself , soul and body a living and an acceptable sacrifice , his whole heart , his life , which he spent in the service of God , and of the faith of his people , ( I remember ( if I mistake not ) something he reply'd to one that told him , If he studied so much , 't would cost him his life ; to this effect . Why ! it cost Christ his life to redeem and save me ▪ ) His time , which he husbanded best to that end ; his Talents , Parts , Gifts and Graces . He was careful to watch over his heart , that he knew too well to trust , and against spiritual pride . 'T was apparent he had frequently been with God in the Mount especially at Sacram●nt-seasons ( when Christ is as it were transfigured , lively crucified before his people , and looks with a most amiable countenance , white and ruddy ) his face then , and after his conversation , shone in hol●n●ss ; yet such was his humility , he himself took no notice of it , though others did observe it with admiration ; he would adhere to Christ , observe his Ordinances according to his prescription . And his main care was always to worship God in spirit and in truth . 2 ly , As to himself he watched and kept his garments , as he kept himself unspotted from the world . 3 ly He gave others their due ; one instance whereof , he was a Preacher of Righteousness . He , or rather Christ in him by the blessed Spirit preached in season and out of season , sometimes to such as would not be perswaded . But , 4 ly , Especially to his Flock , whether many others came flocking like Doves unto the windows , that he might better fulfill this righteousness of his Office. He did 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , which as Plato affirms , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or rather as the Apostle exhorts , he did study to be quiet , and to mind and do his own business ; and all his care was to work out the salvation of himself , and of his people . Indeed not long after he had received light himself , when the Lord by his blessing on his endeavours had qualified him for it , such , such was his love , he gave forth light unto others , inviting them , and saying , Come and see Jesus . 1. In Southwark , where seven or eight in that little time Providence continued him there , owned their conversion under God to his Ministry , and were the seal and Letters Testimonial thereof . Then in the University of Oxford and adjacent parts . After in Dublin , where it might be said of his , as it was of the Lords preaching in the land of Zebulon , The people which sat in darkness saw great light : and to them which sat in the region of the shadow of death light sprang up . And lastly , in this great City , where his sphere being not spacious enough for so great a light , was enlarged . Here he intended to have given forth a compleat body of Divinity ; but alas ! after he had demonstrated the Being and Existence of God , this Sun set before he had gone over half of his transcendent Excellencies and Perf●ctions . The last subject he treated on and finished , was the Patience of God. He was looking what to say next of the Mercy , Grace and Goodness of God , which he is gone to see and to admire ; for he found that which he most looked and longed for , The mercy of our Lord Jesus unto eternal life in heaven , where he shines now . Indeed all the while he was upon the Attributes of God , he moved with that extraordinary strength and celerity , 't was an argument of his near approach unto his center , his everlosting Rest ; and if it be true , as some say , that the Soul doth prominere in Morte , his words were too true Predictions , and from his Soul , when he said that concerning Divine patience would be his last Sermon , which the Lord grant may prove Salvation to all that heard him . Let me advise you , dry your eyes , he is translated to Heaven to shine forth . Here your Timothy was something obscured by manifold infirmities , a crazy Body , weak Eyes , one dark , the other dim ; a Hand that would shake sometimes , an infirm Stomack , an aking Head , a fugitive memory , which after it had failed him sometimes , he would never trust again ; but verbatim , pen'd and read all his Notes ; whereas till of late years , in Preaching he never look'd within them : more by a little Passion or choler , which through grace he turned into the right channel : most of all by foul and false Aspersions cast upon him , as if he was Melancholly , Reserv'd , Unsociable ; to which , all his acquaintance will give a character of him diametrically opposite . How cheerful , free , loving , sweet-disposition'd was he in all Companies where he could take delight ! He was their Love , their Delights . Well , your Stephen has seen the Glory of God , and Jesus at his right hand , in the Glory of the Father , and now he shines forth as a Star , as the Sun it self for ever and ever . I know it , the Word of God is Truth , They that turn many to righteousness , shall shine as the stars for ever , Dan. 12.3 . As a Learned Rabbin comments upon the Words , They that in their life-time followed the righteousness of God , and were the adjuvant causes to make others to work and do righteousness , shall attain to a more eminent degree of light and glory from the brightness of the Shechinah , or the Divine Presence , and their faces shall shine as the face of Moses did , when he had been long fed with , and lived upon the Divine-light , and that for ever ; for they shall sin no more , as here , as oft as they sinned , they lost degrees of the excellency of their dignity ; but shall with an absolute perfection be made perfect : Then also , whatever did let and oppress their shining forth , viz. the Captivity ( we may say Temptations to sin , or their being in part carnal and sold under sin ) Satan , and the evil figment , or remainders of corruption shall cease . And you know that your Sun which is now set , did follow after holiness , and rejoyced as a strong man , a Giant to run that race ; the light of his Doctrine was pure , perfect , sure , right , enlightning the eyes , converting the soul , making wise the simple , and rejoycing the heart . Your Teacher was , though not a perfect man , a perfect Minister , thorowly accomplish'd by the Spirit and the Word of Truth , the Old and New Testament ( I never in all my life knew any that had attained near unto that skill he he had in both their Originals , except Mr. Thomas Cawton ) unto all those four good works of the Ministry , 2 Tim. 3.16 . 1. Doctrine , i. e. clearly to Expound , 1. the Promise , the Covenant of Grace , the Gospel . 2. The Law , and so to Preach over the Apostles whole System of Divinity , Faith and Love , which is in Christ . In this which is the only true Divinity , he was a most judicious , solid and sound Divine . As for , 2. Reproof ; he was an able and an Orthodox Divine , a Professor in Divinity , able to convince of every sin , to refute every error , to demonstrate the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , of each Antichristian , or other false opinion . 3. For correction and restauration of any that through infirmity or temptation had fallen into sin to the wounding of his Conscience , he was an excellent Casuist , a most experimental Preacher , a most discreet and experienced Divine . 4. For instruction in righteousness ; he knew the way to Heaven , and how to conduct and take his Hearers along with him . He was a most Powerful and Practical Preacher . He was so , but now he is not . He is not so to you . — All that I speak , I see doth but renew your grief : but moderate your sorrows ; Yea , sorrow not . Read what Dr. Bates in his Funeral-Sermon on Dr. Manton cites out of Chrysostom , pag. 47. yea , read the Text , 1 Thes . 3. from v. 13. to the end . Mr. Charnock his soul is gone , his body will be raised to be for ever with the Lord. You 'l say you weep for your selves : truly , well you may ; yet think not because he hath left you , that you are left of God. I own it , your loss is so great that it cannot be repaired but by God himself . Continue in Prayers , that God would please to raise you up a Pastor , by whose Ministry you may be called more and more effectually to the obtaining of the Glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Were I to speak to Mr. Charnock's people , I should beg of them to be most circumspect and prudent in calling one to establish you ; if they could meet with , to chuse such a one as he was , a powerful Preacher , a good Casuist , a judicious Divine , a Doctor , yea , Professor in Divinity . I know not what more to advise ; pray I will , since a Chariot of fire hath parted Mr. Charnock and you , that a double portion of his Spirit may be , and rest on him whom the Lord shall chuse , and direct you to pitch upon , to succeed him , that whilst you are crying , my Father ! my Father ! the Chariots of Israel , and the Horsemen thereof ! the enemy may not pursue your Souls , break in upon , rout , scatter and divide , and so ruine you and your Congregation . Amen! Amen! FINIS . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A46911-e300 Pictores P. Ichram absolutámq faciem rarò nis in pejus effingunt . Plin. sec . lib. 5. c. 10. Notes for div A46911-e660 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Stumbling-blocks , Traps . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , not only as Justin , and Gr. Nyssen cite it , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . G Nazian . Orat. 1● . Rom. 3.10 , &c. Splendida peccata . Gataker renders glittering slips . See Articles of the Church of England , Art. 11. Christi justitia in justificatione fidelibus imputatur quatenus eju● merito justi coram Deo reputamur . Ames . Med. Theol. lib. 1. c. 27. th . 12. Hanc Dei justitiam quam donat gratia sine meritis nesciunt illi qui suam justitiam volunt constituere & ideo justitiae Dei qui Christus est , non sunt subjecti , in quâ justitia est multa multitudo dulcedinis Dei , propter quam dicitur gustate & videte , quam dulcis est Dominus . Aug. de Civ . Dei , l. 21. c. 24. Disc . of Justific . p. 7. 2 Cor. 5.21 . — In quantum viget in nobis quod ex Deo nati sumus , ex fide viventes justi sumus , in quantum aut . relliquias ex Adam trahimus , sine peccato non sumus . — Nec tamen ex hoc desinimus esse justi cum ex affectu tenemus sanctitatem . Aug. Ep. 50. Denominatione ex meliori parte quat . Opponuntur hominibus carnalibus , in quibus nullum est semen inchoatae justitiae , nullus conatus piae vitae , nullum studium sanctitatis , Doctos appellamus bonis literis initiatos & incumbentes opponendo eos rusticis & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. Daven . Disp . de hab . Just . 2. 3. Ab ipso habituali proposito & amore justitiae In est omnibus renatis hoc propositum haec voluntas tribuendi quod suum est Deo & proximo quamvis vitiosa concupiscentia in contrariam partem sub inde eos trabat . Daven . Ibid. Praeter operationem Dei , quae nos i●loneos reddit mutando ac regenerando requiritur misericors Dei acceptatio , quae tegat infirmitates nostras & conatus imbecilles reputet pro perfectâ obedientiâ , ut nil in nobis boni esset , ni renovati essemus operatione Divinâ , ita nihili essent renovatorum opera , ad participationem hereditatis coelestis , nisi a pater indulgentissimo propter Christum supra condignum aestimarentur . Daven . in Col. c. 1. v. 12. Retinens veri cultus — Justus fide credens verbo Dei de mundo per dendo & servanda sua-posteritate , & de semine mulieris . Munst . Quaen . justitia est quae ipsum hominem Deo vero tollit , & immundis spiritibus subdit ? hoccine est suum cuique distribuere ? Aug. de Civ . Dei. l. 19. c. 21. Vid. Pisc . Justitiam officii , particularem . i. e opus Ministeriis unius cujusque . Scult . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Rarò solent ingenia insigniter foelicia robusta sortiri corpora Deo dispensante ita ut quod Animi viribus Additum est , corporis de●ra●atur . Erasm . Praefat . ad August . opera . Scriptor sapientiae loquens de justis — 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Grot. in Mat. 13.43 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , walketh , advanceth , Pro. 4.18 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Acutissimè christianus Philosopho interroganti ubi Deu● esset respondit● Dic tu priùs 〈◊〉 Philosophe ubi● non sit . Alcnin● l. 2. de Trin. c. 7. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Excellens sensibile destruit sensum . Quidistan beatitudine falsiu● aut fallacius , ubi nos futuros miseros aut in summâ veritatis luce nesciamus , aut in summâ faelicitatis apice timeamus ? Aust . de Civ . Dei , lib. 12. c. 20. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●achiad in ●an . 12.3 . ●ost illam po●li liberatio●m per An●chi mortem , expetenda etiam erit alia multò illustrior , quam Michaelis , i. e. Christi interventu as●uemur , ita tamen ut calamitatis gravissimae praecedant , Mat. 24. quas resurrectio beata excipiat . ●mpereur in loc . Arist . Meteor lib. 1. c. 3. telleth the Stars . Quanto quis● acutius cas 〈◊〉 turtur tantò plures videt unde & acerrimè cernent●bus aliquas oc●cultas esse me●rito existimatur . Aug. de Civ . Dei , lib 16. Non crimen Phoebus , noctu● crimen habet . Gloria à Deo ●donanda . Pisc . Coelestis est Terrenae hareditatis dissimil●ima Terrenan . quo inter plu●es distribui●ur , eò minus à singulis possidetur , regnum coeleste in solidum possidetur ab inumeris sanctis , ita ut numerus participantium nihil obstet perfectissimae & p●enissim●e participationi singulorum . Dav. in Col. 1.12 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Assumi dicitur qui in co●sortium adju● gitur recept● est nimirum coelum unde venerat . Erasmus . Praemium vi●tutis erit ipse qui virtutem dedit , qui sei● sum quo meli● & majus nihil esse possit eg● ero illorum Deus , i. e. eg● ero unde sat entur , ego e● quae cunque ab hominibus ho●nestè de syderantur & vi & salus , & v●ctus , & copi● & gloria , & honor , & pax , & omnia bona . Aug. Conf. l. 9. c. 13. Heb. 10.7 , 8. Phil. 2.8 , 9 , 10. vid. Zanch. in locum . Non dicit Templa ut significet ita singulos esse Dei Templa , ut tamen omnes ●num Dei Templum constitu●ant . Estius in loc . Nec coelum aut Christus patitur hyperbolen . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Arist . Eth. ad Nicom . l. 5. c. 1. Psal . 16.3 . Vt sit in nobis boni scintilla minima requiritur Dei potentia in operando , ut illud bonum qualecunque idoneos nos faciat ut reputemur interfilios ac haeredes regni requiritur paterna clementia in acceptando . Daven . in Col. 1.12 . Quisquis tibi numerat merita sua , quid tibi enumerat nisi munera sua . Aug. Conf. l. 9. c. 13. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , without horns . Tit. 3. ● . Burroughs , Moses his Choice , p. 316. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Naz. Orat. 1● . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Joh. 1. Nec Beatitud● esset si certu● non haberent s● ibi semper fu●turos nec vita● aeterna si mort● finiretur Lud Viv. in Aug. de Civ . Dei. lib. 12. c. 19 If in Heavens outward Court such Beauty be , VVhat is the glory which the Saints do see ! Herbert . Vbi nulla crea●tura est cujus mutabilibus motibus tempo●ra perarantur tempora omnin● esse non possunt . Aug. d● Civ . Dei , l. 12 ▪ c. 15. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Vid. Beza & Dicks in loc . Nubecula est & citò praetor ibit . Athan. Gen. 47.9 . Cant. 1.6 . Lam. 3.2 . Mic. 7.8 , 9 , 10 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , haec distantia praemiorum atque paenarum justos dirimens ab injustis quae sub isto sole in hujus vitae vanitate non cernitur quando , sub illo sole justitiae in illius vitae manifestatione clarebit tunc profecto erit judicium quale nunquam suit Aug de Civ . Dei , l 20. c. 27. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Theod. Ep. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Derelinguen●tes , verbum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in part sensu habemus , Ja● 1.21 . Grot 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Est consilia arcana communicare , & in sinum amicorum effunder Budaeus . ●atia haec di●na eò in ●nditur electis 〈◊〉 peragant ●iones ordi●tas in finem ●ae eternae , ●quinas , Qu. ●isput . de Virt. ●t . 10. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , is oppo● to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Vbi homo Deo non servit , quid in eo putandum est esse justitiae . Aug. de Civ . Dei. A real Sain● is one well known , not to the World , to God alone . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 &c ▪ G. Nyssen , or de vito . S. P ▪ Ephrem . Syri● Da Pulchra Laverna , Fallere da Justum , ●anctumq , vide●i , Horat. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Clem. Alex. Strom. lib. 6. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Clem. Alex Adm. ad Gent. p. 167 Psal . 119 . 16● 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Clem. Al. l. 6. ● . 667. R. J. Jachiades in Dan. 12.3 . cum Version . Constant . ●empereur . The Credenda & Agenda . 2 Tim. 1.13 .