The four last things viz. death, judgment, heaven, hell, practically considered and applied in several discourses / by William Bates.
         Bates, William, 1625-1699.
      
       
         
           1691
        
      
       Approx. 650 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 281 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images.
       
         Text Creation Partnership,
         Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :
         2005-03 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).
         A26786
         Wing B1105
         ESTC R15956
         12100134
         ocm 12100134
         54090
         
           
            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. A26786)
         Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 54090)
         Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 758:8)
      
       
         
           
             The four last things viz. death, judgment, heaven, hell, practically considered and applied in several discourses / by William Bates.
             Bates, William, 1625-1699.
          
           [12], 546, [2] p. : port.
           
             Printed for Brabazon Aylmer ...,
             London :
             1691.
          
           
             Advertisements: prelim. p. [12] and p. [2] at end.
             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.
      
       
         EEBO-TCP is a partnership between the Universities of Michigan and Oxford and the publisher ProQuest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by ProQuest via their Early English Books Online (EEBO) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). The general aim of EEBO-TCP is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic English-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in EEBO.
         EEBO-TCP aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the Text Encoding Initiative (http://www.tei-c.org).
         The EEBO-TCP project was divided into two phases. The 25,363 texts created during Phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 January 2015. Anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source.
         Users should be aware of the process of creating the TCP texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data.
         Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (NCBEL). If an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in NCBEL, then their works are eligible for inclusion. Selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. In general, first editions of a works in English were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably Latin and Welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so.
         Image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. Quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in Oxford and Michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet QA standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. After proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. Any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. Understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of TCP data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor.
         The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines.
         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
      
       
         
           Presbyterian Church -- Sermons.
           Funeral sermons.
           Sermons, English -- 17th century.
        
      
    
     
        2004-09 TCP
        Assigned for keying and markup
      
        2004-11 SPi Global
        Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images
      
        2004-12 Jonathan Blaney
        Sampled and proofread
      
        2004-12 Jonathan Blaney
        Text and markup reviewed and edited
      
        2005-01 pfs
        Batch review (QC) and XML conversion
      
    
  
   
     
       
         
         
         
           THE
           Four
           Last
           Things
           :
           Viz.
           
           
             
               DEATH
               ,
            
             
               JUDGMENT
               ,
            
             
               HEAVEN
               ,
            
             
               HELL
               ,
            
          
           Practically
           considered
           and
           applied
           ,
           In
           Several
           DISCOURSES
           .
        
         
           By
           
             William
             Bates
          
           ,
           D.
           D.
           
        
         
           Recommended
           as
           proper
           to
           be
           given
           at
           Funerals
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           for
           
             Brabazon
             Aylmer
          
           ,
           at
           the
           Three
           Pigeons
           against
           the
           Royal
           Exchange
           in
           Cornhil
           .
           1691.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           To
           the
           Right
           Honourable
           RACHEL
           Lady
           RVSSEL
           .
        
         
           
             MADAM
             ,
          
        
         
           OF
           all
           Affairs
           for
           the
           compassing
           whereof
           Men
           are
           so
           diligent
           and
           sollicitous
           ,
           there
           is
           none
           of
           that
           absolute
           necessity
           ,
           and
           high
           importance
           ,
           as
           the
           Preparation
           for
           Death
           and
           Judgment
           ,
           and
           the
           immediate
           Consequences
           of
           them
           ,
           Heaven
           and
           Hell
           ,
           to
           obtain
           the
           one
           ,
           and
           escape
           the
           other
           .
           This
           requires
           the
           whole
           Man
           in
           his
           best
           vigour
           ,
           and
           should
           be
           the
           
             Work
             of
             the
             Day
          
           ,
           but
           't
           is
           usually
           delayed
           till
           the
           melancholy
           Evening
           of
           Age
           ,
           or
           the
           twilight
           of
           Death
           .
           The
           Trifles
           of
           this
           World
           divert
           them
           from
           that
           main
           business
           ,
           to
           which
           all
           other
           things
           should
           
           be
           subordinate
           .
           It
           equally
           deserves
           Wonder
           and
           Compassion
           ,
           that
           Death
           which
           is
           so
           constantly
           in
           Mens
           view
           ,
           should
           be
           so
           seldom
           the
           matter
           of
           their
           application
           ,
           when
           all
           are
           of
           the
           same
           Glass
           ,
           made
           of
           the
           same
           frail
           natural
           Principles
           ;
           and
           no
           Argument
           is
           more
           frequently
           &
           pathetically
           urged
           upon
           them
           .
        
         
           'T
           is
           not
           strange
           that
           deep
           Truths
           ,
           that
           by
           the
           strength
           and
           exercise
           of
           the
           mind
           are
           drawn
           like
           Gold
           out
           of
           the
           Mines
           ,
           have
           no
           efficacy
           upon
           those
           that
           are
           not
           capable
           of
           understanding
           them
           :
           but
           the
           Doctrines
           of
           Death
           and
           
             Judgment
             ,
             Heaven
          
           and
           Hell
           ,
           are
           plain
           Truths
           ,
           by
           Na-Natural
           ,
           Moral
           ,
           and
           Divine
           Evidence
           known
           to
           all
           ;
           yet
           no
           more
           affect
           Men
           ,
           than
           a
           Paradox
           of
           incredible
           Novelty
           .
           If
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           
             Eternal
             Judgment
          
           were
           but
           a
           probable
           Opinion
           ,
           controverted
           with
           equal
           Arguments
           ,
           yet
           't
           is
           a
           matter
           of
           such
           vast
           concernment
           ,
           that
           Reason
           requires
           all
           our
           possible
           
           diligence
           to
           avoid
           an
           eternal
           evil
           that
           may
           be
           ,
           the
           loss
           of
           Celestial
           Glory
           ,
           and
           the
           Torments
           of
           Hell
           :
           But
           since
           't
           is
           an
           infallible
           Truth
           ,
           as
           certain
           as
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           't
           is
           a
           Miracle
           to
           astonish
           Heaven
           and
           Earth
           ,
           that
           Men
           live
           as
           carelesly
           as
           if
           they
           should
           never
           die
           ,
           and
           die
           as
           securely
           as
           if
           they
           should
           not
           live
           in
           the
           next
           state
           ,
           to
           receive
           the
           just
           punishment
           of
           their
           Sins
           .
           They
           are
           fearless
           whilst
           Death
           is
           far
           off
           in
           their
           thoughts
           :
           and
           when
           Age
           has
           snowed
           upon
           their
           heads
           ,
           that
           no
           Marks
           of
           decaying
           Nature
           should
           appear
           ,
           make
           their
           own
           Winter
           to
           flourish
           with
           anothers
           Spring
           .
           But
           't
           is
           in
           vain
           ,
           for
           Death
           knows
           them
           under
           their
           disguise
           ,
           and
           will
           not
           stay
           beyond
           the
           appointed
           time
           .
           And
           in
           that
           decisive
           hour
           ,
           Infidelity
           or
           Presumption
           hardens
           Men
           to
           pass
           as
           quietly
           and
           boldly
           in
           appearance
           into
           another
           world
           ,
           as
           unfeigned
           Faith
           ,
           and
           a
           regular
           lively
           Hope
           in
           the
           Promises
           of
           the
           Gospel
           .
           
           But
           as
           deceitful
           Physick
           stops
           the
           Fit
           for
           the
           present
           ,
           that
           will
           return
           more
           violently
           and
           fatally
           afterwards
           ▪
           So
           a
           counterfeit
           short
           Peace
           transmits
           them
           to
           everlasting
           Sorrows
           .
        
         
           The
           design
           of
           the
           following
           DISCOURSE
           is
           to
           awaken
           Men
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           be
           wise
           and
           consider
           their
           latter
           end
           :
           to
           secure
           an
           interest
           in
           our
           Redeemer
           ,
           who
           has
           disarmed
           Death
           of
           its
           Sting
           ,
           and
           made
           that
           Enemy
           our
           Friend
           :
           and
           to
           practise
           dying
           every
           day
           ,
           by
           withdrawing
           their
           hearts
           from
           the
           vanities
           of
           this
           transient
           World
           ,
           that
           have
           such
           a
           pernicious
           influence
           to
           excite
           the
           carnal
           Appetites
           ,
           and
           stupify
           the
           Conscience
           ,
           which
           are
           the
           true
           causes
           of
           their
           sin
           and
           Misery
           .
           And
           what
           can
           be
           more
           powerful
           to
           render
           them
           temperate
           and
           sober
           in
           the
           use
           of
           present
           things
           ,
           vigilant
           and
           serious
           in
           their
           preparations
           for
           their
           great
           and
           final
           Change
           ,
           than
           the
           remembrance
           that
           Death
           is
           immediately
           attended
           
           with
           Judgment
           ,
           and
           Judgment
           with
           Blessedness
           or
           Misery
           for
           ever
           .
           I
           know
           this
           Argument
           is
           naturally
           displeasing
           ,
           but
           the
           usefulness
           should
           recommend
           it
           to
           our
           most
           solemn
           and
           composed
           thoughts
           ,
           before
           all
           the
           vain
           entertainments
           of
           the
           Fancy
           and
           sensual
           Affections
           .
           As
           Herbs
           of
           Medicinal
           virtue
           ,
           that
           are
           not
           pleasing
           to
           the
           sight
           or
           smell
           ,
           yet
           are
           valued
           by
           the
           Skilful
           as
           treasures
           of
           Health
           ;
           and
           preferr'd
           before
           the
           fairest
           Flowers
           that
           are
           perfum'd
           and
           painted
           by
           Nature
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           excel
           the
           richest
           lustre
           of
           
           Solomon's
           Glory
           .
        
         
           The
           Body
           is
           in
           a
           continual
           Consumption
           ,
           and
           no
           Art
           can
           long
           preserve
           it
           :
           but
           whilst
           the
           
             outward
             Man
          
           is
           irrecoverably
           declining
           and
           wasting
           ,
           if
           the
           
             Inward
             Man
          
           be
           ascending
           and
           renewing
           to
           perfection
           ,
           the
           advantage
           is
           incomparable
           .
           O
           how
           comfortable
           is
           it
           to
           a
           holy
           Believer
           in
           the
           parting
           hour
           to
           commit
           his
           Spirit
           into
           the
           hands
           
           of
           his
           Heavenly
           Father
           !
           (
           for
           thus
           he
           is
           authorized
           and
           encouraged
           by
           our
           Saviour's
           Example
           )
           and
           
             lay
             down
             the
             Flesh
             to
             rest
             in
             Hope
             :
          
           for
           Christ
           is
           the
           Guardian
           of
           the
           Grave
           ,
           
             has
             the
             Keys
             of
             Death
          
           ,
           and
           will
           revive
           the
           Bodies
           of
           his
           Saints
           incorruptible
           and
           immortal
           ,
           the
           Copies
           of
           his
           own
           glorious
           Body
           .
        
         
           The
           immediate
           Recompences
           of
           Eternal
           Judgment
           ,
           Heaven
           and
           Hell
           ,
           are
           worthy
           of
           our
           most
           attentive
           and
           applicative
           Thoughts
           ,
           that
           we
           obtain
           the
           one
           ,
           and
           escape
           the
           other
           .
           Heaven
           is
           the
           true
           Happiness
           of
           the
           reasonable
           Creature
           ,
           and
           is
           the
           first
           and
           last
           in
           the
           order
           of
           things
           desireable
           ;
           the
           first
           for
           its
           attractive
           Excellence
           ,
           the
           last
           in
           its
           consummate
           Fruition
           .
           This
           may
           be
           certainly
           and
           perpetually
           enjoyed
           by
           all
           who
           sincerely
           and
           diligently
           seek
           it
           .
           If
           in
           the
           very
           different
           States
           of
           Life
           here
           ,
           there
           were
           any
           uncapable
           of
           Eternal
           Life
           ,
           or
           that
           have
           another
           
           Object
           for
           their
           last
           End
           ,
           there
           might
           be
           some
           reason
           why
           they
           should
           be
           coldly
           affected
           towards
           Celestial
           Happiness
           ,
           and
           to
           justify
           their
           sole
           pretentions
           to
           the
           Things
           of
           Time
           ,
           wherein
           their
           Interests
           are
           confin'd
           :
           but
           the
           offer
           of
           Heaven
           regards
           all
           that
           upon
           God's
           Terms
           will
           accept
           of
           it
           .
           The
           most
           sensible
           inequality
           ,
           that
           Riches
           ,
           Dignity
           ,
           or
           any
           temporal
           Accident
           makes
           between
           Men
           here
           ,
           is
           so
           true
           a
           Nothing
           in
           comparison
           of
           Eternal
           Glory
           ,
           that
           it
           makes
           no
           difference
           of
           one
           from
           another
           as
           to
           the
           obtaining
           it
           .
           For
           this
           Reason
           it
           most
           nearly
           concerns
           every
           Person
           ,
           
             First
             to
             seek
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             the
             Righteousness
             thereof
             ,
          
           as
           the
           only
           way
           to
           ascend
           to
           it
           .
        
         
           The
           serious
           consideration
           of
           the
           everlasting
           Hell
           prepared
           for
           unreformed
           Sinners
           ,
           is
           most
           necessary
           and
           useful
           ,
           tho
           carnal
           Men
           are
           extreamly
           averse
           from
           thinking
           on
           that
           terrible
           Object
           .
           For
           this
           is
           the
           first
           Motive
           that
           turns
           
           Men
           from
           Sin
           to
           Holiness
           .
           The
           Joys
           of
           Heaven
           being
           Spiritual
           and
           Divine
           ,
           have
           no
           attractive
           influence
           upon
           the
           carnal
           Affections
           ,
           would
           never
           convert
           and
           reform
           any
           ;
           but
           the
           Torment
           of
           Fire
           being
           most
           evident
           and
           vehement
           to
           Sense
           ,
           is
           strongly
           represented
           by
           the
           Imagination
           ,
           and
           moves
           the
           Affections
           .
           How
           many
           by
           solemn
           and
           believing
           Thoughts
           of
           the
           unquenchable
           Fire
           ,
           have
           felt
           the
           Miracle
           upon
           the
           three
           Children
           in
           the
           Furnace
           ,
           renewed
           in
           themselves
           ,
           their
           strong
           Cords
           ,
           the
           obstinate
           Habits
           of
           Sin
           burnt
           asunder
           ,
           and
           their
           Powers
           restor'd
           to
           the
           freedom
           of
           Duty
           ,
           the
           blessed
           Liberty
           of
           Obedience
           .
           In
           this
           respect
           
             the
             fear
             of
             the
             Lord
             is
             the
             beginning
             of
             Wisdom
             ,
          
           that
           directs
           us
           in
           the
           Way
           to
           Blessedness
           .
        
         
           Madam
           ,
           I
           shall
           not
           attempt
           the
           celebrating
           your
           Ladiship
           's
           Vertues
           ,
           that
           render
           you
           a
           bright
           Ornament
           of
           your
           Sex
           ,
           and
           more
           truly
           Honourable
           than
           
           your
           Noble
           Descent
           and
           Alliance
           :
           but
           direct
           my
           best
           Desires
           to
           God
           ,
           that
           your
           Family
           may
           be
           a
           singular
           and
           eminent
           Example
           of
           the
           Divine
           Favour
           :
           that
           the
           fading
           Gloss
           of
           this
           World
           may
           not
           deceive
           you
           ,
           but
           
             your
             Heart
             may
             be
             above
             ,
             where
             your
             Treasure
             is
          
           ;
           that
           you
           may
           live
           to
           God
           and
           your
           Soul
           ,
           for
           Heaven
           and
           Eternity
           .
           I
           am
           ,
        
         
           Madam
           ,
           
             Your
             Honour
             's
             very
             humble
             and
             faithful
             Servant
             ,
             
               WILLIAM
               BATES
            
             .
          
        
      
       
         
         
           The
           Bookseller's
           Advertisement
           .
        
         
           THE
           Four
           Last
           Things
           ,
           Death
           and
           
             Judgment
             ,
             Heaven
          
           and
           Hell
           ,
           are
           Subjects
           of
           that
           great
           Importance
           ,
           and
           so
           nearly
           concerns
           all
           Persons
           ,
           that
           serious
           Discourses
           publish'd
           upon
           them
           ,
           deserve
           the
           Reader
           's
           best
           Attention
           and
           Application
           .
           And
           that
           they
           may
           be
           of
           more
           diffusive
           and
           general
           Benefit
           ,
           it
           will
           be
           a
           proper
           Means
           ,
           that
           (
           according
           to
           the
           Examples
           of
           some
           pious
           Persons
           )
           Books
           treating
           of
           those
           solemn
           Arguments
           BE
           GIVEN
           AT
           FUNERALS
           ,
           AS
           A
           FUNERAL-LEGACY
           :
           When
           according
           to
           the
           observation
           of
           the
           wise
           Preacher
           ,
           
             The
             Living
             lay
             to
             Heart
             their
             own
             Frailty
             ,
          
           and
           are
           more
           receptive
           of
           Holy
           Counsels
           to
           prepare
           for
           their
           great
           Change
           from
           Time
           to
           Eternity
           ,
           and
           would
           affect
           their
           Minds
           with
           the
           present
           Instance
           of
           Mortality
           ,
           much
           better
           than
           Wine
           ,
           Sweatmeats
           ,
           Gloves
           or
           Rings
           ,
           or
           unprofitable
           Talk
           ,
           as
           is
           too
           usual
           at
           such
           Solemnities
           .
        
         
           All
           serious
           practical
           Books
           are
           proper
           for
           this
           Design
           ,
           which
           may
           be
           of
           any
           Price
           or
           Bigness
           :
           And
           if
           Bound
           in
           Black
           ,
           with
           a
           Cypher
           of
           Mortality
           ,
           will
           be
           very
           decent
           :
           And
           some
           Memorables
           of
           the
           Life
           of
           the
           Deceased
           (
           if
           desired
           )
           may
           be
           printed
           on
           a
           Leaf
           ,
           or
           more
           ,
           and
           bound
           with
           it
           .
           Several
           Books
           so
           bound
           ,
           may
           be
           seen
           at
           the
           Three
           Pigeons
           against
           the
           Royal
           Exchange
           in
           Cornhil
           .
        
         
           
             B.
             A.
             
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           OF
           DEATH
           .
        
         
           
             
               
                 HEB.
                 2.15
              
               .
            
             
               And
               deliver
               them
               ,
               who
               through
               fear
               of
               Death
               were
               all
               their
               Life-time
               subject
               to
               Bondage
               .
            
          
        
         
           IN
           the
           first
           Chapter
           of
           this
           Epistle
           ,
           the
           Proofs
           of
           the
           Eternal
           Deity
           of
           Christ
           are
           produced
           with
           that
           evidence
           of
           Scripture-Light
           ,
           that
           only
           a
           
             vailed
             Heart
          
           ,
           obstinate
           Infidelity
           can
           resist
           .
           The
           Medium
           which
           the
           inspired
           Pen-man
           makes
           use
           of
           ,
           is
           ,
           the
           comparing
           
           him
           with
           the
           Angels
           ,
           the
           most
           noble
           Flower
           of
           the
           Creation
           ,
           and
           shewing
           that
           he
           is
           infinitely
           dignified
           above
           them
           .
           This
           he
           does
           by
           a
           strong
           connexion
           of
           Arguments
           :
           First
           ,
           By
           his
           Title
           that
           is
           divinely
           high
           and
           peculiar
           to
           himself
           .
           He
           is
           declared
           by
           the
           Testimony
           of
           the
           eternal
           Father
           to
           
             be
             his
             Son
          
           ,
           
           in
           the
           most
           proper
           and
           sublime
           sense
           :
           
             begotten
             of
             him
          
           ,
           and
           therefore
           having
           the
           same
           essential
           Perfections
           of
           the
           Godhead
           in
           their
           uncreated
           Glory
           .
           But
           the
           Angels
           are
           not
           dignified
           with
           this
           Name
           in
           any
           Places
           of
           Scripture
           ,
           where
           the
           Excellency
           of
           the
           Angels
           is
           in
           the
           fullest
           Terms
           expressed
           .
           And
           that
           this
           Name
           is
           taken
           from
           his
           Nature
           ,
           is
           clearly
           proved
           :
           because
           Adoration
           is
           due
           to
           him
           upon
           this
           account
           ,
           even
           from
           the
           Angels
           of
           the
           highest
           Order
           .
           
           
             When
             he
             bringeth
             in
             the
             first-begotten
             into
             the
             World
             ,
             he
             saith
             ,
             And
             let
             all
             the
             Angels
             of
             God
             worship
             him
             .
          
        
         
           Divine
           Worship
           is
           a
           Prerogative
           inseparably
           annex'd
           to
           the
           Deity
           ,
           both
           upon
           the
           account
           of
           the
           supream
           Excellencies
           of
           the
           Nature
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           his
           Relation
           to
           Angels
           and
           Men
           as
           Creator
           and
           Preserver
           ,
           the
           Fountain
           of
           their
           Being
           and
           Happiness
           .
           This
           without
           
           the
           most
           open
           defiance
           of
           his
           Authority
           ,
           cannot
           be
           given
           to
           a
           meer
           Creature
           ;
           
           and
           by
           the
           Command
           of
           God
           himself
           is
           to
           be
           performed
           as
           a
           Respect
           due
           to
           the
           filial
           Godhead
           .
           The
           Argument
           proceeds
           from
           the
           Name
           to
           the
           Offices
           .
           
             Of
             the
             Angels
             he
             saith
          
           ,
           
           
             Who
             maketh
             his
             Angels
             Spirits
             ,
             and
             his
             Ministers
             a
             flame
             of
             Fire
             .
          
           They
           are
           the
           prime
           Instruments
           of
           his
           Providence
           ,
           most
           zealous
           and
           active
           to
           accomplish
           his
           Pleasure
           .
           But
           the
           Son
           
             is
             God
          
           ,
           not
           by
           Analogy
           and
           Deputation
           as
           Princes
           are
           ,
           nor
           with
           a
           limitation
           and
           diminution
           ,
           as
           Moses
           was
           made
           
             a
             God
             to
             Pharaoh
          
           ,
           but
           absolutely
           and
           really
           as
           subsisting
           in
           the
           Divine
           Nature
           :
           And
           consequently
           he
           is
           the
           Supreme
           King
           ,
           and
           to
           him
           the
           Ensigns
           of
           Majesty
           divinely
           Royal
           are
           ascribed
           :
           
             But
             unto
             the
             Son
             he
             saith
             ,
             Thy
             Throne
             ,
          
           
           
             O
             God
             ,
             is
             for
             ever
             and
             ever
             ;
             a
             Scepter
             of
             Righteousness
             is
             the
             Scepter
             of
             thy
             Kingdom
             :
          
           Whereas
           the
           Scepters
           of
           Earthly
           Kings
           are
           often
           unrighteously
           manag'd
           ,
           and
           their
           Thrones
           ruinously
           fall
           .
           There
           is
           a
           further
           Confirmation
           from
           his
           Works
           ,
           that
           are
           divinely
           great
           and
           glorious
           ,
           wherein
           no
           Creature
           has
           any
           share
           of
           Efficiency
           .
           The
           making
           of
           
           the
           World
           is
           ascribed
           to
           him
           .
           
             Thou
             ,
             Lord
          
           ,
           
           
             in
             the
             beginning
             hast
             laid
             the
             Foundation
             of
             the
             Earth
             ,
             and
             the
             Heavens
             are
             the
             Works
             of
             thy
             Hands
             .
          
        
         
           The
           Divine
           Attributes
           ,
           the
           peculiar
           Character
           of
           the
           Deity
           belong
           to
           him
           :
           Eternity
           and
           Immutability
           .
           The
           most
           solid
           parts
           of
           the
           visible
           Creation
           
             shall
             perish
             and
             be
             changed
             :
             but
             thou
             remainest
             ,
             and
             art
             the
             same
             .
          
           His
           Life
           is
           an
           intire
           ,
           uniform
           ,
           unchangeable
           Perfection
           .
           His
           Glory
           and
           Felicity
           are
           in
           the
           same
           invariable
           Tenor
           for
           ever
           possess'd
           by
           him
           .
           Lastly
           ,
           the
           Son
           sits
           in
           that
           quality
           
             at
             the
             right
             Hand
             of
             the
             Father
             ,
          
           
           in
           the
           Society
           of
           Empire
           ,
           as
           equal
           to
           him
           in
           Power
           and
           Honour
           ,
           commanding
           all
           in
           the
           visible
           and
           invisible
           World
           ,
           most
           easily
           and
           irresistibly
           ,
           tho
           gradually
           ,
           subduing
           his
           Enemies
           to
           a
           consummate
           Victory
           .
           But
           the
           Angels
           ,
           so
           numerous
           and
           powerful
           ,
           
           
             are
             ministring
             Spirits
          
           ,
           employed
           for
           the
           defence
           and
           benefit
           of
           the
           Church
           .
        
         
           From
           this
           summary
           account
           we
           may
           understand
           how
           firmly
           the
           Divinity
           of
           Christ
           is
           establish'd
           in
           the
           Scripture
           .
           For
           those
           Passages
           of
           the
           Prophets
           ,
           that
           speak
           of
           the
           God
           of
           Israel
           as
           Creator
           ,
           and
           the
           sole
           Object
           of
           Adoration
           ,
           are
           
           directly
           referr'd
           to
           Jesus
           Christ.
           And
           the
           Name
           Jehovah
           ,
           
           the
           Majesty
           of
           which
           consists
           in
           its
           being
           incommunicable
           ,
           is
           attributed
           to
           him
           .
           This
           is
           the
           Foundation
           upon
           which
           the
           whole
           Fabrick
           of
           the
           Gospel
           is
           built
           .
           The
           Office
           of
           Mediator
           in
           the
           Prophetical
           ,
           Priestly
           ,
           and
           Regal
           Administration
           is
           necessarily
           join'd
           with
           the
           Divinity
           of
           his
           Person
           .
           And
           the
           revelation
           of
           it
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           is
           as
           clear
           as
           the
           Sun
           is
           visible
           in
           the
           Firmament
           .
           All
           the
           Difficulties
           in
           our
           conceiving
           this
           great
           Mystery
           of
           Godliness
           ,
           are
           but
           like
           the
           Shadows
           that
           attend
           the
           Light.
           And
           all
           the
           heretical
           Subtilties
           to
           pervert
           the
           Sense
           of
           such
           plain
           and
           positive
           Texts
           ,
           are
           as
           impertinent
           as
           impious
           .
        
         
           This
           being
           establish'd
           ,
           the
           Apostle
           proceeds
           to
           give
           an
           account
           of
           the
           Son
           of
           God's
           assuming
           the
           Humane
           Nature
           ,
           and
           submitting
           to
           Sufferings
           and
           Death
           .
           This
           is
           a
           Divine
           Secret
           so
           miraculously
           strange
           ,
           that
           the
           Contrivance
           was
           without
           the
           Compass
           of
           the
           Angelical
           Minds
           ,
           and
           the
           discovery
           of
           it
           is
           only
           by
           supernatural
           Revelation
           ;
           but
           when
           revealed
           ,
           the
           account
           of
           it
           is
           so
           open
           and
           consentaneous
           to
           Reason
           ,
           as
           being
           the
           most
           congruous
           Means
           for
           
           the
           illustration
           of
           God's
           Glory
           in
           the
           saving
           lost
           Men
           ,
           that
           the
           humane
           Mind
           ,
           if
           not
           deeply
           corrupted
           with
           the
           tincture
           of
           Prejudice
           ,
           must
           consent
           to
           it
           
             as
             worthy
             of
             all
             Acceptation
          
           .
        
         
           The
           substance
           of
           his
           reasoning
           is
           this
           ,
           That
           it
           was
           the
           product
           of
           the
           most
           wise
           ,
           merciful
           ,
           and
           righteous
           Counsel
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           the
           Saviour
           of
           Men
           should
           have
           Communion
           with
           them
           in
           their
           Nature
           ,
           that
           he
           might
           have
           a
           Right
           to
           redeem
           them
           by
           his
           Alliance
           and
           Propinquity
           :
           for
           
             he
             that
             sanctifies
          
           ,
           
           
             and
             they
             that
             are
             sanctified
             ,
             are
             all
             one
             :
          
           and
           that
           he
           might
           undergo
           Sufferings
           ,
           even
           to
           death
           ,
           for
           the
           price
           of
           their
           Redemption
           ,
           and
           the
           remedy
           of
           their
           Infirmities
           :
           
             Forasmuch
             as
             the
             Children
             are
             partakers
             of
             Flesh
             and
             Blood
             ,
             he
             also
             likewise
             took
             part
             of
             the
             same
             ,
             that
             through
             Death
             he
             might
             destroy
             him
             that
             had
             the
             Power
             of
             Death
             ,
             that
             is
             the
             Devil
             :
             And
             deliver
             them
             who
             through
             fear
             of
             Death
             ,
             were
             all
             their
             Lives
             subject
             to
             Bondage
             .
          
        
         
           
             The
             Devil
             is
             said
             to
             have
             the
             Power
             of
             Death
             .
          
        
         
           1.
           
           Because
           he
           induces
           Men
           to
           commit
           Sin
           ,
           that
           meritoriously
           renders
           them
           liable
           to
           Death
           .
           He
           tempted
           the
           
           first
           Man
           
             cum
             effectu
             ,
             and
             was
             a
             Murderer
             from
             the
             beginning
             .
          
        
         
           2.
           
           In
           that
           he
           inspires
           them
           with
           furious
           Thoughts
           ,
           and
           inflames
           their
           Passions
           ,
           from
           whence
           proceed
           Strifes
           and
           Wars
           ,
           that
           efficiently
           cause
           Death
           .
           He
           is
           supream
           in
           all
           the
           Arts
           of
           Mischief
           ,
           and
           always
           intent
           upon
           Evil.
           'T
           is
           by
           his
           Instigation
           that
           Men
           become
           like
           raging
           Beasts
           ,
           animated
           and
           bent
           on
           mutual
           Slaughter
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           Because
           he
           is
           many
           times
           the
           Executioner
           of
           God's
           Wrath
           ,
           and
           inflicts
           Death
           upon
           rebellious
           and
           incorrigible
           Sinners
           .
           'T
           is
           recorded
           by
           the
           Psalmist
           ,
           That
           
             God
             cast
             upon
             the
             Egyptians
             the
             fierceness
             of
             his
             Anger
             ,
             Wrath
             ,
          
           
           
             Indignation
             ,
             and
             Trouble
             ;
             by
             sending
             evil
             Angels
             :
          
           Those
           Princes
           of
           the
           Air
           ,
           the
           Instruments
           of
           the
           Thunder
           and
           fiery
           Storm
           of
           Hail
           that
           destroyed
           them
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           Because
           he
           makes
           Death
           more
           formidable
           to
           Sinners
           ,
           by
           heightning
           their
           guilty
           Fears
           of
           God's
           Tribunal
           .
           The
           false
           Spirit
           tempts
           Men
           to
           sin
           by
           many
           Blandishments
           ,
           but
           afterward
           he
           is
           a
           severe
           Accuser
           of
           them
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           to
           themselves
           .
        
         
           Lastly
           ,
           This
           Title
           may
           signify
           his
           tormenting
           Sinners
           with
           unrelenting
           
           Cruelty
           in
           Hell
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           second
           Death
           .
        
         
           Now
           these
           Evils
           being
           the
           penal
           Consequence
           of
           Sin
           ,
           our
           Saviour
           by
           his
           Death
           appeas'd
           the
           injur'd
           Justice
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           thereby
           destroyed
           the
           cruel
           Tyranny
           of
           the
           Devil
           .
           
             As
             the
             Lamb
             of
             God
          
           ,
           in
           the
           notion
           of
           a
           Sacrifice
           ,
           he
           overcomes
           our
           spiritual
           Enemies
           .
           Sin
           ,
           Satan
           and
           Death
           ,
           lie
           vanquish'd
           at
           the
           foot
           of
           his
           Cross.
           Besides
           ,
           our
           Saviour
           having
           felt
           such
           Sorrows
           and
           Infirmities
           as
           are
           usual
           to
           his
           People
           ,
           by
           that
           correspondence
           and
           resemblance
           between
           them
           ,
           is
           compassionately
           inclin'd
           to
           relieve
           them
           .
        
         
           I
           shall
           now
           insist
           upon
           the
           blessed
           Priviledg
           of
           Believers
           set
           down
           in
           the
           Text
           ,
           viz.
           
        
         
           
             That
             Jesus
             Christ
             by
             his
             Death
             frees
             his
             People
             from
             the
             servile
             tormenting
             fear
             of
             Death
             .
          
        
         
           In
           prosecuting
           the
           Point
           ,
           I
           shall
           ,
           1.
           
           Consider
           the
           Account
           the
           Scripture
           gives
           of
           Death's
           entrance
           into
           the
           World.
           2.
           
           Shew
           what
           the
           fear
           of
           Death
           includes
           ,
           and
           the
           Bondage
           consequent
           to
           it
           .
           3.
           
           How
           the
           Death
           of
           
           Christ
           frees
           us
           from
           the
           thraldom
           of
           that
           Fear
           .
           4.
           
           Who
           are
           partakers
           of
           this
           blessed
           Priviledg
           .
        
         
           And
           then
           apply
           it
           .
        
         
           I.
           The
           Scripture
           gives
           an
           account
           of
           Death's
           entrance
           into
           the
           World
           ,
           in
           a
           threefold
           Respect
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           As
           the
           Desert
           of
           Sin.
           2.
           
           As
           the
           Effect
           of
           the
           divine
           Decree
           .
           3.
           
           As
           the
           Sentence
           of
           the
           Law.
           
        
         
           1.
           
           As
           the
           Desert
           of
           Sin.
           The
           first
           Design
           of
           the
           Creator
           was
           his
           own
           Glory
           in
           conjunction
           with
           the
           Happiness
           of
           Man.
           He
           was
           made
           accordingly
           holy
           in
           Perfection
           ,
           placed
           in
           Paradise
           ,
           and
           his
           State
           contained
           all
           the
           Ingredients
           of
           Felicity
           proper
           to
           his
           Nature
           .
           He
           was
           capable
           of
           dying
           ,
           as
           sad
           Experience
           proves
           ,
           yet
           no
           Accident
           from
           without
           ,
           no
           Distemper
           from
           within
           had
           impair'd
           his
           Vigour
           ,
           and
           made
           him
           actually
           subject
           to
           Death
           without
           Sin.
           Whilst
           innocent
           he
           was
           immortal
           ,
           not
           from
           everlasting
           Principles
           of
           Nature
           ,
           but
           by
           Divine
           Preservation
           ,
           of
           which
           the
           Tree
           of
           Life
           was
           the
           ordained
           Means
           and
           sacramental
           Pledg
           .
           For
           God
           unchangeably
           loves
           his
           
           own
           Image
           :
           and
           though
           by
           his
           Sovereignty
           and
           absolute
           Power
           he
           may
           resume
           the
           Being
           he
           gives
           ,
           yet
           his
           Goodness
           and
           Covenant
           were
           a
           sacred
           assurance
           that
           Mans
           happy
           Life
           should
           run
           parallel
           with
           his
           perseverance
           in
           his
           Duty
           .
           This
           Immortality
           was
           not
           the
           singular
           Priviledg
           of
           
           Adam's
           Person
           ,
           but
           had
           been
           the
           Inheritance
           of
           all
           his
           Progeny
           .
           But
           he
           soon
           revolting
           from
           his
           just
           Obedience
           ,
           of
           Immortal
           became
           Mortal
           ,
           and
           according
           to
           the
           original
           Establishment
           of
           Propagation
           ,
           transmitted
           his
           Nature
           with
           the
           guilt
           and
           poison
           of
           Sin
           to
           all
           his
           Posterity
           .
           
             Thus
             by
             one
             Man
             Sin
             entred
             into
             the
             World
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             Death
             by
             Sin
             ,
             and
             so
             Death
             passed
             upon
             all
             Men
             ,
             for
             that
             all
             have
             sinned
             .
          
           As
           his
           Obedience
           had
           been
           rewarded
           ,
           so
           his
           Rebellion
           is
           punish'd
           in
           all
           that
           naturally
           descend
           from
           him
           .
           From
           hence
           it
           is
           ,
           that
           so
           numerous
           a
           part
           of
           Mankind
           are
           cut
           off
           before
           the
           commission
           of
           actual
           Sin.
           Death
           enters
           into
           the
           Forge
           of
           Life
           ,
           and
           destroys
           the
           Conception
           that
           newly
           began
           to
           live
           .
           And
           what
           is
           more
           righteous
           than
           that
           Man
           when
           he
           disobeyed
           the
           Author
           of
           Life
           ,
           should
           forfeit
           his
           Life
           and
           Blessedness
           .
           The
           Soul
           voluntarily
           
           lost
           the
           spiritual
           Life
           by
           forsaking
           God
           ,
           
           therefore
           unwillingly
           loses
           the
           natural
           Life
           by
           expulsion
           from
           the
           Body
           .
           The
           Apostle
           says
           ,
           
             the
             Wages
             of
             Sin
             is
             Death
             ,
          
           not
           only
           that
           of
           the
           Body
           ,
           
           but
           the
           Death
           of
           the
           Soul
           ,
           which
           is
           a
           dreadful
           Concomitant
           of
           it
           .
           And
           from
           hence
           we
           may
           discover
           the
           false
           Philosophy
           of
           the
           wisest
           Heathens
           in
           their
           Opinion
           of
           Death
           .
           
           They
           judged
           it
           to
           be
           the
           primary
           necessity
           and
           condition
           of
           Nature
           ,
           fix'd
           by
           irresistible
           Fate
           :
           and
           not
           understanding
           the
           true
           and
           just
           reason
           of
           its
           coming
           into
           the
           World
           ,
           they
           could
           not
           apply
           a
           sufficient
           Remedy
           against
           its
           Evil.
           
        
         
           2.
           
           As
           the
           Effect
           of
           the
           divine
           Decree
           respecting
           Sin.
           This
           is
           discovered
           by
           Revelation
           in
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           real
           execution
           of
           it
           .
           
             It
             is
             appointed
             to
             Men
             once
             to
             die
             .
          
           
           This
           Decree
           is
           universal
           and
           unrepealable
           .
           
             One
             Generation
             passeth
             away
          
           ,
           
           
             and
             another
             Generation
             cometh
          
           :
           like
           the
           ebbing
           and
           flowing
           of
           the
           Sea
           in
           its
           stated
           Periods
           .
           Nothing
           can
           interrupt
           or
           frustrate
           this
           Appointment
           .
           There
           are
           divers
           Conditions
           of
           Men
           ,
           and
           various
           ways
           of
           living
           in
           the
           World
           ;
           some
           are
           high
           in
           Dignity
           ,
           others
           are
           level
           with
           the
           
           Earth
           :
           some
           walk
           in
           a
           Carpet-way
           smooth
           and
           easy
           ,
           others
           in
           a
           thorny
           and
           troublesom
           :
           some
           walk
           on
           the
           golden
           Sands
           ,
           others
           on
           the
           Mire
           :
           but
           the
           same
           uncontroulable
           necessity
           of
           dying
           involves
           all
           .
           And
           whatever
           the
           way
           be
           ,
           whether
           pleasant
           or
           doleful
           ,
           yet
           every
           one
           passes
           in
           it
           with
           equal
           Steps
           ,
           measured
           by
           the
           same
           invariable
           spaces
           of
           Hours
           and
           Days
           ,
           and
           arrive
           at
           the
           same
           common
           End
           of
           Life
           .
           Those
           who
           are
           regarded
           as
           visible
           Deities
           amongst
           Men
           ,
           that
           can
           by
           their
           Breath
           raise
           the
           Low
           ,
           and
           depress
           the
           Lofty
           ,
           that
           have
           the
           Lives
           of
           Millions
           in
           their
           Power
           ;
           yet
           when
           the
           ordained
           Time
           is
           come
           ,
           as
           they
           cannot
           bribe
           the
           accusing
           Conscience
           for
           a
           minute's
           Silence
           ,
           so
           neither
           delay
           Death
           .
           
             I
             have
             said
             ye
             are
             Gods
             ,
             but
             ye
             shall
             die
             like
             Men.
             
          
        
         
           3.
           
           Death
           is
           to
           be
           considered
           as
           the
           Sentence
           of
           the
           Law.
           The
           reasonable
           Creature
           was
           made
           under
           a
           Law
           the
           Rule
           of
           his
           Actions
           .
           The
           moral
           Law
           directed
           him
           how
           to
           continue
           in
           his
           holy
           and
           blessed
           State
           :
           To
           which
           was
           annex'd
           the
           Precept
           of
           not
           eating
           of
           the
           Tree
           of
           Knowledg
           of
           Good
           and
           Evil
           ,
           only
           as
           a
           mark
           of
           his
           Subjection
           ,
           and
           
           for
           the
           trial
           of
           his
           Obedience
           .
           This
           Precept
           had
           an
           infallible
           Sanction
           by
           the
           most
           high
           Law-giver
           :
           
             In
             the
             day
             thou
             eatest
             thereof
             ,
          
           
           
             thou
             shalt
             die
             the
             Death
          
           .
           Man
           did
           not
           keep
           this
           Command
           of
           so
           easy
           Observation
           ,
           and
           justly
           incurr'd
           its
           doom
           .
           As
           Sin
           is
           the
           violation
           of
           the
           Law
           ,
           so
           Death
           is
           the
           violation
           of
           the
           Sinner
           in
           his
           Nature
           and
           Felicity
           retorted
           from
           the
           Law.
           
        
         
           The
           Deaths
           of
           Men
           are
           very
           different
           in
           their
           kinds
           ;
           and
           are
           comprised
           in
           the
           words
           of
           David
           concerning
           
             Saul
             ;
             The
             Lord
             shall
             smite
             him
             ,
             or
             his
             Day
             shall
             come
             to
             die
             ,
          
           
           
             or
             he
             shall
             descend
             into
             the
             Battel
             ,
             and
             perish
             .
          
           Sometimes
           they
           are
           cut
           off
           by
           the
           immediate
           flaming
           Hand
           of
           God
           ,
           for
           the
           more
           exemplary
           revenge
           of
           Sin
           ;
           sometimes
           by
           surprising
           Accidents
           ;
           sometimes
           by
           bloody
           Contentions
           ;
           sometimes
           by
           consuming
           Diseases
           .
           But
           though
           Death
           be
           not
           uniform
           ,
           yet
           't
           is
           always
           the
           execution
           of
           the
           Law
           upon
           Offenders
           .
           As
           of
           those
           who
           are
           condemned
           by
           humane
           Justice
           ,
           some
           suffer
           a
           more
           easy
           and
           honourable
           Death
           ,
           others
           a
           more
           disgraceful
           and
           torturing
           ;
           some
           are
           beheaded
           ,
           others
           are
           crucified
           ,
           yet
           all
           die
           as
           Malefactors
           .
           Thus
           some
           die
           a
           natural
           
           Death
           ,
           others
           a
           violent
           ;
           some
           by
           a
           gentle
           preparing
           Sickness
           without
           reluctation
           ,
           others
           die
           upon
           the
           Rack
           by
           sharp
           Pains
           :
           some
           die
           attended
           with
           their
           Friends
           ,
           and
           all
           Supplies
           to
           sweeten
           their
           Passage
           ,
           others
           forsaken
           of
           all
           Comforters
           :
           yet
           Death
           is
           the
           same
           Sentence
           of
           the
           Law
           upon
           all
           Men.
           And
           this
           ,
           if
           duly
           considered
           ,
           makes
           it
           terrible
           in
           whatever
           shape
           it
           appears
           .
        
         
           II.
           The
           next
           Thing
           to
           be
           considered
           is
           ,
           What
           the
           fear
           of
           Death
           includes
           ,
           and
           the
           Bondage
           that
           is
           consequent
           to
           it
           .
           This
           I
           shall
           explain
           and
           amplify
           ,
           by
           considering
           four
           Things
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           nature
           of
           Fear
           in
           general
           ,
           as
           applicable
           to
           the
           present
           Subject
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           particular
           Causes
           that
           render
           Death
           so
           fearful
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           The
           degree
           of
           this
           Fear
           express'd
           by
           Bondage
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           How
           it
           comes
           to
           pass
           that
           Men
           are
           not
           always
           under
           the
           actual
           fear
           of
           Death
           ,
           but
           subject
           to
           the
           Revolutions
           of
           it
           all
           their
           Lives
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           I
           will
           consider
           the
           nature
           of
           Fear
           in
           general
           ,
           as
           applicable
           to
           the
           present
           Subject
           .
        
         
         
           Fear
           is
           a
           Passion
           implanted
           in
           Nature
           ,
           that
           causes
           a
           flight
           from
           an
           approaching
           Evil.
           Three
           things
           are
           requisite
           to
           qualify
           the
           Object
           ,
           and
           make
           it
           fearful
           .
        
         
           (
           1.
           )
           The
           Evil
           must
           be
           apprehended
           .
           Knowledg
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           Suspicion
           ,
           excites
           Fear
           ,
           by
           representing
           an
           Evil
           that
           is
           likely
           to
           seize
           upon
           us
           .
           Till
           the
           Mind
           discern
           the
           Danger
           ,
           the
           Passions
           are
           unmoved
           :
           and
           imaginary
           Evils
           by
           the
           mere
           apprehension
           ,
           are
           as
           strongly
           fear'd
           as
           real
           .
        
         
           (
           2.
           )
           The
           Evil
           must
           be
           future
           .
           For
           the
           naked
           Theory
           of
           the
           most
           pernicious
           Evil
           does
           not
           wound
           the
           Soul
           ,
           but
           the
           apprehension
           of
           falling
           under
           it
           .
           If
           Reason
           can
           open
           an
           Expedient
           to
           prevent
           an
           Evil
           ,
           this
           Passion
           is
           quiet
           .
           And
           Fear
           precisely
           regards
           its
           Object
           as
           to
           come
           .
           Present
           Evils
           induce
           Grief
           and
           Sorrow
           :
           past
           Evils
           by
           reflection
           affect
           with
           Joy
           ,
           and
           give
           a
           quicker
           relish
           to
           present
           Felicity
           .
           Approaching
           Evils
           alarm
           us
           with
           Fear
           .
        
         
           (
           3.
           )
           The
           Evil
           must
           be
           apprehended
           as
           prevalent
           to
           make
           it
           fearful
           .
           For
           if
           by
           comparison
           we
           find
           our
           Strength
           superior
           ,
           we
           either
           neglect
           the
           Evil
           for
           its
           levity
           ,
           or
           determine
           to
           encounter
           
           it
           ;
           and
           resistance
           is
           the
           proper
           effect
           of
           Anger
           ,
           not
           of
           Fear
           .
           But
           when
           an
           impendent
           Evil
           is
           too
           hard
           for
           us
           ,
           the
           Soul
           shrinks
           and
           recoils
           from
           it
           .
        
         
           Now
           all
           these
           Qualifications
           that
           make
           an
           Object
           fearful
           ,
           concur
           in
           Death
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           'T
           is
           an
           Evil
           universally
           known
           .
           The
           frequent
           Funerals
           are
           a
           real
           demonstration
           that
           speaks
           sensibly
           to
           our
           eyes
           ,
           that
           Death
           reigns
           in
           the
           World.
           On
           every
           side
           Death
           is
           in
           our
           view
           ,
           and
           the
           shadow
           of
           it
           darkens
           our
           brightest
           Days
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           'T
           is
           certainly
           future
           .
           All
           the
           wretched
           Accidents
           of
           this
           Life
           ,
           such
           as
           concern
           us
           in
           our
           Persons
           ,
           Relations
           ,
           Estates
           and
           Interests
           ;
           a
           thousand
           Disasters
           that
           a
           jealous
           Fear
           and
           active
           Fancy
           will
           extend
           and
           amplify
           ;
           as
           they
           may
           ,
           so
           they
           may
           not
           happen
           to
           us
           .
           And
           from
           this
           mixture
           of
           contrary
           Possibilities
           ,
           from
           the
           uncertainty
           of
           event
           ,
           Hope
           ,
           that
           is
           an
           insinuating
           Passion
           ,
           mixes
           with
           Fear
           ,
           and
           derives
           Comfort
           .
           For
           as
           sometimes
           a
           sudden
           Evil
           surprizes
           not
           forethought
           of
           ;
           so
           often
           the
           Evil
           that
           was
           sadly
           expected
           ,
           never
           comes
           to
           pass
           .
           
             But
             what
             Man
             is
             he
             that
             lives
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             shall
             not
             see
             Death
          
           ?
           Who
           is
           so
           vain
           as
           to
           please
           himself
           with
           an
           imagination
           
           of
           Immortality
           here
           ?
           Though
           Men
           are
           distinguish'd
           in
           the
           condition
           of
           Living
           ,
           yet
           all
           are
           equal
           in
           the
           necessity
           of
           Dying
           .
           Humane
           Greatness
           in
           every
           kind
           ,
           Nobility
           ,
           Riches
           ,
           Empire
           cannot
           protect
           from
           the
           sudden
           and
           Sovereign
           Hand
           of
           Death
           ,
           that
           overthrows
           all
           .
           The
           most
           conspicuous
           difference
           in
           this
           World
           is
           between
           the
           Victorious
           ,
           and
           the
           Vanquish'd
           prostrate
           at
           their
           Feet
           :
           but
           Death
           makes
           them
           equal
           .
           Then
           the
           wretched
           Captive
           shall
           upbraid
           the
           proud
           Conqueror
           ,
           
             Art
             thou
             become
             weak
             as
             we
             ?
             Art
             thou
             become
             like
             us
             ?
          
           The
           Expressions
           of
           Scripture
           concerning
           the
           frailty
           of
           Man
           are
           often
           literally
           and
           precisely
           verified
           :
           
             He
             is
             like
             the
             Grass
             ,
             in
             the
             morning
             it
             flourishes
             and
             groweth
             up
             ,
             in
             the
             evening
             it
             is
             cut
             down
             and
             withereth
             .
          
           Death
           is
           a
           prevalent
           insuperable
           Evil
           ,
           hence
           the
           proverbial
           Expression
           ,
           
             Strong
             as
             Death
             that
             subdues
             all
             ,
             cruel
             as
             the
             Grave
             that
             spares
             none
             .
          
           'T
           is
           in
           vain
           to
           struggle
           with
           the
           pangs
           of
           Death
           .
           No
           Simples
           in
           Nature
           ,
           no
           Compositions
           of
           Art
           ,
           no
           Influence
           of
           the
           Stars
           ,
           no
           Power
           of
           Angels
           ,
           can
           support
           the
           dying
           Body
           ,
           or
           retain
           the
           flitting
           Soul.
           
           
             There
             is
             no
             Man
             hath
             power
             over
             the
             Spirit
             to
             retain
             
             the
             Spirit
             ;
             neither
             hath
             he
             power
             in
             the
             day
             of
             Death
             :
             and
             there
             is
             no
             discharge
             in
             that
             War.
          
           The
           Body
           sinks
           in
           the
           Conflict
           ,
           and
           
             Death
             feeds
             on
             its
             prostrate
             Prey
             in
             the
             Grave
             .
          
        
         
           2.
           
           I
           shall
           consider
           more
           particularly
           the
           Causes
           that
           render
           Death
           so
           fearful
           to
           Men
           :
           1.
           
           In
           the
           apprehension
           of
           Nature
           .
           2.
           
           In
           the
           apprehension
           of
           Conscience
           .
           1.
           
           In
           the
           apprehension
           of
           Nature
           ,
           Death
           hath
           this
           Name
           engraven
           in
           its
           forehead
           ,
           
             Vltimum
             terribilium
          
           ,
           the
           Supreme
           of
           terrible
           things
           ,
           upon
           several
           accounts
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Because
           usually
           Sickness
           and
           Pains
           languishing
           or
           tormenting
           ,
           make
           the
           first
           Changes
           in
           the
           Body
           ,
           and
           the
           natural
           Death
           is
           violent
           .
           This
           Hezekiah
           complained
           of
           with
           a
           mournful
           accent
           ,
           
             He
             will
             cut
             me
             off
             with
             pining
             Sickness
             :
             from
             day
             even
             to
             night
             thou
             wilt
             make
             an
             end
             of
             me
             .
          
           
           
             I
             reckoned
             till
             morning
             ,
             that
             as
             a
             Lion
             ,
             so
             will
             he
             break
             all
             my
             Bones
             .
          
           A
           Troop
           of
           Diseases
           are
           the
           forerunners
           of
           this
           
             King
             of
             Terrors
          
           .
           There
           is
           a
           preceding
           Encounter
           ,
           and
           sometimes
           very
           fierce
           ,
           that
           Nature
           feels
           the
           cruel
           Victory
           before
           it
           yields
           to
           this
           Enemy
           .
           As
           a
           Ship
           that
           is
           tost
           by
           a
           mighty
           Tempest
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           concussion
           of
           the
           Winds
           
           and
           Waves
           loses
           its
           Rudder
           and
           Masts
           ,
           takes
           in
           water
           in
           every
           part
           ,
           and
           gradually
           sinks
           into
           the
           Ocean
           :
           So
           in
           the
           shipwrack
           of
           Nature
           ,
           the
           Body
           is
           so
           shaken
           and
           weakned
           by
           the
           violence
           of
           a
           Disease
           ,
           that
           the
           Senses
           ,
           the
           animal
           and
           vital
           Operations
           decline
           ,
           and
           at
           last
           are
           extinguish'd
           in
           Death
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Death
           considered
           in
           the
           strictest
           propriety
           ,
           as
           destructive
           of
           the
           natural
           Being
           ,
           that
           is
           our
           first
           and
           most
           valuable
           Good
           in
           the
           order
           of
           Nature
           ,
           is
           the
           just
           object
           of
           Fear
           .
           The
           Union
           between
           Soul
           and
           Body
           is
           very
           intimate
           and
           dear
           ,
           and
           like
           David
           and
           Jonathan
           they
           part
           unwillingly
           .
           Nature
           has
           a
           share
           in
           the
           best
           Men
           ,
           and
           works
           as
           Nature
           .
           St.
           Paul
           declares
           ,
           
             we
             would
             not
             be
             unclothed
          
           ,
           not
           finally
           put
           off
           the
           Body
           ,
           but
           have
           it
           glorified
           in
           conjunction
           with
           the
           Soul.
           Our
           blessed
           Saviour
           ,
           without
           the
           least
           impeachment
           of
           the
           Rectitude
           and
           Perfection
           of
           his
           Nature
           ,
           express'd
           an
           averseness
           from
           Death
           ,
           and
           with
           submission
           to
           the
           divine
           Will
           desired
           a
           freedom
           from
           it
           .
           His
           Affections
           were
           holy
           and
           humane
           ,
           and
           moved
           according
           to
           the
           quality
           of
           their
           Objects
           .
        
         
         
           3.
           
           The
           natural
           Consequents
           of
           Death
           render
           it
           fearful
           .
           Life
           is
           the
           foundation
           of
           all
           natural
           Enjoyments
           ;
           and
           the
           Loss
           of
           it
           induces
           the
           loss
           of
           all
           for
           ever
           .
           'T
           is
           from
           hence
           that
           such
           Evils
           that
           are
           consistent
           with
           Life
           ,
           and
           deprive
           us
           only
           of
           some
           particular
           Content
           and
           Pleasure
           ,
           are
           willingly
           chosen
           rather
           than
           Death
           .
           The
           forfeiture
           of
           Estate
           ,
           the
           degrading
           from
           Honour
           ,
           the
           confinement
           to
           a
           perpetual
           Prison
           ,
           the
           banishing
           from
           our
           native
           Country
           ,
           are
           less
           Penalties
           than
           Death
           .
        
         
           There
           is
           a
           natural
           love
           of
           Society
           in
           Man
           ,
           and
           Death
           removes
           from
           all
           .
           The
           Grave
           is
           a
           frightful
           Solitude
           .
           There
           is
           no
           Conversation
           in
           the
           Territories
           of
           Darkness
           .
           This
           also
           Hezekiah
           in
           his
           apprehensions
           of
           Death
           speaks
           of
           with
           Tears
           :
           
           
             I
             shall
             see
             Man
             no
             more
             in
             the
             Land
             of
             the
             Living
             .
          
           
           As
           in
           the
           Night
           ,
           the
           World
           is
           an
           universal
           Grave
           ,
           all
           Things
           are
           in
           a
           dead
           Silence
           ;
           Palaces
           ,
           Courts
           of
           Justice
           ,
           Temples
           ,
           Theaters
           ,
           Schools
           ,
           and
           all
           Places
           of
           publick
           Conversation
           are
           shut
           up
           :
           the
           Noise
           and
           Rumour
           that
           keeps
           Men
           in
           continual
           Observation
           and
           Action
           ceases
           .
           Thus
           when
           the
           Sun
           of
           this
           present
           Life
           is
           set
           ,
           all
           the
           Affairs
           and
           Business
           ,
           all
           the
           vain
           
           Joys
           of
           Company
           ,
           Feasting
           ,
           Dancing
           ,
           Musick
           ,
           Gaming
           ,
           ceases
           .
           Every
           one
           among
           the
           Dead
           is
           confined
           to
           his
           sealed
           obscure
           Cell
           ,
           and
           is
           alone
           an
           entertainment
           for
           the
           Worms
           .
        
         
           The
           Psalmist
           saith
           of
           Princes
           ,
           
             Their
             Breath
             goeth
             forth
             ,
             they
             return
             to
             the
             Earth
             ,
             in
             that
             very
             day
             their
             Thoughts
             ,
          
           their
           glorious
           compassing
           Thoughts
           ,
           perish
           .
           This
           the
           Historian
           observes
           was
           verified
           in
           
             Julius
             Cesar
          
           :
           After
           his
           assuming
           the
           Imperial
           Dignity
           ,
           he
           thought
           to
           reduce
           the
           numerous
           Laws
           of
           the
           Romans
           into
           a
           few
           Volumes
           ,
           comprising
           the
           Substance
           and
           Reason
           of
           all
           ;
           to
           enrich
           and
           adorn
           the
           City
           of
           Rome
           ,
           as
           was
           becoming
           the
           Regent
           of
           the
           World
           :
           to
           epitomise
           the
           Works
           of
           the
           most
           learned
           Grecians
           and
           Romans
           for
           the
           publick
           Benefit
           .
           And
           whilst
           he
           was
           designing
           and
           pursuing
           these
           ,
           
           and
           other
           vast
           and
           noble
           Things
           ,
           Death
           surprised
           him
           ,
           and
           broke
           off
           all
           his
           Enterprises
           .
        
         
           At
           the
           terrible
           Gate
           that
           opens
           into
           Eternity
           ,
           Men
           are
           stripp'd
           of
           all
           their
           Honours
           and
           Treasures
           ,
           
             and
             as
             naked
             as
             they
             come
             into
             the
             World
             ,
             go
             out
             of
             it
             .
             Be
             not
             thou
             afraid
             when
             one
             is
             made
             rich
             ,
          
           
           
             when
             the
             Glory
             of
             his
             House
             is
             increased
             .
             
             For
             when
             he
             dieth
             ,
             he
             shall
             carry
             nothing
             away
             ;
             his
             Glory
             shall
             not
             descend
             after
             him
             .
          
           Death
           equally
           vilifies
           ,
           makes
           loathsom
           and
           ghastly
           the
           Bodies
           of
           Men
           ,
           and
           reduces
           them
           to
           sordid
           Dust.
           In
           the
           Grave
           the
           *
           Dust
           is
           as
           precious
           and
           powerful
           of
           one
           as
           of
           another
           .
           Civil
           Distinctions
           are
           limited
           to
           the
           present
           time
           .
           The
           prodigious
           Statue
           in
           
           Nebuhadnezzar's
           Vision
           ,
           Dan.
           2.32
           ,
           33
           ,
           34
           ,
           35.
           while
           it
           was
           upright
           ,
           the
           Parts
           were
           really
           and
           visibly
           distinct
           :
           
             The
             Head
             was
             of
             fine
             Gold
             ,
             the
             Breast
             and
             Arms
             of
             Silver
             ,
             the
             Belly
             and
             Thighs
             of
             Brass
             ,
             the
             Legs
             of
             Iron
             ,
             the
             Feet
             part
             of
             Iron
             and
             part
             of
             Clay
             :
             but
             when
             the
             Stone
             cut
             out
             without
             hands
             ,
             smote
             the
             Image
             upon
             the
             Feet
             ,
             then
             was
             the
             Iron
             ,
             the
             Clay
             ,
             the
             Brass
             ,
             the
             Silver
             ,
             and
             the
             Gold
             ,
             broken
             to
             pieces
             together
             ,
             and
             became
             like
             the
             Chaff
             the
             Wind
             carries
             away
             .
          
           Who
           can
           distinguish
           between
           Royal
           Dust
           taken
           out
           of
           magnificent
           Tombs
           ,
           and
           Plebean
           Dust
           from
           common
           Graves
           ?
           Who
           can
           know
           who
           were
           rich
           ,
           and
           who
           were
           poor
           ;
           who
           had
           Power
           and
           Command
           ,
           who
           were
           Vassals
           ,
           who
           were
           remarkable
           by
           Fame
           ,
           who
           by
           Infamy
           ?
           
           
             They
             shall
             not
             say
             this
             is
             Jezebel
             :
          
           
           not
           know
           this
           was
           the
           Daughter
           and
           Wife
           of
           a
           King.
           The
           King
           of
           Babylon
           ,
           stiled
           Lucifer
           the
           bright
           Star
           of
           the
           Morning
           ,
           that
           possess'd
           the
           first
           Empire
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           was
           degraded
           by
           Death
           ,
           humbled
           to
           the
           Grave
           ,
           and
           exchanged
           all
           his
           glorious
           State
           for
           Worms
           and
           Putrefaction
           .
           
           
             The
             Worm
             is
             spread
             under
             thee
             ,
             and
             the
             Worms
             cover
             thee
             .
          
           In
           short
           ,
           Death
           separates
           Men
           from
           all
           their
           admired
           charming
           Vanities
           .
           Now
           considering
           Man
           merely
           in
           the
           Order
           of
           Nature
           ,
           what
           Reflection
           is
           more
           fearful
           and
           tormenting
           ,
           than
           the
           necessity
           ,
           that
           cannot
           be
           over-ruled
           ,
           of
           parting
           for
           ever
           with
           all
           the
           Delights
           of
           Life
           ?
           Those
           who
           have
           ascended
           to
           the
           Throne
           ,
           that
           are
           arrived
           at
           the
           height
           of
           Temporal
           Happiness
           ,
           what
           a
           melancholy
           Prospect
           is
           before
           them
           of
           Death
           and
           the
           dark
           Grave
           ?
           When
           all
           things
           conspire
           to
           make
           Men
           happy
           here
           ,
           the
           sensitive
           Faculties
           and
           their
           Fruitions
           are
           ebbing
           and
           declining
           ,
           till
           then
           sink
           into
           Death
           ,
           the
           Whirlpool
           that
           will
           shortly
           swallow
           them
           up
           for
           ever
           .
           This
           renders
           the
           Thoughts
           of
           Mortality
           so
           frightful
           ,
           and
           checks
           the
           freest
           enjoyments
           of
           carnal
           Pleasures
           .
        
         
         
           2.
           
           Death
           is
           fearful
           in
           the
           apprehension
           of
           Conscience
           ,
           as
           't
           is
           the
           most
           sensible
           mark
           of
           God's
           Wrath
           ,
           that
           is
           heavier
           than
           Death
           ,
           and
           a
           Summons
           to
           give
           an
           account
           of
           all
           Things
           done
           in
           this
           Life
           ,
           to
           the
           righteous
           Judg
           of
           the
           World.
           
           
             'T
             is
             appointed
             to
             all
             Men
             once
             to
             die
             ,
             and
             afterward
             the
             Judgment
             .
          
           The
           Penal
           Fear
           is
           more
           wounding
           to
           the
           Spirit
           than
           the
           Natural
           .
           When
           the
           awakened
           Sinner
           presently
           expects
           the
           Citation
           to
           appear
           before
           the
           Tribunal
           above
           ,
           where
           no
           Excuses
           ,
           no
           Supplications
           ,
           no
           Priviledges
           avail
           ,
           where
           the
           Cause
           of
           eternal
           Life
           or
           Death
           must
           be
           decided
           ,
           and
           the
           awards
           of
           Justice
           be
           immediately
           executed
           ;
           O
           the
           Convulsions
           and
           Agonies
           of
           Conscience
           in
           that
           hour
           !
           when
           the
           diseased
           Body
           cannot
           live
           ,
           and
           the
           disconsolate
           Soul
           dare
           not
           die
           ,
           what
           Anxieties
           surround
           it
           ?
           This
           redoubles
           the
           Terrors
           of
           Death
           ,
           that
           the
           first
           transmits
           to
           the
           second
           that
           was
           figured
           by
           it
           .
           O
           the
           dismal
           aspect
           of
           
             Death
             riding
             on
             a
             pale
             Horse
             ,
             with
             Hell
             the
             black
             Attendant
             following
             .
             This
             Fear
             surprized
             the
             Sinners
             in
          
           Sion
           .
           
             Who
             among
             us
             can
             dwell
             with
             devouring
             Fire
             ?
             who
             among
             us
             can
             remain
             with
             everlasting
             burnings
             ?
          
           This
           made
           a
           Heathen
           ,
           the
           
           Governor
           of
           a
           Province
           ,
           to
           tremble
           before
           a
           poor
           Prisoner
           :
           While
           Paul
           
             discoursed
             of
             Righteousness
             ,
             Temperance
          
           ,
           
           
             and
             Judgment
             to
             come
          
           ,
           Felix
           
             trembled
             .
             'T
             is
             a
             fearful
             thing
             to
             fall
             into
             the
             Hands
             of
             the
             living
             God
             ,
             who
             lives
             for
             ever
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             can
             punish
             for
             ever
          
           .
           None
           is
           so
           powerful
           as
           God
           ,
           nothing
           so
           fearful
           as
           the
           guilty
           Conscience
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           The
           Degrees
           of
           this
           Fear
           are
           express'd
           by
           Bondage
           .
           This
           Passion
           when
           regular
           in
           its
           Object
           and
           Degree
           ,
           is
           excellently
           useful
           :
           't
           is
           a
           wise
           Counsellor
           and
           faithful
           Guardian
           ,
           that
           plucks
           off
           the
           Mask
           from
           our
           Enemies
           ,
           and
           keeps
           Reason
           vigilant
           and
           active
           to
           prevent
           a
           threatning
           Evil
           ,
           or
           to
           sustain
           it
           in
           the
           best
           manner
           .
           'T
           is
           observable
           in
           the
           brute
           Creatures
           ,
           that
           the
           Weak
           and
           Fearful
           are
           most
           subtile
           and
           ingenious
           to
           secure
           themselves
           ,
           and
           supply
           the
           want
           of
           Strength
           with
           Artifice
           .
           But
           when
           Fear
           is
           inordinate
           ,
           't
           is
           a
           tyrannous
           Master
           ,
           that
           vexes
           the
           weary
           Soul
           ,
           and
           hinders
           its
           free
           and
           noble
           Operations
           .
           Cesar
           chose
           rather
           to
           be
           expos'd
           to
           sudden
           death
           ,
           
           than
           to
           be
           continually
           harrass'd
           with
           fears
           how
           to
           avoid
           it
           .
           
           The
           Greek
           word
           implies
           the
           binding
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           that
           causes
           an
           
           inward
           Slavery
           .
           And
           in
           the
           Apostle's
           Writings
           ,
           ‖
           
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Fear
             ,
             and
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Bondage
             ,
          
           are
           equivalent
           .
           Ishbosheth
           ,
           when
           Abner
           provok'd
           by
           the
           Charge
           about
           
           Saul's
           Concubine
           ,
           imperiously
           threatned
           to
           translate
           the
           Kingdom
           to
           David
           ,
           was
           struck
           
             with
             such
             a
             fear
             ,
             that
             he
             could
             not
             answer
          
           Abner
           
             a
             word
          
           ,
           2
           Sam.
           3.10
           ,
           11.
           
           The
           sudden
           Passion
           stifled
           his
           Reply
           ,
           and
           reduc'd
           him
           to
           a
           defenceless
           Silence
           .
           Now
           the
           fear
           of
           Death
           ,
           as
           't
           is
           remiss
           or
           vehement
           ,
           such
           are
           the
           degrees
           of
           Bondage
           from
           it
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           It
           embitters
           the
           enjoyments
           of
           the
           present
           Life
           ,
           and
           makes
           the
           most
           prosperous
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           
             even
             in
             the
             fulness
             of
             their
             sufficiency
             ,
             to
             be
             in
             straits
             .
          
           Though
           the
           Senses
           are
           pleased
           with
           the
           quick
           sweetness
           of
           Change
           from
           one
           Object
           to
           another
           ,
           yet
           the
           Soul
           cannot
           have
           a
           delightful
           undisturbed
           Fruition
           ,
           foreseeing
           that
           the
           stream
           of
           Pleasure
           will
           issue
           into
           the
           dead
           Sea.
           
             Truly
             Light
             is
             sweet
          
           ,
           
           
             and
             't
             is
             a
             pleasant
             thing
             to
             behold
             the
             Sun.
          
           But
           how
           short
           is
           this
           Life
           with
           all
           its
           Pleasures
           ,
           in
           comparison
           of
           
             the
             Days
             of
             Darkness
          
           that
           follow
           .
           Now
           though
           't
           is
           our
           best
           Wisdom
           and
           truest
           Liberty
           ,
           to
           rejoice
           
             in
             
             this
             World
             as
             if
             we
             rejoiced
             not
             ,
          
           and
           frequently
           to
           meditate
           on
           the
           cooling
           Doctrines
           of
           Death
           and
           Judgment
           ,
           to
           repress
           the
           transports
           of
           the
           voluptuous
           Appetite
           ;
           yet
           since
           the
           Comforts
           of
           this
           Life
           are
           liberally
           indulged
           to
           us
           by
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           ,
           to
           be
           the
           Motives
           of
           our
           grateful
           and
           affectionate
           Obedience
           ,
           to
           sweeten
           our
           passage
           to
           Heaven
           ,
           we
           may
           with
           tranquillity
           of
           Spirit
           make
           a
           pure
           and
           chearful
           use
           of
           them
           in
           his
           Service
           ;
           and
           't
           is
           an
           oppressing
           bondage
           ,
           when
           the
           disquieting
           anxious
           Fears
           of
           Death
           hinder
           our
           temperate
           enjoyment
           of
           his
           Favours
           and
           Blessings
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           fear
           of
           Death
           oppresses
           the
           Souls
           of
           Men
           under
           a
           miserable
           Bondage
           to
           the
           Devil
           ;
           for
           his
           Dominion
           is
           maintain'd
           by
           the
           Allurements
           and
           Terrors
           of
           the
           World.
           Though
           Men
           do
           not
           explicitly
           acknowledg
           his
           Soveraignty
           ,
           yet
           by
           voluntary
           yielding
           to
           his
           pleasing
           Temptations
           ,
           they
           are
           really
           his
           Slaves
           .
           And
           the
           apprehension
           of
           temporal
           Evils
           ,
           especially
           of
           Death
           ,
           dress'd
           up
           in
           a
           frightful
           representation
           with
           its
           bloody
           Pomp
           ,
           
           is
           the
           strongest
           snare
           to
           the
           Soul.
           The
           Faint-hearted
           prove
           false-hearted
           in
           the
           time
           of
           trial
           :
           For
           the
           timerous
           Spirit
           being
           wholly
           
           intent
           how
           to
           avoid
           the
           incursion
           of
           a
           present
           Evil
           ,
           forgets
           or
           neglects
           what
           is
           indispensably
           to
           be
           done
           ,
           and
           thinks
           to
           find
           an
           excuse
           in
           the
           pretended
           necessity
           .
           How
           many
           have
           been
           terrified
           from
           their
           clearest
           Duty
           and
           resolved
           Constancy
           ?
           To
           escape
           Death
           ,
           they
           have
           been
           guilty
           of
           the
           most
           insufferable
           Impieties
           ,
           by
           renouncing
           God
           their
           Maker
           and
           Saviour
           ,
           and
           worshipping
           the
           Devils
           for
           Deities
           .
           Every
           Age
           presents
           sad
           Spectacles
           of
           many
           
             that
             choose
             Iniquity
             rather
             than
             Affliction
             ,
          
           
           that
           relinquish
           their
           Duty
           ,
           and
           by
           wicked
           Compliances
           save
           their
           Lives
           and
           lose
           their
           Souls
           .
           Carnal
           Desires
           ,
           and
           carnal
           Fears
           ,
           are
           the
           Chains
           of
           Hell
           that
           retain
           Men
           Satan's
           Captives
           .
           But
           what
           folly
           ,
           what
           madness
           is
           it
           ,
           for
           the
           avoiding
           the
           impotent
           fury
           of
           the
           Creature
           ,
           to
           venture
           on
           the
           powerful
           Wrath
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           exceeds
           all
           the
           Terrors
           that
           can
           be
           conceived
           by
           Fear
           ?
           This
           renders
           them
           more
           brutish
           than
           the
           Horse
           ,
           that
           starting
           at
           his
           Shadow
           ,
           springs
           over
           a
           desperate
           Precipice
           .
           
             The
             Fearful
             are
             excluded
             from
             Heaven
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             cast
             into
             the
             Lake
             of
             Fire
             and
             Brimstone
             for
             ever
             .
          
        
         
           3.
           
           The
           extream
           fear
           of
           Death
           and
           Judgment
           ,
           dejects
           and
           discourages
           the
           
           Soul
           from
           the
           use
           of
           means
           to
           prevent
           eternal
           Misery
           ,
           and
           induces
           a
           most
           woful
           Bondage
           .
           Fear
           anticipates
           and
           exasperates
           future
           Evils
           :
           for
           as
           Knowledg
           excites
           Fear
           ,
           so
           Fear
           encreases
           Knowledg
           ,
           by
           the
           uncessant
           working
           of
           the
           Thoughts
           upon
           terrible
           Objects
           .
           The
           fearful
           Mind
           aggravates
           the
           foreseen
           Evil
           ,
           and
           distils
           the
           Poison
           from
           all
           the
           Circumstances
           and
           Consequences
           of
           it
           .
           And
           when
           the
           Evil
           is
           apprehended
           as
           insuperable
           and
           indeclinable
           ,
           all
           endeavours
           to
           escape
           are
           cut
           off
           .
           What
           a
           Philosopher
           observes
           of
           an
           Earthquake
           ,
           
           compared
           with
           other
           destructive
           Evils
           ,
           is
           true
           in
           this
           case
           .
           There
           may
           be
           a
           safe
           retreat
           from
           Fire
           ,
           from
           Inundations
           ,
           from
           Storms
           ,
           from
           War
           ,
           from
           Pestilence
           ,
           but
           an
           Earthquake
           astonishes
           with
           so
           violent
           a
           perturbation
           ,
           that
           stops
           our
           flight
           from
           the
           imminent
           Danger
           :
           
           So
           the
           vehement
           impressions
           of
           Fear
           from
           the
           approaches
           of
           Death
           ,
           and
           the
           severe
           executions
           upon
           the
           Sinner
           after
           it
           ,
           distracts
           the
           Mind
           ,
           and
           disables
           from
           
             flying
             from
             the
             Wrath
             to
             come
             .
          
           These
           Fears
           are
           more
           heavy
           by
           the
           suggestions
           of
           Satan
           ,
           who
           represents
           God
           so
           terrible
           in
           his
           Majesty
           ,
           inexorable
           in
           his
           Justice
           ,
           and
           unchangeable
           
           in
           his
           Threatnings
           ,
           that
           all
           Hopes
           of
           obtaining
           his
           Favour
           are
           lost
           .
           As
           the
           
             Egyptian
             Darkness
          
           was
           not
           meerly
           from
           the
           absence
           of
           the
           Sun
           ,
           but
           from
           feculent
           Vapours
           condensing
           the
           Air
           ▪
           that
           it
           might
           be
           felt
           :
           So
           these
           dark
           and
           fearful
           expectations
           of
           the
           Divine
           Wrath
           are
           not
           only
           from
           the
           withdrawing
           the
           Light
           of
           God's
           Countenance
           ,
           but
           from
           the
           Prince
           of
           Darkness
           that
           foul
           Spirit
           .
           And
           as
           we
           read
           of
           the
           Egyptians
           ,
           that
           
             no
             Man
             arose
             from
             his
             place
             for
             three
             days
          
           ;
           as
           if
           they
           had
           been
           buried
           in
           that
           Darkness
           ,
           and
           deprived
           of
           all
           active
           Power
           and
           Motion
           :
           so
           the
           despairing
           Soul
           sits
           down
           mourning
           at
           the
           Gates
           of
           Death
           ,
           totally
           disabled
           from
           prosecuting
           the
           Things
           
             that
             belong
             to
             its
             Peace
          
           .
           'T
           is
           Hope
           inspires
           and
           warms
           us
           with
           alacrity
           ,
           encourages
           our
           Endeavours
           :
           Despair
           blunts
           our
           edg
           and
           industry
           .
           The
           Soul
           suffers
           the
           hardest
           Bondage
           ,
           and
           the
           Condition
           is
           unexpressibly
           sad
           under
           the
           tyranny
           of
           this
           Fear
           .
           O
           how
           enthralled
           ,
           how
           desolately
           miserable
           !
           Despair
           does
           meritoriously
           and
           effectually
           ruin
           the
           Soul.
           For
           whereas
           there
           is
           no
           Attribute
           more
           Divine
           ,
           no
           clearer
           Notion
           of
           the
           Deity
           than
           Love
           and
           Mercy
           ;
           this
           Passion
           disparages
           his
           Mercy
           ,
           
           as
           if
           Sin
           were
           more
           omnipotent
           ,
           than
           his
           Power
           to
           pardon
           ;
           and
           all
           the
           Tears
           that
           flow
           from
           it
           ,
           are
           so
           far
           from
           expiating
           ,
           that
           they
           encrease
           Guilt
           :
           and
           whereas
           the
           believing
           view
           of
           Christ
           would
           as
           compleatly
           and
           presently
           recover
           the
           Soul-wounded
           Sinner
           ,
           as
           the
           Israelites
           were
           by
           looking
           to
           the
           ordained
           visible
           Sign
           of
           their
           Salvation
           ;
           Despair
           turns
           away
           the
           Eye
           from
           our
           Deliverer
           ,
           and
           fixes
           it
           upon
           Misery
           as
           remediless
           and
           final
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           How
           comes
           it
           to
           pass
           that
           Men
           are
           not
           always
           under
           the
           actual
           fear
           of
           Death
           ,
           but
           subject
           to
           the
           revolutions
           of
           it
           all
           their
           Lives
           ?
        
         
           The
           Seeds
           of
           this
           Fear
           are
           hid
           in
           the
           guilty
           Breasts
           of
           Men
           ,
           and
           at
           times
           ,
           especially
           in
           their
           Calamities
           ,
           break
           forth
           and
           kindle
           upon
           them
           .
           In
           their
           Leisure
           and
           Retirement
           ,
           intercurrent
           thoughts
           of
           Death
           and
           Judgment
           sting
           them
           by
           fits
           ,
           and
           make
           them
           uneasy
           .
           The
           flashes
           of
           Conscience
           ,
           like
           moments
           of
           Lightning
           ,
           startle
           them
           ,
           but
           they
           relapse
           into
           their
           habitual
           stupidity
           .
           And
           the
           account
           of
           it
           will
           be
           clear
           ,
           by
           considering
           the
           following
           Particulars
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Men
           are
           apt
           to
           flatter
           themselves
           with
           the
           hopes
           of
           long
           Life
           ,
           and
           look
           
           upon
           Death
           at
           a
           great
           distance
           .
           Tho
           there
           be
           a
           dying
           disposition
           in
           the
           youngest
           and
           strongest
           Persons
           ,
           though
           we
           live
           in
           a
           World
           of
           Casualties
           ,
           and
           Death
           lie
           in
           ambush
           to
           surprize
           us
           every
           day
           ,
           yet
           we
           are
           secure
           :
           because
           Evils
           affect
           us
           according
           to
           their
           apprehended
           nearness
           .
           A
           petty
           Constable
           that
           is
           troublesom
           and
           vexatious
           ,
           is
           more
           fear'd
           by
           his
           Neighbours
           ,
           than
           the
           Grand
           Signior
           with
           all
           his
           Executioners
           .
           As
           remote
           Objects
           ,
           though
           of
           vast
           bigness
           ,
           are
           lessen'd
           to
           our
           sight
           ;
           so
           through
           the
           supposed
           interval
           of
           many
           years
           ,
           Death
           is
           look'd
           on
           with
           a
           diminution
           of
           its
           Terror
           .
           But
           when
           Death
           presents
           it self
           before
           Men
           ready
           to
           dispatch
           them
           ,
           how
           formidable
           is
           its
           appearance
           !
           Saul
           though
           renowned
           for
           his
           Valour
           ,
           yet
           when
           he
           understood
           by
           Revelation
           ,
           that
           to
           morrow
           he
           and
           his
           Sons
           should
           be
           in
           the
           state
           of
           the
           Dead
           ,
           
           
             there
             was
             no
             strength
             in
             him
             ;
             but
             he
             fell
             straitway
             all
             along
             on
             the
             Earth
          
           ;
           struck
           through
           with
           fear
           before
           he
           was
           wounded
           by
           the
           Arrows
           of
           the
           
             Philistines
             .
             Belshazzar
          
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           his
           luxury
           and
           jolity
           ,
           attended
           with
           a
           
             thousand
             Lords
          
           ,
           
           and
           his
           
             Herd
             of
             Concubines
          
           ,
           inflam'd
           with
           Wine
           ,
           and
           therefore
           less
           
           capable
           of
           fear
           ,
           yet
           upon
           the
           sight
           of
           the
           fatal
           Hand
           writing
           on
           the
           Wall
           a
           few
           unknown
           Characters
           ,
           which
           his
           guilty
           Conscience
           (
           before
           the
           Prophet
           Daniel
           came
           )
           interpreted
           to
           be
           the
           Sentence
           of
           present
           Death
           ,
           how
           fearfully
           was
           his
           Countenance
           changed
           pale
           as
           a
           Carcass
           ?
           How
           suddenly
           did
           his
           Blood
           congeal
           ,
           and
           his
           warmest
           quickest
           Spirits
           die
           in
           his
           Heart
           ?
           His
           whole
           Body
           was
           seized
           by
           such
           a
           vehement
           trembling
           ,
           that
           his
           Joints
           were
           loosed
           ,
           and
           his
           knees
           smote
           one
           against
           another
           .
           This
           is
           a
           representation
           of
           those
           who
           bid
           defiance
           to
           Death
           at
           a
           distance
           ;
           but
           when
           the
           fatal
           Hour
           is
           come
           ,
           and
           they
           hear
           the
           Sentence
           decreed
           against
           them
           ,
           
             God
             has
             numbred
             thy
             days
             ,
             and
             finish'd
             them
             :
             thou
             art
             weighed
             in
             the
             ballance
             ,
          
           (
           all
           thy
           Words
           and
           Actions
           ,
           thy
           Thoughts
           and
           Affections
           )
           
             and
             art
             found
             wanting
          
           :
           and
           thy
           Soul
           shall
           
             be
             divided
          
           from
           thy
           Body
           ,
           the
           one
           sent
           to
           Hell
           to
           suffer
           the
           undying
           Worm
           of
           Conscience
           ,
           the
           other
           to
           the
           Grave
           ,
           to
           be
           a
           Prey
           to
           the
           Worms
           of
           Corruption
           ;
           how
           are
           they
           overcome
           with
           horror
           !
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           continual
           succession
           of
           the
           Pleasures
           and
           Business
           of
           the
           World
           divert
           the
           Mind
           from
           the
           attentive
           strong
           
           contemplation
           of
           Death
           ,
           and
           the
           Consequences
           of
           it
           .
           Pensive
           Thoughts
           are
           unwelcome
           ,
           and
           we
           studiously
           endeavour
           to
           cancel
           the
           memory
           of
           such
           things
           as
           afflict
           us
           .
           'T
           is
           said
           of
           the
           Wicked
           ,
           that
           
             God
             is
             not
             in
             all
             their
             Thoughts
             .
          
           The
           consideration
           of
           the
           holy
           Inspector
           and
           Judg
           of
           their
           Actions
           is
           tormenting
           ,
           therefore
           they
           fill
           their
           Minds
           with
           earthly
           Imaginations
           ,
           to
           exclude
           the
           Divine
           Presence
           .
           We
           read
           of
           those
           ,
           
           who
           to
           
             put
             far
             away
             the
             evil
             Day
             ,
             chaunted
             to
             the
             sound
             of
             the
             Viol
             ,
             and
             drank
             Wine
             in
             Bowls
             .
          
           They
           are
           rock'd
           asleep
           with
           the
           motion
           of
           phantastick
           Vanities
           .
           And
           Sleep
           takes
           away
           Fear
           ,
           but
           gives
           no
           safety
           .
           'T
           is
           recorded
           of
           Marius
           ,
           
           that
           after
           his
           Overthrow
           by
           Sylla
           ,
           he
           was
           always
           in
           consternation
           ,
           as
           if
           he
           heard
           the
           sound
           of
           the
           Trumpets
           ,
           and
           the
           noise
           of
           the
           victorious
           Army
           pursuing
           him
           :
           And
           his
           Fears
           were
           no
           longer
           quiet
           than
           whilst
           charm'd
           with
           Wine
           and
           Sleep
           :
           he
           therefore
           was
           continually
           drunk
           ,
           that
           he
           might
           forget
           himself
           ,
           his
           Enemy
           ,
           and
           his
           Danger
           .
           Thus
           Men
           make
           a
           pitiful
           shift
           to
           forget
           their
           latter
           End
           :
           and
           whilst
           they
           are
           following
           either
           secular
           Affairs
           ,
           or
           sensual
           Pleasures
           ,
           are
           
           unconcerned
           for
           what
           is
           to
           be
           hereafter
           .
           But
           this
           Diversion
           will
           shortly
           be
           at
           an
           end
           ,
           for
           in
           their
           languishing
           hours
           ,
           when
           the
           wasted
           Body
           fails
           the
           carnal
           Mind
           ,
           and
           sensual
           Desires
           fail
           the
           Man
           ,
           then
           Conscience
           that
           spoke
           with
           a
           low
           Voice
           before
           ,
           is
           loud
           and
           terrible
           ,
           and
           like
           the
           rigid
           Exactor
           in
           the
           Parable
           ,
           that
           took
           his
           Debtor
           by
           the
           throat
           ,
           requires
           them
           to
           pay
           what
           they
           owe.
           
        
         
           3.
           
           Some
           are
           so
           hardned
           in
           Infidelity
           ,
           that
           the
           Powers
           of
           the
           World
           to
           come
           make
           no
           Impression
           on
           their
           Hearts
           .
           They
           mind
           but
           little
           ,
           and
           are
           less
           affected
           with
           invisible
           things
           .
           They
           fortify
           themselves
           with
           gross
           Thoughts
           ,
           that
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Man
           vanishes
           with
           his
           Breath
           ,
           that
           Death
           is
           the
           end
           of
           this
           Life
           ,
           and
           not
           the
           beginning
           of
           another
           ,
           
             and
             feed
             without
             Fear
          
           .
           Place
           one
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           destructive
           Evils
           ,
           but
           unseen
           or
           not
           believed
           ,
           and
           he
           is
           as
           fearless
           as
           a
           blind
           Person
           walking
           on
           the
           brink
           of
           a
           deep
           Pit.
           Indeed
           there
           are
           none
           less
           disturbed
           with
           the
           Terrors
           of
           Death
           ,
           than
           the
           eminently
           Good
           ,
           or
           the
           extremely
           Bad
           :
           for
           the
           one
           sort
           have
           a
           
             blessed
             Hope
          
           that
           Death
           will
           be
           to
           them
           an
           entrance
           into
           Life
           ,
           and
           live
           like
           the
           Angels
           ,
           
             with
             a
             Joy
             unspeakable
             
             and
             glorious
             .
          
           The
           others
           are
           as
           sensual
           and
           secure
           as
           the
           Beasts
           that
           perish
           ,
           having
           extinguish'd
           the
           fear
           of
           eternal
           future
           Evils
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           proper
           passion
           of
           Reason
           .
           The
           Apostle
           declares
           ,
           
             That
             knowing
             the
             Terror
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
          
           
           
             we
             perswade
             Men
             to
             be
             reconcil'd
             to
             him
             ,
             before
             the
             Season
             of
             Mercy
             be
             expired
             .
          
           But
           those
           who
           have
           suppress'd
           the
           natural
           Notions
           of
           Eternal
           Judgment
           ,
           as
           they
           think
           it
           beneath
           their
           Wisdom
           to
           be
           perswaded
           by
           the
           Promises
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           so
           beneath
           their
           Courage
           to
           be
           terrified
           with
           the
           Threatnings
           of
           Hell
           ,
           and
           triumph
           over
           the
           Ruines
           of
           Conscience
           .
           But
           though
           wicked
           Infidels
           slight
           the
           Threatnings
           ,
           they
           shall
           not
           escape
           the
           Vengeance
           of
           God.
           
        
         
           
           We
           read
           of
           
             Noah
             ,
             That
             being
             warned
             of
             God
             of
             things
             not
             seen
             as
             yet
             ,
             moved
             with
             fear
             ,
             he
             prepared
             an
             Ark
             for
             the
             saving
             of
             his
             House
             .
          
           His
           Fear
           was
           the
           native
           issue
           of
           his
           Faith.
           But
           the
           profane
           World
           ,
           in
           whom
           Sense
           was
           predominant
           ,
           that
           despised
           the
           Oracle
           ,
           and
           trembled
           at
           no
           Judgments
           but
           what
           were
           acting
           on
           the
           visible
           Stage
           ,
           
             they
             ate
             and
             drank
             ,
             married
             ,
             and
             were
             given
             in
             marriage
             ,
          
           till
           swept
           away
           by
           the
           unfeared
           Inundation
           .
           We
           read
           that
           Lot
           
           being
           certified
           by
           an
           embassy
           of
           Angels
           ,
           that
           a
           Deluge
           of
           Fire
           would
           in
           a
           few
           hours
           pour
           down
           from
           Heaven
           upon
           Sodom
           ,
           he
           most
           earnestly
           sollicited
           his
           Sons-in-Law
           ,
           
             Arise
             ,
             depart
             out
             of
             this
             Place
             ,
             for
             the
             Lord
             will
             destroy
             this
             City
             :
          
           but
           they
           entertained
           his
           compassionate
           Advice
           with
           derision
           ,
           
             he
             seemed
             to
             them
             as
             one
             that
             mocked
             ,
          
           and
           were
           surprised
           by
           those
           fearful
           Flames
           that
           dispatch'd
           them
           from
           a
           Temporal
           Hell
           to
           that
           which
           is
           Eternal
           .
           Thus
           't
           was
           prophesied
           ,
           
             That
             in
             the
             last
             days
             there
             shall
             come
             Scoffers
             ,
             walking
             after
             their
             own
             Lusts
             ,
             and
             saying
             ,
             Where
             is
             the
             Promise
             of
             his
             coming
             ?
          
           But
           let
           them
           blaspheme
           and
           scorn
           the
           most
           sacred
           and
           terrible
           Truths
           ,
           let
           them
           perpetuate
           their
           
             excess
             of
             Riot
          
           ,
           and
           wild
           Mirth
           while
           they
           live
           ,
           Death
           will
           come
           ,
           and
           Judgment
           as
           sure
           as
           Death
           .
        
         
           III.
           I
           now
           come
           to
           shew
           how
           the
           Death
           of
           Christ
           frees
           us
           from
           the
           tormenting
           fear
           of
           Death
           .
        
         
           For
           the
           clearing
           this
           ,
           we
           are
           to
           consider
           ,
           that
           Sin
           ,
           Satan
           and
           Death
           ,
           are
           Enemies
           in
           combination
           against
           Man
           in
           his
           mortal
           State
           ;
           and
           the
           destructive
           Power
           of
           Satan
           ,
           and
           Death
           ,
           is
           from
           
           Sin.
           When
           Man
           renounced
           his
           Creator
           and
           natural
           Lord
           ,
           he
           was
           judicially
           given
           up
           to
           Satan
           as
           the
           Executioner
           of
           Vengeance
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           Power
           of
           Death
           .
           Such
           is
           the
           Order
           ,
           rather
           the
           Confusion
           in
           the
           World
           by
           Sin.
           The
           Empire
           of
           Satan
           and
           Death
           is
           built
           on
           the
           Ruins
           of
           our
           Innocence
           .
        
         
           Now
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           came
           from
           his
           Throne
           in
           Heaven
           to
           deliver
           us
           :
           And
           whereas
           there
           are
           two
           ways
           of
           obtaining
           freedom
           from
           Captivity
           ,
           either
           by
           Ransom
           ,
           or
           by
           Power
           and
           Rescue
           ,
           in
           both
           respects
           our
           deliverance
           from
           Bondage
           to
           these
           Capital
           Enemies
           ,
           is
           ascribed
           to
           the
           Death
           of
           Christ.
           
        
         
           'T
           is
           called
           our
           Ransom
           ,
           and
           that
           in
           its
           strict
           Notion
           has
           a
           respect
           to
           Captivity
           .
           
             There
             is
             one
             God
             ,
             and
             one
             Mediator
             between
             God
             and
             Man
             ,
          
           
           
             the
             Man
             Christ
             Jesus
             ;
             who
             gave
             himself
             a
             Ransom
             for
             all
             .
          
           His
           Life
           was
           the
           full
           price
           of
           our
           Liberty
           and
           Salvation
           .
           God
           does
           not
           pardon
           Sin
           ,
           and
           release
           from
           Punishment
           by
           a
           pure
           absolute
           Act
           of
           his
           Will
           and
           Authority
           ,
           as
           a
           Creditor
           forgives
           a
           Debtor
           ;
           but
           in
           such
           a
           way
           as
           to
           preserve
           the
           Rights
           of
           Justice
           inviolate
           .
           Therefore
           when
           Man
           was
           devoted
           to
           Death
           ,
           our
           Redeemer
           exchang'd
           Conditions
           
           with
           him
           ,
           and
           offer'd
           
             up
             his
             precious
             Blood
          
           ,
           as
           our
           Ransom
           to
           God
           ,
           
           in
           the
           quality
           of
           the
           King
           and
           Judg
           of
           all
           .
           Such
           was
           the
           Dignity
           of
           his
           Person
           ,
           that
           the
           entire
           World
           ,
           the
           Heavens
           and
           the
           Earth
           ,
           with
           all
           their
           Inhabitants
           ,
           are
           of
           less
           value
           to
           him
           ,
           than
           the
           basest
           Dross
           to
           refined
           Gold.
           Such
           was
           the
           greatness
           of
           his
           Sufferings
           ,
           
           in
           which
           the
           highest
           degree
           of
           Obedience
           ,
           and
           the
           lowest
           degree
           of
           Humility
           were
           conspicuous
           ,
           as
           to
           be
           a
           valuable
           Compensation
           ,
           to
           obtain
           
             eternal
             Redempt●●●
             for
             us
          
           .
        
         
           Now
           when
           God
           the
           supreme
           Jud●●
           satisfied
           ,
           Satan
           forfeits
           the
           right
           he
           〈◊〉
           to
           torment
           us
           ,
           and
           is
           divested
           of
           h●●
           Dominion
           over
           our
           Wills
           ;
           which
           th●
           justly
           permitted
           ,
           was
           an
           usurpation
           upon
           God's
           Right
           in
           Man
           that
           can
           neve●
           be
           extinguish'd
           .
           'T
           is
           said
           by
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           
           that
           our
           Saviour
           
             blotting
             out
             the
             hand-writing
             of
             Ordinances
             that
             was
             against
             us
             ,
             which
             was
             contrary
             to
             us
             ,
             and
             took
             it
             out
             of
             the
             way
             ,
             nailing
             it
             to
             his
             Cross
             :
          
           He
           abolish'd
           the
           use
           of
           the
           Ceremonial
           Law
           ,
           that
           was
           an
           Evidence
           and
           Enditement
           of
           their
           Guilt
           who
           performed
           it
           ,
           and
           the
           Curse
           of
           the
           Moral
           Law
           :
           It
           follows
           ,
           
             and
             having
             spoiled
             
             Principalities
             and
             Powers
             ,
             he
             made
             a
             shew
             of
             them
             openly
             ,
             triumphing
             over
             them
             in
             it
             .
          
           Our
           Saviour
           died
           victoriously
           ;
           the
           Tree
           of
           Infamy
           on
           which
           he
           suffered
           ,
           was
           the
           Trophy
           of
           his
           Conquest
           .
           His
           Death
           disarm'd
           Satan
           of
           his
           Weapons
           ,
           whereby
           he
           subdued
           Us
           ,
           Sin
           ,
           the
           Law
           ,
           and
           Death
           ;
           for
           though
           his
           actual
           Triumph
           was
           in
           his
           Resurrection
           and
           Ascension
           to
           Glory
           ,
           yet
           it
           is
           justly
           ascribed
           to
           his
           Death
           ;
           for
           that
           meritoriously
           open'd
           the
           Grave
           at
           his
           Resurrection
           ,
           and
           Heaven
           at
           his
           Ascension
           .
        
         
           And
           here
           by
           the
           way
           't
           is
           most
           worthy
           of
           observation
           ,
           that
           our
           Deliverance
           from
           our
           spiritual
           and
           most
           deadly
           Enemies
           is
           equally
           righteous
           ,
           as
           admirable
           and
           glorious
           :
           for
           our
           suffering
           Saviour
           appeas'd
           the
           Wrath
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           broke
           the
           Powers
           of
           Darkness
           .
           
             The
             Wisdom
             and
             Love
             of
             God
             had
             their
             Designs
             in
             his
             Death
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             the
             Malice
             and
             Rage
             of
             Satan
             ;
             as
             Lines
             ,
             that
             are
             opposite
             in
             the
             Circumference
             ,
             meet
             in
             the
             Centre
             .
          
        
         
           And
           as
           from
           the
           Tyranny
           of
           Satan
           ,
           so
           the
           Death
           of
           our
           Redeemer
           is
           our
           redemption
           from
           Death
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           Curse
           and
           final
           Dominion
           of
           it
           ;
           nay
           ,
           has
           made
           it
           a
           blessed
           Advantage
           to
           us
           .
        
         
         
           1.
           
           The
           Curse
           is
           removed
           .
           Death
           considered
           as
           the
           Wages
           of
           Sin
           ,
           is
           all
           sting
           and
           poison
           ,
           the
           consequent
           of
           the
           spiritual
           Death
           ,
           and
           the
           introduction
           to
           eternal
           Death
           .
           
           
             The
             sting
             of
             Death
             is
             Sin
             ,
             and
             the
             strength
             of
             Sin
             is
             the
             Law.
          
           Death
           hath
           its
           wounding
           Power
           from
           Sin
           ,
           and
           Sin
           from
           the
           Law
           ,
           that
           forbids
           it
           ,
           that
           discovers
           its
           Nature
           ,
           and
           enhanses
           the
           measure
           of
           its
           Guilt
           ,
           and
           denounces
           condemnation
           for
           it
           .
           Now
           our
           Saviour
           having
           in
           our
           stead
           ,
           subjected
           himself
           to
           Death
           ,
           the
           penalty
           of
           the
           Law
           for
           Sin
           ,
           
             There
             is
             no
             condemnation
             to
             those
             that
             are
             in
             Christ
             Jesus
             .
             Christ
             hath
             redeemed
             us
             from
             the
             Curse
             of
             the
             Law
             ,
             being
             made
             a
             Curse
             for
             us
             .
          
           
           Death
           inflicted
           on
           the
           Saints
           ,
           has
           not
           that
           relation
           to
           the
           guilt
           of
           Sin
           ,
           as
           to
           be
           properly
           satisfaction
           to
           revenging
           Justice
           .
           There
           are
           no
           petty
           payments
           to
           be
           made
           by
           our
           Sufferings
           after
           his
           compleat
           Satisfaction
           to
           God.
           
             The
             Lord
             laid
             on
             him
             the
             Iniquities
             of
             us
             all
             .
          
           
        
         
           'T
           is
           indeed
           still
           a
           declaration
           of
           God's
           holy
           Displeasure
           against
           Sin
           ,
           for
           that
           originally
           open'd
           the
           way
           of
           its
           coming
           into
           the
           World
           ;
           and
           sometimes
           by
           the
           immaturity
           or
           manner
           of
           it
           ,
           't
           is
           a
           chastisement
           upon
           good
           Men
           for
           Sin
           ;
           that
           
           is
           ,
           to
           make
           them
           renew
           their
           Repentance
           ,
           and
           mortify
           their
           carnal
           Affections
           that
           fasten
           them
           to
           the
           World.
           For
           though
           after
           the
           last
           act
           of
           Expiration
           there
           is
           no
           place
           for
           Repentance
           ;
           yet
           in
           the
           approaches
           of
           Death
           ,
           the
           Soul
           is
           strongly
           excited
           by
           the
           Call
           of
           God
           to
           review
           its
           State
           ,
           and
           make
           solemn
           preparation
           to
           be
           
             found
             of
             him
             in
             Peace
          
           .
           But
           't
           is
           not
           in
           a
           strict
           sense
           the
           malediction
           and
           vengeance
           of
           the
           Law
           executed
           upon
           them
           .
           The
           Serpent
           is
           turn'd
           into
           a
           Rod
           of
           Correction
           in
           the
           hands
           of
           our
           Heavenly
           Father
           for
           their
           good
           .
           
           As
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           speaking
           of
           some
           that
           for
           their
           profaning
           the
           Lord's
           Table
           ,
           were
           
             fallen
             asleep
          
           ,
           
           adds
           ,
           
             that
             when
             we
             are
             judged
             ,
             we
             are
             chastened
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             not
             be
             condemned
             with
             the
             World.
          
           
           
             A
             Believer
             shall
             not
             be
             hurt
             of
             the
             second
             Death
             .
          
        
         
           From
           hence
           it
           is
           ,
           that
           in
           the
           Book
           of
           Life
           ,
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           the
           Death
           of
           the
           Saints
           is
           called
           
             a
             Sleep
          
           .
           Saint
           Paul
           argues
           ,
           
           
             If
             we
             believed
             that
             Jesus
             died
             and
             rose
             again
             ;
             even
             so
             them
             also
             that
             sleep
             in
             Jesus
             ,
             will
             God
             bring
             with
             him
             .
          
           'T
           is
           observable
           how
           the
           Apostle
           varies
           the
           expression
           ,
           
             Jesus
             died
             ,
             and
             the
             Saints
             sleep
             in
             him
             :
          
           for
           he
           sustained
           Death
           
           with
           all
           its
           Terrors
           ,
           that
           it
           might
           be
           a
           calm
           Sleep
           to
           his
           People
           .
           
           They
           enjoy
           as
           perfect
           a
           Rest
           in
           the
           Beds
           of
           Dust
           ,
           as
           ever
           in
           the
           softest
           Down
           .
           Stephen
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           a
           shower
           of
           Stones
           fell
           asleep
           .
           Believers
           die
           in
           Peace
           .
           
             The
             Righteous
             is
             taken
             from
             the
             Evil
             to
             come
             ;
             he
             enters
             into
             Peace
             .
          
           Being
           reconciled
           to
           God
           through
           the
           Blood
           of
           Christ
           ,
           they
           are
           not
           terrified
           at
           his
           Call
           ,
           but
           with
           sweet
           tranquillity
           resign
           their
           Souls
           unto
           him
           .
           Lord
           ,
           
           
             now
             let
             thy
             Servant
             depart
             in
             Peace
             ,
             for
             mine
             Eyes
             have
             seen
             thy
             Salvation
             .
          
           There
           is
           a
           vast
           difference
           in
           God's
           account
           ,
           between
           the
           Death
           of
           the
           Righteous
           and
           the
           Wicked
           .
           As
           the
           Tabernacle
           in
           the
           Wilderness
           was
           taken
           down
           with
           care
           upon
           their
           change
           of
           station
           ,
           and
           delivered
           to
           the
           Levites
           charge
           ,
           in
           order
           to
           the
           raising
           of
           it
           again
           with
           honour
           ;
           but
           the
           House
           incurably
           infected
           with
           the
           Leprosy
           ,
           was
           pluck'd
           down
           with
           violence
           ,
           and
           thrown
           into
           an
           unclean
           place
           with
           execration
           :
           Thus
           
             the
             death
             of
             the
             Saints
             is
             precious
             in
             the
             sight
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
          
           their
           Bodies
           are
           kept
           in
           the
           bosom
           of
           
           the
           Earth
           ,
           to
           be
           raised
           in
           Glory
           ;
           and
           the
           death
           of
           the
           Wicked
           is
           accurs'd
           .
           In
           short
           ,
           as
           the
           Wood
           that
           Moses
           cast
           into
           the
           Waters
           of
           Marah
           ,
           by
           a
           miraculous
           virtue
           sweetned
           them
           :
           so
           the
           Cross
           of
           Christ
           has
           taken
           away
           the
           malignity
           and
           bitterness
           of
           Death
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Death
           is
           a
           blessed
           Advantage
           ,
           and
           
             enriching
             Gain
          
           to
           a
           Believer
           :
           it
           brings
           him
           to
           the
           possession
           of
           that
           Good
           that
           incomparably
           exceeds
           the
           Evil
           that
           remains
           in
           it
           .
           For
           the
           Death
           of
           a
           Saint
           is
           not
           total
           ;
           but
           as
           in
           the
           Ceremony
           of
           Purification
           from
           Leprosy
           ,
           one
           Bird
           was
           killed
           ,
           and
           the
           other
           let
           fly
           in
           the
           open
           Air
           ,
           the
           mysterious
           shadow
           of
           the
           Lepers
           being
           restored
           to
           a
           state
           of
           Liberty
           :
           Thus
           
             when
             the
             Body
             dies
             and
             returns
             to
             the
             Earth
             ,
             the
             Spirit
             returns
             to
             God
             ,
             the
             Father
             of
             Spirits
             ,
             and
             Fountain
             of
             Life
             .
          
           Our
           Saviour
           told
           the
           Jews
           ,
           
             I
             am
             the
             living
             Bread
             that
             came
             down
             from
             Heaven
             :
          
           
           
             if
             any
             Man
             eat
             of
             this
             Bread
             ,
             he
             shall
             live
             for
             ever
             ;
             and
             the
             Bread
             that
             I
             will
             give
             is
             my
             Flesh
             ,
             that
             I
             will
             give
             for
             the
             Life
             of
             the
             World.
          
           The
           Heavenly
           Divine
           Life
           ,
           that
           is
           communicated
           by
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Christ
           to
           Believers
           ,
           remains
           entire
           when
           the
           sensitive
           Life
           is
           lost
           .
           The
           natural
           Order
           is
           ,
           
             There
             is
             a
             
             time
             to
             be
             born
             ,
             and
             a
             time
             to
             die
             :
          
           the
           supernatural
           is
           ,
           there
           is
           a
           time
           to
           die
           ,
           and
           a
           time
           to
           be
           born
           .
           The
           Death
           of
           a
           Saint
           is
           a
           †
           new
           Birth
           ;
           the
           pains
           of
           the
           dying
           Body
           are
           as
           Throws
           ,
           whereby
           the
           ripen'd
           Soul
           is
           delivered
           into
           
             the
             Land
             of
             the
             Living
          
           .
           The
           happiness
           of
           a
           Saint
           after
           Death
           ,
           more
           particularly
           will
           appear
           by
           considering
           ;
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           freedom
           he
           obtains
           from
           all
           afflicting
           Evils
           that
           are
           numberless
           here
           ,
           and
           from
           Sin
           the
           worst
           in
           its
           nature
           ,
           and
           the
           cause
           of
           all
           the
           rest
           .
           The
           present
           World
           is
           a
           Labyrinth
           of
           Thorns
           ,
           in
           every
           state
           we
           meet
           with
           something
           to
           vex
           us
           .
           You
           may
           as
           well
           count
           the
           Waves
           of
           the
           Sea
           when
           inraged
           by
           a
           Tempest
           ,
           as
           the
           Troubles
           to
           which
           in
           this
           mortal
           open
           state
           we
           are
           expos'd
           .
           
             Man
             that
             is
             born
             of
             a
             Woman
             ,
          
           
           
             is
             of
             few
             days
             ,
             and
             full
             of
             Trouble
             .
          
           A
           short
           Life
           ,
           and
           many
           Miseries
           .
           O
           our
           unhappy
           Capacity
           !
           the
           Body
           is
           liable
           to
           as
           many
           Diseases
           as
           there
           are
           Members
           ;
           
           and
           the
           Soul
           to
           as
           many
           Perplexities
           as
           Passions
           .
           How
           often
           are
           the
           Scenes
           and
           Habits
           chang'd
           in
           the
           time
           of
           one
           Man
           ?
           He
           that
           lives
           in
           Pleasures
           ,
           must
           act
           the
           Mourner's
           part
           .
           
             Our
             sweetest
             Comforts
             have
             hidden
             Stings
             :
          
           and
           whatever
           is
           
           most
           pleasing
           ,
           may
           occasion
           bitter
           grief
           .
           And
           usually
           holy
           Men
           have
           a
           greater
           portion
           of
           Afflictions
           here
           :
           sometimes
           by
           the
           malignity
           and
           violence
           of
           the
           Wicked
           ;
           as
           under
           the
           Law
           ,
           the
           Lamb
           and
           the
           Dove
           were
           Sacrifices
           ,
           the
           Emblems
           of
           Innocence
           ,
           and
           Purity
           ,
           and
           Meekness
           ,
           whilst
           the
           Vulture
           and
           the
           Lion
           ,
           the
           greedy
           Devourers
           ,
           escaped
           .
           This
           the
           Apostle
           declares
           of
           the
           Elect
           ,
           
             They
             are
             predestinated
             to
             be
             conformed
             to
             the
             Image
             of
             God's
             Son
             ,
          
           who
           trac'd
           out
           the
           Way
           to
           Heaven
           in
           his
           own
           Blood
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           Cross
           ascended
           to
           the
           Throne
           .
           Sometimes
           more
           immediately
           Divine
           Providence
           afflicts
           them
           ,
           to
           preserve
           their
           Spirits
           from
           the
           tainted
           Pleasures
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           for
           other
           holy
           Ends
           :
           but
           there
           
             is
             a
             Rest
             for
             the
             People
             of
             God
             in
             Heaven
             .
          
           Besides
           ,
           there
           are
           Relicks
           of
           Sin
           in
           the
           best
           of
           the
           Saints
           here
           .
           Indeed
           Sin
           is
           depos'd
           from
           Sovereignty
           and
           Rule
           ;
           the
           imperious
           Lusts
           are
           crucified
           ,
           but
           not
           quite
           expir'd
           .
           As
           those
           that
           were
           nail'd
           to
           the
           Cross
           in
           their
           Hands
           and
           Feet
           ,
           the
           parts
           least
           vital
           and
           most
           sensible
           ,
           died
           a
           painful
           lingring
           Death
           .
           
             Still
             the
             Flesh
             lusts
             against
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             and
             the
             Spirit
             against
             the
             Flesh.
          
           As
           there
           is
           a
           complexion
           of
           
           Humours
           in
           humane
           Bodies
           ,
           always
           jarring
           when
           they
           are
           in
           the
           soundest
           Health
           ;
           and
           where
           there
           is
           not
           this
           active
           contrariety
           ,
           either
           the
           Body
           is
           without
           a
           Soul
           ,
           a
           meer
           Carcass
           ,
           or
           a
           glorified
           Body
           in
           Heaven
           .
           So
           where
           there
           is
           not
           this
           internal
           Combat
           between
           Grace
           and
           Sin
           ,
           either
           the
           Man
           is
           wholly
           *
           carnal
           ,
           
             dead
             in
             Sins
             and
             Trespasses
          
           ;
           or
           wholly
           spiritual
           ,
           reigning
           in
           Heaven
           .
           And
           there
           is
           nothing
           more
           works
           on
           the
           tender
           Affections
           of
           a
           Saint
           ,
           than
           to
           find
           in
           himself
           what
           is
           displeasing
           to
           God
           ;
           that
           still
           he
           is
           under
           a
           sad
           necessity
           of
           sinning
           .
           What
           is
           said
           concerning
           an
           old
           Man
           wasted
           and
           decayed
           in
           his
           drooping
           Years
           ,
           that
           
             the
             Grashopper
             is
             a
             burden
             to
             him
             ,
          
           is
           true
           of
           the
           new
           Man
           in
           a
           Christian
           ;
           the
           Sins
           that
           are
           counted
           light
           in
           the
           valuation
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           are
           a
           heavy
           weight
           to
           him
           .
           Vain
           Thoughts
           ,
           idle
           Words
           ,
           irregular
           Passions
           ,
           unprofitable
           Actions
           ,
           are
           motives
           of
           heart-breaking
           Sorrow
           .
           Now
           Death
           is
           to
           a
           Believer
           an
           universal
           Remedy
           against
           all
           the
           Evils
           of
           this
           Life
           :
           it
           frees
           him
           from
           all
           Injuries
           and
           Sufferings
           ,
           
           and
           from
           Sin
           in
           all
           its
           degrees
           ,
           from
           all
           inclinations
           and
           temptations
           to
           it
           .
           
             He
             that
             is
             dead
             ,
             ceaseth
             from
             Sin.
          
           Death
           is
           the
           Passage
           from
           this
           Wilderness
           to
           the
           true
           Canaan
           the
           Rest
           above
           ,
           that
           flows
           with
           better
           Milk
           and
           Hony
           ,
           with
           Innocence
           and
           Happiness
           for
           ever
           .
           There
           nothing
           can
           disturb
           the
           Peace
           ,
           or
           corrupt
           the
           Purity
           of
           the
           Blessed
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           Besides
           the
           privative
           advantage
           ,
           the
           freedom
           from
           all
           the
           Effects
           of
           God's
           Displeasure
           ,
           and
           the
           resentments
           of
           it
           ,
           there
           is
           the
           highest
           positive
           Good
           obtained
           by
           Death
           ;
           
             The
             Spirits
             of
             just
             Men
             are
             made
             perfect
             in
             Heaven
             .
          
           The
           Soul
           is
           the
           Glory
           of
           Man
           ,
           and
           Grace
           is
           the
           Glory
           of
           the
           Soul
           ,
           and
           both
           are
           then
           in
           their
           Exaltation
           .
           All
           the
           Faculties
           of
           the
           Soul
           are
           rais'd
           to
           the
           highest
           degrees
           of
           Natural
           and
           Divine
           Perfection
           .
           In
           this
           Life
           Grace
           renews
           the
           Faculties
           ,
           but
           does
           not
           elevate
           them
           to
           their
           highest
           pitch
           :
           it
           does
           not
           make
           a
           mean
           Understanding
           pregnant
           ,
           nor
           a
           frail
           Memory
           strong
           ,
           nor
           a
           slow
           Tongue
           eloquent
           ,
           but
           sanctifies
           them
           as
           they
           are
           .
           But
           when
           the
           Soul
           is
           releas'd
           from
           this
           dark
           Body
           of
           Earth
           ,
           the
           Understanding
           is
           clear
           and
           quick
           ,
           the
           Memory
           firm
           ,
           the
           Will
           and
           Affections
           
           ardent
           and
           vigorous
           .
           And
           they
           are
           enrich'd
           with
           Divine
           Light
           ,
           and
           Love
           ,
           and
           Power
           ,
           that
           makes
           them
           fit
           for
           the
           most
           noble
           and
           heavenly
           Operations
           .
           The
           Lineaments
           of
           God's
           Image
           on
           the
           Soul
           are
           first
           drawn
           here
           ,
           but
           then
           it
           receives
           his
           last
           Hand
           .
           All
           the
           Celestial
           Colours
           are
           added
           ,
           to
           give
           the
           utmost
           life
           and
           lustre
           to
           it
           .
           Here
           we
           are
           advancing
           ,
           but
           by
           Death
           we
           arrive
           at
           Perfection
           .
        
         
           We
           shall
           in
           Heaven
           be
           join'd
           to
           the
           Assembly
           of
           Saints
           and
           Angels
           ,
           our
           best
           Friends
           .
           Love
           is
           the
           Law
           of
           that
           Kingdom
           ,
           and
           perfectly
           obeyed
           there
           .
           Now
           how
           charming
           is
           the
           Conversation
           of
           one
           that
           is
           wise
           and
           holy
           ,
           especially
           if
           the
           sweetness
           of
           Affability
           be
           in
           his
           Temper
           ?
           How
           pleasantly
           does
           Time
           slide
           away
           in
           the
           company
           of
           our
           beloved
           Friends
           ?
           We
           are
           not
           sensible
           of
           its
           flight
           .
           But
           what
           dear
           satisfaction
           is
           it
           to
           be
           united
           to
           that
           chosen
           consecrated
           Society
           Above
           ,
           
             who
             love
             one
             another
             as
             themselves
             ?
          
           Though
           the
           Angels
           and
           Saints
           have
           different
           degrees
           of
           Glory
           ,
           yet
           every
           one
           is
           perfectly
           happy
           and
           pleased
           .
           As
           the
           strings
           of
           an
           Instrument
           differ
           in
           the
           size
           and
           sound
           ;
           some
           are
           sharp
           and
           high
           ,
           some
           
           grave
           and
           deep
           ,
           others
           a
           mean
           ,
           and
           from
           that
           variety
           results
           the
           Harmony
           and
           Musick
           ,
           so
           that
           if
           every
           string
           had
           Judgment
           and
           Election
           ,
           it
           would
           chuse
           to
           be
           what
           it
           is
           :
           so
           from
           the
           different
           degrees
           of
           Glory
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           the
           most
           amiable
           and
           equal
           Order
           of
           the
           Divine
           Wisdom
           appears
           ,
           that
           satisfies
           every
           one
           .
        
         
           We
           shall
           be
           in
           the
           glorious
           Presence
           of
           God
           and
           Christ
           ,
           
             where
             is
             fulness
             of
             Joy
             ,
             and
             infinite
             Pleasures
             for
             ever
             .
          
           'T
           is
           said
           of
           
             Abraham
             ,
             he
             rejoic'd
             to
             see
             the
             Day
             of
             Christ
             ,
          
           two
           thousand
           Years
           before
           his
           coming
           .
           When
           by
           Faith
           he
           saw
           the
           Incarnation
           of
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           ,
           in
           order
           to
           the
           redemption
           of
           Men
           ,
           it
           put
           him
           into
           an
           exstasy
           .
           Yet
           then
           our
           Saviour
           was
           born
           to
           Sorrows
           and
           Miseries
           .
           But
           how
           ravishing
           is
           the
           sight
           of
           our
           Redeemer
           ,
           
             set
             down
             on
             the
             right
             Hand
             of
             the
             Majesty
             on
             high
             ,
             having
             purged
             our
             Sins
             by
             himself
             ,
          
           and
           accomplish'd
           our
           Salvation
           ?
           Now
           we
           are
           
             absent
             from
             God
          
           ,
           yet
           in
           believing
           his
           infallible
           Promises
           ,
           we
           
             rejoice
             with
             a
             Joy
             unspeakable
             and
             glorious
             :
          
           But
           how
           much
           more
           joyful
           is
           the
           fruition
           of
           them
           ?
           Here
           the
           Divine
           Goodness
           is
           derived
           to
           us
           through
           secondary
           means
           ,
           that
           weaken
           
           its
           efficacy
           ,
           but
           in
           Heaven
           the
           Consolations
           of
           the
           Creator
           are
           most
           purely
           dispensed
           ,
           and
           his
           immediate
           Excellencies
           are
           made
           known
           .
        
         
           This
           Blessedness
           exceeds
           all
           our
           Thoughts
           and
           explicite
           Desires
           ,
           and
           requires
           the
           eloquence
           and
           experience
           of
           an
           Angel
           to
           set
           it
           forth
           .
           The
           bright
           Sum
           of
           it
           is
           this
           ,
           We
           shall
           see
           God
           in
           his
           Glory
           ,
           
             face
             to
             face
          
           ,
           
           in
           the
           most
           perfect
           manner
           :
           the
           sight
           of
           his
           Glory
           shall
           transform
           us
           into
           his
           Likeness
           ;
           
             we
             shall
             be
             like
             him
             ,
             for
             we
             shall
             see
             him
             as
             he
             is
             .
          
           
           This
           shall
           produce
           in
           us
           the
           most
           pure
           and
           ardent
           Love
           ;
           and
           Love
           shall
           be
           attended
           with
           inexpressible
           joy
           ,
           and
           that
           with
           the
           highest
           Praises
           of
           the
           blessed
           God
           ,
           whose
           influxive
           Presence
           is
           the
           Heaven
           of
           Heaven
           .
        
         
           And
           that
           which
           crowns
           all
           is
           ,
           that
           the
           Life
           above
           is
           Eternal
           .
           This
           satisfies
           all
           our
           Desires
           ,
           and
           excludes
           all
           our
           Fears
           :
           for
           Unchangeableness
           is
           an
           inseparable
           Attribute
           of
           perfect
           Felicity
           .
           The
           Blessed
           are
           in
           full
           Communion
           with
           God
           ,
           
             the
             Fountain
             of
             Life
             ,
             and
             Christ
             the
             Prince
             of
             Life
             .
             Because
             I
             live
             ,
          
           saith
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           
             ye
             shall
             live
             also
          
           .
           What
           can
           interrupt
           ,
           much
           less
           put
           an
           end
           to
           the
           Happiness
           of
           the
           Saints
           ?
           
           The
           Love
           of
           God
           is
           immutably
           fix'd
           upon
           them
           ,
           and
           their
           Love
           upon
           him
           .
           Here
           their
           Love
           is
           subject
           to
           decays
           ,
           and
           gradual
           alienations
           ;
           as
           the
           Needle
           in
           the
           Compass
           ,
           though
           it
           always
           has
           a
           tendency
           to
           the
           North-Pole
           ,
           yet
           sometimes
           it
           declines
           and
           has
           its
           variations
           .
           But
           in
           Heaven
           the
           Love
           of
           the
           Saints
           is
           directly
           and
           constantly
           set
           upon
           God.
           The
           
             Light
             of
             his
             Countenance
          
           governs
           all
           their
           Affections
           .
           'T
           is
           as
           impossible
           to
           divert
           their
           Desires
           from
           him
           ,
           as
           to
           cause
           one
           that
           is
           inflam'd
           with
           Thirst
           ,
           to
           leave
           a
           clear
           flowing
           Spring
           for
           a
           noisom
           Puddle
           .
           In
           short
           ,
           Heaven
           is
           filled
           with
           eternal
           Hallelujahs
           :
           for
           there
           is
           no
           appearance
           of
           Sin
           ,
           no
           shadow
           of
           Death
           there
           :
           all
           Miseries
           are
           vanish'd
           ,
           and
           all
           that
           is
           desirable
           is
           possess'd
           by
           the
           Saints
           :
           the
           Circle
           of
           their
           Employment
           is
           to
           enjoy
           and
           praise
           the
           Divine
           Goodness
           for
           ever
           .
        
         
           Now
           is
           not
           the
           blessed
           Exchange
           a
           Christian
           makes
           of
           the
           present
           Life
           ,
           for
           that
           which
           is
           infinitely
           better
           ,
           sufficient
           to
           make
           Death
           not
           fearful
           ,
           nay
           desirable
           to
           him
           ?
           The
           regular
           well-grounded
           hope
           of
           this
           will
           compose
           the
           Thoughts
           in
           the
           nearest
           Approach
           and
           
           Apprehension
           of
           Death
           :
           No
           other
           Principles
           or
           Resolutions
           are
           able
           to
           vanquish
           the
           Terrors
           of
           our
           last
           Enemy
           .
           And
           this
           Happiness
           was
           purchas'd
           for
           us
           by
           the
           everlasting
           Treasure
           of
           our
           Saviour's
           Blood.
           The
           Satisfaction
           of
           his
           Sufferings
           was
           meritorious
           ,
           as
           the
           Merits
           of
           his
           active
           Obedience
           was
           satisfying
           .
        
         
           Before
           I
           proceed
           to
           the
           third
           Head
           ,
           I
           shall
           resolve
           a
           Question
           ,
           How
           it
           comes
           to
           pass
           ,
           since
           Believers
           are
           freed
           from
           the
           Sting
           of
           Death
           ,
           that
           they
           die
           ,
           and
           remain
           in
           the
           State
           of
           Death
           for
           a
           time
           .
        
         
           For
           this
           there
           are
           several
           Reasons
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           By
           this
           means
           all
           the
           sinful
           Frailties
           that
           cleave
           to
           the
           Sains
           in
           this
           Life
           ,
           are
           abolish'd
           .
           
           
             The
             Body
             is
             dead
             because
             of
             Sin
             :
          
           And
           what
           is
           more
           becoming
           the
           wise
           and
           Holy
           Providence
           of
           God
           ,
           than
           that
           as
           by
           Sin
           Man
           was
           at
           first
           made
           subject
           to
           Death
           ,
           so
           by
           Death
           Sin
           dies
           entirely
           for
           ever
           .
           Thus
           as
           in
           
           Sampson's
           Riddle
           ,
           Out
           of
           the
           Devourer
           comes
           Meat
           ;
           and
           our
           worst
           Enemy
           is
           conquer'd
           by
           his
           own
           Weapons
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Death
           is
           continued
           to
           the
           Saints
           ,
           for
           the
           more
           eminent
           Exercise
           and
           Illustration
           of
           their
           Graces
           ,
           for
           the
           Glory
           
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           in
           order
           to
           their
           future
           Reward
           .
           ‖
           Faith
           ,
           and
           Love
           ,
           and
           Patience
           ,
           are
           declared
           in
           their
           most
           powerful
           Operations
           in
           our
           Encounter
           with
           Death
           .
           If
           every
           Saint
           were
           visibly
           and
           entirely
           translated
           to
           Heaven
           ,
           after
           a
           short
           course
           of
           Holy
           Obedience
           ;
           if
           the
           Wicked
           did
           visibly
           drop
           down
           quick
           into
           Hell
           ,
           Faith
           would
           be
           resigned
           to
           Sight
           here
           .
           This
           would
           confound
           the
           Militant
           State
           of
           the
           Church
           with
           the
           Triumphant
           .
           Therefore
           now
           
             Death
             happens
             to
             the
             Good
             as
             well
             as
             to
             the
             Wicked
             .
          
           In
           the
           next
           State
           they
           shall
           be
           separated
           
             by
             a
             vast
             Gulph
          
           ,
           and
           an
           amazing
           Difference
           .
           Now
           Faith
           ,
           whatever
           the
           kind
           of
           Death
           be
           that
           a
           Christian
           suffers
           ,
           sees
           through
           the
           thickest
           Clouds
           of
           Disgrace
           and
           Misery
           ,
           the
           glorious
           Issue
           .
           As
           the
           illustrious
           Confessor
           who
           was
           crucified
           with
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           proclaim'd
           his
           Eternal
           Kingdom
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           insulting
           Infidels
           .
           And
           our
           Love
           to
           God
           then
           appears
           in
           its
           Radiancy
           and
           Vigour
           ,
           when
           we
           are
           ready
           for
           the
           Testimony
           of
           his
           Truth
           ,
           and
           advancing
           his
           Glory
           ,
           
           to
           suffer
           a
           violent
           Death
           :
           or
           when
           it
           comes
           in
           a
           gentler
           manner
           ,
           for
           't
           is
           even
           then
           terrible
           to
           Nature
           ,
           we
           are
           willingly
           subject
           to
           Dissolution
           ,
           that
           we
           may
           be
           united
           to
           God
           in
           Heaven
           .
           And
           our
           Patience
           has
           never
           its
           
             perfect
             Work
          
           ,
           and
           is
           truly
           victorious
           ,
           till
           this
           last
           Enemy
           be
           subdued
           .
           Death
           is
           the
           Seal
           of
           our
           Constancy
           and
           Perseverance
           .
           Now
           the
           righteous
           Rewarder
           will
           crown
           none
           but
           those
           
             that
             strive
             lawfully
          
           ,
           and
           are
           compleat
           Conquerors
           .
           
           And
           how
           wise
           and
           sweet
           is
           the
           Oeconomy
           of
           the
           Divine
           Providence
           in
           this
           ,
           that
           the
           Frailty
           of
           our
           Nature
           should
           afford
           us
           a
           means
           of
           glorifying
           God
           ,
           and
           of
           entitling
           our selves
           by
           his
           most
           gracious
           Promises
           to
           a
           blessed
           Reward
           ?
        
         
           3.
           
           Our
           Saviour
           by
           his
           unvaluable
           Obedience
           and
           Sufferings
           ,
           has
           procur'd
           for
           Believers
           a
           Celestial
           Divine
           Life
           ,
           of
           which
           the
           natural
           Body
           is
           not
           capable
           .
           The
           Apostle
           saith
           ,
           
             Flesh
             and
             Blood
             cannot
             enter
             into
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Heaven
             .
          
           The
           exigencies
           and
           decays
           of
           the
           sensitive
           Nature
           require
           a
           continual
           Relief
           by
           Food
           and
           Sleep
           ,
           and
           other
           material
           Supplies
           :
           but
           the
           Life
           above
           is
           wholly
           spiritual
           ,
           and
           equal
           to
           that
           of
           the
           Angels
           .
           
           Therefore
           till
           this
           earthly
           Animal
           Body
           be
           reformed
           and
           purified
           ,
           't
           is
           not
           capable
           of
           the
           Glory
           reserv'd
           in
           Heaven
           .
           This
           is
           so
           absolutely
           requisite
           ,
           that
           those
           Believers
           ,
           who
           are
           sound
           alive
           at
           the
           last
           Day
           ,
           shall
           
             in
             the
             twinkling
             of
             an
             Eye
             be
             changed
             ,
          
           that
           they
           may
           be
           qualified
           for
           it
           .
           Now
           herein
           the
           Wisdom
           of
           God
           is
           wonderful
           ,
           that
           Death
           which
           by
           the
           Covenant
           of
           Works
           was
           the
           deserved
           Penalty
           of
           Sin
           ,
           by
           the
           Covenant
           of
           Grace
           should
           be
           the
           Instrument
           of
           Immortality
           .
           That
           as
           Joseph
           by
           a
           surprising
           Circuit
           was
           brought
           from
           the
           Prison
           to
           the
           Principality
           ;
           so
           a
           Believer
           by
           the
           Grave
           ascends
           to
           Heaven
           .
           This
           the
           Apostle
           in
           his
           Divine
           Disputation
           against
           Infidels
           ,
           proves
           in
           a
           most
           convincing
           manner
           ;
           
             Thou
             Fool
             ,
             that
             which
             thou
             sowest
             ,
             is
             not
             quickned
             except
             it
             die
             .
          
           As
           the
           rotting
           of
           the
           Corn
           in
           the
           Earth
           is
           necessary
           to
           the
           reviving
           and
           springing
           of
           it
           up
           :
           so
           we
           must
           die
           ,
           and
           the
           Image
           of
           the
           Earthly
           Adam
           be
           abolish'd
           ,
           that
           we
           may
           be
           transformed
           into
           the
           Image
           of
           the
           Heavenly
           One.
           
        
         
           And
           to
           the
           other
           part
           of
           the
           Question
           ,
           Why
           the
           Saints
           remain
           in
           the
           state
           of
           Death
           for
           a
           time
           ?
           there
           is
           a
           clear
           
           Answer
           .
           The
           Resurrection
           of
           the
           Saints
           is
           delayed
           till
           Christ's
           coming
           to
           Judgment
           ,
           partly
           for
           the
           Glory
           of
           his
           Appearance
           :
           For
           what
           an
           admirable
           Sight
           will
           it
           be
           ,
           that
           the
           Saints
           of
           all
           Ages
           shall
           at
           once
           arise
           glorified
           and
           immortalized
           to
           attend
           upon
           our
           Saviour
           in
           the
           last
           Act
           of
           his
           Regal
           Office
           ,
           and
           then
           to
           make
           a
           triumphant
           Entry
           with
           him
           into
           Heaven
           :
           And
           partly
           ,
           that
           the
           establish'd
           order
           of
           Providence
           may
           not
           be
           disturbed
           :
           for
           the
           changing
           of
           our
           Nature
           into
           Glory
           ,
           in
           a
           suddain
           and
           inexplicable
           manner
           ,
           cannot
           be
           without
           miraculous
           Power
           ;
           and
           if
           every
           Believer
           presently
           after
           Death
           ,
           were
           in
           his
           glorified
           Body
           translated
           to
           Heaven
           ,
           the
           World
           would
           be
           always
           filled
           with
           Miracles
           ,
           which
           were
           to
           cease
           after
           the
           sufficient
           Confirmation
           of
           the
           Gospel
           by
           them
           .
           But
           how
           long
           soever
           the
           Interval
           be
           to
           the
           Resurrection
           ,
           it
           shall
           be
           with
           
             them
             that
             sleep
             in
             Jesus
          
           ,
           as
           't
           is
           with
           those
           that
           awake
           out
           of
           a
           quiet
           natural
           Sleep
           ,
           to
           whom
           the
           longest
           Night
           seems
           but
           as
           a
           Moment
           :
           so
           when
           the
           Saints
           first
           awake
           from
           Death
           ,
           in
           the
           great
           Morning
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           a
           thousand
           Years
           will
           seem
           no
           more
           to
           them
           than
           to
           God
           himself
           ,
           
             but
             as
             one
             day
          
           .
        
         
         
           I
           now
           come
           to
           prove
           the
           third
           thing
           ,
           That
           our
           Saviour
           will
           abolish
           the
           Dominion
           of
           Death
           over
           the
           Saints
           .
        
         
           Whilst
           the
           Bodies
           of
           the
           Saints
           remain
           in
           the
           Grave
           ,
           they
           seem
           to
           be
           absolutely
           under
           the
           Power
           of
           Death
           .
           The
           World
           is
           a
           Golgotha
           ,
           fill'd
           with
           the
           Monuments
           of
           its
           Victories
           .
           And
           it
           may
           be
           said
           to
           this
           our
           last
           Enemy
           ,
           in
           the
           Words
           of
           the
           Prophet
           to
           the
           bloody
           King
           ,
           
             Hast
             thou
             killed
             ,
             and
             taken
             Possession
             ?
          
           But
           we
           are
           assur'd
           by
           an
           infallible
           Word
           ,
           that
           the
           Power
           of
           Death
           shall
           be
           abolish'd
           ,
           and
           the
           Bodies
           of
           the
           Saints
           be
           reviv'd
           incorruptible
           and
           immortal
           .
        
         
           The
           Resurrection
           is
           a
           
             Terra
             incognita
          
           to
           the
           wisest
           Heathens
           ;
           a
           Doctrine
           peculiar
           to
           the
           Gospel
           :
           some
           Glimmerings
           they
           had
           of
           the
           Soul's
           Immortality
           ,
           without
           which
           all
           Vertue
           had
           been
           extinguish'd
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           but
           no
           conjecture
           of
           the
           reviving
           of
           the
           Body
           .
           But
           Reason
           assists
           Faith
           in
           this
           point
           ,
           both
           as
           to
           the
           Will
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           his
           Power
           for
           the
           performing
           it
           .
           I
           will
           glance
           upon
           the
           natural
           Reasons
           that
           induce
           the
           considering
           Mind
           to
           receive
           this
           Doctrine
           ,
           and
           more
           largely
           shew
           how
           
             the
             Resurrection
             of
             the
             
             Just
             is
             assured
          
           by
           our
           Redeemer
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           Divine
           Laws
           are
           the
           Rule
           of
           Duty
           to
           the
           entire
           Man
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           the
           Soul
           only
           :
           and
           they
           are
           obeyed
           or
           violated
           by
           the
           Soul
           and
           Body
           in
           Conjunction
           .
           Therefore
           there
           must
           be
           a
           Resurrection
           of
           the
           Body
           ,
           that
           the
           entire
           Person
           may
           be
           capable
           of
           Recompences
           in
           Judgment
           .
           The
           Soul
           designs
           ,
           the
           Body
           executes
           :
           the
           Senses
           are
           the
           open
           Ports
           to
           admit
           Temptations
           .
           Carnal
           Affections
           deprave
           the
           Soul
           ,
           corrupt
           the
           Mind
           ,
           and
           mislead
           it
           .
           The
           Love
           of
           Sin
           is
           founded
           
             in
             bono
             jucundo
          
           ,
           in
           sensible
           Pleasures
           :
           
             and
             the
             Members
             are
             the
             Servants
             of
             Iniquity
             .
          
           The
           Heart
           is
           the
           Fountain
           of
           Prophaneness
           ,
           and
           the
           Tongue
           expresses
           it
           .
           And
           the
           Body
           is
           obsequious
           to
           the
           Holy
           Soul
           in
           doing
           or
           suffering
           for
           God
           ;
           and
           denies
           its
           sensual
           Appetites
           and
           Satisfactions
           in
           Compliance
           with
           Reason
           and
           Grace
           .
           The
           
             Members
             are
             the
             Instruments
             of
             Righteousness
             .
          
           It
           follows
           then
           there
           will
           be
           an
           universal
           Resurrection
           ,
           that
           the
           rewarding
           Goodness
           of
           God
           may
           appear
           in
           making
           the
           Bodies
           of
           his
           Servants
           gloriously
           happy
           with
           their
           Souls
           ,
           and
           their
           Souls
           compleatly
           happy
           in
           Union
           with
           their
           Bodies
           ,
           
           to
           which
           they
           have
           a
           natural
           Inclination
           ,
           and
           his
           revenging
           Justice
           be
           manifest
           in
           punishing
           the
           Bodies
           of
           the
           Wicked
           with
           eternal
           Torments
           answerable
           to
           their
           Guilt
           .
        
         
           And
           of
           the
           Possibility
           of
           the
           Resurrection
           ,
           the
           circular
           and
           continual
           Production
           of
           things
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           is
           a
           clear
           Demonstration
           of
           the
           Power
           of
           God
           for
           that
           effect
           .
           There
           is
           a
           pregnant
           Instance
           that
           our
           Saviour
           and
           the
           Apostle
           made
           use
           of
           as
           an
           Image
           of
           the
           Resurrection
           :
           A
           Grain
           of
           Corn
           sowed
           in
           the
           Earth
           ,
           corrupts
           and
           dies
           ,
           and
           after
           springs
           up
           entire
           :
           its
           Death
           is
           a
           disposition
           to
           Life
           .
           The
           Essays
           of
           God's
           Power
           in
           the
           Works
           of
           returning
           Nature
           ,
           Flowers
           and
           Fruits
           in
           their
           season
           ,
           instruct
           us
           how
           easily
           he
           can
           make
           those
           that
           are
           in
           the
           Dust
           to
           awake
           to
           Life
           .
           If
           the
           Art
           of
           Man
           ,
           whose
           Power
           and
           Skill
           are
           very
           narrow
           and
           limited
           ,
           can
           refine
           Gold
           and
           Silver
           to
           such
           a
           Luster
           ,
           as
           if
           their
           matter
           were
           not
           *
           Earth
           digged
           out
           of
           the
           Mines
           :
           If
           from
           black
           Cinders
           it
           can
           form
           Chrystal
           Glasses
           so
           clear
           and
           shining
           ,
           how
           much
           more
           can
           Omnipotency
           recompact
           our
           Dust
           ,
           and
           reanimate
           it
           with
           a
           glorious
           Life
           ?
           Death
           
           that
           dissolves
           our
           vital
           Frame
           ,
           does
           not
           abolish
           the
           matter
           of
           our
           Bodies
           :
           and
           though
           't
           is
           corrupted
           and
           changed
           by
           a
           thousand
           accidents
           ,
           yet
           't
           is
           unperishing
           ;
           and
           under
           whatsoever
           Colours
           and
           Figures
           it
           appears
           ,
           God
           perfectly
           discerns
           ,
           and
           will
           separate
           it
           for
           its
           proper
           use
           .
        
         
           More
           particularly
           ,
           I
           will
           shew
           how
           the
           Resurrection
           of
           Christ
           is
           an
           assurance
           of
           the
           Resurrection
           of
           Believers
           to
           Glory
           .
           As
           our
           Surety
           he
           was
           under
           the
           arrest
           of
           Death
           ;
           it
           becoming
           the
           holy
           Majesty
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           conducing
           to
           the
           ends
           of
           his
           Government
           ,
           not
           to
           derogate
           from
           the
           dignity
           of
           his
           Law
           ,
           but
           to
           lay
           the
           penalty
           upon
           his
           Son
           ,
           who
           interposed
           for
           us
           .
           Now
           having
           finish'd
           the
           Work
           of
           our
           Redemption
           by
           his
           Sufferings
           ,
           his
           Resurrection
           was
           the
           just
           consequent
           of
           his
           Passion
           .
           And
           't
           is
           observable
           that
           his
           Resurrection
           ,
           tho
           one
           entire
           Act
           ,
           is
           ascribed
           as
           to
           himself
           ,
           so
           to
           his
           Father
           ,
           
           by
           whose
           consent
           and
           concurrence
           he
           rose
           again
           .
           Therefore
           't
           is
           said
           ,
           
             Whom
             God
             raised
             up
             ,
             having
             loosed
             the
             Pains
             of
             Death
             ,
          
           
           
             since
             it
             was
             impossible
             he
             should
             be
             holden
             by
             it
             .
          
           'T
           was
           naturally
           impossible
           upon
           the
           account
           of
           the
           Divine
           Power
           inherent
           in
           his
           
           Person
           ,
           and
           legally
           impossible
           ,
           because
           Divine
           Justice
           required
           that
           he
           should
           be
           raised
           to
           Life
           ;
           partly
           to
           vindicate
           his
           Innocence
           ,
           for
           he
           was
           reputed
           ,
           and
           suffered
           as
           a
           Malefactor
           ,
           and
           principally
           because
           he
           had
           fully
           satisfied
           God.
           Accordingly
           the
           Apostle
           declares
           ,
           
             he
             died
             for
             our
             Sins
          
           ,
           
           
             and
             rose
             again
             for
             our
             Justification
             .
          
           Having
           paid
           our
           Debt
           ,
           he
           was
           releas'd
           from
           the
           Grave
           ,
           and
           the
           Discharge
           was
           most
           solemnly
           publish'd
           to
           the
           World.
           'T
           is
           therefore
           said
           ,
           
           
             the
             God
             of
             Peace
             raised
             him
             from
             the
             Dead
             :
          
           the
           Act
           is
           most
           congruously
           ascribed
           unto
           God
           ,
           invested
           with
           that
           Title
           ,
           because
           his
           Power
           was
           exerted
           in
           that
           glorious
           Work
           ,
           after
           he
           was
           
             reconciled
             by
             the
             Blood
             of
             the
             Covenant
             .
          
           Briefly
           ,
           Our
           Saviour's
           Victory
           over
           Death
           was
           obtained
           by
           dying
           ,
           his
           Triumph
           by
           rising
           again
           .
           He
           foil'd
           our
           common
           Enemy
           in
           his
           own
           Territories
           the
           Grave
           .
           His
           Death
           was
           a
           Counter-poison
           to
           Death
           it self
           :
           as
           a
           bruised
           Scorpion
           is
           a
           *
           noble
           Antidote
           against
           its
           Venom
           .
        
         
           Indeed
           his
           Death
           is
           incomparably
           a
           greater
           Wonder
           than
           his
           Resurrection
           .
           For
           't
           is
           apparently
           more
           difficult
           that
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           ,
           who
           originally
           possesses
           
           Immortality
           ,
           should
           die
           ,
           than
           that
           the
           humane
           Body
           united
           to
           him
           ,
           should
           be
           raised
           to
           a
           glorious
           Life
           .
           It
           is
           more
           conceivable
           that
           God
           should
           communicate
           to
           the
           humane
           Nature
           some
           of
           his
           Divine
           Perfections
           ,
           Impassibility
           ,
           and
           Immortality
           ,
           than
           that
           he
           should
           submit
           to
           our
           lowest
           Infirmities
           ,
           Sufferings
           ,
           and
           Death
           .
        
         
           Now
           the
           Resurrection
           of
           Christ
           is
           the
           argument
           and
           claim
           of
           our
           happy
           Resurrection
           .
           For
           God
           chose
           and
           appointed
           him
           to
           be
           the
           Example
           and
           Principle
           from
           whom
           all
           Divine
           Blessings
           should
           be
           derived
           to
           us
           .
           Accordingly
           he
           tells
           his
           Disciples
           in
           a
           fore-cited
           Scripture
           ,
           
             Because
             I
             live
             ,
             ye
             shall
             live
             also
             .
          
           Our
           Nature
           was
           rais'd
           in
           his
           Person
           ,
           and
           in
           our
           Nature
           all
           Believers
           :
           Therefore
           he
           is
           called
           
             the
             first-fruits
             of
             them
             that
             sleep
          
           ;
           because
           as
           the
           first
           Fruits
           were
           a
           pledg
           and
           assurance
           of
           the
           following
           Harvest
           ;
           and
           as
           from
           the
           condition
           of
           the
           first
           Fruits
           being
           offered
           to
           God
           ,
           the
           whole
           Harvest
           was
           entitled
           to
           a
           Consecration
           ;
           so
           our
           Saviour's
           Resurrection
           to
           the
           Life
           of
           Glory
           is
           the
           earnest
           and
           assurance
           of
           ours
           .
           He
           is
           called
           
             the
             first-born
             among
             the
             Dead
          
           ,
           and
           owns
           the
           Race
           of
           departed
           Believers
           
           as
           his
           Brethren
           ,
           who
           shall
           be
           restored
           to
           Life
           according
           to
           his
           Pattern
           .
           He
           is
           
             the
             Head
          
           ,
           Believers
           
             are
             his
             Members
          
           ,
           and
           therefore
           shall
           have
           Communion
           with
           him
           in
           his
           Life
           .
           The
           effect
           is
           so
           infallible
           ,
           that
           now
           they
           are
           said
           
             to
             be
             raised
             up
             together
          
           ,
           
           
             and
             made
             to
             sit
             in
             heavenly
             Places
             in
             Christ
             Jesus
             .
          
           If
           his
           Victory
           over
           our
           Enemies
           had
           been
           imperfect
           ,
           and
           he
           had
           saved
           himself
           with
           difficulty
           and
           hazard
           ,
           [
           
             as
             it
             were
             by
             Fire
          
           ]
           in
           the
           Apostle's
           expression
           ,
           our
           Redemption
           had
           not
           been
           accomplish'd
           :
           But
           his
           Passion
           was
           triumphant
           ;
           and
           is
           it
           conceivable
           ,
           that
           he
           should
           leave
           the
           Saints
           ,
           his
           own
           by
           so
           many
           dear
           titles
           ,
           under
           the
           power
           of
           Death
           ?
           If
           Moses
           ,
           the
           Deliverer
           of
           Israel
           from
           the
           Tyranny
           of
           Pharaoh
           ,
           
           would
           not
           suffer
           any
           thing
           of
           theirs
           ,
           
             not
             an
             hoof
          
           to
           remain
           in
           the
           House
           of
           Bondage
           ;
           Will
           our
           great
           Redeemer
           be
           less
           perfect
           in
           his
           Work
           ?
           Shall
           our
           last
           Enemy
           always
           detain
           his
           Spoils
           ,
           our
           Bodies
           ,
           in
           the
           Grave
           ?
           This
           would
           reflect
           upon
           his
           Love
           and
           Power
           .
           'T
           is
           recorded
           ,
           to
           confirm
           our
           Hopes
           ,
           how
           early
           his
           Power
           was
           displayed
           in
           forcing
           the
           Grave
           to
           release
           its
           chained
           Captives
           :
           
             And
             many
             Bodies
             of
             Saints
             which
             slept
             arose
             ,
          
           
           
           
             and
             came
             out
             of
             the
             Graves
             after
             his
             Resurrection
             ,
             and
             went
             into
             the
             holy
             City
             ,
             and
             appeared
             unto
             many
             .
          
           What
           better
           Earnest
           can
           we
           have
           ,
           that
           the
           strength
           of
           Death
           is
           broken
           ?
           From
           what
           he
           has
           done
           to
           what
           he
           is
           able
           to
           do
           ,
           the
           Consequence
           is
           clear
           .
           The
           Apostle
           tells
           us
           ,
           
             He
             will
             raise
             our
             vile
             Bodies
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             change
             them
             like
             unto
             his
             glorious
             Body
             ,
             by
             that
             Power
             whereby
             he
             is
             able
             to
             subdue
             all
             things
             to
             himself
             .
          
           Our
           Redemption
           
             will
             then
             be
             compleat
          
           ,
           
           and
           all
           the
           bitterness
           of
           Death
           past
           .
           The
           Redemption
           of
           the
           Soul
           is
           accomplish'd
           from
           Sin
           and
           Misery
           immediately
           after
           Death
           :
           but
           the
           Redemption
           of
           the
           Body
           is
           the
           last
           in
           order
           ,
           and
           reserved
           to
           crown
           our
           Felicity
           at
           the
           Great
           Day
           .
           Then
           
             Death
             shall
             be
             swallowed
             up
             in
             Victory
             ,
          
           
           abolish'd
           for
           ever
           .
        
         
           And
           O
           the
           joyful
           reunion
           of
           those
           dear
           Relatives
           after
           such
           a
           Divorce
           !
           when
           the
           Body
           that
           was
           so
           long
           detained
           in
           the
           loathsome
           Grave
           ,
           
           shall
           be
           reformed
           with
           all
           glorious
           Perfections
           ,
           and
           be
           a
           fit
           Instrument
           for
           the
           Soul
           ,
           and
           partaker
           with
           it
           in
           consummate
           Blessedness
           and
           Immortality
           .
           'T
           is
           said
           ,
           that
           
             those
             that
             wear
             rich
             Clothing
             are
             in
             Kings
             Houses
             :
          
           but
           what
           are
           all
           the
           
           Robes
           of
           costly
           Folly
           wherein
           earthly
           Courtiers
           appear
           ,
           to
           the
           Brightness
           and
           Beauty
           of
           the
           Spiritual
           Body
           wherewith
           the
           Saints
           shall
           be
           clothed
           ,
           to
           qualify
           them
           for
           the
           Presence
           of
           the
           King
           of
           Kings
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           in
           his
           House
           for
           ever
           ?
           But
           O
           the
           miserable
           Condition
           of
           the
           Wicked
           in
           that
           Day
           !
           Death
           now
           breaks
           their
           Bodies
           and
           Souls
           into
           an
           irreconcileable
           Enmity
           ,
           and
           how
           sad
           will
           their
           Conjunction
           be
           !
           The
           Soul
           will
           accuse
           the
           Body
           to
           have
           been
           Sin
           's
           Solicitor
           ,
           continually
           tempting
           to
           Sensualities
           :
           and
           the
           Body
           will
           upbraid
           more
           than
           ever
           it
           allured
           the
           Soul
           ,
           for
           its
           wicked
           Compliance
           :
           Then
           the
           Sinner
           shall
           be
           an
           entire
           Sacrifice
           burning
           ,
           
           but
           never
           consumed
           .
           Now
           from
           the
           assurance
           of
           a
           blessed
           Resurrection
           by
           Christ
           ,
           the
           forementioned
           Fear
           of
           Death
           is
           conquered
           in
           Believers
           .
           If
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           †
           Transmigration
           of
           Souls
           into
           Bodies
           (
           the
           invention
           of
           Pythagoras
           )
           inspired
           his
           Disciples
           with
           that
           fiery
           vigour
           ,
           as
           to
           encounter
           the
           most
           present
           and
           apparent
           Dangers
           ,
           being
           fearless
           to
           part
           with
           the
           Life
           that
           should
           be
           restored
           ;
           how
           much
           more
           
           should
           a
           Christian
           with
           a
           holy
           Confidence
           receive
           Death
           ,
           knowing
           that
           the
           Life
           of
           his
           Body
           shall
           not
           be
           finally
           lost
           ,
           but
           renewed
           in
           a
           blessed
           Eternity
           ?
        
         
           The
           fourth
           General
           to
           be
           considered
           is
           ,
           the
           Persons
           that
           have
           an
           Interest
           in
           this
           blessed
           Priviledg
           .
        
         
           This
           Inquiry
           is
           of
           infinite
           moment
           ,
           both
           for
           the
           awakning
           of
           the
           Secure
           ,
           who
           vainly
           presume
           upon
           their
           Interest
           in
           the
           Salvation
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           confirming
           and
           encouraging
           the
           Saints
           .
           And
           we
           have
           an
           infallible
           rule
           of
           trial
           declared
           by
           St.
           John
           ;
           
           
             He
             that
             hath
             the
             Son
             ,
             hath
             Life
             ;
             and
             he
             that
             hath
             not
             the
             Son
             ,
             hath
             not
             Life
             .
          
           All
           the
           excellent
           and
           comfortable
           Benefits
           procur'd
           by
           our
           Saviour
           are
           communicated
           only
           to
           those
           who
           are
           united
           to
           him
           .
           Particularly
           with
           respect
           to
           the
           present
           Subject
           :
           Justification
           ,
           that
           great
           Blessing
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           the
           compleat
           Pardon
           of
           Sins
           ,
           that
           disarms
           Death
           of
           its
           Sting
           ,
           is
           not
           common
           to
           all
           that
           are
           Christians
           in
           title
           ,
           but
           is
           a
           Priviledg
           with
           a
           limitation
           ;
           
           
             There
             is
             no
             Condemnation
             to
             those
             that
             are
             in
             Christ
             Jesus
             ,
          
           vitally
           as
           their
           Head
           ,
           from
           whom
           are
           derived
           spiritual
           Influences
           ,
           and
           judicially
           
           as
           their
           Advocate
           in
           Judgment
           ;
           and
           such
           are
           described
           by
           this
           infallible
           Character
           ,
           
             who
             walk
             not
             after
             the
             Flesh
             ,
             but
             after
             the
             Spirit
             .
          
           The
           Blessedness
           after
           Death
           that
           is
           assured
           by
           a
           Voice
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           is
           with
           this
           precise
           restriction
           ,
           exclusive
           of
           all
           others
           :
           
             Blessed
             are
             the
             Dead
             that
             die
             in
             the
             Lord
          
           ;
           
           
             they
             rest
             from
             their
             Labours
             ,
             and
             their
             Works
             follow
             them
             .
          
           The
           glorious
           Resurrection
           at
           the
           last
           Day
           ,
           when
           the
           Bodies
           of
           the
           Saints
           that
           now
           rest
           in
           Hope
           ,
           shall
           be
           incorruptible
           and
           immortal
           ,
           is
           the
           consequence
           of
           Union
           with
           him
           .
           Thus
           the
           Apostle
           declares
           ;
           
             As
             in
             Adam
             all
             die
          
           ,
           
           
             so
             in
             Christ
             shall
             all
             be
             made
             alive
             .
          
           As
           all
           that
           were
           naturally
           in
           and
           from
           Adam
           ,
           the
           corrupt
           Fountain
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           are
           under
           the
           sentence
           of
           Death
           ;
           so
           all
           that
           are
           in
           Christ
           the
           Head
           of
           the
           Regenerate
           ,
           shall
           partake
           of
           his
           blessed
           Life
           .
           Others
           shall
           be
           raised
           by
           his
           Power
           ,
           as
           their
           Judg
           ,
           but
           not
           as
           their
           Head
           :
           rais'd
           to
           be
           more
           miserable
           than
           Death
           can
           make
           them
           ,
           not
           be
           transform'd
           into
           his
           glorious
           Resemblance
           ;
           made
           capable
           of
           suffering
           an
           ever-dying
           Death
           ,
           not
           revived
           to
           eternal
           Life
           .
        
         
         
           Now
           the
           Bond
           of
           our
           Union
           to
           Christ
           ,
           is
           the
           Holy
           Spirit
           derived
           from
           him
           ,
           as
           the
           Head
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           is
           the
           inward
           ,
           powerful
           and
           lasting
           Principle
           of
           Holiness
           ,
           and
           new
           Obedience
           in
           Believers
           .
           
           
             He
             that
             is
             joined
             to
             the
             Lord
             ,
             is
             one
             Spirit
             :
          
           that
           is
           ,
           by
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Holiness
           has
           a
           real
           Participation
           of
           his
           Life
           ,
           is
           both
           
             quickned
             and
             united
             to
             him
          
           .
           
           When
           the
           Prophet
           Elisha
           by
           the
           outward
           applying
           the
           parts
           of
           his
           Body
           to
           the
           dead
           Child
           ,
           
           inspir'd
           Life
           into
           him
           ,
           there
           was
           no
           real
           Union
           between
           them
           :
           but
           Christ
           is
           by
           his
           Spirit
           so
           intimately
           united
           to
           Believers
           ,
           
             that
             he
             lives
             in
             them
          
           ,
           and
           
             they
             in
             him
          
           .
           
           The
           sanctifying
           Spirit
           renews
           the
           directing
           and
           commanding
           Faculties
           ,
           the
           Fountains
           of
           moral
           Actions
           ;
           enlightens
           the
           Understanding
           with
           saving
           Knowledg
           ,
           rectifies
           the
           Obliquity
           of
           the
           Will
           ,
           purifies
           the
           Affections
           ,
           and
           reforms
           the
           Life
           ;
           so
           that
           
             the
             same
             Mind
          
           is
           in
           Christians
           
             as
             was
             in
             Christ
          
           ;
           and
           as
           
             his
             Conversation
             was
          
           ,
           such
           
             is
             theirs
             in
             the
             World.
          
           This
           Divine
           Change
           is
           not
           wrought
           by
           natural
           Reason
           ,
           though
           assisted
           by
           the
           most
           powerful
           Arguments
           .
           The
           Breath
           of
           a
           Man
           may
           as
           easily
           dispel
           a
           Mist
           ,
           or
           
           thaw
           a
           Frost
           ,
           as
           humane
           Directions
           and
           Motives
           to
           Vertue
           can
           renew
           the
           Mind
           and
           Heart
           ,
           and
           produce
           a
           Holy
           frame
           of
           Soul
           towards
           God.
           Renewed
           Christians
           are
           said
           to
           
             be
             in
             the
             Spirit
          
           ,
           illuminated
           ,
           inclin'd
           and
           enabled
           by
           the
           Spirit
           to
           do
           God's
           Will
           ;
           and
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           to
           dwell
           in
           them
           ,
           by
           his
           peculiar
           and
           eminent
           Operations
           .
           
             They
             live
             in
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             and
             walk
             in
             the
             Spirit
             .
          
           An
           Angel
           may
           assume
           a
           Body
           ,
           and
           act
           by
           it
           :
           but
           the
           humane
           Soul
           enlivens
           it
           ,
           and
           performs
           sensible
           Operations
           by
           it
           .
           And
           such
           a
           Principle
           is
           the
           Holy
           Spirit
           to
           the
           Soul
           ,
           gives
           it
           spiritual
           Life
           ,
           Activity
           and
           Power
           for
           good
           Works
           .
           By
           what
           Application
           of
           the
           Spirit
           's
           Power
           this
           is
           produc'd
           is
           mysterious
           and
           inexplicable
           :
           but
           as
           the
           Apostle
           speaks
           of
           his
           Rapture
           into
           the
           third
           Heavens
           ,
           that
           he
           knew
           it
           was
           real
           ,
           and
           heard
           
             unutterable
             things
          
           ;
           though
           how
           it
           was
           performed
           ,
           
             whether
             in
             the
             Body
             ,
             or
             out
             of
             the
             Body
             ,
          
           he
           could
           not
           tell
           :
           thus
           when
           a
           natural
           Man
           ,
           the
           current
           of
           whose
           Thoughts
           and
           Affections
           ,
           was
           to
           the
           things
           of
           this
           World
           ,
           becomes
           spiritual
           ,
           when
           the
           carnal
           Appetite
           is
           subdued
           ,
           and
           sanctified
           Reason
           has
           the
           Throne
           ,
           when
           he
           feels
           such
           
           strong
           and
           sweet
           Impulsives
           to
           Holiness
           as
           engage
           the
           Will
           ;
           when
           the
           Stream
           of
           his
           Desires
           ascend
           to
           the
           things
           above
           ,
           and
           his
           Life
           becomes
           Holy
           and
           Heavenly
           ,
           he
           feels
           and
           knows
           this
           wonderful
           Change
           ,
           though
           the
           manner
           how
           it
           was
           wrought
           he
           cannot
           tell
           .
           I
           will
           shew
           more
           fully
           this
           sanctifying
           Work
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           that
           we
           may
           the
           better
           understand
           our
           State.
           
        
         
           The
           Spirit
           of
           God
           is
           denominated
           by
           various
           Titles
           ,
           
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Truth
          
           ,
           
           
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Holiness
             ,
             the
             Comforter
             ,
          
           and
           represented
           by
           various
           Types
           ,
           
           by
           
             an
             Ointment
             that
             clarifies
             the
             Eye
             to
             see
             things
             aright
             ,
          
           by
           
             cleansing
             refreshing
             Water
          
           ,
           by
           
             purifying
             refining
             Fire
          
           ,
           correspondent
           to
           his
           sacred
           Operations
           in
           the
           Soul.
           
        
         
           As
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Truth
           ,
           he
           illuminates
           the
           Understanding
           to
           see
           the
           Reality
           and
           Excellency
           of
           supernatural
           and
           Heavenly
           things
           ,
           of
           the
           great
           Mysteries
           of
           Godliness
           ,
           of
           Eternal
           Glory
           ;
           so
           that
           a
           Christian
           in
           his
           most
           deliberate
           ,
           solemn
           and
           composed
           Thoughts
           ,
           in
           his
           exactest
           Valuation
           infinitely
           prefers
           them
           before
           the
           gaudy
           Vanities
           of
           this
           transient
           World.
           When
           the
           Eyes
           of
           the
           Mind
           are
           truly
           
           enlightned
           ,
           present
           things
           appear
           ,
           or
           rather
           disappear
           ,
           as
           Shadows
           .
        
         
           As
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Holiness
           he
           renews
           the
           Will
           and
           Affections
           ,
           inspires
           the
           Soul
           with
           Divine
           and
           unutterable
           Desires
           after
           the
           Favour
           and
           Grace
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           communicates
           spiritual
           Power
           for
           the
           Prosecution
           and
           obtaining
           those
           Desires
           .
        
         
           The
           Holy
           Spirit
           raises
           such
           a
           Love
           to
           God
           ,
           that
           habitually
           and
           strongly
           inclines
           the
           Soul
           to
           obey
           his
           Commands
           .
        
         
           This
           is
           the
           most
           clear
           and
           essential
           Character
           of
           a
           Christian
           ,
           the
           special
           and
           most
           excellent
           Property
           of
           a
           Saint
           ,
           upon
           which
           all
           other
           Holy
           Qualifications
           depend
           .
           As
           Reason
           is
           the
           first
           and
           chief
           Excellence
           of
           Man
           ,
           from
           whence
           his
           other
           Perfections
           are
           derived
           ,
           that
           distinguish
           him
           from
           the
           Brutes
           ,
           and
           give
           him
           a
           natural
           and
           regular
           Preeminence
           and
           Dominion
           over
           them
           ,
           so
           that
           a
           Man
           is
           most
           properly
           defined
           a
           reasonable
           Creature
           .
           Thus
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           is
           the
           most
           Divine
           Grace
           ,
           the
           true
           Form
           of
           Holiness
           ,
           the
           Root
           from
           whence
           all
           other
           Vertues
           spring
           and
           flourish
           ,
           and
           most
           peculiarly
           distinguish
           a
           Saint
           from
           unregenerate
           Men
           ,
           
           however
           adorn'd
           and
           accomplish'd
           ;
           so
           that
           a
           Saint
           is
           most
           properly
           defined
           to
           be
           a
           Lover
           of
           God.
           
        
         
           This
           is
           the
           Principle
           of
           true
           Holiness
           inherent
           in
           the
           Soul
           ,
           and
           shining
           in
           the
           Conversation
           ,
           that
           distinguishes
           the
           Sincerity
           of
           a
           Saint
           from
           the
           Art
           of
           Hypocrisy
           ,
           an
           affected
           Appearance
           of
           Religion
           for
           carnal
           sordid
           respects
           :
           and
           from
           civil
           Vertue
           ,
           that
           restrains
           from
           what
           is
           ignominious
           and
           disgraceful
           to
           our
           Reputation
           ,
           and
           makes
           obnoxious
           to
           Penalties
           of
           the
           Laws
           ,
           and
           excites
           to
           praise-worthy
           Actions
           ,
           upon
           worldly
           Motives
           :
           and
           from
           Philosophical
           Morality
           ,
           that
           forbids
           Vice
           as
           contrary
           to
           Reason
           ,
           and
           commends
           Vertue
           as
           the
           chief
           Ornament
           and
           Perfection
           of
           humane
           Nature
           ,
           without
           a
           Regard
           to
           please
           and
           glorify
           God.
           
        
         
           And
           Divine
           Love
           is
           the
           Principle
           of
           universal
           Holiness
           .
           Love
           is
           called
           
             the
             fulfilling
             of
             the
             Law
          
           ,
           as
           't
           is
           a
           comprehensive
           Grace
           ,
           and
           as
           it
           draws
           forth
           all
           the
           active
           Powers
           of
           the
           Soul
           to
           do
           God's
           Will
           in
           an
           exact
           manner
           .
           Universal
           Obedience
           is
           the
           Exercise
           of
           Love
           in
           various
           Instances
           .
           As
           the
           Spouse
           in
           the
           Song
           of
           Solomon
           is
           transform'd
           in
           divers
           Representations
           ;
           sometimes
           
           as
           
             a
             Sister
          
           ,
           sometimes
           as
           
             a
             Warriour
          
           ,
           sometimes
           as
           
             the
             Keeper
             of
             a
             Vineyard
          
           ,
           but
           she
           always
           acted
           as
           a
           Lover
           ,
           and
           her
           chief
           business
           was
           to
           please
           her
           Beloved
           .
           This
           Allegorical
           Description
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           signifies
           that
           when
           the
           Soul
           is
           inflamed
           with
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           Affection
           will
           be
           active
           and
           discover
           it self
           in
           all
           it
           does
           or
           suffers
           in
           the
           Service
           of
           God.
           This
           will
           make
           a
           Christian
           very
           desirous
           and
           diligent
           to
           please
           God
           in
           all
           things
           ,
           and
           careful
           not
           to
           displease
           him
           in
           any
           thing
           ;
           for
           that
           is
           the
           inseparable
           Effect
           of
           Love.
           The
           Felicity
           of
           the
           natural
           temper
           ,
           and
           the
           force
           of
           Education
           ,
           may
           cause
           a
           loathing
           of
           some
           Evils
           ,
           and
           dispose
           to
           some
           good
           Works
           ,
           but
           with
           a
           reserved
           delight
           in
           other
           Sins
           ,
           and
           a
           secret
           Exception
           against
           other
           Duties
           .
           Servile
           Fear
           is
           a
           partial
           Principle
           ,
           and
           causes
           an
           unequal
           respect
           to
           the
           Divine
           Precepts
           :
           it
           restrains
           from
           Sins
           of
           greater
           Guilt
           ,
           at
           which
           Conscience
           takes
           fire
           :
           it
           urges
           to
           some
           Duties
           ,
           the
           neglect
           of
           which
           causes
           Disquiet
           :
           but
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           causes
           the
           Hatred
           of
           Sin
           ;
           and
           therefore
           't
           is
           against
           all
           Sin
           ,
           not
           only
           to
           prevent
           the
           Exercise
           of
           it
           ,
           but
           to
           eradicate
           
           it
           out
           of
           the
           Soul.
           All
           the
           fearful
           consequences
           of
           Sin
           do
           not
           render
           it
           so
           odious
           to
           a
           gracious
           Spirit
           ,
           as
           its
           own
           proper
           Idea
           and
           intrinsick
           Evil
           ,
           as
           't
           is
           contrary
           to
           the
           holy
           Nature
           and
           Law
           of
           God.
           Love
           unites
           the
           Soul
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           turns
           the
           Thoughts
           continually
           to
           him
           :
           and
           the
           lively
           sense
           of
           his
           Majesty
           and
           Presence
           ,
           who
           is
           so
           pure
           that
           he
           cannot
           behold
           Iniquity
           ,
           causes
           an
           aversion
           from
           all
           that
           is
           displeasing
           to
           his
           Divine
           Eyes
           .
           And
           from
           hence
           it
           is
           that
           a
           zealous
           Lover
           of
           God
           is
           frequent
           and
           strict
           in
           reviewing
           his
           Heart
           and
           Ways
           ,
           and
           upon
           the
           discovery
           of
           sinful
           failings
           ,
           renews
           his
           Repentance
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           exercise
           of
           Grief
           and
           Love
           ,
           and
           renews
           his
           purposes
           of
           more
           care
           and
           circumspection
           for
           the
           future
           .
           Love
           aspires
           to
           be
           like
           God
           in
           all
           possible
           degrees
           of
           Purity
           :
           for
           it
           inflames
           our
           Desires
           after
           his
           Favour
           ,
           as
           that
           which
           is
           better
           than
           Life
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           sweetest
           enjoyments
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           Holiness
           is
           the
           powerful
           attractive
           of
           God's
           delightful
           Love
           to
           us
           .
        
         
           Love
           is
           the
           Principle
           of
           free
           ,
           ingenuous
           ,
           and
           joyful
           Obedience
           .
           'T
           was
           our
           Saviour's
           Meat
           and
           Drink
           to
           do
           the
           Will
           of
           his
           Father
           .
           For
           Love
           is
           the
           
           fountain
           of
           Pleasure
           ,
           it
           moves
           the
           Soul
           with
           Election
           and
           Liberty
           ,
           and
           makes
           every
           thing
           grateful
           that
           proceeds
           from
           it
           .
           Therefore
           the
           Apostle
           declares
           ,
           
             that
             the
             Law
             is
             not
             made
             for
             a
             righteous
             Man
          
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           enforc'd
           by
           terrible
           penalties
           ,
           to
           constrain
           rebellious
           Sinners
           to
           Obedience
           :
           for
           Love
           is
           an
           internal
           living
           Law
           in
           the
           Heart
           ,
           and
           has
           an
           Imperial
           Power
           over
           his
           Actions
           .
           And
           this
           also
           distinguishes
           the
           renovation
           of
           one
           sanctified
           by
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           from
           the
           imperfect
           Change
           that
           is
           made
           in
           the
           Unregenerate
           .
           They
           may
           stop
           the
           eruption
           of
           corrupt
           Nature
           ,
           but
           
             are
             Swine
             that
             being
             wash'd
             ,
             have
             an
             inclination
             to
             wallow
             in
             the
             Mire
             :
          
           they
           may
           by
           strong
           impressions
           of
           Fear
           be
           urged
           to
           do
           many
           good
           things
           ;
           but
           in
           this
           they
           are
           like
           a
           Bowl
           that
           is
           thrown
           with
           such
           violence
           ,
           as
           controuls
           the
           drawing
           of
           the
           Bias
           ,
           and
           makes
           it
           run
           contrary
           to
           it
           .
           But
           Love
           enclines
           the
           Soul
           to
           obey
           the
           holy
           Motions
           of
           the
           Spirit
           with
           facility
           :
           as
           the
           Wheels
           in
           
           Ezekiel's
           Vision
           
             turned
             every
             way
             with
             readiness
             ,
             as
             the
             Spirit
             moved
             them
             .
          
        
         
           And
           with
           holy
           Love
           there
           is
           a
           spiritual
           Power
           communicated
           ,
           that
           both
           the
           natural
           averseness
           and
           impotence
           
           to
           what
           is
           good
           may
           be
           healed
           .
           By
           the
           virtue
           of
           the
           sanctifying
           Spirit
           ,
           the
           Soul
           that
           was
           dead
           ,
           absolutely
           unable
           to
           perform
           spiritual
           and
           supernatural
           Acts
           ,
           
             is
             revived
             to
             a
             kind
             of
             Omnipotence
             ,
             it
             can
             do
             all
             things
             ,
          
           required
           by
           the
           Evangelical
           Covenant
           ,
           by
           the
           new
           Law
           that
           is
           in
           the
           hands
           of
           our
           merciful
           Mediator
           for
           Salvation
           .
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           there
           are
           relicks
           of
           Sin
           in
           the
           best
           ,
           and
           the
           Flesh
           and
           Spirit
           are
           repugnant
           Principles
           warring
           against
           one
           another
           :
           but
           the
           holy
           Spirit
           will
           make
           no
           capitulation
           or
           composition
           with
           Sin
           ,
           but
           is
           so
           predominant
           ,
           that
           Sin
           is
           gradually
           subdued
           ,
           and
           does
           not
           so
           freely
           and
           frequently
           break
           forth
           ,
           as
           it
           does
           from
           the
           unrenewed
           .
           By
           the
           accession
           of
           his
           Strength
           
             we
             are
             enabled
             to
             mortify
             the
             Deeds
             of
             the
             Body
             ,
             to
             crucify
             the
             Flesh
             with
             the
             Affections
             and
             Lust
             thereof
             :
          
           And
           to
           perform
           holy
           Duties
           with
           freedom
           ,
           alacrity
           and
           zeal
           ,
           in
           such
           a
           manner
           as
           is
           acceptable
           to
           God.
           In
           short
           ,
           saving
           Grace
           is
           distinguish'd
           from
           that
           which
           is
           common
           to
           the
           Unregenerate
           ,
           by
           its
           prevalency
           and
           constancy
           .
           There
           may
           be
           a
           declination
           in
           the
           Saints
           tending
           to
           a
           downfal
           ;
           but
           
             the
             Seed
             of
             God
          
           ,
           that
           supernatural
           Grace
           that
           
             remains
             in
             
             them
          
           ,
           will
           by
           the
           Power
           of
           the
           holy
           Spirit
           recover
           the
           Supremacy
           .
           Others
           may
           be
           enlightned
           ,
           and
           feel
           some
           good
           Motions
           ,
           and
           transient
           Touches
           ;
           as
           Saul
           had
           his
           rapture
           among
           the
           Prophets
           ;
           but
           they
           are
           not
           truly
           ,
           entirely
           ,
           and
           perseveringly
           converted
           to
           God
           ;
           they
           are
           not
           proof
           against
           the
           allurements
           or
           Terrors
           of
           the
           World.
           They
           make
           a
           fair
           Profession
           till
           they
           are
           tried
           by
           Temptations
           .
           Congealed
           drops
           of
           Water
           appear
           like
           solid
           Chrystal
           ,
           till
           the
           warm
           beams
           of
           the
           Sun
           dissolve
           them
           ,
           and
           discover
           the
           hypocrisy
           of
           the
           Chrystal
           .
           False
           Jewels
           may
           seem
           to
           have
           the
           lustre
           of
           Diamonds
           ,
           till
           they
           are
           broke
           by
           a
           fall
           ,
           and
           discovered
           to
           be
           Glass
           .
           Thus
           the
           Riches
           ,
           the
           Honours
           and
           Pleasures
           of
           the
           Flesh
           melt
           some
           ,
           and
           temporal
           Evils
           break
           the
           Resolutions
           of
           others
           ,
           and
           make
           it
           evident
           they
           were
           not
           sincere
           Converts
           .
           But
           where
           the
           holy
           Spirit
           savingly
           works
           ,
           he
           is
           said
           
             to
             dwell
          
           :
           he
           is
           not
           like
           a
           Passenger
           ,
           or
           a
           Tenant
           at
           will
           ,
           that
           neglects
           the
           House
           ,
           and
           suffers
           it
           to
           fall
           into
           ruine
           ,
           but
           as
           the
           Proprietary
           and
           Owner
           he
           keeps
           perpetual
           residence
           in
           true
           Christians
           ,
           and
           by
           his
           continual
           Influence
           preserves
           them
           from
           final
           Apostacy
           .
        
         
         
           Now
           from
           hence
           we
           may
           judg
           whether
           we
           have
           an
           Interest
           in
           Christ
           and
           his
           Benefits
           .
           For
           the
           Apostle
           clearly
           tells
           us
           ,
           
           
             That
             if
             any
             Man
             have
             not
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Christ
             ,
             he
             is
             none
             of
             his
             .
          
           By
           this
           sacred
           Signature
           ,
           we
           are
           appropriated
           to
           Christ
           ,
           and
           visibly
           distinguished
           from
           the
           World.
           For
           though
           the
           secret
           and
           pure
           Influences
           of
           the
           Spirit
           in
           the
           Soul
           are
           only
           known
           to
           the
           Person
           that
           feels
           them
           ,
           yet
           his
           active
           Inspirations
           are
           declarative
           of
           his
           Presence
           and
           Power
           in
           the
           outward
           Conversation
           .
           As
           the
           Wind
           that
           is
           of
           so
           thin
           and
           subtil
           a
           nature
           that
           't
           is
           invisible
           in
           it self
           ,
           but
           we
           certainly
           know
           from
           what
           Point
           it
           blows
           by
           the
           course
           and
           way
           that
           the
           Ship
           makes
           :
           thus
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           ,
           who
           is
           compared
           to
           the
           Wind
           ,
           is
           discovered
           by
           an
           infallible
           Indication
           ,
           his
           Fruits
           and
           Effects
           in
           a
           holy
           Life
           .
           And
           those
           who
           have
           communion
           with
           Christ
           by
           his
           Spirit
           ,
           have
           a
           share
           in
           his
           Victories
           ,
           and
           may
           with
           confidence
           meet
           the
           last
           Enemy
           ,
           Death
           :
           For
           we
           are
           assured
           ,
           
             If
             the
             Spirit
             of
             him
             that
             raised
             up
             Jesus
             from
             the
             dead
             ,
             dwell
             in
             us
             ,
          
           
           
             he
             that
             raised
             up
             Christ
             from
             the
             dead
             shall
             also
             quicken
             our
             mortal
             Bodies
             ,
             by
             the
             Spirit
             that
             dwelleth
             in
             us
             .
          
        
         
         
           A
           preparative
           conformity
           to
           Christ
           in
           Grace
           ,
           will
           be
           followed
           with
           a
           consummate
           in
           Glory
           .
           But
           those
           who
           never
           felt
           the
           sanctifying
           efficacy
           of
           the
           Spirit
           in
           their
           Hearts
           and
           Lives
           ,
           though
           they
           are
           Christians
           in
           profession
           ,
           yet
           they
           have
           no
           other
           Union
           with
           Christ
           ,
           than
           a
           dead
           Branch
           with
           a
           Tree
           that
           receives
           no
           sap
           and
           virtue
           from
           it
           ;
           or
           an
           artificial
           Member
           joined
           to
           the
           Body
           ,
           that
           may
           have
           the
           outward
           clothing
           and
           ornaments
           proper
           to
           that
           part
           ,
           but
           derives
           no
           Life
           and
           Sense
           from
           it
           .
           
             Whoever
             is
             in
             Christ
             is
             a
             new
             Creature
             .
          
           
           And
           only
           
             those
             who
             partake
             in
             the
             first
             Resurrection
             from
             Sin
             ,
             shall
             be
             exempted
             from
             the
             Power
             of
             the
             second
             Death
             ,
          
           and
           upon
           just
           grounds
           are
           freed
           from
           the
           Terrors
           of
           the
           first
           .
        
         
           To
           apply
           this
           Point
           ,
           let
           us
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           Consider
           our
           dear
           Obligations
           to
           our
           blessed
           Saviour
           ,
           who
           to
           free
           us
           from
           the
           sting
           and
           enslaving
           fear
           of
           Death
           ,
           submitted
           to
           it
           with
           all
           its
           Terrors
           from
           God
           and
           wicked
           Men.
           He
           felt
           a
           Sadness
           to
           an
           Agony
           in
           his
           Soul
           ,
           and
           suffered
           the
           equal
           extremities
           of
           Ignominy
           and
           Torment
           in
           his
           Body
           .
           The
           Favour
           of
           God
           was
           intercepted
           
           from
           him
           ,
           that
           it
           may
           shine
           upon
           us
           in
           that
           gloomy
           hour
           .
           And
           all
           his
           terrible
           Sufferings
           ,
           though
           foreknown
           by
           his
           enlightned
           Mind
           ,
           could
           not
           weaken
           his
           determined
           Will
           to
           undergo
           them
           for
           us
           :
           But
           when
           Peter
           regarded
           with
           a
           more
           tender
           eye
           his
           Life
           than
           our
           Salvation
           ,
           he
           was
           repell'd
           with
           indignation
           :
           Unparallel'd
           Love
           !
           no
           less
           than
           Divine
           ,
           transcending
           all
           the
           Instances
           of
           humane
           Affection
           .
           The
           highest
           kind
           and
           excess
           of
           Love
           amongst
           Men
           is
           to
           die
           for
           another
           ,
           and
           the
           highest
           degree
           in
           that
           kind
           is
           to
           die
           to
           save
           an
           Enemy
           ;
           and
           of
           this
           our
           Saviour
           is
           the
           singular
           Example
           :
           Love
           incomprehensible
           !
           
             it
             passes
             knowledg
             ,
             and
             all
             understanding
          
           but
           his
           who
           express'd
           it
           .
           His
           Love
           was
           equal
           to
           the
           heighth
           of
           his
           Glory
           from
           whence
           he
           descended
           ,
           and
           the
           depth
           of
           his
           Sufferings
           that
           he
           sustained
           in
           our
           stead
           .
           
             By
             washing
             us
             from
             our
             Sins
             in
             his
             Blood
             ,
          
           
           
             he
             makes
             us
             Kings
          
           ,
           dignifies
           us
           with
           spiritual
           Soveraignty
           over
           not
           only
           defiling
           ,
           but
           disturbing
           Passions
           .
           The
           freest
           and
           most
           confident
           Sinner
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           that
           rebels
           against
           the
           Divine
           Laws
           without
           restraint
           ,
           is
           a
           Slave
           not
           only
           under
           the
           
           Chains
           of
           his
           imperious
           Lusts
           ,
           but
           in
           that
           he
           is
           liable
           to
           the
           scourgings
           of
           Conscience
           when
           ever
           awaken'd
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           servile
           fear
           of
           Death
           every
           day
           .
           But
           the
           sincere
           Christian
           has
           a
           clear
           and
           sweet
           Peace
           ,
           a
           blessed
           Tranquillity
           ,
           from
           the
           tormenting
           apprehensions
           and
           fears
           of
           Death
           ,
           that
           are
           the
           just
           consequents
           of
           Guilt
           .
        
         
           
           One
           of
           the
           ancient
           Romans
           highly
           celebrates
           the
           Astronomers
           ,
           who
           discover'd
           the
           true
           Causes
           of
           the
           Eclipses
           of
           the
           Sun
           and
           Moon
           ,
           and
           freed
           the
           World
           from
           the
           double
           darkness
           of
           Ignorance
           and
           Fear
           ;
           for
           before
           that
           Discovery
           ,
           Men
           believed
           the
           obscuring
           of
           those
           great
           Lights
           were
           the
           fainting
           fits
           of
           Nature
           ,
           and
           mortal
           Symptoms
           threatning
           an
           universal
           Calamity
           .
           But
           what
           Praise
           and
           Blessing
           is
           due
           to
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           who
           hath
           given
           us
           infallible
           assurance
           that
           the
           Death
           of
           the
           Righteous
           is
           not
           ,
           as
           the
           Heathen
           World
           imagin'd
           ,
           an
           irreparable
           loss
           of
           Life
           ,
           but
           a
           short
           eclipsing
           of
           this
           low
           and
           mean
           Light
           that
           is
           common
           to
           sensitive
           Creatures
           ,
           to
           be
           restored
           more
           excellent
           and
           permanent
           in
           Heaven
           ;
           where
           those
           Stars
           shine
           in
           the
           Divine
           Presence
           for
           
           ever
           ?
           
             Thanks
             be
             to
             God
             which
             gives
             us
             the
             Victory
             through
             our
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ.
          
           This
           should
           render
           him
           
             infinitely
             precious
             to
             us
          
           ,
           and
           inflame
           our
           Hearts
           with
           Desires
           equal
           to
           our
           Obligations
           to
           serve
           him
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Let
           us
           make
           it
           the
           main
           Business
           of
           our
           Lives
           to
           remove
           from
           our
           Souls
           the
           just
           Fears
           of
           Death
           .
           'T
           is
           one
           of
           the
           solemn
           Follies
           of
           the
           World
           to
           fear
           where
           there
           is
           no
           cause
           :
           As
           if
           a
           Sentinel
           should
           mistake
           Gloworms
           in
           the
           Night
           for
           lighted
           Matches
           ,
           and
           give
           a
           false
           Alarm
           :
           but
           't
           is
           a
           worse
           Folly
           ,
           though
           pleasing
           ,
           not
           to
           fear
           when
           there
           is
           the
           greatest
           Reason
           to
           excite
           it
           .
           And
           't
           is
           so
           in
           the
           present
           Case
           :
           for
           the
           most
           are
           without
           the
           Fear
           of
           Death
           ,
           that
           should
           make
           them
           serious
           in
           preparing
           for
           it
           :
           nay
           ,
           to
           maintain
           their
           Security
           ,
           are
           as
           unwilling
           to
           hear
           Conscience
           declare
           the
           Wretchedness
           of
           their
           Condition
           with
           respect
           to
           Eternity
           ,
           as
           Ahab
           was
           the
           Prophet
           
             Micaiah
             ,
             who
             always
             foretold
             evil
             things
             to
             him
             .
          
        
         
           'T
           was
           the
           chief
           Design
           of
           the
           Philosophers
           ,
           by
           Principles
           of
           Reason
           to
           fortify
           themselves
           against
           all
           frightful
           Accidents
           ,
           and
           with
           a
           masculine
           Mind
           ,
           
           with
           an
           Heart
           ardent
           ,
           and
           with
           generous
           Spirits
           to
           *
           encounter
           this
           inevitable
           Evil.
           When
           one
           of
           them
           was
           threatned
           by
           the
           Emperor
           Antigonus
           with
           present
           Death
           ,
           he
           boldly
           replied
           ,
           Threaten
           this
           to
           your
           dissolute
           Courtiers
           that
           are
           softned
           and
           melted
           by
           sensual
           Pleasures
           ,
           and
           easily
           receptive
           of
           terrible
           Impressions
           ,
           not
           to
           a
           Philosopher
           to
           whom
           Death
           is
           contemptible
           in
           any
           Appearance
           .
           This
           was
           a
           piece
           of
           affected
           Bravery
           ;
           for
           Pagan
           Philosophy
           could
           never
           furnish
           them
           with
           Armor
           of
           Proof
           against
           the
           Dart
           of
           our
           last
           Enemy
           .
           But
           the
           Gospel
           assuring
           us
           that
           Death
           is
           an
           Entrance
           into
           Immortality
           ,
           makes
           that
           to
           be
           the
           Reality
           of
           a
           Christian
           ,
           that
           was
           a
           vain
           boast
           of
           the
           Philosophers
           .
        
         
           Now
           that
           we
           may
           be
           establish'd
           in
           that
           blessed
           Tranquillity
           that
           Death
           cannot
           discompose
           ,
           the
           following
           Directions
           are
           infinitely
           useful
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           We
           must
           give
           all
           Diligence
           to
           be
           in
           a
           State
           of
           Reconciliation
           with
           God.
           The
           things
           requisit
           to
           that
           are
           ,
           as
           the
           Apostle
           declares
           ,
           
           
             Repentance
             towards
             God
             ,
             and
             Faith
             in
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ.
          
           Repentance
           includes
           a
           Godly
           Sorrow
           
           for
           Sins
           past
           ,
           with
           a
           Detestation
           and
           forsaking
           them
           sincerely
           ,
           without
           Hypocrisy
           ,
           and
           entirely
           ,
           without
           Partiality
           in
           the
           Heart
           and
           Conversation
           .
           'T
           is
           call'd
           
             Repentance
             from
             dead
             Works
          
           :
           
           the
           proper
           Name
           of
           our
           Sins
           ,
           that
           deserve
           Eternal
           Death
           .
           By
           Repentance
           we
           return
           to
           Obedience
           that
           is
           due
           to
           God
           our
           Maker
           and
           Lawgiver
           .
           Faith
           respects
           the
           Redeemer
           ,
           who
           by
           his
           Blood
           shed
           on
           the
           Cross
           ,
           and
           pleaded
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           reconciles
           God
           to
           penitent
           Sinners
           .
           The
           Belief
           of
           his
           merciful
           and
           powerful
           Mediation
           for
           our
           Acceptance
           and
           Pardon
           ,
           
             Works
             by
             Love
          
           ,
           and
           
             constrains
             us
          
           to
           dedicate
           our selves
           in
           a
           devoted
           Propriety
           to
           his
           Glory
           and
           Service
           ,
           
           and
           to
           live
           according
           to
           that
           Dedication
           .
           These
           two
           are
           absolutely
           necessary
           to
           the
           vital
           and
           salvifical
           State
           of
           a
           Christian.
           And
           as
           soon
           as
           a
           Person
           sincerely
           repents
           and
           believes
           ,
           he
           is
           justified
           before
           God
           ;
           and
           ,
           if
           he
           dies
           ,
           will
           certainly
           obtain
           eternal
           Glory
           .
           This
           should
           be
           the
           early
           and
           most
           speedy
           Work
           of
           our
           Lives
           :
           for
           the
           Delay
           of
           Repentance
           ,
           and
           Neglect
           of
           securing
           the
           Favour
           of
           God
           ,
           arms
           Death
           with
           more
           Stings
           and
           Terrors
           .
        
         
         
           The
           infinite
           Danger
           of
           this
           I
           will
           unfold
           ,
           to
           awaken
           the
           Careless
           and
           Secure
           .
        
         
           The
           Devil
           is
           a
           Sophister
           in
           Perfection
           ,
           and
           his
           ordinary
           and
           successful
           Artifice
           to
           elude
           the
           force
           of
           present
           Conviction
           ,
           and
           wrap
           Men
           in
           Sin
           and
           Damnation
           ,
           is
           to
           induce
           them
           to
           delay
           the
           great
           Work
           of
           the
           Soul
           till
           afterward
           .
           He
           is
           not
           so
           foolish
           to
           tell
           them
           ,
           as
           he
           did
           our
           first
           Parents
           ,
           
             Ye
             shall
             not
             die
          
           ,
           for
           the
           Temptation
           is
           so
           palpable
           ,
           that
           it
           could
           deceive
           none
           .
           Though
           the
           Evidence
           and
           Certainty
           of
           supernatural
           Truths
           ,
           that
           disturb
           the
           Security
           of
           Sinners
           ,
           is
           sometimes
           obscur'd
           by
           affected
           Doubts
           ,
           yet
           there
           is
           no
           Artifice
           that
           can
           resist
           the
           full
           and
           strong
           Conviction
           in
           Men
           ,
           that
           Death
           is
           inevitable
           .
           Though
           Nature
           recoils
           from
           it
           with
           Abhorrence
           ,
           yet
           this
           sad
           Truth
           is
           so
           visible
           ,
           that
           it
           forces
           an
           Assent
           from
           all
           .
           Those
           who
           are
           titular
           Gods
           ,
           the
           greatest
           Princes
           ,
           are
           not
           so
           vain
           as
           to
           pretend
           to
           an
           Exemption
           by
           Priviledg
           from
           that
           fatal
           Necessity
           ;
           they
           cannot
           fancy
           to
           be
           imbalm'd
           alive
           ,
           and
           that
           Nature
           may
           be
           made
           incorruptible
           by
           Art
           :
           The
           Palace
           is
           as
           near
           the
           Grave
           as
           the
           Cottage
           :
           therefore
           the
           Devil
           
           cherishes
           in
           Men
           fond
           hopes
           of
           a
           long
           Life
           :
           As
           some
           optick
           Glasses
           deceive
           the
           Sight
           ,
           and
           make
           a
           superficial
           Representation
           in
           Colours
           on
           a
           Wall
           but
           two
           or
           three
           Steps
           distant
           ,
           appear
           a
           long
           deep
           Gallery
           .
           Thus
           the
           Tempter
           by
           a
           dangerous
           Deceit
           presents
           to
           the
           Imagination
           the
           fatal
           term
           at
           a
           great
           Distance
           ;
           and
           since
           he
           cannot
           lessen
           the
           Certainty
           of
           Death
           in
           Mens
           Belief
           ,
           he
           removes
           the
           Image
           of
           it
           out
           of
           their
           Memories
           ,
           to
           weaken
           the
           Impression
           that
           it
           is
           capable
           to
           make
           on
           their
           Affections
           :
           they
           dare
           not
           venture
           to
           die
           ,
           as
           they
           live
           ,
           careless
           of
           Salvation
           ,
           and
           unprepared
           for
           their
           Accounts
           with
           God
           ;
           therefore
           they
           suspend
           the
           Workings
           of
           Conscience
           by
           a
           seeming
           Compliance
           ;
           they
           resolve
           at
           random
           to
           convert
           and
           reform
           hereafter
           ,
           but
           will
           not
           determine
           at
           present
           to
           forsake
           their
           Sins
           .
           The
           Tempter
           insinuates
           ,
           there
           will
           be
           a
           long
           Interval
           between
           the
           present
           time
           and
           the
           last
           hour
           ,
           that
           shall
           decide
           their
           State
           for
           ever
           ;
           that
           it
           will
           be
           a
           convenient
           season
           to
           prepare
           for
           the
           other
           World
           when
           they
           have
           done
           with
           this
           ;
           as
           if
           Repentance
           were
           best
           at
           last
           ,
           when
           there
           are
           no
           Temptations
           ,
           
           and
           therefore
           no
           Danger
           of
           retracting
           it
           .
           And
           the
           Heart
           of
           Man
           is
           a
           great
           Flatterer
           ,
           very
           subtile
           to
           deceive
           and
           ruin
           him
           with
           vain
           Resolutions
           of
           a
           devout
           Retirement
           ,
           and
           becoming
           seriously
           religious
           hereafter
           ;
           and
           thus
           by
           an
           easy
           Permission
           he
           gratifies
           the
           present
           Desires
           of
           the
           Flesh
           ,
           and
           goes
           in
           a
           Circuit
           from
           one
           Vanity
           to
           another
           ,
           till
           Death
           surprize
           the
           Presumer
           .
           'T
           is
           very
           applicable
           to
           this
           purpose
           ,
           what
           is
           related
           of
           Alcaeus
           the
           Poet
           ,
           
           who
           from
           every
           season
           of
           the
           Year
           ,
           took
           Arguments
           to
           give
           a
           new
           Title
           to
           his
           Intemperance
           ;
           The
           Spring
           he
           said
           ,
           required
           liberal
           drinking
           in
           Sign
           of
           Joy
           for
           the
           Renovation
           of
           Nature
           ;
           the
           Summer
           to
           temper
           our
           Heat
           ,
           and
           refresh
           our
           Thirst
           ;
           't
           was
           due
           to
           Autumn
           that
           is
           dedicated
           to
           the
           Vintage
           ;
           and
           Winter
           required
           it
           to
           expel
           the
           cold
           ,
           that
           would
           congeal
           the
           Blood
           and
           Spirits
           .
           Thus
           he
           pleaded
           for
           the
           Allowance
           of
           his
           Excess
           .
           And
           so
           Men
           in
           the
           several
           Ages
           of
           Life
           ,
           (
           that
           are
           correspondent
           to
           the
           Seasons
           of
           the
           Year
           )
           frame
           some
           Excuses
           to
           delay
           Repentance
           ,
           and
           give
           some
           colour
           to
           their
           Rebellion
           against
           God
           ,
           who
           commands
           us
           to
           hear
           his
           Voice
           to
           Day
           ,
           obediently
           and
           immediately
           ,
           
           upon
           no
           less
           Penalty
           than
           being
           excluded
           from
           his
           blessed
           Rest
           for
           ever
           :
           
           Yet
           the
           self-deceiving
           Sinner
           preaches
           another
           Gospel
           to
           himself
           ,
           and
           thinks
           the
           Vanities
           of
           Childhood
           ,
           the
           Pleasures
           of
           Youth
           ,
           the
           Business
           of
           Middle-Age
           ,
           and
           the
           Infirmity
           of
           Old
           Age
           ,
           are
           plausible
           Pretences
           to
           put
           off
           the
           serious
           Work
           of
           Repentance
           :
           O
           that
           such
           would
           duly
           consider
           the
           desperate
           Uncertainty
           upon
           which
           Men
           build
           their
           Hopes
           of
           a
           future
           Repentance
           ,
           and
           Divine
           Acceptance
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Men
           delay
           Repentance
           upon
           the
           Presumption
           of
           a
           long
           Life
           :
           But
           what
           is
           more
           uncertain
           ?
           'T
           is
           the
           Wisdom
           and
           Goodness
           of
           God
           to
           conceal
           in
           his
           impenetrable
           Counsels
           the
           time
           of
           our
           Sojourning
           here
           :
           For
           if
           Men
           ,
           though
           liable
           to
           Death
           every
           hour
           ,
           and
           therefore
           should
           be
           under
           just
           Fear
           ,
           lest
           it
           surprize
           them
           unprepar'd
           ,
           yet
           against
           so
           strong
           a
           Curb
           ,
           run
           with
           that
           exorbitant
           vehemence
           after
           the
           present
           World
           ;
           how
           much
           more
           licentious
           would
           they
           be
           ,
           if
           secured
           from
           sudden
           Death
           ?
           But
           none
           can
           promise
           to
           himself
           one
           Day
           .
           Death
           comes
           not
           according
           to
           the
           order
           of
           Nature
           ,
           but
           the
           Decree
           
           of
           God.
           How
           many
           in
           the
           Flower
           of
           their
           Youth
           and
           Strength
           thought
           themselves
           at
           as
           great
           a
           Distance
           from
           Death
           ,
           as
           the
           East
           is
           from
           the
           West
           ,
           when
           there
           was
           not
           the
           space
           of
           an
           Hour
           between
           them
           and
           Death
           ,
           between
           them
           and
           Hell
           ?
           The
           Lamp
           suddenly
           expires
           by
           a
           Blast
           of
           Wind
           ,
           when
           there
           is
           plenty
           of
           Oil
           to
           feed
           it
           .
           The
           rich
           Man
           pleased
           himself
           with
           Designs
           of
           sensual
           Enjoyments
           for
           many
           years
           ,
           yet
           did
           not
           see
           the
           dawning
           of
           the
           next
           Morning
           :
           
             Thou
             Fool
             ,
             this
             Night
             shall
             thy
             Soul
             be
             required
             of
             thee
             .
          
           This
           Sentence
           is
           pronounced
           in
           Heaven
           against
           thousands
           that
           are
           now
           alive
           ,
           conversant
           in
           the
           Vanities
           and
           Business
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           Eating
           and
           Drinking
           ,
           Playing
           and
           Trading
           ,
           and
           all
           unconcerned
           as
           to
           dying
           ,
           yet
           shall
           breath
           their
           last
           before
           to
           Morrow
           ,
           and
           their
           unwilling
           Souls
           be
           rent
           from
           the
           Embraces
           of
           their
           Bodies
           .
           In
           various
           manners
           Men
           die
           from
           inward
           and
           outward
           causes
           ;
           an
           Apoplexy
           ,
           an
           Imposthume
           ,
           a
           Flux
           of
           Rhume
           stopping
           Respiration
           ,
           kills
           the
           Body
           without
           any
           presaging
           Signs
           of
           Death
           :
           As
           if
           the
           Roof
           and
           all
           the
           Chambers
           should
           fall
           within
           the
           House
           ,
           while
           the
           Walls
           
           are
           standing
           entire
           :
           And
           how
           many
           unforeseen
           Accidens
           ,
           and
           therefore
           inevitable
           ,
           put
           a
           sudden
           Period
           to
           Life
           ?
           Is
           it
           not
           our
           truest
           Wisdom
           by
           an
           early
           Repentance
           to
           prepare
           for
           Death
           ,
           when
           the
           Season
           is
           certainly
           short
           ,
           and
           but
           uncertainly
           continued
           ,
           and
           the
           Omission
           is
           irreparable
           ?
        
         
           2.
           
           Suppose
           Life
           be
           continued
           ,
           yet
           Sinners
           that
           delay
           Repentance
           ,
           can
           have
           no
           rational
           hopes
           that
           they
           shall
           sincerely
           repent
           in
           time
           to
           come
           .
           For
           ,
        
         
           1
           st
           .
           Saving
           Repentance
           is
           the
           Gift
           of
           God
           :
           and
           is
           it
           likely
           that
           those
           who
           have
           been
           insensible
           of
           the
           loud
           and
           earnest
           Calls
           of
           the
           Word
           ,
           inflexible
           to
           the
           gracious
           Methods
           of
           his
           Providence
           leading
           them
           to
           Repentance
           ,
           should
           at
           last
           obtain
           Converting
           Grace
           ?
           The
           Gales
           of
           the
           Spirit
           are
           very
           transient
           and
           blow
           where
           he
           pleases
           ;
           and
           can
           it
           be
           expected
           that
           those
           who
           have
           wilfully
           and
           often
           resisted
           him
           ,
           should
           by
           an
           exuberant
           Favour
           receive
           afterwards
           more
           powerful
           Grace
           ,
           to
           over-rule
           their
           stubborn
           Wills
           ,
           and
           make
           them
           obedient
           ?
           To
           expect
           Divine
           Grace
           and
           the
           powerful
           Workings
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           after
           long
           resisting
           his
           Holy
           Excitations
           ,
           
           is
           both
           unreasonable
           and
           unrevealed
           .
           'T
           is
           written
           as
           with
           a
           Sun-beam
           ,
           that
           God
           will
           graciously
           pardon
           repenting
           Sinners
           that
           reform
           their
           Lives
           ,
           but
           't
           is
           no-where
           promised
           that
           he
           will
           give
           Saving-Repentance
           to
           those
           who
           securely
           continue
           in
           Sin
           ,
           
           upon
           a
           corrupt
           Confidence
           they
           will
           repent
           at
           last
           .
           Our
           Saviour
           threatens
           to
           him
           that
           neglects
           the
           improving
           the
           Grace
           that
           is
           offer'd
           ,
           
             That
             which
             he
             hath
             shall
             be
             taken
             away
             :
          
           Yet
           Men
           unwilling
           at
           present
           to
           forsake
           their
           Sins
           of
           Pleasure
           and
           Profit
           ,
           vainly
           hope
           they
           shall
           obtain
           Grace
           hereafter
           ,
           without
           any
           Promise
           from
           God
           ,
           and
           against
           the
           Tenor
           of
           his
           Threatnings
           .
           God
           has
           threatned
           that
           his
           Spirit
           
             shall
             not
             always
             strive
             with
             rebellious
             Sinners
             ,
          
           and
           then
           their
           State
           is
           remediless
           .
           This
           may
           be
           the
           case
           of
           many
           in
           this
           Life
           ,
           who
           are
           insensible
           of
           their
           Misery
           .
           As
           consumptive
           Persons
           decline
           by
           degrees
           ,
           lose
           their
           Appetite
           ,
           Colour
           ,
           and
           Strength
           ,
           till
           at
           last
           they
           are
           hopeless
           :
           So
           the
           Withdrawings
           of
           the
           Spirit
           are
           gradual
           ,
           his
           Motions
           are
           not
           so
           strong
           nor
           frequent
           ;
           and
           upon
           the
           continued
           Provocations
           of
           the
           Disobedient
           ,
           finally
           leaves
           them
           under
           that
           most
           fearful
           
           doom
           ,
           
             He
             that
             is
             filthy
             ,
             let
             him
             be
             filthy
             still
             ;
             He
             that
             is
             unrighteous
             ,
             let
             him
             be
             unrighteous
             still
             :
          
           and
           thus
           punishes
           them
           on
           this
           side
           Hell
           ,
           as
           he
           does
           the
           Damned
           ,
           by
           giving
           them
           over
           to
           Sin.
           'T
           is
           a
           bloody
           Adventure
           for
           Men
           to
           indulge
           their
           carnal
           Appetites
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           had
           infallible
           Assurance
           that
           they
           should
           not
           die
           in
           an
           impenitent
           State.
           The
           Delayer
           does
           not
           regularly
           trust
           ,
           but
           tempt
           God.
           
        
         
           2
           dly
           .
           Suppose
           the
           Holy
           Spirit
           be
           not
           totally
           withdrawn
           ,
           yet
           by
           every
           Day
           's
           Continuance
           in
           Sin
           ,
           the
           Heart
           is
           more
           hardned
           against
           the
           Impressions
           of
           Grace
           ,
           more
           averse
           from
           returning
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           Repentance
           more
           difficult
           and
           hazardous
           .
           The
           last
           guilty
           Disposition
           that
           seals
           up
           the
           Damnation
           of
           Sinners
           is
           Impenitence
           .
           Now
           he
           that
           delays
           the
           returning
           to
           his
           Duty
           ,
           shall
           have
           more
           cause
           to
           repent
           hereafter
           ,
           but
           less
           Will
           and
           Power
           ;
           for
           Sin
           repeated
           ,
           makes
           him
           more
           uncapable
           of
           Repentance
           ,
           and
           that
           which
           is
           Indisposition
           ,
           will
           become
           Averseness
           and
           Obstinacy
           .
           The
           Heart
           with
           Difficulty
           changes
           its
           last
           End.
           Actions
           may
           be
           suddenly
           chang'd
           ,
           when
           there
           is
           a
           Disability
           to
           perform
           them
           ;
           but
           the
           inward
           
           Inclinations
           to
           Sin
           ,
           without
           supernatural
           renewing
           Grace
           ,
           remain
           .
           'T
           is
           therefore
           the
           Subtilty
           of
           the
           old
           Serpent
           to
           make
           the
           Entrance
           of
           Sin
           easy
           :
           for
           he
           knows
           that
           Custom
           is
           a
           second
           Nature
           ,
           and
           has
           a
           mighty
           Power
           in
           us
           :
           
             Can
             an
             Ethiopian
             change
             his
             Skin
             ,
             or
             the
             Leopard
             change
             his
             Spots
             ?
             then
             may
             you
             who
             are
             accustomed
             to
             do
             Evil
             ,
             do
             good
             .
          
           If
           Sin
           in
           its
           Infancy
           can
           make
           such
           Resistance
           ,
           that
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Grace
           is
           foil'd
           in
           his
           Motions
           to
           rescue
           the
           Soul
           from
           its
           Bondage
           ,
           how
           much
           more
           when
           't
           is
           grown
           into
           a
           confirm'd
           Habit
           ?
           Therefore
           the
           Apostle
           urges
           so
           zealously
           ;
           
             To
             Day
             if
             you
             will
             hear
             his
             Voice
             ,
             harden
             not
             your
             Hearts
             ,
             lest
             any
             be
             hardned
             through
             the
             Deceitfulness
             of
             Sin.
             
          
        
         
           3.
           
           How
           uncertain
           is
           it
           whether
           God
           will
           accept
           the
           Addresses
           of
           such
           at
           last
           ?
           We
           are
           commanded
           ,
           
             Seek
             the
             Lord
             while
             he
             may
             be
             found
             ,
             call
             upon
             him
             while
             he
             is
             near
             .
          
           The
           Limitation
           implies
           ,
           if
           the
           Season
           be
           neglected
           ,
           he
           will
           hide
           his
           Face
           for
           ever
           .
           Now
           in
           cases
           of
           great
           Moment
           and
           Hazard
           ,
           what
           Diligence
           ,
           what
           Caution
           should
           be
           used
           ?
        
         
           1
           st
           .
           Consider
           how
           derogatory
           it
           is
           to
           his
           Majesty
           ,
           to
           offer
           to
           him
           the
           
           Dregs
           of
           our
           Age
           ,
           the
           Reliques
           of
           a
           licentious
           careless
           Life
           ,
           spent
           in
           the
           Works
           of
           Vanity
           .
           Is
           this
           
             to
             give
             Glory
             to
             God
          
           ?
           
           Contempt
           provokes
           Superiours
           as
           much
           as
           actual
           Injuries
           :
           How
           vilifying
           is
           it
           of
           his
           excellent
           Greatness
           ,
           that
           Men
           lavishly
           waste
           the
           best
           of
           their
           Time
           and
           Strength
           upon
           their
           Lusts
           ,
           and
           when
           through
           Weakness
           of
           Age
           ,
           or
           the
           Violence
           of
           a
           Disease
           ,
           they
           can
           no
           more
           do
           the
           Acts
           of
           Sin
           ,
           nor
           relish
           the
           Pleasures
           of
           Sin
           ;
           to
           presume
           that
           God
           will
           upon
           their
           Prayers
           forgive
           their
           Sins
           so
           long
           indulg'd
           ,
           and
           of
           such
           violent
           Provocations
           ,
           and
           receive
           them
           into
           his
           Kingdom
           ,
           as
           if
           he
           could
           not
           be
           happy
           without
           them
           ,
           and
           it
           were
           his
           Interest
           to
           receive
           them
           ?
           God
           has
           laid
           his
           Exceptions
           against
           such
           Addresses
           :
           He
           may
           justly
           stand
           upon
           his
           Greatness
           and
           Honour
           :
           
             If
             ye
             offer
             the
             Blind
             for
             a
             Sacrifice
             ,
             is
             it
             not
             evil
             ?
             And
             if
             ye
             offer
             the
             Lame
             and
             Sick
             ,
             is
             it
             not
             evil
             ?
             Offer
             it
             now
             to
             thy
             Governour
             ,
             will
             he
             be
             pleased
             with
             it
             ,
             to
             accept
             thy
             Person
             ,
             saith
             the
             Lord
             of
             Hosts
             ?
          
           As
           the
           Lord
           upbraids
           the
           Jews
           for
           their
           black
           Ingratitude
           in
           barginning
           for
           thirty
           pieces
           of
           Silver
           ,
           to
           have
           him
           betrayed
           to
           their
           Malice
           ;
           
             a
             goodly
             Price
             that
             I
             
             was
             prized
             at
             of
             them
             .
          
           So
           when
           there
           is
           an
           universal
           Prostration
           of
           all
           the
           Powers
           and
           Faculties
           ,
           when
           the
           Spirits
           are
           damp'd
           ,
           the
           vital
           Heat
           is
           check'd
           ,
           and
           the
           function
           of
           the
           senses
           is
           obstructed
           ,
           then
           to
           seek
           to
           God
           for
           Mercy
           ,
           and
           to
           make
           fair
           Promises
           of
           Obedience
           ,
           he
           may
           justly
           reproach
           the
           Presumer
           ,
           
             a
             goodly
             time
             you
             have
             alotted
             for
             me
             !
          
           Your
           Youth
           and
           Strength
           ,
           the
           Golden
           Age
           of
           Life
           ,
           has
           been
           wasted
           on
           your
           Lusts
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           Business
           of
           the
           World
           ;
           and
           the
           wretched
           remains
           you
           think
           worthy
           of
           my
           Acceptance
           .
        
         
           2
           dly
           .
           Consider
           what
           Sincerity
           or
           moral
           Value
           is
           in
           Religion
           that
           meerly
           proceeds
           from
           bitter
           Constraint
           ?
           'T
           is
           a
           Rule
           in
           Law
           ,
           
             Falsum
             est
             eam
             peperisse
             ,
             cui
             mortuae
             filius
             extractus
             est
             :
          
           'T
           is
           not
           a
           natural
           Birth
           when
           the
           Child
           is
           extracted
           from
           the
           dead
           Mother
           :
           'T
           is
           not
           genuine
           Piety
           that
           is
           extorted
           by
           the
           rack
           ,
           whilst
           the
           Heart
           full
           of
           Reluctancy
           does
           not
           truly
           consent
           :
           Pure
           Religion
           flows
           uncompell'd
           from
           Love
           to
           God
           ;
           't
           is
           the
           Dregs
           that
           come
           forth
           with
           pressing
           .
           'T
           is
           observ'd
           of
           the
           Israelites
           ,
           
           that
           
             when
             God
             slew
             them
             ,
             they
             sought
             him
             ,
             and
             returned
             and
             enquired
             
             early
             after
             God.
          
           But
           't
           is
           added
           ,
           
             Nevertheless
             they
             did
             flatter
             him
             with
             their
             Mouths
             ,
             and
             they
             lied
             to
             him
             with
             their
             Tongues
             ;
             for
             their
             Hearts
             were
             not
             right
             with
             him
             ,
             neither
             were
             they
             stedfast
             in
             his
             Covenant
             .
          
           How
           often
           does
           Experience
           convince
           us
           of
           the
           Inefficacy
           of
           a
           Sickbed-Repentance
           ?
           How
           many
           that
           were
           very
           devout
           and
           mournful
           with
           one
           Foot
           as
           it
           were
           in
           the
           Grave
           ,
           and
           another
           in
           Hell
           ,
           and
           were
           as
           a
           Brand
           pluck'd
           out
           of
           the
           Fire
           ;
           yet
           when
           the
           Fear
           of
           Death
           is
           removed
           ,
           all
           the
           Terrors
           of
           Conscience
           ,
           the
           religious
           Affections
           that
           were
           felt
           and
           express'd
           by
           them
           ,
           vanish
           as
           the
           Morning-Dew
           ?
           Now
           converting
           Grace
           is
           distinguish'd
           by
           its
           radication
           and
           efficacy
           ,
           not
           only
           from
           the
           mere
           Pretences
           of
           those
           who
           know
           their
           own
           Insincerity
           ,
           but
           from
           the
           real
           Workings
           of
           Conscience
           ,
           and
           the
           imperfect
           Dispositions
           to
           Good
           that
           are
           in
           the
           Unrenewed
           .
           And
           those
           Persons
           who
           with
           the
           return
           of
           Health
           ,
           have
           returned
           to
           their
           Sins
           ,
           if
           they
           had
           died
           with
           their
           religious
           Resolutions
           ,
           would
           have
           presum'd
           ,
           
             that
             their
             Repentance
             was
             unto
             Life
             ,
          
           and
           of
           their
           Interest
           in
           the
           Divine
           Mercy
           .
           
             The
             Heart
             
             is
             deceitful
             above
             all
             things
             ,
          
           and
           above
           all
           things
           deceitful
           to
           it self
           .
           Besides
           ,
           when
           Sinners
           are
           plunged
           in
           deep
           Distress
           ,
           when
           the
           shadow
           of
           Death
           sits
           upon
           their
           Eye-lids
           ,
           they
           may
           with
           plentiful
           effusions
           of
           Tears
           desire
           God
           to
           receive
           them
           to
           Heaven
           ,
           not
           to
           see
           and
           praise
           his
           adorable
           Excellencies
           ,
           not
           to
           please
           and
           glorify
           him
           for
           ever
           ,
           but
           as
           a
           Sanctuary
           from
           revenging
           Justice
           ,
           a
           Refuge
           from
           Hell.
           And
           will
           such
           Prayers
           prevail
           ?
           What
           swells
           the
           Confidence
           of
           Sinners
           ,
           but
           unworthy
           Notions
           of
           God
           ,
           as
           if
           a
           forc'd
           and
           formal
           Confession
           of
           their
           Sins
           could
           deceive
           his
           all-discerning
           Eye
           ;
           and
           Desires
           merely
           terminated
           on
           themselves
           ,
           were
           sufficient
           to
           reconcile
           his
           offended
           Majesty
           ?
        
         
           3.
           
           There
           is
           nothing
           renders
           Men
           more
           unworthy
           of
           Mercy
           than
           continuance
           in
           Sin
           ,
           upon
           presumption
           of
           an
           easy
           Pardon
           at
           last
           .
           This
           is
           the
           most
           provoking
           Abuse
           of
           his
           
             Goodness
             and
             Long-suffering
          
           ,
           
           
             that
             should
             lead
             them
             unto
             Repentance
             .
          
           He
           can
           in
           the
           twinkling
           of
           an
           eye
           ,
           in
           the
           beating
           of
           a
           Pulse
           cut
           off
           the
           Sinner
           :
           't
           is
           as
           easy
           to
           his
           Power
           as
           to
           will
           it
           .
           And
           there
           is
           
           no
           Consideration
           should
           be
           so
           melting
           and
           moving
           as
           his
           Clemency
           .
           We
           read
           of
           David
           ,
           that
           he
           had
           more
           than
           once
           in
           his
           power
           Saul
           his
           unjust
           and
           cruel
           Enemy
           ,
           yet
           spared
           him
           :
           the
           effect
           of
           it
           was
           ,
           that
           Saul
           was
           softened
           ,
           and
           under
           such
           compunction
           of
           Spirit
           ,
           that
           he
           wept
           ,
           confess'd
           his
           Guilt
           ,
           and
           persecuted
           him
           no
           more
           ,
           overcome
           by
           that
           unexampled
           Love
           :
           
           
             If
             a
             Man
             find
             his
             Enemy
             ,
             will
             he
             let
             him
             go
             ?
          
           Yet
           Men
           take
           advantage
           from
           the
           Goodness
           of
           God
           ,
           securely
           to
           despise
           his
           Laws
           .
           The
           habitual
           Sinner
           thinks
           that
           God
           is
           so
           gracious
           ,
           such
           a
           Lover
           of
           Souls
           ,
           so
           easy
           to
           be
           intreated
           ,
           that
           upon
           his
           dying
           Prayer
           ,
           
             Lord
             ,
             remember
             me
             in
             thy
             Kingdom
             ,
          
           the
           Answer
           will
           be
           ,
           
             To
             day
             shalt
             thou
             be
             with
             me
             in
             Paradise
             .
          
           This
           is
           the
           deceitful
           Principle
           upon
           which
           Men
           usually
           build
           their
           Hopes
           ,
           as
           their
           Actions
           ,
           that
           bear
           the
           Image
           of
           their
           Minds
           ,
           clearly
           manifest
           .
           Now
           this
           presumptuous
           Indulgence
           gives
           the
           deepest
           grain
           to
           their
           Sins
           ,
           and
           makes
           them
           more
           uncapable
           of
           Pardon
           .
           Chrysostom
           observes
           ,
           that
           Judas
           was
           encouraged
           to
           betray
           his
           Master
           ,
           presuming
           on
           his
           Lenity
           ,
           Goodness
           ,
           Benignity
           ,
           
           which
           Considerations
           intolerably
           aggravated
           his
           Treason
           ,
           and
           confounded
           his
           Hopes
           .
           There
           is
           a
           dreadful
           threatning
           against
           those
           who
           reject
           the
           Invitations
           of
           Grace
           in
           their
           Prosperity
           ,
           and
           when
           the
           righteous
           Judg
           comes
           to
           Sentence
           and
           Execution
           ,
           are
           earnest
           Suppliants
           for
           Mercy
           .
           
             Because
             I
             have
             called
          
           ,
           
           
             and
             ye
             have
             refused
             ;
             I
             have
             stretch'd
             out
             my
             Hands
             ,
             and
             no
             Man
             regarded
             :
             But
             ye
             have
             set
             at
             naught
             all
             my
             Counsel
             ,
             and
             would
             none
             of
             my
             Reproof
             :
             I
             will
             also
             laugh
             at
             your
             Calamity
             ,
             and
             mock
             when
             your
             Fear
             comes
             :
             When
             your
             Fear
             comes
             as
             a
             Desolation
             ,
             and
             your
             Destruction
             as
             a
             Whirlwind
             ,
             when
             Distress
             and
             Anguish
             come
             upon
             you
             ;
             then
             shall
             they
             call
             upon
             me
             ,
             but
             I
             will
             not
             answer
             ;
             they
             shall
             seek
             me
             early
             ,
             but
             shall
             not
             find
             me
             :
             For
             they
             hated
             Knowledg
             ,
             and
             did
             not
             choose
             the
             Fear
             of
             the
             Lord.
          
           A
           doleful
           Case
           beyond
           all
           possible
           expression
           !
           when
           the
           sinful
           Creature
           ,
           forsaken
           of
           all
           Comforts
           below
           ,
           addresses
           to
           Heaven
           for
           Relief
           ,
           and
           meets
           with
           Derision
           and
           Fury
           ,
           Scorn
           and
           Indignation
           .
           The
           foolish
           Virgins
           ,
           careless
           to
           prepare
           for
           the
           Bridegroom
           's
           Coming
           ,
           in
           vain
           at
           last
           discover'd
           their
           want
           of
           Oil
           ,
           in
           vain
           
           sollicited
           the
           wise
           Virgins
           for
           Supply
           ,
           in
           vain
           knock'd
           at
           the
           door
           ,
           crying
           ,
           
             Lord
             ,
             Lord
             ,
             open
             to
             us
          
           ;
           
           the
           Answer
           was
           severe
           and
           peremptory
           ,
           
             I
             know
             you
             not
          
           ;
           and
           they
           were
           for
           ever
           excluded
           from
           the
           Joys
           of
           Heaven
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           How
           incongruous
           is
           it
           to
           delay
           the
           solemn
           Work
           of
           Reconciliation
           with
           God
           till
           the
           time
           of
           Sickness
           .
           This
           is
           an
           Affair
           wherein
           our
           transcendent
           Interest
           is
           concerned
           ,
           and
           should
           be
           performed
           in
           our
           most
           calm
           and
           sensible
           Condition
           ,
           when
           we
           are
           most
           capable
           of
           reflecting
           upon
           our
           Ways
           ,
           and
           making
           an
           exact
           trial
           of
           our selves
           ,
           in
           order
           to
           our
           returning
           to
           God
           by
           a
           holy
           Change
           of
           our
           Lives
           .
           Now
           that
           the
           Time
           of
           Sickness
           is
           not
           a
           convenient
           Season
           for
           this
           Work
           ,
           is
           sadly
           evident
           ;
           for
           some
           Diseases
           are
           stupifying
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           Powers
           of
           the
           Soul
           are
           benumm'd
           in
           a
           dull
           Captivity
           ;
           so
           that
           the
           sick
           Man
           only
           perceives
           with
           his
           animal
           Faculties
           .
           Some
           Diseases
           are
           tormenting
           ,
           and
           cause
           a
           great
           Disorder
           in
           the
           Soul
           ,
           and
           distract
           the
           Thoughts
           from
           considering
           his
           spiritual
           State.
           When
           the
           Storm
           is
           at
           the
           highest
           ,
           and
           the
           Pilot
           so
           sick
           that
           he
           can
           give
           no
           Directions
           ,
           
           the
           Ship
           is
           left
           to
           the
           fury
           of
           the
           Winds
           ,
           and
           escapes
           by
           Miracle
           .
           When
           there
           is
           a
           Tempest
           in
           the
           Humours
           of
           the
           Body
           ,
           and
           the
           Soul
           by
           Sympathy
           is
           so
           discompos'd
           ,
           that
           it
           cannot
           apply
           it self
           to
           prepare
           for
           its
           appearance
           before
           the
           Divine
           Tribunal
           ,
           what
           danger
           of
           being
           lost
           ,
           and
           passing
           from
           a
           short
           Agony
           to
           everlasting
           Torment
           ?
        
         
           Besides
           ;
           Suppose
           the
           Sickness
           more
           tolerable
           ,
           yet
           how
           unfit
           is
           a
           Person
           weak
           and
           languishing
           ,
           
           when
           Sense
           and
           Conscience
           are
           both
           afflicted
           ,
           to
           encounter
           with
           the
           cruel
           Enemy
           of
           Souls
           ?
           All
           that
           sincerely
           seek
           Peace
           with
           God
           ,
           must
           expect
           fierce
           Anger
           and
           War
           from
           Satan
           :
           therefore
           't
           is
           a
           point
           of
           necessary
           Wisdom
           ,
           whilst
           our
           Bodies
           and
           Minds
           are
           in
           the
           best
           order
           ,
           to
           be
           preparing
           against
           his
           Assaults
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           Consider
           how
           uncomfortable
           it
           is
           to
           delay
           Repentance
           till
           Age
           and
           Sickness
           ,
           when
           the
           Fruits
           of
           it
           are
           not
           so
           evident
           nor
           acceptable
           :
           In
           evil
           days
           ,
           and
           the
           Approaches
           of
           Death
           ,
           't
           is
           very
           hard
           to
           discover
           the
           Sincerity
           of
           the
           Heart
           ,
           whether
           Repentance
           proceeds
           from
           Holy
           Principles
           ,
           whether
           the
           Sorrow
           then
           express'd
           be
           Godly
           for
           Sin
           ,
           
           or
           meerly
           natural
           ,
           for
           Punishment
           ;
           whether
           the
           good
           Resolutions
           be
           the
           Effects
           of
           permanent
           Fidelity
           ,
           or
           of
           violent
           Fear
           ,
           that
           will
           vanish
           ,
           the
           cause
           being
           removed
           .
           When
           the
           Invitations
           to
           Sin
           cease
           ,
           there
           may
           remain
           a
           secret
           undiscerned
           Love
           to
           it
           in
           the
           Heart
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           Centre
           of
           Corruption
           ,
           and
           Root
           of
           Apostacy
           .
           The
           Snake
           that
           seem'd
           dead
           in
           the
           Frost
           ,
           revived
           by
           the
           Fire
           .
           The
           inordinate
           Affections
           that
           seemed
           mortified
           ,
           when
           the
           sensitive
           Faculties
           were
           disabled
           to
           carnal
           Enjoyments
           ,
           may
           have
           inward
           Life
           ,
           and
           will
           soon
           be
           active
           and
           vigorous
           in
           the
           Presence
           of
           Temptations
           .
           And
           that
           a
           Deathbed-Repentance
           is
           usually
           deceitful
           ,
           appears
           from
           hence
           ,
           that
           not
           one
           of
           a
           thousand
           that
           recover
           from
           dangerous
           Diseases
           are
           faithful
           in
           performing
           their
           most
           sacred
           and
           solemn
           Vows
           .
           How
           many
           having
           the
           Sentence
           of
           Death
           in
           themselves
           ,
           and
           under
           the
           Terrors
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           have
           expressed
           the
           greatest
           Detestation
           of
           their
           Sins
           ,
           and
           resolved
           ,
           as
           they
           thought
           sincerely
           ,
           if
           God
           would
           spare
           them
           ,
           to
           reform
           their
           ways
           ,
           to
           become
           new
           Creatures
           ,
           exemplary
           
           in
           all
           Holy
           Conversation
           ;
           yet
           the
           Danger
           being
           over
           ,
           their
           Heats
           of
           Devotion
           expire
           as
           they
           revive
           ,
           and
           their
           Lusts
           recover
           Strength
           with
           their
           Bodies
           ,
           and
           being
           suppress'd
           only
           by
           Fear
           ,
           are
           more
           fierce
           in
           their
           Return
           .
           Their
           Hearts
           were
           as
           Marble
           ,
           that
           in
           rainy
           Weather
           seems
           dissolved
           into
           Water
           ,
           but
           't
           is
           only
           from
           the
           Moisture
           of
           the
           Air
           ,
           and
           remains
           as
           hard
           as
           ever
           :
           When
           the
           Fear
           of
           Death
           is
           removed
           ,
           all
           their
           Promises
           of
           Reformation
           are
           ineffective
           ,
           as
           violent
           and
           void
           ;
           all
           their
           religious
           Affections
           vanish
           as
           the
           Morning-Dew
           .
           Now
           if
           these
           Persons
           had
           died
           before
           this
           visible
           Trial
           and
           Discovery
           ,
           they
           had
           past
           into
           the
           other
           World
           with
           the
           Reputation
           of
           true
           Penitents
           ,
           deceiving
           others
           with
           their
           Prayers
           and
           Tears
           ,
           and
           liberal
           Promises
           ,
           the
           outward
           Signs
           of
           Repentance
           ,
           and
           deceived
           themselves
           by
           the
           inward
           Workings
           of
           an
           alarmed
           Conscience
           :
           Therefore
           Ministers
           should
           be
           very
           circumspect
           in
           applying
           the
           Promises
           of
           Mercy
           to
           Persons
           in
           such
           a
           State
           ;
           for
           an
           Error
           in
           that
           kind
           has
           fearful
           Consequences
           .
           A
           little
           opiate
           Divinity
           may
           quiet
           the
           Mind
           for
           a
           
           time
           ,
           but
           the
           Virtue
           of
           it
           will
           be
           soon
           spent
           ,
           and
           the
           Presumer
           perishes
           for
           ever
           .
           But
           suppose
           a
           dying
           Person
           with
           true
           Tears
           and
           unfeigned
           persevering
           Affections
           returns
           to
           God
           ;
           Can
           he
           have
           a
           comfortable
           Assurance
           of
           his
           Sincerity
           ?
           Indeed
           the
           Searcher
           and
           Judg
           of
           Hearts
           will
           accept
           him
           :
           but
           how
           doubtful
           and
           wavering
           are
           his
           Hopes
           ?
           what
           anxious
           Fears
           are
           in
           his
           Breast
           ,
           lest
           he
           builds
           upon
           a
           sandy
           Foundation
           ?
           And
           how
           dreadful
           is
           it
           to
           appear
           before
           the
           Tribunal
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           expect
           an
           uncertain
           Sentence
           ?
        
         
           But
           Sinners
           still
           please
           themselves
           in
           this
           ,
           that
           God
           has
           effectually
           called
           some
           at
           the
           last
           Hour
           ,
           and
           they
           may
           find
           the
           same
           Favour
           with
           others
           .
           To
           this
           I
           answer
           :
        
         
           1.
           
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           we
           have
           some
           rare
           admirable
           Instances
           of
           God's
           Mercy
           and
           Grace
           ,
           the
           dying
           Thief
           and
           some
           others
           ,
           which
           shew'd
           't
           is
           possible
           with
           God
           to
           abolish
           the
           most
           confirmed
           Habits
           in
           a
           short
           time
           ,
           and
           by
           a
           swift
           Conversion
           to
           prepare
           a
           Sinner
           for
           Heaven
           .
           But
           these
           miraculous
           Examples
           are
           not
           to
           be
           drawn
           into
           Consequence
           for
           the
           Encouragement
           of
           any
           in
           their
           
           Sins
           .
           A
           ‖
           Prince
           will
           not
           endure
           that
           his
           free
           Favours
           should
           be
           made
           a
           Law
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           the
           special
           Privilege
           of
           some
           be
           extended
           to
           all
           ?
           As
           Thales
           said
           ,
           An
           old
           Mariner
           that
           has
           escap'd
           the
           various
           Dangers
           by
           Rocks
           and
           Storms
           at
           Sea
           ,
           was
           a
           new
           Miracle
           :
           So
           that
           one
           who
           has
           lived
           an
           obstinate
           Sinner
           ,
           dies
           a
           penitent
           Believer
           ,
           is
           very
           rare
           and
           extraordinary
           .
           What
           our
           Saviour
           said
           concerning
           the
           Salvation
           of
           rich
           Men
           ,
           is
           justly
           applicable
           to
           this
           Case
           ,
           
             That
             it
             was
             as
             easy
             for
             a
             Camel
             to
             go
             through
             the
             eye
             of
             a
             Needle
             ,
             as
             for
             a
             rich
             Man
             to
             enter
             into
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Heaven
             .
          
           This
           so
           astonish'd
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           that
           they
           cried
           ,
           
             Who
             then
             can
             be
             saved
          
           ?
           To
           mitigate
           the
           Difficulty
           ,
           he
           remembers
           them
           of
           the
           Divine
           Omnipotence
           :
           
             All
             things
             are
             possible
             with
             God.
          
           Thus
           for
           one
           who
           has
           been
           hardned
           in
           a
           long
           course
           of
           Sin
           ,
           and
           making
           himself
           meet
           for
           the
           Company
           of
           damned
           Spirits
           in
           Hell
           ,
           to
           be
           at
           last
           suddenly
           prepared
           and
           received
           into
           the
           pure
           and
           glorious
           Society
           above
           ,
           is
           possible
           ,
           but
           possible
           only
           as
           Miracles
           are
           by
           the
           Efficacy
           of
           Infinite
           Power
           ;
           and
           we
           cannot
           reasonably
           expect
           such
           Miracles
           .
           And
           are
           Heaven
           and
           Hell
           such
           trivial
           things
           as
           
           to
           be
           left
           to
           an
           Uncertainty
           ?
           Are
           not
           Men
           concern'd
           in
           another
           manner
           in
           the
           Affairs
           of
           this
           World
           ?
           How
           careful
           to
           prevent
           the
           Sentence
           of
           Death
           ,
           of
           Imprisonment
           ,
           of
           Banishment
           ?
           How
           diligent
           to
           obtain
           some
           temporal
           Advantage
           ?
           Yet
           how
           neglectful
           in
           things
           of
           highest
           importance
           ?
           It
           may
           be
           ,
           says
           the
           secure
           Wretch
           ,
           God
           will
           give
           me
           Repentance
           at
           last
           ,
           as
           he
           did
           to
           others
           .
           
           Remember
           you
           speak
           of
           that
           that
           most
           nearly
           concerns
           your
           Soul
           ,
           and
           dare
           you
           venture
           the
           Salvation
           of
           an
           immortal
           Soul
           upon
           a
           naked
           possibility
           of
           receiving
           Grace
           ?
           What
           reasonable
           Person
           would
           neglect
           a
           Disease
           that
           may
           prove
           deadly
           ,
           and
           rely
           on
           extreme
           Remedies
           ?
           And
           can
           you
           be
           guilty
           of
           such
           a
           cruel
           Indifference
           ,
           such
           a
           desperate
           Carelessness
           ,
           as
           to
           leave
           eternal
           Salvation
           and
           Damnation
           to
           a
           peradventure
           ?
        
         
           2.
           
           Consider
           how
           many
           thousands
           have
           died
           in
           their
           Sins
           ,
           
           and
           of
           them
           great
           Numbers
           cherish'd
           fallacious
           Hopes
           of
           repenting
           at
           last
           .
           Diagoras
           the
           Atheist
           ,
           that
           denied
           a
           governing
           Providence
           of
           things
           in
           this
           lower
           World
           ,
           the
           Sphere
           of
           Mutability
           ,
           when
           one
           for
           his
           Conviction
           shewed
           him
           in
           
           the
           †
           Temple
           of
           Neptune
           many
           votive
           Tables
           ,
           containing
           the
           grateful
           Acknowledgments
           of
           those
           who
           by
           Addresses
           to
           the
           Gods
           in
           dangerous
           Storms
           ,
           had
           arrived
           safe
           at
           their
           Ports
           ;
           and
           ask'd
           him
           ,
           Whether
           he
           had
           observ'd
           those
           numerous
           Testimonies
           for
           Divine
           Providence
           ?
           He
           replied
           ,
           
             I
             see
             them
             ;
             but
             how
             many
             having
             invocated
          
           Neptune
           ,
           
           
             yet
             perish'd
             in
             the
             Ocean
             ,
             and
             never
             came
             to
             pay
             their
             Vows
             for
             Deliverance
             ?
          
           'T
           was
           Impiety
           in
           him
           to
           argue
           so
           against
           God's
           disposing
           Providence
           ;
           but
           it
           may
           be
           justly
           said
           to
           those
           who
           neglect
           their
           present
           Duty
           ,
           presuming
           upon
           some
           Examples
           of
           his
           glorious
           Goodness
           on
           those
           who
           were
           converted
           and
           saved
           in
           their
           approaches
           to
           Death
           .
           How
           many
           have
           finally
           miscarried
           in
           shooting
           that
           Gulph
           ,
           to
           one
           that
           has
           arrived
           safe
           at
           Heaven
           ?
           How
           many
           that
           presume
           ,
           upon
           their
           Youth
           and
           Strength
           ,
           to
           delay
           Repentance
           ,
           are
           suddenly
           cut
           off
           ?
           the
           first
           Symptom
           of
           their
           Sickness
           is
           Death
           .
           And
           what
           the
           Angel
           with
           such
           solemnity
           declar'd
           ,
           
             that
             Time
             should
             be
             no
             more
             ,
          
           is
           verified
           concerning
           them
           by
           an
           unexpected
           Dissolution
           .
           How
           many
           ,
           when
           sick
           ,
           hope
           either
           by
           the
           Vigour
           of
           Nature
           ,
           or
           the
           Virtue
           of
           Medicines
           ,
           
           to
           overcome
           the
           Disease
           ?
           and
           this
           Hope
           is
           cherish'd
           by
           the
           mortal
           Kindness
           ,
           the
           cruel
           Deceit
           of
           Friends
           ,
           who
           are
           unwilling
           to
           discover
           their
           Danger
           ,
           lest
           their
           Spirits
           should
           sink
           under
           the
           apprehension
           of
           it
           .
           And
           thus
           deluded
           ,
           many
           never
           see
           Death
           till
           they
           feel
           it
           ,
           and
           perish
           for
           ever
           in
           their
           Impenitence
           .
           How
           many
           that
           are
           guilty
           and
           graceless
           ,
           when
           distant
           from
           Death
           and
           Hell
           but
           a
           few
           hours
           ,
           yet
           from
           Atheism
           are
           secure
           as
           Jonah
           ,
           who
           slept
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           a
           Tempest
           at
           Sea
           ?
           The
           Tenour
           of
           their
           Lives
           discovers
           this
           to
           be
           Divine
           Vengeance
           ,
           they
           are
           seiz'd
           by
           a
           Spirit
           of
           Slumber
           ,
           and
           pass
           without
           fear
           into
           the
           State
           of
           everlasting
           Desperation
           .
           How
           many
           are
           deceived
           with
           the
           appearance
           of
           Repentance
           ,
           and
           mistake
           a
           false
           Peace
           for
           a
           true
           ,
           and
           asswage
           the
           anguish
           of
           Conscience
           by
           palliating
           Remedies
           ?
           Their
           Sorrow
           for
           Sin
           ,
           their
           Prayers
           ,
           their
           Resolutions
           of
           Reformation
           ,
           are
           the
           product
           of
           servile
           Fear
           ,
           that
           is
           ineffectual
           to
           Salvation
           :
           And
           as
           't
           is
           with
           crafty
           Tradesmen
           ,
           that
           take
           up
           much
           upon
           Trust
           ,
           when
           near
           breaking
           ;
           so
           they
           are
           very
           liberal
           of
           the
           Promises
           of
           Amendment
           ,
           when
           they
           are
           near
           dying
           .
           
           From
           hence
           they
           vainly
           presume
           that
           God
           is
           reconcil'd
           to
           them
           ,
           whose
           all-discerning
           Eye
           sees
           the
           inward
           Spring
           of
           their
           Sorrows
           ,
           and
           the
           Principle
           of
           all
           their
           religious
           Resolutions
           is
           the
           guilty
           fear
           of
           eternal
           Judgment
           .
           Now
           a
           false
           Tranquillity
           is
           more
           terrible
           than
           the
           Storms
           of
           a
           troubled
           Spirit
           :
           for
           those
           who
           hope
           upon
           deceitful
           grounds
           ,
           are
           in
           the
           most
           hopeless
           State
           ,
           neglecting
           what
           is
           requisite
           in
           order
           to
           Salvation
           .
           Thus
           innumerable
           pass
           in
           a
           Cloud
           of
           Delusion
           to
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           Darkness
           .
           And
           how
           many
           who
           have
           lived
           in
           careless
           Security
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           had
           
             made
             a
             Covenant
             with
             Death
          
           ,
           when
           Conscience
           is
           awaken'd
           ,
           and
           looks
           into
           the
           depth
           of
           their
           Guilt
           ,
           when
           they
           see
           Death
           before
           them
           attended
           with
           Judgment
           ,
           and
           Judgment
           with
           an
           everlasting
           Hell
           ,
           as
           we
           read
           of
           Sisera
           ,
           who
           from
           extream
           Fear
           ,
           pass'd
           to
           extream
           Security
           ;
           so
           on
           the
           contrary
           ,
           these
           Self-deceivers
           from
           Security
           have
           fallen
           into
           Despair
           .
           Then
           Truth
           and
           Conscience
           that
           were
           so
           long
           under
           unrighteous
           Restraints
           ,
           break
           the
           Fetters
           ,
           and
           terribly
           charge
           the
           Sinners
           :
           Then
           innumerable
           Acts
           ,
           which
           they
           thought
           to
           be
           innocent
           ,
           appear
           to
           be
           Sins
           ;
           and
           
           Sin
           that
           they
           made
           light
           of
           ,
           to
           be
           infinitely
           evil
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           highest
           degree
           hateful
           to
           God.
           And
           sometimes
           by
           the
           Suggestions
           of
           the
           Enemy
           of
           Souls
           ,
           they
           are
           overwhelmed
           with
           Despair
           ,
           and
           their
           last
           Error
           is
           worse
           than
           the
           first
           .
           The
           Devil
           makes
           his
           advantage
           of
           the
           timerous
           Conscience
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           of
           the
           seared
           :
           Solitude
           is
           his
           Scene
           as
           well
           as
           the
           noisy
           Theatre
           ;
           and
           by
           contrary
           ways
           ,
           either
           Presumption
           or
           Despair
           ,
           brings
           Sinners
           to
           the
           same
           end
           .
           He
           changes
           his
           Methods
           according
           to
           their
           Dispositions
           ;
           the
           Tempter
           turns
           Accuser
           ;
           and
           then
           such
           who
           had
           but
           a
           dim
           sight
           of
           Sin
           before
           ,
           have
           an
           over-quick
           sight
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           are
           swallowed
           up
           in
           an
           abyss
           of
           Confusion
           .
           The
           Condition
           of
           such
           is
           extreamly
           miserable
           .
           'T
           is
           observed
           of
           those
           who
           are
           bitten
           with
           a
           mad
           Dog
           ,
           that
           their
           Cure
           is
           extream
           ‖
           difficult
           ,
           if
           not
           impossible
           ;
           for
           being
           tormented
           with
           Thirst
           ,
           yet
           are
           so
           fearful
           of
           Water
           ,
           that
           the
           sight
           of
           it
           sometimes
           causes
           sudden
           Convulsions
           and
           Death
           .
           This
           is
           a
           significant
           Emblem
           of
           a
           despairing
           Soul
           :
           For
           when
           inraged
           Conscience
           bites
           to
           the
           quick
           ,
           the
           guilty
           Person
           fill'd
           with
           Estuations
           and
           Terrors
           ,
           ardently
           thirsts
           
           for
           Pardon
           ,
           yet
           fearfully
           forsakes
           his
           own
           Mercies
           .
           Whatever
           is
           propounded
           to
           encourage
           Faith
           in
           the
           Divine
           Promises
           ,
           he
           turns
           to
           justify
           his
           Infidelity
           .
           Represent
           to
           him
           the
           infinite
           Mercies
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           unvaluable
           Merits
           of
           Christ
           sufficient
           to
           redeem
           the
           lost
           World
           ,
           it
           increases
           his
           Despair
           ,
           because
           he
           has
           perversly
           abused
           those
           Mercies
           ,
           and
           neglected
           those
           Merits
           .
           The
           most
           precious
           Promises
           of
           the
           Gospel
           are
           killing
           Terrors
           to
           him
           :
           as
           the
           sweet
           Title
           of
           Friend
           ,
           wherewith
           our
           Saviour
           receiv'd
           Judas
           when
           he
           came
           to
           betray
           him
           ,
           was
           the
           most
           stinging
           Reproach
           of
           his
           perfidious
           Villany
           .
           Thus
           it
           appears
           how
           dangerous
           it
           is
           to
           delay
           Repentance
           and
           Reconciliation
           with
           God
           till
           Sickness
           and
           a
           Death-bed
           ,
           when
           the
           remembrance
           or
           forgetfulness
           of
           Sin
           ,
           the
           sense
           or
           security
           of
           Conscience
           may
           be
           equally
           destructive
           .
        
         
           The
           Sum
           of
           what
           has
           been
           amplified
           in
           this
           Part
           is
           this
           :
           A
           vain
           hope
           of
           living
           long
           ,
           and
           being
           reconcil'd
           to
           God
           when
           Men
           please
           ,
           is
           the
           fatal
           Foundation
           of
           their
           Sins
           and
           Misery
           .
           They
           apply
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           against
           the
           Mind
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           securely
           provoke
           him
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           could
           take
           Heaven
           by
           
           Violence
           ,
           in
           contradiction
           to
           the
           Gospel
           .
           But
           they
           usually
           dispose
           of
           that
           time
           they
           shall
           never
           enjoy
           ,
           and
           presume
           upon
           that
           Mercy
           and
           Grace
           they
           shall
           never
           obtain
           .
           We
           are
           commanded
           
             to
             seek
             the
             Lord
             while
             he
             may
             be
             found
          
           ;
           a
           sad
           Intimation
           that
           't
           is
           not
           in
           our
           power
           to
           find
           him
           to
           our
           Comfort
           when
           we
           please
           :
           He
           spares
           long
           ,
           but
           abused
           Patience
           will
           deliver
           Sinners
           to
           revenging
           Justice
           .
           Sampson
           was
           three
           times
           in
           the
           Chamber
           of
           his
           Lust
           ,
           expos'd
           to
           Treachery
           ,
           and
           escap'd
           ;
           but
           the
           fourth
           time
           he
           said
           ,
           
             I
             will
             arise
          
           ,
           but
           was
           surprized
           by
           his
           Enemies
           ,
           and
           lost
           his
           Strength
           ,
           and
           Sight
           ,
           and
           Liberty
           .
           How
           justly
           will
           the
           wilful
           neglect
           of
           Salvation
           so
           long
           ,
           and
           so
           compassionately
           offer'd
           to
           Sinners
           ,
           render
           the
           Divine
           Mercy
           inexorable
           to
           their
           Prayers
           and
           Tears
           at
           last
           ?
           When
           a
           Roman
           Gentleman
           that
           was
           wont
           to
           revel
           in
           the
           night
           ,
           and
           sleep
           in
           the
           day
           ,
           had
           wasted
           a
           great
           Estate
           by
           Luxury
           ,
           he
           petitioned
           the
           Emperor
           Tiberius
           to
           relieve
           his
           Poverty
           ,
           and
           was
           dismiss'd
           with
           this
           upbraiding
           Answer
           ,
           
             Serò
             experrectus
             es
          
           ,
           you
           are
           risen
           too
           late
           .
           He
           never
           open'd
           his
           Eyes
           to
           see
           his
           Condition
           till
           it
           was
           past
           Remedy
           .
           This
           is
           the
           sad
           Case
           of
           
           many
           that
           waste
           the
           Seasons
           of
           Grace
           ,
           and
           are
           careless
           of
           their
           Duty
           ,
           till
           upon
           the
           point
           of
           perishing
           ,
           and
           then
           address
           themselves
           to
           God
           for
           his
           Favour
           and
           Pardon
           ,
           but
           are
           justly
           rejected
           with
           the
           reproaches
           of
           their
           obstinate
           neglect
           of
           Salvation
           in
           the
           time
           of
           their
           Lives
           .
           I
           doubt
           not
           that
           some
           are
           wonderfully
           converted
           and
           saved
           at
           last
           ;
           but
           these
           special
           Mercies
           are
           like
           our
           Saviour's
           miraculous
           healing
           the
           two
           blind
           Persons
           as
           he
           was
           passing
           in
           the
           way
           ,
           when
           great
           numbers
           of
           the
           Blind
           remain'd
           uncur'd
           .
           We
           read
           a
           prodigious
           Story
           in
           the
           Book
           of
           Kings
           ,
           that
           a
           Captain
           and
           his
           fifty
           Men
           commanded
           Elias
           to
           come
           to
           the
           King
           ,
           and
           immediately
           a
           Tempest
           of
           Lightning
           destroyed
           them
           .
           Now
           who
           would
           think
           that
           another
           Captain
           with
           his
           fifty
           should
           be
           so
           desperate
           ,
           that
           having
           the
           Ashes
           and
           Relicks
           of
           those
           miserable
           Carcasses
           before
           their
           Eyes
           ,
           as
           to
           make
           the
           same
           Citation
           to
           the
           Prophet
           ?
           yet
           they
           did
           ,
           and
           provok'd
           the
           Justice
           of
           Heaven
           to
           consume
           them
           .
           And
           this
           Madness
           is
           exemplified
           in
           thousands
           every
           day
           ;
           for
           notwithstanding
           they
           see
           Sinners
           like
           themselves
           cut
           off
           in
           their
           evil
           Ways
           ,
           they
           continue
           unreformed
           ,
           
           as
           if
           they
           were
           fearless
           of
           Hell
           ,
           as
           if
           resolved
           to
           secure
           their
           own
           Damnation
           .
        
         
           I
           would
           not
           from
           what
           has
           been
           represented
           in
           this
           Matter
           so
           universally
           useful
           ,
           discourage
           any
           that
           have
           lived
           in
           a
           course
           of
           Sin
           ,
           from
           earnest
           seeking
           to
           God
           in
           their
           last
           Hours
           :
           For
           even
           then
           they
           are
           not
           utterly
           destitute
           of
           Hope
           .
           The
           Gospel
           sets
           forth
           the
           Mercy
           of
           God
           to
           returning
           Sinners
           ,
           in
           various
           Representations
           and
           Expressions
           of
           admirable
           Tenderness
           .
           When
           the
           lost
           Sheep
           was
           recovered
           ,
           there
           was
           Joy
           ,
           as
           if
           a
           Treasure
           had
           been
           found
           .
           The
           Prodigal
           had
           wasted
           his
           Estate
           in
           Lasciviousness
           and
           Luxury
           ,
           and
           by
           a
           harsh
           reduction
           came
           to
           himself
           ,
           reflected
           with
           shame
           upon
           his
           Folly
           and
           Rebellion
           ,
           and
           the
           sense
           of
           his
           Misery
           (
           not
           a
           more
           ingenuous
           or
           noble
           Principle
           at
           first
           )
           compell'd
           him
           to
           go
           to
           his
           Father
           ,
           to
           try
           what
           his
           Affection
           would
           do
           .
           And
           it
           was
           not
           a
           vain
           presumption
           ,
           for
           he
           found
           the
           effects
           of
           fatherly
           and
           compassionate
           Love
           :
           
             When
             he
             was
             a
             great
             way
             off
             ,
             his
             Father
             saw
             him
             ,
             and
             had
             Compassion
             ,
             and
             ran
             and
             fell
             on
             his
             Neck
             ,
             and
             kissed
             him
             .
             And
             the
             Son
             said
             ,
             Father
             ,
             I
             have
             sinned
             against
             Heaven
             ,
             
             and
             in
             thy
             sight
             ,
             and
             am
             no
             more
             worthy
             to
             be
             called
             thy
             Son.
             But
             the
             Father
             said
             to
             his
             Servants
             ,
             Bring
             out
             the
             best
             Robes
             ,
             and
             put
             a
             Ring
             on
             his
             Finger
             ,
             and
             Shoes
             on
             his
             Feet
             ;
             and
             bring
             hither
             the
             fatted
             Calf
             ,
             and
             kill
             it
             ;
             let
             us
             eat
             and
             be
             merry
             ,
             for
             this
             my
             Son
             was
             dead
             ,
             and
             is
             alive
             again
             ,
             was
             lost
             ,
             and
             is
             found
             .
          
           The
           Design
           of
           Christ
           was
           to
           represent
           his
           Heavenly
           Father
           in
           that
           Parable
           :
           and
           to
           wounded
           Spirits
           that
           feel
           the
           intolerable
           weight
           of
           Sin
           ,
           the
           Mercy
           and
           Mildness
           of
           the
           Gospel
           is
           to
           be
           exhibited
           .
           God
           is
           rich
           in
           Mercy
           to
           all
           that
           call
           upon
           him
           in
           Truth
           .
           But
           to
           tell
           Sinners
           who
           securely
           proceed
           in
           their
           sinful
           Ways
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           be
           saved
           at
           last
           ,
           and
           notwithstanding
           their
           presumptuous
           Repulses
           of
           God's
           Calls
           to
           his
           Service
           ,
           yet
           think
           they
           may
           come
           into
           the
           Vineyard
           at
           the
           eleventh
           hour
           ,
           and
           be
           rewarded
           ,
           is
           to
           give
           countenance
           and
           protection
           to
           Sin
           ,
           and
           to
           harden
           them
           to
           Destruction
           ▪
           Poison
           is
           not
           cured
           by
           giving
           Food
           ,
           but
           Antidotes
           ,
           that
           put
           Nature
           into
           a
           Passion
           till
           it
           be
           expelled
           .
           The
           Terrors
           of
           the
           Lord
           can
           only
           prove
           medicinal
           to
           such
           depraved
           Souls
           .
        
         
         
           To
           conclude
           this
           Argument
           ,
           let
           us
           seriously
           consider
           the
           Revelation
           God
           has
           afforded
           of
           himself
           in
           the
           Gospel
           :
           He
           is
           a
           Father
           and
           a
           Judg
           ;
           Justice
           and
           Holiness
           as
           well
           as
           Mercy
           are
           essential
           to
           his
           Nature
           ,
           that
           our
           Affections
           may
           be
           accordingly
           moved
           towards
           him
           .
           
             If
             ye
             call
             on
             the
             Father
             ,
             who
             without
             respect
             of
             Persons
             judgeth
             according
             to
             every
             Man's
             Work
             ,
             pass
             the
             time
             of
             your
             sojourning
             here
             in
             fear
             .
          
           Presumption
           and
           Despair
           are
           very
           dishonourable
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           pernicious
           to
           the
           Soul
           :
           the
           one
           destroys
           the
           Fear
           ,
           the
           other
           the
           Love
           of
           God.
           But
           Hope
           contemper'd
           with
           Fear
           ,
           has
           an
           excellent
           Influence
           in
           the
           Christian
           Life
           .
           As
           the
           Ballast
           and
           the
           Wind
           are
           both
           necessary
           ,
           that
           the
           Ship
           may
           sail
           safely
           ;
           without
           the
           Wind
           the
           Ship
           can
           make
           no
           way
           ;
           and
           without
           Ballast
           't
           is
           in
           danger
           of
           oversetting
           by
           every
           Gust
           .
           Thus
           Hope
           and
           Fear
           are
           necessary
           to
           bring
           us
           safely
           to
           Heaven
           .
           Fear
           without
           Hope
           chills
           ,
           and
           stupifies
           the
           Vigour
           and
           Alacrity
           of
           the
           Soul
           ,
           that
           it
           cannot
           come
           to
           God
           :
           and
           Hope
           without
           Fear
           ,
           makes
           it
           vain
           and
           careless
           of
           its
           Duty
           ,
           and
           liable
           to
           be
           overthrown
           by
           every
           pleasing
           Temptation
           .
           Briefly
           ,
           let
           us
           rightly
           understand
           the
           Tenor
           
           of
           the
           Evangelical
           Promises
           of
           Pardon
           and
           Grace
           :
           they
           are
           conditional
           and
           applicable
           only
           to
           penitent
           Believers
           .
           And
           unfeigned
           Faith
           purifies
           the
           Heart
           ,
           works
           by
           Love
           ,
           and
           is
           the
           living
           Principle
           of
           universal
           Obedience
           .
           And
           Repentance
           unto
           Life
           is
           productive
           of
           all
           good
           Fruits
           in
           their
           Season
           .
           Without
           Faith
           and
           Repentance
           we
           can
           neither
           be
           justified
           in
           this
           World
           ,
           nor
           glorified
           in
           the
           next
           .
           
             Be
             not
             deceived
             ,
             God
             is
             not
             mocked
             :
             as
             a
             Man
             sows
             ,
             so
             shall
             he
             reap
             .
             He
             that
             sows
             to
             the
             Flesh
             ,
             shall
             of
             the
             Flesh
             reap
             Corruption
             :
             he
             that
             sows
             to
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             shall
             of
             the
             Spirit
             reap
             Life
             everlasting
             .
          
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           careful
           preserving
           our selves
           from
           wilful
           presumptuous
           Sins
           ,
           is
           an
           happy
           means
           to
           render
           Death
           comfortable
           to
           us
           .
           Sins
           of
           Ignorance
           and
           Infirmity
           ,
           of
           sudden
           Surreption
           and
           Surprize
           ,
           the
           best
           Men
           are
           not
           freed
           from
           in
           the
           present
           State
           :
           and
           being
           the
           daily
           motive
           of
           our
           Grief
           ,
           and
           serious
           circumspection
           to
           prevent
           them
           ,
           are
           consistent
           with
           the
           regular
           Peace
           of
           Conscience
           ,
           and
           the
           Friendship
           and
           Favour
           of
           God.
           But
           great
           Sins
           in
           their
           matter
           being
           so
           contrary
           to
           natural
           Conscience
           ,
           and
           supernatural
           Grace
           ,
           or
           Sins
           
           presumptuous
           in
           the
           manner
           of
           their
           commission
           ,
           such
           as
           proceed
           from
           the
           choice
           of
           the
           perverse
           Will
           against
           the
           inlightned
           Mind
           ,
           whatever
           the
           matter
           or
           kind
           of
           them
           be
           ,
           are
           direct
           Rebellion
           against
           God
           ,
           a
           despising
           of
           his
           Command
           ,
           and
           provoke
           his
           pure
           Eyes
           ,
           and
           make
           the
           aspect
           of
           Death
           fearful
           .
           The
           Spirit
           seals
           our
           Pardon
           and
           Title
           to
           Heaven
           as
           the
           holy
           Spirit
           ;
           his
           Testimony
           ,
           that
           
             we
             are
             the
             Children
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             Heirs
             of
             Glory
             ,
          
           is
           concurrent
           with
           the
           renewed
           Conscience
           ,
           and
           distinguish'd
           from
           the
           ignorant
           Presumptions
           ,
           blind
           Conjectures
           ,
           and
           carnal
           Security
           of
           the
           Unholy
           .
           As
           the
           sanctifying
           Spirit
           he
           distinguishes
           true
           Christians
           from
           the
           lost
           World
           ,
           appropriates
           them
           to
           God
           ,
           confirms
           their
           present
           Interest
           in
           the
           Promises
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           their
           future
           Hopes
           .
           Briefly
           ,
           Grace
           is
           the
           most
           sensible
           effect
           and
           sign
           of
           God's
           special
           Favour
           ,
           the
           fruit
           of
           Election
           ,
           and
           the
           earnest
           of
           Glory
           :
           and
           the
           Truth
           of
           Grace
           is
           most
           clearly
           and
           certainly
           made
           evident
           by
           the
           continual
           Efficacy
           of
           it
           in
           the
           Conversation
           .
           The
           observation
           of
           our
           Hearts
           to
           suppress
           unholy
           Affections
           ,
           and
           of
           our
           Senses
           to
           prevent
           them
           ,
           a
           constant
           course
           
           of
           Holiness
           in
           our
           Lives
           ,
           (
           though
           many
           Frailties
           will
           cleave
           to
           the
           best
           )
           is
           usually
           rewarded
           with
           great
           Peace
           here
           .
        
         
           God
           has
           establish'd
           a
           connexion
           between
           our
           Obedience
           and
           his
           Comforts
           .
           Those
           that
           keep
           themselves
           pure
           from
           the
           Defilements
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           have
           the
           white
           Stone
           promised
           ,
           the
           bright
           Jewel
           of
           assurance
           of
           God's
           pardoning
           and
           rewarding
           Mercy
           .
           We
           read
           of
           
             Enoch
             ,
             that
             he
             walk'd
             with
             God
             ,
          
           was
           a
           Star
           shining
           in
           a
           corrupt
           Age
           ,
           the
           tenour
           of
           his
           Life
           was
           holy
           ,
           and
           he
           was
           translated
           to
           Heaven
           without
           seeing
           Death
           .
           Though
           this
           was
           an
           extraordinary
           Dispensation
           ,
           yet
           there
           is
           a
           peculiar
           Reward
           analogical
           to
           it
           ;
           for
           those
           who
           walk
           circumspectly
           ,
           they
           shall
           not
           see
           Death
           with
           its
           Terrors
           ,
           but
           usually
           have
           a
           holy
           Chearfulness
           ,
           a
           peaceful
           Joy
           ,
           in
           their
           passage
           through
           the
           dark
           Valley
           to
           Heaven
           .
           But
           presumptuous
           Sins
           against
           external
           and
           internal
           Restraints
           ,
           the
           convincing
           Law
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           Directions
           of
           Conscience
           ,
           (
           to
           which
           even
           the
           Saints
           of
           God
           are
           liable
           here
           ,
           as
           appears
           by
           
           David's
           earnest
           Prayer
           to
           be
           preserved
           from
           them
           )
           such
           Sins
           grieve
           the
           holy
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           wound
           our
           Spirits
           ,
           and
           ,
           if
           continued
           ,
           sequester
           us
           from
           the
           comfortable
           
           Priviledges
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           render
           us
           unfit
           for
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           Heaven
           .
           And
           when
           they
           are
           retracted
           by
           Repentance
           ,
           yet
           there
           often
           remains
           a
           bitter
           Remembrance
           of
           them
           :
           as
           deep
           Wounds
           ,
           though
           cur'd
           ,
           yet
           are
           felt
           in
           change
           of
           Weather
           .
           And
           sometimes
           a
           Spring-tide
           of
           Doubts
           and
           Fears
           breaks
           into
           humble
           penitent
           Souls
           ,
           in
           the
           last
           Hours
           :
           though
           Death
           brings
           them
           safely
           ,
           yet
           not
           comfortably
           to
           Heaven
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           The
           zealous
           Discharge
           of
           the
           Duties
           of
           our
           Place
           and
           Calling
           ,
           the
           Conjunction
           of
           our
           Resolutions
           and
           Endeavours
           to
           glorify
           God
           ,
           and
           do
           good
           according
           to
           our
           Abilities
           and
           Opportunities
           of
           Service
           ,
           sweetens
           the
           Thoughts
           of
           Death
           to
           us
           .
           For
           the
           true
           End
           and
           Perfection
           of
           Life
           is
           the
           Glory
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           when
           with
           Fidelity
           it
           is
           employed
           in
           order
           to
           it
           ,
           Death
           brings
           us
           to
           the
           blessed
           Rest
           from
           our
           Labours
           .
           Our
           Saviour
           when
           he
           was
           to
           leave
           the
           World
           ,
           address'd
           himself
           to
           his
           Father
           ,
           
           
             I
             have
             glorified
             thee
             on
             Earth
             ,
             I
             have
             finish'd
             the
             Work
             thou
             gavest
             me
             to
             do
             .
             And
             now
             ,
             Father
             ,
             glorify
             me
             with
             thy self
             ,
             with
             the
             Glory
             which
             I
             had
             with
             thee
             before
             the
             World
             was
             .
          
           A
           
           Christian
           that
           imitates
           and
           honours
           Christ
           ,
           and
           with
           Diligence
           perseveres
           in
           well-doing
           ,
           may
           with
           an
           humble
           Confidence
           in
           the
           Divine
           Mercy
           expect
           the
           promised
           Reward
           .
           The
           Reflection
           upon
           a
           well-spent
           Life
           is
           joyn'd
           with
           a
           joyful
           Prospect
           of
           God's
           Favour
           and
           Acceptance
           above
           .
           But
           to
           the
           careless
           and
           remiss
           ,
           to
           those
           who
           are
           wilfully
           negligent
           of
           their
           Duty
           ,
           how
           fearful
           is
           Death
           that
           summons
           them
           to
           give
           an
           account
           of
           their
           Talents
           to
           the
           Righteous
           Lord
           ?
        
         
           4.
           
           A
           holy
           Indifference
           of
           Affection
           to
           present
           things
           ,
           makes
           it
           easy
           to
           part
           with
           them
           ,
           and
           Death
           less
           fearful
           to
           us
           .
           David
           ,
           though
           a
           King
           ,
           declares
           he
           was
           a
           Stranger
           on
           Earth
           ,
           not
           only
           with
           respect
           to
           his
           transient
           Condition
           ,
           but
           his
           inward
           Disposition
           ;
           and
           that
           he
           was
           
             as
             a
             weaned
             Child
          
           from
           the
           admired
           Vanities
           of
           the
           World.
           Chrysostom
           in
           a
           Letter
           to
           Ciriacus
           who
           was
           tenderly
           sensible
           of
           his
           Banishment
           ,
           wrote
           to
           him
           ,
           
             You
             now
             begin
             to
             lament
             my
             Banishment
             ,
             but
             I
             have
             done
             so
             for
             a
             long
             time
             :
             for
             since
             I
             knew
             that
             Heaven
             was
             my
             Country
             ,
             I
             have
             esteemed
             the
             whole
             Earth
             a
             place
             of
             Exilement
             .
             Constantinople
             ,
             from
             
             whence
             I
             am
             expell'd
             ,
             is
             as
             distant
             from
             Paradise
             as
             the
             Desert
             to
             which
             they
             send
             me
             .
             But
             when
             our
             Affections
             are
             set
             upon
             external
             things
             ,
             and
             we
             are
             irregular
             in
             our
             Aims
             ,
             intemperate
             in
             our
             Use
             ,
             and
             immoderate
             in
             our
             Delights
             ,
             how
             sensible
             and
             cutting
             is
             the
             Division
             from
             them
             ?
          
           How
           bitter
           is
           Death
           that
           deprives
           a
           carnal
           Wretch
           of
           all
           the
           Materials
           of
           his
           frail
           Felicity
           ?
           What
           a
           Storm
           of
           Passions
           is
           raised
           ,
           to
           lose
           all
           his
           good
           things
           at
           once
           ?
           for
           't
           is
           a
           Rule
           in
           Nature
           ,
           What
           is
           possess'd
           with
           transporting
           Joy
           ,
           is
           lost
           with
           excessive
           Sorrow
           .
           As
           the
           Ivy
           that
           twines
           so
           closely
           about
           the
           Tree
           ,
           and
           is
           intimately
           fastned
           by
           so
           many
           Roots
           as
           there
           are
           Branches
           ,
           cannot
           be
           pluck'd
           away
           without
           rending
           the
           Bark
           with
           it
           ;
           so
           when
           the
           World
           ,
           that
           was
           as
           it
           were
           incarnated
           with
           the
           Heart
           ,
           is
           taken
           away
           ,
           the
           Heart
           it self
           is
           grievously
           rent
           by
           the
           violent
           Separation
           .
           And
           the
           Infelicity
           of
           carnal
           and
           worldly
           Persons
           is
           heavily
           aggravated
           ,
           
           in
           that
           the
           Guilt
           in
           procuring
           or
           abusing
           those
           Treasures
           and
           Delights
           that
           they
           leave
           here
           with
           so
           great
           Sorrow
           ,
           will
           cleave
           to
           them
           ,
           and
           give
           Testimony
           against
           them
           before
           their
           Judg.
           But
           
           when
           the
           Affections
           are
           loose
           to
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           set
           upon
           Heaven
           ,
           our
           leaving
           the
           Earth
           is
           no
           Loss
           but
           Gain
           ,
           and
           our
           Separation
           from
           the
           Body
           of
           Flesh
           is
           with
           that
           Alacrity
           ,
           as
           the
           putting
           off
           a
           vile
           Garment
           to
           be
           clothed
           with
           a
           Royal
           Robe
           .
           'T
           was
           the
           wise
           Counsel
           of
           Tertullian
           to
           the
           Women
           of
           the
           first
           Ages
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           
           not
           to
           value
           and
           love
           the
           Jewels
           and
           Ornaments
           of
           Gold
           ,
           that
           they
           might
           be
           more
           ready
           and
           resolved
           to
           obtain
           by
           Death
           ,
           Martyrdom
           ,
           and
           by
           Martyrdom
           ,
           Eternal
           Glory
           .
           And
           that
           we
           may
           disentangle
           our
           Souls
           from
           those
           voluntary
           Bands
           that
           fasten
           us
           to
           present
           things
           ,
           we
           must
           have
           a
           sincere
           uncorrupted
           Judgment
           of
           their
           Meanness
           .
           The
           Apostle
           exhorts
           Christians
           to
           Moderation
           in
           their
           Temper
           and
           Conversation
           ,
           with
           respect
           to
           the
           Business
           and
           Enjoyments
           here
           ,
           that
           
             they
             who
             have
             Wives
             ,
             be
             as
             though
             they
             had
             none
             ;
             that
             those
             that
             rejoice
             ,
             be
             as
             though
             they
             rejoiced
             not
             ;
             and
             they
             that
             buy
             ,
             as
             though
             they
             possessed
             not
             ;
             and
             they
             that
             use
             the
             World
             ,
             as
             not
             abusing
             it
             ;
             for
             the
             fashion
             of
             the
             World
             passeth
             away
             .
          
           To
           a
           wise
           and
           pondering
           Observer
           ,
           what
           comparison
           is
           there
           between
           Shadows
           and
           Dreams
           ,
           and
           substantial
           everlasting
           
           Blessedness
           ?
           If
           Men
           had
           the
           same
           opinion
           of
           this
           World
           whilst
           they
           live
           ,
           as
           they
           will
           have
           when
           they
           are
           to
           die
           ,
           they
           would
           not
           inordinately
           seek
           it
           .
           They
           who
           have
           magnified
           temporal
           Honours
           and
           Riches
           ,
           and
           lived
           in
           Pleasures
           without
           Remorse
           ,
           yet
           in
           their
           dying
           Hours
           ,
           when
           Men
           speak
           with
           most
           Feeling
           and
           least
           Affectation
           ,
           how
           have
           they
           vilified
           those
           empty
           Appearances
           of
           Happiness
           ?
           with
           what
           moving
           Expressions
           declared
           the
           Vanity
           and
           Brevity
           of
           worldly
           things
           ?
           As
           when
           the
           Israelites
           were
           to
           go
           through
           the
           River
           Jordan
           ,
           that
           opened
           it self
           to
           make
           a
           free
           and
           dry
           Passage
           for
           them
           ;
           the
           lower
           part
           of
           its
           Waters
           ran
           into
           the
           Dead
           Sea
           ,
           and
           utterly
           fail'd
           :
           
           but
           the
           Waters
           that
           came
           from
           above
           ,
           rose
           up
           and
           appear'd
           like
           a
           Mountain
           .
           Thus
           when
           Men
           come
           to
           the
           universal
           Passage
           ,
           from
           this
           to
           the
           next
           Life
           ,
           inferiour
           things
           absolutely
           fail
           ,
           and
           are
           lost
           in
           the
           dead
           Sea
           ,
           but
           the
           things
           above
           ,
           that
           are
           eternal
           ,
           then
           appear
           in
           their
           true
           Greatness
           ,
           exceeding
           all
           humane
           Comprehension
           :
           from
           hence
           is
           the
           change
           of
           Mind
           and
           Language
           concerning
           the
           one
           and
           other
           .
        
         
         
           5.
           
           Solemn
           ,
           affectionate
           ,
           and
           frequent
           Converse
           with
           God
           in
           religious
           Duties
           ,
           will
           render
           Death
           not
           fearful
           to
           us
           .
           The
           whole
           Life
           of
           a
           Christian
           ,
           as
           such
           ,
           is
           a
           
             continual
             Communion
             with
             the
             Father
          
           ,
           
           
             and
             with
             Jesus
             Christ.
          
           For
           he
           performs
           all
           good
           Works
           by
           Divine
           Grace
           communicated
           
             from
             above
          
           ,
           and
           refers
           all
           to
           the
           Divine
           Honour
           .
           As
           in
           a
           pair
           of
           Compasses
           ,
           one
           Foot
           is
           fix'd
           in
           the
           Center
           ,
           while
           the
           other
           moves
           in
           the
           Circumference
           :
           so
           the
           Heart
           of
           a
           Christian
           is
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           his
           aims
           are
           for
           God
           ,
           whilst
           he
           is
           active
           here
           in
           the
           World.
           His
           Natural
           and
           Civil
           Actions
           are
           heightened
           to
           a
           supernatural
           End
           :
           And
           thus
           
             his
             Conversation
             is
             in
             Heaven
          
           .
           But
           this
           was
           spoken
           of
           before
           :
           and
           that
           which
           is
           now
           specified
           ,
           is
           the
           more
           immediate
           Service
           of
           God
           in
           Holy
           Meditation
           ,
           Prayer
           ,
           and
           the
           Ordinances
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           noblest
           part
           of
           the
           spiritual
           Life
           .
        
         
           Our
           blessed
           Saviour
           who
           was
           a
           Comprehensor
           upon
           Earth
           ,
           always
           saw
           the
           Face
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           invariably
           sought
           his
           Glory
           in
           all
           things
           ,
           yet
           had
           his
           special
           times
           of
           Prayer
           and
           Heavenly
           Communion
           with
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           most
           glorious
           
           Testimonies
           of
           his
           Favour
           in
           those
           times
           .
           Our
           Communion
           with
           God
           here
           is
           as
           true
           as
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           but
           the
           Influence
           and
           Fruition
           is
           different
           according
           to
           our
           Capacity
           .
           When
           the
           Soul
           feels
           the
           vigorous
           Exercise
           of
           the
           Thoughts
           and
           Affections
           upon
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           raised
           Operations
           of
           Grace
           in
           Holy
           Duties
           ,
           't
           is
           as
           certain
           a
           Sign
           of
           God's
           Favour
           and
           Acceptance
           ,
           as
           when
           Fire
           descended
           from
           Heaven
           to
           consume
           the
           Sacrifice
           .
           And
           often
           our
           affectionate
           Duties
           are
           rewarded
           with
           sensible
           Consolations
           ,
           and
           holy
           Souls
           are
           dismiss'd
           from
           the
           Throne
           of
           Grace
           ,
           as
           they
           shall
           be
           received
           at
           the
           Throne
           of
           Glory
           ,
           with
           the
           reviving
           Testimonies
           of
           God's
           Approbation
           .
           Now
           the
           Assurance
           of
           God's
           Love
           conquers
           the
           Fear
           of
           Death
           .
        
         
           This
           Communion
           must
           be
           frequent
           .
           As
           Love
           and
           Respects
           between
           Friends
           are
           maintained
           by
           constant
           Visits
           and
           Letters
           ,
           and
           mutual
           Confidence
           arises
           from
           Acquaintance
           :
           so
           by
           the
           interchange
           of
           holy
           Duties
           and
           divine
           Favours
           ,
           we
           preserve
           a
           lively
           Sense
           of
           God's
           Love
           ,
           and
           an
           humble
           Familiarity
           with
           his
           Majesty
           ,
           that
           his
           Presence
           is
           not
           a
           Terror
           to
           us
           .
           A
           Christian
           
           that
           walks
           with
           God
           here
           ,
           when
           he
           leaves
           the
           World
           ,
           (
           to
           use
           the
           Words
           of
           a
           dying
           Saint
           )
           
             changes
             his
             Room
             ,
             but
             not
             his
             Company
             .
          
           God
           was
           always
           with
           him
           on
           Earth
           ,
           and
           he
           shall
           be
           ever
           with
           God
           in
           Heaven
           .
        
         
           But
           cold
           and
           seldom
           Converse
           begets
           Strangeness
           ,
           and
           that
           makes
           us
           shy
           of
           God.
           When
           religious
           Duties
           are
           performed
           as
           a
           complemental
           Visit
           without
           zealous
           Affections
           ,
           or
           used
           only
           in
           times
           of
           Affliction
           and
           Exigency
           ,
           as
           Cordial
           Waters
           in
           swooning
           Fits
           ,
           the
           Divine
           Presence
           is
           uncomfortable
           to
           us
           .
           They
           who
           prefer
           carnal
           Sweets
           before
           Acquaintance
           with
           God
           ,
           cannot
           with
           Peace
           and
           Joy
           think
           of
           appearing
           before
           him
           .
           O
           how
           unwelcome
           is
           Death
           to
           such
           !
           
             for
             then
             the
             Spirit
             returns
             to
             God
             that
             gave
             it
             .
          
        
         
           6.
           
           Let
           us
           strengthen
           our
           Belief
           of
           the
           blessed
           State
           after
           Death
           .
           Divine
           Truths
           lose
           their
           Influence
           and
           Efficacy
           when
           they
           are
           not
           stedfastly
           believed
           .
           
             Faith
             is
             the
             substance
             of
             things
             not
             seen
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             the
             Evidence
             or
             Conviction
             of
             things
             hoped
             for
             .
          
           The
           Spirit
           confirms
           our
           Faith
           ,
           not
           by
           a
           pure
           Physical
           Act
           ,
           but
           by
           convincing
           Reasons
           of
           the
           Truth
           of
           the
           Gospel
           .
           The
           Life
           of
           Christ
           so
           glorious
           
           in
           Holiness
           ,
           his
           Doctrine
           so
           becoming
           the
           Wisdom
           and
           other
           excellent
           Attributes
           of
           the
           Deity
           ,
           his
           Miracles
           so
           great
           ,
           numerous
           ,
           open
           ,
           and
           beneficial
           ,
           not
           meerly
           to
           surprize
           the
           Spectators
           with
           Astonishment
           ,
           but
           to
           touch
           their
           Hearts
           ;
           his
           Death
           foretold
           by
           the
           Prophets
           ,
           and
           exactly
           agreeing
           in
           all
           the
           Circumstances
           of
           the
           Predictions
           ;
           his
           Resurrection
           the
           most
           noble
           Operation
           of
           the
           Divine
           Power
           ,
           are
           the
           strongest
           Proofs
           that
           what
           he
           has
           reveal'd
           as
           the
           Counsel
           of
           God
           for
           our
           Redemption
           ,
           and
           the
           Preparations
           of
           Glory
           for
           the
           Saints
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           are
           divine
           Truths
           .
           And
           the
           Efficacy
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Christ
           in
           sanctifying
           his
           Disciples
           in
           all
           Ages
           ,
           is
           a
           continual
           and
           as
           satisfying
           an
           Argument
           that
           the
           Gospel
           is
           derived
           from
           God
           the
           Fountain
           of
           Truth
           ,
           as
           extraordinary
           Miracles
           .
           For
           Holiness
           is
           as
           inseparable
           a
           property
           of
           the
           Divine
           Nature
           as
           Omnipotence
           ;
           and
           the
           Sanctification
           of
           the
           Soul
           as
           divine
           an
           Effect
           ,
           as
           the
           Resurrection
           of
           the
           Body
           .
           Now
           in
           the
           Gospel
           God
           enters
           into
           Covenant
           with
           obedient
           Believers
           ,
           
             to
             be
             their
             God
          
           ,
           a
           Title
           and
           Relation
           ,
           that
           supposing
           them
           the
           most
           happy
           here
           ,
           all
           the
           Enjoyments
           
           of
           this
           World
           cannot
           fulfil
           .
           This
           Covenant
           is
           not
           dissolv'd
           by
           Death
           ,
           for
           he
           uses
           this
           Stile
           after
           the
           Death
           of
           his
           faithful
           Servants
           :
           and
           from
           hence
           it
           follows
           they
           are
           Partakers
           of
           his
           Glory
           and
           Joys
           in
           the
           next
           Life
           .
           For
           the
           Honour
           of
           his
           Veracity
           is
           most
           dear
           to
           him
           .
           The
           Psalmist
           declares
           ,
           that
           he
           has
           
             magnified
             his
             Word
             above
             all
             his
             Name
             .
          
           No
           Perfections
           of
           his
           Nature
           are
           more
           sacred
           and
           inviolable
           than
           his
           Truth
           .
           The
           Foundations
           of
           Nature
           shall
           be
           overturn'd
           ,
           and
           the
           most
           solid
           parts
           of
           the
           Creation
           destroyed
           ,
           but
           his
           Promises
           shall
           be
           compleatly
           accomplish'd
           .
           We
           are
           assured
           by
           his
           infallible
           Authority
           ,
           that
           
             there
             remains
             a
             Rest
             for
             the
             People
             of
             God.
          
           And
           
             he
             that
             receives
             this
             Testimony
             ,
             sets
             to
             his
             Seal
             that
             God
             is
             true
          
           ;
           honours
           the
           Truth
           of
           God's
           Word
           ,
           and
           binds
           himself
           more
           firmly
           to
           his
           Service
           ,
           and
           is
           encouraged
           to
           leave
           this
           sensible
           World
           ,
           for
           that
           which
           is
           infinitely
           better
           .
           Our
           Confidence
           and
           Patience
           in
           well-doing
           ,
           and
           in
           suffering
           the
           utmost
           Evil
           to
           Nature
           ,
           is
           from
           the
           pregnant
           Apprehensions
           of
           the
           Reality
           of
           eternal
           things
           .
           
             We
             know
          
           ,
           
           saith
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           
             if
             our
             earthly
             Tabernacle
             be
             dissolved
             ,
             we
             have
             a
             Building
             
             not
             made
             with
             Hands
             ,
             eternal
             in
             the
             Heavens
             .
          
           This
           fortified
           him
           against
           the
           Terrors
           of
           Death
           .
           When
           
             Stephen
             saw
             the
             Heavens
             open
             ,
             and
             the
             Son
             of
             God
             ready
             to
             receive
             him
             ,
          
           with
           what
           Courage
           and
           Constancy
           did
           he
           encounter
           the
           bloody
           Rage
           of
           his
           Murderers
           ?
           Faith
           supplies
           the
           want
           of
           Vision
           ,
           it
           pierces
           the
           Clouds
           ,
           opens
           a
           Window
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           sees
           the
           Crowns
           of
           Righteousness
           prepared
           for
           the
           Saints
           ,
           and
           sweetens
           the
           bitterest
           Passage
           to
           it
           .
           But
           if
           our
           Faith
           be
           weak
           and
           wavering
           ,
           our
           Courage
           will
           decline
           in
           the
           needful
           Hour
           .
           'T
           is
           with
           Christians
           in
           their
           last
           Passage
           from
           Earth
           to
           Heaven
           ,
           as
           with
           Saint
           Peter
           walking
           upon
           the
           Waters
           to
           Christ
           :
           whilst
           his
           Faith
           was
           firm
           in
           Christ
           ,
           he
           went
           upon
           the
           Waves
           as
           on
           the
           firm
           Land
           :
           but
           upon
           the
           rising
           of
           a
           Storm
           ,
           his
           Faith
           sunk
           into
           Fear
           ,
           and
           he
           sunk
           in
           the
           Waters
           ;
           till
           our
           Saviour
           upon
           his
           earnest
           Prayer
           ,
           
             Lord
             ,
             save
             me
          
           ,
           took
           hold
           of
           him
           ,
           and
           rais'd
           him
           with
           that
           compassionate
           Reproof
           ,
           
             O
             thou
             of
             little
             Faith
             ,
             wherefore
             didst
             thou
             doubt
             ?
          
        
         
           The
           last
           Use
           is
           ,
           to
           excite
           the
           Saints
           to
           die
           with
           that
           Courage
           and
           Chearfulness
           
             as
             becomes
             the
             Gospel
             of
             Christ.
          
           
           The
           Encouragement
           of
           Joshua
           to
           the
           Israelites
           against
           the
           Giants
           that
           terrified
           them
           from
           entring
           into
           the
           Land
           of
           Canaan
           ,
           the
           Type
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           
             Be
             not
             afraid
             of
             them
             ,
             they
             are
             Bread
             for
             us
             ,
          
           we
           shall
           obtain
           an
           easy
           Conquest
           over
           them
           ,
           is
           applicable
           to
           this
           purpose
           :
           Do
           not
           fear
           Death
           ,
           the
           Enemy
           that
           interposes
           between
           us
           and
           the
           true
           Canaan
           ;
           for
           our
           Conflict
           shall
           be
           the
           means
           of
           our
           Victory
           ,
           and
           triumphant
           Possession
           of
           the
           holy
           and
           blessed
           Land
           above
           .
           This
           is
           very
           honourable
           to
           our
           Redeemer
           ,
           and
           recommends
           Godliness
           to
           the
           Judgment
           ,
           Affections
           ,
           and
           Practice
           of
           others
           .
           
           St.
           Basil
           tells
           of
           a
           Custom
           to
           annoint
           the
           tops
           of
           Doves
           Wings
           with
           some
           fragrant
           Liquor
           ,
           that
           mixing
           in
           company
           with
           other
           Doves
           ,
           they
           might
           by
           the
           Sent
           allure
           them
           to
           follow
           to
           the
           Dove-houses
           .
           Thus
           when
           holy
           Persons
           live
           and
           die
           with
           peaceful
           Joy
           ,
           those
           that
           converse
           with
           them
           ,
           are
           drawn
           by
           that
           Fragrance
           of
           Paradise
           to
           apply
           themselves
           to
           serious
           Religion
           .
        
         
           'T
           is
           the
           Apostle's
           consolatory
           Advice
           to
           Believers
           ,
           
           
             Not
             to
             be
             sorrowful
             for
             those
             that
             sleep
             in
             JESVS
             ,
             as
             those
             that
             are
             without
             hope
             .
          
        
         
         
           When
           Jacob
           saw
           his
           beloved
           Son's
           Coat
           rent
           and
           stain'd
           with
           Blood
           ,
           he
           abandoned
           himself
           to
           desperate
           Sorrow
           ,
           and
           continued
           mourning
           for
           his
           Death
           ,
           when
           Joseph
           was
           advanc'd
           in
           Authority
           and
           Dignity
           next
           to
           Pharaoh
           in
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           Egypt
           .
           Thus
           when
           we
           see
           the
           Garment
           of
           Mortality
           rent
           by
           Diseases
           ,
           we
           mourn
           for
           departed
           Saints
           ,
           as
           if
           Death
           had
           absolutely
           destroyed
           them
           ,
           when
           their
           Souls
           are
           reigning
           in
           Glory
           .
           This
           immoderate
           Sorrow
           is
           an
           Heathenish
           Passion
           ,
           suitable
           to
           their
           ignorance
           of
           the
           future
           happy
           State
           ,
           but
           very
           unbecoming
           the
           plenary
           Assurance
           the
           Gospel
           affords
           us
           of
           it
           .
           Indeed
           for
           the
           Wicked
           to
           die
           with
           fears
           and
           palpitations
           of
           heart
           ,
           to
           be
           surrounded
           with
           impendent
           horrours
           ,
           when
           such
           a
           precipice
           and
           depth
           of
           Misery
           is
           before
           them
           ,
           is
           very
           just
           and
           reasonable
           ;
           but
           for
           the
           Saints
           to
           die
           uncomfortably
           under
           inordinate
           Fears
           ,
           is
           a
           disparagement
           to
           the
           
             Blessed
             Hope
          
           establish'd
           upon
           
             the
             Revelation
             of
             Life
             and
             Immortality
             by
             the
             Gospel
             .
          
        
         
           Now
           in
           three
           things
           I
           shall
           propound
           the
           Duty
           of
           dying
           Christians
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           To
           submit
           to
           the
           Divine
           Pleasure
           with
           resigned
           Spirits
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           Means
           ,
           
           the
           Manner
           ,
           and
           Time
           of
           Death
           .
           God
           has
           a
           Sovereign
           Right
           and
           Dominion
           over
           us
           .
           The
           present
           Life
           is
           his
           most
           free
           Favour
           ,
           and
           he
           may
           justly
           resume
           it
           when
           he
           pleases
           .
           His
           Will
           should
           be
           the
           first
           and
           last
           Rule
           of
           ours
           .
           Whether
           he
           gently
           untwines
           the
           Band
           of
           Life
           ,
           or
           violently
           breaks
           it
           ,
           we
           must
           placidly
           ,
           without
           reluctation
           ,
           yield
           up
           our selves
           .
           By
           what
           Means
           soever
           Death
           comes
           ,
           all
           second
           Causes
           are
           moved
           by
           an
           impression
           from
           above
           ,
           in
           what
           Age
           of
           Life
           soever
           ;
           all
           our
           Times
           are
           appointed
           by
           the
           divine
           Counsel
           :
           and
           a
           Saint
           ought
           with
           that
           readiness
           and
           meek
           submission
           receive
           it
           ,
           as
           if
           he
           heard
           an
           express
           Voice
           from
           Heaven
           calling
           him
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           say
           in
           his
           heart
           with
           
             Samuel
             ,
             Here
             I
             am
             ,
             thou
             didst
             call
             me
             .
          
           This
           is
           the
           last
           act
           of
           our
           Obedience
           ,
           and
           very
           pleasing
           to
           God.
           We
           read
           of
           the
           marvellous
           *
           Consent
           of
           Abraham
           and
           his
           Son
           Isaac
           ,
           the
           Father
           to
           offer
           up
           his
           Son
           ,
           and
           the
           Son
           his
           Life
           ,
           (
           that
           were
           both
           the
           Gifts
           of
           God
           )
           in
           compliance
           with
           the
           divine
           Command
           ,
           and
           from
           Heaven
           he
           declared
           his
           high
           approbation
           of
           it
           .
           
             This
             is
             to
             make
             a
             Vertue
             of
             Necessity
             ,
             and
             turn
             Nature
             into
             Grace
             .
          
           But
           discontent
           and
           reluctancy
           ,
           
           as
           if
           our
           Lives
           were
           our
           own
           ,
           and
           taken
           from
           us
           unjustly
           or
           unseasonably
           ,
           is
           Rebellious
           Unthankfulness
           ,
           unbecoming
           a
           Creature
           ,
           much
           more
           a
           true
           Christian
           ,
           who
           exchanges
           a
           perishing
           Life
           for
           that
           which
           is
           eternal
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           To
           receive
           Death
           not
           only
           with
           Patience
           ,
           but
           earnest
           desires
           to
           be
           with
           Christ.
           I
           know
           Death
           is
           naturally
           unwelcome
           .
           Our
           Saviour
           tells
           St.
           
             Peter
             ,
             When
             thou
             art
             old
             ,
          
           
           
             another
             shall
             bind
             thee
             ,
             and
             lead
             thee
             where
             thou
             wouldest
             not
             :
          
           signifying
           his
           Martyrdom
           .
           The
           Circumstance
           [
           
             when
             thou
             art
             old
          
           ]
           is
           remarkable
           ,
           
           and
           intimates
           the
           natural
           unwillingness
           to
           die
           ,
           when
           there
           was
           little
           time
           to
           live
           .
           But
           his
           rational
           sanctified
           Will
           was
           superiour
           and
           prevalent
           .
           The
           universal
           desire
           of
           the
           Saints
           is
           to
           be
           happy
           in
           the
           Presence
           of
           God
           :
           for
           the
           divine
           Nature
           communicated
           to
           them
           is
           intelligent
           ,
           and
           inclining
           towards
           its
           chief
           Good
           :
           and
           if
           the
           obtaining
           it
           were
           not
           by
           
             being
             unclothed
             ,
             but
             clothed
             upon
          
           by
           an
           immediate
           Translation
           to
           Heaven
           ,
           how
           willingly
           would
           they
           leave
           this
           World
           ?
           But
           there
           is
           a
           bitterness
           in
           Death
           that
           makes
           it
           unpleasant
           ;
           and
           many
           holy
           Souls
           that
           desire
           the
           Glorious
           Liberty
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           
           yet
           are
           loth
           to
           leave
           their
           Prison
           .
           Now
           there
           are
           so
           many
           Arguments
           to
           make
           the
           Saints
           desirous
           of
           dying
           ,
           that
           methinks
           since
           Life
           is
           chiefly
           valued
           and
           dear
           to
           them
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           the
           way
           to
           Heaven
           ,
           when
           they
           are
           come
           to
           that
           blessed
           end
           ,
           it
           should
           not
           be
           longer
           desirable
           .
           What
           is
           this
           lower
           World
           that
           chains
           us
           so
           fast
           ?
           'T
           is
           the
           Devil's
           Circuit
           wherein
           he
           ranges
           ,
           seeking
           
             whom
             he
             may
             devour
          
           :
           'T
           is
           the
           Theater
           of
           Contentions
           :
           The
           Low
           aspire
           to
           rise
           ;
           the
           Exalted
           fear
           to
           fall
           :
           The
           Poor
           envy
           the
           Rich
           ,
           and
           the
           Rich
           despise
           the
           Poor
           .
           'T
           is
           a
           foreign
           Country
           to
           the
           Saints
           ;
           and
           as
           Pilgrims
           and
           Strangers
           ,
           they
           are
           liable
           to
           Reproaches
           ,
           Injuries
           ,
           and
           hard
           Dealings
           from
           the
           Wicked
           ,
           the
           Natives
           of
           the
           Earth
           .
           What
           is
           the
           present
           momentany
           Life
           that
           so
           enamours
           us
           ?
           'T
           is
           surrounded
           with
           Temptations
           ,
           oppress'd
           with
           Fears
           ,
           ardent
           with
           irregular
           Desires
           ,
           and
           continually
           spent
           in
           Vanity
           or
           Vexation
           .
           In
           Adversity
           't
           is
           depress'd
           and
           melancholy
           ;
           in
           Prosperity
           foolish
           and
           proud
           .
           'T
           is
           a
           real
           Infelicity
           under
           the
           deceitful
           appearance
           of
           Felicity
           .
           But
           above
           all
           other
           Motives
           ,
           the
           evil
           of
           Sin
           from
           which
           we
           cannot
           be
           clearly
           exempted
           here
           ,
           should
           
           render
           Death
           desirable
           .
           The
           best
           suffer
           internal
           Divisions
           between
           
             the
             Law
             of
             the
             Flesh
             ,
             and
             the
             Law
             of
             the
             Mind
          
           ;
           as
           Rebecca
           felt
           the
           Twins
           ,
           Esau
           and
           Jacob
           ,
           repugnant
           in
           her
           Womb.
           How
           hard
           is
           it
           to
           be
           continually
           watching
           the
           Heart
           that
           Corruptions
           do
           not
           break
           out
           ,
           and
           the
           Senses
           that
           Temptations
           do
           not
           break
           in
           ?
           How
           difficult
           to
           order
           the
           Affections
           ,
           to
           raise
           what
           is
           drooping
           ,
           and
           suppress
           what
           is
           rebellious
           ?
           For
           they
           are
           like
           the
           People
           of
           whom
           the
           Historian
           speaks
           ,
           
             qui
             nec
             totam
             servitutem
             pati
             possunt
             ,
             nec
             totam
             libertatem
             .
          
           How
           many
           Enemies
           of
           our
           Salvation
           are
           lodg'd
           in
           our
           own
           bosoms
           ?
           The
           Falls
           of
           the
           Saints
           give
           sad
           evidence
           of
           this
           .
           If
           the
           Body
           were
           unspotted
           from
           the
           World
           as
           in
           the
           Creation
           of
           Man
           ,
           there
           might
           be
           a
           just
           Plea
           of
           our
           unwillingness
           to
           part
           with
           it
           ,
           but
           since
           it
           is
           the
           incentive
           and
           instrument
           of
           Sin
           ,
           we
           should
           desire
           to
           be
           dissolved
           ,
           that
           we
           might
           be
           perfectly
           holy
           .
           Death
           is
           the
           final
           Remedy
           of
           all
           the
           temporal
           and
           spiritual
           Evils
           to
           which
           we
           are
           liable
           here
           .
           And
           the
           Love
           of
           Christ
           should
           make
           us
           willing
           to
           part
           with
           all
           the
           Endearments
           of
           this
           Life
           ,
           nay
           desirous
           to
           enter
           into
           the
           
           Celestial
           Paradise
           ,
           though
           we
           must
           pass
           under
           the
           Angels
           Sword
           ,
           the
           stroke
           of
           Death
           ,
           to
           come
           into
           his
           Presence
           .
           He
           infinitely
           deserves
           our
           Love
           ,
           for
           we
           owe
           our
           Salvation
           and
           Eternal
           Glory
           to
           the
           merit
           of
           his
           Humiliation
           ,
           and
           the
           power
           of
           his
           Exaltation
           .
           With
           what
           earnest
           affections
           did
           St.
           Paul
           desire
           
             to
             be
             dissolved
             and
             to
             be
             with
             Christ
             ?
          
           
           Love
           gave
           Wings
           of
           Fire
           to
           his
           Soul
           ,
           ardent
           desires
           mounting
           to
           Heaven
           .
           How
           valiant
           were
           the
           Martyrs
           in
           expressing
           acts
           of
           Love
           to
           Christ
           ?
           How
           boldly
           did
           they
           encounter
           Death
           that
           interpos'd
           between
           them
           and
           the
           sight
           of
           his
           Glory
           ?
           Their
           Love
           was
           hotter
           than
           the
           Flames
           that
           consumed
           them
           .
           They
           as
           willingly
           left
           their
           Bodies
           ,
           as
           Elias
           let
           fall
           his
           Mantle
           to
           ascend
           to
           Heaven
           .
           And
           how
           does
           it
           upbraid
           the
           coldness
           of
           our
           Love
           ,
           that
           we
           are
           so
           contented
           to
           be
           here
           ,
           absent
           from
           our
           Saviour
           .
           That
           the
           Moles
           of
           the
           Earth
           ,
           who
           never
           saw
           the
           Light
           of
           the
           Sun
           ,
           and
           feed
           on
           bitter
           Roots
           ,
           are
           pleas'd
           in
           their
           dark
           Receptacles
           ,
           is
           no
           wonder
           ;
           but
           if
           Birds
           that
           are
           refresh'd
           with
           his
           chearful
           Beams
           ,
           and
           feed
           on
           sweet
           Fruits
           ,
           should
           willingly
           be
           consin'd
           in
           Caverns
           of
           the
           Earth
           ,
           it
           were
           
           unnaturally
           strange
           .
           Thus
           for
           Pagans
           ,
           (
           and
           those
           who
           are
           so
           in
           Heart
           ,
           though
           different
           in
           Profession
           )
           that
           are
           so
           short-sighted
           and
           depraved
           ,
           that
           they
           only
           perceive
           and
           affect
           present
           sensible
           things
           ,
           for
           them
           to
           be
           unwilling
           to
           die
           is
           no
           wonder
           ;
           for
           then
           all
           that
           is
           valuable
           and
           delightful
           to
           them
           is
           lost
           for
           ever
           :
           but
           for
           those
           who
           are
           inlightned
           by
           the
           Revelation
           of
           God
           so
           clearly
           concerning
           the
           state
           of
           Glory
           ,
           and
           have
           tasted
           the
           Goodness
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           know
           the
           incomparable
           difference
           between
           the
           mean
           and
           frail
           Felicity
           here
           ,
           and
           the
           inestimable
           immutable
           Felicity
           hereafter
           ,
           for
           them
           to
           be
           unwilling
           to
           leave
           this
           World
           for
           that
           which
           is
           infinitely
           better
           ,
           is
           astonishing
           .
           Such
           was
           the
           Love
           of
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           that
           his
           personal
           Glory
           in
           Heaven
           did
           not
           fully
           content
           him
           ,
           without
           the
           Saints
           partaking
           of
           it
           with
           him
           :
           
             Father
             ,
             I
             will
             that
             those
             whom
             thou
             hast
             given
             me
             be
             with
             me
             where
             I
             am
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             behold
             my
             Glory
             .
          
           
           If
           our
           Hearts
           do
           not
           answer
           his
           ,
           't
           is
           a
           sad
           indication
           that
           we
           have
           not
           an
           Interest
           in
           him
           :
           for
           the
           application
           of
           his
           Merits
           is
           always
           join'd
           with
           the
           imitation
           of
           his
           Vertues
           ,
           and
           the
           reflection
           of
           his
           Love.
           The
           Lovers
           of
           Christ
           will
           
           join
           with
           the
           inflamed
           Spouse
           ,
           
           
             Draw
             us
             ,
             and
             we
             will
             run
             after
             thee
             :
          
           O
           loosen
           our
           Affections
           from
           this
           World
           ,
           that
           we
           may
           readily
           ascend
           to
           thee
           :
           they
           will
           renew
           the
           Sighs
           of
           holy
           David
           in
           his
           Banishment
           ,
           
             O
             when
             shall
             we
             come
             and
             appear
             before
             God!
             
          
        
         
           Lastly
           ,
           To
           die
           with
           Thanksgiving
           and
           Joy.
           'T
           is
           usual
           to
           compare
           this
           Life
           to
           a
           Voyage
           ;
           The
           Scripture
           is
           the
           Chart
           that
           describes
           the
           Coasts
           we
           must
           pass
           ,
           and
           the
           Rocks
           we
           must
           avoid
           ;
           Faith
           is
           the
           Compass
           that
           directs
           the
           Course
           we
           must
           steer
           ;
           Love
           is
           the
           Rudder
           that
           governs
           the
           Motion
           of
           the
           Ship
           ;
           Hope
           fills
           the
           Sails
           :
           Now
           what
           Passenger
           does
           not
           rejoice
           at
           the
           discovery
           of
           his
           Country
           where
           his
           Estate
           and
           Heart
           is
           ,
           and
           more
           at
           the
           near
           approach
           to
           the
           Port
           where
           he
           is
           to
           land
           ?
           Is
           not
           Heaven
           the
           Country
           of
           the
           Saints
           ?
           Is
           not
           their
           Birth
           from
           above
           ,
           and
           their
           tendency
           to
           their
           Original
           ?
           And
           is
           not
           the
           blessed
           Bosom
           of
           Christ
           their
           Port
           ?
           O
           what
           joyful
           Thanksgivings
           are
           due
           to
           God
           ,
           when
           by
           his
           Spirit
           and
           Providence
           they
           have
           happily
           finish'd
           their
           Voyage
           through
           such
           †
           dangerous
           Seas
           ,
           and
           are
           coming
           into
           the
           Land
           of
           the
           
           Living
           ?
           How
           joyful
           was
           to
           Noah
           the
           coming
           of
           the
           Dove
           with
           an
           Olive-Branch
           ,
           to
           shew
           him
           the
           Deluge
           was
           asswaged
           ,
           and
           the
           Time
           was
           come
           of
           his
           freedom
           from
           the
           troublesom
           company
           of
           Animals
           ,
           and
           from
           the
           straitness
           and
           darkness
           of
           the
           Ark
           ,
           to
           go
           forth
           and
           possess
           the
           World
           ?
           How
           joyful
           should
           Death
           be
           to
           a
           Saint
           ,
           that
           comes
           like
           the
           Dove
           in
           the
           evening
           ,
           to
           assure
           him
           the
           Deluge
           of
           Misery
           is
           ceas'd
           ,
           and
           the
           time
           is
           come
           of
           his
           enlargement
           from
           the
           Body
           ,
           his
           deliverance
           from
           the
           wretched
           sinful
           Society
           here
           ,
           and
           his
           possessing
           the
           Divine
           World
           ?
           Holy
           Souls
           are
           immediately
           transported
           by
           the
           Angels
           to
           Christ
           ,
           and
           by
           him
           presented
           to
           his
           Father
           ,
           without
           
             spot
             or
             wrinkle
          
           ,
           compleat
           in
           Holiness
           ,
           and
           prepared
           for
           Communion
           with
           him
           in
           Glory
           .
           How
           joyfully
           are
           they
           received
           into
           Heaven
           by
           our
           Saviour
           and
           the
           blessed
           Spirits
           ?
           they
           are
           the
           reward
           of
           his
           Sufferings
           ,
           the
           precious
           and
           dear
           purchase
           of
           his
           Blood
           :
           The
           Angels
           that
           rejoice
           at
           the
           Conversion
           of
           a
           Sinner
           ,
           do
           much
           more
           at
           the
           Glorification
           of
           a
           Saint
           :
           and
           the
           
             Church
             of
             the
             First-born
          
           who
           have
           before
           us
           enter'd
           into
           Glory
           ,
           have
           a
           new
           accession
           
           of
           Joy
           ,
           when
           their
           younger
           Brethren
           arrive
           to
           the
           undefiled
           immortal
           Inheritance
           .
           And
           is
           it
           not
           very
           becoming
           Believers
           joyfully
           to
           ascend
           to
           the
           Seat
           of
           Blessedness
           ,
           to
           the
           happy
           Society
           that
           inspires
           mutual
           Joys
           for
           ever
           ?
           For
           our
           encouragement
           there
           are
           numerous
           Instances
           of
           Believers
           that
           have
           with
           Peace
           and
           Joy
           ,
           though
           in
           various
           degrees
           ,
           past
           through
           
             the
             dark
             Valley
             to
             the
             Inheritance
             of
             Light.
          
           Some
           have
           died
           with
           more
           Joy
           than
           they
           lived
           ,
           
           and
           triumph'd
           over
           the
           last
           Enemy
           with
           the
           vocal
           Praises
           of
           God
           :
           others
           with
           silent
           Affections
           have
           quietly
           commended
           their
           Spirits
           into
           his
           Hand
           .
           Some
           have
           inward
           Refreshings
           and
           Support
           ;
           others
           exuberant
           Joys
           and
           Ravishments
           ,
           as
           if
           the
           Light
           of
           Glory
           shined
           into
           them
           ,
           or
           the
           Vail
           of
           Flesh
           were
           drawn
           ,
           and
           their
           Spirits
           were
           present
           with
           the
           invisible
           World.
           Some
           of
           the
           Martyrs
           in
           their
           cruellest
           Sufferings
           felt
           such
           impressions
           of
           Confidence
           and
           Alacrity
           ,
           that
           as
           in
           the
           House
           of
           Lamech
           there
           was
           accorded
           at
           the
           same
           time
           two
           discordant
           Callings
           by
           the
           two
           Brothers
           ;
           Jubal
           
             the
             Inventer
             of
             the
             Harp
             and
             Organ
             ,
          
           
           and
           Tubal-Cain
           
             the
             first
             Artificer
             in
             Brass
             and
             Iron
             :
          
           
           the
           one
           practised
           on
           Instruments
           of
           Musick
           ,
           breathing
           harmonious
           Sounds
           and
           Melodies
           ;
           the
           other
           used
           Hammers
           and
           Anvils
           ,
           making
           noise
           and
           tumult
           :
           So
           in
           some
           Persons
           ,
           whilst
           the
           heaviest
           Strokes
           fell
           on
           their
           Bodies
           ,
           their
           Souls
           were
           ravish'd
           with
           the
           sweetest
           Joy
           and
           Exultation
           .
           Indeed
           't
           is
           not
           thus
           always
           with
           the
           Saints
           :
           for
           though
           Sin
           be
           pardoned
           ,
           yet
           the
           apprehensions
           of
           Guilt
           may
           remain
           .
           When
           a
           Stream
           is
           disturbed
           ,
           it
           does
           not
           truly
           represent
           the
           Object
           :
           When
           the
           Affections
           are
           disordered
           ,
           the
           Mind
           does
           not
           judg
           aright
           of
           a
           Christian's
           State.
           A
           Serpent
           may
           hiss
           when
           it
           has
           lost
           its
           Sting
           .
           Death
           may
           terrify
           when
           it
           cannot
           hurt
           us
           .
           I
           doubt
           not
           but
           some
           excellent
           Saints
           have
           been
           in
           anxieties
           to
           the
           last
           ,
           till
           their
           Fears
           were
           dispell'd
           by
           the
           actual
           fruition
           of
           Blessedness
           .
           As
           the
           Sun
           sometimes
           sets
           in
           dark
           Clouds
           ,
           and
           rises
           in
           a
           glorious
           Horizon
           .
           We
           read
           our
           Evidences
           for
           Heaven
           by
           the
           Light
           of
           God's
           Countenance
           :
           his
           Image
           is
           made
           visible
           in
           our
           Souls
           by
           the
           illustration
           of
           his
           Spirit
           :
           and
           he
           exercises
           Prerogative
           in
           the
           dispensation
           of
           his
           Comforts
           .
           'T
           is
           his
           pleasure
           to
           
           bestow
           extraordinary
           Favours
           on
           some
           ,
           and
           deny
           them
           to
           others
           that
           are
           as
           holy
           .
           But
           every
           penitent
           Believer
           has
           just
           cause
           of
           Joy
           in
           Death
           :
           for
           Jesus
           Christ
           has
           reconciled
           God
           ,
           destroyed
           Satan
           ,
           and
           conquered
           Death
           :
           and
           the
           last
           Day
           of
           his
           Life
           is
           the
           first
           of
           his
           Glory
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           OF
           ETERNAL
           JUDGMENT
           .
        
         
           BY
           WILLIAM
           BATES
           ,
           D.D.
           
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           by
           
             J.
             D.
          
           for
           
             Brabazon
             Aylmer
          
           ,
           at
           the
           Three
           Pigeons
           against
           the
           Royal
           Exchange
           in
           Cornhil
           .
           1691.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           OF
           Eternal
           Judgment
           .
        
         
           
             
               
                 Acts
                 17.31
              
               .
            
             
               Because
               he
               hath
               appointed
               a
               Day
               ,
               in
               the
               which
               he
               will
               judg
               the
               World
               in
               Righteousness
               ,
               by
               that
               Man
               whom
               he
               hath
               ordained
               :
               whereof
               he
               hath
               given
               Assurance
               unto
               all
               Men
               ,
               in
               that
               he
               raised
               him
               from
               the
               dead
               .
            
          
        
         
           SAint
           Paul
           had
           this
           Title
           of
           Honour
           eminently
           conferred
           upon
           him
           ,
           the
           Apostle
           of
           the
           Gentiles
           :
           This
           Office
           he
           performed
           with
           persevering
           Diligence
           ,
           diffusing
           
             the
             Light
             of
             Life
             to
             those
             that
             sate
             in
             Darkness
             ,
             and
             
             in
             the
             Shadow
             of
             Death
             .
          
           In
           this
           Chapter
           we
           have
           recorded
           the
           Substance
           of
           his
           Sermon
           to
           the
           Athenians
           ;
           wherein
           his
           admirable
           Zeal
           and
           Prudence
           are
           remarkable
           ,
           in
           the
           matter
           and
           order
           of
           his
           Discourse
           ,
           to
           convince
           and
           perswade
           them
           to
           recive
           the
           saving
           Truth
           of
           the
           Gospel
           .
           He
           first
           lays
           down
           the
           Principles
           of
           natural
           Religion
           ,
           to
           prepare
           them
           for
           the
           more
           easy
           Belief
           of
           supernatural
           revealed
           Religion
           .
           The
           Depravation
           of
           the
           Minds
           of
           Men
           was
           in
           no
           Instance
           more
           prodigious
           than
           in
           their
           vilifying
           Conceits
           of
           the
           Deity
           :
           They
           attributed
           his
           Name
           and
           Honour
           to
           various
           Idols
           ,
           and
           ascribed
           to
           him
           their
           own
           Figure
           ,
           and
           which
           was
           infinitely
           more
           unworthy
           and
           dishonourable
           ,
           their
           own
           Passions
           and
           Vices
           .
           They
           adored
           their
           own
           vain
           Imaginations
           .
           The
           Idols
           of
           their
           Hearts
           were
           erected
           on
           their
           Altars
           .
           Venus
           was
           a
           Goddess
           ,
           because
           impure
           Love
           reigned
           in
           their
           Brests
           .
           Bacchus
           had
           religious
           Rites
           ,
           because
           sensual
           Pleasures
           ,
           as
           sweet
           as
           Wine
           ,
           intoxicated
           their
           Spirits
           .
           These
           Errors
           ,
           as
           gross
           as
           impious
           ,
           were
           universal
           :
           the
           Philosophers
           themselves
           were
           not
           exempted
           from
           the
           Contagion
           .
           The
           Apostle
           therefore
           makes
           use
           
           of
           the
           clearest
           Arguments
           ,
           to
           give
           Authority
           to
           the
           plain
           conspiring
           Voice
           of
           Nature
           ,
           that
           had
           so
           long
           in
           vain
           recall'd
           them
           from
           Idolatry
           to
           the
           Worship
           of
           the
           only
           true
           God.
           He
           therefore
           declares
           ,
           that
           the
           Divine
           Maker
           of
           all
           things
           ,
           
             the
             Father
             of
             Spirits
          
           ,
           
           
             could
             not
             be
             represented
             by
             corporeal
             and
             corruptible
             things
             ,
          
           but
           was
           to
           be
           acknowledg'd
           and
           ador'd
           in
           a
           manner
           becoming
           his
           spiritual
           and
           infinite
           Perfections
           .
           
           That
           
             he
             made
             all
             Nations
             of
             one
             Blood
             ,
          
           though
           distinguish'd
           in
           their
           Habitations
           and
           Times
           ,
           that
           they
           might
           seek
           and
           serve
           the
           one
           universal
           Creator
           .
           And
           though
           the
           Pagan
           World
           for
           many
           Ages
           had
           lived
           in
           an
           unnatural
           Oblivion
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           he
           seem'd
           unconcerned
           for
           their
           Violation
           of
           his
           Laws
           ,
           yet
           it
           was
           not
           from
           the
           defect
           of
           Justice
           ,
           but
           the
           Direction
           of
           his
           Wisdom
           ,
           that
           his
           Patience
           was
           so
           long
           extended
           to
           them
           .
           And
           this
           he
           proves
           by
           the
           new
           and
           most
           express
           Declaration
           of
           his
           Will
           :
           
             But
             now
             he
             commanded
             all
             Men
             every
             where
             to
             repent
             ;
             because
             he
             hath
             appointed
             a
             Day
             ,
             in
             which
             he
             will
             judg
             the
             World
             in
             Righteousness
             ,
             by
             the
             Man
             whom
             he
             hath
             ordained
             :
             whereof
             he
             hath
             given
             Assurance
             to
             
             all
             Men
             ,
             in
             that
             he
             raised
             him
             from
             the
             Dead
             .
          
        
         
           In
           the
           Words
           ,
           the
           Eternal
           Counsels
           of
           God
           are
           revealed
           in
           two
           great
           things
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           determining
           a
           time
           wherein
           he
           will
           righteously
           judg
           the
           World
           :
           
             He
             hath
             appointed
             a
             Day
          
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           Designation
           of
           the
           Person
           by
           whom
           he
           will
           perform
           that
           eminent
           part
           of
           Soveraignty
           :
           
             by
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             whom
             he
             hath
             raised
             from
             the
             dead
             .
          
        
         
           In
           order
           to
           the
           handling
           of
           the
           main
           Point
           ,
           it
           is
           requisite
           to
           premise
           briefly
           some
           Propositions
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           God
           is
           the
           Universal
           Monarch
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           has
           supreme
           Authority
           to
           govern
           reasonable
           Creatures
           ,
           antecedent
           to
           their
           Election
           and
           Consent
           .
           The
           Psalmist
           calls
           to
           the
           Heathens
           ,
           
           
             Know
             ye
             that
             the
             Lord
             is
             God
             :
          
           that
           is
           ,
           the
           most
           glorious
           Being
           ,
           and
           absolute
           Sovereign
           ;
           
             for
             it
             is
             he
             that
             made
             us
             ,
             and
             not
             we
             our selves
             .
          
           He
           formed
           all
           things
           by
           his
           Almighty
           Goodness
           ,
           and
           is
           King
           by
           Creation
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           two
           principal
           and
           necessary
           parts
           of
           his
           Soveraignty
           are
           ,
           to
           give
           
           Laws
           for
           the
           ruling
           of
           his
           Subjects
           ,
           and
           to
           pass
           final
           Judgment
           upon
           them
           for
           their
           Obedience
           or
           Disconformity
           to
           his
           Precepts
           .
           Mere
           natural
           Agents
           are
           regulated
           by
           a
           wise
           Establishment
           ,
           that
           is
           the
           Law
           of
           their
           Creation
           .
           The
           Sun
           and
           Stars
           are
           moved
           according
           to
           the
           just
           Points
           of
           their
           Compass
           .
           The
           Angels
           are
           under
           a
           Law
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           
             and
             obey
             his
             Commandments
          
           .
           The
           Humane
           Nature
           of
           Christ
           ,
           though
           advanced
           to
           the
           highest
           capacity
           of
           a
           Creature
           ,
           
             yet
             received
             a
             Law.
          
           And
           his
           whole
           Work
           upon
           Earth
           for
           our
           Salvation
           ,
           was
           an
           Act
           of
           Obedience
           to
           the
           Will
           of
           God.
           If
           a
           Prince
           out
           of
           affection
           to
           his
           Friend
           will
           leave
           his
           own
           Dominions
           ,
           and
           live
           privately
           with
           him
           in
           a
           foreign
           Country
           ,
           he
           must
           be
           subject
           to
           the
           Laws
           of
           that
           Place
           .
           Indeed
           it
           is
           not
           conceivable
           that
           a
           Creature
           should
           be
           without
           a
           Law
           ;
           for
           this
           is
           to
           make
           it
           supreme
           and
           independent
           :
           Supreme
           ,
           in
           not
           being
           liable
           to
           a
           superior
           Power
           to
           confine
           and
           order
           it
           ;
           Independent
           ,
           as
           to
           its
           Being
           and
           Operations
           ;
           for
           Dependance
           necessarily
           infers
           Subjection
           .
           There
           is
           a
           visible
           connexion
           between
           those
           Titles
           ;
           
             The
             Lord
             is
             our
             Judg
             ,
             the
             Lord
             is
             our
             Law-giver
             ,
          
           
           
             the
             
             Lord
             is
             our
             King.
          
           And
           sometimes
           in
           Scripture
           his
           Soveraignty
           is
           intimated
           in
           the
           Title
           of
           Judg
           :
           thus
           in
           that
           humble
           Expostulation
           of
           Abraham
           for
           
             Sodom
             ;
             Shall
             not
             the
             Judg
             of
             all
             the
             World
             do
             right
             ?
          
           He
           addresses
           his
           Request
           to
           God
           under
           that
           Title
           ,
           to
           soften
           his
           Power
           ,
           and
           incline
           his
           Clemency
           to
           save
           the
           Wicked
           for
           their
           sakes
           who
           were
           comparatively
           Righteous
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           innocent
           
             of
             their
             crying
             Sins
          
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           As
           his
           right
           to
           govern
           and
           judg
           the
           World
           is
           natural
           ,
           so
           are
           his
           Attributes
           ,
           his
           Wisdom
           ,
           Holiness
           ,
           Justice
           and
           Power
           ,
           that
           qualify
           and
           render
           him
           most
           worthy
           to
           exercise
           this
           Government
           .
           These
           are
           finite
           separable
           Qualities
           in
           Angels
           or
           Men
           ,
           but
           essential
           Perfections
           to
           the
           Deity
           .
           'T
           is
           more
           rational
           to
           conceive
           that
           things
           may
           be
           congeal'd
           by
           the
           heat
           of
           Fire
           ,
           or
           turn'd
           black
           by
           whiteness
           ,
           than
           that
           the
           least
           act
           of
           Injustice
           can
           be
           done
           by
           the
           righteous
           Lord.
           The
           Apostle
           rejects
           with
           extreme
           detestation
           ,
           the
           blasphemous
           Charge
           of
           Unrighteousness
           in
           God's
           Proceedings
           :
           
             Is
             God
             unrighteyus
             that
             taketh
             Vengeance
             ?
          
           
           
             God
             forbid
             :
             For
             then
             how
             shall
             God
             judg
             the
             World
             ?
          
           He
           may
           as
           soon
           renounce
           his
           Nature
           ,
           and
           cease
           
           to
           be
           God
           ,
           for
           as
           such
           he
           is
           necessarily
           Judg
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           as
           violate
           his
           own
           Perfections
           in
           his
           judicial
           proceedings
           with
           us
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           God
           being
           invisible
           in
           his
           own
           Nature
           ,
           hath
           most
           wisely
           ordained
           the
           last
           Judgment
           of
           the
           World
           to
           be
           transacted
           by
           a
           visible
           Person
           :
           because
           Men
           are
           to
           be
           judged
           ,
           and
           the
           whole
           process
           of
           Judgment
           with
           them
           ,
           will
           be
           for
           things
           done
           in
           the
           Body
           .
           The
           Person
           appointed
           for
           this
           Great
           Work
           ,
           is
           Jesus
           Christ
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           united
           to
           the
           Humane
           Nature
           .
           
           
             The
             Father
             judgeth
             no
             Man
          
           :
           Not
           as
           if
           he
           descended
           from
           the
           Throne
           ,
           and
           devested
           himself
           of
           his
           Supremacy
           ,
           but
           not
           immediately
           ;
           
             but
             hath
             committed
             all
             Judgment
             to
             the
             Son.
          
           And
           it
           follows
           ,
           
           
             As
             the
             Father
             hath
             Life
             in
             himself
             ,
             so
             hath
             he
             given
             to
             the
             Son
             to
             have
             Life
             in
             himself
             :
             And
             hath
             given
             him
             Authority
             to
             execute
             Judgment
             also
             ,
             because
             he
             is
             the
             Son
             of
             Man
          
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           in
           the
           quality
           of
           Mediator
           ,
           for
           the
           reward
           of
           his
           Sufferings
           .
           The
           quality
           of
           this
           Office
           requires
           no
           less
           Person
           for
           the
           discharge
           of
           it
           ,
           than
           the
           Son
           of
           God.
           
        
         
           1.
           
           Upon
           the
           account
           of
           its
           superlative
           Dignity
           .
           No
           mere
           Creature
           is
           
           capable
           of
           such
           a
           glorious
           Commission
           .
           To
           pass
           a
           Sovereign
           Sentence
           upon
           Angels
           and
           Men
           ,
           is
           a
           Royalty
           reserv'd
           for
           God
           himself
           .
           We
           read
           that
           
             no
             Man
             in
             Heaven
             or
             Earth
             was
             able
             to
             open
             the
             Sealed
             Book
             of
             his
             Eternal
             Counsels
             ,
          
           
           
             as
             unsearchable
             as
             deep
          
           :
           only
           Jesus
           Christ
           who
           was
           in
           the
           
             Bosom
             of
             the
             Father
          
           ,
           the
           Seat
           of
           his
           Counsels
           and
           Compassions
           ,
           and
           was
           acquainted
           with
           all
           his
           Glorious
           Secrets
           ,
           could
           unfold
           the
           Order
           of
           the
           Divine
           Decrees
           about
           the
           Church
           .
           And
           if
           no
           Creature
           was
           worthy
           to
           be
           admitted
           into
           God's
           Counsel
           ,
           much
           less
           to
           be
           taken
           into
           his
           Throne
           .
           The
           Eternal
           Son
           ,
           
             the
             express
             Image
             of
             his
             Person
             ,
          
           is
           alone
           fit
           to
           be
           his
           authorised
           Representative
           in
           Judgment
           .
           Our
           Saviour
           declares
           ,
           that
           the
           Father
           invested
           the
           Son
           with
           this
           Regal
           Power
           ,
           that
           
             all
             Men
             should
             honour
             the
             Son
             ,
          
           
           with
           the
           same
           religious
           Reverence
           ,
           and
           supreme
           Adoration
           ,
           
             as
             they
             honour
             the
             Father
          
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Upon
           the
           account
           of
           the
           immense
           Difficulty
           ,
           no
           mere
           Creature
           is
           able
           to
           discharge
           it
           .
           To
           judg
           the
           World
           ,
           includes
           two
           things
           :
           1.
           
           To
           pass
           a
           righteous
           and
           irrevocable
           Judgment
           upon
           Men
           for
           all
           Things
           done
           in
           this
           Life
           .
           
           2.
           
           The
           actual
           execution
           of
           the
           Sentence
           .
           And
           for
           this
           no
           less
           than
           infinite
           Wisdom
           ,
           and
           infinite
           Power
           are
           necessary
           .
           If
           a
           select
           number
           of
           Angels
           of
           the
           highest
           Order
           were
           deputed
           ,
           yet
           they
           could
           not
           manage
           the
           judicial
           Trial
           of
           one
           Man
           :
           For
           besides
           the
           innumerable
           Acts
           and
           Omissions
           in
           one
           Life
           ,
           the
           Secrets
           of
           the
           Heart
           ,
           from
           whence
           the
           guilt
           or
           goodness
           of
           Moral
           Actions
           is
           principally
           derived
           ,
           are
           not
           open
           to
           them
           .
           He
           alone
           that
           discerns
           all
           Things
           ,
           can
           require
           an
           account
           of
           all
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           The
           Son
           of
           Man
           is
           invested
           with
           this
           high
           Office
           as
           the
           Reward
           of
           his
           Sufferings
           .
           We
           must
           distinguish
           between
           the
           essential
           and
           oeconomical
           Power
           of
           Christ.
           The
           Son
           of
           God
           ,
           considered
           in
           his
           Divine
           Nature
           ,
           has
           an
           original
           Power
           of
           Judgment
           equal
           with
           the
           Father
           ;
           but
           considered
           as
           Mediator
           ,
           has
           a
           Power
           by
           delegation
           .
           In
           the
           quality
           of
           the
           Son
           of
           Man
           ,
           he
           is
           inferior
           in
           Dignity
           to
           the
           Father
           .
           The
           Apostle
           declares
           this
           in
           that
           scale
           of
           Subordination
           ,
           of
           the
           Creatures
           to
           Believers
           ,
           and
           of
           Believers
           to
           Christ
           ,
           and
           of
           Christ
           to
           God.
           
             All
             things
             are
             yours
             ,
             and
             you
             are
             Christ's
             ,
             and
             Christ
             is
             God's
             .
          
           
           And
           observing
           the
           beautiful
           Order
           that
           arises
           from
           the
           superiority
           and
           dependance
           between
           Things
           ,
           he
           saith
           ,
           
             The
             Head
             of
             every
             Man
             is
             Christ
             ,
             and
             the
             Head
             of
             the
             Woman
             is
             the
             Man
             ,
             and
             the
             Head
             of
             Christ
             is
             God.
          
           Now
           this
           Power
           by
           Commission
           was
           conferr'd
           upon
           him
           as
           the
           Reward
           of
           his
           Sufferings
           .
           The
           Apostle
           expresly
           declares
           it
           ,
           that
           Christ
           
             being
             in
             the
             Form
             of
             God
             ,
          
           and
           without
           any
           usurpation
           truly
           equal
           to
           him
           in
           Divine
           Perfections
           and
           Majesty
           ,
           
             humbled
             himself
             ,
             and
             became
             obedient
             to
             the
             Death
             of
             the
             Cross.
             Wherefore
             God
             hath
             highly
             exalted
             him
             ,
             and
             given
             him
             a
             Name
             above
             every
             Name
             :
             that
             at
             the
             Name
             of
             Jesus
             every
             Knee
             should
             bow
             ,
             of
             Things
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             Things
             in
             Earth
             ,
             and
             Things
             under
             the
             Earth
             ;
             and
             that
             every
             Tongue
             should
             confess
             that
             Jesus
             Christ
             is
             Lord
             ,
             to
             the
             Glory
             of
             God
             the
             Father
             .
          
           His
           victorious
           Sufferings
           are
           the
           Titles
           to
           his
           Triumphs
           ;
           his
           being
           so
           ignominiously
           depress'd
           and
           condemn'd
           by
           Men
           ,
           is
           the
           just
           reason
           of
           his
           advancement
           to
           judg
           the
           World.
           
        
         
           5.
           
           There
           is
           a
           Day
           appointed
           wherein
           the
           Son
           of
           Man
           will
           appear
           in
           sensible
           Glory
           ,
           and
           exercise
           his
           judicial
           Power
           upon
           Angels
           and
           Men.
           He
           is
           now
           
           
             seated
             at
             the
             right
             Hand
             of
             the
             Majesty
             on
             High
             ,
          
           and
           the
           Celestial
           Spheres
           are
           under
           his
           Feet
           :
           Universal
           Nature
           feels
           the
           power
           of
           his
           Scepter
           :
           He
           reigns
           in
           the
           Hearts
           of
           the
           Saints
           by
           his
           Word
           and
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           restrains
           the
           Fury
           of
           his
           Enemies
           in
           what
           degrees
           he
           pleases
           :
           but
           still
           his
           Servants
           are
           in
           distress
           ,
           and
           his
           rebellious
           Enemies
           insolently
           break
           his
           Laws
           ;
           and
           the
           Curtains
           of
           Heaven
           conceal
           his
           Glory
           from
           us
           :
           therefore
           a
           Time
           is
           prefix'd
           ,
           when
           in
           the
           face
           of
           the
           World
           he
           will
           make
           an
           eternal
           difference
           by
           Rewards
           and
           Punishments
           between
           the
           Righteous
           and
           the
           Wicked
           ,
           and
           his
           Government
           shall
           have
           its
           compleat
           and
           glorious
           Issue
           .
           This
           is
           stiled
           the
           
             Judgment
             of
             the
             Great
             Day
          
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           With
           respect
           to
           the
           appearance
           of
           the
           Judg.
           When
           the
           Law
           was
           given
           from
           Mount
           Sinai
           ,
           the
           Mountain
           was
           covered
           with
           Fire
           ,
           and
           the
           Voice
           of
           God
           as
           loud
           as
           Thunder
           proclaimed
           it
           from
           the
           midst
           of
           the
           Flames
           ,
           so
           that
           the
           whole
           Army
           of
           the
           Israelites
           was
           prostrate
           on
           the
           Plain
           ,
           struck
           with
           a
           sacred
           Horror
           ,
           and
           almost
           dead
           at
           the
           amazing
           Sights
           and
           Sounds
           .
           From
           hence
           't
           is
           said
           ,
           that
           
             in
             his
             right
             Hand
             was
             a
             fiery
             Law.
          
           And
           if
           the
           Law-giver
           
           appear'd
           in
           such
           terrible
           Majesty
           at
           the
           proclaiming
           the
           Law
           ,
           how
           much
           more
           when
           he
           shall
           come
           to
           revenge
           the
           Transgressions
           of
           it
           ?
           'T
           is
           set
           forth
           in
           Scripture
           in
           the
           most
           lofty
           and
           magnificent
           Expressions
           :
           
             He
             shall
             come
             in
             his
             Father's
             Glory
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             his
             own
             Glory
             ,
             and
             the
             Glory
             of
             the
             Angels
             .
          
           A
           devouring
           Fire
           shall
           go
           before
           him
           ,
           to
           consume
           all
           the
           Works
           of
           the
           Universe
           .
           He
           shall
           descend
           from
           the
           highest
           Heavens
           ,
           glorious
           in
           the
           attendance
           of
           innumerable
           Angels
           ,
           but
           more
           in
           his
           own
           Majesty
           ,
           and
           sit
           on
           a
           
             radiant
             Throne
             high
             above
             all
          
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           'T
           is
           great
           ,
           with
           respect
           to
           the
           appearance
           of
           those
           who
           are
           to
           be
           judg'd
           :
           All
           the
           Apostate
           Angels
           ,
           and
           the
           universal
           Progeny
           of
           Adam
           .
           The
           bowels
           of
           the
           Earth
           ,
           and
           the
           bottom
           of
           the
           Sea
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           Elements
           shall
           give
           up
           the
           Dead
           .
           The
           mighty
           Angels
           ,
           the
           winged
           Ministers
           of
           Justice
           ,
           shall
           fly
           to
           all
           Parts
           ,
           and
           attach
           the
           Wicked
           to
           bring
           them
           as
           miserable
           Prisoners
           before
           that
           high
           Tribunal
           .
           And
           those
           blessed
           powerful
           Spirits
           shall
           congregate
           the
           Righteous
           ,
           to
           present
           them
           at
           his
           right
           Hand
           .
        
         
         
           3.
           
           'T
           is
           great
           with
           respect
           to
           what
           shall
           be
           then
           done
           :
           He
           shall
           perform
           the
           most
           glorious
           and
           consummate
           act
           of
           his
           Regal
           Office
           ,
           after
           a
           righteous
           Trial
           pronounce
           Judgment
           ,
           upon
           which
           the
           eternal
           Destiny
           of
           the
           World
           depends
           .
           And
           immediately
           the
           Saints
           shall
           ascend
           with
           him
           to
           the
           everlasting
           Mansions
           of
           Glory
           ,
           and
           the
           Wicked
           shall
           be
           swallowed
           up
           in
           the
           fiery
           Gulph
           for
           ever
           .
        
         
           To
           define
           the
           particular
           Time
           when
           this
           shall
           be
           accomplish'd
           ,
           is
           beyond
           the
           knowledg
           of
           the
           Angels
           of
           highest
           Dignity
           .
           'T
           is
           
             inter
             Arcana
             Imperii
          
           ,
           among
           the
           Secrets
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           Heaven
           .
           'T
           is
           observable
           that
           God
           has
           revealed
           the
           Times
           precisely
           wherein
           some
           great
           Events
           should
           come
           to
           pass
           :
           after
           how
           many
           Years
           the
           Israelites
           should
           be
           freed
           from
           Egyptian
           Bondage
           :
           after
           what
           space
           of
           Time
           they
           should
           be
           restored
           from
           the
           Captivity
           of
           Babylon
           :
           when
           the
           Messiah
           should
           die
           for
           the
           expiation
           of
           Sin
           :
           but
           there
           is
           no
           designation
           by
           certain
           Characters
           of
           the
           particular
           Day
           ,
           nor
           Year
           ,
           nor
           Age
           ,
           in
           any
           Prophecy
           ,
           of
           our
           Saviour's
           coming
           to
           Judgment
           .
           And
           of
           this
           an
           Account
           may
           be
           given
           .
           The
           special
           
           End
           of
           those
           Predictions
           was
           ,
           that
           those
           who
           lived
           to
           see
           their
           accomplishment
           ,
           notwithstanding
           the
           seeming
           Impossibilities
           ,
           might
           believe
           the
           Truth
           and
           Power
           of
           God
           to
           fulfil
           the
           Revelation
           of
           his
           Purposes
           for
           the
           Time
           to
           come
           .
           But
           at
           the
           last
           Day
           ,
           all
           the
           Promises
           and
           Threatnings
           will
           be
           fulfilled
           ,
           nothing
           will
           remain
           to
           be
           the
           Object
           of
           Faith
           ;
           and
           consequently
           it
           was
           superfluous
           to
           declare
           the
           certain
           Time
           ,
           since
           the
           exact
           accomplishment
           of
           it
           according
           to
           the
           Prediction
           ,
           will
           neither
           be
           useful
           to
           confirm
           Believers
           ,
           or
           convert
           Infidels
           .
        
         
           Lastly
           ,
           The
           Resurrection
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           is
           the
           most
           convincing
           and
           commanding
           Evidence
           of
           this
           Doctrine
           ,
           that
           he
           shall
           judg
           the
           World.
           For
           he
           was
           charged
           with
           Blasphemy
           deserving
           of
           Death
           for
           this
           Testimony
           :
           
             I
             say
             unto
             you
          
           ,
           
           
             hereafter
             shall
             you
             see
             the
             Son
             of
             Mand
             sitting
             on
             the
             right
             Hand
             of
             Power
             ,
             and
             coming
             in
             the
             Clouds
             of
             Heaven
             .
          
           He
           dedicated
           Martyrdom
           in
           his
           own
           Sufferings
           .
           Now
           God
           in
           raising
           him
           from
           the
           Dead
           ,
           confirmed
           the
           Truth
           of
           his
           Testimony
           by
           that
           visible
           Miracle
           ,
           and
           the
           belief
           of
           it
           converted
           the
           World
           to
           Christianity
           .
        
         
         
           I
           will
           now
           proceed
           to
           illustrate
           and
           prove
           the
           main
           Point
           ,
           which
           is
           this
           :
           
             That
             God
             will
             judg
             the
             World
             in
             Righteousness
             by
             Jesus
             Christ.
             
          
        
         
           The
           Mediator
           ,
           who
           shall
           be
           Judg
           in
           the
           Union
           of
           both
           Natures
           ,
           considered
           as
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           ,
           is
           essentially
           Holy
           and
           Righteous
           ;
           and
           considered
           as
           the
           Son
           of
           Man
           ,
           was
           
             holy
             ,
             harmless
             ,
             undefiled
             ,
             and
             separate
             from
             Sinners
             .
          
           In
           him
           all
           Vertues
           shin'd
           in
           their
           absolute
           Purity
           :
           and
           who
           is
           so
           worthy
           and
           qualified
           to
           reward
           Holiness
           and
           punish
           Wickedness
           ,
           as
           
             the
             holy
             One
             of
             God
          
           ?
           'T
           is
           said
           of
           him
           ,
           
             Thou
             hast
             loved
             Righteousness
             ,
             and
             hated
             Iniquity
             ,
          
           
           
             therefore
             thy
             God
             hath
             anointed
             thee
             with
             Oil
             of
             gladness
             above
             thy
             Fellows
             :
          
           Consecrated
           him
           to
           the
           Regal
           Office
           ,
           and
           enrich'd
           his
           humane
           Nature
           with
           Endowments
           suitable
           to
           it
           .
           'T
           was
           prophesied
           of
           him
           ,
           
             The
             Spirit
             of
             the
             Lord
             shall
             rest
             upon
             him
             ,
          
           
           
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Wisdom
             and
             Vnderstanding
             ,
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Counsel
             and
             Might
             ,
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Knowledg
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             Fear
             of
             the
             Lord
             ;
             and
             shall
             make
             him
             of
             quick
             understanding
             in
             the
             Fear
             of
             the
             
             Lord
             ,
             and
             He
             shall
             not
             judg
             after
             the
             sight
             of
             his
             Eyes
             ,
             neither
             reprove
             after
             the
             hearing
             of
             his
             Ears
             .
             But
             with
             Righteousness
             shall
             he
             judg
             the
             Poor
             ,
             and
             reprove
             with
             Equity
             .
          
           Humane
           Judgments
           are
           often
           unrighteous
           from
           vicious
           Respects
           and
           Affections
           that
           pervert
           the
           Will
           ,
           or
           fair
           appearances
           that
           deceive
           the
           Understanding
           :
           by
           Gifts
           or
           Guile
           ,
           Innocence
           is
           cast
           ,
           and
           Guilt
           acquitted
           :
           but
           the
           Judg
           of
           the
           World
           is
           inflexible
           to
           Partiality
           ,
           and
           all
           things
           
             are
             entirely
             open
             to
             his
             sight
             .
          
           In
           the
           Act
           of
           Judgment
           he
           is
           represented
           
             sitting
             on
             a
             white
             Throne
          
           ,
           
           the
           Emblem
           of
           unspotted
           Holiness
           .
        
         
           The
           Righteousness
           of
           God's
           Judicial
           Proceedings
           will
           appear
           by
           considering
           three
           Things
           .
        
         
           
             I.
             The
             Equity
             of
             his
             Law
             ,
             the
             Rule
             of
             the
             great
             and
             final
             Judgment
             .
          
           
             II.
             The
             Evidence
             of
             the
             Facts
             and
             Matter
             ,
             which
             shall
             be
             produc'd
             as
             the
             Reason
             of
             the
             Judgment
             .
          
           
             III.
             The
             Impartiality
             of
             the
             Sentence
             .
          
        
         
         
           I.
           The
           Equity
           of
           the
           Law
           which
           shall
           be
           the
           Rule
           of
           the
           last
           Judgment
           .
           This
           will
           appear
           by
           considering
           the
           Law
           of
           Nature
           ,
           and
           the
           Law
           of
           Faith
           ,
           in
           their
           Precepts
           and
           Penalties
           ,
           annex'd
           to
           enforce
           the
           Observation
           of
           them
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           Law
           of
           Nature
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           Rule
           of
           Mans
           Duty
           ,
           will
           be
           the
           Rule
           of
           Judgment
           :
           for
           
             without
             the
             Law
             there
             is
             no
             Transgression
          
           ;
           and
           consequently
           a
           Person
           is
           unaccountable
           for
           his
           Actions
           .
           This
           Law
           is
           composed
           of
           such
           Rules
           as
           are
           most
           becoming
           the
           wise
           and
           gracious
           Creator
           to
           give
           ,
           and
           the
           reasonable
           Creature
           to
           receive
           and
           obey
           :
           for
           they
           entirely
           agree
           and
           concenter
           in
           his
           Glory
           and
           the
           Good
           of
           his
           Subjects
           .
           The
           Apostle
           adorns
           the
           Law
           with
           the
           most
           excellent
           Elogy
           ,
           
             't
             is
             Holy
             ,
             Just
             ,
             and
             Good.
             Holy
             ,
          
           
           as
           it
           enjoins
           all
           Acts
           of
           Piety
           to
           God
           :
           the
           adoration
           of
           his
           Majesty
           resulting
           from
           his
           inexpressible
           Divine
           Perfections
           ,
           the
           imitation
           of
           his
           Purity
           ,
           a
           reliance
           on
           his
           Goodness
           ,
           a
           resignation
           to
           his
           most
           wise
           Providence
           ,
           and
           a
           dutiful
           obedience
           to
           his
           Will.
           Such
           a
           sense
           of
           our
           dependance
           and
           subjection
           to
           God
           ,
           is
           the
           proper
           Character
           
           of
           the
           reasonable
           Creature
           ,
           as
           dignified
           above
           inanimate
           and
           mere
           sensitive
           Beings
           .
           
             The
             Law
             is
             just
          
           ,
           as
           it
           directs
           us
           how
           to
           demean
           our selves
           in
           our
           various
           Relations
           .
           Justice
           is
           the
           Cement
           of
           Societies
           ,
           without
           which
           they
           disband
           and
           fall
           into
           Confusion
           .
           And
           the
           Sum
           of
           the
           Law
           is
           virtually
           comprized
           in
           one
           Rule
           ,
           
             to
             do
             to
             others
             as
             we
             would
             they
             should
             do
             to
             us
             ,
          
           than
           which
           nothing
           is
           more
           equal
           .
           'T
           is
           good
           to
           Man
           that
           keeps
           it
           ,
           commanding
           nothing
           but
           what
           is
           influential
           upon
           his
           Well-being
           here
           and
           for
           ever
           .
           It
           does
           not
           infringe
           his
           true
           Freedom
           ,
           but
           allows
           him
           unstain'd
           Delights
           ,
           and
           enjoins
           what
           is
           proper
           to
           advance
           and
           secure
           his
           Dignity
           ,
           Felicity
           and
           Perfection
           .
           It
           forbids
           every
           thing
           that
           defiles
           and
           debases
           him
           ,
           and
           causes
           a
           degeneration
           from
           his
           native
           Excellency
           .
           If
           we
           prescind
           in
           our
           thoughts
           the
           sacred
           Authority
           of
           the
           Law-giver
           ,
           all
           the
           Precepts
           of
           the
           Law
           for
           their
           moral
           Goodness
           ,
           deserve
           our
           esteem
           and
           choice
           ,
           and
           entire
           observation
           .
           The
           sanctified
           Mind
           approves
           them
           universally
           .
           
           
             I
             esteem
             all
             thy
             Precepts
             concerning
             all
             things
             to
             be
             right
             ,
          
           saith
           holy
           David
           .
           Nay
           ,
           in
           the
           Wicked
           there
           is
           an
           
           intellectual
           assent
           to
           the
           Goodness
           of
           the
           Law
           ,
           though
           the
           corrupt
           Will
           doth
           not
           embrace
           it
           :
           there
           are
           some
           Inclinations
           and
           Wishes
           to
           obey
           it
           ,
           but
           controul'd
           by
           vicious
           Desires
           .
           'T
           is
           said
           of
           the
           convinced
           Sinner
           ,
           
             Thou
             knowest
             his
             Will
          
           ,
           
           
             and
             approvest
             the
             things
             that
             are
             more
             excellent
             .
          
        
         
           It
           may
           be
           objected
           ,
           That
           the
           Law
           being
           pure
           ,
           and
           Man
           in
           a
           frail
           state
           ,
           surrounded
           with
           innumerable
           Temptations
           ,
           to
           require
           perfect
           Obedience
           from
           him
           ,
           and
           condemn
           him
           for
           his
           Failings
           ,
           seems
           hard
           .
           The
           Law
           lays
           a
           restraint
           upon
           all
           the
           Senses
           ,
           and
           forbids
           all
           fleshly
           Lusts
           :
           this
           may
           be
           easy
           to
           separate
           Souls
           ,
           but
           for
           Men
           to
           live
           in
           the
           Body
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           were
           out
           of
           it
           ,
           to
           be
           always
           vigilant
           against
           the
           insinuations
           or
           attacks
           of
           Sin
           ,
           is
           impossible
           .
           Thus
           the
           Carnal
           Mind
           is
           apt
           with
           some
           colour
           ,
           to
           traduce
           the
           Righteousness
           of
           God's
           Government
           .
           But
           it
           will
           be
           clearly
           vindicated
           ,
           by
           considering
           ;
        
         
           (
           1.
           )
           The
           Law
           supposes
           Man
           in
           a
           state
           of
           integrity
           ,
           furnish'd
           with
           sufficient
           Power
           to
           comply
           with
           every
           Precept
           ,
           though
           free
           to
           fall
           from
           his
           Duty
           and
           Happiness
           .
           To
           command
           absolute
           Impossibilities
           ,
           is
           tyrannical
           ,
           and
           utterly
           
           inconsistent
           with
           the
           Nature
           of
           the
           Blessed
           God.
           
        
         
           (
           2.
           )
           The
           first
           Man
           wilfully
           transgress'd
           the
           Law
           ,
           and
           lost
           his
           Holiness
           :
           And
           Nature
           being
           poison'd
           in
           the
           Fountain
           ,
           is
           corrupt
           in
           all
           the
           descendants
           from
           him
           .
           Mankind
           was
           justly
           degraded
           in
           rebellious
           Adam
           ,
           and
           is
           destitute
           of
           spiritual
           Strength
           to
           perform
           all
           that
           the
           Law
           requires
           .
        
         
           (
           3.
           )
           This
           disability
           is
           vicious
           and
           culpable
           ,
           and
           can
           be
           no
           pretence
           against
           the
           Rights
           of
           the
           Law-giver
           .
           A
           natural
           disability
           from
           the
           want
           of
           requisite
           Faculties
           is
           a
           just
           excuse
           .
           'T
           is
           no
           Fault
           that
           a
           Man
           cannot
           stop
           the
           Sun
           ,
           as
           Joshua
           did
           ;
           nor
           calm
           a
           Tempest
           ,
           as
           our
           Saviour
           did
           by
           his
           Word
           .
           But
           the
           disability
           that
           arises
           from
           a
           depraved
           disposition
           ,
           renders
           a
           Person
           more
           guilty
           .
           And
           this
           is
           the
           present
           Case
           .
           The
           Will
           of
           Man
           is
           disobedient
           and
           perverse
           ,
           and
           as
           soon
           as
           it
           can
           exercise
           Election
           ,
           chooses
           Evil
           ;
           and
           by
           custom
           in
           Sin
           becomes
           more
           hardened
           and
           obstinate
           .
           And
           from
           hence
           the
           Prophet
           charges
           the
           contumacious
           Jews
           ;
           
             Behold
             their
             Ear
             is
             uncircumcised
          
           ,
           
           
             and
             they
             cannot
             hearken
          
           .
           Were
           they
           uncapable
           of
           hearing
           the
           Divine
           Commands
           ?
           No
           ;
           
           
             but
             the
             Word
             of
             the
             Lord
             was
             to
             them
             a
             Reproach
             ,
             they
             had
             no
             delight
             in
             it
             .
          
           And
           our
           Saviour
           upbraids
           the
           Pharisees
           ,
           
             How
             can
             ye
             believe
          
           ,
           
           
             which
             receive
             Honour
             one
             of
             another
             ,
             and
             seek
             not
             the
             Honour
             that
             comes
             from
             God
             only
             ?
          
           They
           were
           in
           high
           reputation
           for
           their
           Holiness
           ,
           which
           made
           it
           impossible
           for
           them
           in
           an
           humble
           penitent
           manner
           to
           submit
           to
           our
           Saviour
           .
           In
           short
           ,
           the
           primary
           end
           of
           the
           Law
           was
           the
           Happiness
           of
           Man
           in
           the
           performance
           of
           his
           Duty
           ;
           and
           his
           first
           Sin
           ,
           and
           consequent
           Impotence
           to
           fulfil
           it
           ,
           was
           by
           his
           own
           fault
           .
           As
           the
           Obliquity
           of
           a
           Line
           cannot
           be
           ascrib'd
           to
           the
           strait
           Rule
           ,
           but
           to
           the
           Error
           of
           the
           Hand
           that
           draws
           it
           .
           And
           from
           hence
           't
           is
           clear
           ,
           that
           if
           God
           should
           with
           a
           terrible
           exactness
           require
           of
           Men
           unsinning
           Obedience
           upon
           the
           pain
           of
           Damnation
           ,
           he
           could
           not
           be
           tax'd
           with
           Unrighteousness
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           But
           God
           has
           been
           pleased
           to
           mitigate
           and
           allay
           the
           Severity
           of
           the
           Law
           by
           the
           Gospel
           ;
           so
           that
           although
           the
           least
           breach
           of
           it
           makes
           a
           Person
           an
           Offender
           and
           obnoxious
           to
           Judgment
           ,
           yet
           the
           Law
           of
           Faith
           propounds
           such
           merciful
           Conditions
           to
           the
           Guilty
           ,
           that
           upon
           the
           performance
           of
           them
           ,
           they
           
           may
           plead
           their
           Pardon
           seal'd
           with
           the
           Blood
           of
           their
           Redeemer
           ,
           and
           shall
           be
           saved
           and
           crown'd
           in
           the
           Day
           of
           Judgment
           .
           We
           are
           commanded
           
             so
             to
             speak
             and
             do
          
           ,
           
           
             as
             they
             that
             shall
             be
             judged
             by
             the
             Law
             of
             Liberty
             .
          
           Thus
           the
           Gospel
           is
           stiled
           ,
           in
           that
           it
           frees
           the
           Conscience
           ,
           though
           not
           from
           the
           Obedience
           ,
           yet
           from
           the
           Terrors
           and
           Condemnation
           of
           the
           Law
           ;
           for
           there
           was
           not
           the
           least
           signification
           of
           Mercy
           by
           it
           .
           But
           in
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           
             the
             Grace
             of
             God
             most
             illustriously
             appears
             .
          
        
         
           (
           1.
           )
           In
           that
           when
           our
           Innocence
           was
           lost
           ,
           there
           may
           be
           a
           renovation
           of
           the
           Sinner
           by
           Repentance
           :
           to
           which
           the
           plenary
           Pardon
           of
           Sin
           is
           assured
           ,
           
             Wash
             ye
          
           ,
           
           
             make
             ye
             clean
             ,
             put
             away
             the
             evil
             of
             your
             Doings
             from
             before
             mine
             Eyes
             :
             Cease
             to
             do
             evil
             ,
             and
             learn
             to
             do
             well
             ,
             saith
             the
             Lord
             :
             and
             though
             your
             Sins
             be
             as
             Scarlet
             ,
             they
             shall
             be
             white
             as
             Snow
             ;
             though
             they
             be
             red
             like
             Crimson
             ,
             they
             shall
             be
             white
             like
             Wooll
             .
          
           God
           will
           not
           pardon
           those
           who
           forgive
           and
           flatter
           themselves
           in
           their
           Sins
           ;
           
             but
             those
             who
             confess
             and
             forsake
             them
             ,
             shall
             find
             Mercy
             .
          
        
         
           (
           2.
           )
           Sincerity
           of
           Obedience
           is
           accepted
           where
           Perfection
           is
           wanting
           .
           When
           a
           Person
           with
           consent
           of
           Heart
           and
           serious
           
           Endeavours
           strives
           to
           obey
           the
           holy
           Will
           of
           God
           ,
           without
           the
           exception
           of
           any
           known
           Duty
           ,
           or
           the
           indulgence
           of
           any
           Sin
           ,
           
             God
             will
             spare
             him
          
           ,
           
           
             as
             a
             Father
             spares
             his
             Son
             that
             serves
             him
             .
          
           'T
           is
           not
           so
           much
           the
           Matter
           as
           the
           Allowance
           that
           makes
           Sin
           deadly
           .
           Where
           there
           is
           guile
           in
           the
           Heart
           ,
           it
           will
           be
           severely
           imputed
           .
           'T
           is
           not
           according
           to
           some
           particular
           Acts
           of
           Sin
           ,
           but
           the
           Tenor
           of
           the
           Life
           ,
           that
           the
           state
           of
           Men
           will
           be
           decided
           .
        
         
           (
           3.
           )
           Unfeigned
           Faith
           in
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           such
           a
           belief
           of
           the
           Truth
           and
           Goodness
           of
           his
           Promises
           ,
           as
           induces
           us
           
             to
             receive
             him
             as
             our
             Prince
             and
             Saviour
             ,
          
           as
           purifies
           the
           Conscience
           ,
           the
           Heart
           and
           Life
           ,
           will
           free
           us
           from
           Hell
           ,
           and
           entitle
           us
           to
           Heaven
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           Covenant
           of
           Grace
           .
           In
           short
           ,
           the
           final
           Resolution
           of
           a
           Man's
           Trial
           and
           Case
           will
           be
           this
           ;
           either
           he
           has
           performed
           the
           gracious
           Conditions
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           he
           shall
           
             be
             saved
          
           ;
           or
           rejected
           them
           ,
           and
           he
           shall
           
             be
             damned
          
           .
        
         
           If
           it
           be
           objected
           ,
           that
           the
           Terms
           of
           Evangelical
           Justification
           ,
           though
           in
           themselves
           comparatively
           easy
           ,
           yet
           are
           of
           impossible
           performance
           to
           Men
           in
           their
           natural
           sinful
           State.
           The
           Answer
           is
           clear
           :
        
         
         
           1.
           
           That
           although
           the
           
             natural
             Man
             be
             dead
             in
             Sin
             ,
          
           without
           spiritual
           strength
           to
           resolve
           and
           perform
           his
           Duty
           ,
           and
           holy
           heat
           of
           desires
           to
           it
           ;
           and
           nothing
           is
           alive
           in
           him
           but
           his
           corrupt
           Passions
           ,
           that
           are
           like
           Worms
           generated
           in
           a
           Carcass
           ;
           yet
           by
           the
           Grace
           that
           is
           offered
           in
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           he
           may
           be
           enabled
           to
           perform
           the
           Conditions
           of
           it
           :
           for
           in
           this
           the
           Gospel
           excels
           the
           Law
           ,
           the
           Law
           discovers
           Sin
           ,
           but
           affords
           no
           degrees
           of
           supernatural
           Power
           to
           subdue
           it
           ,
           and
           directs
           to
           no
           Means
           for
           the
           expiation
           of
           its
           Guilt
           ▪
           As
           
             the
             Fire
             in
             the
             Bush
          
           discovered
           the
           Thorns
           without
           consuming
           them
           .
           But
           the
           sanctifying
           Spirit
           ,
           
           the
           true
           Spring
           of
           
             Life
             and
             Power
          
           ,
           is
           the
           concomitant
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           as
           St.
           Peter
           declares
           ,
           
             With
             the
             preaching
             of
             the
             Gospel
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             was
             sent
             down
             from
             Heaven
             .
          
           
           And
           the
           Spirit
           by
           illuminating
           ,
           preventing
           ,
           and
           exciting-Grace
           ,
           assists
           Men
           to
           repent
           and
           believe
           ;
           and
           is
           promised
           in
           rich
           and
           liberal
           Supplies
           to
           all
           that
           humbly
           and
           ardently
           pray
           for
           it
           .
           This
           our
           Saviour
           assures
           to
           us
           by
           a
           most
           tender
           and
           endearing
           Comparison
           :
           
             If
             ye
             that
             are
             evil
          
           ,
           
           
             know
             how
             to
             give
             good
             things
             to
             your
             Children
             ;
             how
             much
             more
             shall
             your
             Heavenly
             
             Father
             give
             the
             Holy
             Spirit
             to
             those
             that
             ask
             it
             ?
          
        
         
           2.
           
           From
           hence
           it
           follows
           ,
           that
           't
           is
           from
           the
           perverseness
           of
           the
           Will
           ,
           and
           the
           love
           of
           Sin
           ,
           that
           Men
           do
           not
           obey
           the
           Gospel
           .
           For
           the
           Holy
           Spirit
           never
           withdraws
           his
           gracious
           assistance
           ,
           till
           
             resisted
             ,
             grieved
          
           ,
           and
           
             quenched
             by
             them
          
           .
           It
           will
           be
           no
           excuse
           ,
           that
           Divine
           Grace
           is
           not
           conferr'd
           in
           the
           same
           eminent
           degree
           upon
           some
           as
           upon
           others
           that
           are
           converted
           :
           for
           the
           Impenitent
           shall
           not
           be
           condemned
           for
           want
           of
           that
           singular
           powerful
           Grace
           that
           was
           the
           Priviledg
           of
           the
           Elect
           ,
           but
           for
           
             receiving
             in
             vain
          
           that
           measure
           of
           common
           Grace
           that
           they
           had
           .
           If
           he
           that
           received
           
             one
             Talent
          
           had
           faithfully
           improved
           it
           ,
           he
           had
           been
           rewarded
           with
           more
           ,
           but
           upon
           the
           slothful
           and
           ingrateful
           neglect
           of
           his
           Duty
           ,
           he
           was
           justly
           deprived
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           cast
           into
           a
           Dungeon
           of
           Horror
           ,
           the
           Emblem
           of
           Hell.
           The
           Sentence
           of
           the
           Law
           has
           its
           full
           force
           upon
           impenitent
           Sinners
           ,
           with
           intolerable
           aggravations
           for
           neglecting
           the
           Salvation
           of
           the
           Gospel
           .
        
         
           Concerning
           the
           Heathens
           ,
           the
           Scripture
           declares
           ,
        
         
         
           1
           st
           .
           That
           although
           the
           Law
           publish'd
           by
           Moses
           was
           not
           communicated
           to
           them
           ,
           yet
           there
           was
           a
           silent
           ,
           though
           less
           perfect
           Impression
           of
           it
           in
           their
           Hearts
           .
           The
           Law
           of
           Nature
           in
           the
           fundamental
           Precepts
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           Society
           ,
           and
           Temperance
           ,
           was
           better
           known
           than
           obeyed
           by
           them
           .
           Therefore
           the
           Apostle
           endites
           them
           for
           atrocious
           Crimes
           ,
           
           such
           as
           natural
           Conscience
           consenting
           with
           the
           Law
           of
           God
           ,
           severely
           forbids
           upon
           the
           pain
           of
           Damnation
           .
           
           Thus
           't
           is
           said
           of
           the
           Heathens
           ,
           
             Who
             knowing
             the
             Judgment
             of
             God
             ,
             that
             they
             which
             commit
             such
             things
             are
             worthy
             of
             Death
             ;
             not
             only
             commit
             the
             same
             ,
             but
             have
             pleasure
             in
             them
             that
             do
             them
             .
          
           And
           at
           the
           last
           Day
           ,
           
           
             As
             many
             as
             have
             sinned
             without
             the
             Law
             ,
             as
             delivered
             to
             the
             Jews
             ,
             shall
             be
             judged
             and
             perish
             ,
             not
             according
             to
             that
             Law
             of
          
           Moses
           ,
           but
           the
           Law
           of
           Nature
           that
           obliged
           them
           to
           do
           Good
           ,
           and
           restrain
           themselves
           from
           Evil
           ;
           of
           which
           the
           counterpart
           was
           not
           totally
           deleted
           in
           their
           Hearts
           .
        
         
           2
           dly
           .
           Although
           the
           Revelation
           of
           Christ
           in
           his
           Person
           ,
           Office
           and
           Benefits
           ,
           is
           not
           by
           the
           preaching
           of
           the
           Gospel
           (
           that
           is
           necessary
           for
           the
           
             begetting
             of
             Faith
          
           )
           extended
           to
           all
           Nations
           ;
           
           yet
           the
           Grace
           of
           the
           Redeemer
           is
           so
           far
           universal
           ,
           that
           upon
           his
           account
           the
           indulgent
           Providence
           of
           God
           invited
           the
           Heathens
           to
           Repentance
           .
           His
           renewed
           Benefits
           that
           sweetned
           their
           Lives
           ,
           
           and
           his
           powerful
           Patience
           in
           forbearing
           so
           long
           to
           cut
           them
           off
           ,
           when
           their
           Impurities
           and
           Impieties
           were
           so
           provoking
           ,
           
           was
           a
           Testimony
           of
           his
           inclination
           to
           Clemency
           upon
           their
           Reformation
           .
           And
           for
           their
           abusing
           his
           Favours
           ,
           and
           resisting
           the
           methods
           of
           his
           Goodness
           ,
           they
           will
           be
           inexcusable
           to
           themselves
           ,
           and
           their
           Condemnation
           righteous
           to
           their
           own
           Consciences
           .
        
         
           We
           are
           next
           to
           consider
           the
           Sanction
           of
           the
           Law
           that
           enforces
           Obedience
           ;
           and
           it
           will
           appear
           that
           God
           is
           not
           extream
           ,
           but
           wisely
           and
           justly
           ordained
           Eternal
           Death
           to
           be
           the
           punishment
           of
           Sin.
           
        
         
           This
           will
           appear
           by
           considering
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           end
           of
           the
           Sanction
           is
           to
           preserve
           the
           Authority
           of
           the
           Law
           in
           its
           full
           vigour
           ,
           to
           render
           it
           most
           solemn
           and
           awful
           ;
           and
           consequently
           't
           is
           the
           wisdom
           of
           the
           Law-giver
           ,
           to
           ordain
           a
           Punishment
           so
           heavy
           ,
           as
           to
           overpoise
           
           all
           Temptations
           that
           might
           otherwise
           induce
           the
           Subjects
           to
           transgress
           its
           Precepts
           .
        
         
           Therefore
           to
           Adam
           ,
           the
           first
           and
           second
           Death
           was
           threatned
           upon
           his
           Disobedience
           ;
           and
           Fear
           ,
           as
           a
           Sentinel
           ,
           was
           planted
           in
           his
           Breast
           ,
           that
           no
           guilty
           Thought
           ,
           no
           irregular
           Desire
           ,
           no
           deceitful
           Suggestion
           should
           enter
           to
           break
           the
           Tables
           of
           the
           Law
           deposited
           therein
           .
           Now
           since
           ,
           notwithstanding
           the
           threatning
           ,
           Man
           was
           so
           easily
           seduced
           by
           the
           insinuations
           of
           the
           Tempter
           to
           break
           the
           Law
           ,
           and
           disorder
           the
           Government
           of
           God
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           't
           is
           evident
           that
           such
           a
           Restraint
           was
           not
           over-rigorous
           to
           secure
           his
           Obedience
           .
           I
           shall
           not
           insist
           on
           what
           is
           sadly
           visible
           since
           the
           first
           Apostacy
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           in
           Mankind
           such
           a
           prodigious
           propensity
           to
           sensual
           things
           ,
           that
           without
           the
           fear
           of
           Hell
           ,
           no
           Arguments
           are
           strong
           enough
           to
           prevent
           the
           bold
           violation
           of
           the
           Divine
           Law.
           
        
         
           2.
           
           'T
           is
           consented
           to
           by
           common
           Reason
           ,
           
           that
           there
           ought
           to
           be
           a
           proportion
           between
           the
           quality
           of
           the
           Offence
           ,
           and
           the
           degrees
           of
           the
           Punishment
           .
           Justice
           takes
           the
           Scales
           into
           its
           hand
           before
           it
           takes
           the
           Sword.
           Now
           
           Sin
           against
           God
           is
           of
           such
           an
           immense
           Guilt
           ,
           that
           an
           eternal
           Punishment
           is
           but
           equivalent
           to
           it
           .
           This
           will
           appear
           by
           considering
           ,
        
         
           (
           1.
           )
           The
           Perfections
           of
           the
           Law-giver
           ,
           who
           is
           infinitely
           above
           us
           .
           One
           Act
           of
           Sin
           is
           Rebellion
           against
           God
           ,
           and
           includes
           in
           it
           the
           contempt
           of
           his
           Majesty
           ,
           before
           whom
           the
           highest
           Angels
           
             cover
             their
             Faces
          
           with
           Reverence
           and
           Adoration
           ,
           
           as
           unworthy
           to
           behold
           his
           Glory
           ;
           and
           
             cover
             their
             Feet
          
           ,
           as
           unworthy
           that
           he
           should
           behold
           them
           :
           the
           contradiction
           of
           his
           Holiness
           that
           is
           his
           peculiar
           Glory
           :
           the
           denial
           of
           his
           Omniscience
           and
           Omnipresence
           ,
           as
           if
           he
           were
           confin'd
           to
           the
           superior
           World
           ,
           
           and
           busy
           in
           regulating
           the
           harmonious
           Order
           of
           the
           Stars
           ,
           and
           did
           not
           discern
           and
           observe
           what
           is
           done
           below
           :
           the
           defiance
           of
           his
           Eternal
           Power
           ,
           and
           
             provoking
             him
             to
             Jealousy
             ,
             as
             if
             we
             were
             stronger
             than
             he
             .
          
        
         
           (
           2.
           )
           If
           we
           consider
           the
           Obligations
           of
           the
           reasonable
           Creatures
           to
           obey
           his
           Commands
           ,
           the
           guilt
           of
           Sin
           rises
           prodigiously
           .
           They
           were
           made
           by
           his
           Power
           ,
           with
           this
           special
           character
           of
           Excellency
           ,
           according
           to
           his
           Image
           :
           they
           were
           happy
           in
           his
           Love
           :
           they
           
           were
           endowed
           with
           intellectual
           Faculties
           capable
           to
           understand
           and
           consider
           their
           Obligations
           to
           their
           bountiful
           Lord.
           From
           hence
           it
           appears
           that
           Sin
           is
           the
           most
           unnatural
           Rebellion
           against
           God
           ,
           and
           in
           it
           there
           is
           a
           concurrence
           of
           Impiety
           ,
           Ingratitude
           ,
           Perfidiousness
           ,
           and
           whatever
           may
           inhance
           a
           Crime
           to
           an
           excess
           of
           Wickedness
           .
        
         
           (
           3.
           )
           The
           meanness
           of
           the
           Motives
           that
           induce
           Men
           to
           prefer
           the
           pleasing
           their
           depraved
           Appetites
           before
           Obedience
           to
           his
           sacred
           Will
           ,
           extreamly
           aggravates
           the
           Offence
           .
           Of
           this
           we
           have
           a
           convincing
           Instance
           in
           the
           first
           Sin
           committed
           upon
           Earth
           .
           Deceitful
           Curiosity
           ,
           flattering
           Pride
           ,
           a
           secret
           pleasure
           of
           acting
           according
           to
           his
           Will
           ,
           join'd
           with
           the
           low
           attractives
           of
           Sense
           ,
           blinded
           and
           transported
           Adam
           to
           eat
           the
           Mortal
           Fruit
           ,
           against
           the
           express
           Command
           of
           God.
           And
           ever
           since
           ,
           the
           vanishing
           shadows
           of
           Honour
           ,
           or
           Gain
           ,
           or
           Pleasure
           ,
           are
           the
           only
           perswasives
           to
           Sin.
           And
           what
           can
           be
           more
           provoking
           ,
           than
           for
           a
           Trifle
           to
           transgress
           the
           Law
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           equally
           despise
           his
           Favour
           and
           Displeasure
           ?
           Can
           any
           Punishment
           less
           than
           Eternal
           ,
           expiate
           such
           Impieties
           ?
           The
           Rules
           of
           
           Humane
           Justice
           may
           discover
           to
           us
           the
           Equity
           of
           the
           Divine
           Justice
           .
           'T
           is
           ordained
           by
           the
           wisest
           States
           ,
           that
           many
           Crimes
           which
           may
           be
           done
           in
           a
           few
           minutes
           ,
           shall
           be
           punish'd
           with
           Death
           ,
           and
           the
           Offender
           be
           deprived
           of
           his
           natural
           Life
           for
           ever
           .
           And
           is
           it
           not
           most
           just
           ,
           that
           Treason
           against
           the
           
             Great
             and
             Immortal
             King
          
           ,
           should
           be
           revenged
           with
           Everlasting
           Death
           ?
        
         
           (
           4.
           )
           That
           which
           farther
           clears
           the
           Divine
           Justice
           in
           punishing
           Sin
           with
           Hell
           ,
           is
           this
           ,
           That
           God
           by
           his
           infallible
           Promise
           assures
           us
           ,
           that
           all
           who
           sincerely
           and
           uniformly
           obey
           him
           ,
           shall
           be
           rewarded
           with
           Heaven
           for
           ever
           :
           a
           Blessedness
           most
           worthy
           the
           Greatness
           and
           Love
           of
           the
           Eternal
           God
           to
           bestow
           upon
           his
           Servants
           :
           a
           Blessedness
           that
           surpasses
           our
           most
           comprehensive
           Thoughts
           .
           Now
           if
           Everlasting
           Glory
           be
           despised
           ,
           what
           remains
           but
           endless
           Misery
           to
           be
           the
           Sinner's
           Portion
           ?
           The
           Consequence
           is
           remediless
           .
           If
           Sin
           with
           an
           eternal
           Hell
           in
           its
           Retinue
           be
           chosen
           and
           embrac'd
           ,
           is
           it
           not
           equal
           that
           the
           rational
           Creature
           should
           inherit
           his
           own
           choice
           ?
           How
           just
           is
           it
           that
           those
           who
           are
           the
           Slaves
           of
           the
           Devil
           ,
           and
           maintain
           his
           Party
           here
           ,
           should
           
           have
           their
           Recompence
           with
           him
           for
           ever
           ?
           That
           those
           who
           
             now
             say
             to
             the
             Almighty
             ,
             Depart
             from
             us
             ,
             we
             desire
             not
             the
             knowledg
             of
             thy
             Ways
             ,
          
           should
           hear
           the
           dreadful
           
             Depart
             from
             me
             into
             everlasting
             Fire
             ?
          
           As
           there
           will
           be
           no
           vain-boasting
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           where
           the
           Reward
           is
           the
           Gift
           of
           pure
           Bounty
           ;
           so
           there
           will
           be
           no
           righteous
           Complaint
           against
           God
           in
           Hell
           ,
           where
           the
           Punishment
           is
           inflicted
           by
           powerful
           Justice
           .
           He
           that
           voluntarily
           sins
           ,
           by
           consequence
           chuses
           the
           Punishment
           due
           to
           it
           .
        
         
           (
           5.
           )
           The
           estimation
           of
           an
           Offence
           is
           taken
           from
           the
           disposition
           of
           him
           that
           does
           it
           .
           When
           't
           is
           done
           with
           pleasure
           and
           obstinacy
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           place
           for
           Favour
           .
           Now
           final
           Impenitence
           alone
           makes
           Sin
           actually
           and
           eternally
           damning
           to
           the
           Sinner
           .
           Those
           that
           ,
           notwithstanding
           all
           gracious
           Means
           ,
           live
           continually
           in
           Rebellion
           against
           God
           ;
           those
           that
           impenitently
           die
           in
           their
           Sins
           ;
           those
           that
           desire
           to
           live
           here
           for
           ever
           ,
           that
           they
           might
           enjoy
           their
           sweet
           Sins
           ;
           those
           that
           are
           so
           hardned
           and
           naturalized
           in
           their
           Vices
           ,
           that
           if
           they
           were
           revived
           and
           brought
           again
           into
           this
           World
           of
           Temptations
           ,
           would
           certainly
           return
           to
           the
           Pleasures
           of
           Sin
           ;
           is
           it
           
           not
           righteous
           that
           their
           incorrigible
           Obstinacy
           should
           be
           punish'd
           for
           ever
           ?
           
           Is
           it
           not
           just
           that
           those
           who
           would
           continue
           under
           the
           
             dominion
             of
             Sin
          
           ,
           should
           forfeit
           all
           their
           claim
           to
           the
           Divine
           Mercy
           ?
           For
           if
           we
           consider
           them
           as
           unrepentant
           and
           irreclaimable
           from
           their
           Wickedness
           ,
           there
           are
           in
           them
           the
           just
           provocations
           and
           true
           causes
           of
           God's
           final
           rejection
           and
           hatred
           :
           and
           if
           we
           consider
           God
           as
           revealed
           in
           his
           Word
           and
           Works
           ,
           his
           essential
           Properties
           ,
           Wisdom
           ,
           Purity
           ,
           Justice
           ,
           necessarily
           work
           upon
           such
           Objects
           in
           such
           a
           manner
           .
           How
           zealous
           an
           Indignation
           did
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           express
           against
           the
           obdurate
           Pharisees
           ?
           
             You
             Serpents
          
           ,
           
           
             you
             Generation
             of
             Vipers
             ,
             how
             should
             you
             escape
             the
             Damnation
             of
             Hell
             ?
          
           They
           in
           despite
           of
           all
           his
           Miracles
           ,
           the
           equal
           Expressions
           of
           his
           Goodness
           and
           Power
           ,
           resisted
           his
           Authority
           ,
           blasphemed
           his
           Person
           ,
           and
           slighted
           his
           Salvation
           .
           Now
           though
           other
           Sins
           are
           of
           an
           inferiour
           Nature
           ,
           and
           weaker
           Evidence
           ,
           yet
           Obstinacy
           added
           to
           them
           ,
           makes
           a
           Person
           unworthy
           and
           uncapable
           of
           Mercy
           .
           From
           hence
           the
           Misery
           of
           the
           Damned
           is
           without
           Redemption
           ,
           without
           Hope
           ,
           without
           Allay
           for
           ever
           .
        
         
         
           II.
           I
           shall
           now
           proceed
           to
           consider
           the
           Evidence
           of
           the
           Facts
           that
           is
           produc'd
           as
           the
           Reason
           of
           that
           Judgment
           .
        
         
           The
           temper
           of
           Divine
           Justice
           is
           very
           observable
           in
           the
           particular
           Judgments
           recorded
           in
           Scripture
           .
           In
           the
           first
           process
           of
           Justice
           on
           Earth
           ,
           we
           read
           that
           God
           made
           the
           enquiry
           of
           
             Adam
             ,
             Hast
             thou
             eaten
             of
             the
             Tree
             whereof
             I
             commanded
             thee
             that
             thou
             shouldst
             not
             eat
             ?
          
           
           and
           by
           palpable
           Evidence
           convinc'd
           him
           before
           he
           condemn'd
           him
           .
           Thus
           before
           the
           fiery
           Vengeance
           upon
           the
           wicked
           Cities
           ,
           the
           Memory
           of
           which
           will
           never
           be
           extinguish'd
           ;
           The
           Lord
           said
           to
           Abraham
           ,
           
           
             Because
             the
             Cry
             of
          
           Sodom
           and
           Gomorrah
           
             is
             great
             ,
             and
             because
             their
             Sin
             is
             grievous
             ,
             I
             will
             go
             down
             now
             ,
             and
             see
             whether
             they
             have
             done
             according
             to
             the
             Cry
             of
             it
             that
             is
             come
             up
             unto
             me
          
           ;
           viz.
           whether
           they
           were
           so
           numerously
           and
           excessively
           wicked
           ;
           
             if
             not
             ,
             I
             will
             know
             .
          
           God
           is
           pleased
           to
           incarnate
           himself
           in
           Man's
           Expression
           ,
           to
           declare
           more
           sensibly
           to
           us
           ,
           that
           he
           never
           punishes
           with
           precipitation
           ,
           but
           after
           an
           equal
           trial
           of
           the
           Cause
           .
           Thus
           we
           read
           of
           that
           profane
           King
           of
           Babylon
           ,
           
           
             Belshazzar
             ,
             That
             he
             
             was
             weighed
             in
             the
             Ballance
             ,
             and
             found
             wanting
             ,
          
           before
           he
           was
           sentenc'd
           to
           be
           deprived
           of
           his
           Kingdom
           and
           Life
           .
           And
           the
           Destruction
           of
           the
           Antichristian
           State
           is
           attended
           with
           solemn
           Hallelujahs
           for
           the
           Righteousness
           of
           that
           Judgment
           .
           
           And
           in
           the
           last
           Day
           the
           Righteousness
           of
           God's
           Proceedings
           shall
           be
           universally
           manifest
           and
           magnified
           .
           'T
           is
           therefore
           called
           
             the
             Day
             of
             the
             Revelation
             of
             the
             righteous
             Judgment
             of
             God.
          
           Now
           in
           order
           to
           this
           ,
           
           the
           Scripture
           informs
           us
           ,
           that
           all
           the
           Works
           of
           Men
           shall
           be
           brought
           into
           Judgment
           ,
           
             even
             every
             secret
             thing
          
           ,
           
           
             whether
             good
             or
             evil
          
           .
           And
           the
           Apostle
           saith
           ,
           
             That
             we
             must
             all
             appear
             before
             the
             Judgment-Seat
             of
             Christ
             ,
          
           
           
             that
             every
             one
             may
             receive
             the
             things
             done
             in
             his
             Body
             ,
             according
             to
             that
             he
             hath
             done
             ,
             whether
             it
             be
             good
             or
             bad
             .
          
        
         
           All
           Sins
           ,
           whether
           secret
           or
           openly
           visible
           ,
           shall
           be
           accounted
           for
           .
           Those
           Sins
           that
           have
           been
           acted
           in
           the
           most
           secret
           Retirement
           ,
           so
           that
           no
           Eye
           of
           Man
           could
           take
           cognizance
           of
           them
           ,
           Sins
           concealed
           from
           the
           Eye
           of
           the
           Day
           ,
           the
           Light
           of
           the
           Sun
           ,
           and
           from
           the
           Eye
           of
           the
           Night
           ,
           the
           Light
           of
           a
           Candle
           ,
           shall
           then
           be
           made
           manifest
           .
           Nay
           ,
           the
           Sins
           of
           the
           Thoughts
           and
           
           Affections
           ,
           of
           which
           Satan
           could
           not
           accuse
           Men
           ,
           when
           the
           inward
           Fire
           of
           Lust
           or
           Malice
           is
           not
           discovered
           by
           the
           least
           smoak
           or
           sparkles
           ,
           by
           no
           expressions
           ,
           all
           those
           shall
           be
           brought
           to
           Judgment
           :
           
           
             God
             will
             judg
             the
             Secrets
             of
             Men
             by
             Jesus
             Christ.
             
          
        
         
           The
           Sins
           of
           Omission
           of
           our
           Duty
           that
           are
           so
           numerous
           ,
           from
           carelessness
           and
           diversions
           ,
           from
           slothfulness
           and
           delays
           ,
           and
           that
           now
           so
           little
           affect
           us
           ;
           for
           we
           are
           more
           sensible
           of
           what
           we
           do
           than
           of
           what
           we
           have
           not
           done
           ;
           the
           guilt
           of
           all
           these
           shall
           then
           be
           heavily
           charged
           on
           the
           Conscience
           of
           the
           Sinner
           .
           
             I
             was
             an
             hungry
             ,
             and
             you
             gave
             me
             no
             Meat
             ;
             I
             was
             thirsty
             ,
             and
             you
             gave
             me
             no
             Drink
             ,
          
           was
           the
           Accusation
           of
           the
           Reprobates
           from
           the
           Judg
           himself
           .
           
             To
             him
             who
             knoweth
             to
             do
             Good
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             doth
             it
             not
             ,
             to
             him
             it
             is
             a
             Sin.
          
           The
           neglect
           of
           improving
           all
           the
           Means
           ,
           Advantages
           ,
           and
           Opportunities
           of
           doing
           or
           receiving
           Good
           ,
           will
           be
           a
           great
           part
           of
           that
           Judgment
           .
           The
           Lord
           called
           his
           Servants
           to
           an
           account
           for
           the
           Talents
           committed
           to
           their
           Trust
           ,
           and
           required
           Profit
           in
           proportion
           to
           their
           Number
           and
           Worth.
           
        
         
           All
           Sins
           of
           Commission
           in
           Youth
           and
           
           Age
           ,
           whether
           
             gross
             Sensuality
             ,
             as
             Lasciviousness
             ,
             Lusts
             ,
             excess
             of
             Wine
             ,
             Revellings
             ,
             Banquetings
             ,
             and
             abominable
             Idolatries
             ,
             and
             all
             excess
             of
             Riot
             ,
             shall
             be
             accounted
             for
             to
             him
             who
             is
             ready
             to
             judg
             the
             quick
             and
             the
             dead
             :
          
           
           or
           Acts
           of
           Unrighteousness
           to
           others
           .
           
             He
             that
             doth
             wrong
             ,
             shall
             receive
             according
             to
             the
             Wrong
             he
             has
             done
             .
          
           And
           Sins
           of
           a
           lesser
           guilt
           ,
           for
           which
           the
           most
           are
           not
           touch'd
           with
           grief
           or
           shame
           ,
           
           shall
           then
           be
           produc'd
           in
           Judgment
           .
           All
           the
           Sins
           of
           our
           Words
           ,
           so
           easily
           committed
           ,
           and
           not
           so
           easily
           observed
           ,
           shall
           then
           be
           call'd
           to
           a
           heavy
           remembrance
           .
           The
           Judg
           himself
           tells
           us
           ;
           
             I
             say
             unto
             you
             ,
             that
             every
             idle
             Word
             that
             Men
             shall
             speak
             ,
             they
             shall
             give
             account
             thereof
             in
             the
             Day
             of
             Judgment
             .
          
           And
           if
           vain
           Words
           ,
           the
           Signs
           and
           immediate
           Effects
           of
           a
           vain
           Mind
           ,
           
           shall
           sadly
           encrease
           our
           Accounts
           ,
           how
           much
           more
           all
           the
           contentious
           ,
           fierce
           and
           revengeful
           Words
           ,
           the
           detracting
           ,
           false
           ,
           contumelious
           and
           injurious
           Words
           ,
           the
           impure
           ,
           filthy
           and
           contagious
           Words
           ,
           the
           prophane
           ,
           blasphemous
           and
           impious
           Words
           ,
           that
           
             slow
             from
             the
             evil
             Treasure
             of
             the
             Heart
             ?
          
           O
           their
           dreadful
           Number
           ,
           and
           oppressing
           Weight
           !
        
         
         
           And
           all
           the
           Aggravations
           and
           Circumstances
           of
           Mens
           Sins
           ,
           that
           raise
           their
           Guilt
           to
           such
           fearful
           heights
           ,
           shall
           be
           enumerated
           in
           order
           to
           Judgment
           .
           For
           thus
           't
           was
           foretold
           ;
           
             Behold
             ,
             the
             Lord
             comes
             with
             ten
             thousand
             of
             his
             Saints
             ,
          
           
           
             to
             execute
             Judgment
             upon
             all
             ,
             and
             to
             convince
             all
             that
             are
             ungodly
             among
             them
             ,
             of
             all
             their
             ungodly
             Deeds
             which
             they
             have
             ungodly
             committed
             ;
             and
             all
             their
             hard
             Speeches
             which
             ungodly
             Sinners
             have
             spoken
             against
             him
             .
          
           And
           all
           the
           good
           Works
           of
           the
           Saints
           shall
           then
           be
           remembred
           ,
           even
           to
           the
           least
           work
           of
           Piety
           ,
           
           the
           
             giving
             of
             two
             Mites
             to
             the
             Treasury
             of
             the
             Temple
          
           ;
           and
           the
           least
           work
           of
           Charity
           ,
           
           the
           
             giving
             a
             Cup
             of
             cold
             Water
             to
             a
             Disciple
             ,
          
           upon
           the
           account
           of
           his
           relation
           unto
           Christ.
           All
           their
           secret
           Graces
           and
           Duties
           shall
           then
           be
           rewarded
           .
        
         
           The
           manner
           of
           this
           Judicial
           Evidence
           is
           set
           forth
           to
           us
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           by
           the
           
             opening
             the
             Books
          
           ;
           congruously
           to
           proceedings
           in
           humane
           Judgement
           ,
           wherein
           the
           Information
           and
           Charge
           is
           produc'd
           from
           Writings
           for
           the
           conviction
           of
           the
           Accused
           .
           Thus
           it
           was
           represented
           to
           St.
           John
           in
           a
           Vision
           ;
           
             I
             saw
             the
             Dead
          
           ,
           
           
             small
             and
             great
             ,
             stand
             before
             
             God
             ;
             and
             the
             Books
             were
             opened
             ,
             and
             the
             Dead
             were
             judged
             out
             of
             the
             things
             that
             were
             written
             in
             the
             Books
             ,
             according
             to
             their
             Works
             .
          
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           Books
           of
           the
           Law
           and
           Gospel
           shall
           then
           be
           open'd
           in
           all
           the
           Injunctions
           and
           Prohibitions
           ,
           and
           our
           Lives
           compar'd
           with
           them
           .
           Our
           Saviour
           told
           the
           Jews
           ,
           
             Do
             not
             think
             that
             I
             will
             accuse
             you
             to
             my
             Father
          
           ;
           
           
             there
             is
             one
             that
             accuseth
             you
             ,
             even
          
           Moses
           ,
           
             in
             whom
             you
             trust
             :
             not
             the
             Person
             ,
             but
             the
             Law
             of
          
           Moses
           .
           And
           he
           denounced
           against
           those
           that
           reject
           the
           Gospel
           ;
           the
           
             Word
             that
             I
             have
             spoken
             ,
             the
             same
             shall
             judg
             them
             in
             the
             last
             Day
             .
          
           
           The
           Law
           is
           the
           exact
           Transcript
           of
           God's
           Sacred
           Will
           ,
           the
           natural
           and
           immutable
           Rule
           of
           Righteousness
           ;
           't
           is
           pure
           ,
           forbids
           all
           Sin
           ,
           and
           enjoins
           universal
           Holiness
           ;
           't
           is
           spiritual
           ,
           requires
           not
           only
           a
           conformity
           in
           Words
           and
           Actions
           ,
           but
           inward
           Sanctity
           in
           Mind
           and
           Heart
           :
           for
           the
           Soul
           is
           the
           principal
           part
           of
           Man
           ,
           entirely
           open
           to
           God's
           Eye
           ,
           the
           Maker
           and
           Judg
           of
           it
           .
           And
           the
           most
           enlightned
           Saints
           have
           but
           an
           imperfect
           knowledg
           of
           it
           here
           .
           This
           made
           holy
           David
           ,
           after
           his
           meditation
           upon
           its
           
           Purity
           and
           Perfection
           ,
           to
           cry
           out
           in
           an
           Agony
           ,
           
           
             Who
             can
             understand
             his
             Errors
             !
             cleanse
             thou
             me
             from
             secret
             Sins
             .
          
           This
           ,
           when
           opened
           in
           its
           spiritual
           and
           comprehensive
           Nature
           ,
           by
           a
           wise
           and
           zealous
           Preacher
           ,
           darts
           a
           Light
           into
           the
           Conscience
           ,
           and
           discovers
           many
           secret
           Sins
           ,
           that
           like
           so
           many
           Serpents
           were
           still
           and
           quiet
           in
           the
           dark
           ;
           but
           upon
           the
           sudden
           breaking
           in
           of
           the
           Light
           ,
           fly
           upon
           the
           Sinner
           ,
           and
           torment
           him
           with
           their
           mortal
           Stings
           .
           But
           when
           the
           Law-giver
           himself
           shall
           expound
           the
           Law
           in
           its
           full
           extent
           and
           perfection
           ,
           with
           respect
           to
           all
           the
           Duties
           it
           commands
           ,
           and
           Sins
           it
           forbids
           ,
           how
           guilty
           will
           Men
           appear
           ?
           how
           unable
           to
           answer
           one
           Article
           of
           a
           thousand
           charg'd
           upon
           them
           ?
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           Omniscience
           of
           God
           will
           give
           most
           convincing
           Evidence
           of
           all
           our
           Works
           :
           
           
             All
             things
             are
             naked
             and
             open
             to
             his
             Eyes
             ,
             with
             whom
             we
             have
             to
             do
             in
             Judgment
             .
          
           The
           Psalmist
           declares
           the
           infinite
           perspicacity
           of
           his
           sight
           :
           
             The
             Darkness
             hides
             not
             from
             thee
             ,
          
           
           
             but
             the
             Night
             shines
             as
             the
             Day
             .
          
           As
           his
           Light
           and
           transcendent
           Brightness
           is
           invisible
           to
           us
           ,
           
           so
           our
           thickest
           Darkness
           is
           visible
           
           to
           him
           .
           We
           cannot
           see
           things
           in
           the
           Night
           ,
           because
           it
           hinders
           the
           reception
           of
           the
           Rays
           ,
           that
           insinuate
           into
           the
           Eye
           ,
           and
           causes
           sight
           :
           but
           the
           Eyes
           of
           our
           Judg
           are
           like
           a
           
             flame
             of
             Fire
          
           ,
           
           dispelling
           all
           Darkness
           .
           From
           his
           Throne
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           his
           piercing
           Eye
           sees
           thro'
           all
           the
           concealments
           of
           Mens
           Sins
           .
           
             Thou
             hast
             set
             our
             Iniquities
             before
             thee
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             our
             secret
             Sins
             in
             the
             Light
             of
             thy
             Countenance
             .
          
           He
           discovered
           the
           Sacriledg
           of
           Achan
           ,
           the
           Lie
           of
           Gehazi
           ,
           the
           Deceit
           of
           Ananias
           .
           Saul's
           Disobedience
           in
           sparing
           the
           Amalekites
           devoted
           to
           Destruction
           ,
           
           had
           the
           colourable
           pretence
           of
           Piety
           ,
           and
           ,
           as
           a
           Sacrifice
           ,
           was
           laid
           on
           the
           Altar
           .
           And
           
           David's
           Murder
           of
           Vriah
           was
           imputed
           to
           the
           chance
           of
           War
           as
           a
           sufficient
           excuse
           .
           
           But
           though
           they
           might
           have
           deceiv'd
           others
           ,
           they
           could
           not
           deceive
           God.
           He
           is
           intimately
           present
           with
           the
           Souls
           of
           Men
           ,
           that
           are
           unsearchable
           to
           the
           most
           discerning
           Angels
           of
           Light
           ,
           and
           knows
           all
           their
           most
           secret
           Designs
           and
           Desires
           ,
           the
           deepest
           Seeds
           of
           their
           Actions
           .
           He
           alone
           has
           exact
           Scales
           to
           
             weigh
             the
             Spirits
             of
             Men
          
           ,
           all
           the
           Principles
           ,
           Aims
           and
           Affections
           that
           are
           inseparable
           from
           their
           Works
           .
           The
           Pharisees
           in
           
           whom
           Pride
           was
           the
           first
           Property
           ,
           and
           Hypocrisy
           a
           second
           Nature
           ,
           could
           not
           ,
           with
           all
           their
           Saintly
           shews
           ,
           impose
           on
           our
           Saviour
           :
           
           
             for
             he
             knew
             what
             was
             in
             Man.
          
           He
           discovered
           their
           Alms
           to
           be
           not
           the
           effect
           of
           Charity
           but
           Ostentation
           ,
           
           and
           their
           specious
           Acts
           of
           Devotion
           to
           be
           a
           train
           to
           surprize
           some
           rich
           Prey
           .
           
        
         
           And
           this
           Divine
           knowledg
           of
           Men
           and
           their
           Actions
           is
           in
           order
           to
           Judgment
           .
           Thus
           the
           wise
           King
           declares
           ,
           
             Doth
             not
             he
             that
             ponders
             the
             Heart
             consider
             it
             ?
          
           
           
             and
             he
             that
             keepeth
             thy
             Soul
             ,
             doth
             not
             he
             know
             it
             ?
             And
             shall
             not
             he
             render
             to
             every
             Man
             according
             to
             his
             Works
             ?
          
           And
           God
           himself
           testifies
           ,
           
           
             I
             the
             Lord
             search
             the
             Heart
             ,
             even
             to
             give
             to
             every
             Man
             according
             to
             his
             Works
             .
          
           For
           this
           reason
           he
           is
           said
           to
           keep
           a
           Register
           of
           Mens
           Sins
           .
           Thus
           he
           speaks
           of
           the
           impure
           Idolatries
           of
           the
           Jews
           ;
           
           
             Behold
             ,
             it
             is
             written
             before
             me
             ,
          
           to
           signify
           his
           exact
           and
           actual
           knowledg
           ,
           
             I
             will
             not
             keep
             silence
             ,
             but
             will
             recompense
             ,
             even
             recompense
             into
             their
             Bosoms
             .
          
           And
           at
           the
           Day
           of
           Judgment
           he
           will
           declare
           his
           Knowledg
           of
           their
           Sins
           before
           all
           ,
           and
           the
           most
           secret
           shall
           be
           made
           evident
           ,
           as
           if
           written
           in
           their
           Foreheads
           in
           the
           most
           plain
           and
           legible
           Characters
           .
        
         
         
           And
           all
           the
           Goodness
           of
           the
           Saints
           shall
           then
           be
           revealed
           by
           the
           Judg.
           *
           Their
           greatest
           Excellencies
           are
           invisible
           to
           the
           Eyes
           of
           Men
           :
           the
           Sanctity
           of
           their
           Aims
           and
           Affections
           ,
           which
           gives
           Life
           and
           Value
           to
           all
           the
           Acts
           of
           Obedience
           ,
           their
           secret
           Duties
           ,
           wherein
           the
           sincerity
           and
           ardency
           of
           their
           Souls
           is
           most
           express'd
           ,
           are
           only
           known
           to
           God.
           And
           such
           is
           the
           excellent
           humility
           of
           the
           Saints
           ,
           that
           the
           more
           they
           are
           enrich'd
           ,
           and
           abound
           with
           the
           gracious
           Influences
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           the
           less
           they
           discover
           to
           the
           World
           ;
           as
           the
           Celestial
           Bodies
           ,
           when
           in
           nearest
           conjunction
           with
           the
           Sun
           ,
           and
           most
           fill'd
           with
           his
           Light
           ,
           are
           least
           in
           appearance
           to
           the
           Inhabitants
           of
           the
           Earth
           .
           But
           there
           is
           a
           
             Book
             of
             Remembrance
             before
             him
             ,
             for
             them
             that
             feared
             the
             Lord
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             thought
             upon
             his
             Name
             .
             And
             they
             shall
             be
             mine
             ,
             saith
             the
             Lord
             of
             Hosts
             ,
             in
             the
             Day
             when
             I
             make
             up
             my
             Jewels
             :
             and
             I
             will
             spare
             them
             as
             a
             Man
             spares
             his
             Son
             that
             serves
             him
             .
          
        
         
           3.
           
           The
           Conscience
           of
           every
           Man
           shall
           then
           be
           open'd
           ,
           
           and
           
             give
             an
             accusing
             or
             excusing
             Testimony
             of
             all
             things
             :
          
           for
           these
           Acts
           of
           Conscience
           in
           the
           present
           
           Life
           ,
           have
           a
           final
           respect
           to
           God's
           Tribunal
           .
           And
           though
           the
           Accounts
           are
           so
           vast
           ,
           there
           shall
           be
           an
           exact
           Agreement
           between
           the
           Books
           of
           God's
           Omniscience
           ,
           and
           of
           Conscience
           in
           the
           
             Day
             of
             Judgment
          
           .
           Now
           indeed
           the
           Conscience
           of
           Man
           ,
           though
           never
           so
           inquisitive
           and
           diligent
           in
           examining
           and
           revising
           his
           Ways
           ,
           is
           unable
           to
           take
           a
           just
           account
           of
           his
           Sins
           .
           As
           one
           that
           would
           tell
           the
           first
           appearing
           Stars
           in
           the
           Evening
           ,
           before
           he
           can
           reckon
           them
           ,
           others
           appear
           and
           confound
           his
           Memory
           with
           their
           number
           :
           so
           when
           Conscience
           is
           seriously
           intent
           in
           reflecting
           upon
           it self
           ,
           before
           it
           can
           reckon
           up
           the
           Sins
           committed
           against
           one
           Command
           ,
           innumerable
           others
           appear
           .
           This
           made
           the
           Psalmist
           ,
           upon
           the
           survey
           of
           his
           Actions
           ,
           break
           forth
           in
           amazement
           and
           perplexity
           ;
           
           
             Mine
             Iniquities
             are
             more
             than
             the
             Hairs
             upon
             my
             Head
             ,
             therefore
             my
             Heart
             fails
             me
             .
          
           But
           it
           will
           be
           one
           of
           the
           Miracles
           of
           that
           Day
           ,
           to
           enlarge
           the
           view
           of
           Conscience
           to
           all
           their
           Sins
           .
           Now
           the
           Records
           of
           Conscience
           are
           often
           obliterated
           ,
           and
           the
           Sins
           written
           therein
           are
           forgotten
           ;
           but
           then
           they
           shall
           appear
           in
           so
           clear
           an
           impression
           ,
           that
           the
           Wicked
           shall
           be
           
           inexcusable
           to
           themselves
           ,
           and
           Conscience
           subscribes
           their
           Condemnation
           .
           And
           O
           the
           formidable
           Spectacle
           ,
           when
           Conscience
           enlightned
           by
           a
           Beam
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           shall
           present
           to
           a
           Sinner
           in
           one
           view
           the
           Sins
           of
           his
           whole
           Life
           !
           Now
           Conscience
           is
           a
           Notary
           in
           every
           Man's
           Bosom
           ;
           and
           though
           't
           is
           not
           always
           vocal
           ,
           yet
           writes
           down
           their
           Actions
           .
           
             The
             Sin
             of
          
           Judah
           
             is
             written
             with
             a
             Pen
             of
             Iron
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             with
             a
             point
             of
             a
             Diamond
             't
             is
             graven
             upon
             the
             Tables
             of
             the
             Heart
             .
          
           But
           then
           it
           shall
           be
           compell'd
           to
           give
           a
           full
           Charge
           against
           the
           Guilty
           .
           Of
           this
           we
           have
           an
           infallible
           Presage
           in
           this
           World
           ,
           when
           Conscience
           turns
           the
           Point
           against
           the
           Breast
           of
           a
           Sinner
           ,
           and
           enforces
           the
           Tongue
           ,
           by
           a
           secret
           instigation
           ,
           to
           accuse
           the
           Person
           .
           And
           this
           Information
           of
           Conscience
           at
           the
           last
           will
           make
           the
           Sinner
           speechless
           :
           for
           the
           Book
           of
           Accounts
           with
           Divine
           Justice
           ,
           was
           always
           in
           his
           own
           keeping
           ;
           and
           whatever
           is
           recorded
           there
           ,
           was
           written
           with
           his
           own
           Hand
           .
           And
           how
           will
           those
           hardned
           Sinners
           that
           now
           kick
           against
           the
           Pricks
           of
           Conscience
           ,
           be
           able
           to
           repel
           its
           strong
           and
           quick
           Accusations
           before
           that
           terrible
           Tribunal
           ?
        
         
         
           4.
           
           Other
           numerous
           Witnesses
           will
           appear
           to
           finish
           the
           process
           of
           that
           Day
           .
           Not
           as
           if
           God
           ,
           that
           knows
           all
           things
           ,
           wants
           Information
           ,
           but
           for
           the
           publick
           Conviction
           of
           the
           Wicked
           .
        
         
           Satan
           will
           then
           bring
           in
           a
           bloody
           Charge
           against
           them
           .
           Such
           is
           his
           Malignity
           ,
           that
           he
           is
           a
           Complainer
           of
           God
           to
           Man
           ,
           and
           by
           calumniating
           the
           Blessed
           Creator
           ,
           seduc'd
           our
           first
           Parents
           ;
           and
           he
           is
           the
           Accuser
           of
           Men
           to
           God.
           
           He
           is
           stiled
           the
           
             Accuser
             of
             the
             Brethren
             before
             God
             day
             and
             night
             .
          
           Sometimes
           falsly
           ,
           as
           when
           he
           taxed
           Job
           ,
           that
           his
           Piety
           was
           mercenary
           ;
           and
           often
           truly
           to
           provoke
           the
           Divine
           Displeasure
           .
           But
           though
           his
           Charge
           be
           just
           against
           them
           as
           Sinners
           ,
           yet
           as
           Penitent
           Sinners
           they
           are
           absolved
           by
           the
           Judg
           upon
           the
           Throne
           of
           Grace
           .
           This
           we
           have
           represented
           to
           the
           Prophet
           Zechary
           ,
           
           Joshua
           
             the
             High
             Priest
          
           ,
           a
           Type
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           
             standing
             before
             the
             Angel
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             Satan
             standing
             at
             his
             right
             hand
             to
             accuse
             him
          
           ;
           for
           that
           was
           the
           place
           of
           Accusers
           .
           But
           Christ
           the
           Blessed
           Reconciler
           interposed
           :
           
             And
             the
             Lord
             said
             to
             Satan
             ,
             The
             Lord
             rebuke
             thee
             ,
             O
             Satan
             ,
             even
             the
             Lord
             that
             hath
             
             chosen
          
           Jerusalem
           ,
           
             rebuke
             thee
          
           .
           But
           he
           will
           principally
           act
           the
           part
           of
           an
           Accuser
           at
           the
           last
           Judgment
           .
           This
           is
           intimated
           in
           that
           fearful
           Imprecation
           ,
           
             Let
             Satan
             stand
             at
             his
             right
             hand
             :
          
           
           
             when
             he
             is
             judged
             ,
             let
             him
             be
             condemned
             .
          
           He
           is
           now
           an
           active
           watchful
           Spirit
           ,
           whose
           Diligence
           is
           equal
           to
           his
           Malice
           ,
           and
           by
           glittering
           Snares
           ,
           or
           violent
           Temptations
           ,
           draws
           Men
           to
           Sin.
           But
           then
           he
           will
           be
           their
           most
           bitter
           Accuser
           ,
           not
           from
           zeal
           of
           Justice
           ,
           but
           pure
           Malignity
           .
           Then
           he
           will
           aggravate
           their
           Crimes
           by
           the
           most
           killing
           Circumstances
           ;
           though
           in
           accusing
           them
           he
           endites
           himself
           ,
           their
           Sins
           being
           usually
           done
           by
           his
           sollicitations
           .
        
         
           And
           the
           Wicked
           themselves
           will
           accuse
           one
           another
           .
           In
           this
           World
           Fellow-sinners
           usually
           conceal
           one
           anothers
           Wickedness
           ,
           restrain'd
           by
           their
           own
           obnoxiousness
           .
           But
           then
           all
           that
           have
           been
           jointly
           engaged
           in
           the
           commission
           of
           Sin
           ,
           will
           impeach
           each
           other
           .
           The
           voluptuous
           Sinners
           that
           have
           excited
           one
           another
           to
           Lust
           or
           Luxury
           ;
           Come
           ,
           
           
             let
             us
             take
             our
             fill
             of
             Love
             till
             the
             Morning
             .
             Come
             ,
             I
             will
             fetch
             Wine
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             we
             will
             fill
             our selves
             with
             strong
             Drink
             ,
             for
             to
             morrow
             shall
             be
             as
             to
             day
             ,
             and
             much
             
             more
             abundant
             .
          
           All
           the
           charming
           Companions
           and
           Associates
           will
           with
           fierceness
           charge
           one
           another
           .
           And
           the
           malicious
           cruel
           Sinners
           that
           say
           ,
           
             Come
             ,
             let
             us
             lay
             wait
             for
             Blood
             ,
          
           
           
             let
             us
             swallow
             them
             up
             quick
             as
             the
             Grave
             ,
          
           will
           then
           like
           enraged
           Furies
           fly
           upon
           one
           another
           .
           In
           all
           Sins
           of
           Combination
           ,
           the
           inferiour
           Instruments
           will
           accuse
           their
           Directors
           for
           their
           pernicious
           Counsel
           ,
           and
           the
           Directors
           will
           accuse
           the
           Instruments
           for
           their
           wicked
           Compliance
           .
        
         
           And
           all
           the
           holy
           Servants
           of
           God
           ,
           who
           by
           their
           Instructions
           ,
           Counsels
           ,
           Admonitions
           ,
           Examples
           ,
           have
           endeavoured
           to
           make
           the
           World
           better
           ;
           especially
           those
           who
           by
           their
           Place
           and
           Relation
           were
           more
           concerned
           ,
           and
           more
           zealously
           and
           compassionately
           urged
           and
           perswaded
           those
           under
           their
           Care
           to
           reform
           their
           Lives
           ,
           and
           save
           their
           Souls
           ,
           will
           give
           a
           heavy
           Testimony
           against
           them
           .
           Indeed
           the
           very
           Presence
           of
           the
           Saints
           will
           upbraid
           the
           Wicked
           ,
           for
           their
           resisting
           all
           the
           warming
           ,
           melting
           Intreaties
           ,
           all
           the
           grave
           and
           serious
           Reproofs
           ,
           all
           the
           tender
           earnest
           Expostulations
           ,
           that
           were
           ineffectual
           by
           the
           hardness
           of
           their
           Hearts
           .
        
         
         
           Briefly
           ,
           the
           Scripture
           attributes
           to
           the
           Signs
           and
           Circumstances
           of
           Mens
           Sins
           ,
           a
           vocal
           Evidence
           against
           them
           .
           Thus
           the
           Prophet
           speaking
           of
           the
           House
           built
           by
           Rapine
           and
           Extortion
           ,
           
             The
             Stones
             of
             the
             Wall
             cry
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             the
             Beams
             answer
             them
          
           ;
           and
           with
           concurrent
           Testimony
           accuse
           the
           unrighteous
           Builder
           .
           And
           St.
           James
           declares
           ,
           That
           
             the
             Wages
             of
             the
             Hireling
             ,
             kept
             back
             by
             Fraud
             ,
          
           
           
             cry
             against
             the
             Oppressor
             .
             And
             the
             Rust
             of
             Gold
             and
             Silver
             treasured
             up
             ,
             is
             a
             Witness
             against
             the
             Covetous
             .
          
           And
           this
           by
           the
           recognition
           of
           Conscience
           will
           be
           a
           Memorial
           against
           them
           hereafter
           .
        
         
           To
           what
           the
           Scripture
           speaks
           of
           this
           kind
           of
           Evidence
           of
           Mens
           Sins
           ,
           I
           shall
           add
           a
           useful
           Representation
           fram'd
           by
           a
           Heathen
           ,
           to
           signify
           that
           Wickedness
           ,
           how
           secretly
           soever
           committed
           ,
           shall
           be
           brought
           to
           light
           in
           Judgment
           .
           He
           tells
           us
           ,
           
             That
             the
             Soul
             of
             a
             very
             guilty
             Wretch
             ,
             was
             after
             Death
             arraigned
             before
             one
             of
             the
             severe
             Judges
             below
             .
             And
             at
             his
             Trial
             ,
             because
             his
             atrocious
             Crimes
             were
             done
             in
             secret
             ,
             he
             stood
             upon
             his
             defence
             ,
             denying
             all
             .
             The
             Judg
             commanded
             his
             Lamp
             to
             be
             produc'd
             ,
             that
             was
             an
             Eye-witness
             of
             his
             Wickedness
             .
             
             The
             Lamp
             appear'd
             ,
             and
             being
             demanded
             what
             it
             knew
             of
             him
             ?
             answered
             with
             a
             sigh
             ,
             Would
             I
             had
             been
             conscious
             of
             nothing
             ,
             for
             even
             now
             the
             remembrance
             of
             his
             Villanies
             makes
             me
             to
             tremble
             :
             I
             wish
             my
             Light
             had
             been
             extinguished
             ,
             that
             the
             Oil
             that
             maintained
             had
             quench'd
             it
             .
             But
             I
             burnt
             with
             disdain
             ,
             and
             cast
             about
             some
             Sparks
             to
             fire
             his
             impure
             Bed
             ,
             and
             was
             grieved
             that
             my
             little
             Flame
             was
             so
             weak
             as
             not
             to
             consume
             it
             .
             I
             said
             within
             my self
             ,
             If
             the
             Sun
             saw
             these
             Villanies
             ,
             it
             would
             be
             eclips'd
             ,
             and
             leave
             the
             World
             in
             Darkness
             .
             But
             I
             now
             perceive
             why
             I
             was
             constrain'd
             to
             give
             Light
             to
             him
             ,
             that
             being
             a
             secret
             Spy
             of
             his
             Uncleanness
             ,
             his
             Thefts
             and
             Cruelties
             ,
             I
             might
             reveal
             them
             .
          
           But
           we
           that
           are
           enlightned
           by
           Faith
           ,
           and
           know
           that
           God
           is
           omnipresent
           ,
           and
           that
           what-ever
           Sin
           is
           done
           ,
           though
           in
           the
           deepest
           and
           darkest
           recess
           ,
           is
           manifest
           to
           him
           ,
           ‖
           have
           no
           need
           of
           
           Lucian's
           Lamp
           to
           make
           our
           Judg
           to
           be
           feared
           by
           us
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           The
           Impartiality
           of
           the
           Sentence
           will
           make
           the
           Justice
           of
           God
           conspicuous
           before
           the
           whole
           World.
           This
           consists
           in
           two
           things
           .
        
         
         
           1.
           
           There
           will
           be
           no
           distinction
           of
           Persons
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           There
           will
           be
           a
           distinction
           of
           Causes
           in
           that
           Judgment
           ;
           and
           according
           to
           their
           Nature
           ,
           the
           Sentence
           will
           pass
           upon
           all
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           There
           will
           be
           no
           distinction
           of
           Persons
           .
           In
           humane
           Courts
           the
           Judges
           sometimes
           extend
           and
           amplify
           ,
           sometimes
           contract
           or
           smother
           the
           Evidence
           ,
           and
           are
           more
           rigorous
           or
           favourable
           in
           their
           Sentence
           ,
           as
           they
           are
           biass'd
           towards
           the
           Persons
           before
           them
           .
           But
           the
           Righteous
           Judg
           of
           the
           World
           is
           uncapable
           of
           being
           inclin'd
           to
           Favour
           or
           Severity
           upon
           such
           base
           Motives
           .
           This
           is
           frequently
           declared
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           to
           possess
           us
           with
           his
           Fear
           .
           
             If
             ye
             call
             upon
             the
             Father
             ,
          
           
           
             who
             without
             respect
             of
             Persons
             judges
             according
             to
             every
             Man's
             Work
             ,
             pass
             the
             time
             of
             your
             sojourning
             here
             in
             fear
             .
          
           No
           spiritual
           Priviledges
           upon
           which
           Men
           are
           so
           apt
           to
           presume
           ,
           viz.
           that
           they
           are
           Members
           of
           the
           Reformed
           Church
           ;
           that
           they
           are
           enrich'd
           with
           excellent
           Gifts
           ;
           that
           they
           enjoy
           the
           Ordinances
           in
           their
           purest
           Administration
           ,
           will
           avail
           them
           without
           real
           Holiness
           in
           their
           Hearts
           and
           Lives
           .
           The
           being
           united
           to
           Societies
           
           of
           the
           most
           glorious
           Profession
           ,
           of
           strictest
           Purity
           ,
           and
           sublime
           Devotion
           ,
           does
           no
           more
           prove
           one
           to
           be
           a
           real
           Saint
           ,
           than
           the
           being
           of
           an
           eminent
           Company
           of
           Merchants
           proves
           one
           to
           be
           a
           rich
           Citizen
           .
           
             Those
             that
             bow
             the
             Knee
             and
             not
             the
             Heart
             in
             faithful
             Reverence
             ,
             that
             give
             the
             empty
             Title
             of
             Lord
             to
             Christ
             ,
             without
             the
             tribute
             of
             Obedience
             ,
             will
             be
             rejected
             by
             him
             .
             Many
             shall
             say
             at
             the
             Day
             of
             Judgment
             ,
          
           
           
             Lord
             ,
             Lord
             ,
             we
             have
             prophesied
             in
             thy
             Name
             ,
             and
             done
             many
             wondrous
             Works
             .
             Then
             will
             the
             Judg
             say
             ,
             I
             know
             you
             not
             :
             Depart
             from
             me
             ye
             Workers
             of
             Iniquity
             .
          
           No
           degrees
           of
           Civil
           Greatness
           will
           be
           of
           any
           moment
           and
           advantage
           in
           that
           day
           .
           Saint
           John
           testifies
           ,
           
             I
             saw
             the
             Dead
             ,
             small
             and
             great
             ,
             stand
             before
             God
             ,
          
           in
           an
           equal
           Line
           ,
           to
           receive
           their
           Trial.
           Kings
           shall
           then
           be
           devested
           of
           their
           Imperial
           Titles
           ,
           of
           their
           Crowns
           and
           Scepters
           ,
           and
           their
           Robes
           of
           State
           ,
           and
           only
           be
           accompanied
           with
           their
           Works
           .
           Of
           this
           we
           have
           an
           undoubted
           Proof
           ,
           in
           that
           they
           are
           no
           more
           exempted
           from
           the
           common
           Law
           of
           dying
           than
           the
           meanest
           Slave
           .
           Death
           ,
           that
           rugged
           Officer
           ,
           arrests
           them
           without
           Ceremony
           ,
           and
           summons
           them
           to
           appear
           before
           
           that
           Tribunal
           .
           The
           Royal
           Purple
           could
           not
           protect
           Herod
           from
           being
           devoured
           by
           Worms
           .
           The
           Apostle
           speaks
           indefinitely
           in
           the
           fore-cited
           Place
           ;
           
             He
             that
             does
             wrong
          
           ,
           
           
             shall
             receive
             for
             the
             wrong
             he
             has
             done
             ;
             and
             there
             is
             no
             respect
             of
             Persons
             .
          
           No
           circumstantial
           Accidents
           can
           derive
           true
           worth
           ,
           or
           truly
           debase
           Persons
           ,
           but
           inherent
           Qualities
           ,
           and
           the
           Actions
           that
           flow
           from
           them
           :
           and
           accordingly
           ,
           
             the
             High
             and
             Holy
             God
          
           will
           accept
           or
           disapprove
           them
           .
           What
           St.
           Paul
           observes
           of
           the
           saving
           Grace
           of
           the
           Gospel
           being
           indifferently
           offer'd
           to
           all
           ,
           is
           applicable
           in
           this
           case
           .
           He
           tells
           us
           ,
           
           
             There
             is
             neither
             Greek
             nor
             Jew
             ,
             Barbarian
             nor
             Scythian
             ,
             Bond
             nor
             Free
             ,
          
           that
           are
           preferr'd
           or
           excluded
           upon
           a
           Carnal
           account
           ,
           but
           that
           all
           may
           equally
           partake
           of
           spiritual
           Blessings
           .
           Thus
           the
           difference
           of
           Nations
           will
           be
           no
           Priviledg
           or
           Prejudice
           to
           any
           in
           the
           Day
           of
           Judgment
           .
           The
           most
           rude
           and
           contemptible
           shall
           have
           as
           fair
           and
           equal
           a
           Trial
           ,
           as
           the
           most
           polite
           and
           civiliz'd
           .
           The
           ignorant
           Barbarians
           as
           the
           Learned
           Grecians
           ,
           that
           so
           much
           boasted
           of
           their
           vain
           Excellencies
           above
           them
           .
           The
           Negroes
           in
           Africa
           as
           the
           People
           of
           Europe
           :
           for
           
           they
           have
           the
           same
           Relation
           to
           God
           their
           Maker
           ,
           and
           as
           truly
           bear
           the
           impression
           of
           God
           stamped
           upon
           the
           Humane
           Nature
           in
           the
           Creation
           ,
           and
           therefore
           common
           to
           the
           whole
           species
           of
           Mankind
           .
           An
           Image
           may
           be
           fashion'd
           in
           Ebony
           as
           well
           as
           in
           Ivory
           .
           Briefly
           ,
           all
           Men
           are
           equally
           subject
           to
           his
           Laws
           ,
           and
           shall
           be
           equally
           accountable
           for
           their
           Actions
           .
           
             The
             Rich
             and
             the
             Poor
             shall
             then
             meet
             together
             ,
             without
             distinction
             ,
             before
             God
             the
             Maker
             and
             Judg
             of
             them
             all
             .
          
        
         
           2.
           
           There
           shall
           be
           a
           distinction
           of
           Causes
           ,
           and
           every
           Man
           be
           judged
           
             according
             to
             his
             Works
          
           ,
           the
           tenour
           of
           good
           Works
           ,
           and
           the
           desert
           of
           bad
           .
           The
           Apostle
           assures
           us
           ,
           
           
             That
             whatsoever
             a
             Man
             sows
             ,
             that
             shall
             he
             reap
             :
             He
             that
             soweth
             to
             the
             Flesh
             ,
             shall
             of
             the
             Flesh
             reap
             Corruption
             ;
             but
             he
             that
             soweth
             to
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             shall
             of
             the
             Spirit
             reap
             Life
             everlasting
             .
          
           The
           Harvest
           shall
           be
           according
           to
           the
           Seed
           ,
           both
           in
           kind
           and
           measure
           .
        
         
           
           (
           1.
           )
           
             Those
             who
             by
             patient
             continuance
             in
             well-doing
             ,
             seek
             for
             Glory
             ,
             and
             Honour
             ,
             and
             Immortality
             ,
          
           shall
           obtain
           
             eternal
             Life
          
           .
           
           Indeed
           ,
           
             eternal
             Life
          
           is
           
             the
             Gift
             of
             infinite
             Bounty
          
           ,
           nay
           of
           
             pure
             
             Mercy
          
           ,
           and
           Mercy
           excludes
           Merit
           .
           
           'T
           is
           said
           of
           the
           blessed
           Martyrs
           ,
           who
           contended
           for
           the
           Truth
           and
           Purity
           of
           the
           Gospel
           to
           the
           Death
           ,
           that
           
             their
             Robes
             were
             wash'd
             white
             in
             the
             Blood
             of
             the
             Lamb
             ,
          
           not
           in
           their
           own
           Blood.
           
           Their
           Right
           to
           Heaven
           was
           from
           the
           application
           of
           his
           Merits
           to
           them
           .
           But
           the
           Reward
           is
           dispens'd
           from
           God
           according
           to
           the
           Evangelical
           Law
           ;
           not
           only
           as
           a
           magnificent
           Prince
           ,
           but
           as
           
             a
             Righteous
             Judg.
          
           All
           those
           to
           whom
           the
           Gospel
           promises
           eternal
           Life
           ,
           shall
           infallibly
           obtain
           it
           ,
           and
           none
           that
           the
           Gospel
           excludes
           .
           Those
           who
           were
           sensible
           of
           their
           Sins
           ,
           and
           cordially
           forsaking
           them
           ,
           did
           humbly
           and
           entirely
           depend
           upon
           the
           Grace
           of
           God
           ,
           through
           the
           blessed
           Reconciler
           and
           Saviour
           ,
           shall
           be
           justified
           and
           glorified
           .
           Then
           the
           Judg
           will
           discern
           between
           unfeigned
           Faith
           and
           vain
           Presumption
           ,
           and
           will
           justify
           the
           Faith
           of
           the
           Saints
           by
           the
           genuine
           Fruits
           of
           it
           ,
           
             the
             Godliness
             ,
             Righteousness
             ,
             and
             Sobriety
             of
             their
             Lives
             ,
          
           and
           a
           victorious
           perseverance
           in
           their
           Duty
           ,
           notwithstanding
           all
           the
           pleasing
           Temptations
           or
           Tortures
           to
           withdraw
           them
           from
           it
           .
           Thus
           the
           Apostle
           expresses
           his
           humble
           Confidence
           ;
           
           
             I
             have
             fought
             the
             good
             Fight
             ,
          
           
           
             I
             have
             finish'd
             my
             Course
             ;
             henceforth
             there
             is
             laid
             up
             for
             me
             a
             Crown
             of
             Righteousness
             ,
             which
             God
             the
             Righteous
             Judg
             will
             give
             me
             at
             that
             day
             :
             and
             not
             only
             to
             me
             ,
             but
             to
             all
             that
             love
             his
             Appearance
             .
          
           We
           read
           in
           the
           Description
           of
           the
           Last
           Judgment
           ,
           
           That
           
             the
             Book
             of
             Life
             was
             opened
             :
             the
             Names
             of
             all
             that
             were
             written
             in
             Heaven
             ,
          
           shall
           then
           be
           declared
           ,
           that
           it
           may
           appear
           they
           are
           
             saved
             by
             Grace
          
           .
           For
           it
           was
           his
           most
           free
           pleasure
           to
           select
           some
           from
           the
           common
           Mass
           of
           Perdition
           ,
           who
           were
           naturally
           as
           guilty
           and
           corrupted
           as
           others
           ,
           and
           to
           predestinate
           them
           to
           Eternal
           Glory
           ,
           and
           effectual
           persevering
           Grace
           to
           prepare
           them
           for
           it
           .
           
             The
             Saints
             are
             created
             in
             Christ
             Jesus
             unto
             good
             Works
             ,
             which
             God
             hath
             before
             ordained
             ,
          
           that
           
             they
             should
             walk
             in
             them
          
           .
           And
           the
           New
           Creation
           is
           as
           undeserved
           and
           entire
           an
           Effect
           of
           God's
           Love
           as
           the
           first
           was
           .
           But
           't
           is
           said
           ,
           
             That
             every
             Man
             was
             judged
             according
             to
             his
             Works
             .
          
           For
           Eternal
           Election
           does
           not
           entitle
           a
           Person
           immediately
           to
           Heaven
           ,
           but
           according
           to
           the
           Order
           establish'd
           in
           the
           Gospel
           .
           Thus
           the
           King
           at
           the
           last
           Day
           speaks
           to
           the
           Elect
           ;
           Come
           ,
           
           
             ye
             Blessed
             of
             my
             Father
             ,
             inherit
             
             the
             Kingdom
             ,
             prepared
             for
             you
             before
             the
             Foundation
             of
             the
             World
             :
             for
             I
             was
             hungry
             ,
             and
             ye
             fed
             me
             ;
             naked
             ,
             and
             ye
             clothed
             me
             .
          
        
         
           And
           according
           as
           the
           Saints
           have
           excel'd
           in
           Fidelity
           &
           Zeal
           in
           God's
           Service
           ,
           they
           shall
           be
           rewarded
           with
           a
           more
           excellent
           Glory
           .
           The
           Stars
           of
           the
           supreme
           Heaven
           are
           of
           a
           different
           brightness
           and
           greatness
           ,
           as
           the
           Stars
           of
           the
           visible
           Firmament
           .
           Indeed
           all
           are
           perfectly
           happy
           ,
           without
           *
           jealousy
           ,
           that
           any
           is
           equal
           or
           superior
           to
           them
           in
           that
           Kingdom
           .
           But
           God
           will
           crown
           his
           own
           Graces
           as
           the
           Saints
           have
           improved
           them
           .
           Our
           Saviour
           valued
           the
           Widow's
           two
           Mites
           ,
           as
           transcending
           all
           the
           magnificent
           Gifts
           of
           others
           ,
           because
           of
           the
           degrees
           of
           Love
           in
           the
           Giver
           .
           There
           was
           a
           richer
           Mine
           of
           Affection
           in
           her
           Heart
           ,
           Gold
           of
           a
           more
           noble
           Vein
           ,
           more
           pure
           and
           precious
           than
           all
           their
           Riches
           .
           This
           was
           of
           greater
           price
           in
           God's
           Account
           ,
           who
           weighs
           the
           Spirits
           in
           his
           Ballance
           .
           God
           
             will
             accept
             and
             reward
             according
             to
             what
             a
             Man
             has
             ,
             and
             not
             according
             to
             what
             he
             has
             not
             .
          
           
           He
           that
           improves
           but
           two
           Talents
           with
           his
           best
           skill
           and
           diligence
           ,
           shall
           have
           a
           greater
           Reward
           than
           another
           that
           had
           
           ten
           Talents
           ,
           and
           was
           remiss
           and
           less
           careful
           to
           employ
           them
           for
           his
           Master's
           Profit
           .
           The
           Rule
           will
           be
           exactly
           observed
           ,
           
             He
             that
             sows
             bountifully
             ,
             shall
             reap
             bountifully
             ;
             and
             he
             that
             sows
             sparingly
             ,
             shall
             reap
             sparingly
             .
          
        
         
           And
           if
           God
           will
           be
           thus
           impartial
           in
           rewarding
           the
           Saints
           ,
           much
           more
           in
           punishing
           the
           Wicked
           .
           For
           the
           remuneration
           of
           our
           Duty
           is
           the
           effect
           of
           his
           most
           free
           Favour
           ;
           but
           the
           recompences
           of
           Sin
           are
           due
           ,
           and
           decreed
           by
           Justice
           ,
           in
           Number
           ,
           Weight
           ,
           and
           Measure
           .
           The
           severity
           of
           the
           Sentence
           will
           be
           in
           proportion
           ,
           as
           Mens
           Sins
           have
           been
           more
           numerous
           and
           heinous
           .
           Although
           all
           the
           Damned
           shall
           be
           equally
           miserable
           in
           Despair
           ,
           all
           broken
           on
           an
           endless
           Wheel
           ,
           yet
           the
           degrees
           of
           their
           Torment
           are
           different
           .
           Sins
           of
           Ignorance
           are
           extenuated
           in
           comparison
           of
           rebellious
           Sins
           against
           Knowledg
           .
           The
           first
           are
           like
           a
           Servant's
           dashing
           against
           his
           Master
           in
           the
           dark
           ;
           the
           oother
           like
           the
           insolent
           striking
           of
           him
           in
           the
           light
           :
           And
           as
           they
           incur
           greater
           Guilt
           ,
           will
           expose
           to
           greater
           Punishment
           .
           Accordingly
           our
           Saviour
           predicts
           ,
           
           
             That
             the
             Servant
             which
             knew
             his
             Lord's
             Will
             ,
             and
             prepared
             not
             himself
             ,
             
             neither
             did
             according
             to
             his
             Will
             ,
             shall
             be
             beaten
             with
             many
             Stripes
             .
             But
             he
             that
             knew
             not
             ,
             and
             did
             commit
             things
             worthy
             of
             Stripes
             ,
             shall
             be
             beaten
             with
             few
             Stripes
             .
          
           Unactive
           Knowledg
           is
           worse
           than
           Ignorance
           .
           For
           this
           reason
           the
           Case
           of
           Heathens
           will
           be
           more
           tolerable
           than
           of
           the
           Jews
           :
           for
           though
           some
           natural
           Principles
           were
           strong
           and
           quick
           in
           their
           Minds
           ,
           that
           made
           them
           sensible
           of
           their
           Duty
           and
           Danger
           ,
           yet
           they
           were
           not
           so
           clear
           and
           perfect
           as
           the
           Law
           delivered
           by
           Moses
           .
           Those
           Sins
           that
           were
           Infirmities
           in
           a
           Pagan
           ,
           were
           presumptuous
           in
           a
           Jew
           .
           And
           the
           Case
           of
           the
           Jews
           will
           be
           more
           tolerable
           than
           of
           disobedient
           Christians
           ,
           who
           enjoy
           the
           Gospel
           less
           charged
           with
           Ceremonies
           ,
           and
           more
           abundant
           in
           Grace
           than
           the
           Mosaical
           Dispensation
           .
           Those
           that
           have
           set
           before
           them
           the
           Life
           of
           Christ
           ,
           the
           Model
           of
           all
           Perfection
           ,
           that
           are
           excited
           by
           such
           loud
           Calls
           
             to
             flee
             from
             the
             Wrath
             to
             come
             ,
          
           and
           yet
           are
           deaf
           and
           regardless
           to
           the
           Commands
           ,
           nay
           to
           the
           melting
           Invitations
           and
           precious
           Promises
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           shall
           have
           a
           more
           intolerable
           Judgment
           than
           the
           most
           guilty
           Sinners
           ,
           even
           the
           Sodomites
           and
           Sidonians
           that
           were
           Strangers
           to
           it
           .
           
           The
           precious
           Blood
           of
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           despised
           ,
           induces
           a
           Crimson
           Guilt
           .
           And
           as
           Sins
           are
           committed
           with
           Pride
           and
           Pleasure
           ,
           with
           eager
           Appetite
           and
           Obstinacy
           ,
           the
           revenge
           of
           Justice
           will
           be
           more
           heavy
           upon
           Persons
           .
        
         
           More
           particularly
           ,
           Sins
           of
           Consesequence
           ,
           whereby
           others
           are
           drawn
           to
           Sin
           ,
           will
           heighten
           the
           Guilt
           ,
           and
           the
           retribution
           of
           Justice
           will
           be
           to
           every
           Man
           
             according
             to
             his
             Ways
          
           ,
           
           
             and
             according
             to
             the
             fruit
             of
             his
             Doings
             .
          
        
         
           This
           will
           principally
           concern
           Superiours
           in
           eminency
           of
           Place
           ,
           whose
           Dignity
           has
           always
           a
           concomitant
           proportion
           of
           Duty
           .
           Their
           vicious
           Actions
           are
           Examples
           ,
           and
           their
           Examples
           more
           powerful
           Rules
           than
           their
           Laws
           ,
           and
           give
           countenance
           to
           others
           to
           sin
           licentiously
           .
           They
           
             sin
             with
             an
             high
             Hand
          
           ,
           and
           involve
           the
           Ruin
           of
           innumerable
           Persons
           that
           depend
           upon
           them
           .
           As
           the
           Dragon
           in
           the
           Revelation
           ,
           whose
           Fall
           from
           Heaven
           drew
           a
           Train
           of
           lesser
           Stars
           with
           him
           .
           And
           all
           inferiour
           Magistrates
           ,
           who
           by
           personal
           commission
           ,
           or
           partial
           connivance
           ,
           encourage
           and
           harden
           others
           in
           Sin
           ,
           and
           by
           their
           Power
           discountenance
           serious
           Religion
           ,
           and
           obstruct
           the
           Progress
           of
           
           it
           ,
           heap
           up
           Damnation
           to
           themselves
           .
        
         
           And
           the
           Ministers
           of
           the
           Word
           ,
           who
           are
           obliged
           to
           
             watch
             for
             the
             Souls
             of
             Men
          
           ;
           and
           should
           ,
           like
           the
           Heavens
           ,
           by
           their
           Light
           ,
           Influence
           ,
           and
           Motion
           ,
           their
           Doctrine
           and
           Lives
           ,
           guide
           and
           quicken
           others
           in
           the
           Ways
           of
           Holiness
           ;
           if
           by
           their
           Neglect
           and
           Wickedness
           others
           are
           lost
           for
           ever
           ,
           their
           Account
           will
           be
           most
           heavy
           and
           undoing
           .
        
         
           Of
           this
           Number
           are
           those
           ,
           who
           by
           their
           unholy
           Conversation
           weaken
           the
           Authority
           and
           Efficacy
           of
           the
           Word
           ,
           and
           more
           successfully
           perswade
           Men
           to
           do
           Evil
           ,
           than
           by
           their
           Preaching
           to
           do
           well
           :
           for
           we
           are
           apt
           to
           take
           deeper
           impression
           through
           the
           Eye
           than
           thro'
           the
           Ear
           ,
           and
           to
           follow
           the
           Physician
           's
           Practice
           rather
           than
           his
           Counsel
           .
           These
           
             perish
             not
             alone
             in
             their
             Iniquity
             .
          
           And
           such
           who
           are
           unfaithful
           Dispensers
           of
           the
           Treasures
           of
           their
           Lord
           ,
           and
           by
           loose
           Doctrines
           corrupt
           the
           Minds
           of
           Men
           ,
           to
           fancy
           a
           Mercy
           in
           God
           derogatory
           to
           his
           Holiness
           ,
           that
           although
           they
           live
           indulgently
           in
           Sin
           ,
           they
           may
           obtain
           an
           easy
           Pardon
           and
           Happiness
           at
           last
           .
           And
           such
           who
           employ
           their
           high
           Commission
           for
           low
           and
           base
           Ends
           :
           
           Those
           who
           instead
           of
           
             preaching
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             and
             him
             Crucified
             ,
          
           the
           pure
           and
           saving
           Truths
           derived
           from
           the
           Fountain
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           entertain
           their
           Hearers
           with
           flashy
           Conceits
           ,
           and
           studied
           Vanities
           ,
           to
           give
           a
           relish
           to
           Curiosity
           ,
           and
           to
           have
           the
           applause
           of
           Fools
           ,
           and
           obscure
           the
           native
           Majesty
           of
           the
           Word
           ,
           enervate
           its
           Force
           ,
           and
           render
           it
           powerless
           to
           Conscience
           .
        
         
           And
           those
           who
           spend
           their
           Zeal
           in
           things
           of
           no
           moment
           to
           Salvation
           ,
           and
           let
           fly
           bitter
           Invectives
           against
           those
           that
           dissent
           from
           them
           in
           unconcerning
           Matters
           ,
           by
           which
           they
           harden
           Atheistical
           Scorners
           in
           vilifying
           the
           Office
           of
           the
           Ministry
           as
           a
           
             Carnal
             Invention
          
           ,
           set
           up
           and
           used
           for
           Secular
           Ends
           ;
           and
           induce
           others
           to
           place
           Religion
           in
           Formalities
           and
           slight
           colours
           of
           it
           ,
           as
           if
           Conformity
           to
           needless
           Rites
           would
           exclude
           the
           Defects
           of
           substantial
           Holiness
           .
        
         
           'T
           is
           observ'd
           in
           the
           Chaldee
           Paraphrase
           ,
           when
           God
           was
           inquiring
           of
           Cain
           concerning
           Abel
           ,
           that
           he
           charges
           him
           ,
           
             The
             Voice
             of
             thy
             Brother's
             Blood
             cries
             unto
             me
             :
          
           As
           if
           Cain
           were
           a
           Murderer
           not
           of
           a
           single
           Man
           only
           ,
           but
           of
           a
           numerous
           Race
           that
           might
           have
           descended
           
           from
           his
           Brother
           .
           Thus
           a
           wicked
           Minister
           will
           be
           charg'd
           not
           only
           for
           murdering
           himself
           ,
           but
           as
           many
           precious
           Souls
           as
           might
           have
           been
           converted
           and
           saved
           ,
           if
           he
           had
           faithfully
           performed
           his
           Duty
           .
        
         
           And
           Parents
           that
           should
           instil
           the
           Principles
           of
           Godliness
           into
           their
           Children
           in
           their
           early
           Age
           ,
           and
           season
           their
           Minds
           with
           the
           knowledg
           of
           the
           Divine
           Laws
           ,
           to
           regulate
           their
           Lives
           ,
           and
           make
           them
           sensible
           of
           their
           Obligations
           to
           obey
           them
           ,
           that
           should
           recommend
           Religion
           to
           their
           Affections
           by
           an
           holy
           and
           heavenly
           Conversation
           ,
           if
           by
           the
           neglect
           of
           their
           Duty
           their
           Children
           are
           exposed
           as
           a
           Prey
           to
           the
           Tempter
           ,
           and
           ruin'd
           for
           ever
           ,
           it
           will
           enhance
           their
           last
           Reckoning
           ,
           and
           encrease
           the
           Score
           of
           their
           Guilts
           beyond
           expression
           .
        
         
           And
           Masters
           of
           Families
           ,
           and
           all
           others
           that
           have
           Authority
           and
           Advantage
           to
           preserve
           or
           reform
           from
           evil
           those
           that
           are
           committed
           to
           their
           Care
           ,
           and
           to
           instruct
           and
           command
           them
           to
           do
           what
           is
           pleasing
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           profitable
           to
           their
           Souls
           ,
           will
           be
           sadly
           accountable
           for
           those
           that
           perish
           by
           their
           neglect
           .
        
         
         
           In
           short
           ,
           we
           see
           by
           common
           Experience
           ,
           that
           Company
           and
           mutual
           Consent
           is
           a
           usual
           Motive
           to
           Sin
           ;
           and
           many
           Persons
           that
           alone
           would
           with
           abhorrence
           reject
           some
           Temptations
           ,
           yet
           are
           sociably
           sinful
           .
           Now
           all
           those
           who
           by
           excitation
           or
           example
           ,
           lead
           others
           to
           Destruction
           ,
           as
           they
           are
           first
           in
           Sin
           ,
           will
           be
           chief
           in
           Punishment
           .
           We
           read
           in
           the
           Parable
           of
           the
           rich
           Voluptuary
           ,
           
           that
           being
           in
           Hell
           ,
           he
           desired
           a
           Messenger
           might
           be
           dispatch'd
           from
           the
           Dead
           to
           warn
           his
           Brethren
           ,
           lest
           they
           should
           come
           to
           that
           place
           of
           Torment
           .
           Is
           there
           such
           Charity
           in
           Hell
           to
           the
           Souls
           of
           others
           ?
           ‖
           No
           ,
           that
           Furnace
           always
           burns
           with
           its
           proper
           Flames
           ,
           there
           is
           not
           a
           spark
           of
           that
           Divine
           Fire
           there
           :
           But
           remembring
           how
           guilty
           he
           had
           been
           of
           their
           Sins
           ,
           feared
           that
           his
           Torments
           would
           be
           encreased
           by
           their
           coming
           thither
           .
           Society
           in
           endless
           Sorrows
           does
           not
           divide
           ,
           but
           reflect
           them
           .
        
         
           Now
           if
           Damnation
           for
           Sin
           be
           such
           a
           Misery
           as
           is
           express'd
           in
           the
           Scripture
           by
           the
           most
           violent
           Figures
           and
           Words
           of
           the
           heaviest
           signification
           ;
           if
           all
           the
           possible
           Tortures
           suffered
           here
           are
           but
           a
           Lenitive
           to
           the
           preparations
           of
           Wrath
           in
           Hell
           ,
           how
           miserable
           shall
           those
           be
           ,
           
           who
           ,
           as
           if
           a
           single
           Damnation
           were
           a
           light
           matter
           ,
           do
           not
           only
           commit
           Sin
           in
           their
           own
           Persons
           ,
           but
           are
           in
           combination
           with
           Satan
           to
           corrupt
           and
           destroy
           others
           ,
           and
           multiply
           Damnation
           against
           themselves
           ?
           These
           
             treasure
             up
             Wrath
             against
             the
             day
             of
             Wrath.
             
          
        
         
           Briefly
           ;
           The
           whole
           Process
           of
           that
           Day
           ,
           the
           Arraignment
           and
           Sentence
           will
           be
           so
           ordered
           ,
           the
           Righteousness
           and
           Reasonableness
           of
           the
           Proceedings
           will
           be
           so
           manifest
           ,
           as
           to
           clear
           the
           Judg
           ,
           and
           confound
           the
           Guilty
           .
           
             God
             will
             be
             justified
             in
             his
             Sentence
             ,
             and
             overcome
             when
             he
             judgeth
             .
          
        
         
           I
           shall
           now
           come
           to
           apply
           this
           great
           Doctrine
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Let
           us
           from
           what
           has
           been
           discours'd
           of
           Judgment
           to
           come
           ,
           be
           excited
           to
           confirm
           our
           Faith
           in
           this
           great
           and
           useful
           Doctrine
           ;
           and
           by
           serious
           and
           frequent
           thoughts
           to
           apply
           it
           to
           our selves
           .
           Some
           within
           the
           Church
           have
           only
           a
           superficial
           belief
           of
           this
           ,
           as
           a
           point
           of
           the
           Religion
           wherein
           they
           were
           educated
           ;
           but
           carnal
           Affections
           ,
           Fear
           ,
           Hope
           ,
           Love
           ,
           and
           Desire
           ,
           controul
           their
           Assent
           ,
           as
           to
           its
           operation
           upon
           them
           .
           They
           believe
           in
           the
           general
           
           that
           God
           is
           the
           Judg
           and
           Rewarder
           of
           our
           Actions
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           absence
           of
           Temptation
           resolve
           to
           obey
           him
           :
           but
           when
           a
           strong
           Tryal
           comes
           from
           some
           temporal
           Good
           or
           Evil
           that
           is
           present
           ,
           their
           Faith
           is
           negligent
           ,
           and
           unactive
           to
           keep
           them
           from
           Sin.
           Now
           to
           make
           our
           Faith
           powerful
           ,
           we
           must
           ,
        
         
           First
           ,
           confirm
           it
           by
           convincing
           Arguments
           ,
           that
           it
           may
           be
           an
           undoubted
           Assurance
           ,
           a
           certain
           Light
           ,
           directive
           and
           perswasive
           in
           the
           course
           of
           our
           Lives
           .
           Some
           Doctrines
           of
           Religion
           ,
           that
           are
           of
           an
           incomprehensible
           nature
           ,
           and
           should
           be
           received
           with
           silent
           adoration
           for
           the
           Authority
           of
           the
           Revealer
           ,
           are
           obstinately
           contradicted
           by
           some
           ,
           upon
           a
           vain
           pretence
           that
           nothing
           is
           to
           be
           believed
           that
           will
           not
           endure
           the
           rigorous
           inquisition
           of
           Reason
           ,
           and
           be
           comprehended
           by
           our
           narrow
           Minds
           :
           but
           Reason
           ,
           though
           darkned
           ,
           sees
           the
           necessity
           of
           a
           future
           Judgment
           .
           Nature
           and
           Scripture
           testify
           there
           is
           a
           God
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           has
           a
           Right
           ,
           and
           Power
           ,
           and
           Will
           to
           distribute
           the
           rewards
           of
           Vertue
           ,
           and
           the
           penalties
           of
           Vice
           to
           his
           Subjects
           .
           To
           deny
           this
           ,
           is
           directly
           against
           the
           
           implanted
           Notion
           of
           the
           Deity
           in
           the
           Heart
           of
           Man.
           There
           is
           a
           real
           difference
           between
           Moral
           Good
           and
           Evil
           ,
           not
           depending
           upon
           Opinion
           ,
           but
           arising
           from
           the
           immutable
           Nature
           of
           things
           ,
           and
           the
           eternal
           Law
           of
           God.
           Otherwise
           ,
           considered
           in
           it self
           ,
           it
           were
           no
           more
           faulty
           to
           murder
           a
           Parent
           ,
           than
           to
           kill
           a
           Fly
           ;
           nor
           to
           rob
           a
           Travellor
           ,
           than
           to
           chase
           a
           Deer
           .
           But
           the
           Conscience
           of
           the
           most
           profligate
           Wretch
           would
           startle
           at
           such
           an
           Assertion
           .
           The
           disposition
           and
           admirable
           order
           of
           the
           World
           in
           its
           various
           parts
           ,
           and
           the
           vicissitude
           of
           Seasons
           ,
           declare
           to
           the
           observing
           Mind
           ,
           that
           a
           most
           wise
           ,
           good
           ,
           and
           powerful
           God
           governs
           and
           preserves
           all
           things
           by
           his
           vigorus
           Influence
           .
           And
           can
           it
           be
           that
           the
           Divine
           Providence
           ,
           so
           visibly
           wise
           and
           good
           in
           regulating
           the
           course
           of
           Nature
           ,
           should
           be
           defective
           towards
           Man
           ,
           the
           most
           noble
           part
           of
           the
           World
           ?
           And
           can
           it
           be
           extended
           to
           humane
           Affairs
           ,
           if
           there
           be
           no
           other
           than
           the
           present
           state
           ,
           wherein
           the
           Righteous
           are
           afflicted
           ,
           and
           the
           Wicked
           prosper
           ?
           where
           Sins
           of
           the
           deepest
           stain
           and
           the
           lowdest
           cry
           are
           unpunish'd
           ;
           and
           the
           sublime
           and
           truly
           heroick
           Vertues
           
           are
           unrewarded
           ?
           nay
           ,
           where
           Vice
           receives
           the
           natural
           reward
           of
           Vertue
           ,
           Honour
           and
           Felicity
           ,
           and
           Vertue
           the
           just
           wages
           of
           Vice
           ,
           Disgrace
           and
           Sufferings
           ?
           'T
           is
           necessary
           therefore
           that
           there
           be
           a
           future
           State
           ,
           and
           a
           righteous
           distribution
           of
           Rewards
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           good
           and
           evil
           of
           Mens
           Actions
           here
           .
        
         
           The
           Heathens
           disguised
           this
           terrible
           Truth
           under
           the
           Fictions
           of
           the
           Infernal
           Judges
           ,
           Minos
           ,
           and
           Rhadamanthus
           ,
           and
           Eacus
           .
           And
           the
           Furies
           and
           Vultures
           ,
           and
           fiery
           Lake
           ,
           which
           they
           thought
           tormented
           the
           Wicked
           in
           the
           next
           World
           ,
           discover
           what
           apprehensions
           they
           had
           of
           the
           desert
           of
           Sin
           ,
           
           and
           the
           punishment
           that
           certainly
           attended
           it
           .
           The
           Guilty
           would
           fain
           be
           freed
           from
           the
           terrours
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           strangle
           Conscience
           ,
           that
           is
           bound
           over
           to
           give
           Testimony
           in
           the
           Day
           of
           Judgment
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           sin
           without
           scruples
           .
           But
           though
           Fear
           be
           a
           troublesom
           and
           involuntary
           Passion
           ,
           they
           cannot
           totally
           extinguish
           the
           internal
           sense
           and
           presages
           of
           future
           Judgment
           ;
           but
           as
           the
           motions
           of
           Courage
           came
           upon
           Sampson
           at
           times
           ;
           so
           Conscience
           awakened
           by
           sharp
           Afflictions
           ,
           by
           sudden
           
           Dangers
           ,
           and
           the
           approaches
           of
           Death
           ,
           makes
           a
           sad
           deduction
           of
           past
           Sins
           ,
           and
           forecasts
           cruel
           things
           .
           It
           cites
           the
           Offender
           before
           the
           enlightened
           Tribunal
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           scourges
           with
           remorse
           ,
           and
           makes
           him
           feel
           even
           here
           the
           strokes
           of
           Hell.
           Tho'
           the
           Sin
           be
           secret
           ,
           and
           the
           guilty
           Person
           powerful
           ,
           not
           within
           the
           cognizance
           or
           reach
           of
           humane
           Justice
           ,
           yet
           Conscience
           has
           a
           Rack
           within
           ,
           and
           causes
           pain
           and
           anxiety
           ,
           by
           fearful
           expectations
           of
           Judgment
           to
           come
           .
        
         
           And
           Divine
           Revelation
           is
           most
           express
           in
           declaring
           this
           great
           Truth
           .
           The
           Light
           of
           Faith
           is
           more
           clear
           and
           certain
           from
           the
           infallible
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           than
           the
           Light
           of
           Reason
           .
           Before
           the
           Flood
           ,
           Enoch
           in
           the
           early
           Age
           of
           the
           World
           foretold
           it
           ;
           
             Behold
             ,
             the
             Lord
             cometh
             with
             ten
             thousand
             of
             his
             Saints
             ,
             to
             execute
             Judgment
             upon
             all
             .
          
           
        
         
           Solomon
           under
           the
           Law
           repeats
           this
           Doctrine
           ,
           that
           
             every
             secret
             thing
             shall
             be
             brought
             into
             Judgment
             ,
          
           
           
             whether
             good
             or
             evil
          
           .
           And
           God
           himself
           speaks
           in
           the
           sublimest
           stile
           of
           Majesty
           ,
           and
           swears
           by
           himself
           ,
           for
           our
           firmer
           belief
           ,
           
             As
             I
             live
             ,
             saith
             the
             Lord
             ,
             very
             Knee
             shall
             bow
             to
             me
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             every
             Tongue
             confess
             to
             God
             ,
          
           the
           glory
           of
           his
           
           Justice
           .
           From
           whence
           the
           Apostle
           infers
           ,
           
           
             So
             then
             every
             one
             of
             us
             shall
             give
             an
             account
             to
             God
             for
             himself
             .
          
           In
           the
           Gospel
           we
           have
           distinctly
           described
           the
           Person
           of
           the
           Judg
           ,
           
           the
           glorious
           Attendants
           of
           his
           Coming
           ,
           and
           the
           manner
           of
           his
           proceedings
           in
           that
           Day
           .
           Now
           the
           many
           Predictions
           in
           Scripture
           so
           visibly
           accomplish'd
           in
           the
           Person
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           
           and
           by
           him
           ,
           give
           infallible
           assurance
           ,
           that
           all
           his
           Promises
           and
           Threatnings
           are
           equally
           certain
           ,
           and
           shall
           be
           fulfilled
           .
           As
           sure
           as
           our
           Saviour
           is
           come
           in
           his
           humble
           state
           ,
           and
           has
           accomplish'd
           the
           Prophecies
           of
           his
           Sufferings
           ,
           he
           will
           come
           in
           his
           Glory
           to
           judg
           the
           World.
           
        
         
           Secondly
           .
           That
           the
           belief
           of
           eternal
           Judgment
           may
           be
           powerful
           in
           our
           hearts
           and
           lives
           ,
           it
           must
           be
           actuated
           by
           frequent
           and
           serious
           thoughts
           .
           Faith
           gives
           life
           and
           efficacy
           to
           our
           notions
           of
           eternal
           things
           ,
           and
           Consideration
           makes
           our
           Faith
           effectual
           .
           As
           the
           natural
           Life
           is
           preserved
           by
           the
           activity
           of
           the
           vital
           Principles
           ,
           the
           Circulation
           of
           the
           Blood
           ,
           the
           drawing
           of
           the
           Breath
           ,
           the
           motion
           of
           the
           Pulse
           ;
           so
           the
           spiritual
           Life
           is
           maintained
           by
           the
           exercise
           of
           Grace
           .
           The
           carnal
           Affections
           
           dare
           not
           appear
           before
           Reason
           and
           Conscience
           ,
           when
           awakened
           by
           the
           serious
           believing
           Consideration
           of
           eternal
           Judgment
           .
           The
           Evangelists
           relate
           ,
           that
           when
           our
           Saviour
           was
           asleep
           in
           the
           Ship
           ,
           a
           sudden
           Tempest
           arose
           that
           was
           likely
           to
           over-set
           it
           in
           the
           Sea
           :
           but
           awakened
           by
           the
           cry
           of
           his
           Disciples
           ,
           
             Lord
             ,
             save
             us
             ,
             we
             perish
             ;
             he
             presently
             rebuked
             the
             Wind
             ,
             and
             a
             Calm
             ensued
             .
          
           Thus
           whilst
           the
           habit
           of
           Faith
           is
           asleep
           in
           the
           Soul
           ,
           there
           will
           be
           great
           danger
           from
           the
           concurrent
           violence
           of
           Temptations
           and
           Corruptions
           ;
           but
           when
           't
           is
           awakened
           by
           lively
           and
           powerful
           thoughts
           ,
           it
           does
           Miracles
           in
           subduing
           the
           strongest
           Lusts.
           'T
           is
           monstrous
           and
           beyond
           all
           belief
           ,
           did
           not
           sensible
           Experience
           make
           it
           evident
           ,
           that
           notwithstanding
           the
           minds
           of
           Men
           are
           convinc'd
           of
           the
           certainty
           of
           the
           Divine
           Judgment
           ,
           and
           the
           Recompences
           that
           immediatly
           follow
           ,
           yet
           their
           Wills
           remain
           unconverted
           ,
           and
           their
           Affections
           cold
           and
           unactive
           in
           their
           preparations
           for
           it
           :
           That
           such
           numbers
           who
           have
           so
           much
           Christianity
           as
           to
           believe
           that
           an
           irrevocable
           Doom
           will
           pass
           upon
           the
           Wicked
           ,
           and
           so
           little
           Christianity
           ,
           that
           they
           cannot
           
           justly
           hope
           to
           escape
           from
           it
           ,
           yet
           are
           so
           careless
           of
           their
           Duty
           ,
           nay
           joyful
           in
           their
           sinful
           courses
           ,
           as
           if
           Judgment
           were
           a
           dreadless
           thing
           .
           What
           is
           the
           cause
           of
           this
           prodigious
           security
           ?
           'T
           is
           the
           neglect
           of
           considering
           ,
           that
           
             we
             must
             all
             appear
             before
             the
             Judgment-Seat
             of
             Christ
             ,
             to
             receive
             according
             to
             the
             things
             done
             in
             the
             body
             ,
             whether
             good
             or
             evil
             .
          
        
         
           The
           next
           Cause
           of
           this
           stupidity
           is
           ,
           that
           they
           put
           
             the
             Evil
             Day
          
           at
           a
           remote
           distance
           :
           as
           the
           Scorners
           said
           ,
           
             the
             Vision
             is
             for
             many
             Days
             :
          
           They
           study
           to
           be
           secure
           ,
           and
           delay
           their
           preparations
           ,
           presuming
           to
           have
           time
           enough
           before
           them
           .
           Their
           Senses
           and
           Faculties
           are
           so
           imployed
           abroad
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           they
           have
           neither
           leisure
           nor
           desire
           to
           think
           seriously
           of
           it
           .
           Their
           Hearts
           are
           so
           ravish'd
           with
           Dreams
           of
           Sensuality
           ,
           and
           engaged
           in
           terrene
           Affairs
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           very
           averse
           from
           exercising
           their
           minds
           upon
           such
           displeasing
           Objects
           .
        
         
           Vain
           Men
           !
           how
           willingly
           do
           they
           deceive
           themselves
           ?
           The
           Judg
           himself
           declares
           ,
           
             Behold
             ,
             I
             come
             quickly
             :
             His
             Throne
             is
             like
             a
             fiery
             Flame
             ,
             and
             his
             Wheels
             as
             burning
             Fire
          
           ;
           an
           Emblem
           
           of
           his
           swift
           coming
           to
           judgment
           .
           Can
           they
           be
           assur'd
           of
           Life
           one
           Hour
           ?
           The
           Day
           of
           Death
           is
           equivalent
           to
           the
           Day
           of
           Judgment
           :
           for
           immediately
           after
           there
           is
           a
           final
           decision
           of
           Mens
           states
           for
           ever
           .
        
         
           I
           have
           read
           of
           an
           excellent
           Preacher
           ,
           that
           in
           a
           Sermon
           described
           the
           last
           Judgment
           in
           all
           its
           Terrors
           ,
           with
           such
           ardent
           Expressions
           ,
           and
           those
           animated
           with
           such
           an
           affecting
           Voice
           ,
           such
           an
           inflamed
           Countenance
           and
           Action
           ,
           that
           his
           Hearers
           broke
           forth
           into
           passionate
           Cries
           ,
           as
           if
           the
           Judg
           himself
           had
           been
           present
           to
           pass
           the
           final
           Sentence
           upon
           them
           .
           In
           the
           heighth
           of
           their
           Commotion
           ,
           the
           Preacher
           bid
           them
           stop
           their
           Tears
           and
           Passions
           ,
           for
           he
           had
           one
           thing
           more
           to
           add
           ,
           the
           most
           afflicting
           and
           astonishing
           Consideration
           of
           all
           the
           rest
           ,
           That
           within
           less
           than
           a
           quarter
           of
           an
           hour
           ,
           the
           Memory
           and
           regard
           of
           that
           which
           so
           transported
           them
           would
           vanish
           ,
           and
           their
           Affections
           return
           to
           carnal
           Objects
           in
           their
           usual
           manner
           .
        
         
           The
           neglect
           of
           Consideration
           makes
           even
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           Judgment
           to
           come
           to
           be
           without
           efficacy
           .
           'T
           is
           necessary
           therefore
           that
           the
           belief
           of
           
           this
           be
           so
           firmly
           seated
           in
           the
           Heart
           as
           its
           Throne
           ,
           that
           it
           may
           command
           the
           thoughts
           to
           be
           very
           attentive
           to
           it
           ,
           and
           may
           have
           Regal
           Power
           over
           our
           Wills
           and
           Affections
           ,
           that
           our
           Lives
           may
           be
           ordered
           according
           to
           its
           Rules
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           Consideration
           of
           Eternal
           Judgment
           will
           vindicate
           the
           Proceedings
           of
           Divine
           Providence
           ,
           and
           the
           honour
           of
           God's
           governing
           this
           World
           ,
           from
           the
           imputations
           of
           Unrighteousness
           .
           God
           is
           provoked
           every
           day
           ,
           yet
           spares
           the
           Wicked
           ,
           and
           heaps
           an
           abundance
           of
           Favours
           on
           them
           .
           His
           Patience
           and
           Goodness
           they
           prophanely
           abuse
           ,
           and
           become
           more
           obdurate
           and
           inflexible
           .
           
           They
           are
           apt
           to
           blaspheme
           the
           Excellency
           of
           his
           Nature
           in
           their
           Hearts
           ,
           thinking
           that
           he
           is
           ignorant
           or
           careless
           ,
           impotent
           or
           unjust
           .
           They
           implicitly
           deny
           his
           Providence
           and
           Judgment
           ,
           that
           he
           does
           not
           observe
           their
           Sins
           ,
           and
           will
           not
           require
           an
           account
           for
           them
           :
           Or
           else
           they
           interpret
           his
           Permission
           to
           be
           an
           Approbation
           of
           their
           Sins
           .
           
             These
             things
             hast
             thou
             done
             ,
             and
             I
             kept
             silence
          
           ;
           
           
             thou
             thoughtest
             I
             was
             such
             an
             one
             as
             thy self
             .
          
           Thus
           the
           Heathens
           transplanted
           the
           Vices
           of
           Earth
           to
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           represented
           their
           Gods
           
           to
           be
           sensual
           ,
           jealous
           ,
           furious
           as
           Men
           ,
           and
           accordingly
           expected
           an
           easy
           Absolution
           for
           their
           Sins
           .
           Or
           else
           the
           distance
           of
           Judgment
           to
           come
           so
           hardens
           them
           ,
           that
           they
           hear
           God's
           Thunder
           with
           less
           fear
           ,
           than
           Boys
           do
           their
           Squibs
           and
           Crackers
           .
           
             Because
             Sentence
             against
             an
             evil
             Work
             is
             not
             speedily
             executed
             ,
          
           
           
             therefore
             the
             hearts
             of
             the
             Sons
             of
             Men
             are
             fully
             set
             in
             them
             to
             do
             evil
             .
          
           But
           how
           desperate
           is
           the
           madness
           of
           Sinners
           ?
           
           God
           now
           
             seems
             to
             wink
             at
             their
             Sins
             ,
          
           but
           hath
           appointed
           a
           day
           of
           Accounts
           .
           He
           suffers
           them
           to
           live
           in
           prosperity
           ,
           
             but
             they
             are
             reserved
             to
             the
             day
             of
             Judgment
             to
             be
             punish'd
             ,
          
           
           and
           possibly
           sooner
           :
           for
           sometimes
           they
           are
           cut
           off
           by
           visible
           Vengeance
           ,
           to
           convince
           the
           World
           that
           the
           supream
           Judg
           does
           not
           
             bear
             the
             Sword
             in
             vain
          
           .
           But
           though
           't
           is
           delayed
           for
           a
           time
           ,
           yet
           he
           declares
           ,
           
           that
           
             their
             Sins
             are
             laid
             up
             in
             store
             with
             him
             ,
             and
             sealed
             up
             among
             his
             Treasures
             .
             To
             him
             belongs
             Vengeance
             and
             Recompence
             .
          
           He
           is
           a
           mild
           Judge
           now
           ,
           and
           his
           Clemency
           suspends
           their
           Punishment
           ;
           but
           ‖
           Justice
           will
           not
           forget
           it
           .
           He
           threatens
           the
           secure
           Sinner
           ,
           
             I
             will
             reprove
             thee
          
           ,
           
           
             and
             set
             thy
             Sins
             in
             order
             before
             thine
             eyes
             .
          
           
           How
           will
           the
           scornful
           obstinate
           Sinner
           change
           complexion
           and
           tremble
           ,
           when
           an
           Army
           of
           Sins
           more
           terrible
           than
           so
           many
           Furies
           shall
           be
           ranged
           in
           Battel
           ,
           and
           with
           fiery
           Darts
           wound
           his
           naked
           Soul
           ?
           How
           will
           the
           stubborn
           Atheist
           ,
           that
           pleases
           himself
           with
           vain
           imaginations
           of
           the
           Eternity
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           the
           Mortality
           of
           the
           Soul
           ,
           be
           confounded
           when
           he
           feels
           the
           truth
           of
           Scripture-threatnings
           ,
           to
           his
           eternal
           Sorrow
           ?
           then
           all
           their
           Raileries
           will
           be
           turn'd
           into
           Lamentations
           .
           'T
           is
           not
           for
           *
           want
           of
           Power
           that
           God
           spares
           the
           Wicked
           ,
           but
           because
           they
           are
           always
           in
           his
           Hands
           ,
           and
           he
           can
           make
           them
           as
           miserable
           as
           they
           are
           sinful
           when
           he
           pleases
           .
           'T
           is
           not
           through
           the
           neglect
           of
           Justice
           ,
           but
           for
           most
           wise
           and
           holy
           Reasons
           ,
           as
           shall
           appear
           in
           the
           last
           day
           ,
           when
           a
           decisive
           irreversible
           Judgment
           shall
           be
           pronounc'd
           ,
           and
           immediately
           inflicted
           upon
           them
           before
           the
           World.
           When
           an
           †
           Actor
           at
           Athens
           spoke
           with
           admiration
           of
           Riches
           ,
           as
           the
           most
           valuable
           Acquisition
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           Felicity
           of
           Rich
           Men
           :
           the
           People
           were
           in
           an
           Uproar
           at
           the
           immorality
           of
           the
           Speech
           ,
           and
           were
           ready
           to
           chase
           him
           from
           the
           
           Stage
           .
           But
           the
           Poet
           himself
           appeared
           ,
           and
           desired
           them
           to
           stop
           their
           Fury
           till
           they
           saw
           the
           Catastrophe
           ,
           the
           wretched
           end
           of
           that
           sordid
           Miser
           .
           Thus
           we
           are
           apt
           to
           accuse
           the
           ways
           of
           God
           when
           the
           Wicked
           flourish
           ;
           but
           we
           should
           stop
           our
           tumultuous
           thoughts
           ,
           for
           their
           end
           will
           absolve
           Divine
           Providence
           from
           all
           undue
           reflections
           upon
           the
           account
           of
           their
           temporal
           happiness
           .
        
         
           And
           the
           sound
           belief
           of
           this
           will
           rectify
           all
           mistaking
           apprehensions
           ,
           and
           clear
           all
           perplexing
           appearances
           about
           the
           Sufferings
           of
           the
           Righteous
           here
           .
        
         
           Indeed
           if
           we
           consider
           the
           holiest
           Men
           as
           they
           are
           Sinners
           ,
           their
           Afflictions
           are
           so
           far
           from
           blemishing
           the
           Justice
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           the
           signs
           of
           his
           Mercy
           :
           for
           all
           is
           a
           Favour
           on
           this
           side
           Hell
           to
           those
           that
           deserve
           it
           .
           David
           ,
           an
           excellent
           Saint
           ,
           acknowledgeth
           the
           righteousness
           of
           God's
           Judgments
           with
           respect
           to
           himself
           .
           But
           when
           the
           Saints
           suffer
           for
           a
           righteous
           Cause
           ;
           and
           ,
           as
           the
           Psalmist
           expresses
           it
           ,
           
           
             for
             thy
             sake
             are
             we
             killed
             all
             the
             day
             long
             ,
             and
             are
             counted
             as
             Sheep
             for
             the
             slaughter
          
           ;
           there
           is
           not
           a
           visible
           correspondency
           between
           the
           Providence
           of
           
           God
           in
           his
           governing
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           the
           unchangeable
           Rules
           of
           Justice
           ,
           that
           those
           who
           do
           evil
           should
           suffer
           evil
           ,
           and
           those
           who
           do
           well
           should
           be
           happy
           .
           As
           the
           Apostle
           speaks
           to
           the
           persecuted
           Christians
           ,
           
           
             It
             is
             a
             righteous
             thing
             with
             God
             to
             recompence
             Tribulation
             to
             them
             that
             trouble
             you
             ,
             and
             to
             you
             who
             are
             troubled
             rest
             with
             us
             .
          
           Now
           there
           is
           a
           day
           coming
           ,
           when
           the
           Persecutors
           shall
           be
           punish'd
           ,
           and
           the
           Saints
           be
           rewarded
           for
           all
           their
           Sufferings
           ,
           and
           the
           distribution
           of
           Recompences
           shall
           be
           in
           the
           presence
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           for
           the
           glory
           of
           Divine
           Justice
           .
           For
           the
           distinction
           that
           is
           made
           between
           Men
           at
           Death
           is
           private
           and
           particular
           ,
           and
           not
           sufficient
           for
           the
           honour
           of
           God's
           Government
           .
           But
           at
           the
           last
           Day
           all
           Men
           that
           have
           lived
           in
           several
           successions
           of
           Ages
           shall
           appear
           ,
           and
           Justice
           have
           a
           solemn
           Process
           and
           Triumph
           before
           Angels
           and
           Men.
           As
           some
           excellent
           Piece
           that
           is
           to
           be
           expos'd
           to
           publick
           view
           ,
           is
           covered
           with
           a
           Traverse
           ,
           to
           prevent
           the
           disturbance
           in
           the
           Working
           ,
           and
           the
           discovery
           of
           the
           Work
           till
           brought
           to
           such
           perfection
           as
           will
           surprise
           with
           wonder
           those
           that
           see
           it
           :
           So
           God
           is
           
           pleased
           to
           cover
           his
           Proceedings
           for
           a
           time
           ,
           but
           in
           the
           last
           Day
           there
           will
           be
           
             such
             a
             Revelation
             of
             the
             righteous
             Judgment
             of
             God
             ,
          
           
           that
           those
           who
           now
           doubt
           ,
           or
           complain
           of
           his
           Justice
           ,
           shall
           admire
           and
           adore
           it
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           The
           belief
           of
           this
           Doctrine
           as
           it
           vindicates
           Divine
           Providence
           ,
           so
           't
           is
           powerful
           to
           comfort
           the
           Saints
           under
           Persecutions
           for
           Righteousness
           sake
           ;
           especially
           when
           Innocence
           is
           wounded
           with
           slanderous
           Darts
           ,
           and
           Calumnies
           are
           joyned
           with
           Cruelties
           ,
           representing
           them
           as
           worthy
           of
           publick
           Hatred
           .
           It
           was
           one
           of
           the
           Subtile
           Artifices
           of
           Julian
           the
           Apostate
           ,
           to
           mingle
           the
           Images
           of
           the
           Heathen
           Gods
           with
           those
           of
           the
           Emperours
           ,
           that
           the
           doing
           reverence
           (
           as
           the
           Christians
           were
           commanded
           )
           to
           all
           together
           ,
           might
           imply
           a
           dereliction
           and
           renouncing
           of
           their
           Religion
           ,
           and
           their
           Simplicity
           seem
           Impiety
           :
           or
           if
           ,
           jealous
           of
           slipping
           from
           their
           Profession
           ,
           they
           refused
           to
           do
           it
           ,
           they
           might
           seem
           to
           deny
           the
           Expressions
           of
           honour
           due
           to
           their
           Emperours
           ,
           and
           be
           reputed
           to
           suffer
           not
           as
           Christian
           Martyrs
           ,
           but
           as
           Rebels
           .
           But
           the
           believing
           Consideration
           of
           God's
           righteous
           Judgment
           
           will
           make
           them
           despise
           the
           Censures
           and
           Reproaches
           of
           malicious
           Adversaries
           .
           
           
             With
             me
          
           ,
           saith
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           
             it
             is
             a
             very
             small
             thing
             that
             I
             should
             be
             judged
             by
             Man's
             Judgment
             ;
             he
             that
             judgeth
             me
             is
             the
             Lord.
          
           The
           severest
           Censure
           was
           of
           no
           more
           weight
           compar'd
           with
           the
           approbation
           of
           God
           ,
           than
           the
           lightest
           Feather
           that
           flies
           in
           the
           Air
           ,
           put
           in
           the
           Scales
           against
           the
           Globe
           of
           the
           Earth
           .
           
           The
           assurance
           of
           a
           righteous
           Cause
           ,
           and
           a
           righteous
           Judg
           ,
           will
           preserve
           an
           inward
           and
           joyful
           tranquillity
           of
           Soul
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           all
           the
           Storms
           of
           Reproach
           and
           Scandalous
           Imputations
           ;
           like
           the
           calmness
           of
           a
           Haven
           when
           the
           Sea
           is
           tempestuous
           without
           .
           And
           this
           will
           fortify
           Believers
           to
           bear
           with
           an
           invincible
           Courage
           all
           the
           Violence
           that
           is
           offered
           to
           them
           for
           their
           fidelity
           to
           God.
           All
           the
           wrongs
           and
           injuries
           they
           endure
           ,
           shall
           be
           redrest
           with
           infinite
           advantage
           .
           The
           extreamest
           Evils
           to
           which
           they
           are
           exposed
           for
           Christ
           ,
           are
           like
           the
           Chariots
           of
           Fire
           sent
           from
           God
           ,
           not
           to
           consume
           but
           conduct
           Elias
           in
           triumph
           into
           the
           highest
           Heaven
           .
           God
           will
           give
           them
           present
           Support
           ,
           inward
           
           Consolations
           ,
           and
           a
           future
           Crown
           .
           There
           is
           an
           appointed
           day
           when
           oppressed
           Innocence
           shall
           obtain
           the
           noblest
           Victory
           ,
           and
           disgraced
           Godliness
           the
           most
           publick
           and
           highest
           Honour
           .
           
           
             The
             Faith
             of
             sincere
             Christians
             shall
             be
             found
             to
             Praise
             and
             Glory
             .
          
           They
           may
           suffer
           under
           the
           tyranny
           of
           Time
           ,
           but
           shall
           Reign
           in
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           Eternity
           .
           The
           belief
           of
           this
           ,
           when
           firmly
           radicated
           in
           the
           heart
           ,
           is
           so
           powerful
           as
           to
           make
           them
           
             glory
             in
             the
             sharpest
             Tribulations
          
           ,
           and
           joyfully
           triumph
           over
           Satan
           ,
           with
           his
           perverted
           malignant
           World.
           
             Cantando
             rumpitur
             Anguis
          
           .
           But
           alas
           ,
           the
           Sin
           ,
           and
           a
           great
           part
           of
           the
           trouble
           of
           the
           Saints
           ,
           arises
           from
           their
           weakness
           of
           Faith
           ,
           and
           not
           patient
           waiting
           for
           the
           Day
           of
           the
           Lord.
           When
           heavy
           Persecutions
           and
           great
           Distresses
           are
           continued
           by
           the
           restless
           Adversaries
           ,
           they
           are
           apt
           through
           impatience
           and
           instability
           of
           mind
           ,
           to
           be
           full
           of
           sorrowful
           Complaints
           that
           God
           delays
           their
           particular
           Deliverance
           .
           And
           as
           sometimes
           the
           Clock
           out-runs
           the
           motion
           of
           the
           Sun
           ,
           that
           is
           the
           true
           measure
           of
           Time
           ;
           so
           their
           hasty
           desires
           prevent
           the
           
             eternal
             Counsel
             of
             his
             Will
          
           ,
           that
           has
           determined
           the
           
           period
           of
           the
           Miseries
           of
           his
           People
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           Prosperity
           of
           the
           Wicked
           in
           the
           fittest
           time
           .
           And
           that
           he
           suspends
           his
           glorious
           Coming
           to
           judg
           the
           World
           in
           Righteousness
           ,
           discourageth
           weaker
           Christians
           ,
           and
           makes
           them
           ready
           to
           faint
           
             in
             the
             day
             of
             Adversity
          
           .
           
           
             But
             the
             Lord
             is
             not
             slack
             in
             performing
             his
             Promise
             ,
             as
             Men
             count
             slackness
             .
          
           There
           is
           not
           the
           least
           reason
           to
           question
           his
           Fidelity
           and
           Power
           ,
           or
           to
           suspect
           his
           Love
           and
           Remembrance
           of
           his
           People
           .
           And
           as
           the
           Stars
           of
           Heaven
           enlighten
           the
           Earth
           ,
           but
           the
           Candles
           on
           Earth
           cannot
           enlighten
           the
           Heavens
           :
           so
           the
           Wisdom
           of
           God's
           Counsel
           and
           Providence
           should
           direct
           us
           patiently
           to
           expect
           his
           appointed
           time
           ,
           but
           our
           glimmering
           Reason
           cannot
           direct
           him
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           The
           serious
           belief
           of
           future
           Judgment
           is
           the
           most
           effectual
           restraint
           from
           secret
           Sins
           .
           Men
           are
           apt
           to
           encourage
           themselves
           in
           evil
           upon
           the
           account
           of
           secrecy
           :
           't
           is
           the
           usual
           tinder
           of
           Temptations
           .
           If
           solitude
           and
           silence
           ,
           if
           the
           darkness
           of
           the
           night
           ,
           or
           any
           disguises
           may
           conceal
           their
           Wickedness
           from
           humane
           Eyes
           ,
           they
           are
           bold
           and
           secure
           as
           to
           God.
           The
           Psalmist
           declares
           
           what
           is
           the
           inward
           principle
           that
           acts
           them
           ,
           what
           is
           the
           language
           of
           their
           hearts
           :
           
           
             All
             the
             workers
             of
             Iniquity
             boast
             themselves
             ,
             they
             say
             ,
             The
             Lord
             shall
             not
             see
             ,
             neither
             shall
             the
             God
             of
          
           Jacob
           
             regard
             it
          
           .
           But
           O
           the
           brutish
           folly
           of
           Men
           ,
           to
           think
           ,
           that
           because
           they
           do
           not
           see
           God
           ,
           that
           he
           does
           not
           see
           them
           .
           As
           if
           one
           should
           shut
           his
           Eyes
           in
           the
           face
           of
           the
           Sun
           ,
           and
           do
           some
           foul
           abominable
           thing
           ,
           thinking
           himself
           to
           be
           unseen
           ,
           because
           he
           sees
           no
           person
           .
           How
           vain
           is
           the
           impure
           diligence
           of
           the
           Adulterer
           ,
           the
           crafty
           diligence
           of
           the
           Deceiver
           ,
           the
           sollicitous
           diligence
           of
           other
           Sinners
           to
           hide
           things
           from
           the
           Judge
           of
           all
           ?
           
             Shall
             not
             God
             search
             it
             out
             ,
             for
             he
             knows
             the
             very
             secrets
             of
             the
             heart
             ?
          
           What
           a
           confounding
           discovery
           will
           be
           made
           of
           secret
           Wickedness
           at
           the
           last
           day
           ?
           Here
           obscurity
           is
           the
           mask
           of
           Shame
           that
           conceals
           it
           from
           the
           World.
           Or
           if
           only
           Children
           and
           Fools
           that
           are
           not
           capable
           to
           judg
           of
           the
           indecency
           and
           turpitude
           of
           Actions
           ,
           be
           Spectators
           ,
           Men
           are
           not
           touch'd
           with
           shame
           for
           foul
           things
           .
           But
           then
           their
           Wickedness
           shall
           be
           displayed
           before
           God
           ,
           the
           holy
           Angels
           and
           Saints
           .
           The
           actual
           belief
           of
           this
           would
           
           deprive
           Satan
           of
           one
           of
           his
           greatest
           Advantages
           ,
           and
           be
           a
           blessed
           Preservative
           from
           many
           Sins
           that
           allure
           the
           consent
           by
           the
           temptation
           of
           secrecy
           .
           A
           considering
           Christian
           will
           reject
           them
           with
           indignation
           ,
           saying
           with
           
             Joseph
             ,
             How
             can
             I
             do
             this
             great
             Wickedness
             ,
             and
             sin
             against
             God
             ?
          
           The
           Sins
           undiscovered
           and
           upunish'd
           by
           temporal
           Tribunals
           ,
           shall
           then
           receive
           a
           just
           recompence
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           The
           remembrance
           of
           that
           strict
           Judgment
           ,
           is
           the
           most
           natural
           and
           powerful
           remedy
           against
           sensual
           Temptations
           that
           so
           easily
           insinuate
           and
           engage
           the
           Hearts
           of
           Men.
           
             S.
             Peter
          
           reckoning
           up
           the
           Heathens
           Sins
           ,
           
           
             Lasciviousness
             ,
             Lusts
             ,
             excess
             of
             Wine
             ,
             Revellings
             ,
          
           and
           
             abominable
             Idolatries
          
           ,
           tells
           the
           Christians
           ,
           
             that
             the
             Gentiles
             thought
             it
             strange
             that
             they
             did
             not
             run
             with
             them
             to
             the
             same
             excess
             of
             riot
             .
          
           As
           the
           Disciples
           when
           our
           Saviour
           walk'd
           upon
           the
           Waters
           ,
           thought
           he
           had
           been
           a
           Spirit
           ,
           judging
           that
           no
           real
           Body
           could
           tread
           on
           them
           without
           sinking
           :
           thus
           Men
           are
           apt
           to
           think
           it
           impossible
           to
           restrain
           their
           carnal
           appetites
           when
           allured
           by
           pleasing
           Objects
           .
           But
           the
           belief
           of
           the
           Terrors
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           will
           
           damp
           the
           sensual
           Affections
           when
           most
           strongly
           enclin'd
           to
           forbidden
           things
           ,
           and
           extinguish
           delight
           in
           Sin
           :
           for
           Delight
           and
           Fear
           are
           inconsistent
           .
           Therefore
           the
           wise
           Preacher
           gives
           this
           Counsel
           ,
           
             Rejoice
             ,
             O
             young
             Man
             in
             thy
             youth
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             let
             thy
             Heart
             chear
             thee
             in
             the
             Days
             of
             thy
             Youth
             ,
             and
             walk
             in
             the
             ways
             of
             thy
             Heart
             ,
             and
             sight
             of
             thine
             Eyes
             :
             but
             know
             thou
             for
             all
             these
             things
             God
             will
             bring
             thee
             to
             Judgment
             .
          
           This
           will
           change
           the
           apprehensions
           of
           the
           mind
           ,
           and
           alter
           the
           taste
           of
           the
           appetite
           ,
           and
           make
           the
           most
           enticing
           and
           irresistible
           Lusts
           ,
           the
           objects
           of
           our
           greatest
           detestation
           .
        
         
           6.
           
           The
           consideration
           that
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           ,
           clothed
           with
           our
           Nature
           ,
           shall
           judg
           the
           World
           ,
           
             affords
             strong
             Consolation
          
           to
           his
           People
           ,
           and
           is
           a
           motive
           of
           great
           terror
           to
           the
           Wicked
           .
           How
           comfortable
           is
           it
           to
           his
           People
           that
           he
           who
           loved
           them
           above
           his
           Life
           ,
           and
           was
           their
           Redeemer
           on
           the
           Cross
           ,
           shall
           be
           their
           Judg
           on
           the
           Throne
           ?
           
             He
             is
             the
             same
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             yesterday
             ,
             to
             day
             ,
             and
             for
             ever
          
           ;
           the
           same
           indulgent
           Saviour
           ,
           in
           the
           exaltation
           of
           his
           Glory
           ,
           as
           when
           under
           Sufferings
           ,
           Reproach
           and
           Shame
           .
           He
           is
           described
           in
           that
           
           glorious
           Appearance
           ,
           by
           the
           conjunct
           Titles
           of
           his
           Majesty
           and
           Power
           ,
           
             The
             Great
             God
          
           ;
           
           and
           of
           his
           Compassion
           and
           Mercy
           ,
           
             Our
             Saviour
          
           ,
           to
           signify
           his
           Ability
           and
           Affection
           to
           make
           them
           happy
           .
           When
           he
           comes
           with
           a
           heavenly
           Train
           of
           Angels
           to
           Judgment
           ,
           he
           will
           be
           as
           tender
           of
           his
           Servants
           ,
           as
           when
           he
           suffered
           for
           them
           in
           his
           humble
           state
           .
           He
           that
           paid
           their
           Debt
           ,
           and
           seal'd
           their
           Pardon
           with
           his
           own
           Blood
           ,
           will
           certainly
           publish
           the
           Acquittance
           .
           How
           is
           it
           possible
           he
           should
           condemn
           those
           for
           whom
           he
           died
           ,
           and
           who
           appear
           with
           the
           impressions
           of
           his
           reconciling
           Blood
           upon
           them
           ?
           How
           reviving
           is
           it
           that
           Christ
           ,
           whose
           Glory
           was
           the
           end
           and
           perfection
           of
           their
           Lives
           ,
           
           shall
           dispose
           their
           states
           for
           ever
           ?
           that
           he
           ,
           who
           esteems
           every
           act
           of
           their
           Charity
           and
           Kindness
           done
           to
           his
           Servants
           as
           done
           to
           himself
           ,
           shall
           dispense
           the
           blessed
           Reward
           ?
           
             Then
             the
             King
             will
             say
             to
             them
             plac'd
             on
             his
             right
             hand
             ,
          
           
           
             Come
             ,
             ye
             blessed
             of
             my
             Father
             ,
             inherit
             the
             Kingdom
             prepared
             for
             you
             from
             the
             foundation
             of
             the
             World.
          
           O
           the
           transports
           of
           Joy
           to
           hear
           those
           words
           from
           his
           Life-breathing
           Lips
           !
           The
           Prophet
           breaks
           forth
           in
           an
           Extasy
           ,
           
           
             How
             beautiful
             are
             the
             feet
             of
             the
             Messengers
             of
             Peace
             ,
             those
             that
             bring
             glad-tidings
             of
             Salvation
             ?
             but
             how
             much
             more
             beautiful
             is
             the
             face
             of
             the
             Author
             of
             our
             Peace
             and
             Salvation
             ?
          
           O
           how
           full
           of
           Serenity
           ,
           and
           Clemency
           ,
           and
           Glory
           !
           The
           expectation
           of
           this
           makes
           them
           languish
           with
           impatience
           for
           his
           Coming
           .
           Though
           the
           Preparations
           of
           that
           Day
           are
           so
           dreadful
           ,
           when
           
             the
             Sun
             shall
             be
             darkned
          
           ,
           
           
             and
             the
             Moon
             turned
             into
             Blood
             ,
          
           and
           the
           Stars
           fall
           like
           leaves
           in
           Autumn
           ,
           yet
           't
           is
           stiled
           a
           
             Day
             of
             Refreshment
          
           to
           the
           Saints
           .
        
         
           But
           how
           dreadful
           will
           his
           Coming
           in
           Majesty
           to
           Judgment
           be
           to
           the
           Wicked
           !
           
           
             They
             shall
             see
             him
             whom
             they
             have
             pierced
             ,
          
           and
           with
           bitter
           lamentation
           remember
           the
           Indignities
           offered
           to
           him
           .
           What
           Excuses
           can
           they
           alledg
           ,
           why
           they
           did
           not
           believe
           and
           obey
           the
           Gospel
           ?
           Our
           Saviour
           revealed
           high
           Mysteries
           ,
           but
           confirm'd
           them
           with
           great
           Miracles
           .
           He
           requir'd
           strict
           Holiness
           ,
           but
           offer'd
           Divine
           Grace
           to
           enable
           Men
           to
           do
           his
           Will.
           
             He
             poured
             forth
             his
             Spirit
             upon
             them
             ,
          
           but
           their
           Hearts
           were
           as
           hard
           as
           the
           Rocks
           ,
           and
           as
           barren
           as
           the
           Sands
           .
           Then
           he
           will
           reproach
           them
           for
           their
           insolent
           Contempt
           
           of
           all
           the
           Perfections
           of
           his
           Divine
           Nature
           ,
           and
           the
           bleeding
           Sufferings
           of
           his
           Humane
           Nature
           to
           reconcile
           them
           to
           God
           :
           for
           their
           undervaluing
           
             neglect
             of
             the
             great
             Salvation
          
           ,
           so
           dearly
           purchased
           ,
           and
           so
           freely
           and
           earnestly
           offered
           to
           them
           :
           for
           their
           Obstinacy
           ,
           that
           the
           purple
           Streams
           that
           flow'd
           from
           his
           Crucified
           Body
           ,
           that
           all
           the
           Sorrows
           and
           Agonies
           of
           his
           Soul
           were
           not
           effectual
           Perswasives
           to
           make
           them
           forsake
           their
           Sins
           :
           for
           their
           
             preferring
             the
             Bramble
             to
             reign
             over
             them
             ,
          
           Satan
           the
           Destroyer
           of
           Souls
           ,
           and
           ungrateful
           
             rejecting
             the
             true
             Vine
          
           ,
           the
           blessed
           Saviour
           ,
           who
           by
           so
           many
           miraculous
           Mercies
           ,
           sollicited
           their
           Love
           ,
           and
           deserved
           their
           Service
           ;
           this
           will
           make
           the
           Sentence
           as
           just
           as
           terrible
           ,
           and
           the
           more
           terrible
           because
           just
           .
           This
           will
           exasperate
           the
           Anguish
           ,
           that
           the
           Gospel
           shall
           be
           a
           
             savour
             of
             Death
             to
             them
          
           ;
           and
           the
           blessed
           Redeemer
           pronounce
           them
           cursed
           ,
           and
           dispatch
           them
           
             to
             everlasting
             Fire
             ,
             prepared
             for
             the
             Devil
             and
             his
             Angels
             for
             ever
             .
          
           The
           Judgment
           of
           the
           Redeemer
           will
           be
           more
           heavy
           than
           that
           of
           the
           Creator
           .
           For
           all
           the
           Riches
           of
           his
           Goodness
           which
           they
           despised
           ,
           shall
           be
           the
           Measure
           of
           
           their
           Guilt
           and
           Woes
           .
           All
           the
           Means
           of
           Grace
           used
           for
           their
           Conversion
           ,
           but
           frustrated
           by
           their
           Perversness
           ,
           shall
           be
           charged
           upon
           their
           Score
           .
           What
           Consternation
           will
           seize
           the
           Wicked
           ,
           when
           ten
           thousand
           Accusers
           shall
           rise
           up
           in
           Judgment
           against
           them
           ,
           and
           not
           one
           Advocate
           appear
           for
           their
           defence
           ?
           Satan
           will
           be
           ready
           to
           aggravate
           their
           Sins
           above
           his
           own
           :
           For
           altho
           the
           superior
           Excellence
           of
           his
           Nature
           and
           State
           ,
           did
           heighten
           his
           Obligation
           ,
           and
           consequently
           his
           disobedience
           to
           his
           Creator
           ;
           and
           that
           he
           sinn'd
           of
           himself
           ,
           derived
           a
           Guilt
           upon
           him
           exceeding
           that
           of
           Man's
           original
           Sin
           ,
           who
           was
           seduced
           to
           his
           Ruin
           :
           yet
           in
           that
           Justice
           was
           so
           quick
           and
           severe
           ,
           that
           the
           Angels
           ,
           after
           their
           Sin
           ,
           were
           immediately
           expell'd
           from
           their
           blessed
           Habitation
           ,
           no
           space
           of
           Repentance
           was
           allowed
           ;
           and
           no
           Mediator
           interpos'd
           to
           obtain
           Terms
           of
           Reconciliation
           with
           the
           incensed
           Deity
           ,
           their
           Doom
           was
           final
           and
           irrevocable
           :
           but
           after
           our
           rebellious
           Sin
           ,
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           ,
           such
           was
           his
           immortal
           Love
           ,
           was
           willing
           to
           be
           mortal
           to
           redeem
           sinful
           Men
           ,
           and
           freely
           offer'd
           himself
           a
           Sacrifice
           to
           atone
           the
           divine
           Displeasure
           :
           and
           a
           Day
           of
           Grace
           
           and
           Long-sufferance
           was
           granted
           ,
           and
           many
           compassionate
           Invitations
           were
           sent
           from
           Heaven
           to
           soften
           their
           stony
           Hearts
           :
           But
           they
           neglected
           and
           despis'd
           the
           Grace
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           wilfully
           excluded
           themselves
           from
           Mercy
           .
           In
           this
           respect
           they
           are
           more
           guilty
           than
           the
           fallen
           Angels
           ;
           and
           Justice
           will
           revenge
           the
           Abuse
           of
           Mercy
           .
           Do
           they
           hope
           to
           soften
           the
           Judg
           by
           Submissions
           and
           Deprecations
           ?
           Alas
           ,
           he
           will
           be
           inflexible
           to
           all
           their
           Prayers
           and
           Tears
           .
           The
           Lamb
           will
           be
           then
           a
           Lion
           arm'd
           with
           Terrors
           for
           their
           Destruction
           .
           Or
           can
           they
           appeal
           to
           an
           higher
           Court
           to
           mitigate
           or
           reverse
           the
           Sentence
           ?
           No
           ,
           his
           Authority
           is
           supream
           ,
           and
           confirm'd
           by
           the
           immutable
           Oath
           of
           God.
           Or
           ,
           do
           they
           think
           to
           resist
           the
           execution
           of
           the
           Sentence
           ?
           Desperate
           Folly
           !
           The
           Angels
           ,
           notwithstanding
           their
           numbers
           and
           strength
           ,
           could
           not
           for
           a
           moment
           escape
           his
           revenging
           Hand
           .
           The
           whole
           World
           of
           Sinners
           is
           of
           no
           more
           Force
           against
           his
           Wrath
           ,
           than
           the
           light
           Dust
           against
           a
           Whirlwind
           ,
           or
           dry
           Stubble
           against
           devouring
           Fire
           .
           Or
           do
           they
           think
           ,
           by
           a
           stubborn
           Spirit
           ,
           to
           endure
           it
           ?
           Self-deceiving
           Wretches
           !
           If
           the
           correction
           
           of
           his
           Children
           here
           ,
           tho
           allayed
           ,
           and
           for
           their
           amendment
           ,
           make
           
             their
             Beauty
             and
             Strength
             consume
             away
             as
             a
             Moth
             ,
          
           how
           insupportable
           will
           the
           Vengeance
           be
           on
           his
           obstinate
           Enemies
           ?
           
             Who
             knows
             the
             Power
             of
             his
             Anger
             ?
          
           Who
           can
           sound
           the
           Depths
           of
           his
           Displeasure
           ?
        
         
           7.
           
           The
           Consideration
           of
           Eternal
           Judgment
           should
           be
           a
           powerful
           Incentive
           to
           prepare
           our selves
           for
           it
           .
           The
           Affair
           is
           infinitely
           serious
           ,
           for
           it
           concerns
           our
           Salvation
           or
           Damnation
           for
           ever
           .
           Yet
           the
           Pleasures
           and
           Business
           of
           the
           World
           fasten
           Men
           in
           Security
           ,
           and
           hinder
           the
           intire
           application
           of
           their
           Minds
           to
           prepare
           for
           their
           last
           Account
           .
           'T
           is
           an
           awful
           Caution
           of
           our
           Saviour
           to
           his
           Disciples
           ,
           
             Take
             heed
             lest
             at
             any
             time
             your
             Hearts
             be
             overcharged
             with
             Surfeiting
             and
             Drunkenness
             ,
             and
             Cares
             of
             this
             Life
             ,
             and
             so
             that
             Day
             come
             upon
             you
             unawares
             :
             For
             as
             a
             Snare
             shall
             it
             come
             on
             all
             them
             that
             dwell
             on
             the
             face
             of
             the
             Earth
             .
          
           A
           dissolute
           voluptuous
           course
           of
           Life
           ,
           is
           join'd
           with
           a
           brutish
           neglect
           of
           God
           and
           the
           Soul
           :
           and
           the
           indulging
           the
           carnal
           Appetite
           ,
           though
           not
           in
           such
           enormous
           Excesses
           as
           the
           Prophane
           are
           guilty
           of
           ,
           alienates
           
           the
           Minds
           of
           Men
           from
           due
           considering
           their
           Spiritual
           State
           ,
           and
           lessens
           the
           preventive
           Fear
           that
           makes
           us
           serious
           and
           diligent
           
             to
             be
             found
             of
             God
             in
             Peace
             .
          
           And
           others
           are
           so
           involved
           in
           secular
           Business
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           not
           at
           leisure
           ,
           to
           regard
           the
           
             one
             Thing
             necessary
          
           :
           their
           Minds
           are
           so
           overshaded
           with
           the
           Cares
           of
           the
           present
           World
           ,
           they
           cannot
           take
           a
           right
           Aspect
           of
           the
           World
           to
           come
           .
           The
           Flood
           broke
           in
           upon
           the
           old
           World
           ,
           whilst
           they
           
             were
             eating
             and
             drinking
             ,
             marrying
             and
             giving
             in
             marriage
             ,
             buying
             and
             selling
             ,
          
           and
           destroyed
           them
           all
           :
           The
           last
           Fire
           will
           devour
           this
           World
           in
           the
           same
           wretched
           incogitancy
           ,
           and
           stupid
           neglect
           to
           prepare
           themselves
           for
           Judgment
           .
           
             As
             it
             was
             in
             the
             Days
             of
          
           Noah
           ,
           
             so
             shall
             it
             be
             in
             the
             Days
             of
             the
             Son
             of
             Man.
          
           'T
           is
           a
           divine
           and
           solemn
           Warning
           ,
           
             Behold
             ,
             I
             come
             as
             a
             Thief
             in
             the
             Night
             ,
             blessed
             is
             he
             that
             watcheth
             and
             keepeth
             his
             Garments
             ,
             lest
             he
             be
             found
             naked
             ,
          
           without
           the
           Robe
           of
           Holiness
           ,
           and
           be
           expos'd
           to
           confounding
           shame
           in
           that
           Day
           .
           When
           secure
           and
           careless
           Sinners
           shall
           say
           ,
           
             Peace
             and
             Safety
             ,
             sudden
             destruction
             will
             come
             upon
             them
             ,
             as
             Travel
             upon
             a
             Woman
             with
             Child
          
           ;
           as
           surprisingly
           ,
           as
           irresistibly
           ,
           
           
             and
             they
             shall
             not
             escape
          
           .
        
         
           But
           
             the
             Wise
             foresee
             the
             Evil
          
           ,
           and
           esteem
           it
           their
           incomparable
           Interest
           to
           secure
           the
           Favour
           of
           the
           Supream
           Judg.
           'T
           is
           the
           Inference
           the
           Apostle
           makes
           from
           the
           Certainty
           of
           our
           appearing
           before
           the
           Righteous
           Judg
           ,
           
           
             Wherefore
             we
             labour
             ,
             that
             whether
             present
             ,
             or
             absent
             ,
          
           in
           this
           or
           the
           next
           Life
           ,
           
             we
             may
             be
             accepted
             of
             him
             .
          
           This
           was
           his
           great
           Design
           ,
           his
           chief
           Care
           ,
           his
           Duty
           and
           his
           Glory
           :
           Never
           did
           any
           person
           more
           ardently
           aspire
           ,
           and
           ambitiously
           endeavour
           for
           the
           obtaining
           a
           Kingdom
           ,
           than
           he
           did
           to
           secure
           his
           own
           Acceptance
           with
           the
           Lord.
           In
           order
           to
           this
           ,
           I
           will
           lay
           down
           the
           Rules
           of
           our
           Acceptance
           in
           that
           Day
           ,
           and
           conclude
           the
           Argument
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           Unfained
           Faith
           in
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           is
           absolutely
           necessary
           ,
           that
           we
           may
           be
           accepted
           .
           This
           is
           such
           a
           belief
           of
           his
           all-sufficient
           Merits
           ,
           and
           his
           merciful
           inclination
           to
           save
           us
           ,
           that
           the
           guilty
           and
           self-condemned
           Sinner
           entirely
           consents
           to
           the
           Terms
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           to
           the
           Priviledges
           of
           it
           ,
           with
           a
           reliance
           upon
           his
           Merits
           ,
           and
           a
           resolution
           to
           obey
           his
           Precepts
           .
           He
           is
           a
           
             Priest
             on
             a
             Throne
             ,
             a
             Prince
             ,
             and
             
             a
             Saviour
             ,
          
           and
           so
           must
           be
           acknowledged
           and
           received
           .
           Upon
           this
           condition
           his
           Righteousness
           is
           freely
           imputed
           to
           us
           for
           our
           Justification
           unto
           Life
           ,
           without
           which
           we
           must
           perish
           in
           our
           Sins
           .
           For
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           best
           Saints
           are
           guilty
           and
           deeply
           obnoxious
           to
           the
           Law
           ,
           and
           the
           Judgment
           of
           God
           is
           invariably
           according
           to
           Truth
           ;
           so
           that
           appearing
           in
           their
           Sins
           ,
           they
           will
           be
           cast
           for
           ever
           .
           God's
           Tribunal
           ,
           like
           that
           of
           the
           severe
           Roman
           Judg
           ,
           is
           
             Reorum
             Scopulus
          
           ,
           a
           Rock
           that
           dashes
           in
           pieces
           all
           the
           Guilty
           that
           come
           to
           it
           .
           Therefore
           the
           Psalmist
           so
           earnestly
           deprecates
           ,
           
             Enter
             not
             into
             Judgment
             with
             thy
             Servant
             ,
             O
             Lord
             ;
             for
             in
             thy
             sight
             shall
             no
             Man
             living
             be
             justified
             .
          
           And
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           tho'
           a
           transcendent
           Saint
           ,
           devests
           himself
           of
           his
           own
           Righteousness
           ,
           that
           he
           may
           be
           entirely
           covered
           with
           the
           Righteousness
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           renounces
           all
           things
           ,
           that
           
             he
             may
             be
             found
             in
             him
             as
             his
             Surety
          
           in
           that
           Day
           of
           Accounts
           ,
           and
           obtain
           Pardon
           by
           vertue
           of
           his
           Satisfaction
           for
           Sin.
           We
           cannot
           perfectly
           obey
           the
           Commands
           ,
           nor
           appease
           the
           Displeasure
           of
           God
           :
           but
           the
           expiatory
           Sacrifice
           of
           Christ
           propitiats
           
           the
           Divine
           Justice
           .
           This
           alone
           can
           make
           us
           stand
           in
           Judgment
           before
           the
           
             fiery
             Law
          
           ,
           and
           
             the
             fiery
             Tribunal
          
           ,
           and
           the
           
             Judg
             who
             is
             a
             consuming
             Fire
             ,
          
           to
           all
           the
           Guilty
           that
           appear
           in
           their
           Sins
           before
           him
           .
           The
           Blood
           of
           the
           Mediator
           has
           sprinkled
           the
           Throne
           of
           God
           in
           Heaven
           ;
           and
           our
           Consciences
           being
           sprinkl'd
           with
           it
           by
           an
           unfeigned
           Faith
           ,
           we
           may
           appear
           before
           God
           the
           Judg
           of
           all
           with
           an
           humble
           confidence
           ,
           and
           enter
           into
           the
           Holy
           of
           Holies
           ,
           the
           Celestial
           Sanctuary
           with
           joy
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Not
           only
           the
           pardon
           of
           our
           Sins
           ,
           but
           the
           acceptance
           and
           rewarding
           of
           our
           Services
           with
           eternal
           Glory
           is
           upon
           the
           account
           of
           our
           Saviour's
           compleat
           Righteousness
           .
           There
           are
           defilements
           in
           the
           Persons
           ,
           and
           defects
           in
           the
           works
           of
           the
           Saints
           .
           Their
           most
           holy
           and
           fervent
           Prayers
           are
           perfum'd
           by
           the
           Incense
           of
           his
           Intercession
           ,
           
           and
           so
           become
           grateful
           to
           God.
           Our
           best
           Vertues
           are
           mix'd
           and
           shadowed
           with
           Imperfections
           ;
           but
           in
           him
           all
           Graces
           were
           conspicuous
           in
           their
           consummate
           degrees
           .
           Our
           Obedience
           ,
           supposing
           it
           perfect
           ,
           is
           of
           no
           desert
           :
           
             When
             we
             have
             done
             all
             ,
             we
             are
             unprofitable
             Servants
             :
          
           but
           his
           Obedience
           was
           infinitely
           meritorious
           
           by
           the
           union
           of
           the
           Deity
           with
           his
           humane
           Nature
           ,
           and
           is
           the
           foundation
           of
           the
           excellent
           Reward
           .
           Not
           that
           his
           Merits
           derive
           a
           value
           to
           our
           Works
           to
           make
           them
           worthy
           of
           eternal
           Glory
           :
           as
           some
           noble
           Mineral
           infused
           into
           Water
           ,
           that
           is
           in
           it self
           without
           taste
           or
           efficacy
           ,
           gives
           it
           a
           medicinal
           tincture
           and
           Virtue
           ;
           for
           this
           is
           impossible
           ,
           since
           the
           infinite
           Dignity
           of
           his
           Person
           ,
           and
           his
           most
           perfect
           habitual
           &
           actual
           Holiness
           ,
           that
           are
           the
           fountains
           and
           reasons
           of
           his
           Merits
           ,
           are
           incommunicable
           to
           our
           Persons
           and
           Works
           .
           But
           the
           active
           and
           passive
           Obedience
           of
           Christ
           is
           so
           satisfactory
           and
           meritorious
           ,
           that
           God
           is
           pleased
           graciously
           to
           reward
           with
           the
           Crown
           of
           Life
           the
           mean
           Services
           of
           those
           who
           are
           by
           a
           lively
           and
           purifying
           Faith
           united
           to
           him
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           Sincere
           Obedience
           ,
           that
           is
           an
           uniform
           and
           entire
           respect
           to
           all
           the
           Commands
           of
           God
           ,
           will
           alone
           be
           accepted
           in
           that
           day
           :
           for
           his
           Authority
           runs
           through
           all
           ,
           and
           binds
           them
           on
           the
           Conscience
           .
           David
           had
           this
           Testimony
           from
           God
           himself
           ,
           that
           he
           
             was
             a
             Man
             after
             his
             own
             Heart
             ,
             that
             fulfilled
             all
             his
             Will.
          
           And
           St.
           John
           refers
           the
           decision
           of
           our
           state
           to
           this
           ,
           
             If
             our
             
             Hearts
             condemn
             us
          
           of
           any
           allowed
           Sin
           of
           omission
           or
           commission
           ,
           
           much
           more
           
             God
             will
             ,
             who
             is
             greater
             than
             our
             Hearts
             ,
             and
             knows
             all
             things
             .
          
           But
           if
           the
           illuminated
           tender
           Conscience
           doth
           not
           condemn
           us
           of
           insincerity
           ,
           
             we
             have
             confidence
             towards
             God
          
           ,
           that
           he
           will
           spare
           and
           accept
           us
           notwithstanding
           our
           Frailties
           ,
           and
           give
           free
           and
           safe
           access
           into
           his
           Presence
           .
           The
           lives
           of
           many
           are
           chequer'd
           with
           a
           strange
           disparity
           ,
           they
           are
           restrain'd
           from
           some
           Sins
           of
           apparent
           odiousness
           ,
           but
           indulgent
           to
           others
           ;
           they
           are
           strict
           in
           some
           Duties
           ,
           but
           loose
           and
           slack
           in
           others
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           hoped
           by
           way
           of
           commutation
           to
           be
           accepted
           of
           God
           ;
           to
           expiate
           their
           Delinquencies
           in
           one
           kind
           by
           supererrogating
           in
           another
           .
           Some
           are
           painted
           Pharisees
           in
           the
           duties
           of
           the
           first
           Table
           ,
           very
           exact
           in
           the
           formalities
           of
           outward
           Devotions
           ,
           but
           gross
           Publicans
           in
           the
           duties
           of
           the
           second
           ;
           careless
           of
           Justice
           and
           Equity
           ,
           and
           Charity
           to
           Men
           :
           Others
           are
           in
           appearance
           strictly
           moral
           in
           the
           discharge
           of
           their
           duties
           to
           Men
           ,
           and
           negligent
           of
           their
           Obligations
           to
           God.
           But
           partial
           Obedience
           can
           never
           endure
           the
           trial
           of
           Conscience
           ,
           much
           less
           of
           God.
           For
           what
           is
           the
           weak
           
           light
           of
           our
           Minds
           ,
           to
           the
           pure
           Eyes
           of
           his
           Glory
           ?
           It
           will
           make
           us
           liable
           to
           inward
           rebuke
           now
           ,
           and
           to
           open
           confusion
           at
           the
           last
           .
           
           St.
           
           Paul's
           
             rejoycing
             was
             from
             the
             Testimony
             of
             his
             Conscience
             ,
             that
             in
             simplicity
             and
             godly
             Sincerity
             he
             had
             his
             Conversation
             in
             the
             World
             :
          
           and
           ,
           as
           he
           expresses
           it
           in
           another
           place
           ,
           it
           was
           his
           
             daily
             Exercise
             to
             have
             a
             Conscience
             void
             of
             Offence
             towards
             God
             ,
             and
             towards
             Men.
          
           Tho
           our
           conquest
           of
           Sin
           be
           not
           compleat
           ,
           yet
           our
           resolution
           and
           endeavours
           must
           be
           to
           mortify
           it
           in
           every
           kind
           .
           Tho
           our
           Obedience
           has
           not
           the
           perfection
           of
           Degrees
           ,
           we
           must
           be
           equally
           regarding
           the
           Divine
           Law.
           If
           there
           be
           any
           secret-favour'd
           Sin
           ,
           either
           of
           Omission
           or
           Commission
           ,
           it
           will
           render
           our
           Petitions
           unacceptable
           at
           the
           Throne
           of
           Grace
           ,
           and
           our
           Persons
           at
           the
           Throne
           of
           Judgment
           ;
           
             If
             I
             regard
             Iniquity
             in
             my
             Heart
             ,
             the
             Lord
             will
             not
             hear
             my
             Prayer
             .
          
           The
           Law
           requires
           the
           performance
           of
           our
           Duty
           without
           abatement
           ,
           or
           denounceth
           the
           Penalty
           without
           allay
           or
           mitigation
           :
           The
           Gospel
           has
           not
           relax'd
           the
           strictness
           of
           the
           Law
           ,
           as
           't
           is
           the
           Rule
           of
           Life
           ,
           but
           as
           it
           was
           the
           condition
           of
           obtaining
           Life
           .
           Sincere
           Obedience
           is
           accepted
           by
           that
           gracious
           
           Covenant
           ,
           where
           the
           
             Legal
             Perfection
          
           is
           wanting
           ;
           but
           that
           is
           indispensably
           required
           of
           all
           .
           I
           may
           illustrate
           this
           by
           a
           Passage
           of
           
             Alexander
             the
             Great
          
           ,
           who
           being
           desirous
           to
           learn
           Geometry
           ,
           applied
           himself
           to
           a
           skilful
           Instructer
           in
           it
           .
           But
           his
           warlike
           Disposition
           made
           him
           more
           capable
           to
           conquer
           ,
           than
           to
           measure
           the
           Earth
           ;
           so
           that
           tired
           with
           the
           first
           Propositions
           ,
           he
           desir'd
           his
           Master
           to
           make
           the
           Scheme
           more
           clear
           and
           plain
           ,
           and
           easy
           to
           him
           :
           *
           To
           whom
           the
           Master
           replied
           ,
           that
           the
           Theorems
           of
           that
           Science
           were
           equally
           difficult
           to
           all
           ,
           and
           requir'd
           the
           same
           attention
           of
           Mind
           to
           understand
           them
           .
           Thus
           the
           Gospel
           of
           Mercy
           requires
           of
           all
           sincere
           Sanctification
           ,
           and
           serious
           endeavours
           to
           perfect
           Holiness
           in
           the
           Fear
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           without
           this
           none
           shall
           be
           exempted
           from
           Condemnation
           .
        
         
           To
           the
           sincerity
           of
           Obedience
           ,
           I
           shall
           add
           a
           more
           restrained
           Notion
           of
           it
           as
           respecting
           Religion
           .
           The
           Duties
           of
           Piety
           consist
           of
           an
           outward
           and
           inward
           part
           ;
           and
           the
           one
           without
           the
           other
           ,
           is
           but
           as
           a
           Carcass
           without
           a
           quickning
           Soul.
           Now
           there
           will
           be
           an
           exquisite
           Anatomy
           of
           the
           Heart
           in
           that
           Judgment
           ,
           a
           discovery
           of
           all
           the
           Principles
           
           and
           Motives
           by
           which
           Men
           were
           acted
           ;
           and
           then
           he
           that
           is
           a
           Saint
           inwardly
           ,
           
             in
             the
             Spirit
          
           ,
           who
           with
           pure
           Aims
           and
           holy
           Affections
           hath
           served
           God
           ,
           shall
           have
           
             praise
             of
             him
          
           .
           And
           those
           who
           have
           us'd
           God
           to
           injoy
           the
           World
           ,
           that
           have
           assumed
           pretences
           of
           Piety
           for
           secular
           Ends
           ,
           shall
           be
           reproved
           .
           This
           will
           be
           a
           cause
           of
           wonder
           in
           that
           day
           ,
           that
           many
           
             who
             are
             highly
             esteemed
             by
             Men
          
           as
           excellent
           Saints
           ,
           
             shall
             be
             an
             abomination
             to
             God.
          
           That
           in
           the
           broad
           way
           to
           Hell
           thousands
           go
           thither
           is
           sad
           beyond
           expression
           ,
           but
           not
           strange
           at
           all
           :
           but
           that
           in
           the
           Path
           of
           Heaven
           any
           should
           descend
           to
           Hell
           ,
           is
           astonishing
           .
           That
           those
           who
           live
           without
           God
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           in
           the
           prophane
           neglect
           of
           his
           Worship
           ,
           in
           a
           dissolute
           disorderly
           course
           ,
           should
           fall
           under
           Condemnation
           ,
           is
           believed
           of
           all
           :
           but
           that
           those
           who
           have
           appeared
           zealous
           in
           Religion
           ,
           shall
           be
           at
           last
           rejected
           ,
           is
           contrary
           to
           universal
           expectation
           .
           And
           not
           only
           the
           gross
           Hypocrite
           that
           deceives
           others
           ,
           but
           he
           that
           deceives
           himself
           by
           the
           external
           practice
           of
           holy
           Duties
           ,
           without
           correspondent
           lively
           Affections
           ;
           that
           prays
           with
           that
           coldness
           as
           if
           he
           had
           no
           desire
           to
           be
           heard
           ,
           
           and
           hears
           with
           that
           carelesness
           as
           if
           he
           had
           no
           desire
           to
           be
           sanctified
           by
           the
           Word
           ,
           and
           is
           conversant
           in
           other
           parts
           of
           divine
           Service
           in
           that
           slight
           manner
           ,
           as
           if
           he
           had
           no
           design
           to
           be
           saved
           ,
           shall
           by
           a
           convincing
           upbraiding
           Light
           see
           his
           Wickedness
           in
           dishonouring
           that
           God
           whom
           he
           pretended
           to
           worship
           ,
           and
           neglecting
           his
           Soul.
           When
           the
           Upright
           as
           pure
           Gold
           shall
           be
           more
           radiant
           by
           the
           Fire
           ,
           the
           Insincere
           like
           reprobate
           Silver
           shall
           not
           endure
           that
           severe
           trial
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           The
           frequent
           discussion
           of
           Conscience
           ,
           and
           reviewing
           our
           Ways
           ,
           is
           necessary
           in
           order
           to
           our
           comfortable
           appearing
           before
           our
           Judg.
           This
           is
           a
           Duty
           of
           constant
           Revolution
           :
           for
           while
           we
           are
           in
           Flesh
           ,
           the
           best
           Saints
           ,
           notwithstanding
           all
           their
           vigilance
           and
           diligence
           ,
           are
           overtaken
           by
           surprizal
           ,
           and
           sometimes
           overborn
           by
           strong
           temptations
           ;
           and
           't
           is
           more
           necessary
           to
           beg
           for
           daily
           Pardon
           ,
           than
           for
           our
           daily
           Bread.
           Under
           the
           Law
           ,
           if
           any
           one
           had
           by
           touching
           a
           dead
           Body
           contracted
           Uncleanness
           ,
           he
           was
           to
           wash
           his
           Clothes
           in
           the
           Evening
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           lie
           down
           in
           his
           Uncleanness
           .
           This
           was
           typical
           of
           our
           Duty
           ,
           that
           we
           should
           
           wash
           away
           our
           sinful
           Defilements
           every
           day
           in
           the
           purifying
           Fountain
           of
           Christ's
           Blood
           ,
           
             that
             is
             set
             open
             for
             Sin
             and
             for
             Vncleanness
             .
          
           And
           the
           Method
           of
           the
           Gospel
           to
           obtain
           the
           grant
           of
           Pardon
           ,
           and
           our
           comfortable
           Sense
           ,
           and
           the
           blessed
           Effects
           of
           it
           is
           this
           ,
           there
           must
           be
           a
           mournful
           Sight
           ,
           and
           serious
           Acknowledgment
           of
           our
           daily
           Sins
           ,
           and
           a
           judging
           our selves
           by
           the
           domestical
           Tribunal
           in
           our
           Breasts
           as
           worthy
           of
           Condemnation
           :
           for
           though
           we
           cannot
           satisfy
           Divine
           Justice
           for
           the
           least
           Sin
           ,
           we
           must
           glorify
           it
           ;
           and
           with
           humility
           and
           fervency
           desire
           that
           God
           would
           graciously
           forgive
           our
           renewed
           Sins
           ,
           with
           unfeigned
           Resolutions
           and
           Care
           against
           them
           for
           the
           future
           .
           Thus
           we
           are
           to
           sue
           out
           our
           Pardon
           for
           Sins
           committed
           every
           day
           .
           And
           whereas
           many
           Errors
           in
           regard
           of
           our
           frailty
           ,
           and
           their
           fineness
           ,
           do
           slip
           from
           us
           ,
           we
           should
           with
           contrite
           Spirits
           implore
           the
           divine
           Majesty
           
             to
             cleanse
             us
             from
             our
             secret
             Sins
             ,
          
           
           such
           as
           through
           ignorance
           or
           inadvertency
           escape
           from
           our
           observation
           .
           If
           we
           are
           obliged
           to
           be
           reconciled
           to
           an
           offended
           or
           offending
           Brother
           before
           the
           night
           ,
           and
           
             the
             Sun
             must
             not
             go
             down
             upon
             our
             Wrath
             ,
          
           much
           
           more
           to
           be
           reconciled
           to
           an
           offended
           God
           ,
           that
           his
           Displeasure
           may
           be
           atoned
           .
           The
           Morning
           and
           Evening-Sacrifice
           was
           a
           Figure
           of
           the
           constant
           use
           of
           Christ's
           Merits
           and
           Mediation
           for
           us
           .
           The
           secure
           neglect
           of
           renewing
           our
           Repentance
           for
           our
           renewed
           Sins
           ,
           deprives
           us
           of
           the
           Comforts
           of
           the
           Covenant
           ,
           and
           will
           make
           the
           thoughts
           of
           Judgment
           as
           heavy
           as
           Mountains
           upon
           the
           Conscience
           ,
           when
           't
           is
           awakened
           out
           of
           its
           slumber
           .
           But
           when
           the
           Soul's
           Accounts
           are
           kept
           clear
           with
           Heaven
           every
           day
           ,
           O
           what
           a
           blessed
           Rest
           does
           the
           penitent
           Believer
           enjoy
           in
           the
           Favour
           of
           God!
           O
           the
           divine
           Calm
           of
           Conscience
           ,
           when
           our
           Debts
           are
           cancell'd
           in
           the
           Book
           of
           God's
           Remembrance
           !
           If
           we
           should
           be
           unexpectedly
           summoned
           to
           appear
           
             before
             the
             Judg
             of
             all
          
           ,
           the
           sight
           of
           our
           Sins
           will
           rather
           excite
           thankful
           Affections
           ,
           and
           joyful
           Praises
           of
           God
           for
           his
           Mercy
           ,
           that
           he
           hath
           pardoned
           them
           ;
           than
           fearful
           despairing
           thoughts
           of
           his
           Mercy
           ,
           that
           he
           will
           not
           pardon
           them
           .
        
         
           And
           as
           this
           considering
           our
           ways
           leads
           to
           Repentance
           ,
           and
           is
           a
           Remedy
           for
           past
           Sins
           ,
           so
           't
           is
           a
           powerful
           Preservative
           from
           Sins
           afterwards
           .
           For
           as
           
           in
           War
           the
           greatest
           care
           is
           to
           fortify
           the
           weakest
           Part
           of
           a
           besieged
           Town
           ,
           and
           make
           it
           impregnable
           ;
           so
           a
           Christian
           ,
           by
           the
           experience
           of
           his
           infirmity
           and
           danger
           ,
           will
           be
           more
           wise
           and
           wary
           ,
           more
           circumspect
           and
           resolved
           against
           those
           Sins
           whereby
           he
           has
           often
           been
           foil'd
           ,
           to
           prevent
           the
           daily
           incursion
           ,
           and
           sudden
           surreption
           by
           them
           .
           And
           according
           to
           the
           degrees
           of
           our
           Innocence
           ,
           we
           have
           confidence
           of
           Acceptance
           with
           God
           in
           Judgment
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           Let
           us
           improve
           with
           a
           wise
           and
           singular
           diligence
           the
           Talents
           committed
           to
           our
           Trust
           :
           for
           in
           that
           day
           we
           shall
           be
           responsible
           for
           all
           that
           we
           have
           received
           .
           All
           the
           Blessings
           we
           possess
           ,
           whether
           natural
           ,
           our
           Life
           ,
           our
           Faculties
           ,
           our
           Endowments
           ,
           our
           Health
           and
           Strength
           ;
           or
           Civil
           ,
           Honour
           and
           Dignity
           ,
           Riches
           and
           Reputation
           ;
           or
           Spiritual
           ,
           the
           Gospel
           in
           its
           Light
           and
           Power
           ,
           the
           Graces
           and
           Assistance
           of
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           ,
           as
           they
           are
           Gifts
           from
           God's
           Love
           ,
           so
           they
           are
           Talents
           to
           be
           imployed
           for
           his
           Glory
           .
           We
           are
           Stewards
           ,
           not
           Proprietaries
           :
           for
           the
           Supream
           Lord
           does
           not
           relinquish
           his
           Right
           in
           our
           Blessings
           ,
           that
           we
           may
           dispose
           of
           them
           at
           our
           own
           pleasure
           ,
           
           but
           hath
           prescribed
           Rules
           for
           our
           using
           them
           in
           order
           to
           his
           Glory
           ,
           our
           own
           Good
           ,
           and
           the
           Benefit
           of
           others
           .
           And
           't
           is
           sad
           to
           consider
           that
           usually
           those
           who
           enjoy
           the
           greatest
           Gifts
           ,
           render
           the
           least
           Acknowledgments
           ,
           and
           the
           most
           abundant
           in
           Favours
           are
           most
           barren
           in
           Thankfulness
           .
           Time
           ,
           that
           unvaluable
           Treasure
           ,
           that
           is
           due
           to
           God
           and
           the
           Soul
           ,
           the
           Price
           of
           which
           arises
           from
           the
           Work
           of
           Salvation
           to
           be
           done
           in
           it
           ,
           how
           is
           it
           squander'd
           away
           ?
           Conscience
           would
           blush
           at
           the
           serious
           reflection
           that
           every
           day
           so
           much
           is
           spent
           in
           the
           Business
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           or
           Pleasures
           ,
           and
           so
           little
           redeemed
           for
           Communion
           with
           the
           Holy
           God
           :
           that
           as
           in
           the
           Prophetick
           Dream
           the
           lean
           Kine
           devoured
           the
           Fat
           ,
           so
           unconcerning
           Vanities
           take
           up
           that
           time
           that
           should
           be
           employed
           for
           our
           last
           and
           blessed
           End.
           While
           Time
           is
           miserably
           wasted
           ,
           the
           Soul
           lies
           a
           bleeding
           to
           everlasting
           Death
           .
           More
           particularly
           ,
           we
           shall
           be
           accountable
           for
           all
           the
           days
           of
           
             the
             Son
             of
             Man
          
           that
           we
           have
           seen
           ,
           all
           the
           special
           Seasons
           of
           Grace
           :
           these
           we
           should
           improve
           for
           our
           Eternal
           Advantage
           ,
           to
           prepare
           us
           for
           the
           Divine
           Presence
           above
           .
           But
           alas
           ,
           the
           Lord's
           Day
           
           that
           is
           consecrated
           for
           the
           immediate
           Service
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           should
           be
           entirely
           spent
           in
           it
           ,
           and
           in
           things
           that
           have
           a
           necessary
           subordination
           to
           it
           ,
           yet
           neither
           the
           enforcement
           of
           Duty
           ,
           nor
           incitations
           of
           Love
           prevail
           upon
           the
           most
           ,
           conscienciously
           to
           imploy
           it
           in
           spiritual
           Affairs
           .
           If
           they
           afford
           their
           presence
           at
           the
           Publick
           Worship
           ,
           't
           is
           thought
           enough
           ;
           and
           ,
           as
           if
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           Day
           was
           unsanctified
           Time
           ,
           they
           waste
           it
           either
           in
           Complemental
           Visits
           ,
           or
           Secular
           Business
           ,
           in
           Recreations
           ,
           or
           things
           impertinent
           to
           their
           Salvation
           .
        
         
           Riches
           are
           an
           excellent
           Instrument
           of
           doing
           good
           :
           Gold
           is
           the
           most
           precious
           and
           extensive
           Metal
           ,
           and
           by
           a
           marvellous
           Art
           an
           Ounce
           may
           be
           beaten
           out
           into
           some
           hundred
           Leaves
           :
           but
           't
           is
           a
           more
           happy
           Art
           by
           giving
           it
           ,
           to
           enrich
           our
           own
           Souls
           ,
           and
           supply
           the
           Necessities
           of
           many
           others
           .
           But
           great
           Estates
           are
           often
           used
           to
           foment
           Mens
           vicious
           guilty
           Affections
           ,
           Pride
           ,
           and
           Sensuality
           ;
           and
           't
           is
           called
           *
           Greatness
           and
           Magnificence
           to
           waste
           them
           in
           sumptuous
           Vanities
           .
           I
           instance
           in
           these
           Talents
           ,
           because
           they
           are
           usually
           abused
           to
           the
           dishonour
           of
           the
           Donor
           .
           
           If
           the
           slothful
           Servant
           that
           hid
           his
           single
           Talent
           in
           a
           Napkin
           ,
           and
           returned
           it
           without
           advantage
           to
           his
           Lord
           ,
           was
           
             cast
             into
             outer
             darkness
             ,
             where
             there
             is
             weeping
             and
             gnashing
             of
             teeth
          
           ;
           a
           fearful
           Image
           of
           what
           will
           befal
           all
           unprofitable
           Persons
           ,
           how
           severe
           will
           their
           Accounts
           be
           who
           lavish
           out
           their
           numerous
           Talents
           to
           gratify
           their
           carnal
           Appetites
           ,
           and
           betray
           the
           Blessings
           of
           God
           to
           his
           Enemy
           the
           Devil
           ?
           Only
           the
           wise
           and
           good
           Servant
           ,
           that
           with
           prudent
           Contrivance
           ,
           and
           zealous
           Endeavours
           ,
           improves
           his
           Talents
           ,
           shall
           from
           the
           gracious
           Lord
           ,
           in
           whom
           are
           all
           Attractives
           and
           Remuneratives
           of
           our
           Service
           ,
           receive
           an
           excellent
           Reward
           .
        
         
           Fifthly
           ,
           Another
           Rule
           of
           our
           Acceptance
           at
           the
           last
           Day
           is
           ,
           That
           we
           must
           with
           Courage
           and
           Zeal
           maintain
           in
           our
           rank
           and
           places
           the
           Cause
           of
           Christ.
           For
           thus
           he
           declares
           expresly
           ,
           
             Whosoever
             shall
             confess
             me
             before
             Men
             ,
          
           
           
             him
             also
             will
             I
             confess
             before
             my
             Father
             which
             is
             in
             Heaven
             .
             But
             whosoever
             shall
             deny
             me
             before
             Men
             ,
             him
             also
             will
             I
             deny
             before
             my
             Father
             which
             is
             in
             Heaven
             .
          
           When
           the
           Truth
           ,
           Purity
           ,
           and
           Power
           of
           Religion
           ,
           in
           Doctrine
           ,
           Worship
           ,
           and
           Practice
           ,
           is
           discountenanc'd
           and
           overborn
           ,
           
           our
           Saviour
           commands
           ,
           and
           will
           reward
           our
           undiscouraged
           visible
           Constancy
           in
           it
           .
           
           He
           will
           not
           only
           reign
           in
           our
           Hearts
           ,
           but
           be
           honoured
           with
           our
           Lips
           ,
           and
           in
           our
           Conversations
           .
           We
           usurp
           the
           Title
           of
           Christians
           ,
           unless
           we
           adhere
           to
           our
           Duty
           in
           despite
           of
           all
           opposition
           .
           The
           Temptations
           that
           usually
           withdraw
           Men
           from
           confessing
           and
           glorifying
           Christ
           ,
           are
           such
           as
           work
           upon
           the
           Passions
           of
           Fear
           and
           Shame
           .
           And
           the
           consideration
           of
           the
           last
           Judgment
           will
           fortify
           us
           against
           both
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Sometimes
           Religion
           exposes
           the
           Professors
           of
           it
           to
           the
           loss
           of
           all
           temporal
           Enjoyments
           ,
           and
           of
           Life
           it self
           .
           And
           when
           the
           Honour
           of
           our
           Saviour
           requires
           such
           a
           Service
           of
           us
           ,
           when
           that
           Confirmation
           is
           necessary
           to
           recommend
           Divine
           Truth
           to
           the
           Belief
           and
           Affections
           of
           others
           ,
           when
           our
           chearful
           and
           couragious
           Example
           in
           suffering
           would
           animate
           those
           that
           are
           fearful
           to
           Constancy
           and
           Confession
           ,
           then
           from
           Cowardise
           to
           withdraw
           our
           Testimony
           ,
           is
           to
           betray
           him
           again
           .
           When
           our
           Duty
           is
           attended
           with
           extream
           Dangers
           ,
           then
           the
           sincerity
           and
           perfection
           of
           our
           Love
           to
           Christ
           is
           brought
           to
           the
           strictest
           trial
           .
           As
           true
           Carbuncles
           
           are
           discovered
           in
           the
           Night
           ,
           for
           the
           Darkness
           redoubles
           their
           Splendor
           ;
           so
           the
           fidelity
           of
           Christians
           is
           evident
           in
           Persecutions
           that
           enflame
           and
           excite
           their
           Zeal
           to
           magnify
           the
           Name
           of
           Christ
           in
           the
           sight
           of
           the
           World.
           
             There
             is
             no
             Fear
             in
             Love
             ,
          
           
           
             but
             perfect
             Love
             casts
             out
             Fear
             .
          
           But
           Fearfulness
           hinders
           the
           expressing
           acts
           of
           Love
           to
           Christ
           ,
           and
           betrays
           to
           Apostacy
           .
           For
           as
           every
           Passion
           is
           a
           Perturbation
           ,
           so
           especially
           Carnal
           Fear
           that
           blinds
           and
           disturbs
           the
           Mind
           ,
           and
           hinders
           the
           serious
           consideration
           of
           the
           Reasons
           of
           our
           Duty
           ,
           and
           those
           Motives
           to
           persevere
           in
           it
           ,
           that
           are
           the
           Fountains
           of
           our
           Strength
           .
           From
           hence
           the
           timerous
           are
           often
           treacherous
           ,
           and
           Faith
           lies
           buried
           under
           the
           cold
           pale
           Ashes
           of
           Fear
           .
           Now
           the
           irregularity
           of
           this
           Passion
           is
           best
           cured
           by
           directing
           it
           to
           the
           most
           powerful
           Object
           .
           As
           the
           Rod
           of
           Moses
           swallowed
           up
           the
           Rods
           of
           the
           Magicians
           ,
           so
           a
           stronger
           Fear
           will
           subdue
           that
           which
           is
           in
           a
           weaker
           degree
           .
           Our
           Saviour
           therefore
           threatens
           those
           that
           for
           the
           fear
           of
           Men
           
             (
             who
             can
             but
             kill
             the
             Body
             )
          
           dare
           not
           own
           and
           defend
           his
           Truth
           and
           Cause
           ,
           that
           he
           will
           renounce
           them
           before
           his
           Father
           in
           the
           great
           
           Day
           ,
           the
           immediate
           consequence
           of
           which
           will
           be
           the
           
             destruction
             of
             Body
             and
             Soul
             in
             Hell.
          
           
           If
           Earthly
           Potentates
           had
           a
           Jurisdiction
           over
           Heaven
           ,
           if
           Men
           were
           to
           be
           tried
           by
           their
           Laws
           at
           the
           last
           Day
           ,
           if
           their
           Power
           extended
           to
           Eternity
           ,
           they
           might
           exact
           unlimited
           Obedience
           to
           their
           Wills
           ;
           but
           Conscience
           is
           a
           more
           desirable
           Friend
           and
           terrible
           Enemy
           than
           Caesar
           ;
           and
           all
           temporal
           Tribunals
           are
           subordinate
           and
           accountable
           to
           the
           Supream
           and
           Eternal
           :
           there
           is
           
             one
             Lawgiver
             and
             Judg
             ,
             who
             is
             able
             to
             save
             ,
             and
             to
             destroy
             for
             ever
             .
          
           It
           is
           the
           worst
           Perdition
           to
           secure
           our selves
           by
           the
           neglect
           of
           our
           Duty
           ,
           when
           we
           ought
           to
           perish
           for
           the
           Glory
           of
           our
           Saviour
           .
           
             He
             that
             saves
             his
             Life
             shall
             lose
             it
             .
          
        
         
           2.
           
           Shame
           wounds
           deeper
           the
           Breasts
           of
           some
           than
           Violence
           .
           Zedekiah
           would
           rather
           expose
           his
           Kingdom
           and
           Life
           to
           the
           Fury
           of
           the
           Chaldean
           Armies
           ,
           than
           be
           himself
           exposed
           as
           an
           Object
           of
           Derision
           by
           surrendring
           it
           .
           And
           Satan
           who
           understands
           the
           temper
           of
           Mens
           Spirits
           ,
           suits
           his
           Temptations
           accordingly
           .
           The
           Purity
           and
           Holiness
           of
           Religion
           ,
           exprest
           in
           the
           Actions
           of
           the
           Saints
           ,
           is
           by
           the
           seurrilous
           
           Reflections
           and
           bitter
           Sarcasms
           of
           prophane
           Persons
           made
           contemptible
           .
           This
           is
           as
           foolish
           and
           malicious
           ,
           as
           if
           a
           Slave
           should
           reproach
           the
           Son
           of
           a
           King
           ,
           that
           he
           was
           like
           his
           Father
           in
           his
           Countenance
           and
           Actions
           ;
           for
           by
           how
           much
           the
           resemblance
           of
           God's
           Holiness
           appears
           with
           more
           evidence
           and
           eminence
           in
           their
           Lives
           ,
           their
           Divine
           Relation
           is
           more
           certainly
           and
           justly
           to
           be
           acknowledged
           .
           Yet
           how
           many
           are
           ashamed
           of
           this
           Glory
           ?
           And
           Zeal
           to
           vindicate
           the
           Honour
           of
           Religion
           is
           traduc'd
           and
           vilified
           ,
           either
           as
           the
           Effect
           of
           designing
           Faction
           ,
           or
           of
           the
           Indiscretion
           and
           Rashness
           of
           a
           weak
           Judgment
           and
           strong
           Passions
           .
           In
           every
           Age
           the
           faithful
           Servants
           of
           God
           are
           by
           scornful
           Titles
           despised
           :
           
           
             We
             are
             accounted
          
           ,
           saith
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           
             the
             Off-scouring
             of
             the
             World.
          
           But
           a
           generous
           Christian
           looks
           upon
           disgrace
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           Christ
           as
           his
           Honour
           .
           The
           Apostles
           
             rejoiced
             that
             they
             were
             accounted
             worthy
             to
             suffer
             shame
             for
             his
             Name
             .
          
           'T
           is
           said
           of
           the
           Baptist
           ,
           
             He
             was
             not
             that
             Light
             ,
             but
             came
             to
             bear
             Witness
             to
             that
             Light
             :
          
           
           intimating
           as
           if
           that
           were
           the
           next
           degree
           of
           Dignity
           to
           it
           .
           And
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           speaking
           of
           the
           Proofs
           of
           
           his
           Divine
           Mission
           ,
           reckons
           up
           the
           Witnesses
           of
           such
           Dignity
           ,
           that
           't
           is
           not
           possible
           for
           Sacred
           Ambition
           to
           aspire
           to
           higher
           Honour
           ,
           than
           to
           be
           in
           Conjunction
           with
           them
           :
           
             they
             are
             John
             the
             Baptist
          
           ,
           
           
             his
             Miracles
             ,
             his
             Father
             ,
             and
             the
             Scriptures
             .
          
        
         
           Let
           us
           appeal
           then
           from
           the
           light
           depraved
           Fancies
           of
           carnal
           Men
           ,
           to
           the
           wise
           and
           faithful
           Judgment
           and
           Authority
           of
           the
           Son
           of
           God.
           He
           will
           at
           the
           last
           Day
           ,
           in
           the
           presence
           of
           his
           Father
           and
           all
           the
           Court
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           give
           an
           incomparable
           Crown
           to
           all
           that
           have
           
             despised
             Shame
          
           for
           his
           sake
           .
           But
           those
           vile
           Spirits
           ,
           whose
           Courage
           of
           Straw
           is
           quell'd
           by
           vain
           Opinion
           ,
           and
           the
           Reproaches
           of
           Fools
           ,
           and
           have
           deserted
           the
           Cause
           of
           Christ
           ,
           shall
           then
           be
           clothed
           with
           Confusion
           ;
           for
           this
           we
           are
           assured
           by
           our
           Judg
           ,
           That
           
             whosoever
             shall
             be
             ashamed
             of
             me
             and
             my
             words
             ,
          
           
           
             in
             this
             adulterous
             and
             sinful
             Generation
             ,
             of
             him
             also
             shall
             the
             Son
             of
             Man
             be
             ashamed
             when
             he
             cometh
             in
             the
             Glory
             of
             his
             Father
             ,
             with
             the
             Holy
             Angels
             .
          
           If
           the
           unnatural
           Brothers
           were
           astonish'd
           when
           the
           Governor
           of
           Egypt
           told
           them
           ,
           
             I
             am
          
           Joseph
           
             whom
             ye
             sold
          
           ;
           how
           much
           more
           will
           false
           Christians
           ,
           
           when
           the
           Lord
           of
           Glory
           shall
           tell
           them
           ,
           I
           am
           Jesus
           whom
           for
           base
           shame
           ye
           denied
           ?
           How
           will
           it
           confound
           those
           abject
           Wretches
           to
           be
           a
           spectacle
           of
           Abhorrence
           and
           Scorn
           before
           that
           Universal
           Glorious
           Confluence
           ?
           They
           would
           chuse
           rather
           to
           be
           covered
           under
           the
           Ruins
           of
           the
           World.
           If
           we
           value
           and
           desire
           the
           Approbation
           of
           the
           King
           of
           Angels
           ,
           if
           we
           fear
           a
           final
           rejection
           from
           him
           ,
           to
           obtain
           the
           one
           and
           avoid
           the
           other
           ,
           we
           must
           entirely
           adhere
           to
           his
           Interest
           ,
           without
           any
           respect
           to
           the
           eyes
           and
           esteem
           of
           the
           perverse
           deceived
           World.
           
        
         
           Sixthly
           ,
           A
           cordial
           beneficent
           Love
           to
           the
           Saints
           ,
           is
           a
           requisite
           Qualification
           of
           our
           Acceptance
           in
           the
           Day
           of
           Judgment
           .
           
           
             Then
             shall
             the
             King
             say
             to
             them
             on
             his
             right
             hand
             ,
             Come
             ye
             blessed
             of
             my
             Father
             ,
             inherit
             the
             Kingdom
             prepared
             for
             you
             from
             the
             foundation
             of
             the
             World.
             For
             I
             was
             an
             hungry
             ,
             and
             ye
             gave
             me
             meat
             ;
             I
             was
             thirsty
             ,
             and
             ye
             gave
             me
             drink
             ;
             I
             was
             a
             stranger
             ,
             and
             ye
             took
             me
             in
             ;
             naked
             ,
             and
             ye
             clothed
             me
             ;
             I
             was
             sick
             ,
             and
             ye
             visited
             me
             ;
             I
             was
             in
             Prison
             ,
             and
             ye
             came
             unto
             me
             .
          
           The
           Union
           and
           Endearments
           betwixt
           Christ
           and
           his
           People
           ,
           are
           mutual
           and
           
           reflexive
           ;
           as
           they
           are
           extreamly
           tender
           of
           his
           Glory
           ,
           so
           he
           is
           concern'd
           in
           all
           that
           is
           done
           to
           them
           .
           And
           though
           the
           Perfection
           of
           Love
           consists
           more
           in
           the
           Affection
           of
           the
           Heart
           than
           in
           outward
           Offices
           ,
           yet
           our
           Saviour
           most
           congruously
           produces
           in
           Judgment
           the
           conspicuous
           Effects
           of
           Love
           to
           them
           ,
           the
           supplying
           their
           Wants
           ,
           allaying
           their
           Sorrows
           ,
           owning
           them
           when
           obscured
           and
           deprest
           by
           Afflictions
           ,
           and
           injuriously
           treated
           by
           others
           .
           This
           love
           of
           Service
           that
           is
           directed
           and
           exercised
           towards
           the
           Saints
           ,
           for
           the
           Image
           of
           God
           shining
           in
           them
           ,
           because
           they
           are
           the
           Children
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           Members
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           therefore
           extended
           to
           all
           in
           whom
           the
           reason
           of
           that
           Love
           appears
           ,
           shall
           be
           gloriously
           rewarded
           :
           for
           he
           interprets
           what
           is
           done
           upon
           his
           Account
           to
           those
           who
           are
           his
           own
           by
           so
           many
           dear
           Titles
           ,
           as
           done
           to
           himself
           .
           And
           what
           is
           more
           becoming
           his
           excellent
           Goodness
           ,
           than
           to
           reward
           the
           Works
           of
           Mercy
           with
           saving
           Mercy
           ?
           But
           those
           who
           when
           Christ
           presents
           himself
           to
           them
           in
           his
           poor
           distressed
           Members
           ,
           and
           sollicits
           their
           assistance
           ,
           to
           protect
           them
           from
           Injuries
           ,
           to
           refresh
           their
           Sorrows
           ,
           to
           
           support
           them
           in
           their
           Exigencies
           ,
           those
           that
           have
           Ability
           ,
           but
           want
           Affection
           to
           do
           them
           good
           ,
           and
           incompassionately
           neglect
           the
           suffering
           Saints
           ,
           shall
           be
           sentenc'd
           to
           be
           tormented
           with
           the
           Apostate
           Angels
           for
           ever
           .
           What
           Indignity
           is
           it
           to
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           those
           for
           whom
           he
           shed
           his
           most
           precious
           Blood
           ,
           should
           be
           in
           less
           value
           and
           regard
           with
           many
           ,
           than
           the
           Dogs
           and
           Horses
           maintained
           for
           their
           pleasure
           ?
           And
           if
           those
           
             on
             the
             left
             hand
          
           shall
           be
           condemned
           to
           eternal
           Fire
           ,
           for
           the
           coldness
           of
           their
           Love
           ,
           how
           terrible
           will
           the
           Judgment
           be
           of
           those
           that
           from
           the
           heat
           of
           their
           Enmity
           outragiously
           persecute
           the
           Servants
           of
           Christ
           for
           his
           sake
           ,
           in
           their
           Persons
           ,
           Estates
           ,
           Reputations
           ,
           that
           with
           a
           worse
           than
           barbarous
           inhumanity
           seek
           their
           ruin
           ?
           Is
           there
           any
           Sin
           of
           a
           more
           mortal
           Guilt
           ?
           The
           infernal
           Furnace
           is
           seven-fold
           heated
           for
           the
           punishing
           such
           Wickedness
           .
        
         
           To
           conclude
           this
           Argument
           ,
           let
           us
           observe
           the
           Command
           of
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           
             To
             watch
             and
             pray
             always
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             be
             counted
             worthy
             to
             stand
             before
             the
             Son
             of
             Man.
          
           These
           are
           Duties
           of
           universal
           Influence
           into
           our
           Lives
           ,
           the
           one
           prevents
           
           Carelesness
           ,
           the
           other
           vain
           Confidence
           in
           our selves
           ;
           and
           the
           consideration
           of
           Judgment
           to
           come
           ,
           is
           the
           greatest
           Motive
           to
           them
           ,
           and
           the
           first
           Principle
           of
           Holiness
           .
           This
           should
           work
           more
           powerful
           in
           us
           ,
           considering
           the
           Day
           of
           Death
           is
           equivalent
           to
           the
           Day
           of
           Judgment
           to
           every
           Person
           ;
           for
           then
           a
           particular
           Sentence
           decisive
           and
           irrevocable
           passes
           ,
           that
           shall
           be
           publish'd
           at
           the
           last
           Day
           .
           Methinks
           the
           Terrors
           of
           the
           Lord
           should
           engage
           our
           Souls
           and
           Senses
           to
           a
           continual
           preparation
           for
           his
           Coming
           .
           'T
           is
           represented
           so
           as
           to
           affect
           the
           Eye
           ,
           
           and
           keep
           it
           vigilant
           :
           
             Behold
             ,
             the
             Lord
             comes
             with
             ten
             thousand
             of
             his
             Saints
             ,
             to
             execute
             Judgment
             upon
             all
             .
             Behold
             ,
          
           
           
             he
             comes
             in
             the
             Clouds
             ,
             and
             every
             Eye
             shall
             see
             him
             .
          
           And
           to
           call
           the
           Ear
           ,
           and
           make
           it
           attentive
           ;
           
             The
             Lord
             himself
             shall
             descend
             from
             Heaven
             ,
          
           
           
             with
             the
             Voice
             of
             the
             Arch-Angel
             ,
             and
             with
             the
             Trump
             of
             God.
          
           How
           circumspect
           should
           we
           be
           in
           all
           our
           Ways
           ,
           since
           every
           Action
           shall
           be
           reviewed
           by
           our
           Judg
           ?
           St.
           Peter
           strongly
           infers
           from
           the
           dissolution
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           as
           a
           most
           cogent
           Argument
           ,
           that
           we
           should
           be
           exactly
           and
           universally
           Holy
           :
           
             Seeing
             then
             all
             these
             things
             shall
             be
             dissolved
             ,
          
           
           
           
             what
             manner
             of
             Persons
             ought
             we
             to
             be
             in
             all
             holy
             Conversation
             and
             Godliness
             ?
          
           But
           the
           consideration
           of
           the
           eternal
           Judgment
           immediately
           succeeding
           the
           destruction
           of
           the
           World
           ;
           O
           how
           powerful
           should
           it
           be
           upon
           Conscience
           and
           the
           Affections
           to
           regulate
           the
           whole
           course
           of
           our
           Lives
           with
           a
           final
           respect
           to
           God's
           Tribunal
           ?
        
         
           In
           short
           ,
           That
           which
           we
           read
           of
           the
           success
           of
           the
           Apostle's
           preaching
           to
           the
           Athenians
           upon
           the
           present
           Subject
           ,
           the
           Immortality
           of
           the
           Soul
           ,
           comprised
           in
           the
           Resurrection
           of
           the
           Body
           and
           the
           future
           Judgment
           ,
           is
           the
           same
           in
           all
           times
           and
           places
           :
           
           
             And
             when
             they
             heard
             of
             the
             Resurrection
             of
             the
             Dead
             ,
             some
             mocked
             ;
             and
             others
             said
             ,
             We
             will
             hear
             thee
             again
             of
             this
             matter
             ;
             and
             others
             believed
             .
          
           There
           are
           three
           Differences
           of
           the
           Hearers
           of
           this
           Doctrine
           of
           so
           great
           importance
           :
           some
           deride
           it
           as
           an
           extravagant
           Fancy
           ;
           some
           believe
           it
           ,
           and
           yield
           up
           themselves
           entirely
           in
           obedience
           to
           it
           ;
           others
           do
           not
           absolutely
           reject
           it
           ,
           as
           the
           first
           ,
           nor
           accept
           it
           ,
           as
           the
           second
           ,
           but
           have
           a
           Conjecture
           ,
           or
           slight
           superficial
           Opinion
           of
           it
           ,
           or
           a
           speculative
           Assent
           as
           to
           a
           history
           of
           things
           that
           do
           not
           concern
           them
           ,
           and
           defer
           
           the
           serious
           consideration
           and
           applying
           of
           it
           to
           themselves
           .
           And
           of
           this
           third
           sort
           (
           O
           Grief
           !
           )
           are
           the
           most
           of
           those
           who
           are
           Christians
           in
           Name
           .
           They
           delay
           till
           Death
           ,
           the
           solemn
           reflecting
           upon
           the
           final
           Judgment
           ,
           and
           the
           inevitable
           Consequence
           of
           it
           ,
           a
           blessed
           or
           miserable
           Estate
           for
           ever
           .
           And
           whereas
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           who
           had
           infallible
           assurance
           of
           God's
           Love
           ,
           did
           with
           an
           holy
           severity
           and
           self-denial
           abstain
           from
           all
           carnal
           Complacencies
           that
           might
           hazard
           the
           never-fading
           Crown
           ;
           
           
             I
             keep
             under
             my
             Body
             ,
             and
             bring
             it
             into
             subjection
             ,
             lest
             by
             any
             means
             when
             I
             have
             preached
             to
             others
             ,
             I
             should
             be
             a
             Cast-away
             .
          
           *
           Yet
           the
           most
           live
           and
           die
           in
           a
           secure
           state
           ,
           without
           preparation
           to
           appear
           before
           the
           Presence
           of
           his
           Glory
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           OF
           HEAVEN
           .
        
         
           BY
           WILLIAM
           BATES
           ,
           D.D.
           
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           by
           
             J.
             D.
          
           for
           
             Brabazon
             Aylmer
          
           ,
           at
           the
           Three
           Pigeons
           against
           the
           Royal
           Exchange
           in
           Cornhil
           .
           1691.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           OF
           HEAVEN
           .
        
         
           
             
               
                 Psalm
                 16.11
              
               .
            
             
               Thou
               wilt
               shew
               me
               the
               Path
               of
               Life
               :
               in
               thy
               Presence
               is
               fulness
               of
               Joy
               ,
               at
               thy
               right
               Hand
               there
               are
               Pleasures
               for
               evermore
               .
            
          
        
         
           THE
           Divine
           Wisdom
           and
           Goodness
           was
           pleased
           ,
           before
           and
           during
           the
           legal
           Dispensation
           ,
           by
           various
           Predictions
           and
           Types
           to
           delineate
           the
           Person
           of
           our
           Redeemer
           ,
           and
           the
           Work
           of
           Redemption
           ,
           to
           prepare
           the
           Minds
           of
           Men
           for
           his
           Reception
           at
           his
           coming
           into
           the
           World.
           All
           the
           Evangelical
           Prophecies
           recorded
           in
           the
           Old
           Testament
           ,
           as
           dispersed
           Rays
           ,
           
           are
           conspicuously
           united
           in
           him
           ,
           
             the
             Sun
             of
             Righteousness
          
           ;
           and
           as
           in
           a
           curious
           Piece
           of
           Mosaick
           Work
           ,
           each
           Stone
           according
           to
           its
           natural
           Vein
           and
           Colour
           is
           so
           exactly
           disposed
           ,
           and
           with
           that
           proportion
           join'd
           to
           another
           ,
           that
           the
           lively
           Figure
           of
           the
           Humane
           Body
           ,
           results
           from
           the
           Composure
           ;
           so
           by
           variety
           of
           Types
           ,
           the
           intire
           Image
           of
           our
           Saviour's
           Life
           is
           represented
           from
           his
           first
           appearing
           on
           Earth
           ,
           to
           his
           ascending
           to
           Heaven
           .
        
         
           Now
           the
           due
           comparing
           and
           observing
           the
           harmonious
           Agreement
           between
           the
           Prophesies
           and
           Types
           of
           the
           Old
           Testament
           ,
           and
           the
           History
           of
           the
           New
           ,
           is
           a
           powerful
           means
           to
           produce
           and
           establish
           a
           true
           lively
           Faith
           in
           the
           blessed
           Jesus
           as
           the
           promised
           Messiah
           :
           For
           it
           is
           an
           infallible
           Argument
           of
           the
           Divine
           Providence
           in
           disposing
           Times
           and
           Things
           so
           ,
           as
           the
           Oracle
           should
           be
           verified
           in
           the
           Event
           ,
           and
           the
           mysterious
           Figures
           substantially
           exhibited
           in
           the
           manifestation
           of
           the
           Son
           of
           God.
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           his
           Miracles
           raised
           Admiration
           ,
           and
           argued
           the
           concurrence
           of
           Power
           truly
           Divine
           :
           For
           the
           exercise
           of
           an
           absolute
           Dominion
           over
           the
           Order
           of
           Nature
           ,
           is
           a
           Royalty
           reserved
           
           to
           God
           :
           but
           that
           his
           miraculous
           Operations
           were
           foretold
           ,
           added
           more
           Authority
           to
           his
           Person
           ,
           and
           Efficacy
           to
           his
           Doctrine
           .
           Therefore
           our
           Saviour
           himself
           ,
           in
           answer
           to
           the
           publick
           Question
           sent
           from
           
             John
             the
             Baptist
          
           ,
           whether
           he
           were
           the
           expected
           Saviour
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           commanded
           the
           Messengers
           to
           tell
           him
           what
           they
           heard
           and
           said
           ,
           
             The
             Blind
             receive
             their
             Sight
          
           ,
           
           
             and
             the
             Lame
             walk
             ,
             the
             Lepers
             are
             cleansed
             ,
             the
             Deaf
             hear
             ,
             and
             the
             Dead
             are
             raised
             up
             :
          
           Which
           healing
           Miracles
           were
           foretold
           by
           the
           Prophet
           Esay
           ,
           
           as
           the
           clear
           and
           distinguishing
           Characters
           of
           the
           Messiah
           from
           all
           Seducers
           ,
           when
           he
           should
           come
           .
           The
           fulfilling
           God's
           Word
           by
           the
           Works
           of
           Christ
           ,
           of
           which
           there
           was
           sensible
           evidence
           ,
           was
           an
           irrefutable
           testimony
           that
           his
           Miracles
           were
           true
           ,
           and
           performed
           for
           the
           confirmation
           of
           the
           Truth
           .
        
         
           Now
           of
           all
           the
           chosen
           Saints
           that
           foretold
           the
           coming
           of
           Christ
           ,
           the
           new
           Law
           of
           Grace
           ,
           and
           the
           new
           Kingdom
           of
           Glory
           ,
           that
           he
           should
           reveal
           and
           establish
           :
           Of
           all
           that
           represented
           him
           in
           various
           Particularities
           ,
           concerning
           his
           Person
           and
           Offices
           ,
           there
           was
           not
           a
           more
           illustrious
           Type
           than
           
           David
           ,
           
           that
           by
           prophetical
           Words
           ,
           and
           by
           prophetical
           Actions
           did
           so
           clearly
           describe
           him
           .
        
         
           In
           this
           Psalm
           composed
           by
           him
           ,
           there
           is
           a
           mixture
           of
           History
           and
           Prophecy
           :
           Some
           things
           in
           the
           literal
           and
           immediate
           sense
           referring
           to
           
             David
             :
             I
             have
             set
             the
             Lord
             always
             before
             me
             ;
             because
             he
             is
             at
             my
             right
             hand
             ,
             I
             shall
             not
             be
             moved
             .
          
           Our
           being
           at
           God's
           right
           Hand
           ,
           implies
           the
           highest
           Honour
           ;
           his
           being
           at
           our
           right
           Hand
           ,
           implies
           present
           and
           sure
           protection
           and
           defence
           .
           And
           of
           this
           David
           had
           the
           infallible
           Promise
           of
           God
           to
           secure
           his
           Hope
           ,
           notwithstanding
           all
           his
           unrighteous
           and
           implacable
           Enemies
           .
           But
           the
           following
           Verses
           are
           applicable
           to
           David
           but
           in
           a
           lower
           sense
           ,
           and
           by
           a
           remote
           Metaphor
           ,
           and
           have
           their
           literal
           and
           principal
           Accomplishment
           in
           our
           Saviour
           .
           
             Thou
             wilt
             not
             leave
             my
             Soul
             in
             Hell
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           in
           the
           State
           of
           the
           Dead
           ;
           
             nor
             suffer
             thy
             holy
             One
             to
             see
             Corruption
          
           :
           that
           is
           ,
           the
           Body
           of
           our
           Saviour
           should
           be
           exempted
           from
           the
           corrupting
           Power
           of
           the
           Grave
           ,
           and
           restored
           the
           third
           Day
           to
           Life
           .
           In
           this
           propriety
           and
           perfection
           of
           sense
           ,
           the
           Prophecy
           is
           applyed
           by
           St.
           Peter
           to
           our
           Saviour's
           alone
           :
           for
           
           David
           died
           
             and
             saw
             Corruption
          
           ;
           
           and
           his
           Body
           still
           remains
           under
           the
           Dominion
           of
           Death
           .
           And
           this
           last
           Verse
           ,
           
             Thou
             wilt
             shew
             me
             the
             Path
             of
             Life
             :
             in
             thy
             Presente
             is
             fulness
             of
             Joy
             ,
             at
             thy
             right
             Hand
             are
             Pleasures
             for
             evermore
          
           ;
           is
           applied
           by
           the
           Apostle
           to
           Christ
           ,
           his
           Resurrection
           ,
           Ascension
           to
           Heaven
           ,
           
             and
             sitting
             at
             the
             right
             Hand
             of
             the
             Majesty
             on
             high
             .
             Thou
             wilt
             shew
             me
             the
             Path
             of
             Life
          
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           introduce
           him
           into
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           Glory
           ,
           and
           by
           experimental
           Fruition
           make
           him
           partaker
           of
           it
           :
           
             In
             thy
             Presence
             is
             fulness
             of
             Joy
             ,
             at
             thy
             right
             Hand
             are
             Pleasures
             for
             evermore
             .
          
        
         
           In
           these
           words
           the
           Causes
           and
           Excellencies
           of
           the
           Heavenly
           Life
           are
           express'd
           .
           The
           Causes
           ,
           are
           the
           glorious
           Presence
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           intimate
           application
           of
           his
           Presence
           ,
           and
           discovery
           of
           his
           peculiar
           Love
           to
           the
           Saints
           .
           This
           our
           blessed
           Saviour
           had
           respect
           to
           ,
           as
           the
           compleat
           Reward
           of
           his
           Sufferings
           :
           
             Thou
             shalt
             make
             me
             full
             of
             Joy
             with
             thy
             Countenance
             .
          
           And
           
             his
             right
             Hand
          
           implies
           his
           Bounty
           that
           dispenses
           ,
           and
           his
           Power
           that
           secures
           our
           Happiness
           .
           The
           Excellencies
           of
           it
           ,
           
           are
           
             fulness
             of
             Joy
             ,
             and
             Pleasures
             for
             evermore
             .
          
        
         
           
             From
             the
             words
             I
             shall
             observe
             one
             Proposition
             .
          
           
             The
             enjoyment
             of
             the
             Divine
             Presence
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             is
             the
             supream
             and
             everlasting
             Felicity
             of
             the
             Saints
             .
          
           
             In
             the
             discoursing
             of
             this
             Point
             ,
             I
             will
             consider
             ,
             
               
                 First
                 ,
                 The
                 Place
                 wherein
                 the
                 Divine
                 Presence
                 is
                 gloriously
                 reveal'd
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 Shew
                 that
                 the
                 enjoyment
                 of
                 the
                 Divine
                 Presence
                 is
                 the
                 supream
                 Felicity
                 of
                 the
                 Saints
                 .
              
               
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 Prove
                 that
                 the
                 Felicity
                 shall
                 be
                 Everlasting
                 .
              
            
          
        
         
           First
           ,
           The
           Place
           wherein
           the
           Divine
           Presence
           is
           revealed
           .
           'T
           is
           consistent
           with
           the
           Divine
           Immensity
           ,
           to
           be
           differently
           present
           in
           some
           places
           .
           The
           essential
           Presence
           of
           God
           is
           the
           same
           every
           where
           ;
           the
           influxive
           declarative
           Presence
           of
           God
           is
           special
           ,
           and
           
           wise
           in
           one
           place
           than
           another
           .
           He
           is
           more
           excellently
           present
           in
           the
           living
           Temples
           ,
           his
           Saints
           on
           Earth
           ,
           by
           the
           gracious
           and
           eminent
           Operations
           of
           his
           Spirit
           ,
           than
           he
           is
           in
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           World
           :
           He
           is
           most
           excellently
           present
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           by
           the
           clearest
           Manifestation
           ,
           and
           the
           express
           Characters
           and
           Effects
           of
           the
           Divine
           Perfections
           .
        
         
           This
           inferior
           World
           is
           fram'd
           with
           exquisite
           Order
           ;
           
             The
             Earth
             is
             full
             of
             the
             Glory
             of
             the
             Lord
             :
          
           yet
           't
           is
           but
           the
           Sediment
           of
           the
           Creation
           ,
           the
           Habitation
           of
           Birds
           and
           Beasts
           ,
           nay
           of
           rebellious
           Sinners
           :
           And
           by
           this
           we
           may
           raise
           our
           Thoughts
           to
           conceive
           something
           of
           the
           glorious
           Sanctuary
           of
           Life
           and
           Blessedness
           above
           .
           'T
           is
           called
           the
           
             Heaven
             of
             Heavens
          
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           highest
           Comparison
           to
           instruct
           and
           astonish
           us
           with
           the
           Amplitude
           and
           Glory
           of
           the
           Place
           .
           'T
           is
           a
           Place
           becoming
           the
           Majesty
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           Image
           of
           his
           Immensity
           .
           Our
           Saviour
           assures
           us
           ,
           
             In
             his
             Father's
             House
             are
             many
             Mansions
             ,
          
           to
           receive
           the
           innumerable
           company
           of
           glorified
           Saints
           .
           'T
           is
           called
           
             the
             Excellent
             Glory
          
           ,
           2
           Pet.
           1.17
           .
        
         
           The
           shining
           Firmament
           ,
           with
           all
           the
           Luminaries
           that
           adorn
           it
           ,
           are
           but
           
           the
           Frontispiece
           to
           the
           highest
           Heaven
           .
           All
           the
           Lustre
           of
           Diamonds
           ,
           the
           Fire
           of
           Carbuncles
           and
           Rubies
           ,
           the
           Brightness
           of
           Pearls
           are
           dead
           in
           comparison
           of
           its
           Glory
           .
           
             'T
             is
             the
             Throne
             of
             the
             God
             of
             Glory
             ,
          
           wherein
           his
           Majesty
           is
           reveal'd
           in
           the
           most
           illustrious
           manner
           .
           For
           Pleasantness
           't
           is
           call'd
           Paradise
           ,
           in
           allusion
           to
           the
           delightful
           Garden
           planted
           by
           the
           Hands
           of
           God
           himself
           for
           Adam
           ,
           his
           Favourite
           ,
           whilst
           innocent
           .
           There
           is
           
             the
             Tree
             of
             Life
          
           .
           There
           are
           Rivers
           of
           Pleasure
           springing
           from
           the
           Divine
           Presence
           .
           
             'T
             is
             call'd
             the
             Inheritance
             of
             the
             Saints
             in
             Light
          
           ;
           to
           signify
           the
           Glory
           and
           Joy
           of
           the
           Place
           ;
           for
           Light
           has
           splendour
           ,
           and
           conciliates
           chearfulness
           ,
           and
           is
           a
           fit
           Emblem
           of
           both
           .
           As
           on
           the
           contrary
           ,
           Hell
           is
           described
           
             by
             the
             blackness
             of
             darkness
             for
             ever
             :
          
           to
           signify
           the
           sadness
           and
           despair
           of
           the
           Damned
           ;
           and
           because
           in
           that
           centre
           of
           Misery
           ,
           a
           perpetual
           Night
           and
           invincible
           Darkness
           increases
           the
           horror
           of
           lost
           Souls
           .
        
         
           Heaven
           for
           stability
           is
           
             called
             a
             City
             that
             has
             Foundations
             ,
             whose
             Builder
             and
             Maker
             is
             God.
          
           The
           present
           World
           is
           like
           a
           Tent
           or
           Tabernacle
           set
           up
           for
           a
           time
           ,
           whilst
           the
           Church
           is
           passing
           
           through
           the
           Wilderness
           :
           but
           Heaven
           is
           the
           
             City
             of
             the
             Living
             God
          
           ,
           the
           Place
           of
           his
           happy
           Residence
           ,
           the
           Seat
           of
           his
           eternal
           Empire
           .
           The
           visible
           World
           ,
           with
           all
           its
           perishing
           Idols
           ,
           shall
           shortly
           fall
           ,
           this
           Beautiful
           Scene
           shall
           be
           abolish'd
           :
           but
           the
           supreme
           Heaven
           is
           above
           this
           Sphere
           of
           mutability
           ,
           wherein
           all
           Bodies
           compounded
           of
           the
           jarring
           Elements
           are
           continually
           changing
           and
           dissolving
           :
           't
           is
           truly
           call'd
           
             a
             Kingdom
             that
             cannot
             be
             shaken
             .
          
           Briefly
           ,
           the
           wise
           Maker
           has
           fram'd
           it
           correspondently
           to
           the
           end
           for
           which
           it
           was
           designed
           :
           't
           is
           the
           Seat
           of
           his
           Majesty
           ,
           his
           Sacred
           Temple
           ,
           wherein
           he
           diffuses
           the
           richest
           Beams
           of
           his
           Goodness
           and
           Glory
           ,
           and
           his
           chosen
           Servants
           see
           and
           praise
           his
           adorable
           Excellencies
           for
           ever
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           I
           will
           endeavour
           to
           shew
           ,
           that
           the
           enjoyment
           of
           the
           Divine
           Presence
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           is
           the
           supreme
           Felicity
           of
           the
           Saints
           .
        
         
           To
           make
           this
           supernatural
           Blessedness
           more
           easy
           and
           intelligible
           to
           us
           ,
           the
           Scripture
           describes
           it
           by
           sensible
           Representations
           .
           For
           while
           the
           Soul
           is
           clothed
           with
           Flesh
           ,
           Fancy
           has
           such
           
           a
           dominion
           ,
           that
           we
           conceive
           of
           nothing
           but
           by
           Comparisons
           and
           Images
           taken
           from
           material
           things
           .
           'T
           is
           therefore
           set
           forth
           by
           
             a
             Marriage-Feast
          
           ,
           
           to
           signify
           the
           Joy
           and
           Glory
           of
           the
           Saints
           above
           .
           But
           to
           prevent
           all
           gross
           Conceits
           ,
           we
           are
           instructed
           ,
           that
           the
           Bodies
           of
           the
           Saints
           shall
           be
           spiritual
           ,
           not
           capable
           of
           Hunger
           or
           Thirst
           ,
           nor
           consequently
           of
           any
           Refreshment
           that
           is
           caused
           by
           the
           satisfaction
           of
           those
           Appetites
           .
           The
           Objects
           of
           the
           most
           noble
           Senses
           ,
           Seeing
           and
           Hearing
           ,
           the
           pleasure
           of
           which
           is
           mixed
           with
           Reason
           ,
           and
           not
           common
           to
           the
           Brutes
           ,
           are
           more
           frequently
           made
           use
           of
           to
           reconcile
           the
           blessed
           and
           Heavenly
           State
           to
           the
           proportion
           of
           our
           Minds
           .
           Thus
           sometimes
           the
           Saints
           above
           are
           
             represented
             on
             Thrones
             ,
             and
             with
             Crowns
             on
             their
             Heads
             :
             Sometimes
             clothed
             in
             White
             ,
             with
             Palms
             in
             their
             Hands
             :
             sometimes
             singing
             Songs
             of
             Triumph
             to
             him
             that
             sits
             on
             the
             Throne
             .
          
           But
           the
           real
           Felicity
           of
           the
           Saints
           infinitely
           exceeds
           all
           those
           faint
           Metaphors
           .
           The
           Apostle
           ,
           to
           whom
           the
           admirable
           Revelation
           was
           exhibited
           ,
           of
           the
           Sufferings
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           the
           victorious
           issue
           out
           of
           them
           in
           the
           successive
           
           Ages
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           tells
           us
           ,
           
             it
             does
             not
             appear
             what
             the
             Saints
             shall
             be
             in
             Heaven
             .
             The
             things
             that
             God
             has
             prepared
             for
             those
             that
             love
             him
             ,
          
           are
           far
           more
           above
           the
           highest
           ascent
           of
           our
           Thoughts
           ,
           than
           the
           Marriage-Feast
           of
           a
           King
           exceeds
           in
           splendor
           and
           Magnificence
           ,
           the
           Imagination
           of
           one
           that
           has
           always
           lived
           in
           an
           obscure
           Village
           ,
           and
           never
           saw
           any
           Ornaments
           of
           State
           ,
           nor
           tasted
           Wine
           in
           his
           Life
           .
           We
           can
           think
           of
           those
           things
           but
           according
           to
           the
           Poverty
           of
           our
           Understandings
           .
           But
           so
           much
           we
           know
           as
           is
           able
           to
           sweeten
           all
           the
           Bitterness
           ,
           and
           render
           insipid
           all
           the
           Sweetness
           of
           this
           World.
           
        
         
           This
           will
           appear
           by
           considering
           whatever
           is
           requisite
           to
           constitute
           the
           compleat
           Blessedness
           of
           Man
           ,
           is
           fully
           enjoyed
           in
           the
           Divine
           Presence
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           An
           exemption
           from
           all
           Evils
           is
           the
           first
           condition
           of
           perfect
           Blessedness
           .
           The
           Sentence
           of
           the
           wise
           Solon
           is
           true
           ,
           
             
               Dicique
               beatus
            
             
               Ante
               obitum
               nemo
               supremaque
               funera
               debet
               .
            
          
           
           No
           Man
           can
           be
           call'd
           happy
           whilst
           in
           this
           Valley
           of
           Tears
           .
           There
           are
           so
           many
           natural
           Calamities
           ,
           so
           many
           casual
           ,
           which
           no
           humane
           Mind
           can
           foresee
           or
           prevent
           ,
           that
           one
           may
           be
           less
           miserable
           than
           another
           ,
           but
           none
           perfectly
           happy
           here
           .
           But
           upon
           the
           entrance
           into
           Heaven
           ,
           all
           those
           Evils
           ,
           that
           by
           their
           number
           ,
           variety
           or
           weight
           ,
           disquiet
           and
           oppress
           us
           here
           ,
           are
           at
           an
           end
           .
        
         
           Sin
           ,
           of
           all
           Evils
           ,
           the
           worst
           and
           most
           hateful
           ,
           shall
           be
           abolish'd
           ,
           and
           all
           Temptations
           that
           surround
           us
           and
           endanger
           our
           Innocence
           shall
           cease
           .
           Here
           the
           best
           Men
           lament
           the
           Weakness
           of
           the
           Flesh
           ,
           and
           sometimes
           the
           violent
           Assaults
           of
           Spiritual
           Enemies
           .
           St.
           Paul
           himself
           breaks
           forth
           into
           a
           mournful
           Complaint
           ,
           
             O
             wretched
             Man
             that
             I
             am
             ,
             who
             shall
             deliver
             me
             from
             this
             Body
             of
             Death
             ?
          
           And
           when
           harrass'd
           by
           the
           buffets
           of
           Satan
           ,
           renews
           his
           most
           earnest
           Addresses
           to
           God
           to
           be
           freed
           from
           them
           .
           Here
           our
           Purity
           is
           not
           absolute
           ,
           we
           must
           be
           always
           cleansing
           our selves
           from
           the
           Reliques
           of
           that
           deep
           Defilement
           that
           cleaves
           to
           our
           Nature
           .
           Here
           our
           Peace
           is
           preserv'd
           with
           the
           Sword
           in
           our
           Hand
           ,
           
           by
           a
           continual
           warfare
           against
           Satan
           and
           the
           World.
           But
           in
           Heaven
           no
           Ignorance
           darkens
           the
           Mind
           ,
           no
           Passions
           rebel
           against
           the
           sanctified
           Will
           ,
           no
           Inherent
           Pollution
           remains
           .
           
             The
             Church
             is
             without
             Spot
             or
             Wrinkle
             ,
             or
             any
             such
             thing
             .
          
           And
           all
           Temptations
           shall
           then
           cease
           .
           The
           Temper
           was
           cast
           out
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           none
           of
           his
           poison'd
           Arrows
           can
           reach
           that
           purified
           Company
           .
           Glorious
           Liberty
           !
           here
           ardently
           desir'd
           ,
           but
           fully
           enjoyed
           by
           the
           Saints
           above
           .
           And
           as
           Sin
           ,
           so
           all
           the
           penal
           Consequences
           of
           it
           are
           quite
           taken
           away
           .
           The
           present
           Life
           is
           a
           continual
           disease
           ,
           and
           sometimes
           attended
           with
           that
           sharp
           sense
           ,
           that
           Death
           is
           desir'd
           as
           a
           remedy
           ,
           and
           accepted
           as
           a
           Benefit
           .
           And
           though
           the
           Saints
           have
           reviving
           Cordials
           ,
           yet
           their
           Joys
           are
           mix'd
           with
           Sorrows
           ,
           nay
           caused
           〈◊〉
           Sorrows
           .
           The
           tears
           of
           Repentance
           are
           their
           sweetest
           refreshment
           .
           Here
           the
           living
           Stones
           are
           cut
           and
           wounded
           ,
           and
           made
           fit
           by
           sufferings
           for
           a
           Temple
           unto
           God
           in
           the
           new
           Jerusalem
           .
           But
           as
           in
           building
           of
           
           Solomon's
           Temple
           ,
           the
           noise
           of
           a
           Hammer
           was
           not
           heard
           ,
           for
           all
           the
           parts
           were
           fram'd
           before
           with
           that
           exact
           
           design
           and
           correspondence
           ,
           that
           they
           firmly
           combin'd
           together
           .
           They
           were
           hewen
           in
           another
           place
           ,
           and
           nothing
           remain'd
           but
           the
           putting
           them
           one
           upon
           another
           ,
           and
           then
           as
           Sacred
           they
           became
           inviolable
           .
           So
           God
           the
           wise
           Architect
           ,
           having
           prepar'd
           the
           Saints
           here
           ,
           by
           many
           cutting
           Afflictions
           ,
           places
           them
           in
           the
           eternal
           Building
           ,
           where
           no
           Voice
           of
           Sorrow
           is
           heard
           .
           Of
           the
           innumerable
           Assembly
           above
           ;
           is
           there
           any
           Eye
           that
           weeps
           ,
           any
           Breast
           that
           sighs
           ,
           any
           Tongue
           that
           complains
           ,
           or
           any
           appearance
           of
           Grief
           ?
           The
           Heavenly
           State
           is
           called
           Life
           ,
           as
           only
           worthy
           of
           that
           Title
           .
           There
           is
           no
           infirmity
           of
           Body
           ,
           no
           Poverty
           ,
           no
           Disgrace
           ,
           no
           Treachery
           of
           Friends
           ,
           no
           persecution
           of
           Enemies
           .
           
             There
             is
             no
             more
             Death
             ,
             nor
             Sorrow
             ;
             nor
             shall
             there
             be
             any
             more
             Pain
             :
             for
             former
             things
             are
             past
             away
             .
             God
             will
             wipe
             away
             all
             Tears
             from
             the
             Eyes
             of
             his
             People
             .
          
           There
           Salvation
           is
           compleat
           in
           all
           degrees
           .
           Pure
           Joy
           is
           the
           Priviledge
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           unmixed
           Sorrows
           the
           Punishment
           of
           Hell.
           
        
         
           2.
           
           A
           concurrence
           of
           all
           positive
           Excellencies
           is
           requisite
           to
           Blessedness
           .
           And
           these
           are
           to
           be
           considered
           with
           
           respect
           to
           the
           entire
           Man.
           
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           Body
           shall
           be
           awak'd
           out
           of
           its
           dead
           Sleep
           ,
           and
           quicken'd
           into
           a
           glorious
           immortal
           Life
           .
           The
           Soul
           and
           Body
           are
           the
           essential
           parts
           of
           Man
           ;
           and
           though
           the
           inequality
           be
           great
           in
           their
           holy
           Operations
           ,
           yet
           their
           concourse
           is
           necessary
           .
           Good
           Actions
           are
           design'd
           by
           the
           counsel
           and
           resolution
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           but
           perform'd
           by
           the
           ministry
           of
           the
           Flesh.
           Every
           Grace
           expresses
           it self
           in
           visible
           Actions
           by
           the
           Body
           .
           In
           the
           Sorrows
           of
           Repentance
           it
           supplies
           Tears
           ;
           in
           religious
           Fasts
           ,
           its
           Appetites
           are
           restrain'd
           ;
           in
           Thanksgivings
           the
           Tongue
           breaks
           forth
           into
           the
           joyful
           Praises
           of
           God.
           All
           our
           Victories
           over
           sensible
           Pleasure
           and
           Pain
           ,
           are
           obtain'd
           by
           the
           Soul
           in
           conjunction
           with
           the
           Body
           .
           Now
           't
           is
           most
           becoming
           the
           Divine
           Goodness
           ,
           not
           to
           deal
           so
           differently
           ,
           that
           the
           Soul
           should
           be
           everlastingly
           happy
           ,
           and
           the
           Body
           lost
           in
           forgetfulness
           ;
           the
           one
           glorified
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           the
           other
           remain
           in
           the
           Dust.
           From
           their
           first
           setting
           out
           in
           the
           World
           to
           the
           Grave
           ,
           they
           ran
           the
           same
           race
           ,
           and
           shall
           enjoy
           the
           same
           Reward
           .
           Here
           the
           Body
           is
           the
           
           Consort
           of
           the
           Soul
           ,
           in
           Obedience
           and
           Sufferings
           ,
           hereafter
           in
           Fruition
           .
           When
           the
           Crown
           of
           Purity
           ,
           or
           Palm
           of
           Martyrdom
           shall
           be
           given
           by
           the
           great
           Judg
           in
           the
           view
           of
           all
           ,
           they
           shall
           both
           partake
           in
           the
           Honour
           .
           The
           Apostle
           assures
           us
           ,
           the
           Bodies
           of
           the
           Saints
           shall
           be
           revived
           and
           refin'd
           to
           a
           spiritual
           and
           glorious
           Perfection
           .
           
             Flesh
             and
             Blood
          
           ,
           the
           Body
           with
           its
           terrene
           Qualities
           ,
           is
           mutable
           and
           mortal
           ,
           and
           
             cannot
             inherit
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Heaven
          
           ;
           it
           cannot
           breath
           in
           so
           pure
           an
           Air.
           
             God
             tells
          
           Moses
           ,
           
             No
             Man
             can
             see
             my
             Face
             and
             live
             :
          
           The
           sight
           of
           the
           Divine
           Glory
           is
           not
           consistent
           with
           such
           temper'd
           frail
           Tabernacles
           of
           Flesh.
           Nay
           ,
           the
           Body
           must
           be
           freed
           from
           the
           innocent
           Infirmities
           that
           were
           inseparable
           from
           Adam
           in
           Paradise
           :
           for
           
             he
             was
             made
             a
             living
             Soul
             ,
          
           i.
           e.
           the
           Soul
           united
           to
           the
           Body
           was
           the
           Fountain
           of
           the
           natural
           sensitive
           Life
           ,
           which
           was
           in
           a
           perpetual
           Flux
           ,
           the
           vital
           Heat
           wasting
           the
           radical
           Moisture
           ,
           from
           whence
           there
           was
           a
           necessity
           of
           Food
           and
           Sleep
           to
           repair
           the
           Substance
           and
           Spirits
           ,
           and
           preserve
           his
           Life
           in
           vigour
           :
           but
           in
           the
           Divine
           World
           ,
           the
           Body
           shall
           be
           spiritual
           in
           
           its
           Qualities
           and
           the
           Principle
           of
           its
           Li●e
           :
           it
           shall
           be
           supported
           by
           the
           supernatural
           Power
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           without
           the
           supplies
           of
           outward
           nourishment
           ,
           and
           exempted
           from
           all
           the
           low
           Operations
           of
           Nature
           :
           therefore
           our
           Saviour
           tells
           us
           ,
           
             the
             Children
             of
             the
             Resurrection
             shall
             be
             equal
             to
             the
             Angels
             ,
          
           prepar'd
           for
           the
           employment
           and
           Enjoyments
           of
           those
           blessed
           Spirits
           .
        
         
           And
           a
           substantial
           unfading
           Glory
           will
           shine
           in
           them
           infinitely
           above
           the
           perishing
           Pride
           of
           this
           World
           ,
           
             and
             the
             Glory
             of
             the
             Flesh
             ,
          
           that
           is
           but
           an
           appearance
           ,
           like
           the
           false
           Colours
           painted
           on
           the
           Feathers
           of
           a
           Dove
           ,
           by
           the
           reflection
           of
           the
           Light
           ,
           which
           presently
           vanishes
           ,
           when
           the
           Posture
           is
           chang'd
           ,
           or
           the
           Light
           withdrawn
           .
           Of
           this
           we
           have
           a
           sure
           Pledg
           in
           the
           glorified
           Body
           of
           Christ
           ,
           who
           is
           the
           
             first
             Fruits
             of
             them
             that
             sleep
             ;
             He
             shall
             change
             our
             vile
             Bodies
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             be
             fashion'd
             like
             to
             his
             glorious
             Body
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             working
             of
             his
             Power
             ,
             whereby
             he
             is
             able
             to
             subdue
             all
             things
             to
             himself
             .
          
           What
           can
           be
           more
           glorious
           ,
           than
           to
           be
           conform'd
           to
           the
           humanity
           of
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           ?
           This
           Conformity
           shall
           be
           the
           Work
           of
           his
           own
           Hands
           :
           
           and
           when
           Omnipotence
           interposes
           ,
           nothing
           is
           difficult
           .
           The
           raising
           the
           Body
           to
           an
           immortal
           state
           of
           Glory
           ,
           is
           as
           easy
           to
           the
           Divine
           Power
           ,
           as
           the
           forming
           it
           first
           in
           the
           Womb.
           As
           the
           Sun
           labours
           no
           more
           in
           the
           Mines
           ,
           in
           the
           forming
           Gold
           and
           Silver
           ,
           the
           most
           precious
           and
           durable
           Metals
           ,
           than
           in
           the
           production
           of
           a
           short-liv'd
           Flower
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           supream
           happiness
           of
           Man
           is
           in
           the
           Soul's
           Communion
           with
           God.
           This
           will
           appear
           by
           considering
           the
           principal
           Ingredients
           of
           Happiness
           :
           they
           are
           the
           excellence
           of
           the
           Object
           ,
           and
           the
           vigour
           of
           the
           Actings
           upon
           it
           .
           The
           Life
           and
           Blessedness
           of
           God
           ,
           is
           to
           know
           and
           love
           himself
           ,
           according
           to
           his
           infinite
           Perfections
           .
           And
           't
           is
           the
           highest
           happiness
           of
           the
           reasonable
           Creature
           to
           know
           and
           love
           God.
           For
           he
           is
           a
           spiritual
           infinite
           ,
           unchangeable
           Good
           ,
           and
           can
           fully
           communicate
           all
           that
           is
           requisite
           to
           intire
           Blessedness
           ,
           Supply
           all
           the
           Wants
           ,
           and
           satisfy
           all
           the
           Wishes
           of
           the
           immortal
           Soul.
           The
           Understanding
           and
           Will
           are
           our
           most
           comprehensive
           Faculties
           ,
           the
           principles
           of
           our
           most
           eminent
           Operations
           .
           
           To
           know
           and
           to
           love
           are
           essential
           to
           the
           reasonable
           Soul
           ,
           and
           in
           directing
           those
           Acts
           upon
           God
           ,
           the
           Rectitude
           ,
           the
           Perfection
           and
           Felicity
           of
           Man
           consists
           .
           As
           the
           intellectual
           Creature
           by
           setting
           its
           Mind
           and
           Heart
           upon
           earthly
           things
           ,
           is
           degraded
           into
           a
           lower
           order
           ,
           the
           thoughts
           and
           desires
           that
           are
           spiritual
           with
           respect
           to
           the
           principle
           from
           whence
           they
           proceed
           ,
           are
           sensual
           and
           perishing
           with
           respect
           to
           their
           Objects
           :
           So
           when
           our
           noble
           faculties
           are
           exercis'd
           in
           their
           most
           lively
           and
           vigorous
           perceptions
           upon
           the
           supream
           Good
           ,
           Man
           is
           advanc'd
           to
           an
           equality
           of
           Joy
           and
           Perfection
           with
           the
           Angels
           .
           Now
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           God
           by
           his
           most
           evident
           and
           effectual
           presence
           ,
           excites
           and
           draws
           forth
           all
           the
           active
           Powers
           of
           the
           Soul
           in
           their
           highest
           degrees
           ;
           and
           such
           is
           the
           immensity
           of
           his
           Perfections
           ,
           fills
           their
           utmost
           Capacity
           ,
           from
           whence
           a
           Divine
           pleasure
           ,
           a
           perpetual
           Satifaction
           springs
           ,
           a
           Joy
           that
           is
           as
           unspeakable
           as
           't
           is
           eternal
           .
        
         
           To
           unfold
           this
           more
           particularly
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           Understanding
           shall
           clearly
           see
           the
           most
           excellent
           Objects
           .
           
             Now
             
             we
             know
             but
             in
             part
             .
          
           
           The
           naked
           Beauty
           of
           divine
           Things
           is
           vail'd
           ,
           and
           of
           impossible
           discovery
           :
           and
           by
           natural
           or
           accidental
           weakness
           ,
           the
           Mind
           is
           not
           proportionable
           to
           sustain
           that
           dazling
           brightness
           .
           
             But
             when
             that
             which
             is
             perfect
             is
             come
             ,
             then
             that
             which
             is
             in
             part
             shall
             be
             done
             away
             .
          
           In
           that
           inlightned
           the
           State
           ,
           manifestation
           of
           the
           Objects
           shall
           abundantly
           exceed
           the
           clearest
           revealing
           of
           them
           here
           .
           And
           the
           Understanding
           shall
           be
           prepar'd
           in
           proportion
           to
           take
           a
           full
           view
           of
           them
           .
           Therefore
           the
           Apostle
           compares
           the
           several
           Periods
           of
           the
           Church
           in
           respect
           of
           the
           degrees
           of
           Knowledg
           ,
           to
           the
           several
           Ages
           of
           humane
           Life
           .
           
             When
             I
             was
             a
             Child
             ,
             I
             spoke
             as
             a
             Child
             ,
             I
             understood
             as
             a
             Child
             ,
             I
             thought
             as
             a
             Child
             :
             but
             when
             I
             became
             a
             Man
             ,
             I
             put
             away
             Childish
             things
             .
          
           In
           Children
           the
           Organs
           ,
           either
           from
           the
           excess
           of
           moisture
           ,
           or
           their
           smalness
           ,
           are
           indispos'd
           for
           the
           vigorous
           exercise
           of
           the
           Mind
           :
           some
           strictures
           of
           Reason
           appear
           ,
           a
           presaging
           sign
           what
           will
           be
           ,
           but
           mix'd
           with
           much
           obscurity
           .
           But
           when
           the
           Organs
           are
           come
           to
           their
           just
           proportion
           and
           temperament
           ,
           the
           Soul
           displays
           its
           strength
           and
           activity
           .
        
         
         
           To
           explicate
           this
           ,
           it
           is
           requisite
           to
           consider
           the
           expressions
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           that
           signify
           the
           eminent
           degrees
           of
           Knowledg
           in
           the
           Blessed
           .
           Our
           Saviour
           assures
           us
           ,
           that
           
             the
             Pure
             in
             Heart
             shall
             see
             God.
          
           Sight
           is
           the
           most
           noble
           ,
           extensive
           ,
           and
           affective
           Sense
           ,
           and
           therefore
           fit
           to
           notify
           the
           clear
           ,
           sweet
           and
           satisfying
           intuition
           of
           God
           in
           Heaven
           .
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           the
           Deity
           is
           spiritual
           and
           invisible
           to
           the
           Eye
           of
           the
           Body
           ,
           infinite
           and
           incomprehensible
           to
           the
           Eye
           of
           the
           Soul
           ;
           but
           the
           glorified
           Saints
           so
           clearly
           understand
           the
           Divine
           Perfections
           ,
           that
           our
           present
           knowledg
           of
           God
           ,
           compar'd
           to
           that
           Vision
           ,
           is
           but
           as
           the
           seeing
           of
           a
           dark
           Shadow
           in
           a
           Glass
           ,
           to
           the
           immediate
           view
           of
           the
           living
           Substance
           and
           Person
           .
           The
           discovery
           of
           the
           Deity
           to
           us
           in
           the
           present
           state
           ,
           is
           by
           his
           Works
           and
           Word
           :
           and
           both
           are
           imperfect
           ,
           and
           far
           inferiour
           to
           the
           manifestation
           in
           Heaven
           .
           The
           absolute
           fulness
           of
           Perfection
           that
           is
           inseparable
           from
           the
           Godhead
           ,
           is
           inimitable
           by
           any
           Creature
           ;
           for
           the
           Perfection
           of
           any
           Creature
           ;
           is
           limited
           in
           its
           kind
           as
           well
           as
           degrees
           .
           Therefore
           God
           was
           pleased
           by
           variety
           of
           effects
           and
           resemblances
           ,
           
           to
           express
           and
           represent
           his
           Attributes
           ,
           that
           our
           Minds
           might
           ascend
           by
           those
           steps
           to
           contemplate
           those
           Perfections
           that
           are
           in
           him
           eminently
           and
           beyond
           all
           comparison
           .
           The
           Light
           of
           Heaven
           in
           all
           its
           purity
           and
           lustre
           ,
           is
           but
           a
           shadow
           of
           his
           unapproachable
           Brightness
           :
           all
           the
           Excellencies
           of
           visible
           things
           are
           but
           a
           weak
           representation
           of
           the
           Glory
           of
           his
           Atrributes
           ,
           like
           the
           describing
           with
           a
           Coal
           the
           beautiful
           Colours
           of
           the
           Morning
           :
           and
           compar'd
           with
           the
           immensity
           of
           his
           Perfections
           ,
           are
           like
           the
           describing
           in
           a
           sheet
           of
           Paper
           the
           vast
           Celestial
           Spheres
           .
        
         
           In
           his
           Word
           there
           is
           a
           more
           clear
           and
           full
           discovery
           of
           his
           Nature
           and
           Will
           ,
           but
           according
           to
           our
           capacity
           of
           receiving
           .
           The
           Divine
           Attributes
           in
           Scripture
           are
           mask'd
           and
           shadowed
           under
           sensible
           Comparisons
           :
           for
           no
           Light
           shines
           into
           our
           Minds
           here
           but
           through
           the
           Windows
           of
           Sense
           .
           The
           intellectual
           Powers
           depend
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           first
           notices
           of
           things
           ,
           upon
           the
           lower
           Faculties
           and
           Senses
           :
           therefore
           as
           Elisha
           in
           reviving
           the
           
           Shunamite's
           Child
           ,
           contracted
           himself
           to
           the
           proportion
           of
           the
           Child
           ,
           and
           
             put
             his
             Mouth
             upon
             his
             
             Mouth
             ,
             and
             his
             Eyes
             upon
             his
             Eyes
             ,
             and
             his
             Hands
             upon
             his
             Hands
          
           ;
           so
           God
           is
           pleased
           to
           condescend
           to
           our
           Capacity
           ,
           and
           to
           adapt
           the
           Expressions
           of
           his
           Majesty
           to
           the
           narrowness
           of
           our
           Imaginations
           .
           But
           in
           Heaven
           the
           Revelation
           of
           the
           Deity
           is
           much
           more
           glorious
           :
           and
           the
           Mind
           is
           clarified
           from
           those
           terrene
           Images
           that
           flow
           through
           the
           gross
           Channels
           of
           the
           Senses
           .
           In
           this
           present
           state
           our
           purest
           Conceptions
           of
           God
           are
           mix'd
           with
           Dross
           ,
           and
           very
           imperfect
           ;
           but
           there
           the
           Gold
           shall
           be
           separated
           from
           the
           Dross
           ,
           and
           our
           Conceptions
           be
           more
           proper
           and
           becoming
           the
           Simplicity
           and
           Purity
           of
           God.
           Here
           the
           Objects
           of
           Glory
           are
           humbled
           to
           the
           perception
           of
           Sense
           :
           Hereafter
           ,
           the
           sensible
           Faculties
           shall
           be
           raised
           and
           refin'd
           ,
           and
           made
           the
           Subjects
           of
           Glory
           .
           Now
           when
           Divine
           Light
           shines
           with
           direct
           Beams
           ,
           and
           the
           thick
           Curtain
           of
           Flesh
           is
           spiritualiz'd
           and
           transparent
           ,
           the
           Soul
           enjoys
           the
           clearest
           Vision
           of
           God.
           The
           Light
           of
           Nature
           was
           so
           defective
           as
           to
           the
           discovery
           of
           God's
           Compassionate
           Counsels
           to
           save
           the
           lost
           World
           ;
           and
           the
           Minds
           of
           Men
           were
           so
           darkned
           from
           the
           Fumes
           of
           their
           Lusts
           ,
           
           that
           that
           Light
           was
           but
           the
           Hemisphere
           of
           the
           Night
           in
           comparison
           of
           the
           Revelation
           of
           the
           Gospel
           :
           as
           St.
           Peter
           expresses
           the
           happy
           Priviledg
           of
           Christians
           ,
           and
           their
           consequent
           Duty
           ,
           
             that
             they
             should
             shew
             forth
             the
             Praises
             of
             him
             who
             hath
             called
             them
             out
             of
             Darkness
             into
             his
             marvellous
             Light.
          
           And
           the
           
             Glorious
             Gospel
          
           compar'd
           to
           the
           Revelation
           of
           God
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           is
           but
           as
           the
           Twilight
           of
           the
           Morning
           ,
           wherein
           the
           Light
           of
           the
           Day
           is
           checker'd
           with
           the
           Shadows
           of
           the
           Night
           ,
           to
           the
           Sun
           in
           its
           full
           Lustre
           .
           In
           Heaven
           we
           shall
           
             see
             God
             Face
             to
             Face
          
           :
           which
           signifies
           the
           clearest
           manifestation
           of
           his
           Glory
           ,
           and
           of
           his
           Favour
           to
           the
           Blessed
           :
           for
           the
           Face
           is
           the
           Throne
           of
           Majesty
           and
           Beauty
           ,
           and
           the
           Chrystal
           wherein
           the
           Affections
           are
           conspicuous
           .
           Accordingly
           when
           Moses
           prayed
           ,
           
             I
             beseech
             thee
             shew
             me
             thy
             Glory
          
           ;
           God
           answered
           him
           ,
           it
           was
           impossible
           ,
           
             for
             no
             Man
             could
             see
             his
             Face
             ,
             and
             live
             .
          
           And
           the
           form
           of
           Divine
           Blessing
           to
           the
           People
           of
           Israel
           was
           ,
           The
           
             Lord
             make
             his
             Face
             to
             shine
             upon
             thee
             ,
             and
             be
             gracious
             to
             thee
             .
          
           Whether
           the
           immediate
           Essence
           of
           God
           can
           be
           seen
           by
           the
           intellectual
           Creature
           ,
           is
           a
           question
           ,
           but
           we
           are
           sure
           in
           
           
             the
             Heaven
             of
             Presence
          
           ,
           God
           exhibits
           himself
           to
           the
           Blessed
           in
           a
           most
           glorious
           manner
           :
           for
           according
           to
           the
           degrees
           of
           Excellency
           in
           the
           Work
           ,
           such
           are
           the
           Impressions
           and
           Discoveries
           of
           the
           Cause
           .
           Now
           all
           gross
           material
           things
           in
           the
           low
           order
           of
           Nature
           ,
           are
           but
           weak
           resultances
           from
           his
           Perfections
           ,
           in
           comparison
           of
           their
           glorious
           Effects
           in
           the
           Divine
           World.
           The
           Glories
           of
           the
           Place
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           Inhabitants
           the
           Angels
           and
           Saints
           ,
           are
           the
           most
           noble
           Effects
           and
           Expressions
           of
           the
           Divine
           Attributes
           .
           But
           in
           a
           transcendent
           manner
           God
           exhibits
           himself
           in
           the
           glorified
           Mediator
           .
           He
           is
           stiled
           
             the
             Brightness
             of
             his
             Father's
             Glory
             ,
             and
             the
             express
             Image
             of
             his
             Person
          
           ;
           to
           signify
           that
           God
           ,
           in
           the
           Person
           of
           the
           incarnate
           Mediator
           ,
           is
           so
           fully
           represented
           to
           us
           ,
           that
           in
           him
           we
           have
           a
           view
           of
           God's
           unchangeable
           Perfections
           .
           This
           appears
           by
           the
           following
           words
           ,
           
             that
             having
             purged
             us
             from
             our
             Sins
             ,
             he
             sat
             down
             on
             the
             Majesty
             on
             high
             :
          
           for
           they
           respect
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           as
           united
           to
           the
           Humane
           Nature
           ,
           in
           which
           he
           performed
           the
           Office
           of
           the
           Priesthood
           ,
           and
           took
           possession
           of
           his
           Kingdom
           .
           During
           his
           humble
           State
           ,
           
           tho
           darken'd
           with
           many
           afflicting
           Circumstances
           ,
           the
           Divine
           Vertues
           ,
           Wisdom
           ,
           Goodness
           ,
           Holiness
           ,
           Power
           ,
           were
           so
           visible
           in
           his
           Life
           ,
           Revelations
           ,
           and
           miraculous
           Works
           ,
           that
           when
           Philip
           with
           that
           ardency
           of
           Affection
           ,
           desir'd
           the
           sight
           of
           the
           Father
           ,
           the
           only
           consummate
           Blessedness
           ,
           
             shew
             us
             the
             Father
             ,
             and
             it
             suffices
             :
          
           He
           told
           him
           ,
           He
           
             that
             hath
             seen
             me
             ,
             hath
             seen
             the
             Father
             .
          
           But
           how
           brightly
           do
           they
           appear
           in
           his
           Exaltation
           ?
           We
           shall
           
             see
             him
             as
             he
             is
          
           ;
           in
           the
           Majesty
           and
           Glory
           of
           the
           Son
           of
           God.
           The
           Apostle
           says
           ,
           
             We
             shall
             know
             as
             we
             are
             known
             :
          
           This
           we
           are
           not
           to
           understand
           according
           to
           the
           exactness
           of
           the
           Expression
           ;
           for
           the
           Sun
           may
           be
           as
           well
           included
           in
           a
           spark
           of
           Fire
           ,
           as
           God
           may
           be
           comprehended
           by
           our
           finite
           Faculties
           .
           Beyond
           the
           fullest
           discoveries
           we
           can
           receive
           of
           the
           Deity
           ,
           there
           remains
           an
           intire
           infinity
           of
           Perfections
           ,
           not
           to
           be
           known
           by
           the
           most
           intelligent
           Spirits
           :
           but
           
             as
             we
             are
             known
          
           ,
           is
           a
           note
           of
           Similitude
           ,
           not
           of
           Equality
           .
           The
           Light
           of
           a
           Candle
           as
           truly
           shines
           as
           the
           Light
           of
           the
           Sun
           ,
           but
           not
           with
           that
           extent
           and
           splendor
           .
           We
           shall
           have
           such
           a
           perfect
           knowledg
           of
           God
           ,
           as
           our
           Minds
           can
           receive
           ,
           and
           our
           Hearts
           desire
           .
        
         
         
           We
           shall
           then
           see
           what
           we
           now
           believe
           concerning
           the
           glorious
           Nature
           of
           God
           ,
           his
           Decrees
           and
           Counsels
           ,
           his
           Providence
           and
           Dispensations
           .
           The
           sublimest
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           ,
           above
           the
           disquisition
           and
           reach
           of
           Reason
           ,
           is
           that
           of
           the
           Sacred
           Trinity
           ,
           upon
           which
           the
           whole
           Oeconomy
           of
           the
           Gospel
           depends
           .
           In
           assenting
           to
           this
           ,
           Faith
           bows
           the
           Head
           and
           adores
           .
           But
           such
           is
           the
           pride
           of
           the
           Carnal
           Mind
           ,
           that
           it
           disdains
           to
           stoop
           to
           Divine
           Revelation
           :
           and
           the
           seeming
           wise
           Philosophers
           despised
           the
           Primitive
           Christians
           as
           Captives
           of
           a
           blind
           Belief
           .
           But
           this
           foul
           Reproach
           was
           as
           unjust
           as
           many
           others
           wherewith
           they
           designed
           to
           disgrace
           Christianity
           ;
           for
           the
           humility
           of
           Faith
           does
           not
           extinguish
           or
           darken
           the
           Light
           of
           Reason
           ,
           but
           revives
           and
           increases
           it
           :
           what
           is
           more
           suitable
           to
           uncorrupt
           Reason
           ,
           than
           to
           believe
           the
           Revelation
           God
           affords
           of
           his
           own
           Nature
           who
           cannot
           deceive
           us
           ?
           In
           the
           State
           above
           ,
           where
           reason
           is
           rectified
           and
           inlarged
           ,
           we
           shall
           understand
           that
           from
           Eternity
           God
           was
           sole
           existing
           ,
           but
           not
           solitary
           ;
           that
           the
           Godhead
           is
           not
           confus'd
           in
           Unity
           ,
           nor
           divided
           in
           number
           ;
           that
           
           there
           is
           a
           priority
           of
           Order
           ,
           but
           no
           superiority
           among
           the
           Sacred
           Persons
           ,
           but
           they
           are
           all
           equally
           possess'd
           of
           the
           same
           Divine
           Excellencies
           ,
           and
           the
           same
           Divine
           Empire
           ,
           and
           are
           the
           Object
           of
           the
           same
           Divine
           Adoration
           .
           Our
           Saviour
           tells
           his
           Disciples
           ,
           
             In
             that
             Day
             ye
             shall
             know
             ,
             that
             I
             am
             in
             the
             Father
             ,
          
           that
           is
           by
           unity
           of
           Essence
           ,
           and
           as
           naturally
           and
           necessarily
           God
           as
           the
           Father
           .
           This
           Promise
           immediately
           refers
           to
           the
           time
           of
           pouring
           forth
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           upon
           them
           ,
           after
           the
           Resurrection
           of
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           but
           shall
           be
           fully
           accomplish'd
           in
           Heaven
           .
        
         
           All
           things
           of
           a
           supernatural
           Order
           shall
           be
           reveal'd
           .
           The
           
             great
             Mystery
             of
             Godliness
             ,
             God
             manifest
             in
             the
             Flesh
             ,
          
           the
           union
           of
           the
           high
           Perfections
           of
           the
           Divine
           Nature
           ,
           with
           the
           innocent
           Imperfections
           of
           the
           Humane
           Nature
           ,
           the
           contrivance
           of
           our
           Redemption
           ,
           wherein
           there
           is
           an
           harmonious
           concurrence
           and
           concord
           of
           the
           principal
           Attributes
           of
           the
           Deity
           that
           seem'd
           irreconcileable
           :
           that
           product
           of
           the
           Divine
           Wisdom
           that
           is
           so
           ador'd
           by
           the
           Angels
           ,
           that
           astonishes
           and
           saves
           us
           ,
           shall
           be
           unfolded
           .
           The
           Divine
           Counsels
           in
           governing
           the
           World
           ,
           the
           Designs
           ,
           
           the
           Ways
           ,
           the
           Orders
           and
           Operations
           of
           God's
           Providence
           shall
           be
           conspicuous
           .
           In
           some
           Dispensations
           of
           God
           ,
           we
           discern
           the
           Eye
           in
           the
           top
           of
           his
           Scepter
           :
           the
           Wisdom
           ,
           the
           Rectitude
           ,
           the
           equity
           of
           his
           Providence
           is
           so
           visible
           in
           the
           defence
           of
           the
           Innocent
           ,
           and
           his
           Justice
           and
           Power
           in
           the
           punishment
           of
           the
           Guilty
           ,
           that
           it
           may
           convince
           the
           Atheists
           who
           deny
           a
           Providence
           ,
           and
           causes
           all
           sincere
           Believers
           to
           admire
           and
           reverence
           it
           .
           But
           there
           are
           other
           Dispensations
           ,
           the
           immediate
           Reasons
           of
           which
           are
           so
           conceal'd
           in
           the
           Bosom
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           only
           the
           Lamb
           with
           whose
           Blood
           the
           Elect
           to
           Glory
           are
           written
           in
           the
           Book
           of
           Life
           ,
           can
           reveal
           :
           Why
           the
           Light
           of
           the
           Gospel
           was
           never
           visible
           to
           so
           many
           Kingdoms
           ;
           
             why
             many
             are
             called
             ,
             and
             few
             chosen
             ,
          
           the
           unsearchable
           Ways
           ,
           and
           incomprehensible
           Judgments
           of
           God
           ,
           which
           St.
           Paul
           in
           an
           extasy
           admires
           ,
           which
           't
           is
           not
           lawful
           to
           inquire
           in
           here
           ,
           we
           shall
           then
           understand
           in
           such
           a
           manner
           ,
           that
           Light
           it self
           is
           not
           more
           clear
           .
           How
           often
           are
           the
           People
           of
           God
           here
           in
           miserable
           Perplexities
           ?
           and
           say
           with
           the
           Prophets
           ,
           
             Verily
             thou
             art
             a
             God
             that
             hidest
             thy self
             ,
             O
             God
             of
          
           
           Israel
           
             the
             Saviour
          
           !
           'T
           is
           true
           a
           stedfast
           Faith
           in
           the
           Providence
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           all
           that
           he
           does
           ,
           and
           all
           that
           he
           permits
           and
           disposes
           is
           best
           ,
           will
           quiet
           their
           Passions
           ,
           and
           change
           the
           tempestuous
           Ocean
           into
           the
           pacifick-Sea
           :
           but
           when
           they
           are
           admitted
           into
           the
           Council
           of
           State
           above
           ,
           and
           see
           the
           immediate
           Reasons
           of
           his
           Decrees
           ,
           what
           a
           heavenly
           Wonder
           ,
           what
           an
           exquisite
           Pleasure
           will
           fill
           their
           Minds
           ?
           when
           the
           original
           Fountains
           of
           Wisdom
           ,
           as
           clear
           as
           deep
           ,
           shall
           be
           open'd
           ,
           what
           sweet
           Satisfaction
           will
           be
           shed
           abroad
           in
           their
           Spirits
           ?
           They
           will
           see
           the
           Beauty
           of
           Providence
           in
           disposing
           temporal
           Evils
           in
           order
           to
           their
           eternal
           Felicity
           :
           that
           as
           in
           a
           curious
           Picture
           the
           darkest
           Tinctures
           are
           so
           dispos'd
           ,
           as
           to
           give
           Life
           and
           Grace
           to
           the
           orient
           Colours
           :
           So
           all
           the
           Afflictions
           of
           this
           State
           were
           but
           shadows
           or
           foiles
           ,
           to
           make
           their
           Faith
           ,
           and
           Love
           ,
           and
           Patience
           more
           resplendent
           ,
           and
           their
           Reward
           more
           excellent
           .
           What
           our
           Saviour
           said
           to
           Peter
           ,
           is
           applicable
           to
           the
           impenetrable
           dispensations
           of
           Providence
           to
           us
           in
           our
           mortal
           State
           :
           
             What
             I
             do
             ,
             thou
             knowest
             not
             now
             ,
             but
             shall
             know
             hereafter
             :
          
           
           then
           the
           
             Arcana
             Imperii
          
           ,
           the
           Secrets
           of
           his
           Counsels
           ,
           shall
           be
           unsealed
           ,
           and
           we
           shall
           be
           able
           to
           expound
           the
           perplexing
           Riddle
           ,
           how
           
             out
             of
             the
             Eater
             came
             Meat
             ,
             and
             out
             of
             the
             Strong
             came
             Sweetness
             :
          
           we
           shall
           understand
           that
           his
           over-ruling
           Providence
           is
           most
           eminently
           glorified
           in
           extracting
           Good
           out
           of
           Evil
           ;
           
             for
             we
             shall
             know
             as
             we
             are
             known
             .
          
        
         
           2.
           
           I
           will
           consider
           the
           blessed
           Effects
           of
           the
           Vision
           of
           God
           in
           Heaven
           upon
           the
           Saints
           .
           Our
           Saviour
           tells
           us
           ,
           
             This
             is
             Life
             eternal
             ,
             to
             know
             thee
             the
             only
             true
             God
             ,
             and
             Jesus
             Christ
             whom
             thou
             hast
             sent
             .
          
           The
           beginning
           and
           introduction
           of
           our
           Felicity
           ,
           is
           by
           a
           lively
           Faith
           here
           ,
           the
           consummation
           of
           it
           is
           by
           present
           sight
           in
           Heaven
           .
           From
           the
           Vision
           of
           his
           Glory
           ,
           there
           will
           be
           a
           resultance
           of
           his
           likeness
           imprest
           on
           us
           .
           
             We
             shall
             be
             like
             him
             ,
             for
             we
             shall
             see
             him
             as
             he
             is
             .
          
           All
           the
           Perfection
           and
           Happiness
           of
           the
           Saints
           is
           comprised
           in
           that
           Promise
           .
           The
           Sun
           ,
           when
           the
           Sky
           is
           clear
           and
           serene
           ,
           forms
           its
           Image
           on
           a
           Cloud
           temper'd
           to
           receive
           it
           ,
           with
           that
           orient
           brightness
           ,
           that
           the
           Eye
           cannot
           distinguish
           between
           the
           Copy
           and
           the
           Original
           .
           
           Thus
           the
           uncreated
           Sun
           by
           powerful
           emanations
           transforms
           the
           Soul
           into
           its
           likeness
           ,
           in
           that
           divine
           Degree
           of
           Holiness
           and
           Felicity
           ,
           as
           gloriously
           resembles
           God.
           Moses
           by
           conversing
           with
           God
           in
           the
           Mount
           ,
           and
           seeing
           his
           back-parts
           ,
           return'd
           to
           the
           Israelites
           with
           such
           a
           radiancy
           in
           his
           Face
           ;
           that
           they
           could
           not
           look
           on
           it
           without
           a
           Vail
           .
           What
           an
           impression
           of
           Glory
           is
           in
           the
           Saints
           ,
           who
           see
           his
           Perfections
           in
           their
           infinite
           lustre
           ?
           'T
           is
           the
           priviledge
           of
           Christians
           in
           this
           Life
           ,
           above
           the
           Church
           under
           the
           Law
           ,
           
             They
             behold
             in
             the
             Gospel
             as
             in
             a
             Glass
             ,
             the
             Glory
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             are
             chang'd
             into
             the
             same
             Image
             ,
             from
             Glory
             to
             Glory
             :
          
           they
           become
           more
           Holy
           and
           Heavenly
           ,
           more
           purified
           and
           adorn'd
           with
           his
           Vertues
           and
           Graces
           .
           Now
           if
           the
           Vision
           of
           Christ
           here
           in
           a
           Glass
           ,
           an
           eclipsing
           Medium
           ,
           be
           so
           influxive
           upon
           Believers
           ,
           what
           an
           illustrious
           and
           infallible
           efficacy
           has
           the
           immediate
           ,
           clear
           ,
           and
           permanent
           view
           of
           his
           Glory
           upon
           the
           Saints
           in
           Heaven
           ?
           That
           sight
           is
           productive
           and
           conservative
           of
           his
           Image
           in
           its
           purity
           and
           perfection
           for
           ever
           .
        
         
         
           The
           Divine
           Presence
           affects
           the
           Saints
           with
           the
           most
           humble
           reverence
           and
           solemn
           veneration
           of
           God.
           This
           is
           an
           eternal
           respect
           due
           from
           the
           intellectual
           Creature
           to
           the
           Creatour
           ,
           upon
           the
           account
           of
           his
           infinite
           and
           incommunicable
           Excellencies
           .
           He
           is
           distinguish'd
           not
           only
           from
           Idols
           ,
           but
           from
           Creatures
           of
           the
           highest
           Order
           ,
           by
           his
           essential
           supreme
           ,
           and
           singular
           Name
           ,
           
             I
             AM.
          
           Every
           kind
           of
           Being
           ,
           every
           spark
           of
           Life
           ,
           every
           degree
           of
           Perfection
           is
           from
           his
           Efficiency
           ,
           and
           depends
           entirely
           upon
           his
           supporting
           Power
           .
           The
           most
           eminent
           Qualities
           of
           the
           Creatures
           are
           but
           in
           show
           and
           appearance
           ,
           compar'd
           with
           the
           reality
           and
           stability
           of
           his
           glorious
           Nature
           .
           In
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           Wisdom
           ,
           Holiness
           ,
           Goodness
           ,
           Power
           ,
           Truth
           ,
           Immortality
           ,
           are
           attributed
           to
           God
           ,
           with
           the
           exclusion
           of
           all
           Creatures
           from
           those
           Prerogatives
           ;
           they
           being
           his
           essential
           ,
           infinite
           and
           wise
           incomparable
           Perfections
           .
           They
           are
           separable
           Qualities
           in
           the
           Creatures
           ,
           like
           the
           gilding
           and
           enamaling
           of
           baser
           Metal
           :
           but
           in
           the
           Deity
           ,
           they
           are
           like
           substantial
           massy
           Gold.
           There
           is
           a
           vast
           distance
           between
           
           created
           Beings
           ;
           but
           the
           Distance
           between
           a
           Fly
           ,
           or
           a
           Worm
           ,
           and
           an
           Angel
           ,
           is
           nothing
           to
           the
           distance
           between
           an
           Arch-angel
           and
           God
           :
           there
           being
           no
           comparison
           between
           finite
           and
           infinite
           .
           All
           Creatures
           equally
           vanish
           ,
           and
           disappear
           as
           nothing
           compar'd
           to
           the
           glorious
           Creatour
           .
           As
           if
           one
           from
           the
           Region
           of
           the
           Stars
           should
           look
           down
           upon
           the
           Earth
           ,
           the
           Mountains
           and
           Hills
           with
           the
           Vallies
           ,
           would
           appear
           one
           flat
           Surface
           ,
           an
           equal
           Plain
           ,
           the
           height
           and
           the
           lowness
           of
           the
           several
           parts
           being
           indiscernible
           at
           that
           immense
           distance
           .
        
         
           Now
           in
           Heaven
           the
           Divine
           Majesty
           is
           most
           visible
           and
           most
           awful
           and
           adorable
           .
           The
           sublimest
           Spirits
           
             cover
             their
             Faces
          
           before
           his
           glorious
           Brightness
           .
           The
           Prophet
           Isaiah
           had
           a
           representation
           of
           Heaven
           :
           
             I
             saw
             the
             Lord
             sitting
             upon
             a
             Throne
             high
             and
             lifted
             up
             ,
             and
             his
             Train
             filled
             the
             Temple
             .
             Above
             it
             stood
             the
             Seraphims
             :
             each
             one
             had
             six
             Wings
             :
             With
             twain
             he
             cover'd
             his
             Face
             ,
             with
             twain
             he
             cover'd
             his
             Feet
             ,
             with
             twain
             he
             did
             fly
             .
             And
             one
             cried
             to
             another
             ,
             and
             said
             Holy
             ,
             holy
             ,
             holy
             Lord
             of
             Hosts
             ,
             the
             whole
             Earth
             is
             full
             of
             his
             Glory
             .
          
           They
           highly
           honour
           
           him
           ,
           by
           the
           reflection
           of
           his
           separate
           and
           peerless
           Excellencies
           ,
           his
           Almighty
           Power
           ,
           his
           Infinite
           Supremacy
           and
           Eternal
           Empire
           ,
           in
           their
           consert
           of
           Praises
           .
        
         
           This
           is
           the
           principal
           Duty
           of
           Angels
           and
           Men
           to
           the
           blessed
           Creator
           for
           his
           admirable
           Perfections
           ,
           and
           his
           excellent
           Benefits
           .
           The
           Evidence
           of
           it
           is
           so
           entire
           ,
           that
           the
           reasonable
           Mind
           cannot
           suspend
           its
           Assent
           :
           for
           Goodness
           and
           Beauty
           ,
           the
           Fruit
           and
           the
           Flower
           of
           amiable
           Things
           ,
           do
           so
           recommend
           them
           to
           the
           Understanding
           and
           Will
           ,
           that
           they
           powerfully
           allure
           and
           engage
           the
           Affections
           .
           Now
           these
           are
           in
           God
           in
           unspeakable
           degrees
           of
           Eminence
           .
           The
           Prophet
           breaks
           out
           in
           a
           rapture
           ,
           
             How
             great
             is
             his
             Goodness
             ,
             how
             great
             is
             his
             Beauty
             !
          
        
         
           'T
           was
           a
           Precept
           of
           the
           Ceremonial
           Law
           ,
           that
           the
           Firstlings
           of
           the
           Flock
           ,
           and
           the
           first
           and
           best
           Fruits
           of
           the
           Earth
           should
           be
           offer'd
           to
           God
           ;
           not
           as
           if
           the
           first
           that
           open'd
           the
           Belly
           was
           more
           valuable
           in
           his
           Account
           than
           the
           last
           ,
           or
           the
           most
           early
           Fruits
           in
           the
           Spring
           more
           pleasing
           to
           him
           than
           the
           later
           in
           the
           Autumn
           ;
           but
           't
           was
           instructive
           ,
           that
           our
           Love
           ,
           the
           
             first
             born
             
             of
             the
             Soul
             ,
             and
             the
             beginning
             of
             its
             strength
             ,
          
           should
           be
           consecrated
           to
           God.
           
        
         
           2.
           
           In
           Heaven
           the
           Saints
           as
           perfectly
           love
           God
           as
           they
           know
           him
           .
           The
           Love
           of
           God
           is
           the
           Essential
           Character
           of
           a
           Saint
           ,
           that
           distinguishes
           him
           from
           the
           Unregenerate
           .
           Indeed
           ,
           it
           is
           strange
           that
           God
           ,
           who
           is
           infinitely
           lovely
           ,
           and
           infinitely
           liberal
           and
           benificent
           ,
           should
           not
           prevail
           on
           the
           Hearts
           of
           all
           Men
           ;
           but
           if
           we
           consider
           the
           degeneracy
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           how
           their
           Minds
           are
           depraved
           and
           deceived
           ,
           and
           their
           Affections
           are
           vitiated
           ,
           the
           Wonder
           will
           cease
           .
           Carnal
           Men
           have
           not
           due
           Conceptions
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           will
           not
           attentively
           observe
           his
           amiable
           Perfections
           .
           St.
           John
           tells
           us
           ,
           
             He
             that
             loveth
             not
             ,
             doth
             not
             know
             God.
          
           Knowledg
           is
           the
           leading
           Principle
           in
           the
           Operations
           of
           the
           Soul.
           There
           must
           be
           a
           heavenly
           Eye
           to
           discover
           the
           heavenly
           Beauty
           ,
           before
           there
           can
           be
           love
           of
           it
           .
           Now
           Men
           are
           in
           ignorant
           darkness
           ,
           and
           are
           defiled
           in
           Flesh
           and
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           therefore
           cannot
           love
           God
           who
           is
           glorious
           in
           Holiness
           .
           Without
           resemblance
           there
           can
           be
           no
           affectionate
           Union
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           Essence
           of
           Love.
           The
           contrariety
           
           of
           Dispositions
           infers
           a
           contrariety
           of
           Affections
           .
           The
           Scripture
           expresses
           this
           in
           dreadful
           Colours
           :
           
             The
             carnal
             Mind
             is
             enmity
             against
             God
             :
             the
             Friendship
             of
             the
             World
             is
             enmity
             with
             God
             :
          
           that
           is
           ,
           Pride
           ,
           and
           Covetousness
           ,
           and
           Sensuality
           ,
           which
           are
           the
           Lusts
           of
           the
           Carnal
           Mind
           ,
           and
           are
           terminated
           upon
           worldly
           Things
           ,
           are
           inconsistent
           with
           the
           Love
           of
           God.
           The
           Justice
           of
           God
           is
           terrible
           to
           the
           Consciences
           ,
           and
           his
           Holiness
           odious
           to
           the
           Affections
           of
           the
           Unrenewed
           ;
           'Till
           by
           Divine
           Grace
           the
           Understanding
           is
           enlightned
           and
           purified
           to
           have
           right
           apprehensions
           of
           God
           ;
           till
           the
           Will
           and
           Affections
           are
           cleansed
           and
           changed
           ;
           till
           there
           be
           a
           resemblance
           of
           God's
           holy
           Nature
           ,
           and
           a
           conformity
           to
           his
           holy
           Laws
           ,
           they
           are
           not
           capable
           of
           delightful
           adhering
           to
           him
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           internal
           essential
           Property
           of
           Love.
           
        
         
           But
           those
           who
           are
           partakers
           of
           the
           Divine
           Nature
           ,
           the
           holy
           and
           heavenly
           taste
           ,
           and
           see
           how
           good
           the
           Lord
           is
           ,
           and
           according
           to
           the
           Illustrations
           of
           the
           Mind
           ,
           such
           are
           the
           Impressions
           upon
           the
           Heart
           ;
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           in
           their
           Breasts
           here
           is
           like
           smoaking
           Flax
           ,
           but
           in
           Heaven
           't
           is
           a
           
           triumphant
           Flame
           .
           God
           is
           the
           first
           Fair
           ,
           the
           Original
           of
           all
           amiable
           Excellencies
           ,
           in
           whom
           they
           shine
           in
           their
           unstained
           Lustre
           and
           Perfection
           ;
           when
           he
           fully
           reveals
           himself
           ,
           and
           displays
           the
           richest
           Beams
           of
           his
           Love
           and
           Glory
           ,
           how
           transporting
           and
           endearing
           is
           that
           Sight
           ?
           Our
           Affections
           that
           are
           now
           scatter'd
           on
           many
           things
           ,
           wherein
           some
           faint
           Reflections
           of
           his
           Goodness
           appear
           ,
           shall
           then
           be
           united
           in
           one
           full
           Current
           to
           him
           ,
           
             who
             is
             all
             in
             all
          
           .
           In
           Heaven
           the
           immense
           Treasures
           of
           his
           Grace
           are
           reveal'd
           :
           That
           when
           Man
           for
           his
           rebellious
           Sin
           was
           justly
           expell'd
           from
           Paradise
           ,
           and
           under
           the
           Sentence
           of
           Eternal
           Death
           ,
           God
           should
           not
           only
           pardon
           ,
           but
           prefer
           us
           to
           the
           dignity
           of
           his
           Children
           ,
           and
           prepare
           such
           a
           Glory
           for
           us
           ,
           and
           us
           for
           such
           a
           Glory
           .
           This
           will
           inspire
           the
           Saints
           with
           such
           ardent
           Affections
           ,
           that
           will
           make
           them
           equal
           to
           the
           Angels
           ,
           those
           pure
           and
           everlasting
           Flames
           of
           Love
           to
           God.
           
        
         
           In
           Heaven
           we
           shall
           be
           
             with
             Jesus
             the
             Mediator
             of
             the
             New
             Covenant
             ,
             who
             is
             seated
             at
             the
             right
             Hand
             of
             God.
          
           And
           how
           admirable
           will
           he
           appear
           to
           the
           Sense
           and
           Soul
           of
           every
           glorified
           Saint
           ?
           
           for
           
             we
             shall
             see
             the
             King
             in
             his
             Beauty
             .
          
           When
           our
           Saviour
           was
           upon
           the
           Holy
           Mount
           ,
           and
           one
           vanishing
           Beam
           of
           Glory
           appear'd
           in
           his
           Transfiguration
           ,
           Peter
           was
           so
           transported
           at
           the
           sight
           ,
           that
           he
           forgot
           the
           World
           and
           himself
           :
           How
           ravishing
           then
           will
           the
           sight
           of
           him
           in
           his
           Triumphant
           Majesty
           be
           ,
           when
           we
           shall
           be
           transfigur'd
           our selves
           ?
           Now
           while
           Believers
           are
           in
           the
           shadows
           of
           the
           earthly
           State
           ,
           they
           
             love
             their
             unseen
             Saviour
          
           with
           such
           intense
           degrees
           of
           affection
           ,
           as
           deface
           all
           the
           washy
           Colours
           ,
           all
           the
           vain
           loves
           of
           things
           in
           this
           World
           :
           but
           when
           they
           are
           admitted
           into
           his
           shining
           Presence
           ,
           and
           see
           him
           in
           the
           day
           of
           Celestial
           Glory
           ;
           with
           what
           an
           extasy
           of
           Affection
           will
           they
           be
           transported
           ?
        
         
           We
           shall
           then
           feel
           the
           endearing
           Obligations
           our
           Saviour
           has
           laid
           upon
           us
           ,
           who
           ransom'd
           us
           with
           so
           rich
           a
           Price
           ,
           and
           purchas'd
           for
           us
           such
           an
           unvaluable
           Inheritance
           .
           For
           in
           proportion
           as
           we
           shall
           understand
           his
           Greatness
           in
           himself
           ,
           we
           shall
           his
           Goodness
           to
           us
           .
           The
           Eternal
           Son
           of
           God
           descended
           from
           the
           Heaven
           of
           Heavens
           to
           our
           lowly
           Earth
           ;
           and
           which
           is
           more
           ,
           from
           the
           Majesty
           wherein
           he
           there
           reign'd
           ,
           and
           
           was
           visible
           to
           the
           Angels
           ,
           he
           became
           Man
           that
           he
           might
           die
           ,
           to
           redeem
           us
           from
           the
           most
           woful
           Captivity
           ,
           from
           
             Death
             ,
             and
             the
             sting
             of
             Death
             ,
             Sin
             ,
             and
             the
             strength
             of
             Sin
             ,
             the
             Law
             ,
          
           and
           obtain
           a
           blessed
           Life
           and
           Immortality
           for
           us
           .
           O
           unexampled
           Love
           !
           
             Greater
             Love
             hath
             no
             Man
             than
             this
             ,
             to
             lay
             down
             his
             Life
             for
             his
             Friend
             :
          
           And
           what
           is
           the
           Life
           of
           a
           sinful
           Man
           ,
           a
           vanishing
           Vapour
           ,
           a
           Life
           mix'd
           with
           Troubles
           and
           Vexation
           ;
           and
           to
           lay
           down
           this
           for
           a
           Friend
           deservedly
           dear
           ,
           is
           the
           highest
           expression
           of
           humane
           Love
           :
           But
           for
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           to
           lay
           down
           his
           Life
           ,
           a
           Life
           without
           Sin
           ,
           and
           without
           End
           ,
           for
           Immortality
           was
           a
           Privilege
           due
           to
           his
           Innocence
           ,
           and
           for
           Enemies
           ,
           for
           the
           worst
           Enemies
           ,
           Rebels
           by
           revolture
           from
           obedience
           to
           their
           Creator
           and
           King
           ,
           is
           a
           Love
           truly
           Divine
           ,
           and
           infinitely
           surpassing
           ,
           not
           only
           the
           Affections
           ,
           but
           the
           
             understanding
             and
             knowledg
             of
             all
             Creatures
             .
          
           
           Briefly
           ,
           he
           gave
           his
           Life
           for
           us
           ,
           and
           gives
           himself
           to
           us
           ,
           the
           most
           excellent
           testimonies
           of
           Love
           that
           we
           can
           receive
           from
           Love
           it self
           ,
           and
           we
           shall
           love
           him
           with
           all
           the
           strength
           of
           our
           glorified
           Spirits
           .
        
         
         
           3.
           
           Union
           with
           God
           by
           Knowledg
           and
           Love
           ,
           accomplishes
           the
           Perfection
           and
           Happiness
           of
           the
           Saints
           .
           The
           most
           pernicious
           effect
           of
           Sin
           ,
           is
           the
           separation
           of
           the
           Soul
           from
           God
           :
           and
           the
           restoral
           of
           us
           to
           Happiness
           ,
           is
           by
           re-union
           with
           him
           .
           This
           we
           obtain
           by
           Christ
           ,
           who
           is
           Emanuel
           in
           his
           Nature
           ,
           and
           by
           Office
           ,
           who
           took
           our
           Flesh
           which
           he
           offer'd
           as
           a
           Sacrifice
           to
           God
           to
           atone
           his
           Displeasure
           ,
           and
           gives
           his
           
             Spirit
             to
             dwell
             in
             us
          
           ,
           as
           a
           permanent
           active
           Principle
           ,
           by
           whose
           special
           operation
           Faith
           is
           produc'd
           in
           our
           Hearts
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           such
           a
           belief
           of
           his
           Love
           in
           redeeming
           us
           ,
           as
           inspires
           us
           with
           a
           sincere
           and
           superlative
           Love
           to
           him
           ;
           and
           by
           these
           vital
           Bands
           we
           are
           united
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           as
           his
           true
           Members
           ,
           live
           the
           same
           Life
           with
           him
           in
           Grace
           and
           Glory
           .
        
         
           Now
           in
           Heaven
           our
           Union
           with
           God
           is
           more
           near
           and
           noble
           ,
           more
           intimate
           and
           influential
           ,
           more
           inseparable
           and
           eternal
           .
           'T
           is
           observable
           in
           natural
           Causalties
           ,
           that
           what
           is
           of
           a
           more
           refin'd
           and
           purer
           Nature
           ,
           is
           more
           active
           and
           penetrating
           ,
           and
           more
           closely
           unites
           with
           other
           things
           ,
           than
           what
           is
           more
           gross
           and
           material
           .
           Light
           ,
           
           which
           is
           the
           purest
           Quality
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           actuates
           all
           Colours
           ,
           and
           makes
           them
           visible
           ,
           and
           actuates
           the
           Eye
           ,
           and
           conveys
           the
           lively
           Image
           of
           the
           Object
           with
           shining
           Evidence
           into
           it
           .
           The
           Sun
           shoots
           its
           invisible
           Virtue
           into
           the
           deepest
           Mines
           .
           Fire
           is
           more
           subtile
           and
           pure
           than
           Water
           ,
           and
           will
           pierce
           into
           solid
           Metals
           ,
           which
           the
           Water
           cannot
           soak
           into
           .
           The
           glowing
           Iron
           seems
           to
           be
           all
           Fire
           .
           Now
           God
           is
           the
           purest
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           of
           infinite
           energy
           ,
           and
           can
           unite
           himself
           to
           our
           Spirits
           ,
           more
           intimately
           than
           the
           closest
           Union
           between
           any
           Creatures
           in
           the
           World.
           He
           unites
           himself
           to
           the
           Understanding
           by
           an
           immediate
           irradiation
           ,
           and
           discovery
           of
           his
           glorious
           Excellencies
           .
           
             In
             thy
             Light
          
           ,
           saith
           the
           Psalmist
           ,
           
             we
             shall
             see
             Light.
          
           He
           unites
           himself
           to
           the
           Will
           ,
           by
           the
           infusion
           of
           his
           Love
           ,
           and
           by
           that
           ,
           drawing
           forth
           our
           Love
           to
           him
           .
           This
           Union
           is
           compleat
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           most
           communicative
           of
           the
           Divine
           Influences
           to
           the
           Saints
           ,
           and
           consequently
           their
           conformity
           and
           fruition
           of
           God
           ,
           is
           in
           the
           highest
           degrees
           that
           created
           Spirits
           are
           capable
           of
           .
           This
           is
           the
           most
           desireable
           and
           perfect
           State
           of
           reasonable
           Creatures
           ;
           for
           God
           
           is
           the
           ever-flowing
           Fountain
           of
           Felicity
           ,
           the
           only
           stable
           Center
           of
           the
           Soul
           ,
           wherein
           it
           reposes
           it self
           for
           ever
           .
           Accordingly
           the
           Psalmist
           speaks
           ,
           
             Return
             to
             thy
             Rest
             ,
             O
             my
             Soul
             ,
             for
             the
             Lord
             hath
             dealt
             bountifully
             with
             thee
             .
          
        
         
           When
           the
           Soul
           opens
           its
           Eyes
           to
           the
           clear
           discoveries
           of
           the
           first
           Truth
           ,
           in
           which
           is
           no
           shadow
           of
           Error
           ,
           and
           its
           Breast
           to
           the
           dear
           and
           intimate
           imbraces
           of
           the
           Supream
           Good
           ,
           in
           which
           is
           no
           mixture
           of
           Evil
           ,
           and
           beyond
           which
           nothing
           remains
           to
           be
           known
           ,
           nothing
           to
           be
           enjoy'd
           ,
           what
           a
           Deluge
           of
           the
           purest
           and
           sweetest
           Pleasures
           will
           overflow
           it
           ?
           We
           cannot
           ascend
           in
           our
           Thoughts
           so
           high
           ,
           as
           to
           conceive
           the
           excess
           of
           Joy
           that
           attends
           those
           Operations
           of
           the
           glorified
           Soul
           upon
           its
           proper
           Object
           .
           But
           something
           we
           may
           conjecture
           .
        
         
           Those
           who
           are
           possess'd
           with
           a
           noble
           Passion
           for
           Knowledg
           ,
           how
           do
           they
           despise
           all
           lower
           Pleasures
           in
           comparison
           of
           it
           ?
           How
           do
           they
           forget
           themselves
           ,
           neglect
           the
           Body
           ,
           and
           retire
           into
           the
           Mind
           ,
           the
           highest
           part
           of
           Man
           ,
           and
           nearest
           to
           God
           ?
           The
           bare
           apprehension
           of
           such
           things
           that
           by
           their
           internal
           Nature
           have
           no
           attractive
           
           influence
           upon
           the
           Affections
           ,
           is
           pleasant
           to
           the
           Understanding
           .
           As
           the
           appearance
           of
           Light
           ,
           though
           not
           attended
           with
           any
           other
           visible
           Beauties
           ,
           refreshes
           the
           Eye
           after
           long
           darkness
           :
           So
           the
           clear
           discovery
           of
           Truths
           ,
           how
           abstract
           so
           ever
           ,
           that
           were
           before
           unknown
           ,
           is
           grateful
           to
           the
           intellective
           Faculty
           .
           Thus
           some
           have
           been
           strangely
           transported
           with
           the
           pleasure
           of
           a
           Mathematical
           Demonstration
           ,
           when
           the
           Evidence
           ,
           not
           the
           Importance
           ,
           of
           the
           thing
           was
           so
           ravishing
           ;
           for
           what
           is
           more
           dry
           and
           barren
           of
           delight
           than
           the
           speculation
           of
           Figures
           and
           Numbers
           ?
           Solon
           when
           near
           his
           End
           ,
           and
           some
           of
           his
           Friends
           that
           visited
           him
           were
           speaking
           softly
           of
           a
           Point
           of
           Philosophy
           ,
           by
           that
           sound
           of
           Wisdom
           was
           awaken'd
           from
           the
           sleep
           of
           Death
           that
           was
           just
           seizing
           on
           him
           ,
           and
           opening
           his
           Eyes
           ,
           raising
           his
           Head
           to
           give
           attention
           ;
           being
           ask'd
           the
           reason
           of
           it
           ?
           Answered
           ,
           
             That
             when
          
           *
           
             I
             understand
             what
             you
             are
             discoursing
             of
             ,
             I
             may
             die
             .
          
           Such
           was
           his
           delight
           in
           Knowledg
           ,
           that
           a
           little
           of
           it
           made
           his
           Agony
           insensible
           .
        
         
           But
           here
           are
           many
           Imperfections
           that
           lessen
           this
           intellectual
           Pleasure
           ,
           
           which
           shall
           cease
           in
           Heaven
           .
           Here
           the
           acquisition
           of
           Knowledg
           is
           often
           with
           the
           expence
           of
           Health
           :
           The
           Flower
           of
           the
           Spirits
           ,
           necessary
           for
           natural
           Operations
           ,
           is
           wasted
           by
           intense
           Thoughts
           .
           How
           often
           are
           the
           Learned
           sickly
           ?
           As
           the
           Flint
           when
           't
           is
           struck
           ,
           gives
           not
           a
           spark
           without
           consuming
           it self
           ;
           So
           Knowledg
           is
           obtain'd
           by
           Studies
           that
           waste
           our
           faint
           sensitive
           Faculties
           .
           But
           then
           our
           Knowledg
           shall
           be
           a
           free
           emanation
           from
           the
           spring
           of
           Truth
           ,
           without
           our
           labour
           and
           pains
           .
           Here
           we
           learn
           by
           circuit
           ,
           and
           discern
           by
           comparing
           things
           ;
           ignorant
           darkness
           is
           dispell'd
           by
           a
           gradual
           succession
           of
           Light
           :
           But
           then
           perfect
           Knowledg
           shall
           be
           infused
           in
           a
           moment
           .
           Here
           ,
           after
           all
           our
           labour
           and
           toyl
           ,
           how
           little
           Knowledg
           do
           we
           gain
           ?
           Every
           Question
           is
           a
           Labyrinth
           ,
           out
           of
           which
           the
           nimblest
           and
           most
           searching
           Minds
           cannot
           extricate
           themselves
           .
           How
           many
           specious
           Errors
           impose
           upon
           our
           Understandings
           ?
           We
           look
           on
           things
           by
           false
           Lights
           ,
           through
           deceiving
           Spectacles
           :
           But
           then
           our
           Knowledg
           shall
           be
           certain
           and
           compleat
           .
           There
           is
           no
           forbidden
           Tree
           in
           the
           Celestial
           Paradise
           ,
           as
           no
           
           inordinate
           Affection
           .
           But
           suppose
           that
           all
           things
           in
           the
           compass
           of
           the
           World
           were
           known
           ,
           yet
           still
           there
           would
           be
           emptiness
           and
           anguish
           in
           the
           Mind
           :
           for
           the
           most
           comprehensive
           knowledg
           of
           things
           that
           are
           insufficient
           to
           make
           us
           happy
           ,
           cannot
           afford
           true
           Satisfaction
           .
           But
           then
           we
           shall
           see
           God
           in
           all
           his
           Excellencies
           ,
           the
           supream
           Object
           and
           End
           ,
           the
           only
           Felicity
           of
           the
           Soul.
           How
           will
           the
           sight
           of
           his
           glorious
           Perfections
           in
           the
           first
           moment
           quench
           our
           extream
           Thirst
           ,
           and
           fill
           us
           with
           Joy
           and
           Admiration
           ?
           'T
           is
           not
           as
           the
           naked
           conception
           of
           Treasures
           ,
           that
           only
           makes
           rich
           in
           Idea's
           ,
           but
           that
           Divine
           sight
           gives
           a
           real
           interest
           in
           him
           .
           The
           Angels
           are
           so
           ravish'd
           with
           the
           Beauties
           and
           Wonders
           of
           his
           Face
           ,
           that
           they
           never
           divert
           a
           moment
           from
           the
           contemplation
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           pure
           Love
           of
           the
           Saints
           to
           God
           is
           fully
           satisfied
           in
           the
           possession
           and
           enjoyment
           of
           him
           ,
           and
           consequently
           the
           greatest
           delight
           and
           complacency
           is
           shed
           abroad
           in
           their
           Hearts
           .
           Love
           considered
           as
           an
           Affection
           of
           Friendship
           ,
           is
           always
           attended
           with
           two
           Desires
           ;
           to
           be
           assured
           of
           Reciprocal
           Love
           ,
           and
           to
           enjoy
           the
           Conversation
           of
           the
           
           Person
           beloved
           ,
           the
           testimony
           of
           his
           Esteem
           and
           Good-will
           .
           This
           kind
           of
           *
           Affection
           seems
           to
           be
           inconsistent
           with
           that
           infinite
           distance
           that
           is
           between
           God
           and
           the
           Creature
           .
           But
           tho
           't
           is
           disproportionable
           to
           the
           Divine
           Majesty
           ,
           't
           is
           proportionable
           to
           his
           Goodness
           .
           Accordingly
           our
           Saviour
           promises
           ,
           
             He
             that
             loves
             me
             ,
             shall
             be
             loved
             of
             my
             Father
             ,
             and
             I
             will
             love
             him
             ,
             and
             manifest
             my self
             unto
             him
             .
          
           And
           to
           confirm
           our
           belief
           of
           this
           astonishing
           Condescention
           ,
           repeats
           it
           ,
           
             If
             a
             Man
             love
             me
             ,
             my
             Father
             will
             love
             him
             ,
             and
             we
             will
             come
             to
             him
             ,
             and
             make
             our
             abode
             with
             him
             .
          
           In
           the
           present
           state
           ,
           the
           signs
           of
           God's
           special
           Favour
           are
           exhibited
           to
           his
           Friends
           .
           Now
           he
           bestows
           on
           them
           the
           honour
           of
           being
           his
           Sons
           ,
           the
           Graces
           and
           Comforts
           of
           his
           Spirit
           ,
           the
           precious
           Earnests
           of
           his
           Love
           ,
           
             and
             Seal
             of
             their
             Redemption
          
           .
           But
           in
           eminency
           of
           degrees
           ,
           the
           Emanations
           of
           his
           Love
           ,
           and
           the
           Effects
           of
           his
           Beneficence
           ,
           are
           incomparably
           more
           glorious
           in
           Heaven
           .
           Here
           the
           Saints
           are
           adopted
           ,
           there
           crown'd
           .
           There
           he
           opens
           all
           the
           bright
           Treasures
           of
           his
           Wisdom
           ,
           the
           Riches
           of
           his
           Goodness
           ,
           the
           Beauties
           of
           his
           Holiness
           ,
           the
           Glories
           
           of
           his
           Power
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           intimate
           application
           of
           his
           Presence
           makes
           his
           Love
           most
           sensible
           to
           them
           .
           Infinite
           Goodness
           excites
           and
           draws
           forth
           all
           the
           Powers
           of
           the
           Soul
           ,
           and
           fills
           the
           utmost
           Capacity
           and
           Expansion
           of
           the
           Spirit
           .
           From
           hence
           perpetual
           Pleasure
           and
           Satisfaction
           springs
           .
           O
           the
           pure
           Delights
           between
           God
           and
           glorified
           Souls
           !
           God
           looks
           on
           them
           with
           an
           engaged
           Eye
           ,
           as
           his
           own
           by
           many
           dear
           Titles
           ,
           and
           is
           ravish'd
           with
           the
           Reflex
           of
           his
           own
           Excellencies
           shining
           in
           them
           .
           
             As
             the
             Bridegroom
             rejoices
             over
             the
             Bride
             ,
          
           (
           't
           is
           the
           Language
           of
           Divine
           Love
           )
           
             so
             their
             God
             rejoices
             over
             them
             .
             The
             Lord
             thy
             God
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             thee
             is
             mighty
             ,
             he
             will
             save
             ,
             he
             will
             rejoice
             over
             thee
             with
             joy
             :
             he
             will
             rest
             in
             his
             love
             ;
             he
             will
             rejoice
             over
             thee
             with
             singing
             .
          
           He
           is
           infinitely
           delighted
           in
           the
           communication
           of
           his
           Goodness
           to
           them
           .
           And
           what
           a
           blessed
           Rest
           do
           they
           find
           in
           the
           compleat
           fruition
           of
           his
           Goodness
           ?
           All
           their
           Desires
           quietly
           expire
           in
           his
           Bosom
           .
           What
           triumphs
           of
           Joy
           follow
           ?
           Can
           we
           frame
           a
           fuller
           Conception
           of
           Happiness
           ,
           than
           to
           be
           perfectly
           loved
           by
           the
           best
           and
           most
           blessed
           Being
           ,
           and
           perfectly
           to
           love
           him
           ,
           
           and
           to
           partake
           of
           the
           richest
           Emanations
           of
           his
           
             Loving-kindness
             ,
             that
             is
             far
             more
             valuable
             and
             desireable
             than
             Life
             it self
             ?
          
        
         
           How
           precious
           and
           joyful
           will
           the
           Presence
           of
           Christ
           be
           to
           the
           Saints
           ?
           'T
           was
           his
           Prayer
           on
           Earth
           ,
           
             Father
             ,
             I
             will
             that
             they
             also
             whom
             thou
             hast
             given
             me
             ,
             be
             with
             me
             ,
             where
             I
             am
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             behold
             my
             Glory
             .
          
           When
           the
           Saints
           are
           received
           into
           the
           Everlasting
           Kingdom
           ,
           the
           first
           Object
           that
           draws
           their
           admiring
           regards
           ,
           is
           Christ
           on
           the
           Throne
           .
           Inestimable
           Felicity
           !
           whether
           we
           consider
           him
           as
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           ,
           in
           whose
           conspicuous
           Countenance
           all
           the
           Glory
           of
           his
           Father
           shines
           ,
           or
           as
           the
           Saviour
           of
           Men
           ,
           and
           the
           Head
           of
           the
           Elect
           ,
           upon
           a
           double
           account
           :
           partly
           ,
           that
           
             he
             that
             loved
             us
             ,
             and
             wash'd
             us
             from
             our
             Sins
             in
             his
             Blood
          
           ;
           after
           suffering
           all
           Indignities
           and
           Cruelties
           for
           our
           sake
           ,
           has
           received
           the
           Reward
           of
           his
           meritorious
           Sufferings
           ,
           the
           triumph
           of
           his
           Victory
           ,
           being
           
             glorified
             with
             the
             Father
             with
             the
             Glory
             he
             had
             before
             the
             World
             was
             :
          
           and
           partly
           because
           every
           Member
           shall
           be
           conform'd
           to
           him
           in
           Glory
           .
           The
           sight
           of
           the
           Face
           of
           Moses
           when
           radiant
           ,
           had
           no
           transforming
           
           Efficacy
           ,
           for
           the
           Light
           of
           it
           was
           not
           in
           him
           as
           its
           Spring
           but
           by
           derivation
           .
           But
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           is
           Light
           essentially
           ,
           and
           the
           sight
           of
           his
           Glory
           will
           transform
           us
           into
           his
           Likeness
           .
           And
           how
           dear
           and
           joyful
           is
           the
           presence
           of
           the
           Saints
           to
           Christ
           ?
           
             He
             then
             sees
             of
             the
             travel
             of
             his
             Soul
             ,
             the
             fruit
             of
             his
             sharp
             Sufferings
             and
             bleeding
             Love
             ,
             and
             is
             satisfied
             .
          
           How
           delightful
           is
           it
           to
           him
           to
           see
           all
           his
           Spiritual
           Progeny
           safely
           brought
           to
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           made
           partakers
           of
           his
           Glory
           and
           Joy
           in
           his
           everlasting
           Kingdom
           ?
           For
           according
           to
           the
           extent
           of
           the
           Object
           ,
           and
           dearness
           of
           the
           Affection
           ,
           Joy
           rises
           .
           He
           will
           then
           present
           them
           to
           his
           Father
           with
           infinite
           complacency
           ;
           
             Behold
             ,
             here
             am
             I
             ,
             and
             the
             Children
             whom
             thou
             hast
             given
             me
             .
          
        
         
           The
           dearest
           Affections
           of
           Christ
           and
           the
           Saints
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           are
           mutual
           and
           reflexive
           .
           In
           the
           Sacred
           Song
           ,
           the
           expressions
           of
           Love
           ,
           Desire
           ,
           and
           Joy
           ,
           borrowed
           from
           the
           espousals
           of
           Solomon
           and
           his
           beloved
           Wife
           ,
           are
           ,
           as
           it
           were
           ,
           Characters
           in
           the
           Bark
           ,
           to
           be
           understood
           in
           a
           spiritual
           Sense
           ,
           of
           the
           Mystical
           Marriage
           of
           Christ
           and
           the
           Church
           .
           What
           endearing
           entercourse
           
           is
           there
           between
           the
           most
           perfect
           Lover
           and
           his
           Spouse
           inspir'd
           with
           the
           same
           pure
           Flam
           ?
           Here
           amiable
           Perfections
           attract
           his
           Eye
           and
           Heart
           :
           
             Thou
             art
             all
             fair
             ,
             my
             Love
             ,
          
           
           
             there
             is
             no
             spot
             in
             thee
             .
          
           His
           propriety
           in
           the
           Church
           is
           his
           unvaluable
           Treasure
           :
           
             My
             Vineyard
             which
             is
             mine
             ,
             is
             ever
             before
             me
             .
          
           He
           repeats
           the
           word
           Mine
           ,
           in
           the
           sweetest
           and
           most
           tender
           manner
           .
           And
           the
           Church
           ,
           with
           the
           same
           harmonious
           Affections
           ,
           speaks
           of
           Christ.
           She
           contemplates
           in
           a
           soft
           extasy
           his
           ever-satisfying
           Beauty
           .
           
             My
             Beloved
             is
             the
             chiefest
             of
             ten
             thousand
             ,
          
           
           
             he
             is
             altogether
             lovely
          
           .
           She
           breaks
           forth
           in
           triumph
           ,
           
             My
             Beloved
             is
             mine
          
           ,
           
           
             and
             I
             am
             his
          
           .
           By
           all
           their
           expressions
           of
           joyful
           Love
           and
           Union
           ,
           we
           may
           ascend
           in
           our
           Thoughts
           ,
           what
           are
           the
           Joys
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           where
           the
           Communion
           of
           Christ
           and
           the
           Church
           is
           entire
           and
           uninterrupted
           for
           ever
           ?
           If
           Faith
           and
           Love
           of
           our
           unseen
           Saviour
           produce
           
             a
             Joy
             unspeakable
             and
             glorious
          
           ,
           as
           if
           Believers
           were
           wrap'd
           up
           to
           Paradise
           ,
           or
           Paradise
           descended
           into
           them
           ,
           what
           will
           the
           sight
           and
           fruition
           of
           him
           ?
           There
           is
           as
           great
           a
           difference
           in
           degrees
           between
           the
           Joy
           that
           flows
           from
           
           the
           assurance
           and
           application
           of
           Faith
           ,
           and
           the
           Joy
           from
           Vision
           and
           full
           Possession
           ,
           as
           between
           the
           impression
           of
           Joy
           the
           Forerunner
           of
           Christ
           felt
           ,
           when
           he
           sprang
           in
           the
           Womb
           at
           the
           coming
           of
           our
           Saviour
           ;
           and
           his
           ravishing
           Joy
           ,
           when
           he
           saw
           Christ
           ,
           and
           pointed
           him
           out
           to
           his
           Disciples
           ,
           
             Behold
             the
             Lamb
             of
             God
             ,
             that
             takes
             away
             the
             Sins
             of
             the
             World.
             
          
        
         
           3.
           
           The
           supream
           Joy
           of
           the
           Saints
           is
           for
           the
           Felicity
           and
           Glory
           of
           God
           himself
           .
           For
           as
           the
           holy
           Soul
           feels
           no
           more
           powerful
           motive
           to
           love
           God
           ,
           than
           because
           he
           is
           most
           worthy
           of
           it
           ,
           as
           he
           is
           God
           ,
           a
           Being
           of
           infinite
           Excellencies
           ,
           and
           therefore
           to
           be
           loved
           above
           the
           dearest
           Persons
           and
           Things
           ,
           even
           it self
           ;
           so
           the
           highest
           Joy
           it
           partakes
           of
           is
           from
           this
           consideration
           ,
           that
           God
           is
           infinitely
           blessed
           and
           glorious
           .
           For
           in
           this
           the
           supream
           desire
           of
           Love
           is
           accomplish'd
           ,
           that
           the
           most
           beloved
           Object
           is
           perfectly
           honour'd
           and
           pleased
           .
           In
           Heaven
           the
           Love
           of
           the
           Saints
           to
           God
           is
           in
           its
           highest
           Perfection
           ,
           and
           they
           see
           his
           Glory
           in
           the
           most
           perfect
           manner
           ,
           which
           causes
           a
           transcendent
           Joy
           to
           them
           .
           And
           this
           is
           one
           reason
           why
           the
           Saints
           ,
           tho
           shining
           with
           unequal
           degrees
           of
           Glory
           ,
           
           are
           equally
           content
           .
           For
           their
           most
           ardent
           Love
           being
           set
           on
           God
           ,
           that
           he
           is
           pleased
           to
           glorify
           himself
           by
           such
           various
           communications
           of
           his
           Goodness
           ,
           is
           full
           satisfaction
           to
           their
           Desires
           .
           Besides
           ,
           in
           those
           different
           degrees
           of
           Glory
           ,
           every
           one
           is
           so
           content
           with
           his
           own
           ,
           *
           that
           there
           is
           no
           possible
           desire
           of
           being
           but
           what
           he
           is
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           In
           Heaven
           
             the
             innumerable
             Company
             of
             Angels
             ,
             and
             the
             General
             Assembly
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             the
             First-born
             ,
          
           as
           they
           receive
           Happiness
           from
           the
           sight
           of
           God
           ,
           so
           they
           communicate
           the
           purest
           Pleasure
           to
           one
           another
           .
           An
           unfeigned
           ardent
           Affection
           unites
           that
           pure
           Society
           .
           Our
           Love
           is
           now
           kindled
           ,
           either
           from
           a
           relation
           in
           Nature
           ,
           or
           a
           civil
           Account
           ,
           or
           some
           visible
           Excellencies
           that
           render
           a
           Person
           worthy
           of
           our
           Choice
           and
           Friendship
           :
           but
           in
           Heaven
           the
           Reasons
           are
           greater
           ,
           and
           the
           degrees
           of
           Love
           incomparably
           more
           fervent
           .
           All
           Carnal
           Alliances
           and
           Respects
           cease
           in
           that
           supernatural
           State.
           The
           Apostle
           tells
           us
           ,
           
             If
             I
             have
             known
             Christ
             after
             the
             Flesh
             ,
             I
             know
             him
             so
             no
             more
             .
          
           By
           the
           Resurrection
           and
           Ascension
           of
           Christ
           he
           was
           transported
           into
           another
           World
           ,
           and
           had
           communion
           
           with
           him
           as
           an
           Heavenly
           King
           ,
           without
           low
           regards
           to
           the
           temporal
           Priviledg
           of
           conversing
           with
           him
           on
           Earth
           .
           The
           spiritual
           Relation
           is
           more
           near
           and
           permanent
           than
           the
           strictest
           Band
           of
           Nature
           .
           The
           Saints
           have
           all
           relation
           to
           the
           same
           Heavenly
           Father
           ,
           and
           to
           
             Jesus
             Christ
          
           the
           Prince
           of
           Peace
           ,
           and
           Head
           of
           that
           happy
           Fraternity
           .
           The
           principal
           Motives
           of
           Love
           here
           are
           the
           inherent
           Excellencies
           of
           a
           Person
           .
           Wisdom
           ,
           Holiness
           ,
           Goodness
           ,
           Fidelity
           are
           mighty
           Attractives
           ,
           and
           produce
           a
           more
           worthy
           Affection
           ,
           a
           more
           intimate
           confederacy
           of
           Souls
           ,
           than
           propinquity
           in
           Nature
           ,
           or
           any
           carnal
           respects
           .
           Vertue
           is
           amiable
           in
           an
           old
           Person
           ,
           tho
           wrinkled
           and
           deformed
           :
           Vice
           is
           hateful
           in
           a
           young
           Person
           ,
           tho
           beautiful
           .
           There
           are
           clearer
           Eyes
           than
           those
           of
           Flesh
           ,
           a
           purer
           Light
           than
           what
           is
           sensible
           ,
           a
           diviner
           Beauty
           than
           what
           is
           Corporeal
           ,
           and
           a
           nobler
           Love
           than
           what
           is
           sensual
           .
           David
           declares
           that
           
             all
             his
             delight
             was
             in
             the
             Excellent
             .
          
           But
           there
           are
           allays
           of
           this
           Spiritual
           Love
           here
           .
           For
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           There
           are
           Reliques
           of
           Frailty
           in
           the
           best
           Men
           on
           Earth
           ,
           some
           Blemishes
           that
           render
           them
           less
           amiable
           when
           discovered
           .
           
           Here
           their
           Graces
           are
           mix'd
           with
           Infirmities
           ,
           and
           but
           ascending
           to
           Glory
           .
           Accordingly
           our
           Love
           to
           them
           must
           be
           regular
           ,
           and
           serene
           ,
           not
           clouded
           with
           Error
           ,
           mistaking
           Defects
           for
           amiable
           Qualities
           .
           But
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           the
           Image
           of
           God
           is
           compleat
           ,
           by
           the
           union
           of
           all
           the
           glorious
           Vertues
           requisite
           to
           its
           perfection
           .
           Every
           Saint
           there
           exactly
           agrees
           with
           the
           first
           Exemplar
           ,
           a
           Divine
           Beauty
           shines
           in
           them
           ever
           durable
           ,
           a
           Beauty
           that
           darts
           no
           contagious
           Fire
           ,
           that
           is
           inviolable
           and
           can
           suffer
           no
           injury
           .
           The
           Apostle
           tells
           us
           ,
           
             The
             Church
             shall
             be
             glorious
             in
             Holiness
             ,
             without
             spot
             or
             wrinkle
             ,
          
           or
           any
           thing
           that
           may
           cast
           an
           Aspect
           of
           deformity
           upon
           it
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           In
           the
           present
           state
           the
           least
           part
           of
           the
           Saints
           Worth
           is
           visible
           .
           As
           the
           Earth
           is
           fruitful
           in
           Plants
           and
           Flowers
           ,
           but
           its
           Riches
           are
           in
           Mines
           of
           precious
           Metals
           ,
           and
           the
           Veins
           of
           Marble
           hidden
           in
           its
           Bosom
           .
           True
           Grace
           appears
           in
           sensible
           Actions
           ,
           
             but
             its
             Glory
             is
             Within
          
           .
           *
           The
           sincerity
           of
           Aims
           ,
           the
           purity
           of
           Affections
           ,
           the
           impresses
           of
           the
           Spirit
           on
           the
           Heart
           ,
           the
           interior
           Beauties
           of
           Holiness
           ,
           are
           only
           seen
           by
           God.
           Besides
           ,
           such
           is
           the
           humility
           of
           eminent
           
           Saints
           ,
           that
           the
           more
           they
           abound
           in
           spiritual
           Treasures
           ,
           the
           less
           they
           show
           .
           As
           the
           heavenly
           Bodies
           when
           in
           nearest
           conjunction
           with
           the
           Sun
           ,
           and
           fullest
           of
           Light
           ,
           make
           the
           least
           appearance
           to
           our
           sight
           .
           But
           all
           their
           Excellencies
           shall
           then
           be
           in
           view
           .
           
             The
             Glory
             of
             God
             shall
             be
             revealed
             in
             them
             .
          
           And
           how
           attractive
           is
           the
           Divine
           Likeness
           to
           an
           holy
           Eye
           ?
           How
           will
           it
           ravish
           the
           Saints
           to
           behold
           an
           immortal
           Loveliness
           shining
           in
           one
           another
           ?
           Their
           Love
           is
           reciprocal
           ,
           proportionable
           to
           the
           cause
           of
           it
           .
           An
           equal
           ,
           constant
           Flame
           is
           preserv'd
           by
           pure
           Materials
           .
           Every
           one
           is
           perfectly
           amiable
           ,
           and
           perfectly
           enamour'd
           with
           all
           .
           How
           happy
           is
           that
           state
           of
           Love
           ?
           The
           Psalmist
           breaks
           out
           in
           a
           Rapture
           ,
           
             Behold
             how
             good
             and
             pleasant
             it
             is
             for
             Brethren
             to
             dwell
             together
             in
             Vnity
             !
          
           Love
           is
           the
           Beauty
           and
           Strength
           of
           Societies
           ,
           the
           Pleasure
           of
           Life
           .
           How
           excellent
           is
           the
           Joy
           of
           the
           Blessed
           ,
           when
           the
           Prayer
           of
           Christ
           shall
           be
           accomplished
           ,
           that
           they
           all
           may
           be
           
             one
             ;
             as
             thou
             Father
             art
             in
             me
             ,
             and
             I
             in
             thee
             ,
             that
             they
             also
             may
             be
             one
             in
             us
             .
          
           God
           is
           absolutely
           One
           in
           his
           glorious
           Nature
           and
           Will
           ,
           and
           therefore
           unalterably
           Happy
           ;
           And
           
           their
           inviolable
           Union
           in
           Love
           ,
           is
           a
           Ray
           of
           the
           Essential
           Unity
           between
           the
           Sacred
           Persons
           .
           There
           are
           no
           Divisions
           of
           Heart
           and
           Tongues
           ,
           as
           in
           this
           Babel
           ;
           but
           the
           most
           perfect
           and
           sweetest
           Concord
           ,
           an
           Eternal
           Agreement
           in
           Tempers
           and
           Inclinations
           .
           There
           are
           no
           envious
           Comparisons
           ;
           for
           Love
           that
           affectively
           transforms
           one
           into
           another
           ,
           causes
           the
           Glory
           of
           every
           Saint
           to
           redound
           to
           the
           Joy
           of
           all
           .
           Every
           one
           takes
           his
           share
           in
           the
           Felicity
           of
           all
           ,
           and
           adds
           to
           it
           .
           Such
           is
           the
           Power
           of
           that
           Celestial
           Fire
           wherein
           they
           all
           burn
           ,
           that
           it
           melts
           and
           mixes
           Souls
           in
           such
           an
           entire
           Union
           ,
           that
           by
           Complacence
           ,
           and
           an
           intimate
           Joy
           ,
           the
           Blessedness
           of
           all
           is
           ,
           as
           it
           were
           ,
           proper
           to
           every
           one
           ;
           as
           if
           every
           one
           were
           plac'd
           in
           the
           Hearts
           of
           all
           ,
           and
           all
           in
           the
           Heart
           of
           every
           one
           .
           If
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           the
           First-born
           Christians
           in
           the
           earthly
           Jerusalem
           ,
           the
           Band
           of
           Charity
           was
           so
           strict
           ,
           that
           't
           is
           said
           ,
           the
           
             Multitude
             of
             Believers
             were
             of
             one
             Heart
             ,
             and
             one
             Soul
          
           ;
           How
           much
           more
           intimate
           and
           inseparable
           is
           the
           Union
           of
           the
           Saints
           in
           Jerusalem
           above
           ,
           where
           every
           one
           loves
           another
           as
           himself
           ?
           'T
           is
           recorded
           of
           Alexander
           ,
           that
           entring
           with
           Hephestion
           his
           Favorite
           ,
           into
           the
           Pavilion
           
           of
           the
           Mother
           of
           Darius
           ,
           then
           his
           Prisoner
           ,
           she
           bowed
           to
           the
           Favorite
           ,
           as
           having
           a
           greater
           appearance
           of
           Majesty
           ,
           thinking
           him
           to
           be
           Alexander
           :
           But
           advised
           of
           her
           Error
           ,
           she
           humbly
           begg'd
           his
           Pardon
           .
           To
           whom
           the
           generous
           King
           replied
           ,
           
           
             You
             did
             not
             err
             ,
             Mother
             ,
             this
             is
             also
          
           Alexander
           .
           Such
           was
           their
           Affection
           ,
           that
           whoever
           was
           taken
           of
           them
           ,
           the
           other
           was
           taken
           in
           him
           ;
           the
           less
           ascending
           in
           the
           greater
           ,
           without
           degrading
           the
           greater
           in
           the
           less
           .
           This
           is
           a
           Copy
           of
           the
           holy
           Love
           of
           the
           Blessed
           ;
           but
           with
           the
           same
           difference
           ,
           as
           between
           the
           Description
           of
           a
           Star
           with
           a
           Coal
           ,
           and
           its
           Beauty
           in
           its
           proper
           Aspect
           .
           And
           where
           all
           is
           Love
           ,
           all
           is
           Delight
           .
           The
           Act
           it self
           is
           its
           own
           Reward
           .
           As
           that
           benign
           and
           pleasant
           Affection
           is
           enlarged
           with
           respect
           to
           the
           Object
           ,
           and
           its
           degrees
           ,
           such
           is
           the
           complacence
           and
           delight
           that
           results
           from
           it
           .
           In
           that
           blessed
           Society
           there
           is
           a
           constant
           receiving
           and
           returning
           of
           Love
           and
           Joy.
           And
           that
           double
           exercise
           of
           the
           Saints
           ,
           in
           the
           perfect
           circle
           of
           Love
           ,
           is
           like
           the
           pleasant
           labour
           of
           the
           Bees
           ,
           who
           all
           the
           day
           are
           flying
           to
           the
           Gardens
           ,
           and
           returning
           to
           their
           Hives
           ,
           and
           all
           their
           Art
           is
           in
           
           extracting
           the
           purest
           Spirits
           from
           fragrant
           Flowers
           ,
           and
           making
           sweet
           Honey
           .
           O
           how
           do
           they
           rejoice
           and
           triumph
           in
           the
           Happiness
           of
           one
           another
           ?
           With
           what
           an
           unimaginable
           tenderness
           do
           they
           embrace
           ?
           What
           Reciprocations
           of
           Endearments
           are
           between
           them
           ?
           O
           their
           ravishing
           Conversation
           ,
           and
           sweet
           Entercourse
           !
           for
           their
           Presence
           together
           in
           Heaven
           is
           not
           a
           silent
           Show
           .
           In
           the
           Transfiguration
           ,
           Moses
           and
           Elias
           talk'd
           with
           Christ
           :
           We
           may
           understand
           a
           little
           of
           it
           ,
           by
           the
           sensible
           complacence
           that
           is
           among
           sincere
           Friends
           here
           .
           In
           pure
           Amity
           there
           is
           a
           threefold
           Union
           :
           a
           Union
           of
           Resemblance
           ,
           that
           is
           the
           principle
           of
           it
           ;
           likeness
           causes
           Love
           :
           a
           Union
           of
           Affection
           ,
           that
           is
           its
           Essence
           ;
           't
           is
           said
           of
           Jonathan
           ,
           that
           incomparable
           Friend
           ,
           
             his
             Soul
             was
             knit
             with
             the
             Soul
             of
          
           David
           ,
           
             and
             he
             loved
             him
             as
             his
             own
             Soul
             :
          
           the
           Union
           of
           Conversation
           ,
           that
           is
           requisite
           to
           the
           satisfaction
           of
           Love.
           What
           an
           entertainment
           of
           Love
           and
           Joy
           is
           there
           in
           the
           presence
           and
           discourses
           of
           dear
           Friends
           !
           their
           mutual
           Aspects
           ,
           like
           a
           Chain
           compos'd
           of
           Spirits
           luminous
           and
           active
           ,
           draw
           and
           fasten
           their
           Souls
           to
           one
           another
           :
           The
           Felicity
           of
           
           Love
           consists
           in
           their
           Conversation
           .
           Now
           in
           Heaven
           whatever
           is
           pleasant
           in
           Friendship
           is
           in
           Perfection
           ;
           and
           whatever
           is
           distastful
           by
           Mens
           Folly
           and
           Weakness
           is
           abolish'd
           .
           With
           what
           excellent
           Discourses
           do
           they
           entertain
           one
           another
           ?
           If
           David
           felt
           such
           inward
           Pleasure
           from
           the
           sense
           of
           God's
           Favours
           ,
           that
           he
           could
           not
           restrain
           the
           expression
           of
           it
           ,
           but
           invites
           the
           Saints
           ,
           
             Come
             and
             hear
             ,
             all
             ye
             that
             fear
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             I
             will
             tell
             you
             what
             he
             has
             done
             for
             my
             Soul.
          
           Certainly
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           the
           Blessed
           with
           overflowing
           Affections
           recount
           the
           Divine
           Benefits
           :
           the
           admirable
           Methods
           ,
           whereby
           the
           Life
           of
           Grace
           was
           begun
           ,
           preserv'd
           and
           carried
           on
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           Temptations
           ;
           the
           continual
           Succession
           of
           Mercies
           in
           the
           time
           of
           their
           Hopes
           ,
           and
           the
           Consummation
           of
           all
           in
           the
           time
           of
           their
           enjoyment
           .
           How
           joyfully
           do
           they
           concur
           in
           their
           Thanksgivings
           to
           God
           for
           the
           Goodness
           of
           Creation
           :
           in
           making
           them
           reasonable
           Creatures
           ,
           capable
           to
           know
           ,
           love
           and
           enjoy
           him
           ,
           when
           they
           might
           have
           been
           of
           the
           lowest
           Order
           in
           the
           whole
           Sphere
           of
           Beings
           ;
           for
           his
           compassionate
           Care
           and
           Providence
           over
           them
           in
           this
           World
           ,
           but
           especially
           for
           his
           sovereign
           
           and
           singular
           Mercy
           in
           electing
           them
           to
           be
           Vessels
           of
           Honour
           ;
           for
           his
           powerful
           Grace
           ,
           in
           rescuing
           them
           from
           the
           cruel
           and
           ignominious
           Bondage
           of
           Sin
           :
           for
           his
           most
           free
           Love
           ,
           that
           justified
           them
           from
           all
           their
           Guilt
           by
           the
           Death
           of
           his
           only
           Son
           ,
           and
           glorified
           them
           with
           himself
           .
           They
           are
           never
           weary
           in
           this
           delightful
           Exercise
           ,
           but
           continually
           bless
           him
           for
           his
           
             Mercy
             that
             endures
             for
             ever
          
           .
           We
           may
           judg
           by
           the
           Saints
           here
           ,
           when
           they
           are
           in
           a
           fit
           disposition
           to
           praise
           God
           ,
           what
           Fervors
           they
           feel
           in
           their
           united
           Praises
           of
           him
           in
           Heaven
           .
           The
           Psalmist
           in
           an
           Extasy
           calls
           to
           all
           the
           parts
           of
           the
           World
           to
           join
           with
           him
           ;
           
             The
             Lord
             reigns
             ,
             let
             the
             Heavens
             rejoice
             ,
             and
             the
             Earth
             be
             glad
             ;
             let
             the
             Sea
             roar
             ,
             let
             the
             Fields
             be
             joyful
             ,
             and
             all
             that
             dwell
             therein
             .
          
           He
           desires
           that
           Nature
           should
           be
           elevated
           above
           it self
           ,
           that
           the
           dead
           parts
           be
           inspired
           with
           Life
           ,
           the
           insensible
           feel
           motions
           of
           Joy
           ,
           and
           those
           that
           want
           a
           Voice
           break
           forth
           in
           Praises
           ,
           to
           adorn
           the
           Divine
           Triumph
           .
           With
           what
           Life
           and
           Alacrity
           will
           the
           Saints
           in
           their
           blessed
           Communion
           celebrate
           the
           Object
           of
           their
           Love
           and
           Praises
           ?
           The
           Seraphims
           about
           the
           Throne
           
             cried
             to
             one
             another
          
           ,
           to
           express
           their
           Zeal
           and
           Joy
           ,
           
           in
           celebrating
           his
           Eternal
           Purity
           and
           Power
           ,
           and
           the
           Glory
           of
           his
           Goodness
           .
           O
           the
           unspeakable
           Pleasure
           of
           this
           Concert
           !
           when
           every
           Soul
           is
           harmonious
           ,
           and
           contributes
           his
           part
           to
           the
           full
           Musick
           of
           Heaven
           .
           O
           could
           we
           hear
           but
           some
           Eccho
           of
           those
           Songs
           wherewith
           the
           Heaven
           of
           Heavens
           resounds
           ,
           some
           remains
           of
           those
           Voices
           wherewith
           the
           Saints
           above
           
             triumph
             in
             the
             Praises
          
           ,
           in
           the
           solemn
           Adoration
           of
           the
           King
           of
           Spirits
           ,
           how
           would
           it
           inflame
           our
           Desires
           to
           be
           join'd
           with
           them
           ?
           
             Blessed
             are
             those
             that
             are
             in
             thy
             House
             ,
             they
             always
             praise
             thee
             .
          
        
         
           3.
           
           The
           fulness
           of
           Joy
           in
           Heaven
           is
           everlasting
           ,
           without
           defect
           ,
           and
           without
           end
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           'T
           is
           undecaying
           ,
           the
           productive
           Causes
           are
           conservative
           of
           it
           ,
           being
           always
           equal
           .
           Those
           are
           the
           beatifick
           Object
           ,
           and
           the
           continual
           fruition
           of
           it
           .
           Whilst
           we
           are
           here
           below
           ,
           the
           Sun
           of
           Righteousness
           ,
           as
           to
           our
           perception
           and
           sense
           ,
           has
           Ascensions
           and
           Declinations
           ,
           Accesses
           and
           Recesses
           .
           And
           our
           Earth
           is
           not
           so
           purified
           ,
           but
           some
           Vapours
           arise
           that
           intercept
           his
           chearful
           refreshing
           Light.
           From
           hence
           there
           are
           alternate
           successions
           
           of
           Spiritual
           Comforts
           and
           Sorrows
           ,
           of
           Doubts
           and
           filial
           Confidence
           in
           the
           Saints
           .
           'T
           is
           a
           rare
           Favour
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           when
           an
           humble
           Believer
           in
           his
           whole
           course
           is
           so
           circumspect
           ,
           as
           not
           to
           provoke
           God
           to
           appear
           displeased
           against
           him
           :
           When
           a
           Christian
           (
           as
           those
           tutelar
           Angels
           spoken
           of
           in
           the
           Gospel
           )
           always
           beholds
           the
           Face
           of
           his
           Heavenly
           Father
           ,
           and
           converses
           with
           him
           with
           an
           holy
           Liberty
           .
           And
           what
           a
           torment
           the
           
             hiding
             of
             God's
             Face
          
           is
           to
           a
           deserted
           Soul
           ,
           only
           they
           know
           who
           feel
           it
           .
           External
           troubles
           are
           many
           times
           attended
           with
           more
           Consolations
           to
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           than
           Afflictions
           to
           Sense
           ;
           but
           to
           love
           God
           with
           a
           transcendent
           Affection
           ,
           and
           to
           fear
           he
           is
           our
           Enemy
           ,
           no
           Punishment
           exceeds
           ,
           or
           is
           equal
           to
           it
           .
           As
           his
           Loving-kindness
           in
           their
           esteem
           is
           better
           than
           Life
           ,
           so
           his
           Displeasure
           is
           worse
           than
           Death
           .
           How
           do
           they
           wrestle
           with
           God
           by
           Prayers
           and
           Tears
           ,
           and
           offer
           ,
           as
           it
           were
           ,
           a
           holy
           Violence
           to
           the
           King
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           to
           recover
           their
           first
           serenity
           of
           Mind
           ,
           the
           lost
           Peace
           of
           Heart
           ?
           How
           passionately
           do
           they
           cry
           out
           with
           Job
           ,
           in
           the
           Book
           of
           his
           Patience
           ,
           
             O
             that
             I
             were
             as
             in
             months
             past
             ,
          
           
           
             as
             in
             the
             days
             when
             God
             preserved
             me
             :
             when
             
             his
             Candle
             shin'd
             upon
             my
             head
             ,
             and
             when
             by
             his
             Light
             I
             walk'd
             through
             darkness
             :
             As
             I
             was
             in
             the
             days
             of
             my
             youth
             ,
             when
             the
             Secret
             of
             God
             was
             upon
             my
             Tabernacle
             .
          
           And
           sometimes
           God
           delays
           the
           revealing
           himself
           even
           to
           his
           dearest
           Children
           ;
           not
           that
           he
           does
           not
           see
           their
           Necessities
           ,
           and
           hears
           their
           Prayers
           ,
           or
           is
           so
           hard
           that
           till
           their
           Extremities
           he
           is
           not
           moved
           with
           Compassion
           ,
           but
           for
           wise
           and
           holy
           Reasons
           ;
           Either
           
             that
             they
             may
             not
             return
             to
             folly
             ,
          
           if
           by
           any
           presumptuous
           Sin
           they
           forfeited
           their
           Peace
           ;
           or
           if
           they
           have
           been
           careful
           to
           please
           him
           ,
           yet
           he
           may
           deprive
           them
           of
           Spiritual
           Comforts
           for
           a
           time
           ,
           to
           keep
           them
           humble
           ,
           and
           that
           with
           an
           obedient
           resignation
           to
           his
           Sovereign
           Pleasure
           they
           may
           wait
           for
           his
           reviving
           Presence
           .
           And
           then
           Joy
           returns
           greater
           than
           before
           .
           For
           thus
           God
           usually
           renders
           with
           interest
           what
           he
           suspended
           only
           for
           trial
           .
           But
           the
           Saints
           above
           are
           for
           ever
           enlightned
           with
           the
           vital
           splendor
           ,
           and
           dear
           regards
           of
           his
           Countenance
           ,
           always
           enjoy
           his
           beamy
           smiles
           .
           A
           continual
           effusion
           of
           Glory
           illustrates
           Heaven
           and
           all
           its
           blessed
           Inhabitants
           .
        
         
           And
           their
           Contemplation
           of
           God
           is
           fixed
           .
           If
           the
           Object
           ,
           though
           extraordinary
           
           glorious
           ,
           were
           transient
           ,
           or
           the
           Eye
           so
           weak
           that
           it
           could
           only
           see
           it
           but
           by
           glances
           ,
           the
           height
           of
           Joy
           would
           not
           be
           perpetual
           .
           But
           the
           mind
           is
           prepar'd
           with
           supernatural
           vigour
           ,
           to
           see
           the
           brightness
           of
           God's
           Face
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           most
           attentive
           application
           always
           converses
           with
           that
           blessed
           Object
           ;
           so
           that
           the
           Joy
           of
           Heaven
           is
           never
           intermitted
           for
           a
           moment
           .
           They
           always
           see
           ,
           and
           love
           ,
           and
           rejoice
           ,
           and
           praise
           him
           .
        
         
           'T
           is
           possible
           a
           carnal
           suspicion
           may
           arise
           in
           some
           ,
           as
           if
           the
           uniform
           perpetual
           vision
           of
           the
           same
           Glory
           might
           lose
           its
           perfect
           delightfulness
           .
           For
           those
           who
           seek
           for
           happiness
           in
           the
           vanity
           of
           the
           Creatures
           ,
           are
           always
           desirous
           of
           change
           ,
           and
           have
           their
           Judgments
           so
           corrupted
           ,
           that
           while
           they
           languish
           with
           a
           secret
           desire
           after
           an
           unchangeable
           Good
           ,
           yet
           they
           conceive
           no
           Good
           as
           desireable
           ,
           that
           is
           not
           changed
           .
        
         
           But
           to
           correct
           this
           gross
           errour
           of
           Fancy
           ,
           let
           us
           a
           little
           enquire
           into
           the
           causes
           of
           Dissatisfaction
           ,
           that
           make
           the
           constant
           fruition
           of
           the
           same
           thing
           here
           to
           be
           tedious
           .
        
         
           Sensible
           things
           are
           of
           such
           a
           limited
           Goodness
           ,
           that
           not
           any
           of
           them
           can
           
           supply
           all
           our
           present
           wants
           ,
           so
           that
           't
           is
           necessary
           to
           leave
           one
           for
           another
           .
           And
           the
           most
           of
           them
           are
           Remedies
           of
           our
           diseased
           Appetites
           ,
           and
           if
           not
           temperately
           used
           ,
           are
           destructive
           Evils
           .
           Eating
           and
           Drinking
           are
           to
           extinguish
           Hunger
           and
           Thirst
           ,
           but
           continued
           beyond
           just
           measure
           ,
           become
           nauseous
           .
           Besides
           ,
           the
           Insufficiency
           of
           their
           Objects
           ,
           the
           Senses
           themselves
           cannot
           be
           satisfied
           all
           at
           once
           .
           The
           Ear
           cannot
           attend
           to
           delightful
           Sounds
           ,
           and
           the
           Eye
           be
           intent
           on
           beautiful
           Colours
           at
           the
           same
           time
           .
           The
           Satisfaction
           of
           one
           Sense
           defeats
           another
           of
           enjoying
           its
           proper
           good
           ;
           therefore
           the
           same
           Object
           is
           not
           constantly
           pleasant
           ,
           but
           the
           Heart
           is
           distemper'd
           from
           as
           many
           Causes
           ,
           as
           there
           are
           desires
           unaccomplish'd
           .
           Add
           farther
           ,
           all
           things
           under
           the
           Sun
           afford
           only
           a
           superficial
           delight
           ,
           and
           miserably
           deceive
           the
           Expectations
           raised
           of
           them
           :
           and
           many
           times
           there
           is
           a
           mixture
           of
           some
           evil
           in
           them
           ,
           that
           is
           more
           offensive
           ,
           than
           the
           good
           is
           delightful
           .
           The
           Honey
           is
           attended
           with
           a
           Sting
           ,
           so
           that
           often
           those
           very
           things
           we
           sigh
           after
           through
           vehement
           desire
           ,
           when
           they
           are
           obtain'd
           ,
           we
           sigh
           for
           grief
           .
           Now
           all
           these
           Causes
           of
           dissatisfaction
           
           cease
           in
           Heaven
           ;
           *
           for
           there
           is
           an
           infinite
           variety
           in
           God
           ,
           and
           whatever
           is
           truly
           desirable
           is
           eminently
           enjoyed
           in
           him
           .
           And
           in
           his
           Presence
           all
           the
           Powers
           of
           the
           Soul
           are
           drawn
           out
           in
           their
           most
           pleasant
           exercise
           ,
           and
           always
           enjoy
           their
           entire
           happiness
           .
           The
           fruition
           of
           him
           exceeds
           our
           most
           raised
           hopes
           ,
           as
           much
           as
           he
           is
           more
           glorious
           in
           Himself
           than
           in
           any
           borrowed
           Representations
           .
           God
           will
           be
           to
           us
           incomparably
           
             above
             what
             we
             can
             ask
             or
             think
             .
          
           The
           compass
           of
           our
           thoughts
           ,
           the
           depth
           of
           our
           desires
           are
           imperfect
           measures
           of
           his
           Perfections
           .
           And
           as
           he
           is
           a
           
             Pure
             Good
          
           in
           Himself
           ,
           so
           he
           is
           prevalent
           over
           all
           Evil.
           'T
           is
           evident
           therefore
           that
           nothing
           can
           allay
           the
           Joys
           of
           Saints
           when
           they
           are
           in
           God's
           presence
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Novelty
           is
           not
           requisite
           to
           ingratiate
           every
           Good
           ,
           and
           make
           it
           perfectly
           delightful
           .
           †
           God
           is
           infinitely
           happy
           ,
           to
           whom
           no
           Good
           was
           ever
           new
           .
           'T
           is
           indeed
           the
           Sauce
           that
           gives
           a
           delicious
           taste
           to
           inferior
           things
           .
           For
           Men
           relish
           only
           what
           is
           eminent
           ;
           and
           the
           good
           things
           of
           this
           World
           are
           so
           truly
           mean
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           feign
           to
           borrow
           a
           shew
           of
           Greatness
           by
           comparison
           with
           a
           worse
           
           estate
           preceding
           .
           But
           an
           infinite
           Good
           produces
           always
           the
           same
           pure
           equal
           compleat
           Joy
           ,
           because
           it
           arises
           from
           its
           intrinsick
           perfection
           ,
           that
           wants
           no
           Foil
           to
           commend
           it
           .
           The
           Psalmist
           breaks
           forth
           ,
           
             Whom
             have
             I
             in
             Heaven
             but
             Thee
             ?
          
           This
           is
           no
           vanishing
           Rapture
           ,
           but
           a
           constant
           joyful
           height
           of
           Affection
           .
           God
           ,
           the
           essential
           Happiness
           of
           the
           Saints
           ,
           is
           always
           perfectly
           lovely
           and
           delightful
           to
           them
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           The
           glorified
           Saints
           in
           every
           Period
           of
           their
           happy
           state
           ,
           have
           as
           lively
           a
           perception
           of
           it
           as
           in
           the
           beginning
           .
           To
           make
           this
           evident
           ,
           we
           must
           consider
           that
           the
           pleasure
           of
           Novelty
           springs
           from
           a
           quick
           sense
           of
           the
           opposite
           terms
           ,
           between
           our
           condition
           in
           the
           want
           of
           some
           desired
           Good
           ,
           and
           after
           our
           obtaining
           it
           .
           Now
           the
           Mind
           is
           more
           intense
           on
           the
           advantage
           ,
           and
           more
           strongly
           affected
           at
           first
           .
           One
           newly
           freed
           from
           the
           torments
           of
           a
           sharp
           disease
           ,
           feels
           a
           greater
           pleasure
           than
           from
           a
           constant
           tenour
           of
           health
           .
           Those
           who
           are
           rais'd
           from
           a
           low
           state
           to
           eminent
           Dignity
           ,
           are
           transported
           with
           their
           first
           change
           ,
           but
           in
           tract
           of
           time
           the
           remembrance
           of
           their
           mean
           condition
           is
           so
           weakned
           and
           spent
           ,
           that
           't
           is
           
           like
           the
           shadow
           of
           a
           Dream
           ,
           and
           proportionably
           their
           Joy
           is
           lessened
           .
           Honours
           like
           Perfumes
           ,
           by
           custom
           are
           less
           sensible
           to
           those
           that
           carry
           them
           .
           But
           the
           Saints
           above
           always
           consider
           and
           feel
           the
           excellent
           difference
           between
           their
           suffering
           and
           triumphant
           state
           .
           They
           never
           lose
           that
           ravishing
           part
           of
           felicity
           ,
           the
           vivid
           sense
           of
           past
           evils
           .
           Their
           reflections
           are
           always
           as
           strong
           on
           the
           Misery
           from
           whence
           they
           were
           rais'd
           to
           the
           pitch
           of
           Happiness
           ,
           as
           in
           their
           first
           glorious
           Translation
           .
           In
           what
           an
           Extasy
           of
           wonder
           and
           pleasure
           will
           they
           be
           ,
           from
           the
           fresh
           memory
           of
           what
           they
           were
           ,
           and
           the
           joyful
           sense
           of
           what
           they
           are
           ?
           
             I
             was
          
           (
           says
           the
           admiring
           Soul
           )
           
             poor
             ,
             blind
             ,
             and
             naked
          
           ;
           but
           O
           miraculous
           and
           happy
           Alteration
           !
           I
           am
           full
           of
           Light
           ,
           enrich'd
           with
           the
           Treasures
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           adorn'd
           with
           Divine
           Glory
           .
           I
           was
           under
           the
           tyrannous
           power
           of
           Satan
           ,
           
             but
             he
             is
             bruised
             under
             my
             feet
             .
          
           I
           was
           sentenc'd
           to
           an
           everlasting
           separation
           from
           the
           Presence
           of
           God
           ,
           my
           only
           Life
           and
           Joy
           ;
           but
           now
           am
           possest
           of
           my
           supream
           Good.
           O
           how
           transporting
           is
           the
           comparison
           of
           these
           wide
           and
           contrary
           extreams
           ?
           How
           beautiful
           and
           pleasant
           is
           the
           Day
           
           of
           Eternity
           ,
           after
           such
           a
           dark
           tempestuous
           Night
           ?
           How
           does
           the
           remembrance
           of
           such
           Evils
           produce
           a
           more
           lively
           and
           feeling
           fruition
           of
           such
           Happiness
           ?
           How
           strangely
           and
           mightily
           does
           
             Salvation
             with
             Eternal
             Glory
             affect
             the
             Soul
             ?
          
           This
           gives
           a
           spritely
           accent
           to
           their
           everlasting
           Hallelujahs
           .
           This
           preserves
           an
           affectionate
           Heat
           in
           their
           Thanksgivings
           to
           their
           Victorious
           Deliverer
           .
           And
           thus
           their
           Happiness
           is
           always
           the
           same
           ,
           and
           always
           new
           .
           Their
           Pleasure
           is
           continued
           in
           its
           Perfection
           .
        
         
           The
           number
           of
           Possessors
           cannot
           lessen
           their
           Felicity
           .
           The
           Divine
           Presence
           is
           an
           unwasted
           Spring
           of
           Pleasure
           ,
           equally
           full
           and
           open
           to
           all
           ,
           and
           abundantly
           sufficient
           to
           satisfy
           the
           immensity
           of
           their
           Desires
           .
           Envy
           reigns
           in
           this
           World
           ,
           because
           earthly
           things
           are
           so
           imperfect
           in
           their
           Nature
           ,
           and
           so
           peculiar
           in
           their
           Possession
           ,
           that
           they
           cannot
           suffice
           ,
           nor
           be
           enjoyed
           by
           all
           .
           But
           in
           Heaven
           none
           is
           touch'd
           with
           that
           base
           low
           Passion
           :
           for
           God
           contains
           all
           that
           is
           precious
           and
           desirable
           in
           the
           highest
           degrees
           of
           Perfection
           ,
           and
           all
           partake
           of
           his
           Universal
           Goodness
           without
           intercepting
           one
           another
           .
           
           In
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           Heaven
           there
           is
           no
           cause
           for
           the
           Elder
           Brother
           to
           repine
           at
           the
           Father's
           Bounty
           to
           the
           Younger
           ,
           nor
           for
           the
           Younger
           to
           supplant
           the
           Elder
           to
           obtain
           the
           Birth-right
           .
           
             The
             Heirs
             of
             God
          
           are
           all
           rais'd
           to
           Sovereign
           Glory
           ,
           and
           every
           one
           enjoys
           him
           as
           entirely
           and
           fully
           as
           if
           solely
           his
           Felicity
           .
           God
           is
           a
           Good
           as
           indivisible
           as
           infinite
           ,
           and
           not
           diminished
           by
           the
           most
           liberal
           communications
           of
           Himself
           .
           We
           may
           illustrate
           this
           by
           comparing
           the
           Price
           of
           our
           Redemption
           ,
           and
           the
           Reward
           .
           The
           Death
           of
           Christ
           is
           a
           universal
           Benefit
           to
           all
           the
           Saints
           ,
           yet
           't
           is
           so
           applied
           to
           every
           Believer
           for
           his
           perfect
           Redemption
           ,
           as
           if
           our
           Saviour
           in
           all
           his
           Agonies
           and
           Sufferings
           had
           no
           other
           in
           his
           Eye
           and
           Heart
           ,
           as
           if
           all
           his
           Prayers
           ,
           his
           Tears
           ,
           his
           Blood
           were
           offer'd
           up
           to
           his
           Father
           only
           for
           that
           Person
           .
           The
           common
           respect
           of
           it
           the
           Apostle
           declares
           in
           those
           admirable
           words
           ,
           that
           signify
           such
           an
           excess
           of
           God's
           Love
           to
           us
           ,
           
             He
             that
             spared
             not
             his
             own
             Son
             ,
             but
             deliver'd
             him
             up
             for
             us
             all
             ,
             how
             shall
             he
             not
             with
             him
             also
             freely
             give
             us
             all
             things
             ?
          
           But
           to
           imagin
           that
           the
           *
           propriety
           of
           every
           Believer
           is
           thereby
           prejudiced
           ,
           is
           not
           only
           false
           ,
           
           but
           extreamly
           injurious
           to
           the
           Merit
           and
           Dignity
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           infinite
           Love
           of
           Christ.
           Therefore
           the
           same
           Apostle
           tells
           us
           ,
           
             The
             Life
             which
             I
             now
             live
             in
             the
             Flesh
             ,
             I
             live
             by
             the
             Faith
             of
             the
             Son
             of
             God
             ;
             who
             loved
             me
             ,
             and
             gave
             himself
             for
             me
             :
          
           as
           if
           he
           were
           the
           sole
           Object
           of
           Christ's
           Love
           ,
           the
           End
           and
           Reward
           of
           his
           Sufferings
           .
           And
           this
           appropriating
           of
           it
           to
           himself
           ,
           is
           no
           prejudice
           to
           the
           Rights
           of
           all
           others
           .
           St.
           John
           describes
           himself
           by
           that
           truly
           glorious
           Title
           ,
           
             The
             Disciple
             whom
             Jesus
             loved
          
           .
           Could
           he
           speak
           this
           of
           himself
           without
           the
           injury
           and
           indignation
           of
           the
           other
           Disciples
           ?
           Certainly
           he
           might
           .
           For
           if
           we
           consider
           that
           incomprehensible
           Love
           of
           Christ
           ,
           exprest
           to
           them
           all
           at
           his
           last
           Supper
           ,
           after
           Judas
           was
           gone
           forth
           ;
           
             As
             the
             Father
             hath
             loved
             me
             ,
             so
             I
             have
             loved
             you
          
           ;
           we
           may
           easily
           understand
           ,
           that
           every
           one
           of
           them
           might
           justly
           believe
           that
           he
           was
           singularly
           beloved
           of
           Christ.
           They
           were
           all
           received
           in
           the
           Heart
           ,
           though
           (
           with
           John
           )
           they
           did
           not
           all
           lean
           on
           the
           Breast
           of
           their
           Divine
           Master
           .
           Thus
           in
           Heaven
           God
           is
           the
           universal
           Treasure
           of
           all
           the
           Saints
           ,
           and
           the
           peculiar
           Portion
           of
           every
           one
           ,
           not
           engross'd
           by
           possessing
           ,
           nor
           wasted
           
           by
           enjoying
           .
           *
           As
           by
           his
           Essence
           he
           equally
           fills
           the
           whole
           World
           ,
           and
           every
           part
           of
           it
           ;
           and
           by
           his
           Providence
           equally
           regards
           all
           and
           every
           particular
           Creature
           ;
           so
           in
           Heaven
           he
           dispenses
           the
           Riches
           of
           his
           Love
           to
           all
           ,
           that
           they
           cannot
           desire
           more
           ,
           if
           every
           one
           of
           them
           were
           the
           sole
           Heir
           of
           all
           the
           Merits
           of
           his
           Son
           ,
           and
           enjoyed
           him
           alone
           for
           ever
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           Blessedness
           of
           the
           Saints
           ,
           as
           't
           is
           without
           diminution
           ,
           so
           't
           is
           without
           end
           :
           't
           is
           compleat
           and
           continual
           for
           ever
           .
           This
           makes
           Heaven
           to
           be
           Heaven
           ;
           the
           Security
           is
           as
           valuable
           as
           the
           Felicity
           .
           There
           is
           no
           satiety
           of
           the
           present
           ,
           no
           solicitude
           for
           the
           future
           .
           Were
           there
           a
           possibility
           ,
           or
           the
           least
           suspicion
           of
           losing
           that
           happy
           State
           ,
           it
           would
           cast
           an
           aspersion
           of
           bitterness
           upon
           all
           their
           Delights
           ;
           it
           would
           disturb
           their
           peaceful
           Fruition
           ,
           and
           joyful
           Tranquillity
           :
           as
           Hope
           in
           Misery
           allays
           Sorrow
           ,
           so
           Fear
           in
           Happiness
           dashes
           Joy
           :
           and
           the
           more
           excellent
           the
           Happiness
           is
           ,
           the
           more
           stinging
           would
           be
           the
           fear
           of
           losing
           it
           .
           
             But
             the
             Inheritance
             reserved
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             is
             immortal
             ,
             undefiled
             ,
             and
             fades
             not
             away
             .
          
           And
           the
           Tenure
           of
           their
           Possession
           is
           
           infinitely
           firm
           ,
           by
           the
           Promise
           of
           God
           ,
           who
           is
           truly
           immutable
           ,
           and
           immutably
           true
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           Divine
           Power
           ,
           the
           support
           of
           their
           everlasting
           Duration
           .
           Our
           Saviour
           assures
           his
           Disciples
           ,
           
             Because
             I
             live
             ,
             ye
             shall
             live
             also
             :
             and
             he
             lives
             for
             evermore
             .
          
           This
           blessed
           Priviledg
           the
           Saints
           have
           by
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           (
           who
           obtain'd
           eternal
           Redemption
           for
           them
           )
           above
           the
           Grace
           given
           to
           Angels
           and
           Men
           in
           the
           first
           Creation
           .
           The
           Angels
           were
           upon
           trial
           of
           their
           Obedience
           ,
           not
           in
           a
           determin'd
           State
           of
           Felicity
           .
           The
           first
           declination
           of
           Love
           and
           Subjection
           ,
           was
           fatal
           to
           them
           .
           Woful
           Change
           !
           how
           unlike
           to
           themselves
           in
           their
           Original
           Purity
           and
           Glory
           !
           an
           unparallel'd
           Example
           of
           the
           Frailty
           of
           the
           Creature
           ,
           and
           the
           Divine
           Severity
           .
           Man
           did
           stand
           in
           Paradise
           for
           a
           little
           while
           ,
           and
           had
           a
           ruinous
           Fall
           with
           all
           his
           Progeny
           .
           
             But
             the
             glorified
             Saints
             sit
             with
             Christ
             in
             Heavenly
             Places
             ,
          
           and
           enjoy
           an
           unchangeable
           Happiness
           ,
           as
           permanent
           as
           the
           everlasting
           Author
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           the
           everlasting
           Soul
           the
           Subject
           of
           it
           .
           
             With
             God
             is
             the
             Fountain
             of
             Life
             .
          
           Who
           can
           pluck
           them
           out
           of
           the
           Hands
           and
           Bosom
           of
           a
           Gracious
           God
           ?
           He
           will
           never
           
           withdraw
           his
           Love
           ,
           and
           they
           shall
           never
           forfeit
           it
           :
           for
           Sin
           is
           from
           the
           perversness
           of
           the
           Will
           and
           the
           disorder
           of
           the
           Affections
           ,
           join'd
           with
           some
           Error
           of
           the
           Mind
           .
           But
           in
           the
           Light
           of
           Glory
           ,
           and
           full
           enjoyment
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           Understanding
           is
           so
           perfectly
           illuminated
           ,
           the
           Will
           and
           Affections
           so
           exceedingly
           satisfi'd
           ,
           that
           't
           is
           impossible
           they
           should
           apprehend
           erroneously
           ,
           or
           desire
           irregularly
           .
           God
           is
           Love
           ,
           and
           will
           kindle
           in
           the
           Saints
           a
           pure
           Affection
           that
           Eternity
           shall
           not
           lessen
           .
           In
           the
           present
           state
           ,
           our
           Love
           is
           imperfect
           ;
           and
           as
           Fire
           out
           of
           its
           Sphere
           dies
           away
           by
           our
           neglect
           to
           feed
           it
           by
           proper
           Materials
           ,
           enamouring
           Considerations
           of
           God.
           But
           in
           Heaven
           the
           uncreated
           Sun
           attracts
           every
           Eye
           with
           the
           Light
           of
           his
           Beauty
           ,
           and
           inflames
           every
           Heart
           with
           the
           heat
           of
           his
           Love.
           The
           glorious
           Presence
           of
           God
           is
           in
           different
           respects
           the
           Cause
           and
           Effect
           of
           our
           Love
           to
           him
           ,
           for
           the
           sight
           of
           God
           is
           the
           most
           powerful
           Attractive
           to
           love
           him
           ,
           and
           Love
           fixes
           the
           Mind
           upon
           him
           .
           And
           the
           persevering
           Love
           of
           God
           assures
           the
           constant
           fruition
           of
           him
           :
           for
           by
           Love
           the
           supreme
           Good
           is
           possess'd
           and
           enjoyed
           .
           The
           Apostle
           
           tells
           us
           ,
           
             Charity
             never
             fails
          
           ,
           and
           therefore
           the
           Happiness
           of
           Heaven
           never
           fails
           .
           They
           enjoy
           a
           better
           Immortality
           ,
           than
           the
           Tree
           of
           Life
           could
           have
           preserved
           in
           Adam
           .
           The
           Revolutions
           of
           the
           Heavens
           ,
           and
           Ages
           ,
           are
           under
           their
           Feet
           ,
           and
           cannot
           in
           the
           least
           alter
           or
           determine
           their
           Happiness
           .
           After
           the
           passing
           of
           Millions
           of
           Years
           ,
           still
           an
           entire
           Eternity
           remains
           of
           their
           enjoying
           God.
           O
           most
           desireable
           State
           !
           where
           Blessedness
           and
           Eternity
           are
           inseparably
           united
           .
           O
           joyful
           Harmony
           !
           when
           the
           full
           Chorus
           of
           Heaven
           shall
           sing
           ,
           
             This
             God
             is
             our
             God
             for
             ever
             and
             ever
             .
          
           This
           adds
           an
           infinite
           weight
           to
           their
           Glory
           .
           This
           redoubles
           their
           Joys
           with
           infinite
           sweetness
           and
           security
           :
           for
           the
           direct
           pleasure
           of
           enjoying
           God
           ,
           is
           attended
           with
           the
           pleasant
           reflection
           it
           shall
           continue
           for
           ever
           .
           They
           repose
           themselves
           in
           the
           compleat
           fruition
           of
           their
           Happiness
           .
           God
           reigns
           in
           the
           Saints
           ,
           and
           they
           live
           in
           him
           for
           ever
           .
           Eternity
           crowns
           and
           consummates
           their
           Felicity
           .
        
         
           
           
             The
             Application
             .
          
           
             From
             what
             has
             been
             discoursed
             we
             should
             ,
          
           
             1.
             
             Consider
             the
             woful
             Folly
             of
             Men
             in
             refusing
             such
             an
             Happiness
             ,
             that
             by
             the
             admirable
             Favour
             of
             God
             is
             offer'd
             to
             their
             choice
             .
             Can
             there
             be
             an
             Expectation
             ,
             or
             Desire
             ,
             or
             Capacity
             in
             Man
             of
             enjoying
             an
             Happiness
             beyond
             what
             is
             Infinite
             and
             Eternal
             ?
             O
             blind
             and
             wretched
             World
             !
             so
             careless
             of
             everlasting
             Felicity
             .
             Who
             can
             behold
             ,
             without
             compassion
             and
             indignation
             ,
             Men
             vainly
             seeking
             for
             Happiness
             where
             't
             is
             not
             to
             be
             found
             ,
             and
             after
             innumerable
             disappointments
             flying
             at
             an
             Impossibility
             ,
             and
             neglect
             their
             Sovereign
             and
             final
             Blessedness
             ?
             An
             Error
             in
             the
             first
             enquiry
             might
             have
             some
             colour
             of
             an
             Excuse
             ,
             but
             having
             been
             so
             often
             deceived
             with
             painted
             Grapes
             for
             the
             Fruits
             of
             Paradise
             ,
             that
             Men
             should
             still
             seek
             for
             substantial
             Blessedness
             to
             fill
             the
             Soul
             ,
             in
             vain
             shows
             that
             can
             only
             feed
             the
             Eye
             ,
             is
             beyond
             all
             degrees
             of
             Folly.
             Astonishing
             madness
             !
             that
             God
             and
             Heaven
             should
             be
             despised
             in
             comparison
             of
             painted
             Trifles
             .
             
             This
             adds
             the
             greatest
             contumely
             to
             their
             Impiety
             .
             What
             powerful
             Charm
             obstructs
             their
             true
             judging
             of
             things
             ?
             What
             Spirit
             of
             Errour
             possesses
             them
             ?
             Alas
             ,
             
               Eternal
               things
               are
               unseen
            
             !
             not
             of
             conspicuous
             moment
             ,
             and
             therefore
             in
             the
             carnal
             Ballance
             are
             esteemed
             light
             ,
             against
             temporal
             things
             present
             to
             the
             Sense
             .
             
               It
               does
               not
               appear
               what
               we
               shall
               be
               :
            
             The
             Vail
             of
             the
             visible
             Heavens
             covers
             the
             Sanctuary
             ,
             where
             JESUS
             our
             High-Priest
             is
             entred
             ,
             and
             stops
             the
             enquiring
             Eye
             .
          
           
             But
             have
             we
             not
             assurance
             by
             the
             most
             infallible
             Principles
             of
             Faith
             ,
             that
             the
             Son
             of
             God
             came
             down
             from
             Heaven
             to
             live
             with
             us
             ,
             and
             die
             for
             us
             ,
             and
             that
             he
             rose
             again
             to
             confirm
             our
             Belief
             in
             his
             
               exceeding
               great
               and
               precious
               Promises
            
             concerning
             this
             Happiness
             in
             the
             Future
             State
             ?
             And
             do
             not
             the
             most
             evident
             Principles
             of
             Reason
             and
             universal
             Experience
             prove
             ,
             that
             this
             World
             cannot
             afford
             true
             Happiness
             to
             us
             ?
             How
             wretchedly
             do
             we
             forfeit
             the
             Prerogative
             of
             the
             reasonable
             Nature
             ,
             by
             neglecting
             our
             last
             and
             blessed
             End
             ?
             If
             the
             Mind
             be
             darkned
             ,
             that
             it
             does
             not
             see
             the
             amiable
             Excellencies
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             Will
             be
             depraved
             that
             it
             does
             
             not
             feel
             their
             ravishing
             Power
             ;
             the
             Man
             ceases
             to
             be
             a
             Man
             ,
             and
             becomes
             like
             the
             Beasts
             that
             perish
             .
             As
             a
             blind
             Eye
             is
             no
             longer
             an
             Eye
             ,
             being
             absolutely
             useless
             to
             that
             end
             for
             which
             it
             was
             made
             .
             And
             though
             in
             this
             present
             state
             Men
             are
             stupid
             and
             unconcern'd
             ,
             yet
             hereafter
             their
             Misery
             will
             awaken
             them
             ,
             to
             discover
             what
             is
             that
             Supream
             Good
             wherein
             their
             Perfection
             and
             Felicity
             consists
             .
             When
             their
             Folly
             shall
             be
             exposed
             before
             God
             ,
             Angels
             ,
             and
             Saints
             ,
             in
             what
             extream
             confusion
             will
             they
             appear
             before
             that
             glorious
             and
             immense
             Theatre
             ?
             Our
             Saviour
             told
             the
             unbelieving
             
               Jews
               ,
               There
               shall
               be
               weeping
               ,
               and
               gnashing
               of
               Teeth
               ,
               when
               ye
               shall
               see
            
             Abraham
             ,
             and
             Isaac
             ,
             and
             Jacob
             ,
             
               and
               all
               the
               Prophets
               in
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               you
               your selves
               turn'd
               out
               .
            
             They
             shall
             be
             tortur'd
             with
             the
             desire
             of
             Happiness
             without
             possible
             Satisfaction
             .
             'T
             is
             most
             just
             that
             those
             who
             err
             without
             excuse
             ,
             should
             repent
             without
             remedy
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             Let
             us
             be
             seriously
             excited
             to
             apply
             our selves
             with
             inflamed
             desires
             and
             our
             utmost
             diligence
             to
             obtain
             this
             unchangeable
             Happiness
             ?
             In
             order
             to
             this
             we
             shall
             consider
             the
             causes
             of
             it
             ,
             
             and
             the
             means
             whereby
             't
             is
             obtain'd
             .
          
           
             The
             Original
             moving
             Cause
             is
             the
             pure
             rich
             Mercy
             of
             God
             that
             prepared
             it
             for
             his
             People
             ,
             and
             prepares
             them
             for
             it
             .
             The
             procuring
             Cause
             is
             the
             meritorious
             efficacy
             of
             Christ's
             Obedience
             and
             Sufferings
             .
             This
             is
             expresly
             declared
             by
             the
             Apostle
             ;
             
               The
               wages
               of
               Sin
               is
               Death
               ,
               but
               the
               gift
               of
               God
               is
               eternal
               Life
               through
               Jesus
               Christ
               our
               Lord.
               
            
          
           
             I.
             The
             designing
             ,
             the
             preparation
             ,
             and
             actual
             bestowing
             of
             the
             Heavenly
             Glory
             is
             from
             the
             Mercy
             of
             God.
             This
             will
             appear
             by
             considering
             ,
          
           
             1.
             
             That
             it
             is
             absolutely
             impossible
             that
             a
             meer
             Creature
             ,
             though
             perfect
             ,
             should
             deserve
             any
             thing
             from
             God.
             For
             enjoying
             its
             being
             and
             powers
             of
             working
             from
             his
             Goodness
             ,
             the
             product
             of
             all
             is
             entirely
             due
             to
             him
             .
             And
             the
             payment
             of
             a
             Debt
             acquires
             no
             Title
             to
             a
             Reward
             .
             He
             is
             the
             Proprietary
             and
             Lord
             of
             all
             by
             Creation
             .
             Hence
             't
             is
             clear
             that
             in
             the
             order
             of
             distributive
             Justice
             nothing
             can
             be
             challenged
             from
             him
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             Besides
             ,
             such
             is
             the
             infinite
             Perfection
             of
             God
             in
             Himself
             ,
             that
             no
             benefit
             can
             redound
             to
             him
             by
             the
             Service
             of
             the
             Creature
             .
             
               When
               you
               have
               done
               all
               ,
               
               say
               you
               are
               unprofitable
               Servants
               ,
               for
               we
               have
               done
               but
               what
               we
               ought
               to
               do
               .
            
             The
             neglect
             of
             our
             duty
             justly
             exposes
             to
             punishment
             ,
             but
             the
             performance
             of
             it
             deserves
             no
             Reward
             ,
             because
             no
             advantage
             accrues
             to
             God
             by
             it
             .
             
               Who
               hath
               first
               given
               unto
               him
               ,
               and
               it
               shall
               be
               recompensed
               to
               him
               again
               ?
            
             He
             challenges
             all
             Creatures
             even
             of
             the
             highest
             order
             .
             To
             speak
             strictly
             therefore
             ,
             When
             God
             crowns
             the
             Angels
             with
             Glory
             ,
             he
             gives
             what
             is
             meerly
             his
             own
             ,
             and
             does
             not
             render
             what
             is
             theirs
             .
             If
             he
             should
             leave
             them
             in
             their
             pure
             Nature
             ,
             or
             deprive
             them
             of
             their
             Being
             ,
             he
             were
             no
             loser
             ,
             nor
             injurious
             to
             them
             .
             For
             what
             Law
             binds
             him
             to
             enrich
             them
             with
             Immortal
             Glory
             ,
             who
             are
             no
             ways
             profitable
             to
             him
             ,
             or
             to
             preserve
             that
             being
             they
             had
             from
             his
             unexcited
             Goodness
             .
             No
             Creature
             can
             give
             to
             him
             ,
             therefore
             none
             can
             receive
             from
             him
             by
             way
             of
             valuable
             Consideration
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             There
             is
             no
             proportion
             between
             the
             best
             Works
             of
             Men
             ,
             and
             the
             excellency
             of
             the
             Reward
             ,
             much
             less
             an
             equivalence
             .
             'T
             was
             the
             just
             and
             humble
             acknowledgment
             of
             Jacob
             to
             God
             ,
             
               I
               am
               less
               than
               the
               least
               of
               all
               thy
               Mercies
               ,
            
             those
             that
             common
             Providence
             dispenses
             for
             
             the
             support
             and
             refreshment
             of
             this
             temporal
             Life
             .
             But
             how
             much
             less
             than
             the
             glorious
             Excellencies
             of
             the
             supernatural
             Divine
             Life
             ,
             wherein
             the
             Saints
             reign
             with
             God
             for
             ever
             ?
             The
             most
             costly
             ,
             the
             most
             difficult
             and
             hazardous
             Services
             ,
             are
             equally
             nothing
             in
             point
             of
             Merit
             ,
             with
             the
             giving
             but
             a
             
               Cup
               of
               cold
               Water
               to
               a
               Disciple
               of
               Christ
               ,
            
             there
             being
             no
             correspondence
             in
             value
             between
             them
             and
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Heaven
             .
             The
             Apostle
             tells
             us
             ,
             
               I
               count
               the
               Sufferings
               of
               the
               present
               Life
               are
               not
               to
               be
               compar'd
               to
               the
               Glory
               that
               shall
               be
               revealed
               in
               us
               .
            
             And
             suffering
             is
             more
             than
             doing
             .
             God
             rewards
             his
             faithful
             Servants
             not
             according
             to
             the
             dignity
             of
             their
             Works
             ,
             but
             his
             own
             Liberality
             and
             Magnificence
             .
             As
             Alexander
             having
             ordered
             fifty
             Talents
             of
             Gold
             to
             be
             given
             to
             a
             Gentleman
             in
             Poverty
             to
             supply
             his
             want
             ,
             and
             he
             surpris'd
             with
             that
             immense
             Bounty
             ,
             modestly
             said
             ,
             ten
             were
             enough
             ;
             He
             replied
             ,
             
               If
               fifty
               are
               too
               much
               for
               you
               to
               receive
               ,
               ten
               are
               too
               little
               for
               me
               to
               give
               ;
               therefore
               do
               you
               receive
               as
               Poor
               ,
               I
               will
               give
               as
               a
               King.
            
             Thus
             God
             in
             the
             dispensing
             his
             Favours
             does
             not
             respect
             the
             meanness
             of
             our
             Persons
             or
             Services
             ,
             but
             gives
             to
             us
             as
             a
             God.
             And
             
             the
             clearest
             Notion
             of
             the
             Deity
             is
             that
             he
             is
             a
             Being
             infinite
             in
             all
             Perfections
             ,
             therefore
             all-sufficient
             and
             most
             willing
             to
             make
             his
             Creatures
             compleatly
             happy
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             If
             a
             Creature
             perfectly
             Holy
             that
             never
             sinn'd
             is
             uncapable
             to
             merit
             any
             thing
             from
             God
             ,
             much
             less
             can
             those
             who
             are
             born
             in
             a
             sinful
             State
             ,
             and
             guilty
             of
             innumerable
             actual
             Transgressions
             ,
             pretend
             to
             deserve
             any
             Reward
             for
             their
             Works
             .
             This
             were
             presumption
             inspir'd
             by
             prodigious
             Vanity
             .
             For
             ,
          
           
             1.
             
             By
             his
             most
             free
             Grace
             they
             are
             restored
             in
             conversion
             to
             that
             Spiritual
             Power
             by
             which
             they
             serve
             him
             .
             The
             Chaos
             was
             not
             a
             deader
             Lump
             before
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             moved
             on
             the
             Face
             of
             the
             Waters
             ,
             than
             the
             best
             of
             Men
             were
             before
             the
             vital
             influences
             of
             the
             Spirit
             wrought
             upon
             them
             .
             And
             for
             this
             they
             are
             so
             deeply
             obliged
             to
             God
             ,
             that
             if
             a
             thousand
             times
             more
             for
             his
             Glory
             were
             perform'd
             ,
             yet
             they
             cannot
             discharge
             what
             they
             owe.
             
          
           
             2.
             
             The
             continuance
             and
             increase
             of
             the
             powerful
             supplies
             of
             Grace
             to
             the
             Saints
             ,
             who
             even
             since
             their
             holy
             calling
             by
             many
             laspes
             have
             justly
             deserved
             that
             God
             should
             withdraw
             his
             grieved
             Spirit
             ,
             
             are
             new
             Obligations
             to
             Thankfulness
             :
             and
             the
             more
             Grace
             ,
             the
             less
             Merit
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             The
             best
             Works
             of
             Men
             are
             imperfect
             ,
             allayed
             with
             the
             mixtures
             of
             Infirmities
             ,
             and
             not
             of
             full
             weight
             in
             the
             Divine
             Ballance
             .
             If
             God
             should
             strictly
             examin
             our
             Righteousness
             ,
             't
             will
             be
             found
             neither
             pure
             nor
             perfect
             in
             his
             Eyes
             ,
             and
             without
             Favour
             and
             Indulgence
             would
             be
             rejected
             .
             And
             that
             which
             wants
             Pardon
             ,
             cannot
             deserve
             Praise
             and
             Glory
             .
             
               He
               shews
               Mercy
               to
               thousands
               that
               love
               him
               ,
               and
               keep
               his
               Commandments
               .
            
             If
             Obedience
             were
             meritorious
             ,
             it
             were
             strict
             justice
             to
             reward
             them
             .
             The
             Apostle
             prays
             for
             Onesiphorus
             ,
             who
             had
             exposed
             himself
             to
             great
             danger
             for
             his
             love
             to
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             
               The
               Lord
               grant
               he
               may
               find
               Mercy
               in
               that
               day
               .
            
             The
             Divine
             Mercy
             gives
             the
             Crown
             of
             Life
             to
             the
             Faithful
             in
             the
             day
             of
             eternal
             Recompences
             .
          
           
             II.
             The
             meritorious
             Cause
             of
             our
             obtaining
             Heaven
             ,
             is
             the
             Obedience
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             comprehending
             all
             that
             he
             did
             and
             suffered
             to
             reconcile
             God
             to
             us
             .
             From
             him
             as
             the
             eternal
             Word
             we
             have
             all
             benefits
             in
             the
             order
             of
             Nature
             ,
             
               for
               all
               things
               were
               made
               by
               him
               ,
            
             and
             for
             him
             ,
             
             as
             the
             incarnate
             Word
             ,
             all
             good
             things
             in
             the
             order
             of
             Grace
             .
             What
             we
             enjoy
             in
             Time
             ,
             and
             expect
             in
             Eternity
             ,
             is
             by
             him
             .
             To
             shew
             what
             influence
             his
             Mediation
             has
             to
             make
             us
             happy
             ,
             we
             must
             consider
             ;
          
           
             1.
             
             Man
             by
             his
             Rebellion
             justly
             forfeited
             his
             Happiness
             ,
             and
             the
             Law
             exacts
             precisely
             the
             Forfeiture
             .
             Pure
             Justice
             requires
             the
             Crime
             should
             be
             punish'd
             according
             to
             its
             Quality
             ,
             much
             less
             will
             it
             suffer
             the
             guilty
             to
             enjoy
             the
             favour
             of
             God.
             For
             Sin
             is
             not
             to
             be
             considered
             as
             an
             Offence
             and
             Injury
             to
             a
             private
             Person
             ,
             but
             the
             violation
             of
             a
             Law
             ,
             and
             a
             disturbance
             in
             the
             order
             of
             Government
             ,
             so
             that
             to
             preserve
             the
             honour
             of
             governing
             Justice
             ,
             an
             equivalent
             reparation
             was
             appointed
             .
             Till
             Sin
             was
             expiated
             by
             a
             proper
             Sacrifice
             ,
             the
             Divine
             Goodness
             was
             a
             sealed
             Spring
             ,
             and
             its
             blessed
             effects
             restrain'd
             from
             the
             guilty
             Creature
             .
             Now
             the
             Son
             of
             God
             in
             our
             assumed
             Nature
             offered
             up
             himself
             a
             Sacrifice
             in
             our
             stead
             ,
             to
             satisfy
             Divine
             Justice
             ,
             and
             removed
             the
             Bar
             ,
             that
             Mercy
             might
             be
             glorified
             in
             our
             Salvation
             .
             The
             Apostle
             gives
             this
             account
             of
             it
             ;
             
             
               We
               have
               boldness
               to
               enter
               into
               the
               Holiest
               ,
               by
               the
               Blood
               of
               
               Christ
               ,
               by
               a
               new
               and
               living
               way
               which
               he
               hath
               consecrated
               for
               us
               through
               the
               Vail
               ,
               that
               is
               to
               say
               ,
               his
               Flesh.
               
            
          
           
             2.
             
             Such
             were
             the
             most
             precious
             Merits
             of
             his
             Obedience
             ,
             that
             it
             was
             not
             only
             sufficient
             to
             free
             the
             guilty
             contaminated
             Race
             of
             Mankind
             from
             Hell
             ,
             but
             to
             purchase
             for
             them
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Heaven
             .
             If
             we
             consider
             his
             Humane
             Nature
             ,
             all
             Graces
             were
             born
             with
             him
             ,
             as
             Rays
             with
             the
             Sun
             ,
             and
             shin'd
             in
             the
             whole
             course
             of
             his
             Life
             in
             the
             excellence
             of
             Perfection
             .
             And
             the
             dignity
             of
             his
             Divine
             Person
             derived
             an
             immense
             Value
             to
             all
             he
             perform'd
             as
             Mediator
             .
             One
             Act
             of
             his
             Obedience
             was
             more
             honourable
             to
             God
             than
             all
             the
             Lives
             of
             the
             Saints
             ,
             the
             Deaths
             of
             the
             Martyrs
             ,
             and
             the
             Service
             of
             the
             Angels
             .
             God
             was
             more
             pleased
             in
             the
             Obedience
             of
             his
             Beloved
             Son
             ,
             than
             he
             was
             provok'd
             by
             the
             rebellion
             of
             his
             Servants
             .
             Therefore
             ,
             as
             the
             just
             Recompence
             of
             it
             ,
             he
             constituted
             him
             to
             be
             Universal
             Head
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             supream
             Judg
             of
             the
             World
             ;
             invested
             him
             with
             Divine
             Glory
             ,
             and
             with
             Power
             to
             communicate
             it
             to
             his
             faithful
             Servants
             .
             
               He
               is
               the
               Prince
               of
               Life
               .
            
             In
             short
             ,
             it
             is
             as
             much
             upon
             the
             account
             of
             Christ's
             Sufferings
             that
             we
             
             are
             glorified
             ,
             as
             that
             we
             are
             forgiven
             .
             The
             Wounds
             he
             received
             in
             his
             Body
             ,
             the
             Characters
             of
             Ignominy
             ,
             and
             Footsteps
             of
             Death
             ,
             are
             the
             Fountains
             of
             our
             Glory
             .
             His
             Abasement
             is
             the
             cause
             of
             our
             Exaltation
             .
          
           
             If
             it
             be
             said
             ,
             This
             seems
             to
             lessen
             the
             freeness
             of
             this
             Gift
             .
             The
             answer
             is
             clear
             ;
          
           
             This
             was
             due
             to
             Christ
             ,
             but
             undeserved
             by
             us
             .
             Besides
             ,
             the
             appointing
             his
             Son
             to
             be
             our
             Mediator
             in
             the
             way
             of
             our
             Ransom
             ,
             was
             the
             most
             glorious
             Work
             of
             his
             Goodness
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             The
             Means
             of
             our
             obtaining
             Heaven
             are
             to
             be
             considered
             .
             Though
             the
             Divine
             Goodness
             be
             free
             in
             its
             Acts
             ,
             and
             there
             can
             be
             nothing
             in
             the
             Creature
             of
             Merit
             ,
             or
             Inducement
             to
             prevail
             upon
             God
             in
             the
             nature
             of
             a
             Cause
             ,
             yet
             he
             requires
             Qualifications
             in
             all
             those
             who
             shall
             enjoy
             that
             blessed
             unchangeable
             Kingdom
             .
             The
             Apostle
             expresly
             declares
             ,
             
               'T
               is
               not
               of
               him
               that
               wills
               ,
               nor
               of
               him
               that
               runs
               ,
            
             
             
               but
               of
               God
               that
               sheweth
               Mercy
               .
            
             But
             we
             must
             distinguish
             the
             Effects
             of
             this
             Mercy
             ,
             which
             are
             dispensed
             in
             that
             order
             the
             Gospel
             lays
             down
             .
             The
             first
             Mercy
             is
             the
             powerful
             calling
             the
             Sinner
             from
             his
             corrupt
             and
             wretched
             
             State
             ;
             a
             second
             Mercy
             is
             the
             pardoning
             his
             Sins
             ;
             the
             last
             and
             most
             eminent
             is
             the
             glorifying
             him
             in
             Heaven
             .
             Now
             't
             is
             clear
             that
             in
             this
             place
             ,
             
               the
               shewing
               of
               Mercy
            
             ,
             signifies
             the
             preventing
             Grace
             of
             God
             in
             Conversion
             ;
             for
             in
             the
             18
             th
             Verse
             ,
             't
             is
             said
             ,
             God
             shews
             Mercy
             to
             
               whom
               he
               will
               ,
               and
               whom
               he
               will
               he
               hardens
               .
            
             Where
             't
             is
             evident
             
               that
               shewing
               Mercy
            
             is
             oppos'd
             not
             to
             condemning
             ,
             but
             
               to
               hardning
            
             ;
             and
             consequently
             the
             intent
             of
             the
             words
             is
             this
             ,
             That
             Divine
             Grace
             overcomes
             the
             Rebellious
             Will
             ,
             softens
             the
             stiff
             and
             stubborn
             Heart
             ,
             and
             makes
             it
             pliant
             to
             Obedience
             .
             This
             flows
             from
             his
             pure
             good
             Will
             and
             Pleasure
             ,
             without
             the
             least
             Motive
             from
             the
             Inclinations
             or
             Endeavours
             of
             sinful
             Men.
             But
             the
             other
             Effects
             of
             God's
             Mercy
             require
             Conditions
             in
             the
             Subjects
             that
             receive
             them
             :
             for
             he
             pardons
             only
             penitent
             Believers
             ,
             and
             glorifies
             none
             but
             persevering
             Saints
             .
          
           
             To
             make
             this
             clear
             ,
             't
             is
             worthy
             of
             Observation
             ,
             The
             Gospel
             has
             several
             Denominations
             .
             'T
             is
             called
             
               a
               Law
               ,
               a
               Covenant
               ,
               and
               a
               Testament
               .
            
             'T
             is
             called
             
               the
               Law
               of
               Faith
            
             ,
             
             
               and
               the
               Law
               of
               the
               Spiritual
               Life
               .
            
             As
             a
             Law
             ,
             it
             signifies
             a
             new
             
             Right
             that
             God
             has
             most
             freely
             establish'd
             in
             favour
             of
             lost
             Man
             ,
             that
             commands
             certain
             Duties
             ,
             and
             sets
             before
             them
             Eternal
             Life
             as
             the
             Reward
             of
             Obedience
             ,
             and
             Eternal
             Death
             the
             Punishment
             of
             Disobedience
             .
             According
             to
             this
             the
             trial
             and
             decision
             of
             Mens
             everlasting
             States
             shall
             be
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             Character
             of
             a
             true
             Law.
             This
             Law
             of
             Grace
             is
             very
             different
             from
             the
             Law
             of
             Nature
             ,
             that
             requir'd
             intire
             Innocence
             ,
             and
             for
             the
             least
             omission
             ,
             or
             accusing
             Act
             ,
             past
             an
             irrevocable
             Doom
             upon
             the
             Offenders
             ;
             for
             that
             strictness
             and
             severity
             is
             mollified
             by
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             which
             accepts
             of
             sincere
             persevering
             Obedience
             tho
             imperfect
             ;
             accordingly
             't
             is
             called
             
               the
               Law
               of
               Liberty
            
             .
             
             But
             
               the
               Law
               of
               Faith
            
             is
             unalterable
             ,
             and
             admits
             of
             no
             Dispensation
             from
             the
             Duties
             required
             in
             order
             to
             our
             being
             everlastingly
             happy
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             The
             Gospel
             is
             stiled
             
               a
               Covenant
            
             ,
             and
             that
             imports
             a
             reciprocal
             Engagement
             between
             Parties
             for
             the
             performance
             of
             the
             Matter
             contained
             in
             it
             .
             The
             Covenant
             of
             Grace
             includes
             the
             Promise
             of
             pardoning
             and
             rewarding
             Mercy
             on
             God's
             part
             ,
             and
             the
             Conditions
             on
             Man's
             ,
             with
             respect
             to
             which
             't
             is
             
             to
             be
             perform'd
             .
             There
             is
             an
             inviolable
             dependence
             between
             them
             .
             He
             will
             be
             
               our
               God
            
             ,
             
             to
             make
             us
             happy
             ,
             
               but
               we
               must
               be
               his
               People
               to
               yield
               unreserved
               Obedience
               to
               him
               .
            
             
             
               He
               will
               be
               our
               Father
               ,
               and
               we
               shall
               be
               his
               Sons
               and
               Daughters
            
             ;
             but
             't
             is
             upon
             the
             terms
             of
             
               purifying
               our selves
               from
               all
               pollutions
               of
               Flesh
               and
               Spirit
               ,
            
             and
             unfeigned
             endeavours
             to
             
               perfect
               Holiness
               in
               his
               fear
            
             .
             'T
             is
             astonishing
             Goodness
             that
             he
             is
             pleased
             to
             condescend
             to
             such
             a
             Treaty
             with
             fallen
             Creatures
             :
             by
             a
             voluntary
             Promise
             he
             encourages
             them
             ,
             but
             tho
             most
             free
             in
             making
             ,
             't
             is
             conditional
             in
             the
             performance
             .
             The
             constancy
             of
             his
             Holy
             Nature
             obliges
             him
             to
             fulfil
             his
             Word
             ,
             but
             't
             is
             if
             we
             do
             not
             fail
             on
             our
             part
             by
             carelessness
             of
             our
             Duty
             .
             A
             Presumer
             may
             seal
             Assurance
             to
             himself
             ,
             and
             be
             deceived
             in
             this
             great
             Matter
             ,
             but
             
               God
               will
               not
               be
               mocked
            
             .
             If
             we
             prove
             false
             in
             the
             Covenant
             ,
             he
             will
             be
             faithful
             ,
             and
             exclude
             those
             from
             Heaven
             that
             were
             neglectful
             of
             the
             Conditions
             to
             which
             it
             is
             promised
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             The
             Gospel
             is
             stiled
             ,
             
               a
               Testament
            
             sealed
             in
             the
             Blood
             of
             Christ
             ,
             confirm'd
             by
             his
             Death
             .
             The
             Donation
             of
             eternal
             Blessings
             in
             it
             is
             not
             absolute
             and
             irrespective
             ,
             
             but
             the
             Heirs
             are
             admitted
             to
             the
             possession
             of
             the
             Inheritance
             according
             to
             the
             Will
             of
             the
             rich
             liberal
             and
             wise
             Testator
             .
             There
             can
             be
             no
             regular
             Title
             or
             Claim
             made
             out
             without
             performing
             what
             is
             required
             .
             And
             this
             
               is
               the
               Will
               of
               God
               and
               Christ
               our
               Sanctification
               ,
            
             without
             which
             we
             cannot
             enjoy
             it
             .
          
           
             Now
             from
             hence
             we
             may
             see
             the
             admirable
             Agreement
             between
             these
             two
             Notions
             ,
             that
             Heaven
             is
             a
             Gift
             ,
             and
             a
             Reward
             .
             'T
             is
             a
             Reward
             in
             the
             order
             of
             giving
             it
             ,
             not
             due
             to
             the
             Work
             ,
             but
             from
             the
             Bounty
             of
             the
             Giver
             .
             God
             gives
             Heaven
             to
             those
             that
             faithfully
             serve
             him
             .
             But
             their
             Service
             was
             due
             to
             God
             ,
             of
             no
             worth
             in
             respect
             of
             Heaven
             ;
             so
             that
             Man's
             Work
             is
             no
             Merit
             ,
             and
             God's
             Reward
             is
             a
             Gift
             .
             Our
             everlasting
             Glory
             must
             be
             ascribed
             to
             his
             most
             free
             Grace
             ,
             as
             much
             as
             the
             pardon
             of
             our
             Sins
             .
          
           
             I
             shall
             now
             proceed
             to
             consider
             ,
             what
             the
             Gospel
             declares
             to
             be
             indispensably
             requisite
             in
             order
             to
             our
             obtaining
             of
             Heaven
             :
             this
             is
             compriz'd
             in
             the
             holy
             Change
             of
             Man's
             Nature
             ,
             
             which
             I
             will
             briefly
             unfold
             ,
             and
             shew
             how
             necessary
             it
             is
             to
             qualify
             us
             for
             Celestial
             Glory
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             This
             holy
             Change
             is
             express'd
             in
             Scripture
             by
             the
             new
             Birth
             .
             Our
             Saviour
             ,
             with
             a
             solemn
             repeated
             Asseveration
             ,
             
             tells
             
               Nicodemus
               ;
               Verily
               ,
               verily
               ,
               except
               a
               Man
               be
               born
               again
               ,
               he
               cannot
               see
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               God.
            
             Sin
             is
             natural
             to
             Man
             from
             his
             Conception
             and
             Birth
             ,
             and
             infects
             with
             its
             Contagion
             all
             his
             Faculties
             .
             This
             is
             fomented
             and
             cherisht
             by
             Temptations
             that
             easily
             encompass
             him
             .
             The
             Understanding
             is
             polluted
             with
             evil
             Principles
             ,
             full
             of
             strong
             Prejudices
             ,
             and
             lofty
             Imaginations
             against
             the
             supernatural
             Mysteries
             of
             Salvation
             .
             'T
             is
             full
             of
             Ignorance
             and
             Folly
             ,
             and
             from
             hence
             either
             rejects
             them
             as
             incredible
             ,
             or
             despises
             them
             as
             impertinent
             or
             unprofitable
             .
             The
             Will
             is
             depraved
             and
             perverse
             ,
             full
             of
             unruly
             and
             unhallowed
             Affections
             .
             The
             Senses
             are
             luxurious
             and
             rebellious
             .
             In
             short
             ,
             Man
             is
             so
             viciously
             and
             sensually
             inclined
             ,
             so
             
               alienated
               from
               the
               Life
               of
               God
               ,
            
             as
             if
             he
             had
             no
             diviner
             Part
             within
             him
             ,
             that
             should
             aspire
             to
             a
             spiritual
             Blessedness
             ,
             that
             should
             regulate
             and
             
             controul
             the
             excess
             of
             the
             inferiour
             Appetites
             .
             This
             is
             the
             unhappy
             Character
             Satan
             impress'd
             on
             him
             in
             his
             Fall
             ,
             and
             without
             Renovation
             upon
             an
             infinite
             account
             he
             is
             uncapable
             of
             seeing
             God.
             This
             Renovation
             consists
             not
             in
             the
             change
             of
             his
             Substance
             ,
             as
             the
             Water
             was
             miraculously
             turn'd
             into
             Wine
             at
             the
             Marriage
             in
             Cana
             of
             Galilee
             :
             the
             same
             Soul
             with
             its
             essential
             Powers
             ,
             the
             same
             Body
             with
             its
             natural
             Senses
             ,
             the
             Work
             of
             the
             Creator
             remains
             ;
             but
             in
             the
             cleansing
             of
             his
             stain'd
             Nature
             ,
             in
             the
             sanctifying
             his
             Faculties
             that
             are
             the
             Springs
             of
             his
             Actions
             ,
             the
             whole
             Man
             is
             quickned
             into
             a
             Divine
             Life
             ,
             and
             enabled
             to
             act
             in
             conformity
             to
             it
             .
             And
             of
             this
             the
             new
             Birth
             is
             a
             convenient
             Illustration
             .
             An
             active
             Principle
             of
             Holiness
             is
             planted
             in
             him
             ,
             that
             springs
             up
             into
             visible
             Actions
             .
             The
             Apostle
             particularly
             expresses
             it
             in
             his
             earnest
             Prayer
             for
             the
             
               Thessalonians
               ,
               The
               very
               God
               of
               Peace
               sanctify
               you
               wholly
               ,
               and
               preserve
               your
               whole
               Spirit
               ,
               Soul
               and
               Body
               blameless
               ,
               till
               the
               coming
               of
               Jesus
               Christ.
            
             Every
             Faculty
             is
             renewed
             ,
             and
             every
             Grace
             infused
             that
             constitutes
             the
             Divine
             Image
             .
             The
             Mind
             is
             renewed
             by
             Spiritual
             Light
             ,
             to
             believe
             the
             Truth
             and
             
             Goodness
             of
             unseen
             Things
             promised
             ,
             the
             reality
             and
             dreadfulness
             of
             Things
             threatned
             in
             the
             Word
             of
             God.
             It
             sees
             the
             truest
             Beauty
             in
             Holiness
             ,
             the
             highest
             Honour
             in
             Obedience
             to
             God
             ,
             the
             greatest
             Equity
             and
             Excellence
             in
             his
             Service
             .
             The
             Will
             is
             renewed
             by
             holy
             Love
             ,
             a
             purifying
             Flame
             ,
             and
             feels
             the
             attractive
             virtue
             of
             our
             blessed
             End
             ,
             before
             all
             desirable
             Things
             on
             Earth
             ,
             and
             determines
             to
             pursue
             it
             in
             the
             vigorous
             use
             of
             proper
             means
             .
             The
             Body
             is
             made
             an
             holy
             Instrument
             fit
             for
             the
             renewed
             Soul.
             In
             short
             ,
             the
             natural
             Man
             becomes
             Spiritual
             in
             his
             Perceptions
             ,
             Resolutions
             and
             Actions
             .
             
               All
               things
               are
               become
               New.
            
             There
             is
             a
             firm
             assent
             ,
             an
             inviolable
             adherence
             to
             those
             most
             precious
             Objects
             revealed
             in
             the
             Scripture
             ,
             and
             a
             sincere
             chosen
             constant
             Obedience
             flows
             from
             the
             renewed
             Faculties
             .
             And
             from
             hence
             we
             may
             distinguish
             between
             regenerating
             Grace
             ,
             and
             formal
             Hypocrisy
             in
             some
             ,
             and
             the
             proficiency
             of
             Nature
             ,
             and
             power
             of
             common
             Grace
             in
             others
             .
             A
             Hypocrite
             in
             Religion
             is
             acted
             from
             without
             ,
             by
             mercenary
             base
             respects
             ;
             and
             his
             Conscience
             being
             cauteris'd
             ,
             handles
             sacred
             Things
             without
             feeling
             :
             a
             regenerate
             
             Person
             is
             moved
             by
             an
             internal
             living
             Principle
             ,
             and
             performs
             his
             Duties
             with
             lively
             Affections
             .
             Natural
             Conscience
             under
             the
             compulsion
             of
             Fear
             ,
             may
             lay
             a
             restraint
             upon
             the
             outward
             Acts
             of
             Sin
             ,
             without
             an
             inward
             Consent
             to
             the
             Sanctity
             of
             the
             Law.
             Renewing
             Grace
             cleanses
             the
             Fountain
             ,
             and
             the
             Current
             is
             pure
             .
             It
             reconciles
             the
             Affections
             to
             the
             most
             Holy
             Commands
             .
             
               I
               love
               thy
               Law
               because
               't
               is
               pure
               ,
            
             saith
             the
             Psalmist
             .
          
           
             A
             Moral
             Principle
             may
             induce
             one
             to
             abstain
             from
             many
             Sins
             ,
             and
             to
             perform
             many
             praise-worthy
             things
             in
             conformity
             to
             Reason
             .
             But
             this
             is
             neither
             sanctifying
             nor
             saving
             ;
             for
             it
             only
             prunes
             Sin
             as
             if
             it
             were
             a
             good
             Plant
             ,
             and
             does
             not
             root
             it
             up
             ;
             it
             compounds
             with
             it
             ,
             and
             does
             not
             destroy
             it
             .
             There
             may
             be
             still
             an
             impure
             Indulgence
             to
             the
             secret
             lustings
             of
             the
             Heart
             ,
             notwithstanding
             the
             Restraint
             upon
             their
             Exercise
             .
             And
             many
             Duties
             may
             be
             done
             on
             lower
             Motives
             ,
             without
             a
             divine
             respect
             to
             the
             Commands
             and
             Glory
             of
             God.
             
          
           
             But
             renewing
             Grace
             subjects
             the
             Soul
             to
             the
             whole
             Royalty
             of
             the
             Law
             ,
             uniformly
             inclines
             it
             to
             express
             Obedience
             to
             all
             its
             Precepts
             ,
             because
             they
             are
             
             pure
             ,
             and
             derived
             from
             the
             eternal
             Spring
             of
             Purity
             .
             It
             mortifies
             Concupiscence
             ,
             and
             quickens
             to
             every
             good
             Work
             ,
             from
             a
             Principle
             of
             Love
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             in
             this
             is
             distinguisht
             from
             the
             most
             refined
             unregenerate
             Morality
             .
             In
             short
             ,
             there
             may
             be
             a
             superficial
             tincture
             of
             Religion
             from
             common
             Grace
             ,
             a
             transient
             Esteem
             ,
             vanishing
             Affections
             ,
             and
             earnest
             Endeavours
             for
             a
             time
             after
             Spiritual
             Things
             ,
             and
             yet
             a
             Person
             remain
             in
             a
             state
             of
             Unregeneracy
             .
             But
             renewing
             Grace
             is
             a
             permanent
             solid
             Principle
             ,
             that
             makes
             a
             Man
             
               partaker
               of
               the
               Divine
               Nature
            
             ,
             and
             elevates
             him
             above
             himself
             .
          
           
             This
             holy
             Change
             is
             wrought
             by
             Divine
             Power
             .
             Our
             Saviour
             tells
             
               Nicodemus
               ,
               Except
               a
               Man
               be
               born
               of
               Water
               and
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               he
               cannot
               enter
               into
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               God.
            
             The
             Analogy
             of
             a
             new
             Birth
             signifies
             ,
             that
             't
             is
             entirely
             the
             Work
             of
             the
             sanctifying
             Spirit
             ,
             that
             conveys
             a
             Principle
             of
             Life
             in
             order
             to
             the
             Functions
             of
             it
             .
             'T
             is
             the
             living
             Impression
             of
             God
             ,
             the
             sole
             Efficient
             and
             Exemplar
             of
             it
             ,
             the
             Fruit
             and
             Image
             of
             the
             Divine
             Vertues
             .
             'T
             is
             exprest
             by
             the
             
               new
               Creature
            
             .
             The
             production
             of
             it
             is
             attributed
             to
             God's
             Power
             displaying
             it self
             in
             a
             peculiar
             
             excellent
             way
             ,
             even
             in
             that
             precise
             manner
             ,
             as
             in
             making
             the
             World.
             For
             as
             in
             the
             first
             Creation
             all
             things
             were
             made
             originally
             of
             nothing
             ,
             so
             in
             the
             second
             ,
             the
             Habit
             of
             Grace
             is
             infused
             into
             the
             Soul
             that
             was
             utterly
             void
             of
             it
             ,
             and
             in
             which
             there
             was
             as
             little
             preparation
             for
             true
             Holiness
             ,
             as
             of
             Nothing
             to
             produce
             this
             great
             and
             regular
             World.
             And
             altho
             there
             is
             not
             only
             an
             absolute
             privation
             of
             Grace
             ,
             but
             a
             fierce
             resistance
             against
             it
             ,
             yet
             creating
             invincible
             Power
             does
             as
             infallibly
             and
             certainly
             produce
             its
             Effect
             in
             forming
             the
             new
             Creature
             ,
             as
             in
             making
             the
             World.
             From
             hence
             it
             appears
             that
             preventing
             renewing
             Grace
             is
             so
             intirely
             the
             Work
             of
             God
             ;
             as
             his
             forming
             the
             humane
             Body
             from
             the
             Dust
             of
             Earth
             at
             first
             .
             But
             with
             this
             difference
             ,
             the
             first
             Creation
             was
             done
             without
             any
             sense
             in
             the
             Subject
             ,
             of
             the
             efficiency
             of
             the
             Divine
             Power
             in
             producing
             it
             :
             but
             in
             the
             new
             Creation
             ,
             Man
             feels
             the
             vital
             Influence
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             applying
             it self
             to
             all
             his
             Faculties
             ,
             reforming
             and
             enabling
             them
             to
             act
             according
             to
             the
             quality
             of
             their
             Nature
             .
          
           
             And
             by
             the
             way
             we
             may
             observe
             the
             admirable
             Grace
             shewed
             to
             Man
             in
             the
             
             renovation
             of
             his
             corrupted
             Nature
             .
             In
             the
             composition
             of
             his
             Being
             are
             united
             a
             Spirit
             like
             the
             Angels
             ,
             and
             a
             Body
             like
             terrestrial
             Animals
             ,
             by
             which
             he
             partakes
             of
             the
             spiritual
             and
             natural
             Life
             :
             but
             he
             has
             peculiar
             Favours
             conferred
             upon
             him
             .
             For
             ,
             whereas
             his
             Soul
             sinn'd
             with
             the
             Angels
             ,
             and
             his
             Body
             dies
             with
             the
             Beasts
             ,
             yet
             God
             is
             pleased
             to
             restore
             them
             by
             his
             glorious
             Power
             .
             An
             Angel
             after
             Sin
             never
             repents
             ,
             and
             is
             therefore
             incapable
             of
             Pardon
             ,
             and
             irrecoverably
             disinherited
             of
             Heaven
             :
             a
             Beast
             after
             Death
             never
             revives
             :
             but
             though
             Man
             sins
             and
             dies
             ,
             yet
             his
             Soul
             may
             be
             renewed
             by
             Divine
             Grace
             ,
             and
             his
             Body
             shall
             be
             raised
             in
             an
             incorruptible
             Glory
             .
          
           
             Now
             the
             indispensable
             necessity
             of
             this
             holy
             Change
             is
             evident
             from
             the
             Words
             of
             our
             Saviour
             ,
             for
             he
             speaks
             universally
             ,
             
               Except
               a
               Man
               be
               born
               again
               ,
               he
               cannot
               see
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               God.
            
             He
             does
             not
             simply
             declare
             that
             an
             unregenerate
             Man
             shall
             not
             ,
             but
             with
             the
             greatest
             Emphasis
             ,
             cannot
             ,
             to
             signify
             an
             absolute
             impossibility
             of
             it
             .
             The
             Jews
             highly
             presumed
             of
             the
             priviledg
             of
             their
             carnal
             Birth
             ,
             they
             sprang
             from
             the
             pure
             and
             noble
             Blood
             of
             Abraham
             ,
             
             God's
             Friend
             ;
             they
             had
             the
             Seal
             of
             the
             Holy
             Covenant
             mark'd
             in
             their
             Flesh
             :
             and
             hence
             it
             was
             proverbial
             amongst
             them
             ,
             that
             every
             Israelite
             should
             have
             a
             part
             in
             the
             World
             to
             come
             .
             But
             our
             Saviour
             overthrows
             this
             vain
             conceit
             ,
             and
             tells
             them
             that
             the
             supernatural
             Birth
             entitles
             to
             the
             supernatural
             Inheritance
             .
             Circumcision
             then
             ,
             and
             Baptism
             now
             ,
             without
             real
             Grace
             is
             an
             ineffectual
             sign
             ,
             of
             no
             avail
             to
             Salvation
             .
             
             In
             the
             quality
             of
             Sons
             ,
             we
             are
             Heirs
             of
             God's
             Kingdom
             .
             And
             that
             honourable
             Relation
             we
             have
             upon
             a
             double
             account
             ;
             
             by
             Adoption
             and
             Regeneration
             .
             Divine
             Adoption
             is
             not
             a
             meer
             change
             of
             our
             state
             ,
             a
             naked
             Declaration
             that
             one
             shall
             be
             dignified
             with
             the
             Title
             of
             God's
             Son
             ;
             but
             a
             holy
             Nature
             is
             always
             infused
             into
             the
             Person
             ,
             whereby
             he
             is
             made
             like
             to
             God
             in
             his
             Excellencies
             .
             In
             this
             it
             differs
             from
             humane
             Adoption
             ,
             that
             gives
             the
             Name
             and
             Arms
             ,
             the
             Honour
             and
             Estate
             of
             the
             Adopter
             to
             a
             Person
             ,
             without
             conveying
             any
             of
             his
             intellectual
             or
             moral
             Endowments
             .
             Whom
             God
             adopts
             ,
             he
             begets
             to
             a
             Divine
             Life
             .
             Besides
             ,
             our
             Saviour
             purchased
             this
             high
             Priviledg
             for
             us
             :
             
               God
               sent
               his
               Son
               made
               of
               a
               Woman
               ,
               under
               the
               Law
               ,
               to
               redeem
               
               them
               that
               were
               under
               the
               Law
               ,
               that
               we
               might
               receive
               the
               Adoption
               of
               Sons
               :
            
             By
             Union
             with
             him
             we
             receive
             the
             investiture
             of
             this
             Dignity
             .
             
               Now
               whoever
               is
               in
               Christ
               is
               a
               new
               Creature
               .
            
             For
             the
             quickning
             Spirit
             ,
             that
             is
             to
             the
             Soul
             what
             the
             Soul
             is
             to
             the
             Body
             ,
             the
             principle
             of
             Life
             and
             Strength
             ,
             of
             Beauty
             and
             Motion
             ,
             and
             an
             active
             purifying
             Faith
             that
             is
             influential
             upon
             all
             other
             Graces
             ,
             are
             the
             Band
             of
             that
             vital
             Union
             :
             So
             that
             as
             all
             in
             Adam
             are
             universally
             corrupt
             by
             the
             first
             Birth
             ,
             all
             that
             are
             in
             Christ
             are
             made
             holy
             by
             a
             new
             Birth
             .
             But
             of
             this
             I
             shall
             speak
             in
             the
             next
             Chapter
             more
             fully
             ,
             under
             a
             distinct
             Head.
             Briefly
             ,
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Grace
             that
             sanctifies
             ,
             is
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Adoption
             that
             seals
             our
             Right
             to
             that
             Kingdom
             .
          
           
             Now
             the
             Reasons
             why
             this
             Change
             must
             be
             in
             order
             to
             our
             obtaining
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             are
             these
             :
          
           
             1.
             
             There
             is
             an
             exquisite
             Wisdom
             shines
             in
             all
             God's
             Works
             ,
             in
             disposing
             them
             for
             the
             ends
             to
             which
             they
             are
             appointed
             :
             and
             is
             it
             not
             monstrously
             absurd
             to
             imagin
             ,
             he
             will
             admit
             into
             his
             Presence
             and
             Kingdom
             ,
             those
             that
             are
             absolutely
             unqualified
             for
             its
             Blessedness
             ,
             and
             opposite
             to
             its
             Purity
             ?
          
           
           
             2.
             
             His
             invariable
             Justice
             excludes
             for
             ever
             all
             unholy
             Persons
             from
             Heaven
             .
             For
             in
             the
             last
             Judgment
             God
             will
             be
             glorified
             as
             a
             Governour
             ,
             in
             the
             distribution
             of
             Rewards
             with
             respect
             to
             the
             Obedience
             and
             Disobedience
             of
             Men.
             'T
             is
             worthy
             of
             observation
             ,
             that
             the
             Actions
             of
             God
             on
             the
             reasonable
             Creatures
             are
             of
             two
             sorts
             .
             Some
             proceed
             from
             his
             soveraign
             good
             Pleasure
             ,
             of
             which
             there
             is
             no
             motive
             or
             reason
             in
             the
             Subjects
             on
             which
             they
             are
             terminated
             .
             Thus
             by
             a
             free
             and
             insuperable
             Decree
             (
             when
             all
             Mankind
             ,
             laps'd
             and
             miserable
             ,
             was
             in
             his
             view
             )
             he
             chose
             some
             to
             be
             
               Vessels
               of
               Mercy
            
             ,
             and
             by
             priviledg
             separated
             them
             from
             the
             rest
             that
             finally
             perish
             .
             Now
             what
             induc'd
             him
             to
             place
             a
             singular
             Love
             on
             the
             Elect
             ?
             There
             was
             nothing
             in
             them
             to
             incline
             his
             Compassion
             ,
             being
             equally
             guilty
             and
             depraved
             with
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             Progeny
             of
             Adam
             .
             This
             difference
             therefore
             is
             to
             be
             resolved
             into
             his
             unaccountable
             and
             adorable
             Will
             ,
             as
             the
             sole
             cause
             of
             it
             .
             Thus
             God
             declares
             it
             to
             be
             his
             glorious
             Prerogative
             ,
             
               I
               will
               have
               Mercy
               on
               whom
               I
               will
               have
               Mercy
               ,
               and
               I
               will
               have
               Compassion
               on
               whom
               I
               will
               have
               Compassion
               .
            
             And
             this
             is
             no
             unjust
             
             acceptance
             of
             Persons
             :
             For
             as
             a
             Benefactor
             ,
             he
             may
             dispense
             his
             own
             Favours
             as
             he
             pleases
             .
             A
             Gift
             from
             meer
             and
             arbitrary
             Bounty
             may
             be
             bestowed
             on
             some
             ,
             and
             not
             on
             others
             ,
             without
             injustice
             .
             But
             there
             are
             other
             Actions
             of
             God
             for
             which
             there
             is
             an
             evident
             reason
             in
             Men
             on
             whom
             they
             are
             terminated
             .
             Thus
             as
             the
             supreme
             
               Judg
               ,
               without
               respect
               of
               Persons
               ,
            
             
             he
             will
             judg
             and
             reward
             
               every
               Man
               according
               to
               his
               Works
               .
            
             The
             Evangelical
             Law
             (
             as
             was
             toucht
             on
             before
             )
             is
             the
             rule
             of
             eternal
             Judgment
             ,
             
             and
             gives
             a
             right
             from
             the
             gracious
             Promise
             of
             God
             ,
             to
             all
             penitent
             Believers
             in
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             excludes
             all
             impenitent
             Infidels
             .
             Divine
             Justice
             will
             illustriously
             appear
             then
             in
             distinguishing
             Believers
             from
             Unbelievers
             by
             their
             Works
             ,
             the
             proper
             Fruits
             either
             of
             Faith
             or
             Infidelity
             .
             All
             the
             thick
             Clouds
             of
             Disgraces
             ,
             Calumnies
             ,
             Persecutions
             ,
             that
             often
             oppress
             the
             most
             sincere
             Christians
             here
             ,
             shall
             not
             then
             darken
             their
             Holiness
             ;
             and
             all
             the
             specious
             appearances
             of
             Piety
             ,
             which
             the
             most
             artificial
             Hypocrites
             make
             use
             of
             to
             deceive
             others
             ,
             shall
             not
             conceal
             their
             Wickedness
             .
             And
             accordingly
             the
             one
             shall
             be
             absolved
             and
             
             glorified
             ,
             the
             others
             condemned
             and
             punish'd
             for
             ever
             .
             In
             short
             ,
             without
             violation
             of
             his
             own
             righteous
             establishment
             in
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             
             God
             cannot
             receive
             the
             unholy
             into
             his
             Glory
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             Besides
             the
             Legal
             Bar
             that
             excludes
             unsanctified
             Persons
             from
             the
             beatifick
             vision
             of
             God
             ,
             there
             is
             a
             moral
             incapacity
             .
             Suppose
             that
             Justice
             should
             allow
             Omnipotence
             to
             translate
             such
             a
             Sinner
             to
             Heaven
             ,
             would
             the
             Place
             make
             him
             happy
             ?
             Can
             two
             incongruous
             Natures
             delight
             in
             one
             another
             ?
             The
             happiness
             of
             Sense
             is
             by
             an
             impression
             of
             Pleasure
             from
             a
             suitable
             Object
             :
             The
             happiness
             of
             intellectual
             Beings
             arises
             from
             an
             entire
             conformity
             of
             dispositions
             .
             So
             that
             unless
             God
             recede
             from
             his
             Holiness
             ,
             which
             is
             absolutely
             impossible
             ,
             or
             Man
             be
             purified
             ,
             and
             changed
             into
             his
             likeness
             ,
             there
             can
             be
             no
             sweet
             Communion
             between
             them
             .
             Our
             Saviour
             assigns
             this
             Reason
             of
             the
             necessity
             of
             Regeneration
             in
             order
             to
             our
             admission
             into
             Heaven
             :
             
               That
               which
               is
               born
               of
               the
               flesh
               ,
               is
               flesh
               ;
               and
               that
               which
               is
               born
               of
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               is
               Spirit
               .
            
             According
             to
             the
             quality
             of
             the
             Principle
             ,
             such
             is
             what
             proceeds
             from
             it
             .
             The
             Flesh
             is
             a
             corrupt
             Principle
             ,
             
             and
             accordingly
             the
             Natural
             Man
             is
             wholly
             carnal
             in
             his
             propensions
             ,
             operations
             ,
             and
             end
             .
             The
             Disease
             is
             turn'd
             into
             his
             Constitution
             .
             He
             is
             dead
             to
             the
             Spiritual
             Life
             ,
             to
             the
             actions
             and
             enjoyments
             that
             are
             proper
             to
             it
             :
             Nay
             ,
             there
             is
             in
             him
             a
             surviving
             Principle
             of
             Enmity
             to
             that
             Life
             :
             not
             only
             a
             mortal
             coldness
             to
             God
             ,
             but
             a
             stiff
             aversation
             from
             him
             ,
             a
             perpetual
             resistance
             and
             impatience
             of
             the
             Divine
             Presence
             ,
             that
             would
             disturb
             his
             voluptuous
             enjoyments
             .
             The
             Exercises
             of
             Heaven
             would
             be
             as
             the
             Torments
             of
             Hell
             to
             him
             ,
             while
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             those
             pure
             Joys
             his
             inward
             inclinations
             vehemently
             run
             into
             the
             lowest
             Lees
             of
             Sensuality
             .
             And
             therefore
             till
             this
             Contrariety
             ,
             so
             deep
             and
             predominant
             in
             an
             unholy
             Person
             ,
             be
             removed
             ,
             't
             is
             utterly
             impossible
             he
             should
             enjoy
             God
             with
             satisfaction
             .
             As
             it
             was
             necessary
             that
             God
             should
             become
             like
             Man
             on
             Earth
             ,
             to
             purchase
             that
             Felicity
             for
             him
             ,
             so
             Man
             must
             be
             like
             God
             in
             Heaven
             before
             he
             can
             possess
             it
             .
             Holiness
             alone
             prepares
             Men
             for
             Celestial
             Happiness
             ;
             that
             is
             against
             the
             corruption
             and
             above
             the
             perfection
             of
             meer
             Nature
             .
          
           
           
             I
             shall
             now
             proceed
             to
             consider
             more
             particularly
             what
             is
             requisite
             in
             order
             to
             our
             obtaining
             of
             Heaven
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             Faith
             in
             the
             Redeemer
             is
             absolutely
             required
             of
             all
             that
             will
             partake
             of
             the
             Salvation
             purchased
             by
             him
             .
             
             
               God
               so
               loved
               the
               World
               ,
               that
               he
               gave
               his
               only
               begotten
               Son
               ;
               that
               whoever
               believes
               in
               him
               ,
               should
               not
               perish
               ,
               but
               have
               Eternal
               Life
               .
            
             This
             is
             the
             Spirit
             and
             Substance
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             therefore
             I
             will
             briefly
             unfold
             it
             .
             The
             Son
             of
             God
             having
             assumed
             the
             human
             Nature
             ,
             and
             performed
             what
             was
             necessary
             for
             the
             expiation
             of
             Sin
             ,
             
             the
             Father
             was
             so
             pleased
             with
             his
             Obedience
             ,
             that
             from
             his
             lowest
             State
             he
             rais'd
             him
             to
             Divine
             Glory
             ,
             and
             gave
             him
             supream
             Authority
             ,
             and
             all-sufficient
             Power
             to
             communicate
             that
             Glory
             to
             others
             .
             Thus
             our
             Saviour
             declares
             ;
             
             
               Thou
               hast
               given
               him
            
             (
             i.
             e.
             
               the
               Son
               )
               power
               over
               all
               Flesh
               ,
               that
               he
               should
               give
               Eternal
               Life
               to
               as
               many
               as
               thou
               hast
               given
               him
               .
            
             And
             he
             exhorts
             the
             People
             ,
             
               Labour
               for
               that
               Meat
               that
               endures
               unto
               Eternal
               Life
               ,
            
             
             
               which
               the
               Son
               of
               Man
               shall
               give
               unto
               you
               ,
               for
               him
               hath
               God
               the
               Father
               sealed
               .
            
             Now
             this
             glorious
             Life
             is
             not
             given
             to
             all
             ,
             but
             only
             to
             those
             who
             are
             united
             to
             him
             .
             As
             Adam
             ,
             the
             
             principle
             of
             the
             carnal
             corrupt
             Nature
             ,
             derives
             Guilt
             and
             Death
             to
             all
             his
             Progeny
             :
             so
             Jesus
             Christ
             (
             who
             is
             opposed
             to
             him
             )
             the
             Head
             and
             Prince
             of
             the
             renewed
             State
             ,
             communicates
             Life
             and
             Glory
             to
             his
             People
             .
             The
             Apostle
             expresses
             it
             ,
             
             
               As
               in
               Adam
               all
               dye
            
             ,
             his
             natural
             Descendants
             are
             involv'd
             in
             his
             Condemnation
             ;
             
               even
               so
               in
               Christ
               shall
               all
               be
               made
               alive
               :
            
             that
             is
             ,
             all
             that
             are
             spiritually
             united
             to
             him
             ,
             shall
             partake
             of
             his
             glorious
             Resurrection
             .
             And
             St.
             John
             tells
             us
             ,
             
             
               He
               that
               hath
               the
               Son
               ,
               hath
               Life
               ;
               and
               he
               that
               hath
               not
               the
               Son
               ,
               hath
               not
               Life
               .
            
             The
             having
             the
             Son
             ,
             upon
             which
             our
             right
             to
             Eternal
             Life
             depends
             ,
             is
             believing
             in
             him
             .
             Faith
             has
             a
             principal
             Efficiency
             in
             receiving
             Christ
             ,
             therefore
             't
             is
             exprest
             by
             that
             Act
             ;
             
             
               But
               as
               many
               as
               received
               him
               ,
               to
               them
               gave
               he
               power
               to
               become
               the
               Sons
               of
               God
               ,
            
             (
             and
             consequently
             Heirs
             of
             Glory
             )
             so
             as
             many
             
               as
               believed
               on
               his
               Name
            
             .
             And
             Christ
             is
             said
             
               to
               dwell
               in
               our
               Hearts
               by
               Faith.
            
             
             This
             is
             not
             a
             meer
             assent
             to
             the
             Doctrines
             of
             the
             Gospel
             concerning
             the
             Dignity
             of
             his
             Person
             ,
             that
             he
             is
             in
             so
             high
             and
             glorious
             a
             Relation
             of
             being
             the
             Eternal
             Son
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             infinite
             value
             of
             his
             Merits
             ,
             whereby
             he
             is
             able
             to
             save
             
             all
             that
             come
             unto
             God
             by
             him
             ,
             and
             his
             merciful
             compassionate
             Nature
             to
             embrace
             returning
             Sinners
             ,
             and
             the
             excellency
             of
             the
             benefits
             purchased
             by
             him
             ,
             but
             such
             a
             Belief
             as
             sways
             the
             Will
             and
             Affections
             to
             receive
             him
             upon
             God's
             terms
             for
             our
             Salvation
             .
             Faith
             is
             seated
             in
             the
             whole
             Soul
             ,
             in
             the
             Mind
             and
             Heart
             ,
             and
             accepts
             of
             Christ
             intirely
             as
             Prophet
             ,
             Priest
             ,
             and
             King.
             The
             parts
             of
             the
             Mediator's
             Office
             ,
             are
             inseparably
             connected
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             Effects
             of
             them
             are
             communicated
             to
             the
             same
             Persons
             .
             
               Jesus
               Christ
               is
               made
               of
               God
               to
               Believers
               ,
            
             
             Wisdom
             ;
             to
             cure
             their
             Ignorance
             and
             Folly
             ;
             Righteousness
             ,
             to
             abolish
             their
             Guilt
             ;
             Sanctification
             ,
             to
             renew
             their
             Natures
             ;
             
               and
               Redemption
            
             ,
             to
             free
             them
             at
             last
             from
             the
             Grave
             ,
             and
             bring
             them
             to
             Glory
             .
             From
             hence
             't
             is
             clear
             ,
             that
             the
             Faith
             ,
             which
             is
             justifying
             and
             saving
             ,
             includes
             in
             its
             Nature
             ,
             as
             dependance
             and
             trust
             in
             Christ
             as
             a
             powerful
             and
             merciful
             Mediator
             ,
             that
             is
             able
             and
             willing
             to
             reconcile
             us
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             make
             us
             for
             ever
             happy
             in
             his
             Favour
             ;
             so
             a
             sincere
             resolution
             of
             Obedience
             and
             Subjection
             to
             all
             his
             holy
             Commands
             ,
             even
             to
             the
             plucking
             out
             of
             the
             right
             Eye
             ,
             and
             the
             cutting
             off
             the
             right
             hand
             ,
             the
             parting
             
             with
             the
             most
             pleasing
             or
             profitable
             Sins
             .
             For
             the
             Promises
             of
             God
             that
             are
             the
             Rule
             of
             Faith
             ,
             make
             an
             offer
             of
             Christ
             upon
             these
             Conditions
             to
             us
             :
             
               Him
               hath
               God
               exalted
               with
               his
               right
               hand
               ,
            
             
             
               to
               be
               a
               Prince
               and
               a
               Saviour
               ,
               for
               to
               give
               repentance
               to
            
             Israel
             ,
             
               and
               forgiveness
               of
               Sins
            
             .
             And
             only
             
               the
               Justified
               shall
               be
               glorified
            
             .
             
             Those
             therefore
             who
             desire
             a
             partial
             interest
             in
             him
             as
             a
             Saviour
             ,
             out
             of
             absolute
             necessity
             to
             escape
             Hell
             ,
             and
             will
             not
             out
             of
             Love
             submit
             to
             him
             as
             their
             Prince
             ,
             have
             not
             
               that
               Faith
               that
               is
               unfeigned
            
             ,
             and
             gives
             a
             title
             to
             Eternal
             Life
             by
             the
             Promises
             of
             the
             Gospel
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             We
             must
             chuse
             Heaven
             as
             our
             supream
             Happiness
             ,
             and
             regard
             it
             as
             the
             main
             end
             of
             our
             Lives
             .
             Man
             fell
             from
             his
             Duty
             and
             Felicity
             by
             preferring
             sensual
             Pleasure
             before
             the
             Favour
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             became
             guilty
             of
             the
             greatest
             Disobedience
             and
             Dishonour
             to
             his
             Maker
             ,
             and
             is
             restored
             by
             the
             holy
             change
             of
             his
             Will
             ,
             the
             setting
             his
             Affections
             on
             a
             pure
             Spiritual
             Blessedness
             .
             This
             subliming
             the
             Will
             ,
             and
             turning
             its
             Love
             and
             Choice
             from
             the
             Creatures
             to
             God
             ,
             is
             the
             effect
             of
             Divine
             Grace
             ,
             and
             wrought
             in
             a
             rational
             way
             .
             For
             Man
             is
             not
             moved
             as
             artificial
             Engines
             by
             force
             ,
             nor
             
             as
             Brutes
             from
             necessity
             ,
             their
             Faculties
             being
             determined
             by
             the
             outward
             application
             of
             Objects
             :
             he
             is
             not
             drawn
             up
             to
             Heaven
             by
             such
             a
             natural
             impression
             ,
             as
             Steel
             by
             the
             Load-stone
             ,
             nor
             forc'd
             by
             a
             violent
             motion
             as
             a
             Stone
             ascends
             ,
             but
             as
             an
             understanding
             free
             Agent
             ,
             by
             the
             direction
             of
             the
             enlightned
             Mind
             ,
             and
             the
             consent
             of
             the
             Will
             ,
             an
             elective
             unconstrained
             Faculty
             .
             And
             herein
             the
             Wisdom
             ,
             Goodness
             and
             Equity
             of
             God's
             Transactions
             with
             Man
             appears
             .
             His
             Wisdom
             ,
             in
             that
             as
             he
             has
             ordered
             in
             the
             whole
             sphere
             of
             Nature
             ,
             that
             the
             active
             Powers
             of
             every
             Creature
             ,
             be
             drawn
             forth
             into
             exercise
             for
             their
             preservation
             ,
             and
             accordingly
             he
             is
             pleased
             to
             work
             in
             and
             by
             them
             ;
             so
             the
             Understanding
             and
             Will
             ,
             the
             Principles
             of
             Operation
             in
             Man
             ,
             are
             to
             deliberate
             and
             choose
             in
             order
             to
             his
             Happiness
             .
             Otherwise
             the
             rational
             Faculties
             would
             be
             in
             vain
             .
             His
             Goodness
             and
             Equity
             ,
             in
             that
             he
             sets
             before
             them
             Eternal
             Life
             as
             the
             Reward
             of
             Obedience
             .
             God
             will
             be
             glorified
             by
             him
             as
             a
             Law-giver
             and
             a
             Benefactor
             ,
             and
             has
             ordained
             in
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             that
             all
             who
             chuse
             and
             diligently
             seek
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Heaven
             shall
             infallibly
             obtain
             it
             ,
             and
             none
             be
             
             deprived
             of
             it
             but
             for
             their
             neglect
             .
             The
             Decree
             of
             a
             final
             state
             of
             Misery
             ,
             though
             not
             in
             time
             ,
             yet
             is
             consequent
             in
             the
             order
             of
             causes
             to
             the
             obstinate
             reluctancy
             of
             Sinners
             against
             restoring
             Grace
             ,
             and
             the
             wilful
             forsaking
             their
             own
             Mercies
             .
             Therefore
             God
             vindicates
             the
             Equity
             of
             his
             Proceedings
             with
             Men
             by
             their
             own
             Principles
             ,
             and
             with
             tender
             pity
             expostulates
             ,
             
               Why
               will
               ye
               die
            
             ?
             The
             corrupt
             Will
             ,
             declining
             from
             God
             ,
             and
             adhering
             to
             the
             Creature
             as
             its
             Happiness
             ,
             is
             the
             true
             cause
             of
             Man's
             ruin
             .
             This
             will
             infinitely
             clear
             the
             Wisdom
             and
             Justice
             ,
             the
             Purity
             and
             Goodness
             of
             God
             from
             all
             Imputation
             .
          
           
             The
             choice
             of
             Heaven
             for
             our
             Felicity
             is
             primarily
             to
             be
             determined
             ,
             for
             't
             is
             from
             the
             prospect
             of
             it
             that
             all
             holy
             Counsels
             derive
             their
             Life
             and
             Vigour
             .
             As
             in
             drawing
             the
             Picture
             of
             a
             Man
             ,
             the
             first
             work
             is
             to
             delineate
             the
             Head
             ,
             not
             only
             as
             the
             part
             that
             in
             dignity
             and
             eminence
             is
             above
             the
             rest
             ,
             but
             as
             it
             regulates
             the
             drawing
             of
             the
             other
             parts
             ,
             and
             gives
             a
             just
             proportion
             and
             correspondence
             between
             them
             ,
             without
             which
             the
             whole
             Figure
             becomes
             disordered
             and
             monstrous
             .
             Thus
             in
             the
             moral
             consideration
             
             of
             Man
             ,
             that
             which
             is
             primarily
             to
             be
             considered
             is
             the
             Soul
             ,
             and
             its
             final
             Felicity
             ,
             as
             incomparably
             more
             excellent
             than
             the
             Body
             and
             its
             Pleasures
             :
             for
             this
             will
             have
             a
             powerful
             influence
             upon
             the
             whole
             Life
             ,
             directing
             to
             avoid
             what
             is
             inconsistent
             and
             impertinent
             ,
             and
             to
             do
             what
             is
             conducive
             to
             it
             .
          
           
             
               Now
               this
               being
               a
               matter
               of
               unspeakable
               importance
               ,
               I
               will
               ,
               
                 
                   First
                   ,
                   Shew
                   what
                   the
                   regular
                   Choice
                   of
                   Heaven
                   includes
                   ,
                   as
                   to
                   its
                   Qualities
                   and
                   Effects
                   .
                
                 
                   Secondly
                   ,
                   Direct
                   how
                   to
                   make
                   this
                   Choice
                   .
                
                 
                   Thirdly
                   ,
                   Present
                   some
                   powerful
                   Motives
                   to
                   excite
                   us
                   to
                   it
                   .
                
              
            
          
           
             The
             Qualities
             of
             this
             Choice
             are
             three
             .
          
           
             
               1.
               
               It
               must
               be
               sincere
               and
               cordial
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Early
               ,
               in
               our
               first
               and
               best
               Days
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               Firm
               and
               constant
               .
            
          
           
             1.
             
             It
             must
             be
             sincere
             and
             cordial
             .
             The
             most
             essential
             and
             active
             Desire
             in
             humane
             Nature
             is
             to
             Happiness
             ;
             but
             there
             being
             two
             kinds
             of
             good
             Things
             
             presented
             to
             the
             Will
             ,
             that
             solicit
             the
             Affections
             ,
             the
             Pleasures
             of
             Sense
             ,
             and
             spiritual
             Joys
             ,
             from
             hence
             it
             is
             that
             that
             which
             makes
             Men
             happy
             is
             the
             Object
             of
             Election
             .
             And
             although
             there
             is
             nothing
             more
             uniform
             and
             inviolable
             than
             the
             natural
             inclination
             to
             Happiness
             ,
             yet
             the
             great
             distinction
             of
             Mankind
             arises
             from
             this
             source
             ,
             the
             regular
             or
             perverse
             use
             of
             this
             Inclination
             ,
             the
             wise
             or
             mistaking
             choice
             of
             Happiness
             .
             Now
             the
             sincerity
             of
             our
             Choice
             is
             discovered
             ,
             when
             't
             is
             clear
             and
             entire
             ,
             arising
             from
             a
             transcendent
             esteem
             of
             the
             Favour
             and
             Enjoyment
             of
             God
             as
             our
             chief
             Good
             ,
             and
             absolutely
             requisite
             for
             us
             .
             And
             from
             hence
             it
             is
             evident
             that
             the
             Choice
             of
             true
             Happiness
             ,
             necessarily
             includes
             the
             despising
             and
             rejecting
             of
             the
             false
             Happiness
             that
             stands
             in
             competition
             with
             it
             .
             There
             cannot
             be
             two
             reigning
             Principles
             in
             the
             Soul
             :
             for
             it
             cannot
             vigorously
             apply
             it self
             to
             two
             Objects
             at
             the
             same
             time
             .
             Our
             Saviour
             has
             decided
             it
             ,
             
               No
               Man
               can
               serve
               two
               Masters
               ,
               for
               either
               he
               will
               hate
               the
               one
               and
               love
               the
               other
               ,
               or
               hold
               to
               the
               one
               and
               despise
               the
               other
               :
               ye
               cannot
               serve
               God
               and
               Mammon
               .
            
             The
             Masters
             are
             
             irreconcileable
             ,
             and
             their
             Commands
             are
             directly
             opposite
             .
             It
             was
             as
             possible
             to
             place
             upon
             the
             same
             Altar
             the
             Ark
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             Idol
             of
             the
             Philistins
             ,
             as
             that
             Heaven
             and
             the
             World
             should
             compound
             and
             take
             equal
             shares
             in
             our
             Affections
             .
             Indeed
             ,
             if
             the
             Conceptions
             in
             the
             Mind
             are
             but
             faint
             and
             floating
             of
             the
             universal
             satisfying
             Goodness
             of
             the
             Object
             proposed
             to
             make
             us
             happy
             ,
             the
             Will
             remains
             in
             suspence
             ;
             but
             when
             't
             is
             clearly
             and
             strongly
             represented
             ,
             the
             Heart
             is
             drawn
             entirely
             to
             embrace
             it
             .
             Divine
             Grace
             ,
             by
             the
             illumination
             of
             the
             Understanding
             ,
             purifies
             and
             changes
             the
             depraved
             Will
             ,
             and
             heals
             the
             distempered
             Affections
             .
             The
             wise
             Merchant
             that
             had
             a
             discerning
             Eye
             saw
             reason
             enough
             to
             part
             with
             all
             ,
             that
             he
             might
             gain
             the
             
               Pearl
               of
               Price
            
             ,
             the
             Grace
             and
             Glory
             of
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Heaven
             .
             The
             Apostle
             declares
             his
             resolute
             contempt
             of
             the
             concurrence
             of
             all
             the
             Prerogatives
             either
             the
             Law
             or
             the
             World
             could
             afford
             him
             ,
             that
             he
             might
             have
             an
             Interest
             in
             Christ
             ,
             the
             Reconciler
             and
             Restorer
             of
             Man
             to
             the
             Favour
             and
             Fellowship
             of
             God.
             
               But
               what
               things
               were
               gain
               to
               me
               ,
               those
               I
               counted
               loss
               
               for
               Christ
               ;
               yea
               doubtless
               I
               count
               all
               things
               but
               loss
               for
               the
               Excellency
               of
               the
               Knowledg
               of
               Jesus
               Christ
               my
               Lord
               ,
               for
               whom
               I
               have
               suffered
               the
               loss
               of
               all
               things
               ,
               and
               do
               count
               them
               but
               dung
               ,
               that
               I
               might
               win
               Christ.
            
             The
             glorious
             Gospel
             is
             the
             brightest
             and
             most
             pleasant
             Light
             that
             ever
             shone
             upon
             the
             World
             ,
             a
             Revelation
             of
             the
             deepest
             Wisdom
             and
             most
             admirable
             Love
             ,
             wherein
             the
             Combination
             of
             God's
             holy
             and
             wonderful
             Counsels
             for
             our
             Salvation
             is
             unfolded
             ;
             and
             accordingly
             St.
             Paul
             ,
             with
             the
             greatest
             Life
             of
             Affection
             ,
             sets
             forth
             his
             value
             of
             it
             ,
             and
             by
             full
             and
             most
             vilifying
             Expressions
             ,
             rejects
             all
             things
             in
             comparison
             of
             it
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             The
             Sincerity
             of
             the
             Heavenly
             Choice
             is
             discovered
             by
             a
             zealous
             observance
             of
             the
             Means
             requisite
             in
             order
             to
             it
             .
             Inanimate
             things
             incline
             to
             rest
             in
             their
             Centre
             ,
             the
             Rational
             intend
             and
             pursue
             it
             .
             The
             blessed
             End
             ,
             when
             valued
             and
             respected
             according
             to
             its
             worth
             ,
             excites
             and
             directs
             the
             Affections
             and
             Endeavours
             in
             that
             order
             and
             measure
             as
             is
             proportionable
             to
             its
             Excellency
             ,
             and
             the
             Difficulties
             of
             obtaining
             it
             .
             There
             may
             be
             a
             naked
             estimation
             ,
             and
             some
             desires
             of
             Eternal
             Happiness
             
             simply
             considered
             ,
             yet
             the
             Will
             remains
             incompleat
             and
             undetermined
             in
             its
             choice
             :
             for
             the
             End
             in
             conjunction
             with
             the
             Means
             is
             propounded
             to
             us
             ,
             and
             the
             carnal
             Man
             will
             not
             consent
             to
             the
             Means
             .
             He
             dislikes
             the
             Holiness
             of
             Religion
             ,
             and
             will
             rather
             forfeit
             Heaven
             ,
             than
             submit
             to
             such
             strict
             terms
             .
             Though
             with
             Balaam
             ,
             in
             a
             fit
             of
             Devotion
             ,
             he
             says
             ,
             
               O
               that
               I
               might
               die
               the
               death
               of
               the
               Righteous
               ,
               and
               that
               my
               last
               End
               might
               be
               like
               his
            
             ;
             yet
             from
             Indulgence
             to
             his
             sensual
             Inclinations
             ,
             he
             will
             not
             live
             as
             the
             Righteous
             .
             All
             his
             Wishes
             of
             true
             Happiness
             are
             soon
             strangled
             by
             the
             predominant
             love
             of
             some
             Vanity
             .
             'T
             is
             said
             of
             the
             Israelites
             ,
             
             
               they
               despised
               the
               pleasant
               Land
            
             ,
             not
             absolutely
             in
             it self
             ,
             for
             it
             was
             
               the
               Glory
               of
               all
               Lands
            
             ,
             abounding
             with
             things
             for
             the
             support
             and
             delight
             of
             Man
             ;
             but
             considering
             its
             distance
             ,
             a
             Wilderness
             waste
             and
             wild
             interposing
             ,
             and
             the
             Enemies
             to
             be
             encountred
             ,
             they
             did
             not
             think
             it
             worthy
             of
             undergoing
             such
             Hazards
             and
             Difficulties
             .
             The
             Land
             of
             Canaan
             was
             a
             Type
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             both
             with
             respect
             to
             its
             pleasantness
             ,
             and
             the
             manner
             of
             the
             Israelites
             obtaining
             it
             .
             Their
             Title
             to
             it
             was
             derived
             from
             the
             rich
             Bounty
             of
             God
             ,
             
             therefore
             't
             is
             called
             the
             
               Land
               of
               Promise
            
             ;
             but
             it
             was
             to
             be
             possess'd
             by
             Conquest
             .
             Thus
             the
             Celestial
             Canaan
             is
             the
             pure
             Gift
             of
             God
             ,
             but
             the
             actual
             enjoyment
             of
             it
             is
             obtained
             by
             victorious
             resistance
             ,
             against
             the
             Enemies
             of
             our
             Salvation
             .
             And
             Carnal
             Men
             despise
             this
             pleasant
             Land
             ,
             the
             Promise
             being
             inseparably
             joined
             with
             Precepts
             of
             Duty
             and
             Obedience
             ,
             from
             which
             they
             are
             averse
             .
             But
             he
             that
             chuses
             sincerely
             ,
             is
             joyful
             and
             vigorous
             in
             the
             use
             of
             means
             for
             acquiring
             his
             most
             desired
             Good.
             Ardent
             Affections
             ,
             like
             
             Elijah's
             Chariot
             of
             Fire
             ,
             ravish
             the
             Soul
             above
             this
             sensible
             World
             ,
             to
             the
             place
             where
             God
             dwells
             in
             Glory
             .
             Zeal
             animates
             his
             Endeavours
             ,
             as
             the
             Motion
             of
             the
             Heart
             diffuses
             the
             Spirits
             into
             the
             Arteries
             ,
             to
             convey
             Life
             to
             all
             parts
             of
             the
             Body
             .
             
               One
               thing
            
             (
             saith
             the
             inflamed
             Psalmist
             )
             
               have
               I
               desired
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
               that
               will
               I
               seek
               after
               ,
               that
               I
               may
               dwell
               in
               the
               House
               of
               the
               Lord
               all
               the
               days
               of
               my
               life
               ,
               to
               behold
               the
               Beauty
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
               and
               to
               enquire
               into
               his
               Temple
               .
            
             The
             sensual
             Man
             is
             ranging
             abroad
             for
             satisfaction
             ,
             and
             shoots
             all
             the
             Game
             that
             crosses
             his
             Eye
             ;
             but
             the
             Soul
             that
             has
             a
             discovering
             Light
             ,
             and
             feeling
             heat
             of
             the
             divine
             Beauty
             ,
             unites
             
             all
             its
             desires
             in
             God
             ,
             and
             with
             affection
             to
             an
             Extasy
             longs
             for
             the
             enjoyment
             of
             him
             ,
             and
             the
             endeavours
             are
             in
             some
             proportion
             to
             the
             desires
             .
             Our
             Saviour
             tells
             us
             ,
             
               That
               from
               the
               days
               of
            
             John
             
               the
               Baptist
               until
               now
               ,
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               Heaven
               suffers
               violence
               ,
               and
               the
               violent
               take
               it
               by
               force
               .
            
             Some
             previous
             Rays
             of
             the
             Sun
             of
             Righteousness
             appeared
             in
             his
             Ministry
             ,
             and
             produc'd
             such
             a
             holy
             Ardency
             in
             those
             Converts
             ,
             that
             with
             all
             resolution
             ,
             diligence
             and
             earnestness
             they
             sought
             to
             be
             partakers
             of
             the
             Blessedness
             revealed
             .
             Lazy
             Desires
             ,
             easy
             Prosecutions
             ,
             sluggish
             Attempts
             ,
             discover
             that
             the
             Heart
             is
             not
             throughly
             engaged
             for
             the
             spiritual
             Eternal
             Good.
             When
             the
             End
             is
             truly
             designed
             ,
             it
             will
             give
             Law
             to
             the
             Actions
             .
             This
             is
             visible
             in
             Men
             who
             are
             wholly
             led
             by
             Sense
             ,
             how
             sagacious
             ,
             how
             sollicitous
             are
             they
             to
             accomplish
             their
             Ends
             and
             base
             Designs
             ?
             They
             try
             all
             ways
             either
             by
             fine
             dissimulation
             ,
             or
             toilsome
             industry
             ,
             to
             obtain
             their
             Desires
             .
             No
             time
             is
             too
             much
             in
             their
             gainful
             Affairs
             ,
             or
             voluptuous
             Enjoyments
             .
             They
             transform
             the
             Night
             to
             lengthen
             out
             the
             Day
             for
             their
             Profit
             ,
             they
             vail
             the
             Day
             to
             lengthen
             out
             the
             Night
             for
             their
             Ease
             and
             Pleasure
             .
             But
             
             alas
             ,
             Heaven
             is
             only
             regarded
             by
             the
             By
             ;
             as
             if
             the
             intellectual
             Soul
             were
             only
             given
             to
             dwell
             with
             the
             Body
             on
             Earth
             ,
             the
             place
             of
             its
             Banishment
             ,
             and
             direct
             Affairs
             here
             below
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             lead
             in
             the
             way
             to
             Heaven
             ,
             the
             place
             of
             its
             Nativity
             ,
             and
             prepare
             for
             another
             World.
             The
             Work
             of
             Salvation
             is
             followed
             with
             that
             remiss
             degree
             of
             Affection
             ,
             as
             if
             it
             were
             a
             slight
             matter
             whether
             performed
             or
             neglected
             .
             These
             Persons
             carry
             their
             Conviction
             in
             their
             Bosoms
             ;
             for
             they
             are
             ardent
             and
             active
             to
             obtain
             inferior
             and
             infinitely
             less
             concerning
             Ends
             ,
             but
             with
             that
             cold
             application
             mind
             the
             superior
             nobler
             End
             of
             Man
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             wholly
             frustrate
             ,
             which
             plainly
             shews
             it
             was
             never
             seriously
             intended
             by
             them
             .
          
           
             The
             sight
             of
             Worldly
             Men
             so
             active
             and
             vigilant
             to
             prosecute
             their
             low
             Designs
             ,
             should
             quicken
             us
             to
             seek
             with
             greater
             diligence
             and
             alacrity
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             the
             Righteousness
             thereof
             .
             A
             Carnal
             Wretch
             ,
             urged
             by
             the
             sting
             of
             a
             brutish
             Desire
             ,
             with
             what
             impatience
             doth
             he
             pursue
             
               the
               Pleasures
               of
               Sin
               that
               are
               but
               for
               a
               season
               ?
            
             An
             ambitious
             Person
             ,
             with
             what
             an
             intemperate
             height
             of
             Passion
             does
             he
             
             chase
             a
             Feather
             ?
             A
             covetous
             Man
             ,
             how
             greedily
             does
             he
             pursue
             the
             Advantages
             of
             
               the
               present
               World
               that
               passes
               away
               ,
               and
               the
               Lusts
               thereof
               ?
            
             Ah!
             how
             do
             they
             upbraid
             our
             indifferent
             Desires
             ,
             our
             dull
             Delays
             and
             cold
             Endeavours
             ,
             when
             such
             a
             high
             Prize
             is
             set
             before
             us
             ?
             Who
             is
             able
             to
             conceive
             the
             ravishing
             Pleasure
             of
             the
             Soul
             when
             it
             first
             enters
             through
             
               the
               beautiful
               Gate
            
             of
             the
             Celestial
             Temple
             ,
             and
             sees
             the
             Glory
             of
             the
             Place
             ,
             and
             
               hears
               a
               Voice
               from
               the
               Throne
               ,
               Enter
               into
               thy
               Master's
               Joy
               ,
            
             to
             be
             happy
             with
             him
             for
             ever
             ?
             The
             serious
             belief
             of
             this
             ,
             will
             draw
             forth
             all
             our
             active
             Powers
             in
             the
             Service
             of
             God.
             
          
           
             3.
             
             The
             sincerity
             of
             our
             Heavenly
             Choice
             declares
             it self
             ,
             in
             the
             temper
             and
             frame
             of
             our
             Hearts
             ,
             with
             respect
             to
             all
             temporal
             Things
             in
             this
             World.
             For
             our
             main
             and
             happy
             End
             being
             established
             ,
             that
             it
             consists
             not
             in
             secular
             Riches
             ,
             and
             Honours
             ,
             and
             the
             Pleasures
             of
             Sense
             ,
             but
             in
             the
             clear
             Vision
             of
             God
             ,
             the
             blessedness
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ;
             it
             follows
             that
             all
             present
             things
             are
             in
             our
             use
             so
             far
             Good
             or
             Evil
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             desired
             or
             not
             ,
             as
             they
             are
             profitable
             or
             prejudicial
             to
             our
             obtaining
             
             Salvation
             ,
             as
             they
             conduct
             or
             divert
             us
             from
             Heaven
             .
             A
             wise
             Christian
             looks
             on
             temporal
             things
             not
             through
             the
             Glass
             of
             disordered
             Passions
             ,
             that
             are
             impetuous
             and
             impatient
             for
             what
             is
             grateful
             to
             them
             ,
             but
             with
             reference
             to
             his
             future
             Happiness
             .
             He
             considers
             the
             train
             of
             Temptations
             that
             attend
             an
             exalted
             Condition
             ,
             and
             desires
             such
             a
             portion
             of
             these
             things
             ,
             as
             may
             redound
             to
             the
             Glory
             of
             the
             Giver
             ,
             and
             be
             improved
             for
             his
             own
             Salvation
             .
             This
             Purity
             of
             Affections
             our
             Saviour
             teaches
             us
             :
             For
             in
             his
             Divine
             Form
             of
             Prayer
             ,
             the
             true
             Directory
             of
             our
             Desires
             ,
             are
             set
             down
             in
             an
             admirable
             order
             all
             things
             we
             are
             to
             pray
             for
             .
             And
             they
             respect
             the
             End
             ,
             or
             the
             Means
             .
             The
             End
             is
             the
             primary
             Object
             of
             our
             Desires
             ,
             accordingly
             the
             two
             first
             Petitions
             concern
             our
             blessed
             End
             ,
             as
             it
             respects
             God
             and
             our selves
             .
             We
             pray
             ,
             
               Hallowed
               be
               thy
               Name
            
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             by
             the
             reverence
             and
             adoration
             of
             all
             his
             Subjects
             :
             and
             ,
             
               Thy
               Kingdom
               come
            
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             for
             the
             manifestation
             of
             his
             Eternal
             Glory
             in
             the
             next
             World
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             reign
             with
             him
             .
             The
             Means
             in
             order
             to
             this
             End
             are
             of
             two
             sorts
             .
             Some
             conduct
             to
             it
             by
             themselves
             ,
             those
             
             are
             the
             good
             things
             desired
             in
             the
             third
             and
             fourth
             Petitions
             ;
             and
             some
             lead
             to
             it
             by
             accident
             ,
             and
             those
             are
             the
             freedom
             from
             Evils
             express'd
             in
             the
             last
             Petition
             .
             The
             good
             things
             desired
             ,
             either
             have
             a
             direct
             influence
             upon
             our
             obtaining
             Happiness
             ;
             and
             they
             are
             summ'd
             up
             in
             our
             universal
             Obedience
             to
             God's
             Will
             ,
             express'd
             in
             the
             third
             Petition
             ,
             
               Let
               thy
               Will
               be
               done
               on
               Earth
               as
               it
               is
               in
               Heaven
            
             ;
             or
             they
             are
             such
             as
             by
             way
             of
             subserviency
             promote
             our
             Happiness
             ,
             and
             those
             we
             pray
             for
             in
             the
             fourth
             Petition
             ,
             
               Give
               us
               this
               day
               our
               daily
               Bread.
            
             And
             't
             is
             observable
             there
             is
             but
             one
             Petition
             for
             Temporal
             Blessings
             ,
             and
             't
             is
             the
             last
             in
             the
             order
             of
             those
             that
             concern
             good
             things
             .
             And
             that
             single
             Petition
             is
             so
             restrained
             ,
             that
             't
             is
             evident
             by
             its
             Tenour
             ,
             that
             earthly
             things
             are
             not
             absolutely
             good
             to
             be
             desired
             for
             themselves
             ,
             but
             relatively
             and
             subordinately
             to
             our
             eternal
             Good.
             Daily
             Bread
             we
             must
             ask
             of
             our
             heavenly
             Father
             ,
             the
             necessary
             support
             of
             the
             present
             Life
             ,
             without
             which
             we
             cannot
             exercise
             our
             internal
             or
             external
             Powers
             and
             Faculties
             in
             his
             Service
             ,
             but
             not
             Delicacies
             and
             Abundance
             for
             the
             luxurious
             Appetite
             .
          
           
           
             The
             difference
             of
             Conditions
             in
             the
             present
             World
             is
             very
             great
             :
             as
             in
             
             Pharaoh's
             Dream
             ,
             some
             Ears
             of
             Corn
             were
             so
             full
             and
             weighty
             that
             they
             bended
             with
             their
             weight
             ;
             others
             so
             thin
             and
             blasted
             ,
             that
             they
             were
             as
             Stubble
             for
             the
             Fire
             .
             Thus
             some
             abound
             in
             all
             Felicities
             possible
             in
             this
             Life
             ,
             others
             are
             
               chastened
               every
               Morning
            
             ,
             under
             various
             and
             continual
             Afflictions
             .
             Now
             this
             infallible
             Principle
             being
             planted
             in
             the
             Heart
             ,
             that
             all
             present
             things
             are
             to
             be
             improved
             with
             respect
             to
             our
             future
             Happiness
             ,
             will
             moderate
             the
             Affections
             in
             Prosperity
             ,
             so
             to
             use
             the
             World
             that
             we
             may
             enjoy
             God
             ,
             and
             make
             us
             not
             only
             patient
             ,
             but
             pleased
             in
             Adversities
             ,
             as
             they
             are
             preparatory
             for
             Heaven
             .
          
           
             The
             Original
             of
             all
             the
             Sins
             and
             Misery
             of
             Men
             ,
             
             is
             their
             perverse
             abuse
             of
             things
             ,
             by
             turning
             the
             Means
             into
             the
             End
             ,
             setting
             their
             Affections
             of
             Love
             ,
             Desire
             ,
             and
             Joy
             upon
             sensible
             things
             ,
             as
             their
             proper
             Happiness
             ,
             with
             inconsiderate
             neglect
             of
             the
             spiritual
             eternal
             state
             ,
             to
             which
             all
             other
             things
             should
             be
             subservient
             .
             As
             if
             one
             diseased
             and
             sickly
             in
             a
             Forreign
             Country
             ,
             that
             could
             not
             possibly
             recover
             Health
             but
             
             in
             his
             Native
             Air
             ,
             in
             his
             return
             thither
             ,
             invited
             by
             the
             pleasantness
             of
             the
             way
             ,
             should
             take
             up
             his
             residence
             in
             it
             ,
             and
             never
             arrive
             to
             his
             own
             Country
             .
             Among
             the
             
               West
               Indians
            
             some
             are
             *
             reported
             to
             be
             so
             swift
             in
             running
             ,
             that
             no
             Horse
             can
             keep
             pace
             with
             them
             ,
             and
             they
             have
             a
             constant
             rule
             in
             their
             Diet
             ,
             to
             eat
             of
             no
             Beast
             ,
             or
             Bird
             ,
             or
             Fish
             that
             is
             slow
             in
             motion
             ,
             fancying
             it
             would
             transfuse
             a
             sluggishness
             in
             them
             .
             The
             Christian
             Life
             is
             by
             the
             Apostle
             compar'd
             to
             a
             Race
             ,
             and
             earthly
             things
             by
             an
             inseparable
             property
             of
             Nature
             load
             and
             depress
             the
             Soul
             ,
             that
             it
             cannot
             with
             vigour
             run
             the
             
               Race
               set
               before
               it
            
             .
             The
             Believer
             therefore
             who
             intends
             
               for
               the
               high
               price
               of
               his
               Calling
               ,
            
             and
             is
             true
             to
             his
             End
             ,
             will
             
               be
               temperate
               in
               all
               things
            
             .
             Nay
             ,
             he
             will
             not
             only
             be
             circumspect
             ,
             lest
             they
             should
             check
             with
             his
             great
             Design
             ,
             but
             wisely
             manages
             them
             in
             subserviency
             to
             it
             .
             St.
             
               Paul
               charges
               them
               that
               are
               rich
               in
               this
               World
               ,
               to
               do
               good
               ,
            
             
             
               to
               be
               rich
               in
               good
               Works
               ,
               ready
               to
               distribute
               ,
               willing
               to
               communicate
               ,
               laying
               in
               store
               for
               themselves
               a
               good
               Foundation
               against
               the
               time
               to
               come
               ,
               that
               they
               may
               lay
               hold
               of
               eternal
               Life
               .
            
          
           
           
             And
             the
             fixed
             aim
             at
             Heaven
             as
             our
             Felicity
             ,
             will
             reconcile
             an
             afflicted
             state
             to
             us
             .
             When
             temporal
             Evils
             are
             effectual
             means
             to
             promote
             our
             everlasting
             Happiness
             ,
             the
             amiableness
             and
             excellency
             of
             the
             End
             changes
             their
             Nature
             ,
             and
             makes
             those
             Calamities
             that
             in
             themselves
             are
             intolerable
             ,
             to
             become
             light
             and
             easy
             .
             
               The
               Poor
               ,
               the
               Mourners
               ,
               the
               Persecuted
               are
               blessed
               now
               ,
               because
               theirs
               is
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               Heaven
               .
            
             The
             Apostle
             ,
             tho
             under
             variety
             of
             sharp
             Troubles
             ,
             yet
             expresses
             his
             sense
             with
             that
             mitigation
             ,
             as
             but
             lightly
             touch'd
             with
             them
             :
             
               as
               sorrowful
               ,
               but
               always
               rejoicing
               .
            
             From
             hence
             he
             tells
             us
             ,
             that
             with
             unfainting
             courage
             he
             prosecuted
             his
             glorious
             End.
             
               For
               our
               light
               Afflictions
               that
               are
               but
               for
               a
               moment
               ,
               work
               for
               us
               a
               far
               more
               exceeding
               weight
               of
               Glory
               .
            
             This
             seriously
             believed
             and
             considered
             ,
             will
             make
             us
             understand
             the
             Harmony
             and
             Consent
             of
             the
             most
             discordant
             parts
             of
             God's
             Providence
             .
             This
             will
             reconcile
             the
             severity
             and
             roughness
             of
             his
             Hand
             ,
             with
             the
             tender
             Compassions
             of
             his
             Heart
             towards
             his
             Servants
             .
             This
             will
             dry
             up
             Rivers
             of
             unprofitable
             Tears
             that
             flow
             from
             the
             Afflicted
             ,
             and
             make
             the
             Cross
             of
             Christ
             a
             light
             burthen
             .
             
             For
             their
             heaviest
             Afflictions
             are
             not
             only
             consistent
             with
             his
             Love
             ,
             but
             the
             Effects
             of
             it
             ,
             being
             influential
             upon
             their
             Happiness
             .
             We
             are
             now
             toss'd
             upon
             the
             alternate
             Waves
             of
             Time
             ,
             but
             't
             is
             that
             we
             may
             arrive
             at
             the
             Port
             ,
             the
             blessed
             Bosom
             of
             our
             Saviour
             ,
             and
             enjoy
             a
             peaceful
             Calm
             ;
             and
             
               so
               we
               shall
               be
               ever
               with
               the
               Lord.
            
             Words
             of
             infinite
             sweetness
             !
             This
             is
             the
             Song
             of
             our
             Prosperity
             ,
             and
             the
             Charm
             of
             our
             Adversity
             :
             Well
             might
             the
             Apostle
             add
             immediately
             after
             ,
             
               Therefore
               comfort
               one
               another
               with
               these
               Words
               .
            
          
           
             4.
             
             The
             sincere
             Choice
             of
             Heaven
             as
             our
             final
             Happiness
             ,
             will
             make
             us
             aspire
             to
             the
             greatest
             height
             of
             Holiness
             we
             are
             capable
             of
             in
             the
             present
             state
             .
             For
             the
             End
             has
             always
             a
             powerful
             Vertue
             to
             transform
             a
             Man
             into
             its
             Likeness
             :
             and
             Heaven
             is
             a
             state
             of
             perfect
             conformity
             to
             the
             Holy
             God.
             This
             difference
             is
             observable
             between
             the
             Understanding
             and
             the
             Will
             in
             their
             Operations
             :
             The
             Understanding
             in
             forming
             Conceptions
             of
             Things
             ,
             draws
             the
             Object
             to
             it self
             .
             The
             Will
             is
             drawn
             by
             the
             Object
             to
             it
             chuses
             ,
             and
             is
             always
             fashioning
             and
             framing
             the
             Soul
             into
             an
             intire
             conformity
             to
             it
             .
             Thus
             Carnal
             
             Objects
             when
             propounded
             as
             the
             End
             of
             a
             Man
             ,
             secretly
             imprint
             on
             him
             their
             Likeness
             ,
             his
             Thoughts
             ,
             Affections
             ,
             and
             whole
             Conversation
             is
             Carnal
             .
             As
             the
             Psalmist
             speaks
             of
             the
             Worshippers
             of
             Idols
             ,
             
               they
               that
               make
               them
               are
               like
               unto
               them
               ,
               so
               is
               every
               one
               that
               trusteth
               in
               them
               :
            
             whatever
             we
             adore
             and
             esteem
             ,
             we
             are
             changed
             into
             its
             Image
             .
             Idolaters
             are
             as
             stupid
             and
             senseless
             ,
             as
             the
             Idols
             to
             which
             they
             pay
             Homage
             .
             Thus
             when
             God
             is
             chosen
             as
             our
             supream
             Good
             and
             last
             End
             ,
             by
             conversing
             with
             him
             ,
             the
             Image
             of
             his
             glorious
             Holiness
             is
             derived
             on
             the
             Soul
             ,
             and
             it
             becomes
             Godly
             :
             the
             Heart
             is
             drawn
             by
             his
             attractive
             Excellencies
             ,
             and
             the
             Life
             directed
             to
             him
             .
             This
             being
             a
             Point
             of
             great
             importance
             ,
             I
             shall
             further
             prove
             and
             illustrate
             it
             .
             There
             is
             no
             deliberating
             about
             the
             degrees
             of
             that
             which
             is
             loved
             for
             it self
             as
             our
             End.
             More
             or
             less
             may
             respect
             the
             Means
             that
             are
             valued
             and
             used
             to
             obtain
             it
             ,
             but
             the
             Love
             of
             the
             End
             is
             vast
             and
             unlimited
             .
             A
             Physician
             endeavours
             to
             recover
             his
             Patient
             to
             sound
             and
             perfect
             Health
             ,
             that
             being
             the
             End
             of
             his
             Art.
             He
             that
             seeks
             for
             Honour
             or
             Riches
             ,
             is
             not
             content
             with
             a
             Mediocrity
             of
             Success
             ,
             but
             drives
             on
             his
             Affairs
             
             to
             the
             full
             period
             of
             his
             Desires
             .
             An
             ardent
             lover
             of
             Learning
             with
             a
             noble
             jealousy
             strives
             to
             excel
             others
             in
             Knowledg
             .
             In
             short
             ,
             no
             Man
             designs
             and
             longs
             for
             a
             thing
             as
             his
             Happiness
             ,
             but
             will
             use
             all
             diligence
             to
             gain
             the
             present
             and
             full
             possession
             of
             it
             .
             Therefore
             it
             cannot
             be
             imagined
             that
             any
             Person
             sincerely
             propounds
             the
             enjoyment
             of
             Heaven
             as
             his
             End
             ,
             but
             Love
             will
             make
             him
             fervent
             and
             industrious
             to
             be
             as
             Heavenly
             as
             is
             possible
             here
             .
             He
             will
             strive
             by
             blessed
             and
             glorious
             Gradations
             ,
             to
             ascend
             to
             the
             perfection
             of
             his
             Aims
             and
             Desires
             ,
             
               to
               be
               holy
               as
               God
               is
               holy
               in
               all
               manner
               of
               Conversation
               ,
               to
               be
               pure
               as
               Christ
               is
               pure
               .
            
             We
             have
             an
             admirable
             instance
             of
             this
             in
             St.
             Paul
             ,
             who
             declares
             ,
             Brethren
             ,
             
             
               I
               count
               not
               my self
               to
               have
               apprehended
               ;
               but
               this
               one
               thing
               I
               do
               ,
               forgetting
               those
               things
               which
               are
               behind
               ,
               and
               reaching
               forth
               unto
               those
               things
               which
               are
               before
               ,
               I
               press
               toward
               the
               Mark
               ,
               for
               the
               Prize
               of
               the
               high
               Calling
               of
               God
               in
               Christ
               Jesus
               .
            
             His
             Progress
             was
             great
             ,
             yet
             that
             did
             not
             make
             him
             slack
             in
             the
             prosecution
             of
             his
             End.
             He
             laboured
             to
             attain
             the
             Precedent
             of
             our
             Saviour
             ,
             to
             feel
             the
             Power
             of
             
               his
               Death
               and
               Life
               ,
               to
               apprehend
               
               Christ
            
             intirely
             and
             perfectly
             as
             
               Christ
               had
               apprehended
               him
               .
               He
               was
               very
               diligent
            
             to
             improve
             the
             Divine
             Image
             in
             his
             Heart
             and
             Life
             .
          
           
             From
             hence
             we
             may
             discover
             the
             vanity
             of
             their
             Hopes
             ,
             that
             are
             of
             luke-warm
             Affections
             in
             Religion
             ,
             (
             the
             abhorr'd
             character
             of
             Laodicea
             )
             who
             esteem
             it
             a
             prudent
             Principle
             ,
             as
             convenient
             for
             their
             carnal
             ease
             and
             interest
             ,
             not
             to
             be
             
               earnest
               in
               following
               Holiness
            
             .
             Vices
             in
             mediocrity
             are
             tolerable
             with
             them
             ,
             only
             the
             excess
             is
             condemned
             .
             They
             content
             themselves
             with
             a
             mediocrity
             in
             Religion
             ,
             and
             are
             presumptuous
             and
             secure
             ,
             as
             the
             Church
             that
             said
             ,
             
               I
               am
               rich
               ,
               and
               have
               need
               of
               nothing
               .
            
             They
             boast
             as
             if
             they
             had
             found
             out
             the
             temperate
             Region
             between
             the
             burning
             Line
             and
             the
             frozen
             Pole.
             They
             account
             all
             that
             is
             above
             their
             degrees
             in
             Religion
             ,
             to
             be
             furious
             or
             indiscreet
             Zeal
             ,
             and
             all
             below
             to
             be
             dead
             ,
             cold
             Profaneness
             .
             They
             censure
             those
             for
             Hypocrisy
             or
             unnecessary
             Strictness
             ,
             who
             are
             visibly
             better
             ,
             and
             stand
             upon
             proud
             comparisons
             with
             those
             who
             are
             visibly
             worse
             .
             And
             thus
             set
             off
             themselves
             by
             taxing
             others
             .
             But
             how
             easily
             do
             Men
             deceive
             and
             damn
             themselves
             ?
             
             Can
             we
             have
             too
             much
             of
             Heaven
             upon
             the
             Earth
             ?
             Can
             we
             become
             too
             like
             God
             ,
             when
             a
             perfect
             conformity
             to
             him
             is
             our
             Duty
             and
             Felicity
             ?
             Indeed
             Moral
             Vertue
             consists
             in
             a
             Mediocrity
             ,
             not
             of
             the
             habitual
             Quality
             ,
             but
             of
             the
             Affections
             and
             Actions
             between
             the
             vicious
             extremities
             .
             Fortitude
             consists
             in
             the
             mean
             between
             Cowardise
             ,
             and
             rash
             Boldness
             ;
             but
             how
             much
             the
             more
             confirm'd
             the
             couragious
             Habit
             is
             ,
             so
             much
             the
             more
             a
             Man
             excells
             in
             that
             Virtue
             .
             Liberality
             consists
             between
             an
             indiscreet
             Profuseness
             ,
             and
             sordid
             Avarice
             ;
             Patience
             between
             a
             soft
             Delicacy
             ,
             and
             stupid
             Insensibility
             .
             Thus
             Philosophic
             Virtue
             glories
             in
             its
             Beauty
             as
             pure
             and
             intire
             ,
             between
             two
             vicious
             Deformities
             .
             And
             the
             Religion
             of
             many
             is
             Paganism
             drest
             up
             in
             a
             Christian
             Fashion
             .
             But
             this
             mediocrity
             only
             belongs
             to
             inferiour
             Vertues
             ,
             that
             respect
             things
             of
             created
             limited
             goodness
             ,
             and
             is
             determined
             according
             to
             the
             worth
             of
             their
             Nature
             .
             But
             divine
             Graces
             respect
             an
             Object
             supreamly
             Good
             ,
             and
             their
             perfection
             consists
             in
             their
             most
             excellent
             degrees
             ,
             and
             the
             most
             intense
             Affections
             and
             Operations
             that
             are
             leading
             to
             it
             .
             Faith
             in
             its
             Obedience
             ,
             Hope
             in
             its
             Assurance
             ,
             
             Love
             in
             its
             Ardour
             can
             never
             exceed
             .
             When
             the
             Object
             is
             Infinite
             ,
             a
             mediocrity
             is
             vicious
             .
             Humility
             can
             never
             descend
             too
             low
             ,
             nor
             Love
             ascend
             too
             high
             :
             for
             reflecting
             upon
             our
             natural
             and
             moral
             Imperfections
             ,
             that
             we
             were
             raised
             from
             nothing
             ,
             that
             we
             are
             defiled
             and
             debased
             with
             Sin
             ,
             we
             cannot
             have
             too
             low
             thoughts
             of
             our selves
             .
             And
             since
             God
             the
             Soveraign
             Being
             ,
             infinite
             in
             Perfections
             ,
             and
             infinitely
             amiable
             is
             the
             Object
             ,
             no
             bounds
             or
             measure
             must
             be
             set
             to
             our
             Affections
             ,
             but
             with
             all
             our
             united
             Powers
             ,
             
               all
               the
               Heart
               ,
               and
               with
               all
               the
               Soul
               ,
               and
               with
               all
               the
               Mind
               ,
               and
               with
               all
               the
               Strength
               ,
               we
               must
               love
               him
               ,
            
             and
             please
             him
             ,
             and
             endeavour
             to
             be
             beloved
             of
             him
             .
          
           
             There
             are
             others
             will
             acknowledg
             their
             defects
             ,
             and
             tell
             you
             they
             do
             not
             pretend
             to
             eminent
             Sanctity
             ,
             to
             the
             Graces
             of
             the
             Apostles
             and
             Martyrs
             ,
             nor
             aspire
             to
             their
             degrees
             in
             Glory
             ,
             they
             are
             content
             with
             a
             lower
             place
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             less
             strict
             Religion
             is
             sufficient
             for
             their
             purpose
             .
             This
             deceit
             is
             strengthned
             by
             Popery
             ,
             that
             enervates
             and
             dissolves
             many
             of
             our
             Saviour's
             Precepts
             ,
             by
             teaching
             they
             are
             not
             Laws
             obliging
             all
             Christians
             to
             Obedience
             ,
             
             that
             will
             attain
             to
             eternal
             Life
             ,
             but
             Counsels
             of
             Perfection
             :
             if
             they
             are
             not
             done
             't
             is
             no
             Sin
             ,
             and
             the
             performance
             of
             them
             meritoriously
             intitles
             to
             a
             richer
             Crown
             .
             And
             though
             Men
             by
             impure
             Indulgencies
             please
             their
             sensual
             Affections
             ,
             yet
             by
             tasting
             Purgatory
             in
             the
             way
             ,
             they
             may
             come
             to
             Heaven
             on
             easier
             terms
             ,
             than
             a
             universal
             respect
             to
             God's
             Commands
             ,
             and
             an
             equal
             care
             to
             observe
             them
             .
             But
             Death
             will
             confute
             all
             these
             feeble
             wretched
             Pretences
             ,
             for
             though
             the
             Saints
             above
             shine
             with
             an
             unequal
             brightness
             ,
             as
             the
             Stars
             differ
             in
             Glory
             ;
             yet
             none
             are
             there
             but
             Saints
             .
             And
             those
             who
             do
             not
             mourn
             under
             their
             Imperfections
             ,
             and
             unfeignedly
             desire
             and
             endeavour
             to
             be
             better
             ,
             were
             never
             really
             good
             .
             The
             slothful
             Servant
             that
             did
             not
             waste
             but
             neglect
             to
             improve
             his
             Talent
             ,
             was
             cast
             into
             
               outer
               darkness
            
             .
             There
             are
             different
             degrees
             of
             punishments
             in
             Hell
             ,
             but
             the
             least
             miserable
             there
             are
             miserable
             for
             ever
             .
             In
             short
             't
             is
             a
             perfect
             contradiction
             ,
             a
             Prodigy
             ,
             for
             any
             Man
             to
             think
             he
             is
             sincere
             in
             his
             Choice
             ,
             and
             prepar'd
             in
             his
             Affections
             for
             the
             pure
             glorious
             Felicity
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             that
             does
             not
             labour
             to
             
               cleanse
               himself
               from
               all
               pollutions
               
               of
               Flesh
               and
               Spirit
               ,
               and
               to
               perfect
               Holiness
               in
               the
               fear
               of
               God.
               
            
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             The
             choice
             of
             Eternal
             Felicity
             must
             be
             early
             in
             the
             prime
             of
             our
             days
             .
             The
             rule
             of
             our
             Duty
             ,
             and
             Reason
             binds
             us
             
               to
               remember
               our
               Creatour
               in
               our
               Youth
               ,
            
             to
             pay
             to
             him
             the
             first
             fruits
             of
             our
             Time
             and
             Strength
             .
             When
             we
             are
             surrounded
             with
             inticing
             Objects
             ,
             and
             the
             Senses
             are
             entire
             and
             most
             capable
             to
             enjoy
             them
             ,
             when
             the
             electing
             Powers
             are
             in
             their
             vigour
             ,
             then
             't
             is
             just
             we
             should
             live
             to
             God
             ,
             obey
             him
             as
             our
             Law-giver
             ,
             and
             prefer
             the
             fruition
             of
             him
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             the
             reward
             of
             Obedience
             ,
             before
             all
             the
             pleasures
             of
             Vanity
             .
             'T
             is
             very
             honourable
             and
             pleasing
             to
             God
             to
             give
             the
             Heart
             to
             him
             ,
             when
             the
             Flesh
             and
             the
             World
             strongly
             solicit
             to
             withdraw
             it
             .
             'T
             is
             a
             high
             endearment
             of
             the
             Soul
             to
             him
             ,
             when
             his
             Excellencies
             are
             prevalent
             in
             the
             Esteem
             and
             Affections
             above
             all
             the
             Charms
             of
             the
             Creatures
             .
             And
             't
             is
             an
             unspeakable
             satisfaction
             to
             the
             Spirit
             of
             a
             Man
             ,
             to
             declare
             the
             truth
             and
             strength
             of
             his
             Love
             to
             God
             by
             despising
             Temptations
             when
             they
             are
             most
             inviting
             ,
             and
             the
             Appetite
             is
             
             eager
             for
             the
             enjoyment
             of
             them
             .
             But
             alas
             !
             how
             many
             neglect
             their
             Duty
             ,
             and
             defer
             their
             Happiness
             ?
             They
             think
             it
             too
             soon
             to
             live
             for
             Heaven
             
               before
               the
               evil
               Days
               come
               ,
               wherein
               they
               shall
               have
               no
               pleasure
            
             ;
             when
             they
             cannot
             sin
             ,
             and
             vainly
             presume
             they
             can
             repent
             .
             The
             danger
             of
             this
             I
             have
             consider'd
             in
             the
             Discourse
             of
             Death
             ,
             and
             shall
             therefore
             proceed
             to
             the
             next
             Head.
             
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             Our
             Choice
             of
             Heaven
             must
             be
             constant
             and
             lasting
             .
          
           
             The
             two
             principal
             Rules
             of
             the
             Spiritual
             Life
             are
             to
             begin
             and
             end
             well
             :
             to
             fix
             and
             establish
             the
             main
             Design
             for
             everlasting
             Happiness
             ,
             and
             from
             a
             determinate
             Resolution
             and
             ratified
             Purpose
             of
             Heart
             to
             pursue
             it
             with
             firmness
             and
             constancy
             :
             to
             live
             for
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             with
             readiness
             and
             courage
             to
             die
             for
             it
             ,
             if
             the
             Glory
             of
             God
             so
             require
             .
             Perseverance
             is
             indispensably
             necessary
             in
             all
             that
             will
             obtain
             the
             Eternal
             Reward
             .
          
           
             For
             the
             clearing
             this
             most
             important
             Point
             ,
             I
             will
             ,
             
               
               
                 First
                 ,
                 Represent
                 from
                 Scripture
                 the
                 Idea
                 of
                 Perseverance
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 attended
                 with
                 Salvation
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 Consider
                 why
                 't
                 is
                 so
                 strictly
                 required
                 .
              
            
          
           
             First
             ,
             Saving
             Perseverance
             includes
             the
             permanent
             residence
             of
             Grace
             in
             the
             Soul
             :
             'T
             is
             composed
             of
             the
             whole
             Chain
             of
             Graces
             ,
             the
             union
             of
             holy
             Habits
             that
             are
             at
             first
             infused
             into
             a
             Christian
             by
             the
             sanctifying
             Spirit
             .
             When
             Eternal
             Life
             is
             promised
             to
             Faith
             ,
             or
             Love
             ,
             or
             Hope
             ,
             't
             is
             upon
             supposal
             that
             those
             Graces
             being
             planted
             in
             the
             Heart
             shall
             finally
             prosper
             .
             
               He
               that
               is
               faithful
               to
               the
               Death
               ,
            
             
             
               shall
               inherit
               the
               Crown
               of
               Life
               .
               'T
               is
               Love
               that
               never
               fails
               ,
            
             that
             shall
             enter
             into
             Heaven
             .
             
             
               'T
               is
               Hope
               firm
               unto
               the
               End
               ,
            
             that
             shall
             be
             accomplished
             in
             a
             glorious
             Fruition
             .
             If
             Grace
             be
             disseised
             by
             a
             usurping
             Lust
             ,
             Apostacy
             will
             follow
             ,
             and
             the
             forfeiture
             of
             our
             right
             in
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Heaven
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             Grace
             must
             be
             continually
             drawn
             forth
             into
             exercise
             according
             to
             our
             several
             states
             and
             duties
             ,
             and
             the
             various
             
             occasions
             that
             happen
             in
             our
             course
             through
             the
             World.
             Those
             
               who
               are
               light
               in
               the
               Lord
               ,
               are
               commanded
               to
               walk
               as
               Children
               of
               the
               Light
            
             ;
             to
             signify
             the
             excellency
             and
             purity
             of
             the
             Christian
             Life
             .
             
               Those
               who
               live
               in
               the
               Spirit
               must
               walk
               in
               the
               Spirit
            
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             by
             a
             conspicuous
             course
             of
             Holiness
             declare
             the
             vigour
             and
             efficacy
             of
             the
             divine
             Principle
             that
             is
             communicated
             to
             them
             .
             
               Paulum
               septultae
               distat
               inertiae
               celata
               virtus
               :
            
             Vertue
             that
             breaks
             not
             forth
             into
             visible
             Actions
             ,
             is
             not
             worthy
             of
             the
             Name
             .
             The
             meer
             abstaining
             from
             evil
             is
             not
             sufficient
             ,
             but
             all
             the
             positive
             acts
             of
             the
             holy
             Life
             are
             to
             be
             constantly
             done
             .
             In
             discharging
             both
             these
             parts
             of
             our
             Duty
             ,
             compleat
             Religion
             is
             exprest
             ,
             and
             the
             power
             of
             Grace
             consists
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             Perseverance
             includes
             not
             only
             continuance
             in
             well-doing
             ,
             but
             fervour
             and
             progress
             towards
             Perfection
             .
             There
             are
             two
             fix'd
             States
             ,
             the
             one
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             the
             other
             in
             Hell.
             The
             blessed
             Spirits
             above
             are
             arrived
             to
             the
             height
             of
             Holiness
             .
             The
             Devil
             and
             damned
             Spirits
             are
             sunk
             to
             the
             lowest
             extremity
             of
             Sin.
             But
             in
             the
             middle
             state
             here
             ,
             Grace
             in
             the
             Saints
             is
             a
             rising
             growing
             
             Light
             ,
             and
             Sin
             in
             the
             Wicked
             improves
             every
             day
             ,
             like
             Poison
             in
             a
             Serpent
             that
             becomes
             more
             deadly
             by
             his
             Age.
             We
             are
             injoined
             not
             to
             remain
             in
             our
             first
             Imperfections
             ,
             but
             to
             
               follow
               Holiness
            
             to
             the
             utmost
             issue
             of
             our
             Lives
             ,
             to
             its
             intire
             consummation
             .
             For
             this
             end
             all
             the
             dispensations
             of
             Providence
             must
             be
             improved
             whether
             prosperous
             or
             afflicting
             .
             And
             the
             Ordinances
             of
             the
             Gospel
             were
             appointed
             that
             in
             the
             use
             of
             them
             we
             may
             be
             
               changed
               into
               the
               divine
               Image
               from
               Glory
               to
               Glory
               .
            
          
           
             4.
             
             Preseverance
             is
             required
             notwithstanding
             all
             Temptations
             that
             may
             allure
             or
             terrify
             us
             from
             our
             Duties
             ;
             what
             ever
             affects
             us
             one
             way
             or
             other
             ,
             while
             we
             are
             clothed
             with
             frail
             Flesh.
             'T
             is
             the
             fundamental
             Principle
             of
             Christianity
             declared
             by
             our
             Saviour
             ,
             
               If
               any
               Man
               will
               come
               after
               me
               ,
            
             that
             is
             ,
             be
             my
             Disciple
             and
             Servant
             ,
             
               let
               him
               deny
               himself
               ,
               and
               take
               up
               his
               Cross
               and
               follow
               me
            
             ;
             even
             to
             be
             crucified
             with
             him
             ,
             rather
             than
             wilfully
             forfeit
             his
             Integrity
             and
             Loyalty
             to
             Christ.
             He
             must
             by
             a
             *
             sacred
             sixt
             resolution
             devest
             himself
             of
             all
             things
             ,
             even
             the
             most
             valued
             and
             desirable
             in
             the
             present
             World
             ,
             
             and
             actually
             forsake
             them
             ,
             nay
             entertain
             what
             is
             most
             distasteful
             ,
             
               and
               resist
               unto
               Blood
            
             ,
             rather
             than
             desert
             his
             Duty
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             He
             must
             with
             unfainting
             Patience
             continue
             in
             doing
             his
             Duty
             ,
             notwithstanding
             all
             Miseries
             and
             Calamities
             ,
             Losses
             ,
             Disgraces
             ,
             Torments
             ,
             or
             Death
             it self
             ,
             which
             wicked
             Men
             ,
             and
             greater
             Enemies
             ,
             the
             Powers
             of
             Darkness
             ,
             can
             inflict
             upon
             him
             .
             
               To
               them
               who
               by
               patient
               continuance
               in
               well
               doing
               seek
               for
               Glory
               ,
            
             
             
               Honour
               and
               Immortality
               ,
               Eternal
               Life
               is
               promised
               .
            
             
             
               He
               that
               endures
               to
               the
               End
            
             (
             notwithstanding
             the
             most
             terrible
             Sufferings
             to
             which
             he
             is
             exposed
             for
             Christ's
             sake
             )
             
               shall
               be
               saved
            
             .
             In
             this
             a
             Christian
             must
             be
             the
             express
             image
             of
             his
             Saviour
             ,
             
               who
               for
               the
               joy
               that
               was
               set
               before
               him
               endured
               the
               Cross
               ,
               despised
               the
               shame
               ,
               and
               is
               set
               down
               at
               the
               right
               hand
               of
               God.
            
             Disgrace
             and
             Pain
             are
             Evils
             that
             humane
             Nature
             has
             a
             most
             tender
             sense
             of
             ,
             yet
             the
             Son
             of
             God
             with
             a
             divine
             generosity
             and
             constancy
             endured
             them
             in
             the
             highest
             degrees
             .
             He
             was
             scorn'd
             as
             a
             feigned
             King
             ,
             and
             a
             false
             Prophet
             .
             He
             suffered
             a
             bloody
             Death
             ,
             and
             by
             the
             Cross
             ascended
             to
             Glory
             .
             And
             we
             must
             follow
             him
             ,
             if
             we
             desire
             to
             be
             where
             he
             is
             .
          
           
           
             2.
             
             But
             this
             is
             not
             the
             only
             trial
             of
             a
             Christian.
             Prosperity
             is
             a
             more
             dangerous
             Enemy
             to
             the
             Soul
             ,
             though
             Adversity
             be
             more
             rigorous
             .
             
               
                 Saevior
                 armis
              
               
                 
                 Incumbit
                 luxuria
                 :
              
            
             For
             the
             Spirit
             is
             excited
             by
             Perils
             and
             Difficulties
             to
             seek
             to
             God
             for
             Strength
             ,
             and
             with
             vigilant
             resolute
             Thoughts
             unites
             all
             its
             Powers
             to
             oppose
             them
             ;
             but
             't
             is
             made
             weak
             and
             careless
             by
             what
             is
             grateful
             to
             the
             sensual
             Inclinations
             .
             It
             keeps
             close
             the
             Spiritual
             Armour
             in
             the
             open
             encounter
             of
             Dangers
             that
             threaten
             its
             ruin
             ,
             but
             is
             inticed
             to
             put
             it
             off
             by
             the
             caresses
             and
             blandishments
             of
             the
             World.
             It
             does
             not
             see
             its
             Enemies
             under
             the
             disguise
             of
             a
             pleasant
             Temptation
             .
             Thus
             Sin
             insinuates
             its
             self
             ,
             and
             by
             stealing
             steps
             gets
             into
             the
             Throne
             without
             observation
             .
             A
             Man
             is
             wounded
             with
             a
             pleasant
             Temptation
             as
             with
             the
             Plague
             ,
             that
             flies
             in
             the
             dark
             ,
             and
             Grace
             is
             insensibly
             weaken'd
             .
             From
             hence
             it
             is
             that
             Adversity
             often
             reforms
             the
             Vicious
             ,
             and
             Prosperity
             corrupts
             the
             Vertuous
             .
             Now
             Perseverance
             must
             be
             of
             proof
             against
             Fire
             
             and
             Water
             ,
             against
             what
             ever
             may
             terrify
             or
             allure
             us
             from
             our
             duty
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             Saving
             Perseverance
             excludes
             not
             all
             Sins
             ,
             but
             total
             Apostacy
             ,
             and
             final
             impenitency
             ,
             which
             are
             fatal
             and
             deadly
             under
             the
             New
             Covenant
             .
             
             
               If
               the
               Righteous
               turneth
               away
               from
               his
               righteousness
               ,
               and
               committeth
               Iniquity
               ,
               and
               doth
               according
               to
               all
               the
               Abominations
               that
               the
               wicked
               Man
               doth
               ,
               shall
               he
               live
               ?
               all
               his
               Righteousness
               that
               he
               hath
               done
               shall
               not
               be
               mentioned
               ,
               in
               his
               Trespass
               that
               he
               has
               trespassed
               ,
               and
               in
               his
               Sin
               that
               he
               hath
               sinned
               he
               shall
               die
               .
               If
               any
               Man
               draw
               back
               ,
            
             
             
               my
               Soul
               shall
               have
               no
               pleasure
               in
               him
               ,
               saith
               the
               Lord.
            
             These
             Threatnings
             imply
             ,
             there
             is
             a
             possibility
             of
             the
             Saints
             falling
             away
             considered
             in
             themselves
             ,
             but
             not
             that
             they
             are
             ever
             totally
             deserted
             by
             the
             Holy
             Spirit
             ,
             and
             left
             under
             the
             reigning
             Power
             of
             Sin.
             The
             Threatnings
             are
             intended
             to
             awaken
             their
             Care
             ,
             and
             are
             Preservatives
             of
             them
             from
             Ruin
             ,
             and
             have
             a
             singular
             Influence
             on
             their
             Perseverance
             .
             A
             vigilant
             and
             cautious
             Fear
             establishes
             the
             certainty
             of
             their
             Hope
             .
             Indeed
             from
             the
             Reliques
             of
             weakness
             and
             corruption
             in
             the
             Saints
             ,
             they
             sometimes
             actually
             fall
             into
             presumptuous
             Sins
             ,
             and
             by
             
             rebellious
             relapses
             wound
             Conscience
             ,
             and
             let
             out
             much
             of
             the
             vital
             Spirits
             ,
             their
             Graces
             and
             Comforts
             .
             But
             though
             the
             divine
             Nature
             in
             them
             is
             miserably
             wasted
             by
             such
             Sins
             ,
             yet
             't
             is
             not
             abolish'd
             .
             As
             after
             the
             Creation
             of
             Light
             ,
             there
             was
             never
             pure
             and
             total
             Darkness
             in
             the
             World.
             Grace
             does
             not
             consist
             in
             a
             Point
             ,
             but
             is
             capable
             of
             Degrees
             .
             The
             new
             Creature
             may
             decline
             in
             Beauty
             and
             Strength
             ,
             yet
             Life
             remain
             .
             Between
             a
             lively
             and
             a
             dead
             Faith
             there
             may
             be
             a
             fainting
             Faith
             ;
             as
             in
             St.
             Peter
             ,
             for
             certainly
             our
             Saviour
             was
             heard
             in
             his
             Prayer
             for
             him
             ,
             that
             his
             
               Faith
               should
               not
               fail
            
             in
             his
             dreadful
             Temptation
             .
             The
             Saints
             do
             not
             by
             a
             particular
             fall
             extinguish
             the
             first
             living
             Principles
             of
             Obedience
             ,
             Faith
             and
             Love
             ;
             nor
             change
             their
             last
             end
             by
             an
             entire
             turning
             from
             God
             to
             the
             World.
             In
             short
             ,
             a
             single
             act
             of
             Wickedness
             does
             not
             reduce
             them
             into
             a
             state
             of
             Unregeneracy
             :
             for
             't
             is
             not
             the
             matter
             of
             the
             Sin
             singly
             considered
             ,
             but
             the
             disposition
             of
             the
             Sinner
             that
             denominates
             him
             .
             If
             Grace
             in
             the
             Saints
             should
             utterly
             perish
             ,
             as
             some
             boldly
             assert
             ,
             their
             recovery
             would
             be
             impossible
             .
             For
             the
             Apostle
             tells
             us
             ,
             that
             
               if
               those
               who
               were
               enlightned
               ,
               and
               had
               
               tasted
               of
               the
               Heavenly
               Gift
               ,
            
             that
             had
             been
             under
             some
             common
             Workings
             and
             lower
             Operations
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             if
             such
             
               fall
               away
               universally
            
             ,
             and
             live
             in
             a
             course
             of
             Sin
             opposite
             to
             their
             former
             illuminations
             and
             resolutions
             ,
             it
             is
             impossible
             to
             renew
             them
             by
             Repentance
             ;
             how
             much
             more
             then
             if
             those
             who
             were
             truly
             sanctified
             by
             the
             holy
             Spirit
             ,
             should
             intirely
             lose
             all
             those
             gracious
             habits
             planted
             in
             them
             in
             their
             Regeneration
             ?
             But
             David
             ,
             though
             guilty
             of
             Adultery
             and
             Murder
             ,
             Sins
             of
             so
             foul
             a
             Nature
             as
             would
             dishonour
             Paganism
             it self
             ,
             and
             
               made
               the
               Enemies
               of
               God
               to
               blaspheme
               ,
            
             was
             restored
             by
             Repentance
             .
             The
             Gospel
             propounds
             a
             remedy
             not
             only
             for
             Sins
             committed
             before
             Conversion
             ,
             but
             after
             it
             .
             
               If
               any
               Man
               sin
               ,
               we
               have
               an
               Advocate
               with
               the
               Father
               ,
               Jesus
               Christ
               the
               Righteous
               .
            
             God
             does
             not
             revoke
             the
             Adoption
             ,
             nor
             reverse
             the
             Justification
             of
             a
             Believer
             ,
             but
             upon
             scandalous
             disorders
             ,
             the
             effects
             of
             Justification
             are
             suspended
             with
             respect
             to
             the
             new
             contracted
             guilt
             ,
             till
             there
             be
             sincere
             and
             actual
             Repentance
             .
             He
             is
             not
             disinherited
             ,
             but
             his
             right
             to
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Heaven
             is
             eclipsed
             as
             to
             the
             comfortable
             sense
             of
             it
             ,
             
             nay
             suspended
             ,
             till
             by
             renovation
             he
             is
             qualified
             and
             made
             fit
             for
             the
             enjoyment
             of
             that
             pure
             Inheritance
             .
             For
             those
             Sins
             which
             are
             a
             just
             cause
             of
             excommunicating
             an
             Offender
             from
             the
             Church
             on
             Earth
             ,
             would
             exclude
             him
             from
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Heaven
             without
             Repentance
             .
             Our
             Saviour
             tells
             us
             ,
             
               what
               is
               bound
               on
               Earth
               ,
               is
               ratified
               in
               Heaven
               .
            
             And
             the
             Apostle
             expresly
             declares
             of
             those
             kinds
             of
             Sin
             for
             which
             Professors
             must
             be
             removed
             from
             the
             Communion
             of
             Saints
             here
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             an
             exclusive
             bar
             from
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Heaven
             .
             
               But
               I
               have
               written
               to
               you
               ,
            
             
             
               not
               to
               keep
               Company
               ,
               if
               any
               that
               is
               called
               a
               Brother
               be
               a
               Fornicator
               ,
               or
               Covetous
               ,
               or
               an
               Idolater
               ,
               or
               a
               Railer
               ,
               or
               a
               Drunkard
               ,
               or
               an
               Extortioner
               :
               with
               such
               a
               one
               ,
               no
               not
               to
               eat
               .
               And
               know
               ye
               not
               that
               the
               Vnrighteous
               shall
               not
               inherit
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               God
               ?
            
             
             
               Be
               not
               deceived
               :
               neither
               Fornicators
               ,
               nor
               Idolaters
               ,
               nor
               Adulterers
               ,
               nor
               Effeminate
               ,
               nor
               Covetous
               ,
               nor
               Drunkards
               ,
               nor
               Revilers
               ,
               nor
               Extortioners
               ,
               shall
               inherit
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               God.
            
             If
             one
             that
             is
             truly
             a
             Child
             of
             God
             fall
             into
             any
             of
             these
             Sins
             ,
             till
             by
             an
             extraordinary
             Repentance
             he
             is
             prepared
             for
             Pardon
             ,
             he
             cannot
             obtain
             it
             ,
             nor
             have
             a
             comfortable
             
             hope
             of
             entring
             into
             Heaven
             .
             For
             only
             those
             
               who
               are
               justified
               are
               glorified
            
             .
             Indeed
             it
             is
             not
             imaginable
             where
             
               the
               Seed
               of
               God
               remains
            
             ,
             the
             vital
             Principle
             of
             Grace
             ,
             as
             it
             does
             in
             
               all
               that
               are
               born
               of
               God
               ,
            
             but
             that
             notorious
             Sins
             that
             cannot
             be
             concealed
             from
             the
             view
             of
             Conscience
             ,
             will
             cause
             stings
             and
             sorrows
             proportionable
             to
             their
             malignity
             ,
             and
             consequently
             a
             hatred
             and
             forsaking
             of
             them
             .
             Now
             Perseverance
             principally
             respects
             the
             End
             of
             our
             Course
             .
             There
             may
             be
             Interruptions
             in
             the
             way
             for
             a
             time
             ,
             but
             if
             with
             renewed
             Zeal
             and
             Diligence
             we
             prosecute
             our
             blessed
             End
             ,
             we
             shall
             not
             fall
             short
             of
             it
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             I
             come
             now
             to
             consider
             the
             second
             thing
             propounded
             ,
             The
             Reason
             why
             Perseverance
             is
             requisite
             in
             all
             that
             will
             obtain
             Eternal
             Life
             ,
             and
             't
             is
             this
             ,
             That
             their
             Sincerity
             may
             be
             discovered
             by
             constancy
             in
             Obedience
             under
             all
             Trials
             .
             
               Blessed
               is
               the
               Man
               that
               endures
               Temptation
               ,
               for
               when
               he
               is
               tried
               ,
               he
               shall
               receive
               the
               Crown
               of
               Life
               ,
               which
               the
               Lord
               hath
               promised
               to
               them
               that
               love
               him
               .
            
             The
             Law
             required
             unsinning
             Obedience
             as
             
             the
             Condition
             of
             Life
             ,
             the
             Gospel
             accepts
             of
             Sincerity
             ,
             but
             if
             that
             be
             wanting
             ,
             there
             is
             no
             Promise
             that
             gives
             right
             to
             the
             Reward
             .
             Now
             Sincerity
             implies
             such
             an
             entire
             Love
             of
             God
             ,
             as
             makes
             a
             Person
             submit
             to
             all
             Duties
             commanded
             in
             his
             Law
             ,
             and
             all
             Trials
             appointed
             by
             his
             Providence
             .
             A
             high
             Example
             we
             have
             of
             this
             in
             Abraham
             ,
             when
             he
             was
             commanded
             to
             offer
             up
             his
             only
             Son
             Isaac
             ,
             and
             by
             his
             own
             Hands
             ,
             for
             a
             Burnt-Offering
             .
             This
             was
             to
             kill
             a
             double
             Sacrifice
             at
             one
             Blow
             ,
             for
             the
             Life
             of
             Abraham
             was
             bound
             up
             in
             Isaac
             :
             he
             lived
             in
             him
             more
             dearly
             than
             in
             himself
             ;
             all
             his
             Joy
             ,
             all
             his
             Posterity
             by
             Sarah
             had
             died
             in
             Isaac
             .
             What
             resentments
             ,
             what
             resistance
             of
             Nature
             did
             he
             suffer
             ?
             yet
             presently
             he
             address'd
             himself
             to
             perform
             his
             Duty
             .
             Whoever
             saw
             a
             more
             glorious
             Victory
             over
             all
             the
             tender
             and
             powerful
             Passions
             of
             humane
             Nature
             ?
             O
             unexampled
             Obedience
             !
             being
             an
             Original
             without
             any
             Precedent
             to
             imitate
             ,
             and
             without
             a
             Copy
             to
             succeed
             it
             .
             After
             this
             clear
             infallible
             Testimony
             of
             his
             Sincerity
             ,
             the
             Angel
             declar'd
             from
             Heaven
             ,
             
               Now
               I
               know
               that
               thou
               fearest
               God
               ,
               seeing
               thou
               
               hast
               not
               withheld
               thy
               Son
               ,
               thine
               only
               Son
               from
               me
               .
            
             And
             't
             is
             said
             concerning
             the
             followers
             of
             the
             Lamb
             ,
             that
             
               they
               loved
               not
               their
               Lives
               unto
               the
               Death
               .
            
             The
             Love
             of
             Christ
             that
             animated
             them
             in
             all
             their
             Sufferings
             ,
             was
             sweeter
             than
             Life
             ,
             and
             stronger
             than
             Death
             .
          
           
             Indeed
             there
             was
             a
             wonderful
             difference
             in
             the
             behaviour
             of
             the
             Martyrs
             under
             Sufferings
             ,
             but
             in
             all
             the
             same
             Persevering
             Grace
             was
             evident
             ,
             though
             working
             variously
             .
             Some
             in
             the
             most
             beautiful
             Flower
             of
             their
             Age
             encounter'd
             Fire
             and
             Sword
             ,
             Tormentors
             and
             Torments
             ,
             with
             that
             sensible
             Joy
             ,
             with
             those
             Songs
             of
             Praise
             to
             Christ
             ,
             as
             if
             they
             saw
             the
             Heavens
             open
             with
             St.
             Stephen
             ,
             and
             their
             Saviour
             ready
             to
             receive
             and
             crown
             them
             .
             But
             many
             others
             ,
             as
             *
             Chrysostom
             testifies
             ,
             went
             to
             the
             Tribunals
             ,
             to
             the
             Theatres
             ,
             to
             Death
             ,
             with
             many
             appearances
             of
             Fear
             .
             Upon
             hearing
             the
             wild
             Beasts
             roar
             ,
             they
             were
             struck
             with
             horror
             ,
             at
             the
             sight
             of
             the
             Executioners
             and
             the
             Instruments
             of
             Torment
             ,
             they
             were
             pale
             and
             trembling
             .
             The
             Flesh
             seem'd
             to
             cry
             out
             ,
             
               O
               let
               this
               Cup
               pass
               from
               me
               ,
            
             yet
             weak
             and
             faint
             ,
             it
             followed
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             that
             corrected
             the
             
             natural
             desire
             ,
             with
             
               not
               my
               Will
               ,
               but
               thine
               be
               done
               .
            
             As
             the
             Moon
             in
             Eclipse
             ,
             though
             obscure
             ,
             yet
             goes
             on
             in
             a
             regular
             course
             ,
             as
             when
             't
             is
             full
             of
             Light
             by
             the
             reflection
             of
             the
             Sun
             :
             So
             those
             desolate
             Martyrs
             ,
             though
             as
             it
             were
             forsaken
             ,
             and
             deprived
             of
             the
             bright
             Beams
             of
             Comfort
             ,
             yet
             persever'd
             in
             their
             Profession
             of
             the
             Truth
             .
             When
             one
             Word
             to
             renounce
             Christianity
             would
             have
             saved
             them
             ,
             no
             Torments
             could
             force
             it
             from
             them
             ,
             but
             they
             patiently
             endured
             all
             .
             Now
             in
             these
             the
             Combat
             of
             Nature
             was
             visible
             ,
             and
             the
             admirable
             Power
             of
             Grace
             .
             They
             first
             overcame
             their
             own
             Fears
             ,
             the
             reluctancy
             of
             the
             carnal
             part
             ,
             their
             Affection
             to
             whatever
             is
             desirable
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             noblest
             Victory
             ,
             and
             then
             the
             Cruelty
             of
             their
             Persecutors
             .
             In
             them
             was
             verified
             the
             Testimony
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             
               Here
               is
               the
               patience
               of
               the
               Saints
               ,
               Here
               are
               they
               that
               keep
               the
               Command
               of
               God
               and
               the
               Faith
               of
               Jesus
               .
            
          
           
             But
             how
             many
             appear
             faithful
             while
             their
             Faith
             is
             not
             to
             be
             shewed
             by
             difficult
             Works
             ,
             and
             proved
             by
             Sufferings
             .
             The
             Seed
             that
             fell
             on
             the
             stony
             Ground
             ,
             
             sprang
             up
             as
             hopeful
             as
             the
             Seed
             in
             the
             good
             Ground
             at
             first
             ;
             but
             when
             Tribulation
             came
             ,
             it
             wither'd
             away
             ,
             wanting
             the
             Root
             of
             Sincerity
             .
             And
             that
             which
             was
             sown
             among
             Thorns
             ,
             was
             choak'd
             by
             the
             Cares
             and
             Pleasures
             of
             the
             World.
             Some
             Lust
             in
             the
             Heart
             interweaves
             with
             the
             Affections
             ,
             and
             causes
             Apostacy
             .
             How
             many
             from
             glorious
             Beginnings
             have
             made
             a
             lamentable
             End
             ?
             not
             only
             Mercenaries
             in
             Religion
             ,
             whose
             Zeal
             is
             a
             foreign
             Complexion
             ,
             not
             springing
             from
             an
             inward
             Principle
             of
             Life
             and
             Health
             ,
             relinquish
             even
             the
             profession
             of
             Godliness
             ,
             when
             their
             Gain
             ceases
             ,
             but
             some
             who
             have
             thought
             themselves
             sincere
             ,
             yet
             in
             times
             of
             danger
             their
             Resolutions
             ,
             like
             the
             morning
             Dew
             ,
             have
             suddenly
             vanish'd
             .
             As
             the
             foolish
             Builder
             that
             computed
             not
             the
             Charges
             of
             his
             designed
             Work
             ,
             began
             to
             raise
             a
             magnificent
             Structure
             ,
             but
             unable
             to
             finish
             it
             ,
             laid
             the
             Foundation
             in
             his
             own
             Shame
             .
             They
             repented
             their
             Choice
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             when
             they
             saw
             what
             it
             must
             cost
             them
             ,
             and
             would
             save
             the
             World
             with
             the
             loss
             of
             their
             Souls
             .
          
           
             Others
             that
             began
             in
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             and
             with
             raised
             Affections
             set
             out
             in
             the
             
             ways
             of
             Godliness
             ▪
             yet
             by
             the
             allurements
             of
             sensual
             Lusts
             and
             Temptations
             ,
             (
             and
             therefore
             with
             greater
             †
             Guilt
             )
             leave
             their
             first
             Love
             ,
             and
             end
             in
             the
             Flesh.
             They
             fall
             from
             high
             Professions
             ,
             but
             received
             by
             soft
             Pleasures
             feel
             not
             the
             Fall.
             These
             were
             never
             sincere
             ,
             and
             never
             had
             a
             Right
             to
             Heaven
             .
             They
             took
             up
             sudden
             Resolutions
             ,
             not
             grounded
             in
             serious
             and
             deep
             Thoughts
             ,
             and
             for
             a
             Flash
             were
             hot
             and
             active
             ,
             but
             with
             great
             levity
             return
             to
             their
             former
             Lusts.
             The
             Apostle
             tells
             us
             of
             such
             ,
             
               it
               had
               been
               better
               for
               them
               they
               had
               not
               known
               the
               Way
               of
               Righteousness
               ,
               than
               to
               turn
               back
               and
               voluntarily
               to
               forsake
               it
               .
            
             'T
             is
             observed
             that
             boiling
             Water
             taken
             off
             from
             the
             Fire
             ,
             congeals
             more
             strongly
             than
             that
             which
             was
             never
             heated
             :
             because
             the
             subtile
             Parts
             being
             evaporated
             by
             the
             Fire
             ,
             the
             more
             terrestrial
             Parts
             remaining
             are
             more
             capable
             of
             Cold.
             So
             those
             who
             have
             felt
             the
             Power
             of
             the
             Word
             in
             their
             Affections
             ,
             and
             afterwards
             lose
             that
             holy
             heat
             ,
             become
             more
             harden'd
             in
             their
             Sins
             .
             God
             justly
             withdraws
             his
             Grace
             ,
             and
             the
             evil
             Spirit
             that
             was
             expell'd
             for
             a
             time
             ,
             returns
             with
             seven
             worse
             ,
             and
             aggravates
             his
             Tyranny
             .
          
           
           
             To
             conclude
             ;
             Since
             the
             certainty
             of
             Salvation
             is
             conditional
             ,
             if
             we
             persevere
             in
             a
             holy
             State
             ,
             let
             us
             beware
             of
             a
             corrupt
             Confidence
             ,
             and
             a
             vicious
             Dejection
             of
             Spirit
             ,
             the
             trusting
             in
             our selves
             ,
             or
             distrusting
             God.
             To
             prevent
             the
             trusting
             in
             our selves
             ,
             consider
             ,
          
           
             1.
             
             The
             most
             excellent
             Creatures
             are
             by
             the
             instability
             of
             Nature
             liable
             to
             defection
             ,
             subject
             to
             a
             corruptive
             change
             .
             Of
             this
             the
             fallen
             Angels
             are
             a
             dreadful
             Example
             ,
             who
             of
             their
             own
             motion
             ,
             untempted
             ,
             sinned
             in
             Heaven
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             The
             Danger
             is
             greater
             of
             falling
             away
             ,
             when
             they
             are
             urged
             and
             solicited
             by
             a
             violent
             or
             grateful
             Temptation
             .
             Thus
             our
             first
             Parents
             fell
             ,
             and
             lost
             more
             Grace
             in
             an
             Hour
             ,
             than
             can
             be
             recovered
             by
             their
             Posterity
             in
             all
             Ages
             to
             the
             end
             of
             the
             World.
             
          
           
             3.
             
             When
             there
             is
             supervenient
             Corruption
             in
             the
             Creature
             ,
             that
             inclines
             them
             with
             earnest
             propensity
             to
             forbidden
             Things
             ,
             and
             takes
             Flame
             from
             every
             Spark
             ,
             the
             Danger
             is
             extream
             .
             Like
             a
             besieged
             City
             that
             is
             in
             great
             hazard
             of
             taking
             ,
             by
             Assaults
             from
             without
             ,
             and
             Conspiracies
             from
             within
             .
             Let
             us
             therefore
             be
             very
             watchful
             over
             our
             Hearts
             
             and
             Senses
             ,
             and
             keep
             as
             much
             as
             is
             possible
             at
             a
             safe
             distance
             from
             Temptations
             .
             And
             be
             very
             diligent
             in
             the
             use
             of
             all
             holy
             Means
             to
             confirm
             and
             fortify
             our
             Resolutions
             for
             Heaven
             .
             God
             promised
             to
             Hezekiah
             15
             Years
             ,
             but
             not
             to
             preserve
             his
             Life
             by
             Miracle
             ;
             he
             was
             obliged
             to
             repair
             the
             wastings
             of
             Nature
             by
             daily
             Food
             ,
             and
             to
             abstain
             from
             what
             was
             noxious
             and
             destructive
             to
             his
             Body
             .
             
               The
               Apostle
               excites
               Christians
               ,
               to
               work
               out
               their
               own
               Salvation
               with
               fear
               and
               trembling
               ,
               for
               it
               is
               God
               that
               works
               in
               them
               to
               will
               and
               to
               do
               of
               his
               good
               Pleasure
               .
            
             
             
               Let
               him
               that
               stands
               take
               heed
               lest
               he
               fall
               .
            
             None
             are
             a
             more
             easy
             Conquest
             to
             the
             Tempter
             ,
             than
             those
             who
             presume
             upon
             their
             own
             Strength
             .
             We
             should
             be
             always
             jealous
             of
             our selves
             ,
             from
             the
             sad
             Examples
             of
             Apostacy
             in
             every
             Age.
             St.
             Ambrose
             testifies
             from
             his
             own
             knowledg
             ,
             that
             many
             after
             the
             couragious
             enduring
             of
             cruel
             Torments
             for
             Religion
             ,
             the
             tearing
             open
             their
             Sides
             that
             their
             Bowels
             appeared
             ,
             and
             the
             burning
             of
             some
             parts
             of
             their
             Bodies
             ,
             yet
             when
             led
             forth
             to
             finish
             the
             
               Victory
               of
               Faith
            
             ,
             to
             be
             a
             triumphant
             
               Spectacle
               to
               Angels
               and
               Men
            
             ,
             when
             the
             blessed
             Rewarder
             was
             ready
             to
             put
             the
             Martyrs
             
             Crown
             on
             their
             Heads
             ,
             at
             the
             sight
             of
             their
             mourning
             Wives
             and
             Children
             in
             the
             way
             ,
             were
             overcome
             by
             Pity
             the
             weakest
             Affection
             ,
             and
             fail'd
             in
             the
             last
             act
             of
             Christian
             Fortitude
             .
             
               We
               must
               pray
               to
               be
               strengthned
               with
               all
               Might
               ,
               according
               to
               his
               glorious
               Power
               ,
               unto
               all
               patience
               and
               long-suffering
               with
               joyfulness
               .
            
             For
             some
             may
             vigorously
             resist
             one
             sort
             of
             Temptation
             ,
             and
             render
             themselves
             to
             others
             .
             And
             if
             finally
             vanquish'd
             by
             one
             of
             those
             Enemies
             ,
             we
             lose
             our
             Victory
             and
             Crown
             .
          
           
             And
             as
             Presumption
             betrays
             the
             Soul
             into
             the
             Devil's
             Snares
             ,
             so
             a
             vicious
             dejection
             of
             Spirit
             from
             a
             distrust
             of
             Relief
             from
             God
             in
             our
             Difficulties
             ,
             and
             his
             assistance
             with
             our
             unfeigned
             endeavours
             for
             Salvation
             is
             very
             pernicious
             .
             For
             this
             damps
             Industry
             ,
             and
             causes
             either
             a
             total
             neglect
             ,
             or
             uncomfortable
             use
             of
             Means
             for
             that
             End.
             Many
             Christians
             considering
             their
             Graces
             are
             weak
             ,
             their
             Nature
             fickle
             and
             apt
             to
             revolt
             ,
             are
             ready
             (
             as
             David
             said
             ,
             
               One
               day
               I
               shall
               perish
               by
               the
               Hand
               of
            
             Saul
             )
             to
             conclude
             sadly
             of
             the
             Issue
             of
             their
             Condition
             .
             To
             encourage
             such
             ,
             let
             them
             consider
             ,
             that
             Perseverance
             is
             not
             only
             a
             Condition
             ,
             but
             a
             Privilege
             of
             
             the
             Covenant
             of
             Grace
             ;
             For
             that
             assures
             us
             of
             supply
             of
             spiritual
             Strength
             to
             the
             sincere
             Believer
             for
             performing
             the
             Condition
             it
             requires
             .
             Indeed
             if
             Grace
             were
             the
             meer
             product
             of
             Free-Will
             ,
             the
             most
             fervent
             Resolutions
             would
             vanish
             into
             a
             Lie
             ,
             upon
             the
             Assault
             of
             an
             overpowering
             Temptation
             .
             As
             Hezekiah
             acknowledged
             ,
             that
             the
             Assyrian
             Kings
             had
             
               destroyed
               the
               Gods
               of
               the
               Nations
               that
               were
               no
               Gods
               ,
               but
               Idols
               the
               work
               of
               Mens
               Hands
               .
            
             But
             sanctifying
             Grace
             is
             the
             effect
             of
             the
             Holy
             Spirit
             ,
             and
             he
             that
             
               begins
               that
               good
               Work
               in
               the
               Saints
               ,
               will
               perform
               it
               until
               the
               day
               of
               Jesus
               Christ.
            
             He
             that
             inclin'd
             them
             joyfully
             to
             chuse
             the
             Spiritual
             Eternal
             Good
             ,
             will
             bind
             their
             unconstant
             Hearts
             ,
             that
             by
             a
             faithful
             adherence
             they
             shall
             cleave
             to
             their
             Duty
             and
             Felicity
             .
             God
             has
             most
             graciously
             declared
             ,
             
               I
               will
               put
               my
               Spirit
               into
               their
               Hearts
               ,
               that
               they
               shall
               never
               depart
               from
               me
               .
            
             The
             Promise
             is
             founded
             in
             the
             unchangeable
             Love
             of
             God
             to
             his
             People
             .
             Were
             God
             ,
             as
             Man
             ,
             subject
             to
             Variation
             ,
             there
             might
             be
             Jealousies
             in
             Believers
             lest
             they
             should
             lose
             his
             good
             Will.
             As
             those
             who
             depend
             on
             Princes
             ,
             are
             suspicious
             lest
             from
             the
             natural
             inconstancy
             of
             the
             human
             Will
             ,
             
             a
             new
             Favourite
             should
             supplant
             them
             .
             
               But
               whom
               God
               loves
               ,
               he
               loves
               to
               the
               End.
            
             The
             Apostle
             prays
             for
             the
             
               Thessalonians
               ,
               that
               God
               would
               preserve
               them
               blameless
               until
               the
               coming
               of
               Christ
               ,
            
             by
             this
             Consideration
             ,
             
               faithful
               is
               he
               that
               calleth
               you
               ,
               he
               will
               do
               it
               .
            
             He
             speaks
             of
             the
             Internal
             Call
             ,
             that
             opens
             the
             Heart
             ,
             and
             overpowers
             all
             Resistance
             .
             As
             when
             the
             Angel
             came
             with
             a
             Light
             shining
             in
             the
             Prison
             to
             St.
             Peter
             ,
             and
             struck
             him
             on
             the
             Side
             ,
             bid
             him
             arise
             quickly
             ,
             loosed
             his
             Chains
             ,
             and
             led
             him
             through
             the
             Guards
             ,
             open'd
             the
             Doors
             ,
             and
             restored
             him
             to
             Liberty
             .
             The
             effectual
             calling
             of
             a
             Sinner
             ,
             is
             the
             visible
             and
             infallible
             Effect
             of
             electing
             Mercy
             ;
             and
             God
             is
             unchangeable
             in
             his
             own
             purpose
             ,
             and
             faithful
             to
             his
             Promises
             of
             bringing
             all
             such
             by
             Sanctification
             to
             Glory
             .
             The
             same
             Apostle
             tells
             the
             Saints
             at
             Corinth
             ,
             That
             the
             Redeemer
             would
             confirm
             them
             to
             the
             End
             :
             
               God
               is
               faithful
               ,
               by
               whom
               ye
               are
               called
               .
            
             Grace
             that
             was
             at
             first
             inspir'd
             ,
             is
             continually
             actuated
             by
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             who
             is
             
               stiled
               the
               Earnest
               of
               the
               Saints
               Inheritance
               .
            
             So
             that
             whereas
             the
             Angels
             that
             excell'd
             in
             strength
             ,
             kept
             not
             their
             first
             State
             of
             Purity
             and
             Glory
             ,
             but
             are
             sunk
             into
             
             Corruption
             and
             Misery
             ,
             yet
             true
             humble
             Believers
             ,
             though
             weak
             ,
             and
             encompast
             with
             many
             Difficulties
             ,
             shall
             be
             preserved
             from
             destructive
             Evil
             ,
             and
             raised
             to
             an
             unchangeable
             Estate
             of
             Perfection
             .
             This
             is
             as
             truly
             admirable
             ,
             as
             if
             the
             Stars
             should
             fall
             from
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             Clods
             of
             Earth
             ascend
             and
             shine
             in
             the
             Firmament
             .
             The
             Apostle
             who
             acknowledged
             
               his
               insufficiency
               of
               himself
               to
               think
               a
               good
               Thought
               ,
            
             yet
             triumphantly
             declares
             ,
             
               I
               can
               do
               all
               things
            
             (
             within
             the
             compass
             of
             his
             Duty
             )
             
               through
               Christ
               that
               strengthens
               me
            
             .
             The
             Love
             ,
             Fidelity
             and
             Power
             of
             God
             are
             a
             sure
             Fountain
             of
             Assistance
             to
             every
             Christian
             ,
             that
             sincerely
             resolves
             and
             endeavours
             to
             prosecute
             his
             last
             and
             blessed
             End.
             
          
           
             I
             shall
             now
             come
             to
             the
             Directions
             how
             to
             fix
             our
             Choice
             aright
             .
          
           
             This
             is
             a
             matter
             of
             everlasting
             Consequence
             ,
             it
             therefore
             becomes
             us
             with
             the
             most
             intense
             application
             of
             Mind
             to
             consider
             it
             ,
             and
             according
             to
             the
             advice
             of
             Wisdom
             ,
             
               to
               keep
               the
               Heart
               with
               all
               diligence
               ;
               for
               out
               of
               it
               are
               the
               issues
               of
               Life
               .
            
          
           
             Indeed
             the
             choice
             were
             not
             difficult
             between
             lying
             Vanities
             and
             substantial
             
             Blessedness
             ,
             if
             uncorrupted
             Reason
             had
             the
             superior
             sway
             :
             but
             in
             this
             lapsed
             state
             of
             Nature
             ,
             the
             Understanding
             and
             Will
             are
             so
             depraved
             ,
             that
             present
             things
             pleasing
             to
             sense
             ,
             ravish
             the
             Heart
             into
             a
             Compliance
             .
             Men
             are
             deceived
             ,
             not
             compelled
             into
             ruin
             :
             the
             subtile
             Seducer
             prevails
             by
             fair
             Temptations
             .
             This
             will
             be
             evident
             by
             reflecting
             upon
             the
             frame
             and
             composition
             of
             Man
             ,
             as
             he
             consists
             of
             
               Spirit
               ,
               Soul
               and
               Body
            
             ,
             and
             the
             manner
             of
             his
             acting
             .
             The
             Spirit
             is
             the
             intellective
             discerning
             Faculty
             ,
             the
             Seat
             of
             Reason
             ,
             capable
             to
             compare
             and
             judg
             of
             the
             qualities
             of
             things
             ,
             and
             foresee
             their
             issues
             .
             The
             Body
             includes
             the
             lower
             Faculties
             ,
             the
             Senses
             Fancy
             and
             Passions
             ,
             that
             are
             conversant
             about
             present
             things
             .
             The
             Soul
             is
             the
             Will
             ,
             the
             principle
             of
             Election
             ,
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             the
             other
             ,
             as
             the
             Centre
             to
             which
             all
             their
             Addresses
             flow
             .
             Now
             upon
             the
             proposal
             of
             the
             spiritual
             and
             carnal
             Good
             in
             order
             to
             Choice
             ,
             the
             Will
             is
             to
             be
             directed
             by
             the
             Mind
             ,
             and
             by
             its
             own
             Authority
             to
             rule
             the
             lower
             Passions
             .
             But
             alas
             !
             the
             Mind
             has
             lost
             its
             primitive
             Light
             and
             Purity
             ,
             Vigilance
             and
             Integrity
             ,
             neglects
             its
             Duty
             ,
             and
             from
             Ignorance
             ,
             Error
             and
             carnal
             Prejudices
             
             often
             pleads
             for
             the
             Flesh
             :
             and
             the
             Will
             ,
             the
             rational
             Appetite
             ,
             is
             voluntarily
             subordinate
             and
             inslaved
             by
             the
             Sensitive
             .
             From
             hence
             it
             is
             that
             in
             the
             competition
             ,
             Heaven
             with
             all
             its
             Glory
             is
             despised
             ,
             and
             the
             present
             World
             embrac'd
             .
             To
             open
             this
             more
             particularly
             ,
             consider
             :
          
           
             1.
             
             The
             Senses
             can
             only
             taste
             and
             enjoy
             grosser
             dreggy
             Pleasures
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             The
             Fancy
             that
             depends
             upon
             them
             in
             its
             Operations
             ,
             and
             is
             guided
             by
             their
             Report
             ,
             conceives
             of
             Felicity
             only
             under
             the
             notion
             of
             sensitive
             Pleasure
             .
             We
             may
             illustrate
             this
             by
             the
             practice
             of
             *
             Aretius
             a
             Painter
             ,
             recorded
             with
             Infamy
             ,
             who
             being
             often
             imployed
             to
             paint
             the
             Goddesses
             to
             be
             set
             in
             the
             Pagan
             Temples
             ,
             always
             drew
             their
             Pictures
             by
             the
             Faces
             and
             Complexions
             of
             his
             Harlots
             ,
             that
             the
             Objects
             of
             his
             impure
             Love
             might
             have
             Veneration
             ,
             and
             a
             Divinity
             attributed
             to
             them
             ,
             under
             the
             Titles
             ,
             and
             pretence
             of
             
               Minerva
               ,
               Juno
               ,
               Diana
            
             ,
             and
             the
             other
             Goddesses
             ador'd
             by
             the
             Heathens
             .
             This
             Impiety
             in
             an
             Idolater
             ,
             is
             resembled
             by
             Men
             who
             fancy
             Happiness
             ,
             (
             that
             is
             a
             spiritual
             divine
             Perfection
             enjoyed
             in
             the
             glorious
             Vision
             of
             God
             )
             to
             be
             a
             carnal
             
             Fruition
             ,
             and
             having
             with
             sensible
             Colours
             and
             Lineaments
             represented
             it
             agreeable
             to
             their
             brutish
             Faculties
             ,
             place
             it
             in
             their
             Hearts
             ,
             and
             sacrifice
             all
             their
             Thoughts
             ,
             Affections
             ,
             and
             Service
             to
             it
             .
          
           
             The
             Fancy
             is
             very
             powerful
             in
             Men
             upon
             a
             double
             account
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             The
             Understanding
             naturally
             receives
             the
             Notions
             of
             Things
             by
             Phantasms
             that
             are
             still
             mixing
             in
             its
             Contemplations
             .
             While
             the
             Soul
             is
             confined
             to
             a
             Tabernacle
             of
             Flesh
             ,
             it
             apprehends
             no
             Object
             without
             the
             precedent
             excitation
             of
             the
             Senses
             .
             From
             whence
             it
             is
             impossible
             ,
             that
             a
             Person
             absolutely
             deprived
             of
             Sight
             from
             his
             Birth
             ,
             should
             have
             an
             Idea
             of
             Light
             or
             Colours
             ;
             or
             that
             is
             born
             deaf
             ,
             should
             conceive
             what
             Sound
             is
             ,
             the
             Sense
             never
             having
             imparted
             an
             account
             of
             it
             to
             them
             .
             And
             the
             Image
             of
             the
             Object
             is
             not
             immediately
             transmitted
             from
             the
             Sense
             to
             the
             Mind
             ,
             but
             first
             to
             the
             Imagination
             ,
             that
             prepares
             it
             for
             its
             view
             .
             And
             from
             hence
             the
             sensual
             Fancy
             is
             so
             predominant
             in
             sweying
             the
             Judgment
             ,
             and
             inclining
             the
             Will.
             As
             those
             Counsellors
             of
             State
             that
             have
             the
             Ear
             of
             the
             Prince
             ,
             and
             are
             continually
             with
             him
             ,
             by
             
             specious
             Informations
             ,
             and
             disguising
             Truth
             ,
             influence
             him
             to
             approve
             or
             reject
             Persons
             and
             Things
             according
             to
             the
             various
             Aspects
             given
             by
             them
             .
             The
             same
             Object
             propounded
             in
             a
             dark
             confused
             manner
             ,
             weakly
             moves
             us
             ,
             but
             varnisht
             and
             beautified
             with
             lively
             and
             pleasant
             Colours
             by
             the
             Imagination
             ,
             is
             armed
             with
             such
             Power
             that
             ravishes
             the
             esteem
             of
             the
             Mind
             ,
             and
             consent
             of
             the
             Will.
             Now
             Celestial
             Happiness
             being
             purely
             Spiritual
             ,
             
               such
               as
               Eye
               hath
               not
               seen
               ,
               nor
               Ear
               heard
               ,
               nor
               entred
               into
               the
               Heart
               of
               Man
               to
               conceive
               ,
            
             though
             some
             discoveries
             be
             made
             of
             it
             by
             Revelation
             ,
             yet
             the
             Imagination
             makes
             such
             an
             obscure
             detracting
             Idea
             of
             it
             ,
             that
             it
             affects
             no
             more
             ,
             than
             a
             dead
             Shadow
             drawn
             in
             some
             imperfect
             Lines
             of
             an
             exquisite
             Beauty
             :
             But
             when
             the
             Fancy
             is
             warmed
             and
             enlivened
             by
             the
             presence
             of
             sensible
             Objects
             ,
             it
             makes
             a
             vigorous
             impression
             of
             them
             upon
             the
             Mind
             ,
             and
             that
             represents
             the
             Pictures
             of
             Pleasure
             as
             very
             lovely
             and
             delightful
             to
             the
             Will
             ,
             which
             presently
             imbraces
             them
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             The
             Fancy
             has
             a
             marvellous
             force
             upon
             the
             sensitive
             Appetite
             ,
             that
             eagerly
             desires
             what
             is
             represented
             as
             pleasant
             ,
             
             though
             the
             enlightned
             Mind
             sees
             through
             the
             Temptation
             ,
             and
             knows
             't
             is
             a
             meer
             Dream
             ,
             that
             brings
             neither
             solid
             nor
             durable
             Joy.
             One
             in
             a
             Feaver
             is
             pleased
             by
             imagining
             Fountains
             and
             Streams
             ,
             though
             he
             knows
             that
             imaginary
             Waters
             cannot
             quench
             his
             Thirst
             ,
             nor
             afford
             the
             least
             real
             Refreshment
             .
             Now
             the
             sensitive
             Appetite
             being
             inflam'd
             by
             the
             Fancy
             ,
             imparts
             a
             contagious
             Fire
             to
             the
             Will
             ,
             and
             that
             induces
             the
             Mind
             ,
             either
             to
             concur
             with
             it
             ,
             and
             palliate
             the
             deceit
             ,
             and
             to
             judg
             favourably
             according
             to
             its
             Inclinations
             ,
             or
             makes
             it
             slack
             or
             remiss
             in
             its
             Office
             ,
             diverting
             the
             Thoughts
             from
             what
             might
             controul
             the
             Appetite
             ;
             or
             if
             the
             Understanding
             still
             contradicts
             ,
             yet
             't
             is
             in
             so
             cold
             and
             speculative
             a
             matter
             ,
             
               that
               the
               Law
               of
               the
               Members
            
             rebels
             against
             the
             Superior
             Light
             ,
             and
             is
             too
             strong
             
               for
               the
               Law
               of
               the
               Mind
               ,
            
             and
             that
             Saying
             is
             verified
             ,
             
               
                 Video
                 meliora
                 probóque
              
               
                 Deteriora
                 sequor
                 .
              
            
             I
             see
             what
             is
             worthy
             to
             be
             chosen
             ,
             but
             pursue
             what
             is
             to
             be
             abhorr'd
             .
             Thus
             miserably
             weak
             are
             the
             rational
             guiding
             
             Powers
             in
             Man
             since
             his
             Fall
             ,
             thus
             imperious
             and
             violent
             the
             brutish
             Faculties
             .
             In
             short
             ,
             illusion
             and
             concupiscence
             are
             the
             principal
             Causes
             why
             the
             most
             noble
             and
             divine
             Good
             is
             undervalued
             and
             rejected
             in
             comparison
             of
             inferior
             transitory
             Vanities
             .
             O
             the
             cheap
             Damnation
             of
             beguiled
             Souls
             !
             A
             Mess
             of
             Pottage
             was
             more
             valuable
             to
             Esau
             ,
             than
             the
             Birth-right
             that
             had
             annext
             to
             it
             the
             Regal
             and
             Priestly
             Dignity
             .
             Unwise
             and
             unhappy
             Wretches
             !
             
               that
               follow
               lying
               Vanities
               ,
               and
               forsake
               their
               own
               Mercies
               .
            
          
           
             Thus
             I
             have
             briefly
             set
             down
             the
             process
             of
             Mens
             foolish
             choice
             in
             this
             degenerate
             State.
             Now
             that
             we
             may
             with
             a
             free
             uncorrupted
             Judgment
             compare
             things
             in
             order
             to
             a
             wise
             Choice
             of
             true
             Felicity
             ,
             it
             follows
             from
             what
             has
             been
             said
             ,
             that
             as
             the
             Apostle
             in
             obeying
             his
             Heavenly
             Commission
             ,
             
               conferr'd
               not
               with
               Flesh
               and
               Blood.
            
             We
             must
             not
             in
             this
             matter
             of
             infinite
             importance
             ,
             attend
             ,
          
           
             1.
             
             To
             the
             Suggestions
             and
             Desires
             of
             the
             Senses
             and
             carnal
             Appetite
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             worst
             Counsellors
             ,
             as
             being
             uncapable
             of
             judging
             what
             is
             our
             proper
             Happiness
             ,
             deceitful
             and
             importunate
             .
          
           
           
             First
             ,
             They
             are
             uncapable
             of
             apprehending
             Spiritual
             Eternal
             Things
             ,
             which
             alone
             bring
             fit
             and
             compleat
             satisfaction
             to
             the
             Soul
             ,
             and
             cannot
             look
             forward
             to
             the
             end
             of
             sinful
             Pleasures
             ,
             and
             ballance
             the
             terrible
             Evils
             they
             leave
             at
             parting
             ,
             with
             the
             slight
             vanishing
             content
             that
             springs
             from
             their
             Presence
             .
             Therefore
             as
             blind
             Persons
             lay
             hold
             on
             things
             they
             feel
             ,
             so
             the
             sensitive
             Faculties
             ,
             that
             are
             blind
             and
             brutish
             ,
             adhere
             to
             gross
             present
             enjoyment
             ,
             not
             understanding
             the
             pure
             spotless
             Felicity
             that
             is
             to
             come
             ,
             and
             despising
             what
             they
             do
             not
             understand
             .
             Now
             who
             would
             in
             an
             Affair
             upon
             which
             his
             All
             depends
             ,
             advise
             with
             Children
             &
             Fools
             ,
             whose
             Judgment
             of
             things
             is
             without
             Counsel
             ,
             their
             Counsel
             without
             Discourse
             ,
             their
             Discourse
             without
             Reason
             ?
             There
             is
             nothing
             more
             contrary
             to
             the
             order
             of
             Nature
             ,
             than
             for
             Men
             that
             should
             affect
             with
             Judgment
             ,
             to
             judg
             by
             their
             Affections
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             The
             Carnal
             Appetite
             with
             its
             Lusts
             are
             very
             deceitful
             ,
             a
             Party
             within
             holding
             correspondence
             with
             our
             Spiritual
             Enemies
             ,
             the
             Armies
             of
             evil
             Angels
             ,
             so
             active
             and
             assiduous
             in
             conspiring
             and
             accomplishing
             the
             Damnation
             
             of
             Men.
             The
             Devil
             in
             Scripture
             is
             called
             
               the
               Tempter
            
             by
             way
             of
             eminence
             ,
             who
             manages
             and
             improves
             all
             Temptations
             ,
             and
             his
             pernicious
             Design
             is
             by
             the
             Objects
             of
             Sense
             ,
             ordered
             and
             made
             more
             alluring
             and
             killing
             by
             his
             various
             Arts
             ,
             to
             engage
             the
             Affections
             into
             a
             compliance
             ,
             and
             so
             to
             gain
             the
             Will.
             Now
             our
             great
             danger
             is
             not
             so
             much
             from
             Satan
             the
             Enemy
             without
             ,
             as
             from
             the
             Carnal
             Appetite
             ,
             the
             Traitor
             within
             ,
             that
             gives
             him
             the
             first
             and
             easy
             entrance
             into
             the
             Soul.
             He
             can
             only
             entice
             by
             representing
             what
             is
             amiable
             to
             Sense
             ,
             but
             the
             corrupt
             Appetite
             inclines
             to
             the
             closing
             with
             it
             .
             He
             tempted
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             but
             was
             repell'd
             with
             shame
             ,
             
               having
               found
               nothing
               within
               him
               to
               work
               upon
               .
            
             The
             perfect
             regularity
             of
             Faculties
             in
             our
             Blessed
             Saviour
             was
             not
             in
             the
             least
             disorder'd
             neither
             by
             his
             fairest
             Insinuations
             ,
             or
             most
             furious
             Assaults
             .
             And
             we
             might
             preserve
             our
             innocence
             inviolable
             notwithstanding
             all
             his
             Attempts
             ,
             did
             not
             some
             corrupt
             Affection
             ,
             cherish'd
             in
             our
             Bosoms
             ,
             lay
             us
             naked
             and
             open
             to
             his
             poison'd
             Darts
             .
             The
             Apostle
             Peter
             ,
             who
             had
             a
             Spiritual
             Eye
             ,
             and
             discern'd
             wherein
             the
             strength
             of
             our
             great
             Enemy
             lies
             ,
             admonishes
             
             Christians
             ,
             
               Dearly
               Beloved
               ,
               I
               beseech
               you
               ,
               as
               Strangers
               and
               Pilgrims
               ,
               abstain
               from
               fleshly
               Lusts
               ,
               that
               war
               against
               the
               Soul.
            
             And
             we
             are
             told
             by
             him
             ,
             That
             
               the
               Corruption
               that
               is
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               is
               through
               Lust.
            
             The
             outward
             Objects
             are
             useful
             and
             beneficial
             in
             their
             kind
             ,
             the
             abuse
             of
             them
             is
             from
             Lust.
             The
             Poison
             is
             not
             in
             the
             Flower
             ,
             but
             in
             the
             Spider
             .
             'T
             is
             therefore
             infinitely
             dangerous
             to
             consult
             ,
             or
             trust
             our
             carnal
             Faculties
             in
             this
             matter
             ,
             for
             they
             are
             brib'd
             and
             corrupted
             ,
             and
             will
             commend
             temporal
             things
             to
             our
             choice
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             The
             sensual
             Affections
             are
             so
             numerous
             and
             clamorous
             ,
             so
             vehement
             and
             hasty
             ,
             that
             if
             they
             are
             admitted
             to
             counsel
             and
             give
             the
             decisive
             Vote
             ,
             the
             Voice
             of
             Conscience
             will
             not
             be
             heard
             or
             regarded
             .
             In
             concernments
             of
             a
             lower
             Nature
             ,
             't
             is
             constantly
             seen
             ,
             that
             nothing
             more
             disturbs
             Reason
             ,
             and
             makes
             Men
             improvident
             &
             precipitant
             in
             their
             Determinations
             ,
             than
             a
             disordered
             Passion
             .
             From
             hence
             ,
             't
             is
             a
             prudent
             Rule
             ,
             That
             as
             't
             is
             not
             fit
             to
             eat
             in
             the
             height
             of
             a
             Fever
             ,
             because
             the
             Meat
             feeds
             the
             Disease
             ,
             by
             increasing
             the
             feverish
             ,
             not
             the
             vital
             heat
             :
             so
             't
             is
             not
             good
             to
             deliberate
             in
             the
             heat
             of
             any
             
             Affection
             .
             For
             then
             the
             Thoughts
             strongly
             blow
             up
             the
             Passion
             ,
             and
             smother
             Reason
             ,
             and
             the
             Mind
             is
             rather
             a
             Party
             than
             a
             Judg
             :
             but
             after
             the
             declination
             of
             that
             Fever
             in
             the
             Soul
             ,
             in
             a
             quiet
             interval
             ,
             't
             is
             seasonable
             to
             consider
             .
             Now
             if
             any
             simple
             Passion
             when
             moved
             ,
             transports
             and
             confounds
             the
             Mind
             ,
             and
             makes
             it
             uncapable
             of
             judging
             aright
             ,
             much
             more
             the
             love
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             an
             universal
             Passion
             that
             reigns
             in
             Men
             ,
             and
             has
             so
             many
             swarming
             desires
             answerable
             to
             the
             variety
             of
             sensible
             things
             ,
             and
             therefore
             is
             more
             unruly
             ,
             lasting
             and
             dangerous
             than
             any
             particular
             Passion
             .
             In
             short
             ,
             sensual
             Affections
             captivate
             the
             Mind
             ,
             and
             hinder
             its
             due
             considering
             the
             folly
             and
             obliquity
             of
             the
             carnal
             choice
             ,
             and
             when
             incens'd
             (
             as
             distracted
             Persons
             whose
             Strength
             grows
             with
             their
             Fury
             )
             violently
             break
             all
             the
             restraints
             the
             understanding
             can
             apply
             from
             reason
             and
             revelation
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             In
             order
             to
             make
             a
             right
             Choice
             ,
             we
             must
             be
             very
             watchful
             lest
             the
             general
             Example
             of
             Men
             taint
             our
             Reason
             ,
             and
             cause
             an
             immoderate
             esteem
             of
             temporal
             things
             .
             
               The
               whole
               World
               lies
               in
               Wickedness
               ,
            
             in
             a
             sensual
             Sty
             ,
             without
             
             Conscience
             of
             its
             Misery
             ,
             or
             care
             of
             regaining
             its
             Happiness
             ,
             deceived
             and
             pleased
             with
             shews
             of
             Felicity
             .
             The
             way
             to
             Hell
             is
             broad
             ,
             as
             the
             inclinations
             of
             the
             licentious
             Appetite
             ;
             pleasant
             ,
             as
             the
             delights
             of
             Sense
             ;
             so
             plain
             and
             easy
             ,
             that
             Men
             go
             to
             it
             *
             blindfold
             ;
             and
             so
             frequented
             ,
             that
             it
             would
             force
             Tears
             from
             any
             considering
             Person
             ,
             to
             see
             Men
             so
             hasty
             to
             meet
             with
             Damnation
             .
             When
             Calisto
             the
             Harlot
             reproach'd
             Socrates
             that
             there
             were
             more
             followers
             of
             her
             Beauty
             than
             his
             Wisdom
             ;
             the
             †
             Philosopher
             replied
             ,
             That
             was
             not
             strange
             ,
             because
             it
             was
             much
             easier
             to
             draw
             them
             in
             the
             way
             of
             Pleasure
             ,
             that
             is
             steep
             and
             slippery
             ,
             than
             to
             constrain
             them
             to
             ascend
             to
             Vertue
             ,
             seated
             on
             a
             Hill
             ,
             where
             the
             ascent
             is
             slow
             ,
             and
             with
             toil
             and
             difficulty
             .
             Now
             there
             is
             nothing
             more
             contagious
             than
             Example
             .
             We
             blindly
             consent
             with
             the
             Multitude
             ,
             and
             are
             possest
             with
             foolish
             Wonder
             ,
             and
             carnal
             admiring
             of
             worldly
             Greatness
             ,
             Treasures
             and
             Delights
             ,
             neglecting
             to
             make
             a
             due
             estimation
             of
             things
             .
             'T
             is
             the
             ordinary
             Artifice
             of
             the
             Devil
             to
             render
             temporal
             things
             more
             valuable
             and
             attractive
             to
             particular
             Persons
             ,
             from
             the
             common
             practice
             of
             Men
             who
             
             greedily
             pursue
             them
             as
             their
             Happiness
             .
             As
             some
             crafty
             Merchants
             ,
             by
             false
             reports
             raise
             the
             Exchange
             ,
             to
             advance
             the
             price
             of
             their
             own
             Wares
             .
             The
             Men
             of
             the
             World
             are
             under
             the
             direction
             of
             Sense
             ,
             and
             think
             them
             only
             to
             be
             wise
             and
             happy
             that
             shine
             in
             Pomp
             ,
             abound
             in
             Riches
             ,
             and
             overflow
             in
             Pleasures
             .
             The
             Psalmist
             tells
             us
             of
             the
             prosperous
             Worldling
             ,
             
               that
               while
               he
               lives
               ,
               he
               blesses
               his
               Soul
               ;
               and
               Men
               will
               praise
               thee
               when
               thou
               dost
               well
               to
               thy self
               .
            
             By
             vicious
             imitation
             our
             Judgments
             are
             more
             corrupted
             ,
             and
             our
             Passions
             rais'd
             to
             higher
             degrees
             for
             painted
             Vanities
             .
             The
             Affections
             in
             the
             pursuit
             of
             earthly
             things
             are
             inflam'd
             by
             the
             contention
             of
             others
             .
             And
             when
             holy
             Desires
             and
             Resolutions
             spring
             up
             in
             Men
             ,
             yet
             so
             powerful
             is
             the
             custom
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             that
             they
             often
             become
             ineffectual
             .
             As
             a
             Ship
             whose
             Sails
             are
             fill'd
             with
             a
             fair
             Wind
             ,
             but
             makes
             no
             way
             ,
             stopt
             by
             the
             force
             of
             the
             Current
             .
             Now
             to
             fortify
             us
             against
             the
             pernicious
             influence
             of
             Example
             ,
             consider
             ,
          
           
             1.
             
             'T
             is
             most
             unreasonable
             in
             this
             Affair
             of
             so
             vast
             moment
             to
             be
             under
             the
             direction
             of
             the
             Multitude
             .
             For
             the
             most
             are
             sottish
             and
             sensual
             ,
             govern'd
             
             by
             the
             uncertain
             motions
             of
             a
             giddy
             voluble
             Fancy
             ,
             and
             roving
             impetuous
             Passions
             ;
             so
             that
             to
             be
             led
             by
             their
             example
             ,
             and
             disregard
             the
             solid
             immortal
             rules
             of
             heavenly
             Wisdom
             ,
             is
             as
             perfect
             madness
             ,
             as
             for
             one
             to
             follow
             a
             herd
             of
             Swine
             through
             the
             Mire
             ,
             and
             leave
             a
             clean
             Path
             that
             lies
             before
             him
             .
             If
             there
             were
             but
             few
             in
             an
             Age
             or
             Country
             that
             were
             deluded
             with
             false
             Appearances
             ,
             it
             would
             be
             a
             disgrace
             to
             imitate
             the
             practice
             of
             the
             Foolish
             :
             and
             shall
             the
             great
             numbers
             of
             the
             Earthly-minded
             give
             Reputation
             and
             Credit
             to
             their
             Error
             ?
             He
             were
             a
             strange
             Fool
             indeed
             ,
             that
             should
             refuse
             a
             single
             piece
             of
             counterfeit
             Money
             ,
             and
             receive
             a
             great
             heap
             in
             payment
             ,
             as
             if
             the
             number
             added
             a
             real
             value
             to
             them
             .
             'T
             is
             therefore
             a
             necessary
             point
             of
             Wisdom
             to
             devest
             all
             †
             vulgar
             Prejudices
             ,
             to
             separate
             our selves
             from
             the
             Multitude
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             see
             the
             vanity
             of
             Things
             that
             dazle
             inferior
             Minds
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             Consider
             the
             universal
             Judgment
             even
             of
             the
             worldly
             Men
             in
             their
             last
             and
             serious
             Hours
             ,
             when
             the
             Prospect
             of
             Eternal
             Things
             is
             open
             before
             them
             .
             How
             vastly
             different
             are
             their
             Apprehensions
             of
             Temporal
             Things
             in
             the
             review
             ,
             
             from
             what
             they
             were
             in
             their
             vicious
             Desires
             ?
             How
             often
             do
             they
             break
             forth
             in
             the
             sorrowful
             Words
             of
             the
             Apostle
             ,
             
               We
               have
               been
               toiling
               all
               Night
               ,
               and
               caught
               nothing
               ?
            
             When
             there
             are
             but
             a
             few
             remaining
             Sands
             in
             the
             Glass
             of
             Time
             ,
             and
             Death
             shakes
             the
             Glass
             before
             them
             ,
             how
             powerfully
             do
             they
             preach
             of
             the
             emptiness
             and
             uncertainty
             of
             Things
             below
             ,
             and
             sigh
             out
             in
             
             Solomon's
             Phrase
             ,
             
               All
               is
               vanity
            
             ?
             And
             this
             is
             more
             singularly
             observable
             in
             those
             who
             have
             had
             the
             fullest
             enjoyment
             of
             earthly
             Things
             .
             How
             do
             they
             complain
             of
             the
             vain
             World
             ,
             and
             their
             vainer
             Hearts
             ,
             when
             Experience
             has
             convinc'd
             them
             of
             their
             woful
             Folly
             ?
             Solomon
             who
             was
             among
             other
             Princes
             ,
             as
             the
             Sun
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             the
             Planets
             ,
             that
             obscures
             them
             by
             his
             illustrious
             Brightness
             ,
             He
             that
             had
             surveyed
             this
             Continent
             of
             Vanity
             ,
             to
             make
             an
             Experiment
             whether
             any
             satisfaction
             could
             be
             found
             in
             it
             ,
             at
             last
             sadly
             declares
             ,
             that
             all
             things
             here
             below
             are
             but
             several
             kinds
             and
             ranks
             of
             Vanities
             ,
             as
             ineffectual
             to
             make
             Men
             happy
             ,
             as
             counterfeit
             Jewels
             of
             several
             Colours
             are
             to
             enrich
             the
             Possessor
             .
             Nay
             they
             are
             not
             only
             Vanity
             ,
             but
             Vexation
             ,
             an
             empty
             
             show
             that
             has
             nothing
             real
             ,
             but
             the
             vexation
             of
             disappointment
             .
             And
             shall
             we
             not
             value
             the
             judgment
             of
             Men
             when
             they
             are
             best
             instructed
             ,
             and
             give
             credit
             to
             their
             Testimony
             when
             they
             are
             sincere
             ?
             Certainly
             in
             their
             Approaches
             to
             the
             Divine
             Judgment
             they
             are
             most
             considerate
             and
             serious
             ,
             they
             have
             the
             truest
             and
             justest
             thoughts
             of
             Things
             ,
             and
             most
             freely
             declare
             them
             .
             O
             the
             astonishing
             Folly
             of
             Men
             !
             they
             will
             not
             be
             convinc'd
             of
             the
             error
             of
             their
             ways
             ,
             till
             they
             come
             to
             the
             end
             of
             them
             ,
             and
             the
             Sun
             is
             set
             ,
             and
             no
             time
             remains
             for
             their
             returning
             into
             the
             way
             of
             Life
             .
          
           
             I
             shall
             proceed
             to
             shew
             further
             what
             is
             necessary
             to
             direct
             us
             in
             our
             choice
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             not
             fall
             into
             the
             double
             Misery
             ,
             of
             being
             deceived
             with
             a
             false
             Happiness
             for
             a
             little
             time
             ,
             and
             deprived
             of
             true
             Happiness
             for
             ever
             .
          
           
             
               First
               ,
               A
               sound
               and
               stedfast
               belief
               of
               unseen
               Eternal
               Things
               .
            
             
               Secondly
               ,
               Serious
               Consideration
               of
               the
               vast
               difference
               between
               things
               that
               are
               the
               objects
               of
               Sight
               ,
               and
               that
               are
               the
               objects
               of
               Faith.
               
            
          
           
           
             First
             ,
             The
             sound
             and
             stedfast
             belief
             of
             Eternal
             Things
             is
             requisite
             to
             direct
             our
             choice
             aright
             .
             
               Faith
               is
               the
               substance
               of
               things
               hoped
               for
               ,
            
             
             
               the
               evidence
               of
               things
               not
               seen
               .
            
             It
             assures
             us
             of
             their
             reality
             and
             worth
             as
             if
             they
             were
             before
             our
             Eyes
             ,
             and
             in
             our
             actual
             Possession
             .
             This
             Divine
             Light
             governs
             and
             conducts
             the
             Will
             to
             choose
             wisely
             ,
             and
             excites
             all
             the
             practick
             Powers
             for
             the
             preventing
             the
             greatest
             Evils
             ,
             and
             the
             obtaining
             perfect
             Felicity
             .
             When
             the
             Devil
             ,
             the
             deadly
             Flatterer
             ,
             by
             inviting
             representations
             of
             the
             World
             intices
             the
             Heart
             ,
             the
             serious
             belief
             of
             the
             future
             reward
             so
             glorious
             and
             eternal
             ,
             disgraces
             the
             most
             splendid
             Temptations
             ,
             and
             makes
             them
             ineffectual
             .
             
               This
               is
               the
               Victory
               that
               overcomes
               the
               World
               ,
               even
               our
               Faith.
            
             If
             tempted
             to
             Lasciviousness
             by
             the
             allurements
             of
             an
             earthly
             Beauty
             ,
             Faith
             represents
             the
             angelical
             lustre
             of
             the
             Saints
             ,
             when
             they
             shall
             come
             with
             the
             unspotted
             Lamb
             in
             his
             glorious
             appearance
             ,
             and
             this
             unbinds
             the
             Charm
             ,
             and
             makes
             the
             tempting
             Person
             an
             object
             not
             of
             Desire
             ,
             but
             Aversation
             .
             If
             tempted
             with
             Honour
             to
             a
             sinful
             compliance
             ,
             Faith
             represents
             so
             convincingly
             the
             Glory
             
             which
             all
             those
             who
             preserve
             their
             Conscience
             and
             Integrity
             inviolable
             ,
             shall
             receive
             at
             the
             universal
             Judgment
             ,
             in
             the
             presence
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             holy
             Angels
             ,
             (
             as
             our
             Saviour
             has
             promis'd
             ,
             
               He
               that
               serves
               me
               ,
               him
               will
               my
               Father
               honour
            
             )
             and
             the
             confusion
             wherein
             the
             most
             honourable
             Sinners
             shall
             then
             be
             cover'd
             ,
             that
             with
             a
             generous
             disdain
             all
             secular
             honours
             will
             be
             despised
             .
             And
             it
             is
             as
             powerful
             to
             enervate
             the
             Temptation
             of
             temporal
             Profit
             .
             We
             read
             of
             
               Moses
               ,
               that
               by
               Faith
               ,
               when
               he
               was
               come
               to
               Years
               ,
            
             (
             and
             therefore
             more
             capable
             to
             understand
             and
             enjoy
             what
             Felicity
             the
             brightest
             Honours
             and
             greatest
             Riches
             could
             afford
             )
             
               refused
               to
               be
               called
               the
               Son
               of
            
             Pharaoh
             
               's
               Daughter
               ;
               chusing
               rather
               to
               suffer
               Affliction
               with
               the
               People
               of
               God
               ,
               than
               to
               enjoy
               the
               Pleasures
               of
               Sin
               for
               a
               season
               ;
               esteeming
               the
               reproach
               of
               Christ
               greater
               Riches
               than
               the
               Treasures
               of
            
             Egypt
             :
             
               for
               he
               had
               respect
               to
               the
               recompence
               of
               Reward
               .
            
             And
             all
             the
             Evils
             which
             a
             wicked
             World
             ,
             inspir'd
             with
             rage
             from
             Satan
             ,
             can
             threaten
             to
             fright
             us
             from
             our
             Duty
             ,
             Poverty
             ,
             Disgrace
             ,
             Banishment
             ,
             nay
             Torments
             and
             Death
             ,
             those
             
               terribles
               visu
               formae
            
             ,
             so
             heightned
             by
             the
             carnal
             Fancy
             ,
             are
             easily
             overcome
             by
             a
             
             sincere
             and
             strong
             Believer
             .
             Thus
             some
             who
             were
             urged
             by
             such
             motives
             to
             renounce
             their
             Religion
             ,
             told
             the
             Persecutors
             ,
             that
             Life
             was
             not
             sweet
             to
             them
             if
             they
             might
             not
             live
             Christians
             ,
             nor
             Death
             bitter
             if
             they
             must
             die
             for
             Christ.
             A
             lively
             firm
             perswasion
             of
             the
             excellence
             and
             eternity
             of
             the
             Reward
             ,
             
             what
             miraculous
             effects
             would
             it
             produce
             ?
             Nothing
             would
             be
             impossible
             within
             the
             compass
             of
             our
             Duty
             ,
             either
             to
             do
             or
             suffer
             in
             order
             to
             a
             glorious
             Immortality
             .
             Faith
             has
             a
             celestial
             Power
             ,
             a
             magnetick
             Virtue
             to
             draw
             up
             the
             Heart
             from
             the
             Earth
             ,
             and
             fastens
             it
             to
             things
             above
             .
             It
             is
             not
             imaginable
             that
             a
             clear-sighted
             Soul
             ,
             that
             sees
             a
             Good
             infinitely
             great
             ,
             should
             reject
             it
             for
             mean
             things
             to
             please
             the
             lower
             Desires
             .
             We
             may
             as
             probably
             imagine
             ,
             that
             a
             skilful
             Jeweller
             would
             part
             with
             the
             richest
             Oriental
             Pearls
             ,
             for
             Cherry
             Stones
             to
             play
             with
             Children
             .
          
           
             From
             hence
             we
             may
             discover
             the
             true
             cause
             of
             the
             neglect
             of
             the
             great
             Salvation
             offered
             in
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             
               the
               Word
               preached
               does
               not
               profit
               ,
               not
               being
               mixt
               with
               Faith
               in
               them
               that
               hear
               it
               .
            
             It
             is
             astonishing
             to
             consider
             that
             Earth
             should
             contend
             with
             Heaven
             for
             our
             Affections
             ,
             
             and
             prevail
             against
             it
             ;
             that
             Vanity
             should
             turn
             the
             Scale
             against
             the
             
               exceeding
               and
               eternal
               weight
               of
               Glory
            
             ;
             that
             Men
             should
             pursue
             fleeting
             Shadows
             ,
             and
             neglect
             the
             most
             excellent
             Realities
             ,
             as
             if
             they
             could
             be
             happy
             here
             ,
             and
             continue
             for
             ever
             ,
             and
             hereafter
             there
             were
             neither
             Happiness
             nor
             Eternity
             .
             But
             this
             releases
             the
             wonder
             ,
             that
             
               all
               Men
               have
               not
               Faith.
            
             Eternal
             Things
             are
             not
             of
             conspicuous
             moment
             in
             the
             carnal
             Ballance
             .
             Some
             are
             Infidels
             in
             Profession
             ,
             openly
             declaring
             themselves
             to
             be
             without
             Religion
             ,
             without
             God
             ,
             and
             have
             the
             same
             credit
             of
             the
             Heaven
             and
             Hell
             discovered
             in
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             as
             of
             the
             
               Elysian
               Fields
            
             ,
             and
             
               Stygian
               Lake
            
             ,
             the
             Fables
             of
             the
             Poets
             .
             These
             live
             as
             if
             they
             should
             never
             die
             ,
             and
             die
             as
             if
             they
             should
             never
             live
             in
             the
             other
             World
             ,
             as
             if
             Death
             caused
             so
             deep
             a
             sleep
             ,
             that
             the
             Voice
             of
             the
             Son
             of
             God
             could
             not
             awaken
             them
             at
             the
             last
             day
             .
             Their
             Unbelief
             is
             not
             from
             Reason
             ,
             but
             vicious
             opposite
             Affections
             ;
             for
             the
             truth
             of
             the
             Eternal
             State
             is
             so
             clearly
             revealed
             ,
             and
             strongly
             establish'd
             in
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             that
             the
             sincere
             Mind
             must
             readily
             assent
             to
             it
             .
             But
             the
             Wicked
             cannot
             delight
             in
             the
             discovery
             of
             that
             
             for
             which
             they
             are
             unprepared
             ,
             and
             therefore
             try
             all
             ways
             to
             elude
             the
             Force
             of
             the
             most
             satisfying
             Arguments
             .
             Their
             Infidelity
             is
             obstinate
             and
             incurable
             .
             An
             instance
             whereof
             we
             have
             in
             the
             Pharisees
             ,
             who
             rejected
             our
             Saviour
             .
             Tho
             all
             the
             Characters
             of
             the
             Messiah
             were
             conspicuous
             in
             his
             Person
             ,
             tho
             his
             Doctrines
             were
             confirmed
             by
             Miracles
             ,
             yet
             they
             would
             not
             yield
             up
             themselves
             to
             that
             omnipotent
             conviction
             ,
             so
             strong
             were
             their
             carnal
             Prejudices
             against
             his
             humble
             State
             ,
             and
             holy
             Doctrines
             .
             That
             Reproach
             is
             more
             justly
             due
             to
             Infidels
             under
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             than
             to
             Israel
             in
             the
             Prophet
             :
             
               Who
               is
               blind
               as
               my
               Servant
               ?
            
             The
             Heathens
             who
             are
             blind
             from
             their
             Birth
             ,
             and
             have
             only
             some
             glimmering
             apprehensions
             that
             Eternity
             succeeds
             Time
             ,
             are
             less
             culpable
             than
             those
             who
             have
             infinitely
             more
             reason
             to
             believe
             it
             ,
             and
             yet
             believe
             it
             less
             .
             The
             Plea
             for
             them
             will
             be
             a
             terrible
             Accusation
             against
             such
             Unbelievers
             .
             If
             a
             blind
             Person
             falls
             ,
             it
             moves
             Compassion
             ;
             but
             if
             one
             voluntarily
             shuts
             his
             Eyes
             against
             the
             Sun
             ,
             and
             refuses
             the
             Direction
             of
             the
             Light
             ,
             and
             falls
             from
             a
             Precipice
             ,
             his
             Ruin
             is
             the
             just
             Consequence
             of
             his
             Folly.
             Simple
             Ignorance
             
             excuses
             as
             to
             the
             degrees
             of
             the
             Fault
             ,
             but
             affected
             wilful
             Ignorance
             ,
             now
             Reason
             and
             Revelation
             with
             united
             Beams
             give
             so
             clear
             a
             prospect
             into
             the
             Eternal
             World
             ,
             aggravates
             the
             Guilt
             and
             Sentence
             of
             such
             Unbelievers
             .
          
           
             Besides
             ,
             the
             most
             who
             are
             Believers
             in
             Title
             ,
             are
             Infidels
             in
             Heart
             .
             Our
             Saviour
             tells
             the
             Jews
             ,
             who
             pretended
             the
             highest
             Veneration
             to
             the
             Writings
             of
             
               Moses
               ,
               That
               if
               they
               had
               believed
            
             Moses
             ,
             
               they
               would
               have
               believed
               him
               ,
               for
            
             Moses
             
               wrote
               of
               him
            
             .
             If
             Men
             did
             seriously
             believe
             such
             an
             excellent
             Reward
             ,
             as
             the
             Gospel
             propounds
             ,
             would
             it
             be
             a
             cold
             unperswasive
             Motive
             to
             them
             ?
             The
             depravation
             of
             the
             Will
             argues
             a
             correspondent
             defect
             in
             the
             Mind
             ;
             though
             not
             absolute
             total
             Infidelity
             ,
             yet
             such
             a
             weakness
             and
             wavering
             in
             the
             Assent
             ,
             that
             when
             Temptations
             are
             present
             and
             urgent
             ,
             and
             it
             comes
             to
             actual
             Choice
             ,
             Sense
             prevails
             over
             Faith.
             This
             will
             be
             clear
             by
             Universal
             Experience
             in
             temporal
             Things
             .
             The
             probable
             hope
             of
             Gain
             ,
             will
             make
             those
             who
             are
             greedy
             of
             Gold
             ,
             prodigal
             of
             their
             Lives
             ,
             and
             venture
             through
             tempestuous
             Seas
             to
             accomplish
             their
             Desires
             .
             And
             if
             the
             
             belief
             were
             equal
             ,
             would
             not
             Men
             do
             or
             suffer
             as
             much
             for
             obtaining
             what
             is
             infinitely
             more
             valuable
             ?
             A
             firm
             Assent
             would
             produce
             adherence
             ,
             and
             Faith
             in
             the
             Promises
             ,
             Fidelity
             in
             obeying
             the
             Commands
             of
             Christ.
             Tertullian
             propounds
             it
             as
             a
             powerful
             incentive
             to
             the
             Martyrs
             ,
             
               Quis
               ergo
               non
               libentissimè
               tantum
               pro
               vero
               habeat
               erogare
               ,
               quantum
               alii
               pro
               falso
               ?
            
             Who
             would
             not
             joyfully
             sacrifice
             Life
             and
             all
             its
             Indearments
             ,
             to
             obtain
             true
             Blessedness
             ,
             which
             others
             do
             for
             the
             vain
             Appearance
             of
             it
             ?
             Men
             may
             be
             as
             truly
             Subjects
             without
             subjection
             ,
             as
             Believers
             without
             a
             Heavenly
             Conversation
             ,
             which
             is
             inseparable
             from
             the
             Reality
             of
             Faith.
             Many
             in
             the
             Bosom
             of
             the
             Church
             are
             as
             truly
             ,
             though
             not
             so
             notoriously
             ,
             Infidels
             ,
             as
             Turks
             and
             Heathens
             .
             Indeed
             even
             in
             true
             Believers
             the
             apprehension
             of
             eternal
             Things
             has
             such
             great
             allays
             ,
             that
             temporal
             Things
             are
             over-valued
             and
             over-feared
             .
             A
             strong
             Faith
             in
             the
             Truth
             and
             Power
             of
             God
             ,
             would
             make
             the
             glorious
             World
             so
             sure
             and
             near
             in
             our
             Thoughts
             ,
             that
             with
             indifferent
             Affections
             we
             should
             receive
             good
             or
             evil
             Things
             here
             ,
             
               Rejoice
               as
               if
               
               we
               rejoiced
               not
               ,
               and
               mourn
               as
               if
               we
               mourned
               not
               .
            
             Our
             Lives
             would
             be
             so
             regular
             and
             pure
             ,
             as
             if
             the
             Judg
             were
             to
             come
             the
             next
             Hour
             ,
             as
             if
             the
             Sun
             did
             now
             begin
             to
             be
             darkned
             ,
             and
             the
             Trumpet
             of
             the
             Arch-Angel
             were
             sounding
             ,
             and
             the
             noise
             of
             the
             dissolving
             World
             were
             universally
             heard
             .
             Infidelity
             deads
             the
             Impression
             ,
             and
             suppresses
             the
             reigning
             Power
             of
             Eternal
             Things
             in
             our
             Hearts
             .
             In
             short
             ,
             Men
             are
             heavenly
             or
             earthly
             in
             their
             Choice
             and
             Conversation
             ,
             as
             they
             are
             directed
             by
             the
             sincere
             Light
             of
             Faith
             ,
             or
             misled
             by
             the
             false
             Beams
             of
             Sense
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             The
             second
             Thing
             requisite
             in
             order
             to
             a
             wise
             Choice
             ,
             is
             Consideration
             .
             For
             as
             by
             Faith
             the
             Vertue
             of
             the
             Reward
             is
             diffused
             through
             all
             the
             Faculties
             ,
             and
             the
             Powers
             of
             the
             World
             to
             come
             are
             felt
             in
             the
             Soul
             ;
             so
             ,
             by
             consideration
             ,
             Faith
             is
             exercised
             and
             becomes
             effectual
             .
             This
             unites
             and
             reinforces
             the
             Beams
             of
             Eternal
             Truth
             ,
             and
             inflames
             the
             Affections
             .
             As
             the
             Psalmist
             expresses
             himself
             ,
             
               My
               Heart
               was
               hot
               within
               me
               while
               I
               was
               musing
               ,
               the
               Fire
               burned
               .
            
             Heaven
             is
             a
             Felicity
             so
             
             glorious
             and
             attractive
             ,
             that
             if
             duly
             considered
             ,
             no
             Man
             can
             possibly
             refuse
             it
             :
             and
             Hell
             is
             a
             Misery
             so
             extream
             and
             fearful
             ,
             that
             if
             seriously
             laid
             to
             Heart
             ,
             none
             can
             possibly
             chuse
             it
             .
             The
             last
             End
             is
             to
             be
             conceived
             under
             the
             Notion
             of
             an
             infinite
             Good
             ,
             without
             the
             least
             mixture
             of
             Evil
             ,
             to
             which
             the
             humane
             Will
             swayed
             by
             the
             invincible
             Impression
             of
             Nature
             ,
             has
             a
             tendency
             .
             The
             Liberty
             of
             Indifference
             is
             with
             respect
             to
             some
             particular
             good
             Things
             ,
             which
             may
             be
             variously
             represented
             ,
             so
             as
             to
             cause
             Inclination
             or
             Aversion
             .
             Those
             Men
             who
             believe
             Eternal
             Life
             is
             the
             Reward
             of
             Holiness
             ,
             yet
             with
             a
             careless
             Inadvertency
             pass
             over
             their
             Duty
             ;
             and
             that
             Eternal
             Death
             is
             the
             Wages
             of
             Sin
             ,
             yet
             securely
             continue
             in
             it
             ,
             is
             more
             wonderful
             than
             to
             see
             Martyrs
             sing
             in
             the
             Flames
             ;
             and
             the
             great
             Cause
             of
             it
             is
             the
             neglect
             of
             Consideration
             .
             This
             is
             assigned
             to
             be
             the
             Cause
             of
             that
             unnatural
             and
             astonishing
             Rebellion
             of
             Israel
             against
             God
             their
             Father
             and
             Sovereign
             :
             
               Hear
               ,
               O
               Heavens
            
             ,
             
             
               and
               give
               Ear
               ,
               O
               Earth
               :
               for
               the
               Lord
               hath
               spoken
               ,
               I
               have
               nourished
               and
               brought
               up
               Children
               ,
               and
               they
               have
               rebelled
               
               against
               me
               .
               The
               Ox
               knows
               his
               Owner
               ,
               and
               the
               Ass
               his
               Master's
               Crib
               :
               but
            
             Israel
             
               doth
               not
               know
               ,
               my
               People
               doth
               not
               consider
               .
            
          
           
             This
             Duty
             as
             it
             is
             of
             admirable
             Advantage
             ,
             so
             't
             is
             universally
             necessary
             ;
             for
             all
             are
             equally
             concern'd
             ,
             and
             it
             is
             within
             the
             Power
             of
             all
             to
             perform
             .
             Though
             Men
             cannot
             convert
             themselves
             ,
             yet
             they
             may
             consider
             what
             is
             preparatory
             to
             Conversion
             .
             For
             the
             Will
             may
             turn
             the
             Thoughts
             of
             the
             Mind
             to
             any
             sort
             of
             Objects
             .
          
           
             I
             will
             briefly
             shew
             the
             Nature
             of
             this
             Duty
             ,
             and
             how
             to
             manage
             it
             for
             spiritual
             Profit
             ,
             and
             those
             Objects
             from
             whence
             our
             Thoughts
             derive
             vigour
             for
             the
             swaying
             of
             the
             Will
             and
             the
             Conduct
             of
             the
             Life
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             The
             Nature
             of
             Consideration
             is
             discovered
             by
             its
             End
             ,
             which
             is
             this
             ;
             That
             the
             Mind
             being
             satisfied
             in
             the
             just
             Reasons
             upon
             which
             the
             Choice
             of
             Heaven
             is
             to
             be
             made
             ,
             the
             Will
             and
             Affections
             may
             be
             engaged
             in
             an
             earnest
             joyful
             and
             constant
             pursuit
             of
             it
             .
             And
             in
             this
             respect
             it
             differs
             from
             simple
             Knowledg
             ,
             and
             naked
             Speculation
             ,
             that
             informs
             the
             Mind
             without
             Influence
             
             and
             Efficacy
             upon
             the
             Heart
             :
             Like
             a
             Garland
             of
             Flowers
             that
             adorns
             the
             Head
             without
             any
             benefit
             and
             refreshing
             to
             him
             that
             wears
             it
             .
             And
             practical
             Meditation
             differs
             from
             the
             study
             of
             Divine
             Things
             in
             order
             to
             the
             instructing
             of
             others
             .
             That
             is
             like
             a
             Merchant's
             buying
             of
             Wine
             for
             Sale
             ,
             this
             like
             providing
             it
             for
             our
             own
             use
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             That
             the
             Consideration
             of
             Eternal
             Things
             may
             be
             effectual
             ,
             it
             must
             be
             ,
          
           
             1.
             
             Serious
             and
             deliberate
             .
             For
             the
             Affair
             is
             great
             in
             reality
             above
             all
             possible
             Conception
             or
             Comparison
             .
             All
             other
             things
             ,
             how
             considerable
             soever
             in
             themselves
             ,
             yet
             respectively
             and
             in
             parallel
             with
             this
             ,
             are
             of
             no
             account
             .
             Our
             Saviour
             told
             
               Martha
               ,
               One
               thing
               is
               necessary
               :
            
             Mary
             
               hath
               chosen
               the
               better
               part
               ,
               that
               shall
               not
               be
               taken
               from
               her
               .
            
             What
             Instance
             can
             be
             of
             equal
             moment
             with
             that
             of
             entertaining
             the
             Son
             of
             God
             ?
             Yet
             a
             serious
             attention
             to
             the
             Words
             of
             Eternal
             Life
             dropping
             from
             his
             Lips
             ,
             was
             more
             necessary
             than
             making
             provision
             for
             him
             .
             The
             greatest
             and
             most
             weighty
             Affairs
             in
             the
             World
             are
             but
             a
             
             vain
             Employment
             ,
             but
             Irregularity
             and
             Impertinence
             ,
             in
             compare
             with
             Eternal
             Salvation
             .
             And
             the
             greatest
             solemnity
             of
             Thoughts
             is
             requisite
             ,
             to
             undeceive
             the
             Mind
             ,
             and
             ingage
             the
             Will
             for
             Heaven
             .
             'T
             is
             very
             observable
             that
             Errors
             in
             Judgment
             and
             Choice
             spring
             from
             the
             same
             Causes
             ,
             the
             not
             sincere
             and
             due
             weighing
             of
             Things
             .
             In
             the
             decisions
             of
             Questions
             ,
             Truth
             is
             discovered
             by
             comparing
             ,
             with
             an
             equal
             staid
             Attention
             ,
             the
             Reasons
             of
             the
             one
             and
             the
             other
             part
             :
             But
             when
             some
             vicious
             Affection
             contradicts
             the
             Truth
             ,
             it
             fills
             the
             Mind
             with
             Prejudices
             ,
             that
             it
             cannot
             impartially
             search
             into
             Things
             ,
             and
             is
             deceived
             with
             specious
             Fallacies
             ,
             with
             the
             Image
             of
             Truth
             .
             For
             according
             to
             the
             present
             application
             of
             the
             Mind
             't
             is
             determined
             ,
             and
             Passion
             strongly
             applies
             it
             to
             consider
             that
             which
             is
             for
             the
             Carnal
             Interest
             ,
             and
             consequently
             Inclination
             ,
             not
             Reason
             ,
             is
             the
             Principle
             of
             the
             Perswasion
             .
             And
             this
             is
             more
             evident
             in
             Mens
             foolish
             Choice
             :
             As
             the
             Eye
             cannot
             see
             but
             what
             is
             visible
             ,
             nor
             the
             Understanding
             conceive
             what
             is
             not
             Intelligible
             ,
             the
             Will
             cannot
             love
             and
             chuse
             what
             is
             not
             
             amiable
             ,
             at
             least
             in
             shew
             .
             If
             the
             Devil
             did
             appear
             without
             a
             Disguise
             ,
             he
             would
             have
             no
             Power
             to
             perswade
             ,
             but
             in
             all
             his
             Temptations
             there
             is
             the
             mixture
             of
             a
             Lie
             to
             make
             it
             pleasant
             .
             He
             presents
             a
             false
             Perspective
             ,
             to
             make
             what
             is
             but
             superficial
             appear
             solid
             and
             substantial
             .
             And
             the
             carnal
             Heart
             turns
             the
             Thoughts
             to
             what
             is
             grateful
             ,
             without
             seriously
             considering
             what
             is
             infinitely
             better
             ,
             and
             accordingly
             chuses
             by
             the
             Eye
             of
             Sense
             ,
             the
             happiness
             of
             this
             World.
             Therefore
             till
             Eternal
             Things
             are
             open'd
             in
             the
             view
             of
             Conscience
             ,
             and
             the
             Mind
             calmly
             considers
             by
             the
             Light
             of
             Faith
             their
             Reality
             and
             Greatness
             ,
             no
             right
             valuation
             ,
             nor
             wise
             choice
             can
             be
             made
             .
          
           
             Besides
             ,
             the
             most
             clear
             and
             rational
             enforcements
             by
             the
             actings
             of
             the
             Thoughts
             ,
             are
             necessary
             to
             make
             a
             strong
             impression
             on
             the
             Affections
             ,
             and
             rescue
             them
             from
             the
             captivity
             of
             the
             Flesh.
             In
             other
             things
             as
             soon
             as
             the
             Mind
             is
             inlightned
             ,
             the
             Will
             resolves
             ,
             and
             the
             inferior
             Faculties
             obey
             ;
             but
             such
             is
             the
             resistance
             of
             the
             carnal
             Heart
             ,
             that
             altho
             't
             is
             evident
             from
             infallible
             Principles
             there
             is
             an
             everlasting
             Glory
             ,
             infinitely
             to
             
             be
             preferr'd
             above
             the
             little
             appearances
             of
             Beauty
             and
             Pleasure
             here
             ,
             yet
             the
             most
             piercing
             Reasons
             enter
             heavily
             without
             earnest
             inculcation
             .
             Slight
             or
             sudden
             Thoughts
             may
             produce
             vanishing
             Affections
             of
             complacence
             ,
             or
             distaste
             ,
             and
             fickle
             Resolutions
             ,
             that
             like
             sick
             Feathers
             drop
             away
             ,
             and
             leave
             the
             Soul
             naked
             to
             the
             next
             Temptation
             ;
             but
             solemn
             and
             fixed
             Thoughts
             are
             powerful
             on
             the
             Heart
             ,
             in
             making
             a
             thorow
             and
             lasting
             Change.
             When
             the
             Clouds
             dissolve
             in
             a
             gentle
             Shower
             ,
             the
             Earth
             drinks
             in
             all
             ,
             and
             is
             made
             Fruitful
             ;
             but
             a
             few
             sprinkling
             Drops
             ,
             or
             a
             short
             storm
             of
             Rain
             ,
             that
             wets
             only
             the
             Surface
             ,
             without
             sinking
             to
             the
             Root
             ,
             is
             little
             beneficial
             .
             In
             short
             ,
             there
             may
             be
             some
             excitations
             to
             Good
             ,
             and
             retractions
             from
             Evil
             ,
             some
             imperfect
             faint
             essays
             towards
             Heaven
             ,
             from
             an
             impulse
             on
             the
             Mind
             ;
             but
             solid
             Conversion
             is
             produc'd
             by
             deliberate
             Discourse
             ,
             by
             the
             due
             consideration
             and
             estimation
             of
             things
             ,
             't
             is
             rational
             and
             perpetual
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             Consideration
             must
             be
             frequent
             ,
             to
             keep
             eternal
             Objects
             present
             ,
             and
             powerful
             upon
             us
             .
             Such
             is
             the
             natural
             
             Levity
             and
             Inconstancy
             ,
             Sloth
             and
             Carnality
             of
             the
             Mind
             ,
             That
             the
             Notions
             of
             Heavenly
             Things
             quickly
             pass
             through
             ,
             but
             of
             Earthly
             abide
             there
             .
             If
             a
             Stone
             be
             thrown
             upwards
             ,
             it
             remains
             no
             longer
             in
             the
             Air
             ,
             than
             the
             impression
             of
             the
             force
             by
             which
             it
             was
             thrown
             continues
             ;
             but
             if
             it
             falls
             on
             the
             Earth
             ,
             it
             rests
             there
             by
             Nature
             .
             When
             the
             Soul
             is
             raised
             in
             contemplation
             to
             Heaven
             ,
             how
             apt
             is
             it
             to
             fall
             from
             that
             height
             ,
             and
             lose
             the
             esteem
             ,
             the
             lively
             Remembrance
             and
             Affections
             of
             Eternal
             Things
             ?
             But
             when
             the
             Thoughts
             are
             excited
             by
             the
             presence
             of
             what
             is
             pleasing
             to
             Sense
             ,
             the
             withdrawing
             the
             Object
             does
             not
             deface
             the
             Idea
             of
             it
             in
             the
             Memory
             ,
             nor
             lessen
             the
             Conceit
             ,
             nor
             cool
             the
             Desires
             of
             it
             ,
             because
             the
             Heart
             is
             naturally
             inclined
             to
             it
             .
             Therefore
             't
             is
             necessary
             every
             day
             to
             refresh
             and
             renew
             the
             conceptions
             of
             eternal
             Things
             ,
             that
             although
             they
             are
             not
             always
             in
             act
             ,
             yet
             the
             efficacy
             may
             be
             always
             felt
             in
             the
             Heart
             and
             Life
             .
             The
             Soul
             habituated
             to
             such
             Thoughts
             will
             not
             easily
             yield
             to
             Temptations
             ,
             that
             surprise
             and
             overcome
             others
             that
             are
             Strangers
             in
             their
             Minds
             to
             the
             other
             World
             :
             Nay
             the
             presence
             of
             Temptations
             ,
             
             as
             by
             Antiperistasis
             ,
             will
             reinforce
             the
             Resolutions
             for
             Heaven
             ;
             like
             the
             pouring
             Water
             upon
             Lime
             ,
             that
             revives
             a
             hidden
             Fire
             in
             it
             ,
             which
             seems
             a
             natural
             Miracle
             .
             'T
             is
             therefore
             of
             great
             advantage
             frequently
             to
             sequester
             our selves
             from
             the
             World
             ,
             to
             redeem
             Time
             from
             secular
             Affairs
             ,
             for
             the
             recollecting
             of
             our
             Thoughts
             and
             their
             solemn
             exercise
             upon
             the
             Eternal
             World.
             Sense
             that
             reveals
             natural
             things
             ,
             darkens
             spiritual
             .
             How
             can
             the
             Thoughts
             be
             fixt
             on
             invisible
             things
             so
             distant
             from
             Sense
             ,
             if
             always
             conversant
             with
             secular
             Objects
             that
             draw
             them
             down
             ?
             In
             the
             silence
             of
             the
             Night
             a
             small
             Voice
             is
             more
             distinctly
             heard
             ,
             and
             a
             little
             distant
             Light
             more
             clearly
             seen
             :
             so
             when
             the
             Soul
             is
             withdrawn
             from
             the
             noisy
             throng
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             outward
             things
             are
             darkned
             ,
             the
             Voice
             of
             Conscience
             is
             better
             heard
             ,
             and
             the
             Light
             of
             Heaven
             more
             perfectly
             received
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             Consideration
             of
             Eternal
             Things
             must
             be
             with
             present
             Application
             to
             the
             Soul.
             'T
             is
             not
             the
             meer
             conviction
             of
             the
             Mind
             ,
             but
             the
             decree
             of
             the
             Will
             that
             turns
             Men
             from
             Sin
             to
             Holiness
             ,
             from
             the
             Creatures
             to
             God.
             The
             Heart
             is
             very
             deceitful
             ,
             and
             by
             variety
             of
             
             shifts
             and
             palliations
             is
             disposed
             to
             irresolutions
             and
             delays
             in
             spiritual
             Concernments
             .
             How
             often
             does
             the
             miserable
             Sinner
             contend
             with
             himself
             ,
             and
             while
             Conscience
             urges
             him
             to
             seek
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             the
             Affections
             draw
             down
             to
             the
             Earth
             ,
             the
             carnal
             part
             prevailing
             over
             the
             rational
             ,
             he
             overcomes
             ,
             and
             is
             overcome
             ,
             he
             is
             convinced
             and
             condemned
             by
             his
             own
             Mind
             .
             Till
             Consideration
             issues
             in
             this
             ,
             that
             with
             setled
             Judgment
             and
             Affections
             the
             Soul
             determines
             for
             God
             and
             Heaven
             ,
             't
             is
             without
             profit
             .
             Therefore
             in
             the
             managing
             this
             Duty
             ,
             't
             is
             our
             Wisdom
             not
             to
             be
             curious
             and
             inquisitive
             after
             subtile
             Conceptions
             ,
             and
             exalted
             Notions
             of
             the
             future
             State
             ,
             that
             little
             confer
             to
             the
             making
             the
             Heart
             better
             ,
             but
             to
             think
             seriously
             on
             what
             is
             plain
             and
             evident
             ,
             and
             most
             useful
             to
             produce
             a
             present
             lasting
             Change.
             It
             were
             egregious
             Folly
             in
             a
             Man
             ,
             that
             for
             the
             use
             of
             his
             Garden
             ,
             should
             with
             great
             labour
             fetch
             Water
             from
             distant
             Fountains
             ,
             and
             neglect
             that
             which
             springs
             up
             in
             his
             own
             Ground
             .
             That
             Meditation
             is
             profitable
             which
             produces
             not
             new
             Thoughts
             ,
             but
             holy
             and
             firm
             resolutions
             of
             obeying
             God
             in
             order
             to
             the
             full
             
             enjoying
             of
             him
             for
             ever
             .
          
           
             To
             perswade
             us
             to
             the
             serious
             practice
             of
             this
             Duty
             ,
             there
             are
             many
             Enforcements
             .
          
           
             Is
             any
             Man
             so
             foolish
             ,
             so
             regardless
             of
             his
             Convenience
             ,
             to
             purchase
             a
             House
             wherein
             he
             must
             live
             all
             his
             Days
             ,
             and
             will
             not
             first
             see
             whether
             it
             will
             be
             convenient
             ,
             and
             secure
             for
             his
             Habitation
             ?
             Shall
             we
             not
             then
             consider
             Heaven
             the
             Mansion
             of
             Blessedness
             ,
             and
             Hell
             the
             Seat
             of
             Misery
             and
             Horror
             ?
             for
             according
             as
             we
             chuse
             here
             ,
             we
             shall
             be
             in
             the
             one
             or
             other
             place
             for
             ever
             .
             I
             shall
             in
             the
             fourth
             part
             of
             this
             Treatise
             ,
             endeavour
             to
             represent
             something
             of
             the
             inexpressible
             Misery
             of
             the
             Wicked
             hereafter
             ,
             and
             shew
             how
             congruous
             and
             powerful
             the
             Thoughts
             of
             it
             are
             to
             restrain
             Men
             from
             Sin
             ;
             but
             at
             present
             shall
             briefly
             excite
             to
             the
             Meditation
             of
             the
             Heavenly
             Glory
             ,
             as
             the
             most
             noble
             ,
             delightful
             and
             fruitful
             Work
             of
             the
             Soul
             ,
             whiles
             confin'd
             to
             the
             Body
             of
             Flesh.
             'T
             is
             the
             most
             exalted
             Exercise
             of
             the
             Mind
             ,
             the
             purest
             converse
             with
             God
             ,
             the
             Flower
             of
             consecrated
             Reason
             .
             'T
             is
             most
             like
             the
             Life
             of
             glorified
             Spirits
             above
             ,
             who
             are
             in
             continual
             contemplation
             of
             the
             Divine
             
             Excellencies
             ,
             and
             't
             is
             most
             raised
             above
             the
             Life
             of
             Carnal
             Men
             ,
             that
             are
             sunk
             into
             Sensuality
             and
             Brutishness
             .
             'T
             is
             the
             most
             joyful
             Life
             ,
             in
             that
             it
             sheds
             abroad
             in
             the
             Soul
             Delights
             that
             neither
             satiate
             ,
             nor
             corrupt
             ,
             nor
             weaken
             the
             Faculties
             ,
             as
             the
             Delights
             of
             Sense
             do
             ,
             but
             afford
             Perfection
             as
             well
             as
             Pleasure
             .
             'T
             is
             the
             most
             profitable
             Life
             .
             As
             in
             those
             parts
             of
             the
             Earth
             where
             the
             Beams
             of
             the
             Sun
             are
             strongly
             reflected
             ,
             precious
             Metals
             and
             Jewels
             are
             produc'd
             ,
             wherein
             the
             refulgent
             resemblance
             of
             that
             bright
             Planet
             appears
             :
             so
             the
             lively
             and
             vigorous
             Exercise
             of
             the
             Thoughts
             upon
             the
             heavenly
             Glory
             ,
             will
             produce
             heavenly
             Affections
             ,
             heavenly
             Discourses
             ,
             and
             a
             heavenly
             shining
             Conversation
             .
             This
             will
             make
             us
             live
             like
             the
             blessed
             Society
             above
             ,
             imitating
             their
             Innocence
             and
             Purity
             ,
             their
             joyful
             ,
             entire
             and
             constant
             Obedience
             to
             God.
             This
             confirms
             the
             Holy
             Soul
             in
             its
             Choice
             ,
             with
             an
             invincible
             efficacy
             against
             the
             Temptations
             and
             Lusts
             of
             the
             World.
             The
             serious
             considering
             Believer
             is
             filled
             with
             ravishing
             Wonder
             of
             the
             Glory
             that
             shall
             be
             revealed
             ,
             and
             looks
             down
             with
             Contempt
             upon
             the
             Earth
             ,
             and
             all
             that
             has
             the
             Name
             of
             Felicity
             
             here
             .
             All
             the
             Invitations
             ,
             nay
             Terrors
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             are
             as
             unable
             to
             check
             his
             pursuit
             of
             his
             blessed
             End
             ,
             as
             the
             Breath
             of
             an
             Infant
             to
             stop
             the
             high
             flight
             of
             an
             Eagle
             .
          
           
             But
             how
             rare
             and
             disused
             a
             Duty
             is
             this
             ?
             How
             hardly
             are
             Men
             induc'd
             to
             set
             about
             it
             ?
             Business
             and
             Pleasures
             are
             powerful
             Diversions
             .
             Some
             pretend
             Business
             as
             a
             just
             Cause
             ,
             but
             in
             vain
             ;
             
               for
               the
               one
               Thing
               necessary
            
             challenges
             our
             principal
             Thoughts
             and
             Care.
             Besides
             ,
             there
             are
             intervals
             of
             Leisure
             ,
             and
             the
             Thoughts
             are
             always
             streaming
             ,
             and
             often
             run
             waste
             ,
             which
             directed
             aright
             ,
             would
             be
             very
             fruitful
             to
             the
             Soul.
             The
             true
             Cause
             of
             this
             neglect
             is
             from
             the
             inward
             temper
             of
             Men.
             Carnal
             Pleasures
             alienate
             the
             Mind
             ,
             and
             make
             it
             unfit
             for
             the
             deep
             serious
             actings
             of
             the
             Thoughts
             upon
             Eternal
             Things
             .
             
               I
               have
               said
               of
               Laughter
               ,
               Thou
               art
               mad
            
             ;
             it
             makes
             the
             Mind
             light
             ,
             and
             vain
             ,
             and
             desultory
             .
             As
             a
             distracted
             Person
             by
             every
             motion
             of
             Fancy
             flies
             from
             one
             thing
             to
             another
             without
             Coherence
             .
             The
             Heart
             fill'd
             with
             cloudy
             Cares
             ,
             and
             smoaky
             Fires
             ,
             with
             Thoughts
             and
             Desires
             about
             worldly
             Things
             ,
             is
             unprepar'd
             for
             
             such
             a
             clear
             ,
             calm
             ,
             and
             sedate
             Work.
             A
             Carnal
             Person
             can
             taste
             no
             sweetness
             ,
             feel
             no
             relish
             in
             the
             Meditation
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             nor
             any
             Spiritual
             Duty
             .
             'T
             is
             as
             if
             one
             should
             take
             some
             delicious
             Fruit
             into
             his
             Mouth
             ,
             a
             Peach
             ,
             or
             the
             like
             ,
             without
             breaking
             the
             Skin
             ;
             it
             would
             be
             rather
             a
             trouble
             ,
             than
             pleasant
             .
             Nay
             ,
             the
             Gospel
             expresly
             declaring
             ,
             
               That
               without
               Holiness
               no
               Man
               shall
               see
               God
            
             ;
             those
             who
             by
             vicious
             Affections
             are
             ingaged
             in
             any
             sinful
             way
             ,
             being
             conscious
             of
             their
             Guilt
             and
             unpreparedness
             ,
             and
             that
             while
             such
             ,
             they
             are
             under
             a
             peremptory
             exclusion
             from
             celestial
             Glory
             ,
             cannot
             endure
             the
             thoughts
             of
             Heaven
             .
             The
             Divine
             Presence
             is
             their
             Torment
             ,
             and
             the
             serious
             consideration
             of
             it
             ,
             is
             to
             bring
             them
             before
             God's
             holy
             and
             just
             Tribunal
             ,
             to
             accuse
             and
             condemn
             them
             .
          
           
             I
             shall
             now
             take
             a
             particular
             view
             of
             those
             Objects
             ,
             from
             whence
             Consideration
             derives
             Vigour
             ,
             for
             the
             inclining
             of
             the
             Will
             to
             a
             right
             Choice
             ,
             and
             for
             regulating
             the
             Life
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             Consider
             the
             End
             for
             which
             Man
             was
             designed
             in
             his
             Creation
             ,
             why
             endued
             with
             rational
             and
             noble
             Powers
             
             of
             Soul
             ,
             and
             plac'd
             by
             the
             Soveraign
             Maker
             in
             the
             highest
             rank
             of
             so
             numerous
             and
             various
             Natures
             that
             fill
             the
             Universe
             .
             Is
             it
             to
             raise
             an
             Estate
             ,
             to
             shine
             in
             Pomp
             ,
             to
             enjoy
             sensual
             Pleasures
             for
             a
             little
             while
             ,
             and
             after
             the
             fatal
             term
             to
             be
             no
             more
             for
             ever
             ?
             Was
             he
             sent
             into
             the
             World
             upon
             as
             mean
             a
             Business
             as
             that
             of
             the
             foolish
             Emperor
             ,
             who
             employed
             an
             Army
             ,
             furnish'd
             with
             all
             Military
             Preparations
             ,
             to
             gather
             Shells
             upon
             the
             Sea-shore
             ?
             This
             were
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             passionate
             expostulation
             of
             the
             Psalmist
             ,
             to
             charge
             God
             
               that
               he
               had
               made
               all
               Men
               in
               vain
               .
            
             Reason
             and
             Scripture
             tells
             us
             the
             End
             of
             Man
             is
             to
             glorify
             and
             enjoy
             God
             ,
             the
             obtaining
             whereof
             makes
             him
             perfectly
             happy
             ,
             and
             the
             missing
             of
             it
             perfectly
             miserable
             .
             This
             is
             a
             fundamental
             Truth
             ,
             upon
             which
             the
             whole
             Fabrick
             of
             Man's
             Duty
             and
             Felicity
             is
             built
             .
             Without
             this
             Foundation
             ,
             our
             Faith
             presently
             sinks
             .
             If
             the
             clearness
             of
             this
             principle
             be
             obscur'd
             ,
             we
             shall
             wander
             from
             the
             way
             of
             Eternal
             Life
             ,
             and
             not
             only
             lose
             the
             way
             ,
             but
             the
             remembrance
             and
             desire
             of
             it
             .
             Thinking
             is
             the
             property
             of
             the
             
             reasonable
             Soul
             ,
             and
             the
             just
             order
             of
             Consideration
             is
             ,
             that
             the
             Mind
             primarily
             regards
             this
             supream
             directive
             Truth
             that
             is
             to
             govern
             all
             our
             Actions
             .
             'T
             was
             prudent
             Counsel
             that
             *
             one
             of
             the
             Antients
             gave
             for
             composing
             a
             Book
             ,
             that
             the
             Author
             frequently
             reflect
             upon
             the
             Title
             ,
             that
             it
             may
             correspond
             in
             all
             the
             parts
             with
             his
             original
             Design
             .
             Thus
             it
             becomes
             a
             Man
             often
             to
             consider
             the
             End
             of
             his
             Being
             ,
             that
             the
             course
             of
             his
             Life
             may
             have
             a
             direct
             tendency
             to
             it
             ▪
             and
             the
             more
             excellent
             our
             End
             is
             ,
             the
             more
             constraining
             is
             the
             necessity
             to
             prosecute
             it
             .
             'T
             is
             of
             great
             Efficacy
             to
             reflect
             upon
             our selves
             ,
             Whither
             do
             my
             Thoughts
             and
             Desires
             tend
             ?
             For
             what
             do
             I
             spend
             my
             Strength
             ,
             and
             consume
             my
             Days
             ?
             Will
             it
             be
             my
             last
             Account
             ,
             how
             much
             by
             my
             Prudence
             and
             Diligence
             I
             have
             exceeded
             others
             in
             temporal
             Acquisitions
             ?
             If
             a
             General
             were
             at
             play
             while
             the
             Armies
             are
             engaging
             ,
             would
             it
             be
             a
             noble
             Exploit
             for
             him
             to
             win
             the
             Game
             ,
             whiles
             his
             Army
             for
             want
             of
             conduct
             loses
             the
             Victory
             ?
             Will
             it
             be
             profitable
             for
             a
             Man
             to
             gain
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             lose
             his
             Soul
             ?
             Let
             Conscience
             answer
             in
             Truth
             .
          
           
           
             'T
             is
             observable
             what
             is
             reported
             of
             a
             †
             noble
             Forreigner
             ,
             that
             on
             his
             Birth-day
             ,
             reflecting
             upon
             the
             Age
             of
             his
             Life
             ,
             he
             was
             surpriz'd
             with
             grief
             ,
             and
             struck
             with
             Astonishment
             ,
             that
             without
             a
             due
             Sense
             of
             the
             proper
             Business
             and
             End
             of
             Life
             ,
             he
             was
             arrived
             to
             that
             Age
             ,
             when
             our
             Days
             begin
             to
             decline
             .
             In
             an
             instant
             all
             things
             seem'd
             to
             change
             appearance
             in
             his
             view
             .
             Then
             first
             (
             says
             he
             )
             I
             perceived
             I
             was
             a
             Man
             ,
             for
             before
             I
             had
             not
             resolved
             for
             what
             I
             should
             employ
             my
             Life
             .
             The
             issue
             was
             ,
             his
             serious
             Resolution
             unfeignedly
             to
             honour
             God
             ,
             sincerely
             to
             confess
             Christ
             ,
             to
             place
             his
             Felicity
             in
             Holiness
             of
             Life
             ,
             and
             most
             zealously
             to
             follow
             it
             .
             Let
             any
             one
             that
             is
             not
             of
             a
             reprobate
             Mind
             ,
             and
             an
             incorrigibly
             depraved
             Heart
             ,
             duly
             consider
             the
             sublime
             and
             supernatural
             End
             of
             Man.
             O
             what
             a
             marvellous
             change
             will
             it
             make
             in
             him
             ,
             of
             Carnal
             into
             Spiritual
             ?
             nay
             it
             would
             be
             a
             kind
             of
             Miracle
             if
             he
             continued
             in
             his
             sinful
             State.
             How
             will
             it
             transform
             him
             into
             another
             Man
             ,
             with
             new
             Valuations
             ,
             new
             Affections
             and
             Resolutions
             ,
             as
             if
             he
             were
             
               born
               again
            
             with
             a
             new
             Soul
             ?
             How
             will
             it
             amaze
             him
             that
             his
             whole
             course
             has
             been
             a
             contradiction
             to
             the
             
             wise
             and
             gracious
             design
             of
             God
             ,
             that
             all
             his
             Industry
             has
             been
             a
             race
             out
             of
             the
             way
             ,
             a
             perpetual
             diversion
             from
             his
             main
             Business
             ,
             that
             his
             Life
             has
             been
             fruitless
             and
             dead
             to
             the
             true
             End
             of
             it
             ?
             How
             will
             he
             be
             confounded
             at
             his
             former
             Folly
             ?
             Then
             alone
             we
             act
             with
             Understanding
             ,
             when
             mov'd
             by
             our
             blessed
             End
             ,
             and
             our
             Actions
             by
             a
             strict
             tendency
             without
             variation
             issue
             into
             it
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             Consider
             attentively
             the
             Objects
             that
             stand
             in
             competition
             for
             our
             Choice
             ,
             the
             present
             World
             and
             Heaven
             ,
             to
             make
             a
             judicious
             comparison
             between
             them
             in
             their
             Quality
             and
             Duration
             .
          
           
             First
             ,
             in
             their
             Quality
             .
             The
             things
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             judgment
             of
             God
             himself
             ,
             who
             is
             only
             Wise
             and
             Good
             ,
             and
             has
             the
             highest
             Authority
             to
             decide
             in
             the
             case
             ,
             are
             but
             fallacious
             appearances
             of
             Happiness
             ,
             meer
             Vanity
             .
             And
             certainly
             the
             Creator
             knows
             the
             true
             worth
             of
             all
             things
             ,
             and
             would
             not
             disparage
             his
             own
             Works
             ,
             but
             would
             undeceive
             Men
             that
             are
             apt
             to
             judge
             and
             choose
             by
             the
             Eye
             of
             Sense
             .
             The
             Apostle
             tells
             us
             ,
             
               That
               an
               Idol
               is
               nothing
               in
               the
               World
            
             ;
             although
             the
             matter
             of
             it
             may
             be
             of
             Gold
             ,
             or
             Marble
             ,
             
             or
             Wood
             ,
             yet
             it
             has
             no
             divine
             Perfection
             ,
             which
             the
             Idolater
             attributes
             to
             it
             .
             So
             all
             worldly
             things
             ,
             in
             which
             Men
             place
             their
             chief
             Care
             ,
             and
             Confidence
             ,
             and
             Joy
             ,
             though
             they
             have
             some
             degrees
             of
             Goodness
             ,
             and
             are
             a
             transient
             relief
             to
             us
             in
             our
             passage
             to
             Eternity
             ,
             yet
             they
             are
             nothing
             as
             to
             perfect
             Felicity
             .
             'T
             is
             meerly
             Opinion
             and
             Conceit
             that
             makes
             them
             so
             valued
             and
             pleasing
             ,
             like
             a
             rich
             Dye
             to
             a
             slight
             Stuff
             from
             whence
             its
             Price
             arises
             .
             Reason
             is
             either
             obscur'd
             ,
             or
             not
             obeyed
             ,
             when
             the
             World
             is
             the
             Object
             of
             our
             Choice
             .
             Now
             what
             are
             these
             Appearances
             of
             Beauty
             and
             Pleasure
             ,
             compar'd
             with
             a
             Blessedness
             that
             is
             truly
             infinite
             ?
             Carnal
             Joy
             smiles
             in
             the
             Countenance
             ,
             flatters
             the
             Fancy
             ,
             touches
             the
             Sense
             ,
             but
             cannot
             fill
             the
             Heart
             ,
             but
             the
             Favour
             of
             God
             satisfies
             the
             Soul.
             
               Thou
               hast
               put
               Gladness
               into
               my
               Heart
               ,
               more
               than
               when
               their
               Corn
               and
               Wine
               increased
               .
            
             Carnal
             Joy
             in
             its
             highest
             elevation
             in
             the
             time
             of
             the
             Harvest
             and
             Vintage
             ,
             is
             incomparably
             less
             than
             Spiritual
             Joy
             that
             springs
             from
             the
             Light
             of
             God's
             Countenance
             .
             The
             World
             cannot
             fill
             the
             narrow
             capacity
             of
             our
             Senses
             ,
             but
             divine
             Joys
             exceed
             our
             most
             inlarged
             comprehensive
             
             Faculties
             .
             
               The
               Eye
               is
               not
               satisfied
               with
               seeing
               ,
               nor
               the
               Ear
               with
               hearing
               ;
               but
               the
               Peace
               of
               God
               passes
               all
               Vnderstanding
               .
            
             The
             Things
             of
             the
             World
             are
             of
             a
             limited
             Goodness
             ;
             Wisdom
             is
             not
             Strength
             ,
             nor
             Learning
             Riches
             ,
             nor
             Beauty
             Fruitfulness
             :
             But
             God
             is
             a
             
               Vniversal
               Good
            
             ,
             in
             whom
             are
             all
             Attractives
             to
             raise
             and
             satisfy
             our
             Desires
             .
             If
             Men
             did
             consider
             ,
             they
             would
             distinguish
             and
             despise
             in
             comparison
             all
             that
             is
             named
             Felicity
             here
             ,
             with
             the
             Favour
             of
             God.
             To
             seek
             for
             satisfaction
             in
             the
             Creature
             and
             forsake
             him
             ,
             is
             as
             if
             one
             desirous
             to
             see
             the
             Light
             should
             withdraw
             from
             the
             presence
             of
             the
             Sun
             ,
             to
             borrow
             it
             from
             a
             weak
             Ray
             reflected
             by
             some
             obscure
             Matter
             .
             Now
             if
             there
             be
             so
             vast
             a
             difference
             in
             their
             Nature
             ,
             as
             between
             a
             painted
             Vapour
             ,
             and
             the
             solid
             glorious
             Good
             ,
             between
             Finite
             and
             Infinite
             ,
             why
             is
             there
             not
             a
             difference
             accordingly
             in
             our
             Esteem
             ,
             Affections
             and
             Respects
             to
             them
             ?
             How
             unreasonable
             is
             it
             that
             a
             Soul
             capable
             of
             God
             ,
             should
             cleave
             to
             the
             Dust
             ?
             It
             would
             be
             most
             egregious
             folly
             to
             hang
             a
             Weight
             ,
             that
             is
             able
             to
             turn
             a
             great
             Engine
             ,
             upon
             a
             small
             Clock
             :
             't
             is
             incomparably
             more
             foolish
             ,
             when
             the
             love
             of
             Happiness
             ,
             
             the
             weight
             of
             Humane
             Nature
             ,
             which
             applied
             aright
             ,
             will
             turn
             our
             Desires
             to
             Heaven
             ,
             is
             only
             used
             to
             give
             vigorous
             motion
             to
             our
             Endeavours
             about
             earthly
             Things
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             Consider
             their
             Duration
             .
             The
             Apostle
             tells
             us
             ,
             that
             the
             main
             
               scope
               of
               his
               Actions
               was
               Things
               invisible
            
             ;
             and
             gives
             the
             reason
             of
             it
             ,
             
             
               For
               the
               things
               that
               are
               seen
               are
               Temporal
               ;
               but
               the
               things
               that
               are
               not
               seen
               are
               Eternal
               .
            
             To
             insist
             upon
             the
             vast
             difference
             between
             Temporal
             and
             Eternal
             ,
             may
             seem
             needless
             :
             for
             the
             first
             Notions
             of
             things
             are
             of
             such
             uncontroulable
             clearness
             ,
             that
             an
             attempt
             to
             prove
             them
             ,
             is
             to
             light
             a
             Candle
             to
             discover
             the
             Sun.
             Yet
             this
             Principle
             drawing
             after
             it
             such
             powerful
             Consequences
             for
             the
             government
             of
             our
             Hearts
             and
             Lives
             ,
             and
             Conscience
             being
             so
             remiss
             ,
             and
             the
             sensual
             Affections
             so
             rebellious
             ,
             't
             is
             needful
             to
             consider
             this
             seriously
             ,
             that
             what
             is
             really
             assented
             to
             in
             Speculation
             ,
             may
             not
             be
             contradicted
             in
             Practice
             .
             Now
             who
             can
             unfold
             the
             infinite
             Volume
             of
             Ages
             in
             Eternity
             ?
             The
             Understanding
             of
             an
             Angel
             can
             no
             more
             comprehend
             what
             is
             incomprehensible
             than
             the
             Mind
             of
             
             a
             Man.
             A
             Snail
             will
             pass
             over
             an
             immense
             space
             as
             soon
             as
             an
             Eagle
             :
             for
             though
             one
             dispatches
             more
             way
             than
             the
             other
             ,
             yet
             both
             are
             equally
             distant
             from
             arriving
             to
             the
             end
             of
             what
             is
             endless
             .
             But
             that
             the
             Conception
             of
             Eternity
             may
             be
             more
             distinct
             ,
             and
             affecting
             ,
             it
             is
             useful
             to
             represent
             it
             under
             some
             temporal
             Resemblances
             ,
             that
             sensibly
             ,
             though
             not
             fully
             ,
             express
             it
             .
             Suppose
             that
             the
             vast
             Ocean
             were
             distilled
             drop
             by
             drop
             ,
             but
             so
             slowly
             ,
             that
             a
             thousand
             Years
             should
             pass
             between
             every
             drop
             ;
             how
             many
             millions
             of
             Years
             were
             required
             to
             empty
             it
             ?
             Suppose
             this
             great
             World
             in
             its
             full
             compass
             ,
             from
             one
             Pole
             to
             another
             ,
             and
             from
             the
             top
             of
             the
             Firmament
             to
             the
             bottom
             ,
             were
             to
             be
             fill'd
             with
             the
             smallest
             Sand
             ,
             but
             so
             slowly
             ,
             that
             every
             thousand
             Years
             only
             a
             single
             Grain
             should
             be
             added
             ;
             how
             many
             Millions
             would
             pass
             away
             before
             it
             were
             filled
             ?
             If
             the
             immense
             Superficies
             of
             the
             Heavens
             ,
             wherein
             are
             innumerable
             Stars
             ,
             the
             least
             of
             which
             equals
             the
             magnitude
             of
             the
             Earth
             ,
             were
             filled
             with
             Figures
             of
             Numbers
             without
             the
             least
             vacant
             space
             ,
             and
             every
             Figure
             signified
             a
             Million
             ,
             what
             created
             Mind
             could
             tell
             their
             
             Number
             ,
             much
             less
             their
             Value
             ?
             Having
             these
             Thoughts
             ,
             I
             reply
             ;
             The
             Sea
             will
             be
             emptied
             drop
             by
             drop
             ,
             the
             Universe
             fill'd
             grain
             by
             grain
             ,
             the
             Numbers
             written
             in
             the
             Heavens
             will
             come
             to
             an
             end
             ;
             and
             how
             much
             of
             Eternity
             is
             then
             spent
             ?
             Nothing
             ;
             for
             still
             infinitely
             more
             remains
             .
             In
             short
             ,
             what-ever
             is
             Temporal
             ,
             extend
             the
             continuance
             of
             it
             to
             the
             utmost
             possibility
             of
             Conception
             ,
             is
             infinitely
             short
             of
             Eternity
             .
             A
             Day
             ,
             an
             Hour
             ,
             a
             Minute
             ,
             has
             some
             proportion
             with
             a
             thousand
             Years
             ;
             for
             that
             duration
             is
             determined
             by
             a
             certain
             number
             of
             Days
             ,
             and
             Hours
             ,
             and
             Minutes
             :
             but
             Millions
             of
             Ages
             have
             no
             proportion
             to
             Eternity
             ,
             because
             't
             is
             an
             indeterminable
             Duration
             .
             The
             Mind
             is
             soon
             tir'd
             and
             lost
             in
             searching
             after
             Numbers
             to
             represent
             it
             :
             't
             is
             confounded
             and
             struck
             with
             amazing
             Horror
             ,
             and
             can
             only
             direct
             the
             Eye
             upward
             or
             downward
             to
             the
             two
             Habitations
             of
             Eternity
             ,
             the
             glorious
             and
             the
             miserable
             ,
             Heaven
             and
             Hell.
             Now
             let
             us
             compare
             the
             Things
             of
             the
             present
             World
             with
             those
             of
             the
             future
             State.
             The
             first
             are
             measur'd
             by
             flying
             Time
             ,
             the
             other
             remain
             in
             an
             unmoveable
             Eternity
             .
             The
             Comforts
             that
             spring
             from
             the
             Earth
             ,
             suddenly
             wither
             and
             
             fall
             to
             it
             :
             the
             Tree
             of
             Life
             flourishes
             only
             above
             .
             Frequent
             changes
             from
             Prosperity
             to
             Adversity
             are
             the
             Properties
             of
             this
             mortal
             State.
             As
             those
             who
             are
             in
             Voyages
             at
             Sea
             ,
             sometimes
             are
             in
             a
             calm
             ,
             and
             presently
             suffer
             a
             storm
             ,
             and
             are
             forc'd
             to
             alter
             their
             Course
             by
             the
             changing
             of
             the
             Winds
             ;
             so
             't
             is
             with
             us
             in
             our
             passage
             here
             .
             But
             upon
             the
             first
             entrance
             into
             another
             World
             ,
             all
             the
             variations
             of
             this
             are
             at
             an
             end
             .
             
               Verily
               every
               Man
               at
               his
               best
               estate
               is
               altogether
               Vanity
               .
               Surely
               every
               Man
               walks
               in
               a
               vain
               shew
               ,
               surely
               they
               are
               disquieted
               in
               vain
               .
            
             The
             visible
             Felicity
             of
             Man
             is
             of
             no
             continuance
             .
             We
             may
             frequently
             observe
             in
             the
             Evening
             ,
             a
             Cloud
             by
             the
             reflection
             of
             the
             Sun
             invested
             with
             so
             bright
             a
             Lustre
             ,
             and
             adorn'd
             with
             such
             a
             pleasant
             variety
             of
             Colours
             ,
             that
             in
             the
             judgment
             of
             our
             Eyes
             ,
             if
             an
             Angel
             were
             to
             assume
             a
             Body
             correspondent
             to
             his
             Glory
             ,
             it
             were
             a
             fit
             matter
             for
             it
             .
             But
             in
             walking
             a
             few
             steps
             ,
             the
             Sun
             is
             descended
             beneath
             the
             Horizon
             ,
             and
             the
             Light
             withdrawn
             ,
             and
             of
             all
             that
             splendid
             flaming
             appearance
             ,
             nothing
             remains
             but
             a
             dark
             Vapour
             ,
             that
             falls
             down
             in
             a
             Showre
             .
             Thus
             vanishing
             is
             the
             shew
             of
             Felicity
             here
             .
             In
             this
             ,
             Sense
             assists
             Faith
             ;
             for
             the
             experience
             of
             every
             
             day
             verifies
             what
             the
             Scripture
             declares
             ,
             
               that
               the
               Fashion
               of
               this
               World
               passes
               away
               .
            
             And
             therefore
             the
             guilty
             Folly
             of
             Men
             is
             aggravated
             ,
             
               to
               set
               their
               Eyes
               and
               Hearts
               upon
               that
               which
               is
               not
               .
            
             To
             see
             one
             passionately
             dote
             on
             a
             Face
             ruin'd
             and
             deform'd
             with
             Age
             ,
             to
             be
             inchanted
             without
             a
             Charm
             ,
             raises
             wonder
             ,
             and
             exposes
             to
             contempt
             .
             Yet
             such
             is
             the
             stupidity
             of
             Men
             to
             embrace
             with
             their
             most
             entire
             Affections
             the
             wither'd
             Vanities
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             that
             are
             hastening
             to
             their
             Period
             .
             'T
             was
             a
             stinging
             reproach
             to
             Idolaters
             from
             God
             ,
             
               None
               considers
               in
               his
               Heart
               ,
               neither
               is
               their
               Knowledg
               nor
               Vnderstanding
               ,
            
             to
             say
             ,
             
               I
               have
               burnt
               part
               of
               it
               in
               the
               Fire
               ;
               yea
               ,
               I
               have
               also
               baked
               Bread
               upon
               the
               Coals
               thereof
               ;
               I
               have
               roasted
               Flesh
               and
               eaten
               it
               ;
               and
               shall
               I
               make
               the
               residue
               an
               Abomination
               ?
               shall
               I
               fall
               down
               to
               the
               stock
               of
               a
               Tree
               ?
            
             And
             are
             not
             sensual
             Men
             equally
             guilty
             of
             such
             monstrous
             Folly
             ?
             for
             though
             universal
             Experience
             convince
             them
             ,
             that
             all
             things
             under
             the
             Sun
             are
             fading
             ,
             and
             that
             many
             times
             their
             dearest
             Comforts
             are
             snatch'd
             away
             from
             their
             Embraces
             ;
             yet
             who
             does
             advisedly
             consider
             ,
             and
             say
             to
             himself
             ,
             Shall
             I
             give
             my
             Heart
             to
             transient
             Shadows
             ?
             Shall
             I
             cherish
             vain
             Hopes
             ,
             vain
             Aims
             and
             Desires
             
             of
             obtaining
             Happiness
             in
             a
             perishing
             World
             ?
             Altho
             the
             worshipping
             a
             Stock
             be
             Idolatry
             of
             grosser
             Infamy
             ,
             yet
             't
             is
             as
             foolish
             and
             as
             destructive
             to
             set
             our
             chief
             Love
             and
             Joy
             ,
             that
             is
             only
             due
             to
             God
             ,
             upon
             the
             Creature
             .
             And
             what
             follows
             in
             the
             Prophet
             is
             justly
             applicable
             to
             such
             Persons
             ;
             
               He
               feedeth
               on
               Ashes
            
             ,
             (
             that
             not
             only
             afford
             no
             nourishment
             ,
             but
             is
             very
             hurtful
             to
             the
             Body
             )
             
               a
               deceived
               Heart
               has
               turn'd
               him
               aside
               ,
               that
               he
               cannot
               deliver
               his
               Soul
               ,
               nor
               say
               ,
               Is
               there
               not
               a
               Lie
               in
               my
               right
               Hand
               ?
            
             Thus
             Carnal
             Men
             are
             so
             blinded
             with
             their
             Affections
             to
             these
             short-liv'd
             Pleasures
             ,
             that
             they
             cannot
             take
             the
             true
             liberty
             of
             judging
             and
             reflecting
             that
             they
             are
             deceived
             and
             delighted
             with
             empty
             Shadows
             that
             will
             suddenly
             end
             in
             disappointment
             and
             sorrow
             ?
             Briefly
             ,
             these
             glittering
             Fictions
             and
             false
             Joys
             cannot
             please
             without
             an
             Error
             in
             the
             Mind
             ,
             that
             shall
             last
             but
             a
             little
             while
             .
             And
             if
             you
             saw
             a
             distracted
             Person
             sing
             and
             dance
             ,
             with
             a
             conceit
             that
             he
             is
             a
             Prince
             ,
             would
             you
             be
             willing
             to
             lose
             sober
             Reason
             for
             his
             phantastick
             Pleasure
             ,
             especially
             if
             you
             knew
             that
             his
             chearful
             Fit
             should
             suddenly
             change
             into
             a
             mournful
             or
             raging
             Madness
             for
             ever
             ?
             But
             the
             Blessedness
             above
             is
             unchangeable
             
             as
             God
             the
             Author
             and
             Object
             of
             it
             ,
             Eternal
             as
             the
             Soul
             that
             enjoys
             it
             .
             And
             shall
             the
             
               World
               that
               passes
               away
               with
               the
               Lusts
               thereof
               ,
               turn
               our
               Affections
               from
               the
               undefiled
               immortal
               Inheritance
               ?
            
             Shall
             the
             vanishing
             appearance
             ,
             the
             fleeting
             Figure
             of
             Happiness
             be
             preferred
             before
             what
             is
             substantial
             and
             durable
             ?
             If
             a
             spark
             of
             true
             Reason
             ,
             of
             sincere
             Love
             to
             our
             Souls
             be
             left
             ,
             
               we
               shall
               count
               all
               things
               but
               dross
               and
               dung
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               gain
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               Glory
               .
            
             Thus
             Eternity
             inlightens
             ,
             thus
             it
             counsels
             us
             .
          
           
             To
             encourage
             us
             to
             seek
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             I
             shall
             propound
             other
             Motives
             to
             Consideration
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             God
             is
             very
             willing
             that
             Men
             should
             be
             saved
             and
             partake
             of
             his
             Glory
             .
             For
             this
             end
             ,
             
               he
               has
               brought
               Life
               and
               Immortality
               to
               light
               in
               the
               Gospel
               .
            
             The
             Lord
             Jesus
             ,
             the
             Sun
             of
             Righteousness
             ,
             has
             dispel'd
             the
             darkness
             of
             the
             Gentiles
             ,
             and
             the
             shadows
             of
             the
             Jews
             ,
             and
             rendred
             the
             blessed
             and
             eternal
             State
             so
             clear
             and
             so
             visible
             ,
             that
             every
             Eye
             may
             see
             it
             .
             Our
             assurance
             of
             it
             is
             upon
             infallible
             Principles
             .
             And
             though
             the
             excellent
             Glory
             of
             it
             is
             inexpressible
             ,
             yet
             't
             is
             represented
             under
             variety
             
             of
             fair
             and
             lovely
             Types
             to
             invite
             our
             Affections
             .
             Besides
             ,
             God
             makes
             an
             earnest
             offer
             of
             Life
             to
             us
             in
             his
             Word
             ,
             he
             Commands
             ,
             Counsels
             ,
             Excites
             ,
             Urges
             ,
             nay
             Intreats
             and
             Beseeches
             with
             infinite
             Tenderness
             ,
             that
             Men
             will
             accept
             of
             it
             .
             Thus
             the
             Apostle
             declares
             ,
             
               Now
               then
               wa
               are
               Embassadors
               for
               Christ
               ,
               as
               though
               God
               did
               beseech
               you
               by
               us
               ,
               we
               pray
               you
               in
               Christ's
               stead
               be
               reconciled
               to
               God.
            
             Is
             it
             not
             evident
             then
             beyond
             the
             most
             jealous
             suspicion
             ,
             God
             is
             desirous
             of
             our
             Happiness
             ?
             Can
             we
             imagine
             any
             design
             ,
             any
             insincerity
             in
             his
             Words
             ?
             Why
             should
             Heaven
             court
             a
             Worm
             ?
             'T
             is
             his
             love
             to
             Souls
             that
             expresses
             it self
             in
             that
             condescending
             compassionate
             manner
             ,
             to
             melt
             and
             overcome
             the
             perverse
             and
             hardned
             in
             Sin.
             
          
           
             And
             as
             his
             Words
             so
             his
             Works
             are
             a
             convincing
             Argument
             of
             his
             Will
             :
             His
             most
             gracious
             sustaining
             and
             supporting
             of
             sinful
             Men
             ,
             his
             innumerable
             Benefits
             conferr'd
             upon
             them
             ,
             in
             the
             provision
             of
             Good
             ,
             and
             preservation
             from
             Evil
             ,
             are
             for
             this
             End
             ,
             that
             by
             the
             conduct
             of
             his
             merciful
             Providence
             they
             may
             be
             led
             to
             Repentance
             ,
             and
             received
             into
             his
             Favour
             .
             And
             the
             temporal
             Judgments
             inflicted
             on
             Sinners
             ,
             are
             medicinal
             in
             their
             Nature
             ,
             and
             in
             his
             
             design
             to
             bring
             them
             to
             a
             sight
             and
             abhorrence
             of
             Sin
             ,
             to
             prevent
             their
             final
             ruin
             :
             if
             they
             prove
             mortal
             to
             any
             ,
             't
             is
             from
             their
             obstinate
             Corruption
             .
             The
             time
             allowed
             to
             those
             who
             are
             obnoxious
             to
             his
             Justice
             every
             hour
             ,
             is
             not
             a
             meer
             reprieve
             from
             Torment
             ,
             but
             a
             space
             of
             Repentance
             to
             sue
             out
             a
             Pardon
             :
             They
             are
             spared
             in
             order
             to
             Salvation
             .
             
               The
               Lord
               is
               long-suffering
               to
               usward
               ,
            
             
             
               not
               willing
               that
               any
               should
               perish
               ,
               but
               that
               all
               should
               come
               to
               Repentance
               .
            
          
           
             But
             above
             all
             his
             other
             Works
             ,
             the
             giving
             of
             his
             Son
             to
             be
             a
             Sacrifice
             for
             Sin
             ,
             is
             an
             incomparable
             demonstration
             ,
             how
             much
             he
             delights
             in
             the
             Salvation
             of
             Men.
             Since
             God
             has
             been
             at
             such
             cost
             to
             put
             them
             into
             a
             capacity
             of
             obtaining
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             unchangeable
             Glory
             ,
             far
             transcending
             the
             earthly
             Paradise
             that
             was
             forfeited
             by
             Sin
             ,
             we
             have
             the
             strongest
             assurance
             that
             he
             desires
             their
             Felicity
             .
             And
             how
             guilty
             and
             miserable
             will
             those
             Sinners
             be
             that
             when
             Christ
             has
             opened
             Heaven
             to
             us
             by
             his
             Blood
             ,
             refuse
             to
             enter
             into
             it
             ?
             When
             Brutus
             the
             most
             noble
             Roman
             ,
             propounded
             to
             a
             Philosopher
             his
             design
             to
             restore
             Rome
             to
             Liberty
             ,
             he
             
             replied
             ,
             That
             the
             action
             would
             be
             glorious
             indeed
             ,
             but
             that
             so
             many
             servile
             Spirits
             that
             tamely
             stoopt
             under
             Tyranny
             ,
             were
             not
             worthy
             that
             a
             Man
             of
             Vertue
             and
             Courage
             should
             hazard
             himself
             to
             recover
             that
             for
             them
             ,
             which
             they
             did
             so
             lightly
             esteem
             .
             The
             Redemption
             of
             Mankind
             is
             without
             controversy
             the
             Master-piece
             of
             God's
             works
             ,
             wherein
             his
             principal
             Attributes
             appear
             in
             their
             excellent
             Glory
             .
             But
             how
             astonishing
             is
             the
             unworthiness
             of
             Men
             ,
             who
             wretchedly
             neglect
             Salvation
             ,
             which
             the
             Son
             of
             God
             purchased
             by
             a
             Life
             full
             of
             Sorrows
             ,
             and
             a
             Death
             of
             infinite
             Sufferings
             ?
             Blessed
             Redeemer
             !
             may
             it
             be
             spoken
             with
             the
             humble
             ,
             affectionate
             ,
             and
             thankful
             sense
             of
             thy
             dying
             Love
             ,
             why
             didst
             thou
             give
             thy self
             a
             ransom
             for
             those
             who
             are
             charm'd
             with
             their
             Misery
             ,
             and
             with
             the
             most
             foul
             Ingratitude
             disvalue
             so
             precious
             a
             Redemption
             ?
             How
             justly
             shall
             they
             be
             for
             ever
             deprived
             of
             it
             ?
             
               Behold
               ,
               ye
               despisers
               ,
               and
               wonder
               ,
               and
               perish
               .
            
          
           
             2.
             
             Consider
             ,
             this
             glorious
             Blessedness
             shall
             be
             the
             Portion
             of
             all
             that
             unfeignedly
             choose
             it
             ,
             and
             earnestly
             seek
             it
             .
             This
             motive
             was
             inclosed
             in
             the
             first
             ,
             but
             deserves
             a
             separate
             Consideration
             .
             
             And
             of
             this
             we
             have
             infallible
             assurance
             from
             the
             Word
             of
             God
             ,
             
               who
               cannot
               lie
               .
               Godliness
               has
               the
               Promise
               of
               the
               Life
               to
               come
               .
               This
               is
               a
               faithful
               saying
               ,
               and
               worthy
               of
               all
               acceptation
               .
            
             The
             hope
             of
             a
             Christian
             is
             so
             certain
             that
             't
             is
             compar'd
             to
             
               an
               Anchor
               fastned
               in
               Heaven
            
             .
             And
             besides
             the
             Fidelity
             of
             his
             Word
             ,
             God
             has
             given
             us
             Security
             of
             the
             Reward
             ,
             the
             Life
             of
             his
             Son.
             This
             methinks
             should
             turn
             the
             Current
             of
             our
             Desires
             and
             Endeavours
             to
             Heaven
             .
             For
             notwithstanding
             all
             our
             toil
             and
             sweat
             ,
             the
             labour
             of
             the
             Day
             and
             the
             watchings
             of
             the
             Night
             for
             the
             obtaining
             earthly
             things
             ,
             yet
             we
             many
             times
             fall
             short
             of
             our
             aims
             and
             hopes
             .
             'T
             was
             the
             observation
             of
             the
             wisest
             Man
             ,
             
               I
               returned
               and
               saw
               under
               the
               Sun
               ,
               that
               the
               Race
               is
               not
               to
               the
               Swift
               ,
               nor
               the
               Battel
               to
               the
               Strong
               ,
               neither
               yet
               Bread
               to
               the
               Wise
               ,
               nor
               yet
               Riches
               to
               Men
               of
               Vnderstanding
               ,
               nor
               yet
               Favour
               to
               Men
               of
               Skill
               ;
               but
               Time
               and
               Chance
               happeneth
               to
               all
               .
            
             Indeed
             such
             is
             the
             order
             of
             Divine
             Providence
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             there
             must
             be
             different
             conditions
             of
             Men
             here
             ,
             some
             Rich
             ,
             others
             Poor
             ;
             some
             Noble
             ,
             others
             Mean
             ;
             some
             in
             Command
             ,
             others
             in
             Subjection
             .
             And
             from
             hence
             it
             is
             also
             evident
             ,
             that
             
             neither
             Dignity
             nor
             Riches
             nor
             Pleasures
             are
             the
             Happiness
             of
             Man.
             For
             't
             is
             not
             becoming
             the
             Wisdom
             and
             Goodness
             of
             God
             to
             make
             that
             the
             last
             end
             of
             the
             reasonable
             Creature
             ,
             which
             though
             sought
             with
             Sincerity
             and
             Diligence
             ,
             may
             not
             be
             obtained
             ,
             or
             of
             which
             without
             his
             own
             consent
             he
             may
             be
             deprived
             .
             But
             civil
             distinctions
             and
             qualities
             are
             of
             no
             value
             and
             consideration
             with
             respect
             to
             the
             obtaining
             or
             excluding
             from
             Heaven
             .
             The
             rich
             and
             honourable
             that
             are
             in
             an
             exalted
             State
             ,
             have
             not
             a
             more
             easy
             ascent
             and
             entrance
             into
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             God
             than
             those
             who
             are
             in
             the
             lowest
             degree
             .
             The
             Stars
             appear
             with
             the
             same
             bigness
             to
             him
             that
             stands
             in
             the
             deepest
             Valley
             as
             on
             the
             highest
             Hill.
             Is
             there
             any
             difference
             between
             the
             Souls
             of
             the
             rich
             and
             great
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             the
             Souls
             of
             the
             poor
             and
             despised
             ?
             Are
             they
             not
             equally
             the
             Off-spring
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             equally
             ransomed
             by
             the
             most
             precious
             Blood
             of
             his
             Son
             ?
             Are
             they
             not
             equally
             capable
             of
             Eternal
             Rewards
             ?
             Are
             not
             the
             Promises
             of
             the
             heavenly
             Kingdom
             ,
             equally
             addrest
             to
             every
             one
             that
             has
             an
             immortal
             Soul
             ,
             that
             is
             faithful
             to
             his
             Duty
             and
             Covenant
             with
             God
             ?
             This
             
             should
             inspire
             all
             with
             flaming
             Desires
             ,
             and
             draw
             forth
             their
             utmost
             Industry
             ,
             
               and
               make
               them
               stedfast
               and
               unmoveable
               ,
               always
               to
               abound
               in
               the
               Work
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
               knowing
               our
               labour
               shall
               not
               be
               in
               vain
               in
               the
               Lord.
               
            
          
           
             I
             know
             the
             Carnal
             Will
             is
             impetuous
             and
             impatient
             of
             delay
             ;
             and
             earnest
             for
             what
             is
             present
             with
             the
             neglect
             of
             the
             future
             Glory
             .
             But
             the
             unreasonableness
             of
             this
             is
             evident
             to
             all
             ;
             for
             't
             is
             not
             a
             new
             and
             strange
             thing
             to
             sow
             in
             hopes
             of
             reaping
             a
             Harvest
             ,
             for
             Men
             to
             be
             industrious
             and
             active
             on
             Land
             and
             Sea
             for
             future
             Advantage
             .
             Nay
             ,
             't
             is
             the
             constant
             practice
             of
             the
             World
             :
             The
             Merchant
             ,
             the
             Husbandman
             ,
             the
             Student
             ,
             the
             Souldier
             ,
             and
             every
             Man
             in
             the
             Circle
             of
             his
             Calling
             are
             visible
             Instances
             of
             this
             ;
             and
             tho
             many
             times
             the
             most
             flourishing
             Hopes
             are
             blasted
             ,
             they
             are
             not
             discouraged
             .
             And
             is
             it
             not
             a
             sight
             full
             of
             wonder
             to
             observe
             Men
             chearful
             in
             Labours
             and
             Hardships
             in
             the
             Service
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             to
             carry
             it
             so
             lightly
             as
             if
             they
             had
             Wings
             ,
             and
             all
             for
             a
             poor
             and
             uncertain
             Recompence
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             slow
             and
             languid
             in
             their
             Endeavours
             for
             a
             Reward
             as
             great
             and
             as
             sure
             as
             God
             is
             glorious
             
             and
             true
             ?
             How
             many
             ambitiously
             strive
             to
             please
             a
             Prince
             ,
             and
             wait
             long
             in
             his
             Service
             ,
             who
             is
             but
             a
             Man
             ,
             and
             therefore
             variable
             in
             his
             Temper
             and
             State
             ,
             sometimes
             is
             not
             willing
             to
             do
             what
             he
             can
             ,
             and
             sometimes
             cannot
             do
             what
             he
             would
             to
             reward
             his
             Servants
             ?
             And
             is
             there
             not
             infinitely
             more
             reason
             we
             should
             labour
             to
             please
             God
             ,
             who
             is
             the
             most
             liberal
             ,
             and
             rich
             ,
             and
             
               certain
               Rewarder
               of
               all
               that
               seek
               him
               ?
            
          
           
             3.
             
             Consider
             how
             gracious
             the
             Terms
             are
             upon
             which
             Heaven
             is
             promised
             in
             the
             Gospel
             .
             Our
             Saviour's
             Laws
             are
             so
             holy
             ,
             just
             ,
             and
             in
             their
             own
             Nature
             so
             good
             to
             Men
             ,
             even
             in
             their
             present
             performance
             ,
             that
             their
             own
             Excellence
             ,
             and
             Equity
             ,
             and
             Sweetness
             ,
             is
             sufficient
             to
             recommend
             them
             without
             a
             respect
             to
             the
             glorious
             Reward
             of
             Obedience
             .
             For
             what
             can
             be
             more
             desirable
             than
             conformity
             to
             the
             Nature
             of
             the
             blessed
             God
             ?
             What
             Pleasure
             is
             comparable
             to
             that
             which
             springs
             from
             a
             pure
             Conscience
             ,
             from
             a
             godly
             ,
             righteous
             and
             sober
             Conversation
             ?
             How
             joyful
             is
             the
             performance
             of
             that
             Service
             which
             more
             immediately
             is
             directed
             to
             the
             honour
             of
             the
             Divine
             Majesty
             ?
             In
             Prayer
             ,
             and
             
             other
             sacred
             Actions
             ,
             we
             draw
             near
             to
             the
             Fountain
             of
             Felicity
             ,
             and
             receive
             from
             his
             Fulness
             .
             In
             the
             affectionate
             Praises
             of
             God
             ,
             we
             are
             Companions
             of
             the
             Angels
             .
             And
             is
             not
             Integrity
             and
             Honesty
             in
             our
             dealings
             with
             Men
             more
             easy
             and
             comfortable
             than
             Fraud
             and
             Oppression
             ?
             Is
             it
             not
             troublesome
             to
             be
             always
             under
             a
             Mask
             ,
             to
             use
             arts
             and
             disguises
             to
             avoid
             the
             reproach
             and
             revenge
             that
             attends
             unjust
             Actions
             when
             discovered
             ?
             Are
             Temperance
             and
             Chastity
             as
             hurtful
             to
             the
             Body
             ,
             as
             Luxury
             and
             Lasciviousness
             ,
             the
             essential
             parts
             of
             Carnal
             Felicity
             ?
             How
             miserably
             distracted
             is
             Man
             when
             the
             Heart
             is
             rent
             with
             numberless
             Vanities
             ,
             the
             Affections
             divided
             between
             various
             Objects
             !
             how
             quiet
             and
             composed
             ,
             when
             the
             Heart
             is
             united
             to
             God
             as
             the
             supreme
             Good
             ,
             and
             the
             Affections
             joyfully
             conspire
             in
             his
             Service
             !
             Can
             it
             then
             be
             pretended
             that
             the
             Yoke
             of
             Christ
             is
             heavy
             ,
             and
             his
             Law
             hard
             ?
             Or
             are
             his
             Promises
             uncertain
             ,
             and
             his
             Reward
             small
             ?
             No
             ,
             
               his
               Commands
               are
               not
               grievous
               ;
               in
               the
               keeping
               them
               there
               is
               a
               great
               Reward
               ,
            
             a
             present
             Paradise
             .
             Religion
             will
             make
             us
             happy
             hereafter
             in
             the
             enjoyment
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             happy
             here
             in
             Obedience
             to
             
             his
             Holy
             Will.
             Such
             is
             his
             Goodness
             ,
             that
             our
             Duty
             and
             Happiness
             are
             the
             same
             .
          
           
             But
             it
             will
             be
             said
             ,
             That
             the
             Gospel
             requires
             
               us
               to
               pluck
               out
               the
               right
               Eye
               ,
               and
               to
               cut
               off
               the
               right
               Hand
               ,
               and
               to
               take
               up
               the
               Cross
               of
               Christ
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               to
               mortify
               the
               dearest
               Lusts
               ,
               and
               to
               submit
               to
               the
               sharpest
               Sufferings
               for
               his
               Honour
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               be
               eternally
               Happy
               .
            
          
           
             To
             this
             I
             answer
             ;
          
           
             'T
             is
             true
             ,
             the
             humane
             Nature
             in
             this
             depraved
             State
             ,
             only
             relishes
             such
             Objects
             as
             pleasantly
             insinuate
             with
             the
             Carnal
             Senses
             ,
             and
             't
             is
             bitter
             as
             Death
             to
             bind
             up
             the
             Affections
             from
             them
             .
             But
             Grace
             gives
             a
             
               new
               divine
               Nature
               to
               the
               Soul
               ,
            
             and
             makes
             it
             easy
             to
             abstain
             from
             fleshly
             Lusts.
             To
             make
             this
             more
             clear
             by
             a
             sensible
             Instance
             :
             Suppose
             a
             diseased
             Person
             ,
             whose
             Stomach
             is
             oppress'd
             with
             corrupt
             Humours
             ,
             and
             his
             Throat
             and
             Mouth
             so
             heated
             with
             Choller
             and
             continual
             Thirst
             ,
             that
             he
             thinks
             it
             impossible
             ,
             though
             for
             his
             Life
             ,
             to
             abstain
             from
             immoderate
             Drinking
             .
             If
             a
             Physician
             by
             some
             powerful
             Medicine
             cleanses
             the
             Stomach
             ,
             and
             tempers
             the
             internal
             Heat
             ,
             he
             then
             can
             easily
             restrain
             himself
             from
             
             Excess
             .
             Thus
             a
             Carnal
             Man
             that
             is
             full
             of
             false
             Estimations
             ,
             and
             irregular
             Desires
             ,
             while
             there
             are
             Pleasures
             without
             ,
             and
             Passions
             unsubdued
             within
             ,
             though
             his
             Salvation
             depends
             on
             it
             ,
             thinks
             it
             impossible
             to
             restrain
             the
             exorbitant
             Appetites
             of
             Flesh
             and
             Blood.
             The
             
               Gentiles
               thought
               it
               strange
               Christians
               did
               not
               run
               with
               them
               to
               the
               same
               excess
               of
               Riot
               .
            
             But
             divine
             Grace
             so
             clarifies
             and
             enlightens
             the
             Mind
             ,
             so
             purifies
             and
             elevates
             the
             Affections
             ,
             that
             't
             is
             not
             only
             possible
             but
             easy
             to
             abstain
             from
             unlawful
             Pleasures
             .
             St.
             Austin
             before
             his
             Conversion
             was
             astonish'd
             ,
             that
             many
             in
             the
             vigour
             of
             Youth
             ,
             and
             in
             a
             frail
             World
             lived
             Chastly
             ;
             and
             reflecting
             upon
             himself
             ,
             was
             encouraged
             by
             this
             Thought
             ,
             that
             which
             such
             and
             such
             observe
             ,
             why
             shall
             it
             be
             impossible
             to
             me
             to
             observe
             ?
             and
             upon
             serious
             trial
             ,
             by
             the
             prosperous
             influence
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             was
             a
             Conqueror
             over
             all
             carnal
             Temptations
             .
             Nay
             after
             his
             holy
             Change
             ,
             
             the
             withholding
             his
             Heart
             from
             vitious
             Delights
             ,
             was
             inexpressibly
             more
             sweet
             than
             his
             former
             enjoying
             of
             them
             .
             And
             are
             there
             not
             many
             visible
             examples
             of
             holy
             heavenly
             Christians
             ,
             to
             whom
             grosser
             sensual
             
             Pleasures
             are
             unsavory
             and
             contemptible
             ?
             You
             may
             as
             well
             tell
             the
             number
             of
             the
             Stars
             ,
             as
             of
             those
             who
             have
             practised
             Religion
             in
             its
             strictness
             and
             purity
             ,
             and
             by
             their
             enlightned
             Conversations
             directed
             us
             in
             the
             way
             to
             Heaven
             .
             And
             are
             their
             Bodies
             taken
             from
             the
             Vein
             of
             a
             Rock
             ,
             and
             not
             composed
             of
             Flesh
             and
             Blood
             as
             well
             as
             others
             ?
             Are
             their
             Passions
             ,
             like
             
             Solomon's
             brazen
             Sea
             ,
             unmoveable
             by
             any
             Winds
             of
             Temptations
             ?
             Are
             they
             entirely
             exempted
             from
             the
             impression
             of
             Objects
             ,
             and
             the
             lower
             Affections
             ?
             No
             ,
             they
             are
             alive
             ,
             and
             sensible
             of
             those
             things
             that
             ravish
             the
             Affections
             of
             carnal
             Men
             ,
             but
             by
             the
             power
             of
             Grace
             despise
             and
             overcome
             them
             .
             And
             this
             Grace
             is
             offered
             in
             the
             Gospel
             to
             all
             that
             sincerely
             desire
             it
             ,
             so
             that
             't
             is
             a
             vain
             wretched
             pretence
             that
             Religion
             binds
             to
             hard
             Service
             .
          
           
             To
             the
             other
             part
             of
             the
             Objection
             ,
             that
             sometimes
             Religion
             exposes
             the
             Professors
             of
             it
             to
             heavy
             Sufferings
             ,
             I
             answer
             ,
             Indeed
             the
             Gospel
             is
             plain
             and
             peremptory
             in
             this
             ,
             if
             we
             will
             
               reign
               with
               Christ
               ,
               we
               must
               suffer
               with
               him
               ,
            
             when
             we
             are
             called
             forth
             to
             give
             a
             noble
             testimony
             
             to
             his
             Truth
             .
             'T
             is
             no
             extraordinary
             Elevation
             ,
             no
             point
             of
             Perfection
             ,
             but
             the
             duty
             of
             every
             Christian
             to
             be
             always
             ready
             in
             the
             disposition
             and
             resolution
             of
             his
             Mind
             ,
             to
             sacrifice
             his
             Life
             when
             the
             honour
             of
             Christ
             requires
             it
             .
             But
             't
             is
             no
             hard
             condition
             to
             suffer
             transient
             Afflictions
             for
             the
             obtaining
             a
             Happy
             Immortality
             ,
             to
             be
             conformable
             to
             the
             Image
             of
             our
             suffering
             Redeemer
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             be
             crowned
             with
             his
             Glory
             .
             How
             many
             Christians
             esteemed
             themselves
             honoured
             in
             the
             Disgrace
             ,
             and
             blessed
             in
             the
             Injuries
             they
             suffered
             for
             Christ
             ,
             and
             with
             an
             invincible
             Patience
             ,
             and
             astonishing
             Joy
             ,
             endured
             the
             most
             cruel
             Persecutions
             ,
             though
             yet
             the
             human
             Nature
             in
             them
             was
             as
             tender
             and
             sensible
             of
             Pains
             as
             in
             others
             ?
             but
             the
             natural
             aversion
             and
             repugnance
             to
             suffering
             was
             overruled
             by
             the
             determination
             of
             the
             rational
             Will
             ,
             upon
             the
             account
             of
             their
             Duty
             ,
             and
             the
             Reward
             attending
             it
             .
             They
             gave
             a
             most
             convincing
             sensible
             Testimony
             how
             much
             more
             valuable
             Heaven
             is
             ,
             than
             this
             present
             World
             ,
             willingly
             exposing
             themselves
             to
             all
             Evil
             here
             ,
             
               and
               rejoicing
               in
               hope
            
             of
             a
             glorious
             issue
             .
          
           
             In
             short
             ;
             the
             Reward
             of
             Obedience
             
             is
             a
             triumphal
             Crown
             ;
             and
             where
             there
             is
             no
             Victory
             ,
             there
             can
             be
             no
             Triumph
             ;
             and
             where
             no
             Combat
             ,
             no
             Victory
             ;
             and
             where
             no
             Enemy
             ,
             no
             Combat
             .
             Therefore
             we
             are
             commanded
             to
             fight
             against
             our
             internal
             Enemies
             ,
             our
             corrupt
             Affections
             ,
             to
             kill
             the
             Lusts
             of
             the
             Flesh
             ,
             and
             to
             encounter
             and
             overcome
             ,
             by
             Humility
             and
             meek
             Submissions
             ,
             the
             Cruelty
             of
             malicious
             Enemies
             without
             us
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             obtain
             the
             Crown
             of
             Life
             .
             And
             a
             Believer
             that
             has
             Heaven
             in
             taste
             and
             expectation
             ,
             will
             easily
             renounce
             the
             most
             pleasant
             ,
             and
             willingly
             endure
             the
             sharpest
             Temptations
             ,
             for
             the
             blessed
             Reward
             of
             his
             Obedience
             .
          
           
             Lastly
             ,
             Fervent
             and
             constant
             Prayer
             is
             requisite
             for
             the
             Grace
             of
             God
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             fix
             our
             Aims
             aright
             upon
             eternal
             Happiness
             ,
             and
             use
             those
             sure
             Means
             that
             with
             divine
             Advantage
             are
             propos'd
             in
             the
             Scriptures
             ,
             that
             can
             make
             us
             wise
             to
             Salvation
             ;
             such
             is
             the
             depravation
             of
             Man
             since
             his
             Fall
             ,
             the
             Mind
             is
             diverted
             by
             vain
             Thoughts
             ,
             and
             the
             Heart
             prepossess'd
             with
             sensual
             Desires
             ,
             that
             'till
             
               the
               Spirit
               of
               his
               Mind
               be
               renewed
               ,
            
             and
             his
             original
             Affections
             to
             
             the
             Supream
             Good
             be
             revived
             and
             restored
             by
             Divine
             Grace
             ,
             he
             is
             regardless
             of
             it
             ,
             and
             only
             applies
             himself
             to
             what
             is
             pleasing
             to
             Sense
             .
             There
             may
             be
             some
             transient
             Glances
             ,
             and
             volatile
             Wishes
             of
             Heaven
             in
             Carnal
             Men
             ,
             but
             they
             are
             miserably
             weak
             ,
             and
             ineffectual
             .
             Therefore
             a
             most
             necessary
             Duty
             incumbent
             upon
             us
             ,
             is
             by
             humble
             and
             fervent
             Prayer
             to
             address
             our selves
             to
             God
             for
             his
             Spirit
             ,
             to
             enlighten
             our
             Minds
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             believe
             the
             Reality
             and
             Greatness
             of
             the
             Eternal
             Reward
             ;
             and
             to
             reform
             our
             Wills
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             feel
             its
             attractive
             Force
             .
             Both
             these
             Acts
             of
             the
             Spirit
             are
             requisite
             ,
             that
             the
             Love
             of
             God
             ,
             as
             our
             chief
             Felicity
             ,
             may
             be
             the
             regent
             Principle
             of
             our
             Hearts
             and
             Lives
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             For
             this
             end
             the
             Holy
             Spirit
             convinces
             Men
             thorowly
             of
             the
             Reality
             and
             Greatness
             of
             an
             invisible
             Happiness
             .
             In
             the
             Light
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             how
             many
             of
             eminent
             intellectual
             Faculties
             are
             stupid
             as
             to
             their
             great
             Interest
             ,
             and
             spend
             themselves
             about
             Trifles
             ,
             and
             are
             equally
             tractable
             to
             Eternal
             Ruin
             ,
             as
             the
             Ox
             to
             the
             Slaughter
             ?
             He
             that
             is
             destitute
             of
             the
             illuminating
             Grace
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             
               is
               blind
               ,
               and
               cannot
               see
               afar
               
               off
               .
            
             Now
             by
             the
             Analogy
             between
             the
             corporal
             and
             intellectual
             Faculties
             ,
             we
             may
             understand
             ,
             in
             some
             measure
             ,
             how
             the
             Mind
             is
             illuminated
             by
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God.
             For
             as
             to
             the
             Act
             of
             Seeing
             ,
             two
             things
             are
             requisite
             ;
             1.
             
             External
             Light
             in
             the
             Air
             ,
             without
             which
             the
             Colours
             ,
             Figures
             and
             Beauties
             of
             Objects
             are
             not
             visible
             to
             the
             sharpest
             Eye
             ,
             but
             lie
             obscur'd
             under
             impenetrable
             Darkness
             .
             2.
             
             Internal
             Light
             in
             the
             Eye
             ,
             in
             which
             the
             visive
             Power
             consists
             :
             if
             this
             be
             extinguish'd
             ,
             the
             clearest
             Light
             of
             Heaven
             is
             of
             no
             use
             for
             the
             discovery
             of
             Things
             .
             Thus
             the
             Understanding
             is
             enabled
             to
             see
             Spiritual
             things
             .
             1.
             
             By
             the
             Revelation
             of
             the
             Object
             :
             In
             this
             respect
             
               Life
               and
               Immortality
               are
               brought
               to
               Light
               by
               the
               Gospel
               .
            
             Till
             that
             bright
             Discovery
             was
             made
             of
             Eternal
             Blessedness
             ,
             it
             was
             above
             the
             desires
             and
             hopes
             of
             sinful
             Man.
             
               Coelum
               ,
               homo
               nec
               optare
               poterat
               ex
               ignorantia
               ,
               nec
               sperare
               ex
               propriae
               miseriae
               conscientia
               .
            
             2.
             
             By
             the
             inward
             inlightning
             
               from
               the
               Spirit
               of
               Wisdom
            
             ,
             that
             removes
             the
             Ignorance
             ,
             Prejudice
             ,
             and
             Inadvertency
             of
             the
             Mind
             ,
             which
             as
             Scales
             darkned
             its
             Sight
             ,
             and
             disposes
             it
             to
             perceive
             the
             Verity
             and
             Excellency
             of
             spiritual
             and
             
             future
             Things
             ,
             tho
             not
             with
             comprehensive
             Evidence
             ,
             yet
             with
             that
             assurance
             ,
             that
             no
             doubtfulness
             or
             suspence
             remains
             concerning
             them
             .
             'T
             is
             observable
             that
             Faith
             is
             exprest
             in
             Scripture
             ,
             by
             
               Prudence
               ,
               Wisdom
               ,
               and
               Knowledg
               ,
            
             whereby
             a
             Man
             knows
             the
             Grounds
             and
             Motives
             of
             his
             Judgment
             and
             Actions
             .
             And
             Sin
             is
             called
             Folly.
             For
             as
             when
             the
             understanding
             Faculty
             ,
             either
             from
             the
             indisposedness
             of
             the
             Organs
             ,
             as
             in
             Idiots
             ,
             or
             from
             the
             disorder
             of
             Fancy
             by
             inflammation
             of
             the
             Humours
             ,
             as
             in
             distracted
             Persons
             ,
             cannot
             weigh
             and
             compare
             ,
             and
             therefore
             makes
             a
             perverse
             judgment
             of
             things
             ;
             so
             the
             carnal
             Mind
             ,
             by
             not
             due
             measuring
             and
             pondering
             ,
             judges
             falsly
             of
             spiritual
             Things
             .
             If
             something
             no
             bigger
             than
             the
             Hand
             were
             put
             before
             the
             Eye
             ,
             it
             would
             intercept
             the
             sight
             of
             the
             Heavens
             ;
             and
             he
             that
             not
             considering
             the
             Properties
             of
             things
             near
             and
             distant
             ,
             should
             conclude
             that
             Piece
             to
             be
             bigger
             than
             the
             Heavens
             ,
             were
             justly
             reputed
             a
             Fool.
             And
             the
             folly
             of
             carnal
             Men
             is
             more
             gross
             ,
             who
             prefer
             things
             present
             to
             Sense
             ,
             before
             what
             is
             future
             and
             of
             everlasting
             consequence
             to
             the
             Soul.
             But
             there
             are
             some
             Actions
             ,
             which
             if
             done
             by
             a
             Natural
             ,
             
             would
             be
             counted
             Folly
             ,
             yet
             being
             done
             by
             those
             who
             in
             the
             reputation
             of
             the
             World
             are
             Wise
             ,
             are
             esteemed
             Prudent
             ,
             but
             they
             are
             the
             most
             deplorable
             Folly.
             Now
             as
             the
             restoring
             the
             
               Laesum
               principium
            
             ,
             the
             broken
             Mind
             to
             its
             sound
             state
             ,
             whereby
             't
             is
             able
             to
             consider
             ,
             discern
             and
             conclude
             of
             things
             according
             to
             their
             Nature
             ,
             such
             is
             the
             action
             of
             God's
             Spirit
             upon
             the
             corrupt
             Mind
             ,
             clarifying
             and
             enlightning
             it
             ,
             so
             that
             it
             receives
             full
             conviction
             by
             the
             clearest
             Marks
             of
             divine
             Authority
             shining
             in
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             of
             the
             Truth
             of
             all
             the
             great
             and
             precious
             Promises
             therein
             contained
             ,
             and
             causing
             it
             ,
             by
             a
             steady
             application
             of
             the
             Thoughts
             ,
             to
             see
             the
             vast
             difference
             between
             what
             is
             Temporal
             ,
             and
             Eternal
             ;
             how
             despicably
             light
             all
             the
             Vanities
             of
             this
             World
             are
             found
             ,
             when
             put
             in
             the
             Ballance
             against
             the
             infinite
             inestimable
             Happiness
             of
             the
             next
             .
             In
             short
             ,
             the
             renewed
             Mind
             knows
             Spiritual
             Things
             according
             to
             their
             Nature
             and
             Qualities
             ,
             believes
             ,
             esteems
             ,
             and
             determines
             that
             they
             are
             of
             eternal
             Moment
             ,
             and
             absolutely
             necessary
             for
             the
             Happiness
             of
             Man.
             And
             as
             when
             the
             natural
             Faculty
             of
             seeing
             is
             perish'd
             ,
             't
             is
             irreparable
             by
             human
             Skill
             ,
             and
             without
             a
             Miracle
             can
             
             never
             be
             restored
             ;
             so
             the
             intellectual
             Faculty
             ,
             when
             darkned
             by
             sinful
             Lusts
             ,
             without
             the
             renewing
             power
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             
               can
               never
               know
               Spiritual
               Things
               as
               they
               ought
               to
               be
               known
               .
            
             Therefore
             as
             the
             blind
             Men
             in
             the
             Gospel
             who
             dispair'd
             of
             help
             from
             the
             Physicians
             ,
             hearing
             of
             the
             miraculous
             Power
             of
             Christ
             ,
             importunately
             begg'd
             his
             healing
             Mercy
             ;
             so
             let
             us
             pray
             to
             the
             Light
             and
             Saviour
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             but
             in
             a
             more
             noble
             and
             higher
             Sense
             ,
             
               Lord
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               receive
               our
               sight
               .
            
             Let
             us
             with
             the
             most
             zealous
             Affections
             call
             upon
             
               the
               God
               of
               our
               Lord
               Jesus
               Christ
               ,
               the
               Father
               of
               Glory
               ,
               that
               he
               would
               give
               unto
               us
               the
               Spirit
               of
               Wisdom
               and
               Revelation
               in
               the
               knowledg
               of
               him
               ,
               the
               Eyes
               of
               our
               understanding
               being
               inlightned
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               know
               what
               is
               the
               hope
               of
               his
               Calling
               ,
               and
               what
               the
               Riches
               of
               the
               Glory
               of
               his
               Inheritance
               in
               the
               Saints
               .
            
          
           
             2.
             
             The
             efficacious
             Influence
             of
             the
             Holy
             Spirit
             is
             requisite
             to
             change
             the
             Will
             ,
             that
             with
             a
             free
             and
             full
             consent
             it
             may
             desire
             and
             prosecute
             the
             Spiritual
             Eternal
             Good.
             Without
             this
             ,
             the
             conviction
             of
             the
             Mind
             is
             not
             powerful
             enough
             to
             convert
             the
             Soul
             from
             the
             love
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             to
             choose
             Heaven
             .
             There
             may
             be
             an
             inlightned
             Conscience
             ,
             
             without
             a
             renewed
             Heart
             .
             Though
             the
             Judgment
             assents
             that
             God
             is
             the
             Supream
             Good
             ,
             
               yet
               till
               the
               Heart
               be
               circumcised
               ,
            
             the
             sensuality
             of
             the
             Affections
             taken
             away
             ,
             divine
             Love
             that
             directs
             the
             Life
             to
             God
             as
             our
             blessed
             End
             ,
             can
             never
             possess
             it
             .
             Suppose
             that
             Men
             had
             a
             sensible
             and
             strong
             assurance
             of
             the
             Eternal
             State
             hereafter
             ,
             if
             all
             those
             who
             lived
             godly
             in
             a
             visible
             manner
             ascended
             with
             Elias
             to
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             if
             all
             who
             continued
             in
             their
             Sins
             visibly
             descended
             into
             Hell
             ,
             as
             Corah
             and
             his
             Company
             were
             swallowed
             up
             alive
             by
             the
             Earth
             ,
             before
             the
             Israelites
             ;
             if
             Men
             could
             hear
             the
             joyful
             Exultations
             of
             the
             Saints
             above
             ,
             their
             high
             Praises
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             hear
             the
             desperate
             Crys
             and
             deep
             Complaints
             of
             the
             Damned
             :
             if
             one
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             desire
             of
             the
             rich
             Man
             ,
             were
             sent
             from
             Hell
             ,
             and
             with
             his
             Fiery
             Tongue
             should
             relate
             what
             he
             had
             seen
             and
             suffer'd
             ,
             and
             exhibit
             a
             sensible
             demonstration
             in
             himself
             of
             those
             Torments
             ,
             yet
             this
             alone
             were
             not
             sufficient
             to
             draw
             off
             their
             Hearts
             from
             the
             deceitful
             Happiness
             of
             this
             World
             ,
             and
             fasten
             them
             on
             the
             perfect
             and
             Eternal
             Happiness
             in
             the
             next
             .
             Indeed
             they
             could
             not
             then
             indulge
             
             their
             Lusts
             so
             securely
             ,
             but
             they
             
               would
               be
               Strangers
               to
               the
               Life
               of
               God
               ,
            
             such
             an
             inveterate
             alienation
             of
             Heart
             is
             in
             Men
             from
             real
             Holiness
             .
             Till
             the
             sanctifying
             Spirit
             by
             a
             directive
             persuasive
             Light
             that
             represents
             the
             Truth
             and
             Goodness
             of
             Spiritual
             Things
             ,
             transforms
             the
             Soul
             ,
             and
             makes
             it
             Spiritual
             in
             its
             Valuations
             and
             Affections
             ,
             't
             is
             inwardly
             averse
             from
             Grace
             and
             Glory
             .
             
               The
               Lord
               direct
               our
               Hearts
               into
               the
               Love
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               into
               the
               patient
               waiting
               for
               Christ
               ,
               when
               he
               shall
               come
               to
               be
               glorified
               in
               his
               Saints
               ,
               and
               admired
               in
               all
               them
               that
               believe
               .
            
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
       
         
         
         
           OF
           HELL
           .
        
         
           BY
           WILLIAM
           BATES
           ,
           D.D.
           
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           by
           
             J.
             D.
          
           for
           
             Brabazon
             Aylmer
          
           ,
           at
           the
           Three
           Pigeons
           against
           the
           Royal
           Exchange
           in
           Cornhil
           .
           1691.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           OF
           HELL
           .
        
         
           
             
               
                 Mark
                 9.48
              
               .
            
             
               Where
               their
               Worm
               dieth
               not
               ,
               and
               the
               Fire
               is
               not
               quenched
               .
            
          
        
         
           THE
           Words
           are
           the
           repetition
           of
           a
           powerful
           Motive
           ,
           by
           our
           Blessed
           Saviour
           ,
           to
           deter
           Men
           from
           indulging
           Temptations
           to
           sin
           ,
           how
           grateful
           or
           useful
           soever
           to
           them
           :
           
             If
             thy
             Hand
             offend
             thee
             ,
             cut
             it
             off
             ;
             if
             thy
             Foot
             offend
             thee
             ,
             cut
             it
             off
             ;
             if
             thy
             Eye
             offend
             thee
             ,
             pluck
             it
             out
             .
          
           All
           the
           Occasions
           whereby
           Sin
           insinuates
           it self
           ,
           and
           inflames
           our
           Inclinations
           ,
           whether
           it
           bribes
           us
           with
           Profit
           ,
           or
           allures
           by
           Pleasure
           ,
           must
           be
           immediately
           cut
           off
           ,
           
           and
           for
           ever
           separated
           from
           us
           .
           This
           Counsel
           seems
           very
           severe
           to
           the
           natural
           Man
           ,
           who
           freely
           converses
           with
           Temptations
           :
           To
           do
           Violence
           to
           himself
           ,
           and
           tear
           his
           beloved
           Lusts
           from
           his
           Bosom
           ,
           the
           Carnal
           Nature
           will
           not
           consent
           to
           .
           Our
           Saviour
           therefore
           urges
           such
           Arguments
           as
           may
           move
           the
           Understanding
           and
           Affections
           ,
           may
           strike
           Sense
           and
           Conscience
           :
           
             For
             it
             is
             better
             to
             enter
             into
             Life
             maimed
             ,
             than
             having
             two
             Hands
             to
             go
             into
             Hell
             where
             the
             Fire
             never
             shall
             be
             quenched
             .
          
           Hope
           and
           Fear
           are
           the
           most
           active
           Passions
           :
           The
           Hope
           of
           Heaven
           is
           motive
           enough
           to
           induce
           a
           true
           Believer
           to
           despise
           and
           reject
           all
           the
           Advantages
           and
           Pleasures
           of
           Sin
           that
           are
           but
           for
           a
           Season
           :
           and
           the
           fear
           of
           an
           Everlasting
           Hell
           ,
           is
           strong
           enough
           to
           controul
           the
           vicious
           Appetites
           .
           Reason
           determines
           ,
           that
           when
           a
           Gangreen
           that
           is
           deadly
           and
           spreading
           ,
           
           has
           seiz'd
           upon
           a
           Member
           ,
           presently
           to
           cut
           off
           an
           affected
           Arm
           or
           Leg
           ,
           to
           save
           the
           rest
           :
           how
           much
           more
           reasonable
           and
           necessary
           is
           it
           to
           part
           with
           the
           most
           charming
           and
           favourite
           Sin
           ,
           to
           preserve
           the
           Soul
           from
           Eternal
           Death
           ?
           'T
           is
           observable
           ,
           our
           Saviour
           inculcates
           three
           times
           ,
           
           that
           Men
           may
           take
           notice
           of
           it
           with
           terror
           ,
           
             Where
             the
             Worm
             never
             dies
             ,
             and
             the
             Fire
             is
             never
             quenched
             :
          
           A
           Worm
           gnawing
           upon
           the
           Bowels
           ,
           that
           are
           of
           the
           most
           tender
           and
           quick
           sense
           ,
           Fire
           that
           causes
           the
           most
           vehement
           pain
           ,
           are
           fearful
           Representations
           to
           typify
           the
           Torments
           of
           the
           Damned
           :
           And
           that
           the
           Worm
           is
           undying
           ,
           and
           the
           Fire
           unquenchable
           ,
           infinitely
           aggravates
           their
           Punishment
           .
        
         
           The
           Proposition
           is
           this
           :
           That
           the
           punishment
           of
           those
           who
           will
           retain
           their
           pleasant
           or
           profitable
           Sins
           ,
           shall
           be
           extream
           and
           eternal
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           handling
           of
           this
           Point
           ,
           I
           will
           ,
           
             
               1.
               
               Discourse
               of
               the
               Extremity
               of
               the
               Punishment
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Of
               the
               Eternity
               of
               it
               .
            
          
        
         
           1.
           
           Of
           the
           Extremity
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           Before
           the
           particular
           Description
           of
           the
           Pains
           of
           the
           Damned
           ,
           I
           shall
           observe
           in
           general
           ,
           That
           the
           full
           Representation
           of
           Hell
           is
           beyond
           all
           humane
           Expression
           ,
           nay
           our
           most
           fearful
           Thoughts
           cannot
           equal
           the
           Horror
           of
           it
           .
           
           
             Who
             knows
             the
             Power
             of
             thine
             Anger
             ?
          
           
           What
           are
           the
           prepared
           Plagues
           ,
           by
           infinite
           Justice
           and
           Almighty
           Wrath
           for
           obstinate
           Sinners
           ?
           It
           is
           impossible
           for
           the
           most
           guilty
           and
           trembling
           Conscience
           to
           inlarge
           its
           sad
           apprehensions
           according
           to
           the
           degrees
           of
           that
           Misery
           .
           
             The
             Lord
             will
             shew
             forth
             his
             Wrath
             ,
             and
             make
             his
             Power
             known
             in
             the
             Vessels
             fitted
             for
             Destruction
             .
          
           None
           can
           tell
           what
           God
           can
           do
           ,
           and
           what
           Man
           shall
           suffer
           ,
           when
           made
           capable
           to
           endure
           such
           Torments
           for
           ever
           ,
           as
           now
           would
           presently
           consume
           him
           .
           As
           the
           Glory
           of
           Heaven
           cannot
           be
           fully
           understood
           till
           enjoyed
           ,
           so
           the
           Torments
           of
           Hell
           cannot
           be
           comprehended
           till
           felt
           .
           But
           we
           may
           have
           some
           discovery
           of
           those
           unknown
           Terrors
           ,
           by
           the
           following
           Considerations
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           most
           heavy
           Judgments
           of
           God
           upon
           Sinners
           here
           ,
           are
           light
           and
           tolerable
           in
           Comparison
           of
           the
           Punishment
           of
           Sinners
           in
           the
           next
           State.
           For
           ,
        
         
           (
           1.
           )
           Temporal
           Evils
           of
           all
           kinds
           and
           degrees
           ,
           as
           Pestilence
           ,
           Famine
           ,
           War
           ,
           are
           designed
           for
           the
           bringing
           of
           Men
           to
           a
           sight
           and
           sense
           of
           their
           Sins
           ,
           and
           are
           common
           to
           Good
           and
           Bad
           
           here
           .
           And
           if
           his
           Anger
           be
           so
           terrible
           when
           he
           chastises
           as
           a
           compassionate
           Father
           ,
           what
           is
           his
           Fury
           when
           he
           punishes
           as
           a
           severe
           Judg
           ?
           If
           the
           correcting
           Remedies
           ordered
           by
           his
           Wisdom
           and
           Love
           for
           the
           conversion
           of
           Sinners
           be
           so
           sharp
           ,
           what
           is
           the
           deadly
           revenge
           of
           his
           irreconcileable
           Hatred
           ?
        
         
           (
           2.
           )
           The
           Miseries
           of
           the
           present
           State
           are
           allayed
           with
           some
           enjoyments
           .
           None
           are
           so
           universally
           afflicted
           ,
           so
           desolate
           ,
           but
           something
           remains
           to
           sweeten
           the
           sense
           of
           their
           Sufferings
           .
           Judgments
           are
           tempered
           with
           Mercies
           .
           No
           Man
           is
           tortur'd
           with
           all
           Diseases
           ,
           nor
           forsaken
           of
           all
           Friends
           ,
           nor
           utterly
           without
           Comfort
           .
           And
           when
           the
           Affliction
           is
           irremediable
           ,
           yet
           if
           our
           grief
           produces
           Sympathy
           in
           others
           ,
           't
           is
           some
           ease
           to
           the
           troubled
           Mind
           ,
           and
           by
           that
           assistance
           the
           Burthen
           is
           made
           lighter
           .
           But
           in
           Hell
           the
           Damned
           are
           surrounded
           with
           Terrors
           ,
           encompast
           with
           Flames
           ,
           without
           any
           thing
           to
           refresh
           their
           Sorrows
           ,
           not
           a
           drop
           of
           Water
           to
           a
           Lake
           of
           Fire
           .
           All
           that
           was
           esteemed
           Felicity
           here
           ,
           is
           totally
           withdrawn
           .
           Death
           puts
           a
           period
           to
           their
           Lives
           ,
           and
           Pleasures
           of
           Sin
           for
           ever
           .
           For
           't
           is
           most
           just
           ,
           that
           those
           Objects
           which
           were
           abused
           
           by
           their
           Lusts
           ,
           and
           alienated
           their
           Hearts
           from
           their
           Duty
           and
           Felicity
           ,
           should
           be
           taken
           away
           .
           And
           which
           is
           extream
           Misery
           ,
           in
           their
           most
           pitiful
           State
           they
           are
           absolutely
           unpitied
           .
           Pity
           is
           the
           cheap
           and
           universal
           Lenitive
           ,
           not
           denied
           to
           the
           most
           guilty
           in
           their
           Sufferings
           here
           :
           for
           the
           Law
           of
           Nature
           instructs
           us
           to
           pity
           the
           Man
           ,
           when
           the
           Malefactor
           suffers
           .
           But
           even
           this
           is
           not
           afforded
           to
           the
           Damned
           .
           All
           their
           Agonies
           and
           Cries
           cannot
           incline
           the
           Compassion
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           blessed
           Spirits
           in
           Heaven
           towards
           them
           :
           for
           they
           are
           not
           compassionable
           Objects
           ,
           their
           Misery
           being
           the
           just
           effect
           of
           their
           perverse
           obstinate
           Choice
           .
           And
           in
           Hell
           all
           human
           tender
           Affections
           are
           extinguisht
           for
           ever
           .
           Now
           't
           is
           the
           perfection
           of
           Misery
           ,
           the
           excess
           of
           Desolation
           ,
           to
           be
           deprived
           of
           all
           good
           things
           pleasing
           to
           our
           Desires
           ,
           and
           to
           suffer
           all
           Evils
           from
           which
           we
           have
           the
           deepest
           aversation
           and
           abhorrence
           .
           As
           in
           Heaven
           all
           Good
           is
           eminently
           comprised
           ,
           and
           nothing
           but
           Good
           ,
           so
           in
           Hell
           all
           Evil
           is
           in
           excessive
           degrees
           ,
           and
           nothing
           but
           Evil.
           
        
         
           (
           3.
           )
           Temporal
           Evils
           are
           inflicted
           by
           
           the
           mediation
           of
           second
           Causes
           that
           are
           of
           a
           limited
           power
           to
           hurt
           :
           but
           in
           the
           next
           World
           he
           more
           immediately
           torments
           the
           Damned
           by
           his
           absolute
           Power
           .
           The
           Apostle
           tells
           us
           ,
           that
           the
           Wicked
           
             are
             punished
             with
             everlasting
             Destruction
             from
             the
             presence
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             the
             Glory
             of
             his
             Power
             .
          
           
           What
           is
           the
           lashing
           with
           a
           few
           Rushes
           ,
           to
           a
           blow
           given
           by
           the
           hand
           of
           a
           Giant
           that
           strikes
           dead
           at
           once
           ?
           This
           comparison
           is
           below
           the
           Truth
           .
        
         
           More
           particularly
           ,
           
           the
           state
           of
           Misery
           is
           set
           forth
           in
           Scripture
           by
           such
           representations
           as
           may
           powerfully
           instruct
           and
           terrify
           even
           the
           most
           carnal
           Men.
           Nothing
           is
           more
           intolerably
           painful
           ,
           than
           suffering
           the
           violence
           of
           Fire
           inraged
           with
           Brimstone
           :
           and
           Hell
           is
           described
           by
           a
           Lake
           of
           Fire
           and
           Brimstone
           ,
           wherein
           the
           Wicked
           are
           tormented
           .
           Whether
           the
           Fire
           be
           Material
           
           or
           Metaphorical
           ,
           the
           reality
           and
           intenseness
           of
           the
           Torment
           is
           signified
           by
           it
           .
           But
           the
           ordinary
           Fire
           ,
           tho
           mingled
           with
           the
           most
           torturing
           Ingredients
           ,
           is
           not
           an
           adequate
           representation
           of
           it
           .
           For
           that
           is
           prepared
           by
           Men
           ,
           but
           the
           Fire
           of
           Hell
           is
           prepared
           by
           the
           Wrath
           of
           God
           for
           the
           Devil
           and
           his
           Angels
           .
           The
           Divine
           Power
           is
           illustriously
           manifested
           in
           that
           terrible
           Preparation
           :
           So
           that
           ,
           as
           some
           of
           the
           Fathers
           express
           it
           ,
           if
           one
           of
           the
           Damned
           might
           pass
           from
           those
           Flames
           into
           the
           fiercest
           Fires
           here
           ,
           it
           were
           to
           exchange
           a
           Torment
           for
           a
           Refreshment
           .
           The
           Scripture
           speaks
           of
           the
           vehement
           heat
           and
           fiery
           Thirst
           ,
           and
           outer
           Darkness
           in
           which
           the
           Damned
           suffer
           ,
           to
           satisfy
           the
           rights
           of
           Justice
           in
           the
           torment
           of
           those
           Senses
           ,
           for
           the
           Pleasure
           of
           which
           Men
           wilfully
           broke
           the
           Laws
           of
           God.
           
        
         
           But
           the
           Soul
           being
           the
           chief
           Sinner
           ,
           shall
           be
           the
           chief
           Mourner
           in
           those
           Regions
           of
           Sorrow
           .
           An
           Image
           of
           this
           we
           have
           in
           the
           Agonies
           of
           Spirit
           ,
           which
           sometimes
           the
           Saints
           themselves
           are
           in
           here
           ,
           and
           which
           the
           most
           stubborn
           Sinners
           can
           neither
           resist
           nor
           endure
           .
           Job
           was
           afflicted
           in
           that
           manner
           that
           he
           complains
           ,
           
             The
             Arrows
             of
             the
             Almighty
             
             are
             with
             me
             ,
             the
             Poison
             whereof
             drinks
             up
             my
             Spirit
             ,
             the
             Terrors
             of
             God
             set
             themselves
             in
             Array
             against
             me
             .
          
           If
           a
           Spark
           of
           his
           Displeasure
           falls
           on
           the
           guilty
           Conscience
           ,
           it
           tears
           and
           blows
           up
           all
           ,
           as
           a
           Fire-ball
           cast
           into
           a
           Magazine
           .
           Solomon
           ,
           who
           understood
           the
           Frame
           of
           humane
           Nature
           ,
           tells
           us
           ,
           
             The
             Spirit
             of
             a
             Man
             can
             bear
             his
             Infirmity
             :
          
           that
           is
           ,
           the
           Mind
           fortified
           by
           principles
           of
           moral
           Counsel
           and
           Constancy
           ,
           can
           endure
           the
           assault
           of
           external
           Evils
           :
           but
           
             a
             wounded
             Spirit
             who
             can
             bear
             ?
          
           This
           is
           most
           insupportable
           when
           the
           sting
           and
           remorse
           of
           the
           Mind
           is
           from
           the
           sense
           of
           Guilt
           :
           for
           then
           God
           appears
           an
           Enemy
           ,
           righteous
           and
           severe
           ;
           and
           who
           can
           encounter
           with
           offended
           Omnipotence
           ?
           Such
           is
           the
           sharpness
           of
           his
           Sword
           ,
           and
           the
           weight
           of
           his
           Hand
           ,
           that
           every
           stroke
           is
           deadly
           inward
           .
           Satan
           the
           cruel
           Enemy
           of
           Souls
           ,
           exasperates
           the
           Wounds
           .
           He
           discovers
           and
           charges
           Sin
           upon
           the
           Conscience
           with
           all
           its
           killing
           Aggravations
           ,
           and
           conceals
           the
           divine
           Mercy
           ,
           the
           only
           Lenitive
           and
           Balm
           to
           the
           Wounded
           Spirit
           .
           What
           Visions
           of
           Horror
           ,
           what
           Spectacles
           of
           Fear
           ,
           what
           Scenes
           of
           Sorrow
           are
           presented
           to
           the
           distracted
           
           Mind
           by
           the
           Prince
           of
           Darkness
           ?
           And
           which
           heightens
           the
           Misery
           ,
           Man
           is
           a
           worse
           Enemy
           to
           himself
           than
           Satan
           :
           he
           falls
           upon
           his
           own
           Sword
           and
           destroys
           himself
           .
           The
           guilty
           Conscience
           turns
           
             the
             Sun
             into
             Darkness
             ,
             and
             the
             Moon
             into
             Blood
             :
          
           the
           precious
           Promises
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           that
           assure
           Favour
           and
           Pardon
           to
           returning
           and
           relenting
           Sinners
           ,
           are
           turn'd
           into
           Arguments
           of
           despair
           ,
           by
           reflecting
           upon
           the
           abuse
           and
           provocation
           of
           Mercy
           ,
           that
           the
           Advocate
           in
           God's
           bosom
           ,
           is
           become
           the
           Accuser
           .
           Whatever
           the
           Soul-wounded
           Sinner
           sees
           or
           hears
           ,
           afflicts
           him
           ;
           whatever
           he
           thinks
           ,
           torments
           him
           .
           All
           the
           Diversions
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           Business
           ,
           Pleasures
           ,
           merry
           Conversation
           ,
           Comedies
           ,
           are
           as
           ineffectual
           to
           give
           freedom
           from
           those
           Stings
           and
           Furies
           in
           the
           Breast
           ,
           as
           the
           sprinkling
           of
           Holy
           Water
           is
           to
           expel
           a
           raging
           Devil
           from
           a
           possest
           Person
           .
           Those
           who
           in
           their
           Pride
           and
           Jollity
           ,
           have
           despised
           serious
           Religion
           ,
           either
           as
           a
           fond
           Transport
           and
           Extasy
           towards
           God
           ,
           or
           a
           dull
           Melancholy
           and
           Dejection
           about
           the
           Soul
           ,
           or
           an
           idle
           Scrupulosity
           about
           indifferent
           things
           ,
           yet
           when
           God
           has
           set
           their
           Sins
           
           with
           all
           their
           killing
           circumstances
           in
           order
           before
           their
           Eyes
           ,
           how
           changed
           ,
           how
           confounded
           are
           they
           at
           that
           Apparition
           ?
           how
           restless
           ,
           with
           the
           dreadful
           expectation
           of
           the
           doom
           that
           attends
           them
           !
           Belshazzer
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           his
           Cups
           ,
           and
           Herd
           of
           Concubines
           ,
           by
           a
           few
           Words
           written
           on
           the
           Wall
           ,
           containing
           his
           Process
           and
           Judgment
           ,
           was
           so
           terrified
           by
           his
           guilty
           jealous
           Conscience
           ,
           that
           his
           Joints
           were
           loosed
           ,
           Nature
           sunk
           under
           the
           apprehension
           .
           Now
           all
           these
           troubles
           of
           Mind
           ,
           are
           but
           the
           beginnings
           of
           Sorrows
           ,
           but
           the
           Smoak
           of
           the
           infernal
           Furnace
           ,
           but
           Earnests
           of
           that
           terrible
           Sum
           which
           divine
           Justice
           will
           severely
           exact
           of
           the
           Wicked
           in
           Hell.
           
        
         
           Indeed
           these
           Examples
           are
           rare
           ,
           and
           not
           regarded
           by
           the
           most
           ,
           and
           by
           some
           lookt
           on
           as
           the
           effects
           of
           Distraction
           ;
           but
           to
           convince
           the
           bold
           and
           careless
           Sinners
           who
           never
           felt
           the
           stings
           of
           an
           awakned
           Conscience
           ,
           what
           extream
           Terrors
           seize
           upon
           the
           Wicked
           in
           the
           other
           World
           ?
           Consider
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           Apprehension
           shall
           be
           more
           clear
           and
           enlarged
           than
           in
           the
           present
           State.
           Now
           the
           Soul
           is
           opprest
           with
           a
           weight
           of
           Clay
           ,
           and
           in
           Drowsiness
           and
           
           Obscurity
           .
           The
           great
           things
           of
           Eternity
           are
           of
           little
           force
           to
           convince
           the
           Conscience
           ,
           or
           perswade
           the
           Affections
           .
           But
           then
           the
           Soul
           shall
           work
           with
           the
           quickest
           activity
           .
           The
           Mind
           shall
           by
           an
           irresistible
           Light
           take
           a
           full
           view
           of
           all
           afflicting
           Objects
           .
           The
           most
           stupid
           and
           unconcerned
           Sinners
           shall
           then
           see
           and
           feel
           their
           ruin'd
           State
           ,
           what
           a
           glorious
           Felicity
           they
           have
           lost
           ,
           what
           a
           Misery
           they
           are
           plunged
           into
           ,
           without
           any
           possibility
           of
           lessening
           it
           by
           false
           Conceits
           ,
           and
           receiving
           any
           relief
           by
           the
           error
           of
           Imagination
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           mournful
           Thoughts
           shall
           be
           always
           fixt
           upon
           what
           is
           tormenting
           .
           The
           Soul
           in
           conjunction
           with
           the
           Body
           cannot
           always
           apply
           it self
           to
           one
           sort
           of
           Objects
           .
           For
           the
           Ministry
           of
           the
           sensible
           Faculties
           is
           requisite
           to
           its
           Operations
           .
           And
           the
           Body
           must
           be
           supported
           by
           Eating
           and
           Drinking
           and
           Rest
           ,
           which
           interrupts
           troublesom
           Thoughts
           .
           Besides
           ,
           the
           variety
           of
           Objects
           and
           Accidents
           here
           avert
           the
           Mind
           sometimes
           from
           what
           is
           afflicting
           .
           But
           the
           separate
           Soul
           is
           in
           no
           dependance
           on
           the
           Body
           ,
           and
           after
           their
           reunion
           ,
           there
           shall
           be
           no
           necessity
           of
           Food
           or
           Sleep
           ,
           or
           any
           other
           animal
           actions
           to
           support
           
           it
           ,
           but
           it
           shall
           be
           restored
           to
           a
           new
           capacity
           for
           new
           Torments
           ,
           and
           preserved
           in
           that
           miserable
           State
           by
           the
           power
           of
           God.
           There
           will
           be
           nothing
           then
           to
           divert
           the
           lost
           Soul
           from
           sad
           Reflections
           upon
           its
           Misery
           .
           There
           are
           no
           lucid
           intervals
           in
           Hell.
           
        
         
           3.
           
           All
           the
           tormenting
           Passions
           will
           then
           be
           let
           loose
           at
           once
           upon
           the
           guilty
           Creature
           .
           And
           if
           there
           be
           no
           single
           Passion
           so
           weak
           ,
           but
           heightned
           ,
           will
           break
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           render
           Life
           so
           miserable
           ,
           that
           a
           Man
           will
           take
           Sanctuary
           in
           the
           Grave
           to
           escape
           ;
           how
           miserable
           is
           the
           Condition
           when
           the
           most
           fierce
           and
           united
           Passions
           war
           against
           the
           Soul
           ?
           This
           is
           signified
           by
           the
           
             never-dying
             Worm
          
           that
           gnaws
           on
           the
           tenderest
           parts
           ,
           and
           of
           quickest
           sense
           .
           Shame
           ,
           Sorrow
           ,
           Despair
           ,
           Fury
           ,
           Hatred
           and
           Revenge
           are
           some
           of
           that
           brood
           of
           Vipers
           that
           torment
           the
           Damned
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Shame
           is
           a
           Passion
           of
           which
           human
           Nature
           is
           very
           sensible
           ,
           and
           this
           in
           the
           highest
           degree
           of
           Confusion
           shall
           seize
           on
           the
           Wicked
           .
           
           For
           all
           the
           just
           causes
           of
           Shame
           shall
           then
           meet
           .
           The
           inward
           source
           of
           it
           is
           the
           consciousness
           of
           Guilt
           ,
           or
           Turpitude
           and
           Folly
           in
           the
           Actions
           ;
           and
           all
           these
           are
           the
           inseparable
           
           Adjuncts
           of
           Sin.
           
           The
           guilty
           Soul
           by
           a
           piercing
           reflection
           upon
           its
           Crimes
           ,
           has
           a
           secret
           shame
           of
           its
           Degeneracy
           and
           Unworthiness
           .
           The
           Passion
           is
           increast
           ,
           when
           a
           discovery
           is
           made
           of
           vile
           practices
           that
           defile
           and
           debase
           a
           Man
           ,
           expose
           to
           Contempt
           and
           Infamy
           ,
           before
           Persons
           of
           high
           Quality
           and
           eminent
           Vertue
           ,
           whom
           we
           admire
           and
           reverence
           ,
           and
           whose
           esteem
           we
           value
           .
           To
           be
           surprized
           in
           an
           unworthy
           Action
           by
           such
           a
           Person
           ,
           disorders
           the
           Blood
           ,
           and
           transfuses
           a
           Colour
           into
           the
           Face
           ,
           to
           cover
           it
           with
           a
           Vail
           of
           Blushing
           .
           And
           the
           more
           numerous
           the
           Spectators
           are
           ,
           the
           more
           the
           Disgrace
           is
           aggravated
           .
           And
           if
           Derision
           be
           joined
           with
           the
           Ignominy
           ,
           it
           causes
           extream
           Displeasure
           .
           O
           the
           universal
           Confusion
           ,
           the
           over-powring
           amazement
           that
           will
           seise
           on
           Sinners
           in
           the
           great
           Day
           of
           Discovery
           ,
           when
           all
           the
           Works
           of
           Darkness
           ,
           all
           their
           base
           Sensualities
           shall
           be
           revealed
           before
           God
           ,
           Angels
           and
           Saints
           !
           When
           all
           the
           Covers
           of
           Shame
           shall
           be
           taken
           off
           ,
           the
           Excuses
           and
           Denials
           ,
           to
           extenuate
           or
           conceal
           their
           Sins
           ,
           shall
           vanish
           ,
           and
           their
           Breasts
           be
           transparent
           to
           the
           Eyes
           of
           all
           !
           How
           will
           they
           be
           ashamed
           of
           their
           foul
           and
           permanent
           Deformity
           in
           
           the
           Light
           of
           that
           glorious
           Presence
           ?
           How
           will
           they
           be
           astonisht
           to
           appear
           in
           all
           their
           Pollutions
           before
           that
           bright
           and
           immense
           Theatre
           ?
           How
           will
           they
           be
           confounded
           to
           stand
           in
           all
           their
           Guilt
           before
           that
           sublime
           and
           severe
           Tribunal
           ?
           How
           will
           they
           endure
           the
           upbraidings
           for
           all
           the
           Sins
           which
           they
           have
           so
           wickedly
           committed
           ,
           and
           the
           derision
           for
           the
           Punishment
           they
           so
           deservedly
           suffer
           ?
           The
           holy
           Judg
           will
           
             laugh
             at
             their
             Calamity
             ,
             and
             mock
             when
             their
             fear
             comes
             .
             The
             Righteous
             also
             shall
             see
             ,
             and
             shall
             laugh
             at
             them
             ,
          
           Lo
           these
           are
           the
           Men
           that
           made
           not
           God
           their
           Portion
           ,
           but
           perishing
           Vanities
           ,
           that
           prefer'd
           sweet
           Folly
           before
           severe
           Wisdom
           .
           The
           Devils
           will
           reproach
           them
           for
           that
           scornful
           advantage
           they
           had
           over
           them
           ,
           That
           as
           Children
           are
           seduc'd
           for
           things
           of
           Lustre
           to
           part
           with
           real
           Treasures
           ,
           so
           they
           were
           easily
           persuaded
           for
           the
           Trifles
           of
           Time
           to
           exchange
           Eternal
           Happiness
           .
           
             Whither
             will
             they
             cause
             their
             Shame
             to
             go
             ?
          
           
           Those
           black
           Sinners
           that
           here
           never
           change
           colour
           for
           their
           Filthiness
           ,
           that
           hardned
           by
           custom
           in
           Sin
           ,
           are
           impenetrable
           to
           Shame
           ,
           as
           the
           brute
           Beasts
           that
           are
           absolutely
           destitute
           of
           reason
           ,
           nay
           that
           have
           
           not
           only
           overcome
           all
           tenderness
           ,
           but
           
             glory
             in
             their
             Shame
          
           ,
           shall
           glow
           at
           the
           manifestation
           of
           their
           sordid
           Lusts
           ,
           their
           vile
           Servilities
           ,
           and
           be
           covered
           with
           Confusion
           ,
           and
           the
           sense
           of
           it
           shall
           be
           revived
           in
           their
           Minds
           for
           ever
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           To
           open
           Shame
           is
           joined
           the
           greatest
           inward
           Sorrow
           .
           This
           Passion
           ,
           when
           violent
           ,
           penetrates
           the
           Soul
           in
           all
           its
           Faculties
           ,
           and
           fastens
           it
           to
           the
           afflicting
           Object
           .
           When
           it
           dwells
           in
           the
           Bosom
           ,
           it
           gives
           an
           easy
           entrance
           to
           whatever
           cherishes
           and
           increases
           it
           ,
           and
           rejects
           what
           might
           asswage
           and
           lessen
           the
           sense
           of
           the
           Evil.
           The
           most
           pleasant
           things
           do
           not
           excite
           Desire
           or
           Joy
           ,
           but
           exasperate
           Grief
           .
           Like
           those
           Animals
           that
           convert
           the
           best
           nourishment
           into
           their
           own
           Poison
           ;
           so
           deep
           Sorrow
           receives
           mournful
           impressions
           from
           all
           things
           ,
           and
           turns
           the
           sweetest
           Comforts
           of
           Life
           into
           Wormwood
           and
           Gall.
           The
           causes
           of
           Sorrow
           are
           either
           the
           loss
           of
           some
           valued
           Good
           ,
           or
           the
           sense
           of
           some
           present
           Evil.
           And
           the
           Sorrow
           is
           more
           violent
           ,
           as
           the
           Cause
           is
           great
           in
           it self
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           apprehension
           and
           tenderness
           of
           the
           Sufferers
           .
           Now
           both
           these
           Causes
           ,
           with
           all
           the
           heavy
           Circumstances
           that
           can
           multiply
           
           and
           aggravate
           Sorrow
           ,
           meet
           in
           Hell
           the
           Centre
           of
           Misery
           .
        
         
           The
           loss
           is
           inconceivably
           great
           .
           If
           Cain
           when
           banish'd
           from
           the
           Society
           of
           the
           Saints
           ,
           where
           God
           was
           publickly
           worship'd
           ,
           and
           by
           spiritual
           Revelations
           and
           visible
           Apparitions
           ,
           graciously
           made
           himself
           known
           ,
           cry'd
           out
           in
           anguish
           of
           Soul
           ,
           
             My
             punishment
             is
             greater
             than
             I
             can
             bear
             :
             from
             thy
             Face
             shall
             I
             be
             hid
             ,
             and
             I
             shall
             be
             a
             Fugitive
             upon
             the
             Earth
             :
          
           how
           intolerable
           will
           be
           the
           final
           separation
           from
           his
           glorious
           and
           joyful
           Presence
           be
           ?
           In
           the
           clear
           and
           transforming
           Vision
           of
           his
           Glory
           ,
           and
           the
           intimate
           and
           indissolvable
           Union
           with
           him
           by
           Love
           ,
           consists
           the
           Perfection
           and
           Satisfaction
           of
           the
           immortal
           Soul.
           The
           Felicity
           resulting
           from
           it
           ,
           is
           as
           entire
           and
           eternal
           ,
           as
           God
           is
           Great
           and
           True
           ,
           who
           has
           so
           often
           promis'd
           it
           in
           Scripture
           .
           Now
           the
           Damned
           are
           for
           ever
           excluded
           from
           the
           reviving
           Presence
           of
           God.
           'T
           is
           often
           seen
           how
           tenderly
           and
           impatiently
           the
           humane
           Spirit
           resents
           the
           loss
           of
           a
           dear
           Relation
           .
           Jacob
           for
           the
           supposed
           death
           of
           Joseph
           ,
           was
           so
           overcome
           with
           Grief
           ,
           that
           when
           all
           his
           Sons
           and
           Daughters
           rose
           up
           to
           comfort
           him
           ,
           he
           refused
           to
           
           be
           comforted
           ,
           and
           said
           ,
           
             I
             will
             go
             down
             mourning
             to
             the
             Grave
             .
          
           
           Indeed
           this
           overwhelming
           Sorrow
           ,
           is
           both
           a
           Sin
           and
           a
           Punishment
           .
           'T
           is
           ordain'd
           ,
           by
           the
           righteous
           and
           unchangeable
           Decree
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           every
           inordinate
           Affection
           in
           Man
           should
           be
           his
           own
           Tormentor
           .
           But
           if
           the
           loss
           of
           a
           poor
           frail
           Creature
           for
           a
           short
           time
           be
           so
           afflicting
           ,
           how
           insupportable
           will
           the
           Sorrow
           be
           for
           the
           loss
           of
           the
           Blessed
           God
           for
           ever
           ?
           Who
           can
           fully
           conceive
           the
           Extent
           and
           Degrees
           of
           that
           Evil
           ?
           For
           an
           Evil
           rises
           in
           proportion
           to
           the
           Good
           of
           which
           it
           deprives
           us
           :
           It
           must
           therefore
           follow
           ,
           that
           Celestial
           Blessedness
           being
           an
           infinite
           eternal
           Good
           ,
           the
           exclusion
           from
           it
           is
           proportionably
           Evil.
           And
           as
           the
           Felicity
           of
           the
           Saints
           results
           from
           the
           Fruition
           of
           God
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           from
           comparison
           with
           the
           contrary
           State
           :
           So
           the
           Misery
           of
           the
           Damned
           arises
           ,
           both
           from
           the
           thoughts
           of
           lost
           Happiness
           ,
           and
           from
           the
           lasting
           Pain
           that
           torments
           them
           .
        
         
           It
           may
           be
           replied
           ,
           If
           this
           be
           the
           utmost
           Evil
           that
           is
           consequent
           to
           Sin
           ,
           the
           Threatning
           of
           it
           ,
           is
           likely
           to
           deter
           but
           few
           from
           the
           pleasing
           their
           corrupt
           Appetites
           :
           for
           carnal
           Men
           have
           such
           gross
           
           and
           vitiated
           Affections
           that
           are
           careless
           of
           spiritual
           Happiness
           .
           
             They
             cannot
             taste
             and
             see
             how
             good
             the
             Lord
             is
             .
          
        
         
           To
           this
           a
           clear
           Answer
           may
           be
           given
           :
           In
           the
           next
           State
           ,
           where
           the
           Wicked
           shall
           be
           for
           ever
           without
           those
           Carnal
           Objects
           ,
           that
           here
           deceive
           and
           delight
           them
           ,
           when
           deprived
           of
           all
           things
           that
           pleases
           their
           voluptuous
           Senses
           ,
           their
           Apprehensions
           will
           be
           changed
           ;
           they
           shall
           understand
           what
           a
           Happiness
           it
           is
           to
           enjoy
           God
           ,
           and
           what
           a
           Misery
           to
           be
           expell'd
           from
           the
           Celestial
           Paradise
           .
           Our
           Saviour
           tells
           the
           Jews
           ,
           
           
             There
             shall
             be
             weeping
             and
             gnashing
             of
             Teeth
             ,
             when
             ye
             shall
             see
          
           Abraham
           ,
           Isaac
           ,
           and
           Jacob
           ,
           
             and
             all
             the
             Prophets
             in
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             you
             your selves
             thrust
             out
             .
          
           How
           will
           they
           pine
           with
           envy
           at
           the
           sight
           of
           that
           triumphant
           Felicity
           ,
           of
           which
           they
           shall
           never
           be
           Partakers
           ?
           To
           see
           that
           blessed
           Company
           entring
           into
           the
           sacred
           Mansions
           of
           Light
           ,
           will
           make
           the
           loss
           of
           Heaven
           infinitely
           more
           discernable
           and
           terrible
           to
           the
           Wicked
           ,
           who
           shall
           be
           cast
           into
           
             outer
             Darkness
          
           ,
           and
           for
           ever
           be
           deprived
           of
           Communion
           with
           God
           and
           his
           Saints
           .
           
             Depart
             
             from
             me
          
           ,
           will
           be
           as
           dreadful
           a
           part
           of
           the
           Judgment
           as
           
             Eternal
             Fire
          
           .
        
         
           With
           the
           loss
           of
           the
           most
           excellent
           Good
           ,
           the
           suffering
           of
           the
           most
           afflicting
           painful
           Evil
           is
           join'd
           .
           The
           Sentence
           is
           ,
           
             Depart
             ye
             Cursed
             into
             Everlasting
             Fire
             .
          
           God's
           Justice
           is
           not
           satisfied
           in
           depriving
           them
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           but
           inflicts
           the
           most
           heavy
           Punishment
           upon
           Sense
           and
           Conscience
           in
           the
           Damned
           :
           for
           as
           the
           Soul
           and
           Body
           in
           their
           state
           of
           union
           in
           this
           Life
           ,
           were
           both
           guilty
           ,
           the
           one
           as
           a
           Guide
           ,
           the
           other
           as
           the
           Instrument
           of
           Sin
           ;
           and
           if
           an
           imaginarry
           Sorrow
           conceived
           in
           the
           Mind
           without
           a
           real
           external
           Cause
           ,
           as
           in
           Melancholly
           Persons
           ,
           when
           gross
           Vapours
           darken
           and
           corrupt
           the
           brightness
           and
           purity
           of
           the
           Spirits
           that
           are
           requisite
           for
           its
           chearful
           Operations
           ,
           is
           often
           so
           oppressing
           that
           Nature
           sinks
           under
           it
           :
           How
           insupportable
           will
           the
           Sorrow
           of
           condemned
           Sinners
           be
           ,
           under
           the
           impression
           and
           sense
           of
           God's
           Almighty
           and
           avenging
           Hand
           ,
           when
           it
           shall
           fully
           appear
           how
           pure
           and
           holy
           he
           is
           in
           his
           Anger
           for
           Sin
           ,
           how
           just
           and
           dreadful
           in
           punishing
           Sinners
           ?
           It
           may
           be
           the
           indulgent
           Sinner
           may
           lessen
           his
           
           fear
           of
           Hell
           ,
           by
           fancying
           the
           number
           of
           Sufferers
           will
           asswage
           the
           sense
           of
           their
           Misery
           .
           But
           this
           is
           a
           foolish
           Mistake
           ;
           For
           the
           number
           of
           Sufferers
           shall
           be
           so
           far
           from
           affording
           any
           relief
           ,
           that
           the
           Misery
           is
           aggravated
           by
           the
           Company
           and
           Communication
           of
           the
           Miserable
           .
           Every
           one
           is
           surrounded
           with
           Sorrows
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           sights
           of
           Wo
           about
           him
           ,
           feels
           the
           universal
           Grief
           .
           The
           weeping
           and
           wailing
           ,
           the
           cries
           and
           dolorous
           expressions
           of
           all
           the
           Damned
           ,
           increases
           the
           torment
           and
           vexation
           of
           every
           one
           .
           As
           when
           the
           Wind
           conspires
           with
           the
           Flame
           ;
           't
           is
           more
           fierce
           and
           spreading
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           The
           Concomitant
           of
           Sorrow
           will
           be
           Fury
           and
           Rage
           against
           themselves
           ,
           as
           the
           true
           causes
           of
           their
           Misery
           .
           For
           God
           will
           make
           such
           a
           discovery
           of
           his
           righteous
           Judgment
           ,
           that
           not
           only
           the
           Saints
           shall
           glorify
           his
           Justice
           in
           the
           condemnation
           of
           the
           Wicked
           ,
           but
           they
           shall
           be
           so
           convinc'd
           of
           it
           ,
           as
           not
           to
           be
           able
           to
           charge
           their
           Judg
           with
           any
           defect
           of
           Mercy
           ,
           or
           excess
           of
           Rigour
           in
           his
           proceedings
           against
           them
           .
           As
           the
           Man
           in
           the
           Parable
           of
           the
           Marriage-Feast
           ,
           when
           taxt
           for
           his
           presumptuous
           intrusion
           without
           a
           Wedding-Garment
           ,
           
           
             How
             camest
             thou
             in
             hither
          
           ?
           was
           speechless
           :
           so
           they
           will
           find
           no
           plea
           for
           their
           Justification
           and
           Defence
           ,
           but
           must
           receive
           the
           eternal
           Doom
           with
           Silence
           and
           Confusion
           .
           Then
           Conscience
           shall
           revive
           the
           bitter
           remembrance
           of
           all
           the
           methods
           of
           divine
           Mercy
           for
           their
           Salvation
           ,
           that
           were
           ineffectual
           by
           their
           Contempt
           and
           Obstinacy
           .
           All
           the
           compassionate
           Calls
           by
           his
           Word
           ,
           with
           the
           holy
           Motions
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           were
           like
           the
           sowing
           of
           Seed
           in
           the
           Stony
           Ground
           ,
           that
           took
           no
           root
           ,
           and
           never
           came
           to
           perfection
           .
           All
           his
           terrible
           Threatnings
           were
           but
           as
           Thunder
           to
           the
           Deaf
           ,
           or
           Lightning
           to
           the
           Blind
           ,
           that
           little
           affects
           them
           :
           the
           bounty
           of
           his
           Providence
           design'd
           
             to
             lead
             them
             to
             Repentance
          
           ,
           had
           the
           same
           effect
           ,
           as
           the
           Showers
           of
           Heaven
           upon
           Briars
           and
           Thorns
           that
           makes
           them
           grow
           the
           faster
           .
           And
           that
           a
           Mercy
           so
           ready
           to
           pardon
           ,
           did
           not
           produce
           in
           them
           a
           correspondent
           affection
           of
           grateful
           obedient
           Love
           ,
           but
           by
           the
           most
           unworthy
           provocations
           they
           pluck'd
           down
           the
           Vengeance
           due
           to
           obstinate
           Rebels
           ,
           will
           so
           enrage
           the
           Damned
           against
           themselves
           ,
           that
           they
           will
           be
           less
           miserable
           by
           the
           Misery
           they
           suffer
           ,
           than
           by
           the
           conviction
           of
           their
           torn
           Minds
           ,
           
           that
           they
           were
           the
           sole
           Causes
           of
           it
           .
           
             What
             Repentings
             will
             be
             kindled
             within
             them
             ,
          
           for
           the
           stupid
           neglect
           of
           
             the
             great
             Salvation
          
           so
           dearly
           purchased
           ,
           and
           earnestly
           offered
           to
           them
           ?
           What
           a
           fiery
           addition
           to
           their
           Torment
           ,
           that
           when
           God
           was
           so
           willing
           to
           save
           them
           ,
           they
           were
           so
           wilful
           to
           be
           Damned
           .
           They
           will
           never
           forgive
           themselves
           ,
           that
           for
           the
           short
           and
           mean
           Pleasures
           of
           Sense
           ,
           which
           if
           enjoyed
           a
           thousand
           years
           ,
           cannot
           recompence
           the
           loss
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           nor
           requite
           the
           pains
           of
           Hell
           for
           an
           Hour
           ,
           they
           must
           be
           deprived
           of
           the
           one
           ,
           and
           suffer
           the
           other
           for
           ever
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           The
           Sorrow
           and
           Rage
           will
           be
           increased
           by
           Despair
           :
           for
           when
           the
           wretched
           Sinner
           sees
           the
           Evil
           is
           peremptory
           ,
           and
           no
           Outlet
           of
           Hope
           ,
           he
           abandons
           himself
           to
           the
           violence
           of
           Sorrow
           ,
           and
           by
           cruel
           Thoughts
           wounds
           the
           Heart
           more
           ,
           than
           the
           fiercest
           Furies
           in
           Hell
           can
           .
           This
           Misery
           that
           flows
           from
           despair
           shall
           be
           more
           fully
           opened
           under
           the
           distinct
           consideration
           of
           the
           Eternity
           of
           Hell.
           Briefly
           ,
           as
           the
           Blessed
           are
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           Heaven
           is
           in
           them
           ,
           by
           those
           holy
           and
           joyful
           Affections
           that
           are
           always
           exercised
           in
           the
           Divine
           Presence
           ,
           so
           the
           Damned
           are
           in
           
           Hell
           ,
           and
           Hell
           is
           in
           them
           by
           those
           fierce
           and
           miserable
           Passions
           that
           continually
           prey
           upon
           them
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           Eternity
           of
           their
           Misery
           makes
           it
           above
           all
           other
           Considerations
           intollerable
           .
           Our
           Saviour
           repeats
           it
           thrice
           in
           the
           space
           of
           a
           few
           Verses
           ,
           to
           terrify
           those
           who
           spare
           some
           favourite
           Corruption
           ,
           
             that
             in
             Hell
             their
             Worm
             dies
             not
             ,
             and
             the
             Fire
             is
             never
             quenched
             .
          
           God
           will
           never
           reverse
           his
           Sentence
           ,
           and
           they
           shall
           never
           change
           their
           State.
           How
           willingly
           would
           carnal
           Men
           raze
           the
           Word
           Eternal
           out
           of
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           but
           to
           their
           grief
           they
           find
           it
           joined
           with
           the
           Felicity
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           the
           Torments
           of
           Hell.
           The
           second
           Death
           has
           all
           the
           terrible
           qualities
           of
           the
           first
           ,
           but
           not
           the
           ease
           and
           end
           it
           brings
           to
           Misery
           .
           All
           the
           Tears
           of
           those
           forlorn
           Wretches
           ,
           shall
           never
           quench
           one
           spark
           of
           the
           Fire
           .
           Where
           are
           the
           delicious
           Fare
           ,
           the
           Musick
           ,
           the
           Purple
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           carnal
           Delights
           of
           the
           rich
           Man
           ?
           they
           are
           all
           changed
           into
           a
           contrary
           state
           of
           Misery
           ,
           and
           that
           state
           is
           fixt
           for
           ever
           .
           From
           his
           vanishing
           Paradise
           he
           descended
           into
           an
           everlasting
           Hell.
           In
           this
           the
           Vengeance
           of
           God
           is
           infinitely
           more
           heavy
           than
           the
           most
           terrible
           execution
           
           from
           Men.
           Human
           Justice
           and
           Power
           can
           inflict
           but
           one
           Death
           (
           that
           will
           be
           soon
           dispatcht
           )
           upon
           a
           Malefactor
           worthy
           to
           suffer
           a
           hundred
           Deaths
           ;
           if
           he
           be
           condemned
           to
           the
           Fire
           ,
           they
           cannot
           make
           him
           live
           and
           die
           together
           ,
           to
           burn
           and
           not
           be
           consumed
           :
           But
           God
           will
           so
           far
           support
           the
           Damned
           in
           their
           Torments
           ,
           that
           they
           shall
           always
           have
           Strength
           to
           feel
           ,
           though
           no
           Strength
           to
           endure
           them
           .
           Those
           extream
           Torments
           which
           would
           extinguish
           the
           present
           Life
           in
           a
           Moment
           ,
           shall
           be
           suffered
           for
           ever
           .
           This
           Consideration
           infinitely
           aggravates
           the
           Misery
           .
           For
           the
           lost
           Soul
           rackt
           with
           the
           fearful
           Contemplation
           of
           what
           it
           must
           suffer
           for
           ever
           ,
           feels
           as
           it
           were
           at
           once
           all
           the
           Evils
           that
           shall
           torment
           it
           in
           its
           whole
           duration
           .
           The
           perpetuity
           of
           the
           Misery
           is
           always
           felt
           by
           prevision
           .
           This
           is
           as
           the
           cruel
           breaking
           of
           the
           Bones
           upon
           the
           Wheel
           ,
           when
           the
           Soul
           is
           tormented
           by
           the
           foresight
           of
           Misery
           that
           without
           allays
           shall
           continue
           in
           the
           circulation
           of
           Eternal
           Ages
           .
           To
           make
           this
           more
           sensible
           ,
           let
           us
           consider
           ,
           that
           Pain
           makes
           the
           Mind
           observant
           of
           the
           passing
           of
           the
           hours
           .
           In
           Pleasures
           ,
           Time
           with
           a
           quick
           and
           silent
           motion
           insensibly
           slides
           away
           :
           but
           
           in
           Troubles
           the
           Hours
           are
           tedious
           ;
           in
           violent
           Pains
           we
           reckon
           the
           Minutes
           as
           long
           .
           'T
           is
           observable
           how
           passionately
           the
           afflicted
           Psalmist
           complains
           ,
           
             Will
             the
             Lord
             cast
             off
             for
             ever
             ?
          
           
           
             Will
             he
             be
             favourable
             no
             more
             ?
             Doth
             his
             Promise
             fail
             for
             evermore
             ?
             Hath
             he
             forgotten
             to
             be
             gracious
             ?
             Hath
             he
             in
             anger
             shut
             up
             his
             tender
             Mercies
             ?
          
           In
           what
           various
           pathetick
           Forms
           does
           he
           express
           the
           same
           Affection
           ?
           Though
           he
           had
           assurance
           that
           the
           gracious
           God
           would
           not
           be
           always
           severe
           ,
           yet
           his
           Anguish
           forc'd
           from
           him
           Complaints
           ,
           as
           if
           the
           moment
           of
           his
           Trouble
           were
           an
           Eternity
           .
           But
           what
           strains
           of
           Sorrow
           are
           among
           the
           Damned
           ,
           who
           besides
           the
           present
           sense
           of
           their
           Misery
           ,
           have
           always
           in
           their
           Thoughts
           the
           vast
           Eternity
           wherein
           they
           must
           suffer
           it
           ?
        
         
           When
           three
           terrible
           Evils
           were
           propounded
           to
           
           David's
           choice
           ,
           pining
           Famine
           for
           three
           Years
           ,
           or
           bloody
           War
           for
           three
           Months
           ,
           or
           devouring
           Pestilence
           for
           three
           Days
           ,
           he
           chose
           the
           shortest
           ,
           though
           in
           it self
           the
           heaviest
           Evil.
           
        
         
           Many
           sad
           Days
           must
           pass
           under
           the
           other
           Judgments
           ,
           where
           Death
           by
           anticipation
           in
           such
           variety
           of
           Shapes
           
           would
           be
           presented
           to
           the
           Mind
           ,
           that
           the
           lingring
           expectation
           of
           it
           would
           afflict
           more
           than
           the
           sudden
           stroke
           :
           whereas
           the
           fury
           of
           the
           Pestilence
           would
           be
           soon
           over
           .
           But
           the
           Damned
           have
           not
           this
           relief
           ,
           
             but
             shall
             be
             tormented
             day
             and
             night
             for
             ever
             and
             ever
             .
          
           How
           earnestly
           
             do
             they
             seek
             for
             Death
          
           ,
           but
           cannot
           find
           it
           ?
           What
           a
           Favour
           would
           they
           esteem
           it
           to
           be
           annihilated
           ?
           For
           certainly
           ,
           if
           when
           the
           Evils
           in
           the
           present
           State
           are
           so
           multiplied
           ,
           that
           no
           Comfort
           is
           left
           ,
           or
           so
           violent
           that
           the
           afflicted
           Person
           cannot
           enjoy
           them
           ,
           and
           refresh
           his
           sorrowful
           Spirit
           ,
           Death
           is
           chosen
           rather
           than
           Life
           ;
           it
           cannot
           be
           imagined
           that
           in
           the
           future
           State
           ,
           where
           the
           Misery
           is
           extream
           ,
           and
           nothing
           remains
           to
           allay
           it
           ,
           that
           the
           Damned
           should
           be
           in
           love
           with
           the
           unhappy
           good
           of
           simple
           being
           ,
           and
           not
           chuse
           an
           absolute
           extinction
           if
           it
           might
           be
           .
        
         
           If
           any
           one
           should
           be
           so
           foolish
           to
           think
           that
           Custom
           will
           render
           that
           State
           more
           tolerable
           ,
           he
           will
           find
           a
           terrible
           confutation
           of
           his
           vain
           Fancy
           .
           Indeed
           ,
           continuance
           under
           light
           Evils
           ,
           may
           arm
           the
           Mind
           with
           patience
           to
           bear
           them
           ,
           but
           in
           great
           Extremities
           it
           makes
           the
           Evil
           more
           ponderous
           and
           
           intolerable
           .
           He
           that
           is
           tortured
           with
           the
           Stone
           ,
           or
           on
           the
           Rack
           ,
           the
           longer
           the
           Torture
           continues
           ,
           the
           less
           able
           he
           is
           to
           sustain
           it
           .
           In
           short
           ,
           as
           the
           Joy
           of
           Heaven
           is
           infinitely
           more
           ravishing
           ,
           that
           the
           Blessed
           are
           without
           fear
           of
           losing
           of
           it
           ;
           so
           the
           Misery
           of
           Hell
           is
           proportionably
           tormenting
           ,
           that
           the
           Damned
           are
           absolutely
           destitute
           of
           hopes
           of
           a
           release
           .
           
             O
             't
             is
             a
             fearful
             thing
             to
             fall
             into
             the
             hands
             of
             the
             living
             God
             ,
          
           who
           lives
           for
           ever
           ,
           and
           will
           punish
           for
           ever
           incorrigible
           Sinners
           !
        
         
           There
           are
           some
           who
           strongly
           fancy
           ,
           't
           is
           not
           consistent
           with
           Divine
           Justice
           ,
           to
           inflict
           an
           eternal
           Punishment
           for
           temporary
           Sins
           .
           Therefore
           they
           soften
           the
           Sentence
           ,
           by
           interpreting
           the
           Words
           of
           Christ
           ,
           
             These
             shall
             go
             into
             everlasting
             Punishment
             ,
          
           of
           the
           annihilation
           of
           impenitent
           Sinners
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           they
           shall
           be
           for
           ever
           deprived
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           but
           not
           suffer
           Torments
           for
           ever
           .
        
         
           To
           this
           there
           is
           a
           clear
           Answer
           :
           1.
           
           The
           direct
           
             opposition
             between
             everlasting
             Punishment
             ,
             and
             everlasting
             Life
             ,
          
           in
           the
           words
           of
           Christ
           ,
           is
           a
           convincing
           Argument
           they
           are
           to
           be
           understood
           in
           
           the
           same
           extent
           for
           an
           absolute
           Eternity
           .
           And
           the
           words
           in
           the
           Revelation
           are
           so
           express
           ,
           that
           they
           admit
           no
           mollifying
           Interpretation
           ,
           
             They
             are
             tormented
             Day
             and
             Night
             ,
             for
             ever
             and
             ever
             :
          
           Which
           necessarily
           infer
           ,
           the
           tormented
           have
           Life
           and
           Sense
           for
           ever
           .
           Now
           that
           in
           Scripture
           't
           is
           evident
           ,
           that
           God
           hath
           decreed
           and
           denounced
           eternal
           Punishment
           to
           obstinate
           Sinners
           ,
           is
           sufficient
           to
           satisfy
           all
           Enquiries
           about
           the
           Justice
           of
           it
           :
           for
           Divine
           Justice
           is
           the
           correspondence
           of
           God's
           Will
           and
           Actions
           ,
           with
           the
           Perfections
           of
           his
           Holy
           Nature
           .
           From
           hence
           we
           may
           infer
           with
           invincible
           Evidence
           ,
           that
           whatever
           he
           pronounces
           in
           Judgment
           ,
           and
           consequently
           inflicts
           ,
           is
           most
           Righteous
           .
           The
           Truth
           is
           ,
           we
           may
           as
           easily
           conceive
           there
           is
           no
           God
           ,
           as
           that
           God
           is
           unjust
           ;
           because
           absolute
           Rectitude
           is
           an
           inseparable
           Perfection
           of
           his
           Nature
           .
           Thus
           the
           Apostle
           with
           abhorrence
           rejects
           the
           Question
           ,
           
           
             Is
             God
             Vnrighteous
             who
             taketh
             Vengeance
             ?
             God
             forbid
             :
             for
             then
             how
             shall
             God
             judg
             the
             World
             ?
          
           That
           were
           to
           deny
           him
           to
           be
           God
           ,
           who
           is
           the
           Creator
           ,
           and
           King
           ,
           and
           Judg
           of
           the
           World.
           'T
           is
           a
           full
           Reply
           to
           all
           the
           pittiful
           Shifts
           that
           are
           
           made
           use
           of
           to
           elude
           the
           plain
           meaning
           of
           the
           eternal
           Judgment
           that
           will
           pass
           upon
           the
           Wicked
           ;
           
             Shall
             mortal
             Man
             be
             more
             just
             than
             God
             ?
          
           
           
             shall
             a
             Man
             be
             more
             pure
             than
             his
             Maker
             ?
          
           The
           Reprobates
           have
           now
           some
           bold
           Advocates
           ,
           that
           plead
           those
           things
           for
           favour
           to
           them
           ,
           which
           they
           will
           not
           dare
           to
           plead
           for
           themselves
           at
           the
           last
           Day
           .
           The
           Holy
           Judg
           will
           then
           cut
           off
           all
           their
           Excuses
           ,
           and
           reduce
           them
           to
           a
           defenceless
           silence
           ,
           before
           he
           cuts
           them
           off
           .
           
             God
             will
             be
             justified
             in
             his
             Sentence
             ,
             and
             overcome
             when
             he
             is
             judgeth
             .
          
        
         
           The
           Righteousness
           of
           the
           Proceedings
           at
           the
           last
           Day
           ,
           in
           determining
           the
           Wicked
           to
           a
           state
           of
           everlasting
           Torments
           ,
           has
           been
           consider'd
           in
           the
           Discourse
           of
           Judgment
           ,
           and
           will
           farther
           appear
           by
           the
           following
           Considerations
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           Wisdom
           of
           God
           requires
           ,
           that
           the
           Punishment
           threatned
           in
           his
           Law
           ,
           as
           it
           must
           be
           so
           firmly
           decreed
           ,
           that
           all
           obstinate
           Rebels
           shall
           of
           necessity
           undergo
           it
           ,
           so
           it
           must
           incomparably
           exceed
           all
           temporal
           Evils
           ,
           to
           which
           Men
           may
           be
           exposed
           for
           their
           Obedience
           to
           the
           Divine
           Commands
           ,
           
           otherwise
           the
           Threatning
           would
           not
           be
           an
           effectual
           restraint
           from
           Sin
           :
           For
           the
           propinquity
           of
           an
           Evil
           makes
           a
           strong
           impression
           upon
           the
           Mind
           ,
           and
           a
           present
           Fear
           makes
           a
           Person
           sollicitous
           to
           avoid
           the
           incursion
           of
           what
           is
           ready
           to
           seize
           on
           him
           ,
           without
           forecasting
           to
           prevent
           an
           Evil
           look'd
           on
           at
           a
           distance
           .
           Therefore
           that
           the
           Sanction
           of
           the
           Divine
           Law
           may
           preserve
           the
           Precepts
           Inviolable
           ,
           that
           there
           may
           be
           a
           continual
           reverence
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           a
           fixed
           resolution
           in
           the
           Hearts
           of
           Men
           not
           to
           transgress
           ,
           the
           Penalty
           threatned
           must
           be
           in
           its
           own
           Nature
           so
           terrible
           ,
           that
           the
           fear
           of
           it
           may
           conquer
           the
           apprehension
           of
           all
           present
           Evils
           that
           can
           be
           inflicted
           to
           constrain
           us
           to
           sin
           .
           Therefore
           our
           Saviour
           warns
           his
           Disciples
           ,
           
             Fear
             not
             them
             that
             can
             kill
             the
             Body
             ,
          
           (
           make
           that
           part
           die
           that
           is
           mortal
           )
           
             but
             fear
             him
             that
             after
             he
             has
             killed
             ,
             has
             power
             to
             cast
             into
             Hell
             ;
             yea
             ,
             I
             say
             unto
             you
             ,
             fear
             him
             .
          
           Now
           if
           the
           threatning
           of
           an
           everlasting
           Hell
           ,
           through
           Infidelity
           and
           Inconsideration
           ,
           be
           not
           effectual
           in
           the
           Minds
           of
           Men
           to
           restrain
           them
           from
           Sin
           ,
           if
           temporary
           Torments
           in
           the
           next
           State
           were
           only
           threatned
           ,
           which
           are
           infinitely
           
           more
           easy
           and
           tolerable
           ,
           carnal
           Sinners
           would
           follow
           the
           swinge
           of
           their
           corrupt
           Appetites
           ,
           and
           commit
           Iniquity
           with
           greediness
           ;
           this
           would
           seem
           to
           reflect
           upon
           the
           Wisdom
           of
           the
           Lawgiver
           ,
           as
           if
           he
           were
           defective
           in
           not
           binding
           his
           Subjects
           firmly
           to
           their
           Duty
           ,
           and
           the
           Ends
           of
           Government
           would
           not
           be
           obtain'd
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           God
           ,
           as
           the
           Sovereign
           Ruler
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           has
           establish'd
           an
           inseparable
           Connexion
           between
           the
           Choice
           and
           Actions
           of
           Men
           here
           ,
           and
           their
           future
           Condition
           for
           ever
           .
           The
           promised
           Reward
           of
           Obedience
           is
           so
           excellent
           and
           eternal
           ,
           that
           all
           the
           Allurements
           of
           the
           World
           vanish
           in
           comparison
           with
           it
           :
           and
           there
           is
           such
           an
           infallible
           Assurance
           of
           this
           Reward
           in
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           all
           ,
           and
           only
           those
           who
           sincerely
           obey
           his
           Commands
           ,
           shall
           enjoy
           it
           in
           the
           future
           State
           ;
           that
           a
           serious
           Believer
           who
           ponders
           things
           ,
           cannot
           be
           diverted
           from
           his
           Duty
           by
           present
           Temptations
           .
           Besides
           ,
           by
           a
           Chain
           of
           Consequences
           ,
           sinful
           Pleasures
           are
           linked
           with
           eternal
           punishment
           threatned
           in
           the
           Divine
           Law
           ;
           and
           he
           that
           will
           enjoy
           forbidden
           Pleasures
           ,
           binds
           himself
           to
           suffer
           
           all
           the
           Pains
           annexed
           to
           them
           .
           Now
           when
           God
           has
           ,
           from
           his
           excellent
           Goodness
           and
           undeserved
           Mercy
           ,
           assured
           Men
           of
           the
           Glory
           and
           Joys
           of
           Heaven
           that
           are
           unspeakable
           and
           eternal
           ,
           upon
           the
           gracious
           Terms
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ;
           and
           ,
           upon
           their
           despising
           it
           ,
           threatned
           Eternal
           Misery
           ,
           if
           Men
           obstinately
           neglect
           so
           great
           Salvation
           ;
           how
           reasonable
           is
           it
           they
           should
           inherit
           their
           own
           Choice
           ?
           There
           is
           no
           middle
           State
           in
           the
           next
           World
           ,
           no
           tolerable
           mediocrity
           ,
           but
           two
           contrary
           States
           ;
           yet
           alike
           in
           this
           ,
           that
           the
           Happiness
           and
           Misery
           are
           equally
           Eternal
           :
           and
           't
           is
           just
           that
           all
           who
           neglect
           eternal
           Life
           ,
           should
           suffer
           eternal
           Death
           :
           for
           't
           is
           the
           natural
           and
           necessary
           Consequence
           of
           their
           Option
           :
           Therefore
           Sinners
           are
           charged
           with
           extream
           madness
           
             to
             wrong
             their
             own
             Souls
             ,
             and
             to
             love
             Death
             .
          
           
        
         
           3.
           
           It
           will
           appear
           how
           unqualified
           the
           Damned
           are
           for
           the
           least
           favour
           ,
           if
           we
           consider
           their
           continual
           hatred
           and
           Blasphemies
           of
           God.
           The
           Seeds
           of
           this
           are
           in
           wicked
           obstinate
           Sinners
           here
           ,
           who
           are
           stiled
           
             haters
             of
             God
          
           ;
           but
           in
           the
           Damned
           this
           enmity
           is
           direct
           and
           
           explicit
           ,
           the
           Fever
           is
           heightned
           into
           a
           Frenzy
           ,
           the
           blessed
           God
           is
           the
           Object
           of
           their
           Curses
           and
           eternal
           Aversation
           .
           Our
           Saviour
           tells
           us
           ,
           that
           in
           Hell
           there
           
             is
             weeping
             and
             gnashing
             of
             Teeth
          
           ;
           extream
           Sorrow
           ,
           and
           extream
           Fury
           ;
           Despair
           and
           Rage
           are
           the
           proper
           Passions
           of
           lost
           Souls
           .
           For
           when
           the
           guilty
           Sufferers
           are
           so
           weak
           ,
           that
           they
           cannot
           by
           Patience
           endure
           their
           Torments
           ,
           nor
           by
           Strength
           resist
           the
           Power
           that
           inflicts
           them
           ,
           and
           are
           wicked
           and
           stubborn
           ,
           they
           are
           irritated
           by
           their
           Misery
           ,
           and
           foam
           out
           Blasphemies
           against
           the
           righteous
           Judg.
           If
           their
           Rage
           could
           extend
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           their
           Power
           were
           equal
           to
           their
           Desires
           ,
           they
           would
           dethrone
           the
           most
           High.
           Hatred
           takes
           pleasure
           in
           Revenge
           ,
           either
           real
           or
           imaginary
           :
           and
           although
           God
           is
           infinitely
           above
           the
           transports
           of
           their
           Fury
           ,
           and
           all
           their
           rancorous
           Imprecations
           are
           reflexively
           pernicious
           to
           themselves
           ,
           like
           Arrows
           shot
           against
           the
           Sun
           ,
           that
           fall
           down
           upon
           their
           Heads
           that
           shot
           them
           ,
           yet
           they
           are
           always
           venting
           their
           Malice
           against
           the
           just
           Power
           that
           torments
           them
           .
           'T
           is
           said
           of
           the
           Worshippers
           of
           the
           
           Beast
           ,
           
             that
             they
             gnawed
             their
             Tongues
             for
             Pain
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             blasphemed
             the
             God
             of
             Heaven
             because
             of
             their
             Pains
             .
          
           The
           Torment
           and
           Blasphemies
           of
           those
           impenitent
           Idolaters
           ,
           are
           a
           true
           representation
           of
           the
           state
           of
           the
           Damned
           .
           From
           hence
           it
           appears
           they
           are
           the
           proper
           Objects
           of
           revenging
           Justice
           .
           How
           can
           we
           reasonably
           conceive
           ,
           that
           God
           ,
           in
           favour
           to
           the
           Reprobates
           ,
           should
           cross
           the
           established
           order
           of
           Creation
           ?
           For
           two
           Ranks
           of
           Beings
           were
           made
           ,
           the
           Material
           ,
           of
           perishing
           Principles
           ,
           the
           Spiritual
           ,
           of
           an
           immortal
           Duration
           :
           And
           will
           God
           withdraw
           his
           Conservative
           Power
           of
           the
           guilty
           Soul
           in
           its
           Immortality
           ,
           and
           to
           put
           an
           end
           to
           its
           deserved
           Misery
           ,
           and
           self-tormenting
           Reflections
           ,
           annihilate
           it
           ?
           If
           a
           Criminal
           were
           justly
           condemn'd
           to
           a
           severe
           Punishment
           ,
           and
           should
           contumeliously
           and
           fiercely
           reproach
           the
           Prince
           ,
           by
           whose
           Authority
           he
           was
           condemn'd
           ,
           could
           it
           be
           expected
           there
           should
           be
           a
           mitigation
           of
           the
           Sentence
           ?
           And
           is
           it
           a
           Thought
           consistent
           with
           the
           reasonable
           Mind
           ,
           that
           the
           righteous
           Judg
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           will
           reverse
           or
           mitigate
           the
           Sentence
           against
           the
           Damned
           ,
           who
           blaspheme
           his
           Majesty
           
           and
           Justice
           ?
           and
           if
           they
           were
           as
           omnipotent
           to
           effect
           ,
           as
           they
           are
           malicious
           to
           desire
           ,
           would
           destroy
           his
           Being
           .
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           the
           Divine
           Threatning
           does
           not
           bind
           God
           to
           a
           rigorous
           execution
           of
           it
           upon
           Sinners
           :
           he
           has
           declar'd
           ,
           if
           
             Sinners
             will
             turn
             from
             their
             evil
             ways
             ,
          
           
           
             he
             will
             repent
             of
             the
             Evil
             he
             purpos'd
             to
             do
             unto
             them
             :
          
           but
           when
           Threatnings
           are
           part
           of
           the
           Laws
           whereby
           Men
           are
           govern'd
           ,
           it
           is
           congruous
           to
           the
           Wisdom
           and
           Justice
           of
           the
           Law-giver
           to
           execute
           them
           in
           their
           full
           force
           upon
           the
           obstinate
           Offenders
           ,
           withal
           considering
           the
           inflicting
           of
           them
           is
           so
           far
           from
           working
           any
           ingenuous
           Change
           in
           those
           Rebels
           ,
           that
           thereby
           they
           become
           more
           fierce
           and
           obdurate
           .
        
         
           Lastly
           ,
           the
           immense
           Guilt
           that
           adheres
           to
           Sin
           ,
           requires
           a
           proportion
           in
           the
           Punishment
           .
           'T
           is
           a
           rule
           in
           all
           Courts
           of
           Judicature
           ,
           that
           the
           degrees
           of
           an
           Offence
           arise
           according
           to
           the
           degrees
           of
           Dignity
           of
           the
           Person
           offended
           :
           Now
           the
           Majesty
           of
           God
           is
           truly
           infinite
           ,
           against
           whom
           Sin
           is
           committed
           ;
           and
           consequently
           the
           Guilt
           of
           Sin
           exceeds
           our
           boundless
           Thoughts
           .
           This
           is
           the
           reason
           of
           the
           
           Sentence
           ,
           
             Cursed
             is
             every
             one
             that
             continueth
             not
             in
             all
             things
             which
             are
             written
             in
             the
             Book
             of
             the
             Law
             ,
             to
             do
             them
             .
          
           The
           Curse
           threatned
           ,
           includes
           the
           first
           and
           the
           second
           Death
           .
           What
           a
           dishonour
           is
           it
           to
           the
           
             God
             of
             Glory
          
           ,
           that
           proud
           Dust
           should
           fly
           in
           his
           Face
           ,
           and
           controul
           his
           Authority
           ?
           What
           a
           provocation
           ,
           that
           the
           reasonable
           Creature
           ,
           that
           is
           naturally
           and
           necessarily
           a
           Subject
           ,
           should
           despise
           the
           Divine
           Law
           and
           Lawgiver
           ?
           Though
           carnal
           Minds
           elevate
           the
           Guilt
           of
           Sin
           ,
           yet
           weighed
           
             in
             the
             Scales
             of
             the
             Sanctuary
             ,
          
           't
           is
           found
           so
           heavy
           ,
           that
           no
           Punishment
           inflicted
           on
           Sinners
           ,
           exceeds
           ,
           either
           in
           the
           degrees
           or
           duration
           ,
           the
           desert
           of
           Sin.
           
        
         
           God's
           Justice
           is
           not
           satisfied
           in
           depriving
           them
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           but
           inflicts
           the
           most
           heavy
           Punishment
           upon
           Sense
           and
           Conscience
           in
           the
           Damned
           :
           For
           as
           the
           Soul
           and
           Body
           in
           their
           State
           of
           Union
           in
           this
           Life
           were
           both
           guilty
           ,
           the
           one
           as
           the
           Guide
           ,
           the
           other
           as
           the
           Instrument
           of
           Sin
           ;
           so
           't
           is
           equal
           ,
           when
           reunited
           ,
           they
           should
           feel
           the
           penal
           Effects
           of
           it
           .
           Sinners
           shall
           then
           be
           tormented
           wherein
           they
           were
           most
           delighted
           ;
           they
           shall
           be
           invested
           with
           
           those
           Objects
           ,
           that
           will
           cause
           the
           most
           dolorous
           perceptions
           in
           their
           sensitive
           Faculties
           .
           The
           
             Lake
             of
             Fire
             and
             Brimstone
             ,
             the
             blackness
             of
             darkness
             for
             ever
             ,
          
           are
           words
           of
           a
           terrible
           signification
           .
           But
           no
           words
           can
           fully
           express
           the
           terrible
           Ingredients
           of
           their
           Misery
           :
           The
           Punishment
           will
           be
           in
           proportion
           to
           the
           Glory
           of
           God's
           Majesty
           that
           is
           provoked
           ,
           and
           the
           extent
           of
           his
           Power
           .
           And
           as
           the
           Soul
           was
           the
           principal
           ,
           and
           the
           Body
           but
           an
           Accessary
           in
           the
           Works
           of
           Sin
           ;
           so
           it
           s
           capacious
           Faculties
           shall
           be
           far
           more
           tormented
           than
           the
           limited
           Faculties
           of
           the
           outward
           Senses
           .
           The
           fiery
           Attributes
           of
           God
           shall
           be
           transmitted
           through
           the
           Glass
           of
           Conscience
           ,
           and
           concenter'd
           upon
           damned
           Spirits
           :
           The
           Fire
           without
           is
           not
           so
           tormenting
           as
           the
           Fire
           within
           them
           .
           How
           will
           the
           tormenting
           Passions
           be
           inflam'd
           ?
           What
           Rancour
           ,
           Reluctance
           ,
           and
           Rage
           ,
           against
           the
           just
           Power
           that
           sentenc'd
           them
           to
           Hell
           ?
           What
           impatience
           and
           indignation
           against
           themselves
           for
           their
           wilful
           Sins
           ,
           the
           just
           cause
           of
           it
           ?
           How
           will
           they
           curse
           their
           Creation
           ,
           and
           wish
           their
           utter
           extinction
           ,
           as
           the
           final
           Remedy
           of
           their
           Misery
           ?
           But
           all
           their
           ardent
           
           Wishes
           are
           in
           vain
           ;
           for
           the
           Guilt
           of
           Sin
           will
           never
           be
           expiated
           ,
           nor
           God
           so
           far
           reconcil'd
           as
           to
           annihilate
           them
           .
           As
           long
           as
           there
           is
           Justice
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           or
           Fire
           in
           Hell
           ,
           as
           long
           as
           God
           and
           Eternity
           shall
           continue
           ,
           they
           must
           suffer
           those
           Torments
           ,
           which
           the
           strength
           and
           patience
           of
           an
           Angel
           cannot
           bear
           one
           hour
           .
        
         
           I
           shall
           now
           draw
           some
           practical
           Inferences
           ,
           and
           conclude
           this
           Subject
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           From
           the
           Revelation
           in
           Scripture
           of
           the
           dreadful
           Punishment
           prepared
           for
           unreformed
           Sinners
           in
           the
           next
           State
           ,
           we
           may
           understand
           the
           tender
           Mercies
           of
           God
           to
           Men
           ;
           how
           willing
           he
           is
           they
           should
           be
           saved
           ,
           who
           are
           so
           wilful
           to
           be
           damned
           .
           Hell
           is
           represented
           to
           them
           by
           the
           most
           violent
           Figures
           ,
           to
           terrify
           their
           Imaginations
           ,
           and
           strongly
           affect
           their
           Minds
           ,
           that
           
             they
             may
             flee
             from
             the
             Wrath
             to
             come
             .
          
           God
           counsels
           ,
           commands
           ,
           intreats
           ,
           urges
           Sinners
           to
           be
           wise
           ,
           to
           foresee
           and
           prevent
           the
           Evil
           that
           every
           Hour
           is
           approaching
           to
           them
           :
           and
           with
           Compassion
           and
           Indignation
           laments
           their
           
           Misery
           ,
           and
           reproaches
           their
           Folly
           in
           bringing
           it
           upon
           themselves
           .
           The
           Divine
           Mercy
           is
           as
           eminently
           and
           apparently
           declar'd
           to
           Men
           in
           the
           present
           corrupt
           State
           ,
           in
           threatning
           Hell
           to
           excite
           their
           Fear
           ,
           as
           in
           promising
           Heaven
           to
           allure
           their
           Hopes
           .
           For
           if
           carnal
           indulgent
           Sinners
           are
           not
           roused
           by
           a
           quick
           apprehension
           of
           Hell
           ,
           they
           will
           securely
           enjoy
           their
           pernicious
           Pleasures
           ,
           and
           despise
           the
           blessed
           Reward
           ,
           and
           Heaven
           would
           be
           
             as
             empty
             of
             humane
             Souls
             as
             't
             is
             full
             of
             Glory
             .
          
        
         
           (
           1.
           )
           Because
           they
           are
           more
           capable
           to
           conceive
           of
           the
           Torments
           of
           Hell
           ,
           than
           the
           Joys
           of
           Heaven
           .
           Storms
           and
           Darkness
           are
           more
           easily
           drawn
           by
           a
           Pencil
           ,
           than
           a
           clear
           calm
           Day
           .
           Fire
           mix'd
           with
           Brimstone
           ,
           is
           very
           painful
           to
           Sense
           ;
           and
           the
           Fancy
           strongly
           represents
           its
           Vehemence
           in
           tormenting
           the
           Body
           :
           And
           what
           Misery
           the
           uncessant
           remorse
           of
           the
           guilty
           Conscience
           will
           cause
           in
           the
           Damned
           hereafter
           ,
           is
           in
           part
           understood
           by
           the
           secret
           Accusations
           and
           Twinges
           of
           Conscience
           in
           self-condemning
           Sinners
           here
           .
           But
           they
           are
           absolutely
           strangers
           to
           the
           Joys
           of
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           ,
           to
           the
           Delights
           of
           the
           Soul
           in
           communion
           
           with
           God
           ,
           and
           to
           Peace
           of
           Conscience
           in
           his
           favour
           .
           They
           cannot
           without
           experience
           ,
           
             know
             how
             good
             the
             Lord
             is
             ,
          
           no
           more
           than
           see
           a
           taste
           .
           To
           discourse
           to
           them
           of
           spiritual
           Pleasures
           that
           flow
           from
           the
           Divine
           Presence
           ,
           of
           the
           Happiness
           of
           the
           Saints
           
             that
             are
             before
             the
             Throne
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             serve
             him
             in
             his
             Temple
             ,
          
           is
           to
           speak
           with
           the
           Tongue
           of
           an
           Angel
           *
           unintelligible
           things
           .
           Their
           Minds
           and
           Language
           are
           confin'd
           to
           sensible
           things
           .
           The
           
             natural
             Man
             receives
             not
             the
             things
             of
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             ,
             for
             they
             are
             foolishness
             to
             him
             ;
             neither
             can
             he
             know
             them
             ,
             because
             they
             are
             spiritually
             discern'd
             .
          
           There
           may
           be
           in
           the
           carnal
           Mind
           a
           conception
           of
           Heaven
           as
           a
           Sanctuary
           wherein
           they
           may
           be
           secured
           from
           the
           Wrath
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           some
           smothering
           confused
           thoughts
           of
           its
           Felicity
           ,
           as
           the
           Idea
           of
           Light
           and
           Colours
           in
           one
           blind
           from
           his
           Birth
           ;
           but
           only
           
             the
             pure
             in
             Heart
             can
             see
             God
             ,
          
           as
           in
           the
           perfect
           Vision
           of
           Glory
           hereafter
           ,
           so
           in
           the
           imperfect
           reflection
           of
           it
           here
           .
        
         
           (
           2.
           )
           Carnal
           Men
           are
           more
           disposed
           to
           be
           wrought
           upon
           ,
           by
           representing
           the
           Torments
           of
           Hell
           ,
           than
           the
           Joys
           of
           Heaven
           .
           For
           we
           cannot
           
           love
           but
           what
           is
           known
           ,
           nor
           enjoy
           but
           what
           is
           loved
           .
           And
           as
           the
           purification
           of
           the
           Heart
           from
           vicious
           Affections
           ,
           is
           an
           excellent
           means
           to
           clear
           the
           Mind
           ;
           so
           the
           illustration
           of
           the
           Mind
           is
           very
           influential
           to
           warm
           the
           Heart
           .
           The
           true
           conception
           of
           Heaven
           in
           its
           amiable
           Excellencies
           would
           powerfully
           and
           sweetly
           ravish
           the
           Affections
           ;
           and
           of
           this
           prepared
           Souls
           are
           only
           capable
           .
           But
           those
           who
           are
           sensual
           are
           without
           relish
           of
           spiritual
           Happiness
           ,
           and
           are
           allur'd
           or
           terrified
           only
           with
           what
           is
           pleasant
           or
           painful
           to
           Flesh.
           
        
         
           'T
           is
           recorded
           as
           the
           unparallel'd
           Folly
           of
           Nero
           ,
           
           that
           when
           he
           was
           ready
           to
           cut
           his
           own
           Throat
           ,
           to
           avoid
           the
           Fury
           of
           the
           multitude
           ,
           he
           broke
           forth
           into
           great
           Expressions
           of
           Sorrow
           ,
           what
           an
           excellent
           Artist
           he
           died
           .
           'T
           was
           not
           the
           loss
           of
           the
           Roman
           Empire
           that
           so
           much
           troubled
           him
           ,
           as
           that
           so
           much
           skill
           in
           Musick
           died
           with
           him
           .
           He
           valued
           himself
           more
           as
           a
           Fidler
           ,
           than
           an
           Emperor
           .
           Thus
           carnal
           Men
           with
           a
           folly
           infinitely
           more
           prodigious
           ,
           when
           Death
           is
           near
           ,
           are
           not
           so
           much
           affected
           with
           the
           loss
           of
           the
           Crown
           of
           Glory
           ,
           and
           the
           Kingdom
           
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           as
           with
           their
           present
           leaving
           this
           World
           and
           its
           Vanities
           .
           This
           makes
           Death
           intolerably
           bitter
           .
           Till
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           purifies
           the
           Heart
           ,
           the
           fruition
           of
           his
           Presence
           is
           not
           esteemed
           or
           desir'd
           .
           A
           Seraphim
           sent
           from
           the
           presence
           of
           God
           with
           a
           flaming
           Coal
           from
           the
           Altar
           ,
           toucht
           the
           Lips
           of
           the
           Holy
           Prophet
           ,
           and
           his
           Heart
           was
           presently
           melted
           into
           a
           compliance
           with
           the
           Divine
           Will.
           But
           if
           a
           rebel
           Angel
           ,
           that
           burns
           with
           another
           fire
           than
           of
           Divine
           Love
           ,
           were
           dispatch'd
           from
           Hell
           with
           a
           Coal
           from
           that
           Altar
           ,
           where
           so
           many
           Victims
           are
           offer'd
           to
           Divine
           Justice
           as
           there
           are
           damned
           Souls
           ,
           and
           touch'd
           obdurate
           Sinners
           ,
           that
           they
           might
           have
           a
           lively
           sense
           what
           it
           is
           to
           burn
           for
           ever
           ,
           it
           were
           the
           most
           congrous
           and
           effectual
           means
           to
           reclaim
           them
           ;
           like
           stubborn
           Metals
           ,
           they
           are
           only
           made
           pliant
           by
           the
           Fire
           .
           From
           what
           has
           been
           said
           ,
           we
           may
           observe
           the
           heavenly
           Harmony
           between
           Mercy
           and
           Justice
           in
           God
           :
           he
           is
           the
           Father
           of
           Mercy
           ,
           't
           is
           his
           natural
           Off-spring
           ,
           his
           primary
           Inclination
           to
           the
           Creature
           ,
           and
           the
           threatning
           of
           Vengeance
           against
           Sinners
           ,
           is
           a
           gracious
           design
           to
           constrain
           
           them
           with
           humility
           and
           repenting
           Affections
           to
           seek
           his
           Favour
           .
           Briefly
           ,
           his
           severity
           and
           flaming
           displeasure
           never
           destroys
           Sinners
           ,
           but
           to
           revenge
           the
           abuse
           of
           his
           neglected
           Benignity
           and
           Clemency
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           This
           shews
           the
           woful
           depravation
           of
           the
           Minds
           and
           Wills
           of
           Men
           ,
           that
           chuse
           Sin
           ,
           when
           thinly
           painted
           over
           with
           Pleasure
           ,
           notwithstanding
           the
           most
           dreadful
           and
           durable
           Torments
           ,
           the
           certain
           Consequences
           of
           it
           .
           Desperate
           folly
           !
           either
           they
           believe
           ,
           or
           do
           not
           ,
           the
           eternal
           Torment
           of
           Hell.
           If
           they
           do
           not
           ,
           how
           prodigious
           is
           their
           impiety
           ?
           If
           they
           do
           ,
           't
           is
           more
           prodigious
           they
           dare
           indulge
           their
           vicious
           Affections
           .
           A
           wicked
           Believer
           is
           more
           monstrous
           and
           guilty
           than
           a
           wicked
           Infidel
           .
        
         
           In
           some
           there
           is
           Atheism
           full
           of
           Folly
           ,
           or
           Folly
           full
           of
           Atheism
           ,
           that
           they
           will
           not
           believe
           the
           prepared
           Plagues
           for
           the
           wicked
           in
           the
           next
           State
           ,
           because
           they
           have
           no
           sensible
           proof
           of
           them
           .
           Reason
           ,
           assisted
           by
           Divine
           Revelation
           ,
           affords
           so
           clear
           an
           evidence
           of
           the
           future
           State
           ,
           and
           the
           Rewards
           and
           Punishments
           in
           it
           ,
           that
           if
           any
           sincerely
           apply
           themselves
           to
           consider
           
           things
           ,
           he
           will
           receive
           the
           most
           affective
           conviction
           of
           them
           .
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           there
           is
           not
           sensible
           evidence
           ;
           for
           God
           will
           try
           our
           Faith
           before
           he
           satisfies
           our
           Sight
           :
           partly
           ,
           that
           we
           may
           honour
           his
           Veracity
           ,
           by
           yielding
           a
           firm
           assent
           to
           his
           Word
           before
           the
           actual
           accomplishment
           of
           what
           is
           promised
           or
           threatn'd
           ;
           and
           partly
           that
           our
           Obedience
           may
           be
           voluntary
           and
           unconstrain'd
           ,
           that
           his
           Goodness
           may
           take
           its
           rise
           to
           reward
           us
           .
           But
           these
           presumptuous
           Infidels
           live
           as
           if
           they
           had
           no
           Spirit
           ,
           nothing
           of
           understanding
           in
           them
           :
           they
           are
           wholly
           under
           the
           Dominion
           of
           sense
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           were
           free
           and
           lawless
           ,
           independant
           and
           unaccountable
           :
           as
           if
           the
           most
           high
           Governour
           of
           the
           World
           were
           an
           inferiour
           Being
           ,
           without
           Power
           and
           Justice
           to
           vindicate
           the
           Honour
           of
           his
           despised
           Deity
           .
           They
           do
           not
           fear
           Hell
           ,
           but
           are
           afraid
           they
           should
           be
           fearful
           of
           it
           .
           This
           is
           such
           a
           piece
           of
           folly
           ,
           (
           but
           infinitely
           more
           woful
           )
           as
           that
           of
           the
           West-Indians
           ,
           who
           at
           their
           first
           invasion
           by
           the
           Spaniards
           ,
           were
           so
           terrified
           by
           their
           glittering
           Swords
           ,
           that
           they
           presently
           fled
           ,
           and
           very
           considerately
           resolved
           to
           hide
           
           themselves
           in
           the
           Day
           ,
           and
           assault
           their
           Enemies
           in
           the
           Night
           .
           They
           were
           fearful
           to
           see
           their
           Danger
           ,
           and
           rash
           to
           encounter
           it
           ,
           and
           fighting
           in
           the
           dark
           ,
           were
           kill'd
           in
           the
           dark
           .
           The
           threatnings
           of
           eternal
           Death
           are
           the
           brandishing
           
             of
             God's
             glittering
             Sword
          
           before
           he
           strikes
           ;
           and
           sensual
           Infidels
           are
           afraid
           lest
           the
           belief
           of
           those
           terrible
           Truths
           should
           pierce
           into
           their
           Breasts
           ;
           therefore
           are
           utterly
           averse
           from
           due
           considering
           their
           Danger
           ,
           and
           will
           not
           foresee
           what
           they
           shall
           certainly
           suffer
           .
           'T
           is
           in
           vain
           to
           offer
           Arguments
           to
           convince
           them
           ;
           for
           they
           are
           as
           deaf
           as
           Adders
           to
           the
           wisest
           Instructions
           ,
           till
           Sense
           extort
           an
           Acknowledgment
           from
           them
           .
           They
           have
           hardned
           their
           Hearts
           and
           Faces
           against
           all
           Reproofs
           ,
           and
           by
           an
           open
           contempt
           of
           Scripture-Threatnings
           ,
           are
           past
           reclaiming
           .
           They
           are
           now
           fearless
           of
           that
           Judgment
           ,
           the
           thoughts
           whereof
           make
           the
           Devils
           tremble
           :
           but
           the
           time
           will
           shortly
           come
           ,
           when
           the
           Word
           of
           the
           righteous
           God
           ,
           which
           now
           they
           despise
           ,
           shall
           irresistibly
           and
           immediately
           ,
           like
           Lightning
           shot
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           destroy
           them
           .
           There
           are
           many
           degrees
           of
           Sin
           ,
           many
           steps
           in
           
           the
           descent
           to
           Hell
           ,
           but
           the
           lowest
           and
           nearest
           the
           Gate
           of
           that
           infernal
           Prison
           ,
           is
           the
           scornful
           derision
           of
           God's
           dreadful
           Preparations
           for
           the
           wicked
           .
        
         
           Others
           in
           the
           Christian
           Church
           ,
           who
           profess
           and
           presume
           they
           are
           true
           Believers
           ,
           yet
           by
           living
           indulgently
           in
           their
           pleasant
           or
           profitable
           Sins
           ,
           discover
           their
           Faith
           is
           counterfeit
           ,
           or
           such
           a
           superficial
           assent
           to
           the
           Truth
           of
           God's
           Word
           that
           is
           without
           efficacy
           ,
           and
           will
           not
           avail
           them
           at
           the
           last
           .
           Unfeigned
           Faith
           of
           the
           Divine
           Threatnings
           ,
           produces
           such
           a
           fear
           as
           would
           make
           Men
           circumspect
           over
           their
           Hearts
           and
           Ways
           .
           The
           fear
           of
           a
           present
           destructive
           Evil
           controuls
           the
           most
           eager
           Appetites
           .
           'T
           is
           recorded
           ,
           that
           when
           the
           Army
           of
           Israel
           was
           in
           pursuit
           of
           the
           
             Philistines
             ,
             Saul
          
           ,
           to
           compleat
           his
           Victory
           ,
           forbad
           ,
           upon
           pain
           of
           Death
           ,
           that
           any
           should
           taste
           Food
           till
           the
           Sun
           was
           down
           .
           In
           the
           chace
           of
           their
           Enemies
           they
           pass
           through
           a
           Wood
           dropping
           with
           Honey
           ;
           yet
           notwithstanding
           their
           Hunger
           and
           Faintness
           ,
           and
           the
           easy
           provisions
           before
           them
           ,
           no
           Man
           so
           much
           as
           tasted
           it
           :
           
           
             for
             the
             People
             feared
             the
             King's
             Oath
             .
          
           And
           did
           Men
           truly
           believe
           and
           fear
           the
           Law
           of
           God
           ,
           threatning
           Hell
           for
           Sin
           ,
           would
           they
           dare
           to
           commit
           it
           ,
           though
           invited
           by
           pleasant
           Temptations
           ?
           Nay
           ,
           not
           only
           a
           strong
           Fear
           ,
           but
           the
           mere
           suspicion
           of
           great
           Danger
           ,
           will
           restrain
           the
           most
           vehement
           desires
           of
           Nature
           .
           What
           Person
           ,
           though
           inflam'd
           with
           thirst
           ,
           would
           drink
           a
           Glass
           of
           cool
           Liquor
           ,
           if
           he
           suspected
           that
           deadly
           Poison
           were
           mix'd
           with
           it
           ?
           And
           if
           Men
           were
           perswaded
           that
           Sin
           is
           attended
           with
           eternal
           Death
           ,
           would
           
             they
             drink
             in
             Iniquity
             like
             Water
             ?
          
           The
           Devils
           themselves
           are
           not
           able
           to
           conquer
           the
           fear
           of
           Judgment
           to
           come
           ,
           they
           believe
           and
           tremble
           :
           Therefore
           when
           it
           is
           not
           active
           upon
           the
           Conscience
           ,
           it
           is
           either
           because
           Men
           do
           not
           believe
           it
           ,
           or
           they
           fancy
           ,
           that
           retaining
           their
           beloved
           Lusts
           ,
           they
           may
           obtain
           an
           easy
           Absolution
           ,
           and
           escape
           the
           Damnation
           of
           Hell
           ,
           which
           the
           Eternal
           Judg
           has
           declar'd
           shall
           be
           the
           punishment
           of
           all
           that
           will
           not
           cut
           off
           the
           right
           Hand
           ,
           and
           pluck
           out
           the
           right
           Eye
           ,
           separate
           their
           dearest
           Corruptions
           from
           them
           .
           Astonishing
           Perverseness
           !
           
           How
           many
           will
           not
           discern
           nor
           censure
           that
           Folly
           in
           themselves
           ,
           which
           they
           will
           condemn
           in
           others
           for
           extream
           Madness
           ?
           If
           one
           riotously
           lavishes
           away
           his
           Estate
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           short
           Pleasure
           of
           a
           few
           Years
           ,
           be
           reduc'd
           with
           the
           Prodigal
           to
           extream
           Poverty
           ,
           and
           to
           loathsom
           Imprisonment
           all
           his
           Life
           after
           ,
           would
           he
           not
           be
           esteem'd
           to
           have
           been
           besides
           himself
           ?
           Yet
           this
           is
           a
           very
           tolerable
           Case
           ,
           in
           comparison
           of
           exposing
           the
           Soul
           to
           Eternal
           Vengeance
           ,
           for
           the
           Pleasures
           of
           Sin
           that
           are
           but
           for
           a
           Season
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           Let
           us
           stedfastly
           believe
           ,
           and
           frequently
           consider
           ,
           that
           
             Eternal
             Death
             is
             the
             Wages
             of
             Sin
             ,
          
           that
           we
           may
           renounce
           it
           with
           the
           deepest
           Abhorrence
           ,
           and
           forsake
           it
           for
           ever
           .
           We
           are
           assured
           ,
           from
           the
           Wisdom
           and
           Compassion
           of
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           that
           't
           is
           a
           powerful
           Means
           to
           mortify
           the
           Inclination
           to
           sin
           ,
           and
           to
           induce
           us
           to
           prevent
           and
           resist
           all
           Temptations
           .
           The
           subtile
           Tempter
           cannot
           present
           any
           Motives
           ,
           that
           to
           a
           rectified
           Mind
           will
           make
           Sin
           eligible
           .
           Let
           the
           Scales
           be
           even
           ,
           and
           put
           into
           one
           all
           the
           Delights
           of
           
           the
           Senses
           ,
           all
           the
           Pleasures
           and
           Honours
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           that
           are
           the
           Elements
           of
           Carnal
           Felicity
           ,
           how
           light
           are
           they
           against
           the
           Heavenly
           Glory
           ?
           Will
           the
           Gain
           of
           the
           World
           compensate
           the
           Loss
           of
           the
           Soul
           and
           Salvation
           for
           ever
           ?
           If
           there
           were
           any
           possible
           comparison
           between
           deluding
           transient
           Vanities
           ,
           and
           the
           Happiness
           that
           is
           substantial
           and
           satisfying
           for
           ever
           ,
           the
           Choice
           would
           be
           more
           difficult
           ,
           and
           the
           Mistake
           less
           culpable
           ,
           but
           they
           vanish
           into
           nothing
           in
           the
           Comparison
           .
           According
           to
           the
           Judgment
           of
           Sense
           ,
           would
           any
           one
           chuse
           the
           enjoyment
           of
           the
           most
           exquisite
           Pleasures
           for
           a
           Year
           ,
           and
           afterwards
           be
           content
           to
           burn
           in
           a
           Furnace
           for
           a
           Day
           ;
           much
           less
           to
           enjoy
           them
           for
           a
           Day
           ,
           and
           to
           burn
           for
           a
           Year
           ?
           What
           stupid
           Brutes
           are
           they
           ,
           who
           for
           momentany
           Delights
           ,
           incur
           the
           fiery
           Indignation
           of
           God
           for
           ever
           ?
           Try
           but
           the
           Finger
           with
           the
           Flame
           of
           a
           Candle
           ,
           you
           will
           soon
           discover
           your
           weakness
           .
           Will
           the
           remembrance
           of
           sensual
           Delights
           allay
           the
           Torments
           of
           the
           Damned
           ?
           When
           Carnal
           Lusts
           are
           most
           inflamed
           ,
           and
           Objects
           are
           present
           ,
           Pain
           will
           extinguish
           all
           the
           Pleasure
           
           of
           the
           Senses
           :
           And
           if
           actual
           Enjoyment
           cannot
           afford
           Delight
           when
           the
           Body
           is
           under
           a
           Disease
           ,
           will
           the
           Reflections
           upon
           past
           Pleasures
           in
           the
           Fancy
           and
           Memory
           ,
           refresh
           the
           Damned
           in
           their
           extream
           Torments
           ?
           No
           ,
           the
           remembrance
           will
           infinitely
           increase
           their
           Anguish
           ,
           that
           for
           such
           seeming
           and
           short
           Pleasures
           ,
           they
           brought
           upon
           themselves
           Misery
           intolerable
           ,
           without
           Ease
           or
           End.
           O
           that
           Men
           would
           strip
           Sin
           of
           its
           disguises
           ,
           and
           wash
           off
           its
           flattering
           Colours
           ,
           and
           look
           into
           its
           odious
           Nature
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           consequential
           Evils
           of
           it
           in
           the
           next
           World
           !
           O
           that
           they
           would
           consider
           they
           hang
           by
           slender
           Strings
           ,
           (
           a
           little
           Breath
           that
           expires
           every
           Minute
           )
           over
           the
           bottomless
           Pit
           ,
           and
           that
           within
           a
           little
           while
           nothing
           will
           remain
           of
           the
           Pleasures
           of
           Sin
           ,
           but
           the
           undying
           Worm
           ,
           and
           the
           ever-living
           Flames
           !
           This
           would
           be
           a
           means
           to
           raise
           and
           preserve
           in
           them
           an
           invincible
           Resolution
           and
           Reluctancy
           against
           all
           temptations
           to
           sin
           and
           provoke
           God.
           But
           how
           hardly
           are
           Men
           induced
           to
           exercise
           their
           Minds
           on
           this
           terrible
           Object
           .
           They
           think
           least
           of
           Hell
           ,
           who
           have
           most
           reason
           to
           consider
           it
           .
        
         
         
           To
           this
           I
           must
           add
           ,
           that
           the
           meer
           fear
           of
           Hell
           ,
           and
           the
           judicial
           impression
           upon
           Conscience
           from
           it
           ,
           is
           not
           sufficient
           to
           convert
           Men
           to
           God.
           For
           that
           servile
           Affection
           ,
           though
           it
           may
           stop
           a
           Temptation
           ,
           and
           hinder
           the
           eruption
           of
           a
           Lust
           into
           the
           gross
           Act
           ,
           yet
           does
           not
           renew
           the
           Nature
           ,
           and
           make
           Men
           Holy
           and
           Heavenly
           .
           There
           may
           be
           a
           respective
           dislike
           of
           Sin
           ,
           with
           a
           direct
           Affection
           to
           it
           .
           Besides
           ,
           that
           Religion
           that
           is
           the
           meer
           Effect
           of
           Fear
           ,
           will
           be
           according
           to
           the
           Nature
           of
           its
           Principle
           ,
           with
           resistance
           and
           trouble
           ,
           wavering
           and
           inconstant
           :
           for
           tormenting
           Fear
           is
           repugnant
           to
           the
           humane
           Nature
           ,
           and
           will
           be
           expelled
           if
           possible
           .
           In
           short
           ,
           the
           fear
           of
           Hell
           may
           be
           only
           a
           natural
           Affection
           ,
           that
           recoils
           from
           what
           is
           painful
           to
           Sense
           .
           Therefore
           't
           is
           the
           great
           Design
           of
           the
           Gospel
           by
           the
           fear
           of
           Hell
           ,
           
           as
           a
           powerful
           Preparative
           ,
           to
           make
           way
           for
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           ,
           who
           offers
           Pardon
           and
           Indempnity
           to
           all
           returning
           Sinners
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           Hope
           of
           Heaven
           the
           blessed
           Reward
           promised
           to
           them
           .
           No
           Offers
           of
           Mercy
           will
           prevail
           to
           make
           Sinners
           to
           yield
           themselves
           ,
           till
           they
           are
           storm'd
           by
           the
           Terrors
           of
           the
           Lord.
           But
           when
           the
           
           fear
           of
           Hell
           has
           made
           a
           Breach
           ,
           Divine
           Grace
           enters
           and
           takes
           possession
           .
           As
           the
           Virtue
           of
           the
           Loadstone
           ,
           when
           encompass'd
           and
           arm'd
           with
           Iron
           ,
           is
           increas'd
           ,
           and
           draws
           a
           far
           greater
           weight
           than
           when
           't
           is
           naked
           and
           single
           ;
           thus
           the
           Attractives
           of
           Heaven
           are
           more
           powerful
           to
           move
           the
           Hearts
           of
           Men
           ,
           when
           enforced
           from
           the
           Terrors
           of
           Hell.
           Now
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           Hope
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           are
           spiritual
           Affections
           ;
           and
           the
           Obedience
           that
           flows
           from
           them
           is
           voluntary
           from
           the
           intire
           consent
           of
           the
           Soul
           ,
           and
           persevering
           .
        
         
           Lastly
           ,
           From
           the
           consideration
           of
           the
           Punishment
           determin'd
           for
           Sin
           ,
           we
           may
           understand
           how
           dear
           our
           Engagements
           are
           to
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           Christ.
           The
           Rector
           and
           Judg
           of
           the
           World
           would
           not
           release
           the
           Guilty
           without
           a
           Ransom
           ,
           nor
           the
           Surety
           without
           Satisfaction
           ;
           and
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           most
           willingly
           and
           compassionately
           gave
           his
           precious
           Blood
           the
           Price
           of
           our
           Redemption
           .
           He
           obtain'd
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Holiness
           ,
           to
           illuminate
           our
           Minds
           ,
           to
           incline
           our
           Wills
           ,
           to
           sanctify
           our
           Affections
           ,
           without
           whose
           Omnipotent
           Grace
           ,
           neither
           the
           Hopes
           or
           Fears
           of
           things
           Spiritual
           and
           Future
           ,
           would
           ever
           have
           cleansed
           and
           changed
           our
           Hearts
           and
           Lives
           .
           We
           are
           naturally
           as
           senseless
           as
           the
           Dead
           ,
           as
           to
           what
           concerns
           our
           everlasting
           Peace
           ,
           blind
           and
           brutish
           ,
           and
           without
           fear
           ;
           should
           plunge
           
           our selves
           into
           Destruction
           ,
           if
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Power
           ,
           and
           of
           a
           sound
           Mind
           ,
           did
           not
           quicken
           us
           and
           direct
           us
           in
           the
           way
           to
           everlasting
           Life
           .
           O
           that
           we
           might
           feel
           our
           dear
           Obligations
           to
           him
           who
           has
           
             delivered
             us
             from
             the
             Wrath
             to
             come
             ,
          
           and
           purchast
           for
           us
           a
           Felicity
           perfect
           ,
           and
           without
           end
           !
           I
           would
           not
           lessen
           and
           disparage
           one
           Divine
           Work
           ,
           to
           advance
           and
           extol
           another
           ;
           but
           't
           is
           a
           Truth
           that
           shines
           with
           its
           own
           Light
           ,
           and
           is
           declar'd
           by
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           that
           our
           Redemption
           from
           Hell
           to
           Heaven
           ,
           is
           a
           more
           excellent
           Benefit
           than
           our
           Creation
           ;
           in
           as
           much
           as
           our
           Well-being
           is
           better
           than
           our
           Being
           ;
           and
           eternal
           Misery
           is
           infinitely
           worse
           than
           mere
           not
           being
           .
           Our
           Saviour
           speaks
           of
           
             Judas
             ,
             It
             had
             been
             better
             for
             him
             if
             he
             had
             never
             been
             born
             .
          
           How
           engaging
           is
           the
           Love
           of
           Christ
           ,
           who
           rais'd
           us
           from
           the
           Bottom
           of
           Hell
           to
           the
           Bosom
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           Seat
           of
           Happiness
           !
           If
           his
           Perfections
           were
           not
           most
           amiable
           and
           attractive
           ,
           yet
           that
           he
           died
           for
           us
           ,
           should
           make
           him
           the
           Object
           of
           our
           most
           ardent
           Affections
           .
           
             To
             those
             who
             believe
             he
             is
             precious
          
           ;
           to
           those
           who
           have
           felt
           their
           undone
           Condition
           ,
           and
           that
           by
           his
           Merits
           and
           Mediation
           ,
           are
           restor'd
           to
           the
           Favour
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           are
           freed
           from
           tormenting
           Fears
           ,
           and
           revived
           with
           the
           sweetest
           Hopes
           ,
           he
           is
           and
           will
           be
           eminently
           and
           eternally
           precious
           .
           
             Blessing
             ,
             and
             Honour
             ,
             and
             Glory
             ,
             and
             Power
             ,
             be
             to
             Him
             that
             sitteth
             upon
             the
             Throne
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             Lamb
             for
             ever
             and
             ever
             .
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           Books
           writ
           by
           
             William
             Bates
          
           ,
           D.
           D.
           and
           sold
           by
           
             B.
             Aylmer
          
           .
        
         
           
             THE
             Harmony
             of
             the
             Divine
             Attributes
             ,
             in
             the
             Contrivance
             and
             Accomplishment
             of
             Man's
             Redemption
             by
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ
             :
             Or
             Discourses
             ,
             wherein
             is
             shewed
             ,
             how
             the
             Wisdom
             ,
             Mercy
             ,
             Justice
             ,
             Holiness
             ,
             Power
             ,
             and
             Truth
             of
             God
             are
             glorified
             in
             that
             great
             and
             blessed
             Work.
             In
             Octavo
             .
          
           
             Considerations
             of
             the
             Existence
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             Immortality
             of
             the
             Soul
             ,
             with
             the
             Recompences
             of
             the
             Future
             State.
             To
             which
             is
             now
             added
             ,
             The
             Divinity
             of
             the
             Christian
             Religion
             ,
             proved
             by
             the
             Evidence
             of
             Reason
             ,
             and
             Divine
             Revelation
             :
             for
             the
             Cure
             of
             Infidelity
             the
             Hectick
             Evil
             of
             the
             Times
             .
             In
             Octavo
             .
          
           
             The
             Soveraign
             and
             Final
             Happiness
             of
             Man
             ,
             with
             the
             effectual
             Means
             to
             obtain
             it
             .
             Also
             the
             Joys
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             Torments
             of
             Hell
             are
             discoursed
             of
             .
             In
             Octavo
             .
          
           
             Several
             Sermons
             upon
             Death
             ,
             and
             Eternal
             Judgment
             .
             In
             Octavo
             .
          
           
             The
             Four
             Last
             Things
             ,
             Death
             and
             Judgment
             ,
             Heaven
             and
             Hell
             ,
             practically
             considered
             and
             applied
             ,
             in
             several
             Discourses
             .
             In
             Octavo
             .
          
           
             The
             Danger
             of
             Prosperity
             discovered
             ,
             in
             several
             Sermons
             upon
             Prov.
             1.17
             .
             In
             Octavo
             .
          
           
             
             The
             great
             Duty
             of
             Resignation
             in
             Times
             of
             Affliction
             ,
             &c.
             In
             Octavo
             .
          
           
             A
             Funeral
             Sermon
             preached
             upon
             the
             Death
             of
             the
             Reverend
             and
             Excellent
             Divine
             ,
             Dr.
             
               Thomas
               Manton
            
             ,
             who
             deceased
             October
             18
             ,
             1677.
             
             To
             which
             is
             now
             added
             ,
             the
             last
             publick
             Sermon
             Dr.
             Manton
             preached
             .
             In
             Octavo
             .
          
           
             The
             Sure
             Trial
             of
             Uprightness
             ,
             opened
             in
             several
             Sermons
             upon
             Psal.
             18.
             v.
             23.
             
             In
             Octavo
             .
          
           
             A
             Description
             of
             the
             Blessed
             Place
             and
             State
             of
             the
             Saints
             above
             ,
             in
             a
             Discourse
             on
             John
             14.2
             .
             Preached
             at
             the
             Funeral
             of
             Mr.
             Clarkson
             .
          
           
             The
             Way
             to
             the
             highest
             Honour
             ,
             on
             John
             12.26
             .
             Preached
             at
             the
             Funeral
             of
             Dr.
             Jacomb
             .
          
           
             The
             speedy
             Coming
             of
             Christ
             to
             Judgment
             ,
             on
             Rev.
             22.12
             .
             Preached
             at
             the
             Funeral
             of
             Mr.
             
               Benj.
               Ashurst
            
             .
          
        
         
           
             ADVERTISEMENT
             .
          
           
             NEwly
             printed
             ,
             The
             Holy
             Bible
             ,
             containing
             the
             Old
             Testament
             and
             the
             New
             :
             With
             Annotations
             and
             Parallel
             Scriptures
             .
             To
             which
             is
             annex'd
             ,
             The
             Harmony
             of
             the
             Gospels
             :
             As
             also
             ,
             The
             Reduction
             of
             the
             Jewish
             Weights
             ,
             Coins
             and
             Measures
             ,
             to
             our
             English
             Standards
             .
             And
             a
             Table
             of
             the
             Promises
             in
             Scripture
             .
             By
             
               Samuel
               Clark
            
             Minister
             of
             the
             Gospel
             .
             Printed
             in
             Folio
             of
             a
             very
             fair
             Letter
             ;
             the
             like
             never
             before
             in
             one
             Volume
             .
             Printed
             for
             
               Brabazon
               Aylmer
            
             in
             Cornhill
             .
          
           
        
      
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A26786-e650
           
             Ver.
             4
             ,
             5.
             
          
           
             Ver.
             6.
             
          
           
             Deut.
             6.13
             .
             &
             10.20
             .
          
           
             Ver.
             7.
             
          
           
             Ver.
             8.
             
          
           
             Ver.
             10.
             
          
           
             Ver.
             13.
             
          
           
             Ver.
             14.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             97.9
             .
          
           
             Chap.
             2.11
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             78.49
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             5.12
             .
          
           
             Anima
             volens
             perdidit
             vivere
             ,
             nolens
             ergo
             perdat
             &
             vivificare
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             6.23
             .
          
           
             
               
                 Hac
                 lege
                 intraverant
                 ,
                 ut
                 exiirent
                 .
              
               
                 Senec.
                 
              
            
          
           
             Heb.
             9.27
             .
          
           
             Eccles.
             1.4
             .
          
           
             Gen.
             2.17
             .
          
           
             1
             Sam.
             26.10
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             89.4
             .
          
           
             Eccles.
             8.8
             .
          
           
             Isa.
             38.
             
          
           
             Isa.
             38.11
             .
          
           
             Dies
             moritur
             in
             noctem
             ,
             &
             tenebrisusquequaque
             sepelitur
             ;
             funestatur
             mundi
             honor
             ,
             omnis
             substantia
             denigratur
             ,
             sordent
             ,
             silent
             ,
             stupent
             cuncta
             :
             ubique
             justitium
             est
             .
             Tertul.
             de
             Resurrec
             .
             Car.
             
          
           
             
               
                 Talia
                 agentem
                 atque
                 meditantem
                 mors
                 praevenit
                 .
              
               
                 Sueton.
                 
              
            
          
           
             Psal.
             49.16
             ,
             17.
             
          
           
             *
             As
             our
             Divine
             Poet
             expresses
             it
             .
             
               
                 The
                 brags
                 of
                 Life
                 are
                 but
                 a
                 nine
                 days
                 wonder
                 ;
              
               
                 And
                 after
                 Death
                 the
                 Fumes
                 that
                 spring
                 ,
              
               
                 From
                 private
                 Bodies
                 make
                 as
                 big
                 a
                 Thunder
                 ,
              
               
                 As
                 those
                 that
                 rise
                 from
                 a
                 huge
                 King.
                 
              
               
                 Herbert
                 .
              
            
          
           
             2
             Kings
             9.37
             .
          
           
             Isa.
             14.11
             .
          
           
             Heb.
             9.27
             .
          
           
             Acts
             24.25
             .
          
           
             Heb.
             10.31
             .
          
           
             Praestat
             semel
             mori
             quam
             semper
             timere
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             from
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             ‖
             
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               .
               Rom.
               8.15
               .
            
             
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               .
               2
               Tim.
               1.7
               .
            
          
           
             Eccles.
             11.7
             .
          
           
             Prov.
             29.
             
          
           
             Job
             36.21
             .
          
           
             Rev.
             21.
             
          
           
             
               
                 Nullum
                 malum
                 sine
                 effugio
                 .
              
               
                 Senec.
                 
              
            
          
           
             Timor
             fugam
             perdidit
             .
          
           
             1
             Sam.
             28.
             
          
           
             Dan.
             5.1
             ,
             2
             ,
             3
             ,
             4.
             
          
           
             Amos
             6.3
             ,
             4.
             
          
           
             Aelian
             .
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             5.11
             .
          
           
             Heb.
             11.
             
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             2.6
             .
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             1.
             
          
           
             〈…〉
             
          
           
             〈…〉
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             15.
             
          
           
             Gal.
             3.
             
          
           
             Isa.
             53.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             12.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             10.33
             .
          
           
             Rev.
             2.
             
          
           
             1
             Thess.
             4.14
             .
          
           
             
               
                 Annon
                 longe
                 gloriosius
                 fuit
                 ,
                 quandoquidem
                 totum
                 pro
                 nobis
                 agebatur
                 ,
                 ut
                 non
                 modo
                 passio
                 corporis
                 ,
                 sed
                 etiam
                 cordis
                 affectio
                 pro
                 nobis
                 faceret
                 ?
                 Et
                 quos
                 vivificabat
                 mors
                 ,
                 nihilominus
                 &
                 trepidatio
                 robustos
                 ,
                 &
                 moestitia
                 laetos
                 &
                 taedium
                 alacres
                 &
                 turbatio
                 quietos
                 facecet
                 ,
                 &
                 desolatio
                 consolatos
                 ?
                 Bern.
                 Serm.
                 1.
                 de
                 S.
                 Andr.
                 
              
               
                 Isa.
                 57.1
                 ,
                 2.
                 
              
            
          
           
             Luke
             2.
             
          
           
             John
             6.48
             .
          
           
             †
             
               
                 Dies
                 iste
                 quem
                 tu
                 tanquam
                 supremum
                 reformidas
                 ,
                 aeterni
                 natalis
                 est
                 .
              
               
                 Senec.
                 
              
            
          
           
             Job
             14.1
             .
          
           
             Tempus
             angustatur
             ad
             vitam
             ,
             dilatatur
             ad
             miseriam
             .
          
           
             *
             Omnes
             homines
             aut
             sunt
             penitus
             caro
             ,
             &
             nihil
             habent
             spiritus
             ,
             ii
             sunt
             infideles
             sine
             regeneratione
             .
             Aut
             sunt
             tantum
             spiritus
             sine
             carne
             .
             Ii
             sunt
             sancti
             ;
             qui
             jam
             in
             Coelo
             aeterna
             fruuntur
             pace
             sine
             pugna
             .
             Aut
             sunt
             partim
             spiritus
             ,
             partim
             caro
             .
             Ii
             sunt
             omnes
             renati
             per
             Spiritum
             Sanctum
             in
             Christo.
             Aug.
             cont
             .
             Jul.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             13.
             
          
           
             1
             John
             3.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             8.
             
          
           
             ‖
             Poterat
             autem
             Christus
             etiam
             hoc
             donare
             credentibus
             ,
             ut
             nec
             istius
             experi●entur
             corporis
             mortem
             :
             sed
             si
             hoc
             fecisset
             carni
             quaedam
             foelicitas
             adderetur
             ,
             minueretur
             fidei
             fortitudo
             .
             Quid
             enim
             magnum
             erat
             vivendo
             eos
             non
             m●●i
             qui
             crederent
             se
             non
             morituros
             ?
             Quanto
             est
             majus
             quanto
             fortius
             quanto
             laudabilius
             ita
             credere
             ,
             ut
             se
             speret
             moriturus
             sine
             fine
             victurum
             ?
             Aug.
             de
             pecc
             .
             Mort.
             Lib.
             2.
             
          
           
             Exercitia
             nobis
             sunt
             non
             funera
             ,
             dant
             animo
             fortitudinis
             gloriam
             :
             Contemptu
             mortis
             praeparant
             ad
             coronam
             .
             Cypr.
             de
             Mortal
             .
          
           
             *
             
               
                 Nomen
                 terrae
                 in
                 igni
                 reliquit
                 .
              
               
                 Tertul.
                 
              
            
          
           
             Rom.
             1.11
             .
          
           
             Acts
             2.24
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             4.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             13.
             
          
           
             *
             
               
                 Qui
                 sibi
                 ipse
                 pulcherrimum
                 medicamentum
                 .
              
               
                 Celsus
                 .
              
            
          
           
             Ephes.
             2.6
             .
          
           
             Exod.
             10.26
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             27.52
             ,
             53.
             
          
           
             Phil.
             3.1
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             8.23
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             15.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             15.
             
          
           
             Mark
             9.
             
          
           
             †
             
               
                 Foelices
                 errore
                 suo
                 quos
                 ille
                 timorum
              
               
                 Maximus
                 ,
                 haud
                 urget
                 leti
                 metus
                 ,
                 inde
                 ruendi
              
               
                 In
                 ferrrum
                 mens
                 prona
                 viris
                 ,
                 animaeque
                 capaces
              
               
                 Mortis
                 ,
                 &
                 ignavum
                 rediturae
                 parcere
                 vitae
                 .
              
               
                 Lucan
                 .
              
            
          
           
             1
             John
             5.12
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             8.1
             .
          
           
             Revel
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             15.22
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             6.17
             .
          
           
             John
             6.36
             .
          
           
             2
             Kings
             4.34
             .
          
           
             Gal.
             2.20
             .
          
           
             John
             15.26
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             1.4
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             8.9
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             8.11
             .
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             5.17
             .
          
           
             Revel
             .
             1.
             
          
           
             Macti
             ingenio
             este
             Coeli
             interpretes
             ,
             rerumque
             naturae
             capaces
             ,
             Argumenti
             repertores
             ,
             quo
             Deos
             hominesque
             vinxistis
             .
             
               Plin.
               lib.
            
             2.
             
          
           
             *
             
               
                 Foelix
                 qui
                 potuit
                 rerum
                 cognoscere
                 causas
                 :
              
               
                 Atque
                 metus
                 mortis
                 &
                 inexorabile
                 fatum
              
               
                 Subjecit
                 pedibus
                 .
              
               
                 Virgil.
                 
              
            
          
           
             Acts
             20.21
             .
          
           
             Heb.
             6.1
             .
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             5.14
             .
          
           
             Athen.
             
          
           
             Heb
             2.7
             ,
             8.
             
             Quis
             enim
             satis
             explicet
             verbis
             ,
             quantum
             mali
             sit
             non
             obedire
             tanto
             potestatis
             imperio
             ,
             &
             tanto
             tenenti
             supplicio
             ?
          
           
             
               
                 Nemo
                 ergo
                 sibi
                 promittat
                 ,
                 quod
                 evangelium
                 non
                 promittit
                 .
              
               
                 Aug.
                 
              
            
          
           
             Jer.
             13.16
             .
          
           
             Psal
             78.34
             ,
             36.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             2.
             
          
           
             1
             Sam.
             26.21
             .
          
           
             Prov.
             1.
             
          
           
             Matth.
             25.
             
          
           
             
               
                 Male
                 cum
                 his
                 agitur
                 ,
                 quibus
                 necessitas
                 incumbit
                 belli
                 &
                 morbi
                 .
              
               
                 V●g
                 .
              
            
          
           
             ‖
             Quod
             alicui
             gratiosè
             conceditur
             ,
             trahi
             non
             debet
             ab
             aliis
             in
             exemplum
             .
          
           
             
               
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 .
              
               
                 Chrys.
                 
              
            
          
           
             
               
                 Vix
                 dici
                 potest
                 quantos
                 haec
                 inanis
                 spei
                 umbra
                 deceperit
                 .
              
               
                 Aug.
                 
              
            
          
           
             †
             Tull.
             
          
           
             Tully
             .
          
           
             ‖
             
               
                 Miserrimum
                 morbi
                 genus
                 ,
                 in
                 quo
                 aeger
                 &
                 siti
                 &
                 aquae
                 metu
                 cruciatur
                 ,
                 quorum
                 spes
                 in
                 angusto
                 est
                 .
              
               
                 Cels.
                 
              
            
          
           
             John
             17.
             
          
           
             
               
                 Haec
                 enim
                 est
                 infoelicitas
                 hominum
                 ,
                 propter
                 quae
                 peccant
                 Morientes
                 hic
                 dimittunt
                 ,
                 &
                 ipsa
                 peccata
                 secum
                 portant
                 .
              
               
                 Aug.
                 
              
            
          
           
             
               
                 Stemus
                 expeditae
                 ad
                 omnem
                 vim
                 ,
                 nihil
                 habentes
                 quod
                 relinquere
                 timeamus
                 ;
                 Retinacula
                 ista
                 sunt
                 spei
                 nostrae
                 .
              
               
                 
                   De
                   cult
                   .
                   Foem
                
                 .
              
            
          
           
             Josh.
             3.16
             .
             Ad
             instar
             montis
             intumescentis
             ,
             apparebant
             procul
             .
          
           
             1
             John
             1.3
             .
          
           
             Heb.
             11.1
             .
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             5.1
             .
          
           
             
               Epist.
               Jul.
            
             
          
           
             1
             Thess.
             4.
             
          
           
             *
             Ille
             exerit
             gladium
             ,
             ille
             cervicem
             ,
             uno
             voto
             ,
             unâ
             devotione
             :
             sub
             tanto
             non
             dicam
             humanitatis
             ,
             sed
             p●tius
             naturae
             ipsius
             metu
             ,
             lati
             sunt
             .
          
           
             John
             21.41
             .
          
           
             Secutus
             à
             corpore
             volebat
             esse
             cum
             Christo
             ,
             sed
             si
             fieri
             posset
             praeter
             mortis
             molestiam
             .
             Nolens
             ad
             eam
             venit
             ,
             sed
             volens
             eam
             vicit
             .
             Aug.
             Tract
             .
             123
             in
             Joan.
             
          
           
             Phil.
             1.
             
          
           
             John
             17.
             
          
           
             Cant.
             1.
             
          
           
             †
             Quamdiu
             in
             Salo
             isto
             ,
             tamdiu
             inter
             naufragia
             .
          
           
             Accitus
             sum
             ad
             id
             miraculi
             ,
             videre
             exultantem
             in
             morte
             hominem
             ,
             &
             insultantem
             morti
             .
             Bern.
             26
             Serm.
             in
             Cant.
             
          
           
             Gen.
             4.
             
          
        
         
           Notes for div A26786-e9350
           
             Ver.
             29.
             
          
           
             Ver.
             26.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             100.
             
          
           
             Isa.
             33.22
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             3.5
             ,
             6.
             
          
           
             John
             5.22
             .
          
           
             Ver.
             26
             ,
             27.
             
          
           
             Rev.
             5.
             
          
           
             John
             5.23
             .
          
           
             Luke
             9.26
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             26.64
             ,
             63.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             1.
             
          
           
             Isa.
             11.2
             ,
             3
             ,
             4.
             
          
           
             Rev.
             20.11
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             7.17
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             119.128
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             2.18
             .
          
           
             〈◊〉
             .
             6.10
             .
          
           
             John
             5.44
             .
          
           
             James
             2.12
             .
          
           
             Isa.
             1.16
             ,
             17
             ,
             18
             
          
           
             Mal.
             3.17
             .
          
           
             2
             Tim.
             1.7
             .
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             1.12
             .
          
           
             Luke
             11.13
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             1.26
             ,
             27.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             1.32
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             2.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             2.4
             .
          
           
             Acts
             14.17
             .
          
           
             
               
                 —
                 Adsit
                 Regula
                 peccatis
                 ,
                 quae
                 poenas
                 irroget
                 aequas
                 .
              
               
                 Horat.
                 
              
            
          
           
             Isa.
             6.2
             ,
             3.
             
          
           
             Job
             22.14
             .
          
           
             
               
                 Poenae
                 aequalitas
                 non
                 nude
                 spectanda
                 ut
                 in
                 ponderibus
                 &
                 mensuris
                 ,
                 sed
                 expenso
                 proposito
                 ,
                 &
                 voto
                 ejus
                 qui
                 deliquit
                 .
              
               
                 Grot.
                 
              
            
          
           
             Mat.
             23.33
             .
          
           
             Gen.
             3.11
             .
          
           
             Gen.
             18.20
             ,
             21
             
          
           
             Dan.
             5.27
             .
          
           
             Rev.
             19.2
             ,
             3.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             2.5
             .
          
           
             Eccles.
             12.
             ult
             .
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             5.10
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             2.16
             .
          
           
             James
             4.
             
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             4.5
             .
          
           
             Col.
             3.25
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             12.
             
          
           
             Jude
             14
             ,
             15.
             
          
           
             Luke
             21.3
             ,
             4.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             10.42
             .
          
           
             Rev.
             20.12
             .
          
           
             John
             5.45
             .
          
           
             John
             12.48
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             19.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             4.13
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             139.
             
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             6.16
             .
          
           
             Rev.
             1.14
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             90.8
             .
          
           
             1
             Sam.
             15.21
             .
          
           
             2
             Sam.
             11.25
             .
          
           
             Matth.
             23.14
             .
          
           
             Matth.
             6.2
             .
          
           
             Matth.
             23.14
             .
          
           
             Prov.
             24.12
             .
          
           
             Jer.
             17.10
             .
          
           
             Isa.
             65.6
             .
          
           
             *
             
               
                 O
                 si
                 nobis
                 animam
                 boni
                 viri
                 liceret
                 inspicere
                 ,
                 quam
                 pulchram
                 faciem
                 ,
                 quam
                 sanctam
                 ,
                 quam
                 ex
                 magnifico
                 ,
                 placidoquefulgentem
                 videremus
                 !
              
               
                 Senec.
                 
              
            
          
           
             Mal.
             3.16
             ,
             17.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             2.15
             ,
             16.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             40.12
             .
          
           
             Jer.
             17.1
             .
          
           
             Rev.
             
          
           
             Zech.
             3.1
             ,
             2
             ,
             3.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             109.6
             ,
             7.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             7.18
             .
          
           
             Isa.
             56.12
             .
          
           
             Prov.
             1.
             
          
           
             Hab.
             2.11
             .
          
           
             James
             5.3
             ,
             4.
             
          
           
             ‖
             Ipse
             timendus
             est
             in
             publico
             ,
             ipse
             in
             secreto
             .
             Lucerna
             ardet
             ?
             videt
             te
             .
             Lucerna
             extincta
             est
             ?
             videt
             te
             .
             In
             cubile
             intras
             ?
             videt
             te
             .
             In
             corde
             versaris
             ?
             videt
             te
             .
             Ipsum
             time
             .
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             1.17
             .
          
           
             Matth.
             7.22
             .
          
           
             Col.
             3.
             ult
             .
          
           
             Col.
             3.11
             .
          
           
             Gal.
             6.7
             ,
             8.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             2.7
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             6.
             ult
             .
          
           
             Jude
             21.
             
          
           
             Rev.
             7.14
             .
          
           
             2
             Tim.
             4.7
             ,
             8.
             
          
           
             Rev.
             20.12
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             25.
             34.
             35.
             
          
           
             *
             Plus
             amant
             illud
             Regnum
             in
             quo
             non
             timent
             habere
             consortes
             .
             Aug.
             de
             Civit.
             Dei.
             
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             8.12
             .
          
           
             Luk.
             12.47
             ,
             48.
             
          
           
             Jer.
             17.10
             .
          
           
             Luke
             16.28
             .
          
           
             ‖
             
               
                 Non
                 orat
                 pro
                 fratrum
                 salute
                 quâ
                 non
                 tangitur
                 reprobus
                 ,
                 sed
                 pro
                 se
                 ne
                 ipsius
                 tormenta
                 ex
                 consortio
                 fratrum
                 augeautur
                 .
              
               
                 Brugen
                 .
              
            
          
           
             Testimonium
             animae
             naturaliter
             Christiana
             .
             Tert.
             
          
           
             Jude
             14
             ,
             15.
             
          
           
             Eccles.
             12.
             
          
           
             Esa.
             45.23
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             14.10
             ,
             11.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             13.42
             ,
             43.
             
             &
             23.30
             ,
             31.
             
          
           
             
               
                 An
                 verè
                 extribuit
                 nobis
                 omnia
                 quae
                 promisit
                 ,
                 &
                 de
                 solo
                 die
                 judicii
                 nos
                 fefellit
                 ?
              
               
                 Aug.
                 
              
            
          
           
             Psal.
             14.1
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             50.
             
          
           
             Eccles.
             8.2
             .
          
           
             Acts
             17.130
             .
          
           
             2
             Pet.
             2.4
             .
          
           
             Deut.
             32.34
             .
          
           
             ‖
             Amos
             8.7
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             50.21
             .
          
           
             *
             Cum
             habeat
             in
             potestate
             vindictam
             mavult
             diu
             tenere
             patientiam
             .
             Cyprian
             .
             de
             bon
             .
             Patient
             .
          
           
             †
             
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               &c.
               
            
             
               Cum
               hi
               novissimi
               versus
               in
               Tragoedia
               Euripidis
               pronuntiati
               essent
               ,
               totus
               populus
               ad
               ejiciendum
               &
               Actorum
               &
               Carmen
               consurrexit
               uno
               impetu
               :
               donec
               Euripides
               in
               medium
               prosiluit
               petens
               ut
               expectarent
               ,
               viderentque
               quem
               admirator
               auri
               exitum
               faceret
               Senec.
               Epist.
               115.
               
            
          
           
             Psal.
             4.
             
          
           
             2
             Thess.
             6.7
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             2.7
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             4.5
             .
          
           
             Inter
             Judicem
             justum
             ,
             &
             conscientiam
             tuam
             ,
             noli
             timere
             nisi
             causam
             tuam
             .
             Aug.
             
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             1.7
             .
          
           
             2
             Pet.
             3.9
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             94.5
             ,
             6.
             
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             4.3
             ,
             4.
             
          
           
             Eccles.
             11.
             
          
           
             Tit.
             12.13
             .
          
           
             Phil.
             1.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             25.
             
          
           
             Acts.
             2.
             
          
           
             
               
                 Videtis
                 vulnera
                 quae
                 inflixistis
                 ,
                 agnoscitis
                 latus
                 quod
                 pupugistis
                 ,
                 quoniam
                 &
                 per
                 vos
                 ,
                 &
                 propter
                 vos
                 a
                 pertum
                 est
                 ,
                 nec
                 intrare
                 voluistis
                 .
              
               
                 Aug.
                 
              
            
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             5.9
             .
          
           
             Rev.
             8.3
             .
          
           
             1
             John
             3.20
             ,
             21.
             
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             1.12
             .
          
           
             *
             
               
                 Cui
                 praeceptor
                 :
                 ista
                 inquit
                 omnibus
                 eadem
                 sunt
                 ,
                 aeque
                 difficilia
                 .
              
               
                 Senec.
                 Ep.
                 91.
                 
              
            
          
           
             Psal.
             19.12
             .
          
           
             *
             
               
                 Nullis
                 vitiis
                 desunt
                 pretiosa
                 nomina
                 .
              
               
                 Plin.
                 lib.
                 73.
                 
              
            
          
           
             Mat.
             10.33
             ,
             34.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             10.
             
          
           
             1
             Joh.
             4.18
             .
          
           
             Matth.
             10.31
             ,
             32
             ,
             33.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             4.17
             .
          
           
             Acts
             5.41
             .
          
           
             John
             5.33
             ,
             36
             ,
             37
             ,
             39.
             
          
           
             Mark
             8.38
             .
          
           
             Matth.
             25.34
             ,
             35.36
             .
          
           
             Jude
             15.
             
          
           
             Rev.
             1.9
             .
          
           
             1
             Thess.
             4.16
             .
          
           
             Pet.
             3.11
             ,
             1●
             .
          
           
             Acts
             17.32
             ,
             34.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             19.27
             .
          
           
             *
             Vae
             miseris
             nobis
             qui
             de
             electione
             nostra
             nullam
             adhuc
             〈◊〉
             vocem
             cognovimus
             ,
             &
             iam
             in
             otio
             qu●●●
             de
             securitate
             torpemus
             .
             Greg.
             lib.
             39.
             
             Moral
             .
          
        
         
           Notes for div A26786-e16960
           
             Matth.
             11.
             
          
           
             Isa.
             35.
             
          
           
             
               
                 Illorum
                 hominum
                 non
                 tantum
                 lingua
                 sed
                 &
                 vita
                 prophetica
                 fuit
                 .
              
               
                 Aug.
                 
              
            
          
           
             Acts
             2
             27
             ,
             29.
             
          
           
             Rev.
             17.7
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             13.
             
          
           
             Ephes.
             3.
             
          
           
             *
             
               
                 Ut
                 cum
                 istud
                 quicquid
                 est
                 de
                 quo
                 disputatis
                 percepero
                 ,
                 moriar
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Val.
                   Max.
                
                 
              
            
          
           
             *
             Aristotle
             .
          
           
             Cant.
             7.
             
          
           
             Cant.
             10.16
             .
          
           
             Cant.
             6.
             
          
           
             *
             
               
                 Sic
                 itaque
                 habebit
                 donum
                 aliud
                 alio
                 minus
                 ,
                 ut
                 hic
                 quoque
                 donum
                 habeat
                 ,
                 ne
                 velit
                 amplius
                 .
              
               
                 Aug.
                 
              
            
          
           
             *
             
               
                 O
                 si
                 animum
                 boni
                 viri
                 liceret
                 inspicere
                 ,
                 ex
                 magnifico
                 placidóque
                 fulgentem
                 !
                 nonne
                 veluti
                 numinis
                 occursu
                 obstupefacti
                 essemus
                 ?
              
               
                 Senec.
                 
              
            
          
           
             Non
             errâsti
             Mater
             ,
             nam
             hic
             Alexander
             est
             .
             
               Curt.
               lib.
            
             3.
             
          
           
             Job
             .
             29.2
             ,
             3
             ,
             4.
             
          
           
             *
             Vitae
             nos
             taedium
             tenet
             timor
             mortis
             ,
             natat
             omne
             consilium
             ,
             nec
             implere
             nos
             ulla
             faelicitas
             potest
             .
             Causa
             autē
             est
             ,
             quod
             non
             pervenimus
             ad
             illud
             bonum
             immensum
             &
             insuperabile
             ,
             ubi
             necesse
             est
             ,
             consistat
             nobis
             voluntas
             nostra
             ,
             quia
             ultra
             summum
             non
             est
             locus
             .
             Senec.
             Ep.
             74.
             
          
           
             †
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Arist.
             Eth.
             l.
             7.
             c.
             ult
             .
          
           
             *
             
               
                 Et
                 totum
                 se
                 dedit
                 universis
                 ,
                 &
                 totum
                 singulis
                 .
                 Ac
                 per
                 hoc
                 quicquid
                 passione
                 sua
                 Salvator
                 praestitit
                 ,
                 sicut
                 totum
                 ei
                 debent
                 universi
                 ,
                 sic
                 singuli
                 ;
                 nisi
                 quod
                 propè
                 hoc
                 plus
                 singuli
                 quam
                 universi
                 ,
                 quod
                 totum
                 accepe
                 run●●
                 singu●●
                 quantum
                 un●
                 versi
                 .
              
               
                 Salvian
                 .
              
            
          
           
             *
             Si
             audiat
             multitudo
             silens
             ,
             non
             inter
             se
             particulatim
             comminuunt
             sonos
             ,
             tanquam
             cibos
             :
             sed
             omne
             quod
             sonat
             &
             omnibus
             totum
             est
             ,
             &
             singulis
             totum
             .
             August
             .
             in
             Ep.
             ad
             Volusan
             .
          
           
             Heb.
             10.19
             ,
             20.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             9.16
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             3.27
             .
          
           
             James
             2.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             9.
             
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             
          
           
             John
             3.3
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             8.17
             .
          
           
             Gal.
             4.7
             .
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             1.17
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             2.16
             .
             Acts
             26.18
             .
          
           
             Heb.
             12.14
             .
          
           
             John
             3.16
             .
          
           
             Phil.
             2.8
             ,
             9.
             
          
           
             John
             17.2
             .
          
           
             John
             6.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             15.22
             .
          
           
             1
             John
             5.12
             .
          
           
             John
             1.13
             .
          
           
             Ephes.
             3.17
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             1.
             
          
           
             Acts
             5.31
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             8.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             106.14
             .
          
           
             Frui
             est
             amore
             alicujus
             rei
             inhaerere
             propter
             seipsam
             uti
             autem
             ,
             quod
             in
             usum
             venerit
             ,
             ad
             id
             quod
             amas
             obtinendum
             referre
             .
             Aug.
             de
             Doct.
             Christ.
             
          
           
             *
             Acosta
             .
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             9.18
             ,
             19.
             
          
           
             Phil.
             3.13
             ,
             14.
             
          
           
             Rev.
             2.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             13.
             
          
           
             *
             
               
                 Natator
                 amnem
                 interpositum
                 superaturus
                 ,
                 exuitur
                 ,
                 nec
                 tamen
                 hoc
                 tanto
                 appararu
                 ,
                 quod
                 se
                 dispoliaverit
                 ,
                 transnatabit
                 ,
                 nisi
                 totius
                 Corporis
                 nisu
                 torrentis
                 impetum
                 scindat
                 ,
                 &
                 laborem
                 natationis
                 exhauriat
                 .
              
               
                 Paulin.
                 
              
            
          
           
             Rom.
             2.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             10.22
             .
          
           
             Juven
             .
          
           
             Ezek.
             18.24
             .
          
           
             Heb.
             10.38
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             5.11
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             6.9
             ,
             10.
             
          
           
             *
             Homil.
             6.
             de
             
               laud.
               Paul.
            
             
          
           
             †
             Quae
             justior
             venia
             in
             omnibus
             causis
             ,
             quam
             voluntarius
             ,
             an
             quam
             invitus
             peccator
             implorat
             ?
             Negationem
             quanta
             compellunt
             ,
             ingenia
             carnificum
             ,
             &
             genera
             poenarum
             ?
             Quis
             magis
             negavit
             ,
             qui
             Christum
             vexatus
             ,
             an
             qui
             delectatus
             amisit
             ?
             Qui
             quum
             amitteret
             doluit
             ,
             an
             qui
             quum
             amitteret
             lusit
             ?
             Tert.
             de
             pudicit
             .
          
           
             Denique
             saepe
             cognovimus
             ,
             quoniam
             quem
             formidolosa
             carnificum
             pompa
             non
             terruit
             ,
             nec
             divisi
             lateris
             sulcus
             infregit
             ,
             nec
             ardentes
             ●●minae
             à
             triumphalis
             〈…〉
             .
          
           
             *
             
               
                 Flagitio
                 insigni
                 ,
                 semper
                 alicujus
                 foeminae
                 amore
                 flagrans
                 &
                 ob
                 id
                 Deas
                 pingens
                 sub
                 dilectarum
                 imagine
                 .
                 Itaque
                 scorta
                 ejus
                 venerabantur
                 .
              
               
                 Plin.
                 
              
            
          
           
             *
             Bion.
             
          
           
             †
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Aelian
             .
             l.
             13.
             c.
             32.
             
          
           
             †
             Nunquam
             de
             vitâ
             judicatur
             ,
             semper
             creditur
             ,
             sanabimur
             ,
             si
             modò
             separemur
             à
             coetu
             .
             Sen
             ,
             de
             vit
             .
             Beat.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             11.1
             .
          
           
             
               
                 Nec
                 vereamur
                 occidi
                 ,
                 quos
                 constat
                 ,
                 quando
                 occidimur
                 coronari
                 .
              
               
                 Cyp.
                 
              
            
          
           
             Isa.
             1.2
             ,
             3.
             
          
           
             *
             Primum
             ego
             scriptoris
             officium
             existim●●
             ,
             ut
             titulum
             〈◊〉
             legat
             ,
             atque
             identidem
             〈…〉
             quid
             cap●●it
             scribere
             .
          
           
             †
             
               
                 Cum
                 natalis
                 dies
                 Februarii
                 admonuisset
                 aetatis
                 numerandae
                 ,
                 &
                 tricesimo
                 reperissem
                 ,
                 invasit
                 me
                 subita
                 moestitia
                 ,
                 &
                 perculsit
                 admirantem
                 ,
                 quomodo
                 sine
                 sensu
                 vitae
                 ad
                 ejus
                 culmen
                 pervenissem
                 ,
                 à
                 quo
                 lux
                 quaelibet
                 fit
                 obscurior
                 ,
                 &
                 dies
                 nostri
                 ad
                 occasum
                 inclinare
                 incipiunt
                 .
                 Visa
                 est
                 mihi
                 rerum
                 facies
                 momento
                 mutata
                 ,
                 &
                 tunc
                 primum
                 me
                 hominem
                 agnovi
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Memoires
                   Chanut
                
                 .
              
            
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             4.18
             .
          
           
             2
             Pet.
             3.9
             .
          
           
             Quam
             suave
             carete
             suavitatibus
             istis
             ?
          
        
         
           Notes for div A26786-e26110
           
             
               
                 Ut
                 corpus
                 redimas
                 ferrum
                 patieris
                 &
                 ignes
                 :
                 ut
                 valeas
                 animo
                 quicquam
                 tolerare
                 negabis
                 ?
                 At
                 pretium
                 pars
                 haec
                 corpore
                 majus
                 habet
                 .
              
               
                 Ovid.
                 
              
            
          
           
             Psal.
             90.11
             .
          
           
             2
             Thes.
             1.
             
          
           
             
               Indeed
               it
               is
               difficult
               to
               conceive
               how
               a
               material
               Fire
               can
               act
               on
               a
               spiritual
               Substance
               .
               But
               't
               is
               unreasonable
               to
               determine
               that
               it
               is
               impossible
               .
               For
               if
               we
               consider
               what
               Pain
               is
               ,
               it
               is
               as
               conceivable
               how
               pure
               Spirits
               are
               capable
               of
               it
               ,
               as
               Spirits
               in
               Conjunction
               with
               Bodies
               .
               The
               human
               Soul
               in
               its
               Nature
               is
               Spiritual
               as
               the
               Angels
               ,
               yet
               has
               a
               painful
               sense
               of
               Fire
               or
               other
               afflicting
               Evils
               incumbent
               on
               the
               Senses
               .
               The
               Body
               meerly
               feels
               not
               pain
               ,
               but
               it
               passes
               through
               the
               Body
               to
               the
               Soul.
               If
               the
               Soul
               by
               a
               strong
               diversion
               of
               Thoughts
               apply
               it self
               to
               an
               Object
               ,
               the
               Body
               is
               insensible
               of
               Pain
               ,
               as
               is
               evident
               in
               some
               Diseases
               ;
               and
               that
               in
               the
               heat
               of
               Battel
               ,
               deep
               Wounds
               are
               not
               felt
               .
               And
               as
               God
               by
               a
               natural
               Constitution
               has
               ordered
               ,
               that
               the
               Body
               so
               touched
               and
               moved
               ,
               excites
               a
               painful
               Sense
               in
               the
               Soul
               ,
               he
               may
               have
               ordained
               that
               the
               Devils
               shall
               feel
               the
               impressions
               of
               Material
               Fire
               ,
               in
               the
               places
               to
               which
               they
               shall
               be
               confin'd
               .
            
          
           
             Dan.
             12.2
             .
          
           
             
               
                 Tacitâ
                 sudant
                 praecordia
                 culpa
                 .
              
               
                 Juv.
                 
              
            
          
           
             Jer.
             14.12
             .
          
           
             
               
                 Jussisti
                 Domine
                 ,
                 &
                 sic
                 est
                 ut
                 poena
                 sit
                 sibi
                 omnis
                 inordinatus
                 affectus
                 .
              
               
                 Aug.
                 
              
            
          
           
             Luke
             15.28
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             77.7
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             3.5
             ,
             6.
             
          
           
             Job
             4.17
             .
          
           
             Prov.
             8.36
             .
          
           
             Rev.
             16.10
             ,
             11.
             
          
           
             Jer.
             26.3
             .
          
           
             *
             
               
                 Si
                 frigido
                 loquar
                 nescit
                 quod
                 loquor
                 .
              
               
                 Aug.
                 
              
            
          
           
             
               
                 Identidem
                 dictitans
                 ,
                 qualis
                 artisex
                 pereo
                 !
              
               
                 Suet.
                 
              
            
          
           
             
               
                 Nisi
                 timore
                 incipiat
                 homo
                 Deum
                 colere
                 ,
                 non
                 perveniet
                 ad
                 amorem
                 .
              
               
                 Aug.