ThePracticeofPiety

byLewisBayly

APuritandevotionalmanual,directingaChristianhowtolive,

thathemaypleaseGod

TableofContents

MeditationsonthemiserablestateofthosenotreconciledtoGodinChrist

MeditationsontheblessedstateofthosereconciledtoGodinChrist

MeditationsfortheSick

Consolationsagainstimpatienceinsickness

Meditationsforonewhoislikelytodie

Consolationsagainstthefearofdeath

DirectionsforcomfortablewalkingwithGod

Sevenhindrancestothepracticeofpiety

Howtobeginthemorningwithpiousmeditationsandprayer

MeditationsonthemiserablestateofthosenotreconciledtoGodinChrist

O wretched man! Where shall I begin to describe your endless misery, who arecondemnedassoonasconceived;andjudgedtoeternaldeath,beforeyouwereborntoa temporal life! A beginning indeed, I find—but no end of yourmiseries. ForwhenAdamandEve,beingcreatedafterGod'sownimage,andplacedinParadise,thattheyandtheirposteritymightliveinablessedstateoflifeimmortal,havingdominionoverallearthlycreatures,andonlyrestrainedfromthefruitofonetree,asasignoftheir

subjection to the almighty Creator; thoughGod forbade them this one small thing,underthepenaltyofeternaldeath;yettheybelievedthedevil'swordbeforethewordofGod,makingGod,asmuchasinthemlay,aliar.Andsobeingunthankfulforallthebenefits which God bestowed on them, they becamemalcontent with their presentstate,asifGodhaddealtenviouslyorniggardlywiththem;andbelievedthatthedevilwouldmakethempartakersoffarmoregloriousthingsthaneverGodhadbestoweduponthem;andintheirpridetheyfell intohigh-treasonagainsttheMostHigh;anddisdainingtobeGod'ssubjects,theyattemptedblasphemouslytobegodsthemselves,equalstoGod.Hence,untiltheyrepentedtheybecamelikethedevil;andsoalltheirposterity, as a traitorous brood (while they remain impenitent, like you) and aresubjectinthislifetoallcursedmiseries,and,inthelifetocome,totheeverlastingfirepreparedforthedevilandhisangels.

Lay then aside for awhile your doting vanities, and take the viewwithme of yourdolefulmiseries;whichdulysurveyed,Idoubtnotbutthatyouwillconclude,thatitisfarbetternevertohavebeenborn,thannottobebygrace,apractitionerofreligiouspiety.

Considerthereforeyourmisery:1.Inyourlife.2.Inyourdeath.3.Afterdeath.

Inyourlife,1.Themiseriesaccompanyingyourbody;2.Themiserieswhichdeformyoursoul.

Inyourdeath,Themiserieswhichshalloppressyourbodyandsoul.

Afterdeath,Themiserieswhichoverwhelmbothbodyandsoultogetherinhell.

I.MiseriesinthisPRESENTLIFE.

A.ThemiseriesoftheBODYfrominfancytooldage.

And,first,letustakeaviewofthosemiserieswhichaccompanythebodyinthefouragesoflife,namelyinfancy,youth,adulthood,andoldage.

1.Whatwereyou,beinganINFANT—butanhelplessunconsciouscreature,havingthe human form—but without speech or reason? You were born with the stain oforiginalsin,andcastnakedupontheearth.Whatcausethenhaveyoutoboastofyourbirth,whichwaspainandanguishtoyourmother,andtoyourselftheentranceintoatroublesome life? The greatness of whichmiseries, because you could not utter inwords,youdidexpressaswellasyoucouldinweepingtears!

2.WhatisYOUTH—butanuntamedbeast?Allwhoseactionsarerashandcrude,notcapableofgoodcounsel,when it isgiven;and,ape-like,delighting innothingbut intoys and baubles? Therefore you no sooner began to have a little strength anddiscretion—but immediately you were kept under the rod, and fear of parents andmasters;asifyouhadbeenborntoliveunderthedisciplineofothers,ratherthanatthedispositionofyourownwill.Notiredhorsewasevermorewillingtoberidofhisburden,thanyouweretogetoutoftheservilestateofthisbondage—astatenotworththedescription.

3.What isADULTHOOD but a sea, wherein, as waves, one trouble arises on thecrestofanother—thelatterworsethantheformer?Nosoonerdidyouenterintotheaffairs of thisworld—but youwere enwrapped aboutwith a cloud ofmiseries. Yourfleshprovokesyoutolust,theworldalluresyoutopleasures,andthedeviltemptsyoutoallkindsofsins;fearsofenemiesaffrightyou;lawsuitsvexyou;wrongsofbadneighbors oppress you; cares for wife and children consume you; and disquietnessfromopenfoesandfalsefriendsdoinamannerconfoundyou;sinstingsyouwithin;Satanlayssnaresbeforeyou;conscienceofpastsins,dogbehindyou.

Nowadversityonthelefthandfretsyou;anon,prosperityonyourrighthandflattersyou!OveryourheadGod'svengeancedue toyour sin is ready to falluponyou;andunder your feet, hell'smouth is ready to swallow you up!And in thismiserableestate,wherewillyougoforrestandcomfort?Thehouse is fullof cares, thefieldisfulloftoil,thecountryisfullofcrudeness,thecityisfulloffactions,thecourtis fullofenvy, thechurchis fullofsects, thesea is fullofpirates, the land is fullofrobbers.Orinwhatstatewillyoulive,seeingwealthisenvied—andpovertydespised;wit is distrusted—and simplicity is derided; superstition is mocked—and religion issuspected;viceisadvanced—andvirtueisdisgraced?

Oh,withwhat a bodyof sin are you compassed about, in thisworld ofwickedness!Whatareyoureyes—butwindowstobeholdvanities?Whatareyourears—butflood-gatestoletinthestreamsofiniquity?Whatareyoursenses—butmatchestogivefiretoyourlusts?What isyourheart—but theanvilwhereonSatanhas forgedtheuglyshapeofalllewdaffections?

Areyounoblydescended?Youmustputyourself inperilof foreignwars toget thereputationofearthlyhonor;oft-timeshazardyourlifeinadesperatecombattoavoidtheaspersionofacoward.Areyouborninpoverty?Whatpainsanddrudgerymustyouendureathomeandabroadtogetmaintenance;andallperhapsscarcelysufficientto serve your necessity. And when, after much service and labor, a man has gotsomething, how little certainty is there in that which is gotten? You see in dailyexperience,thathewhowasrichyesterday,istodayabeggar;hethatyesterdaywasinhealth, today is sick; he that yesterdaywasmerry and laughing, has cause today tomourn and weep; he that yesterday was in favor, today is in disgrace; and he who

yesterdaywasalive,todayisdead!Andyouknownothowsoon,norinwhatmanneryou shall die yourself! And who can enumerate the losses, crosses, griefs,disgraces,sicknesses,andcalamities,whichareincidenttosinfulman?Tospeaknothingof thedeathof friends and children,whichoft-times seems tous farmorebitterthanpresentdeathitself.

4.What isOLDAGE—but thereceptacleofallmaladies?For ifyour lotbe todrawyourdays toa longdate, incomesoldbald-headedage, stoopingunderdotage,withhiswrinkledface,decayingteeth,andoffensivebreath;testywithirritability,witheredwith dryness, dimmed with blindness, obscured with deafness, overwhelmed withsickness,andbowedtogetherwithweakness;havingnouseofanysense—butofthesense of pain,which so racks everymember of his body, that it never eases himofgrief,untilithasthrownhimdowntohisgrave.

Thus far of the miseries which accompany the body. Now of the miseries whichaccompanychieflythesoulinthislife.

B.ThemiseriesoftheSOULfrominfancytooldage.

Themiseryofyoursoulwillmoreevidentlyappear,ifyouwillbutconsider—

Thefelicityshehaslost.

Themiserywhichshehasbroughtuponherselfbysin.

1.ThefelicitythesoulhasLOSTwas,

First,thefruitionoftheimageofGod,wherebythesoulwaslikeGodinknowledge,enablingherperfectlytounderstandtherevealedwillofGod(Col.3:10;Rom.12:2)

Secondly,trueholiness,bywhichshewasfreefromallprofaneerror.

Thirdly,righteousness,wherebyshewasabletoinclineallhernaturalpowers.Andtoframeuprightlyallheractions,proceeding from thosepowers.With the lossof thisdivine image, she lost the love of God, and the blessed communionwhich she hadwithHim,whereinconsistsherlifeandhappiness.Ifthelossofearthlyrichesvexyousomuch,howshouldnotthelossofthisdivinetreasureperplexyoumuchmore?

2.Themiserywhichthesoulhasbroughtuponherselfbysin,consistsintwothings:SinfulnessCursedness

1.SINFULNESSisanuniversalcorruptionbothofthesoul'snatureandactions.The

soul'snatureisinfectedwithapronenesstoeverysincontinually(Eph.2:3;Gen.6:5).Themind is stuffed with vanity (Rom. 12:2; Eph. 4:17). The understanding isdarkenedwithignorance(1Cor.2:14).Thewillaffectsnothingbutvileandvainthings(Phil.2:3).Thesoul'sactionsareevil (Rom.3:12).Yes, thisdeformity issoviolent,thatoftenintheregeneratesoul,theappetitewillnotobeythegovernmentofreason,andthewillwandersafter,andyieldsconsent tosinfulmotions.Howgreat, then, istheviolenceoftheappetiteandwill inthereprobatesoul,whichstillremainsinhernatural corruption! Hence it is that your wretched soul is so deformed with sin,defiledwithlust,pollutedwithfilthiness,outragedwithpassions,overgrownwithvileaffections,piningwithenvy,overchargedwithgluttony, surfeitedwithdrunkenness,boiling with revenge, transported with rage—and the glorious image of Godtransformedintotheuglyshapeofthedevil(Jn.8:44)—sofarasitonce"repentedtheLord,thateverhemademan!"Gen.6:6.

2.Fromtheformerflowstheotherpartofthesoul'smiseries,calledCURSEDNESS(Dt.27:26;Gal.3:10;Ps.119:21);whereoftherearetwodegrees:inpartinthefullnessthereof

1.CursednessinPARTisthatwhichisinflicteduponthesoulinlifeanddeath,andiscommontoherwiththebody.

2. The cursedness of the soul in life, is the wrath of God, which lies upon such acreature so far, as that all things, not only calamities—but also very blessings andgracesturntoruin(Rom.2:4,5;Jer.28:13;Isa.28:13);terrorofconsciencedriveshimfromGodandhisservice,thathedaresnotcometohispresenceandordinances(Gen.3:8,10;4:14;Heb.2:15)—butisgivenuptotheslaveryofSatan,andtohisownlustsandvileaffections(Rom.1:21,24,26;Eph.2:2;Col.1:13).Thisisthecursednessofthesoulinlife.Nowfollowthecursednessofthesoulandbodyindeath.

II.TheMiseryofthebodyandsoulinDEATH.

Afterthattheagedmanhasbattledwithlongsickness,andhavingenduredthebruntof pain, and now expect some ease—in comes death, nature's slaughter-man, God'scurse, and hell's supplier—and looks the old man grim and black in the face; andneitherpityinghis age,nor regardinghis long-endureddolours,will not be hired torefraineitherforsilverorgold;nay,hewillnottaketosparehislife,skinforskin(Job1),andallthattheoldmanhas!Butdeathbattersalltheprincipalpartsofhisbody,andarrestshimtoappearbeforethedreadfulJudge.Andasthinkingthattheoldmanwill not despatch to gowith him fast enough, Lord!—howmany darts of calamitiesdoes he shoot through him—pains, aches, cramps, fevers, obstructions, weak heart,

shortnessofbreath,colic,stone,etc.Oh,whataghastlysightitis,toseehimtheninhisbed,whendeathhasgivenhimhismortalwound!Whatacoldsweatover-runsallhisbody—whatatremblingpossessesallhismembers!Theheadhangslimp,thefacewaxes pale, the nose purples, the jaw-bone hangs down, the eye-strings break, thetonguefalters,thebreathshortensandsmellsfoul,andateverygasptheheart-stringsarereadytobreakasunder!

Now the miserable soul sensibly perceives her earthly body to begin to die; for astowards the dissolution of the universal frame of the great world, the sun shall beturnedintodarkness,themoonintoblood,andthestarsshallfallfromheaven,theairshallbefullofstormsandflashingmeteors,theearthshalltremble,andtheseashallroar, and men's hearts shall fail for fear, expecting the end of such sorrowfulbeginnings;inlikemanner,towardsthedissolutionofman,whichishislittleworld,hiseyes,whichareasthesunandmoon,losetheirlight,andseenothingbutblood-guiltinessofsin; therestof thesenses,as lesserstars,dooneafteranother failandfall—hismind,reason,andmemory,asheavenlypowersofhissoul,areshakenwithfearfulstormsofdespair,andfierce flashingsofhell fire—hisearthlybodybeginstoshake and tremble, and the phlegm, like an overflowing sea, roar and rattle in histhroat,stillexpectingthewoefulendofthesedreadfulbeginnings.

WhileheisthussummonedtoappearatthegreatassizesofGod'sjudgment,behold,aquarter-sessionsandjail-deliveryisheldwithinhimself;wherereasonsitsasjudge,thedevilputs inabillof indictment,wherein isallegedallyourevildeeds thateveryouhavecommitted, andall thegooddeeds that everyouhaveomitted, andall thecursesandjudgmentsthatareduetoeverysin.Yourownconscienceshallaccuseyou,andyourmemory shall givebitter evidence, anddeath stands at the bar ready, as acruelexecutioner,todispatchyou.Ifyoushallthuscondemnyourself,howshallyouescape the just condemnation of God, who knows all your misdeeds better thanyourself?(1Jn.3:20)Gladlywouldyouputoutofyourmindtheremembranceofyourwickeddeedsthattroubleyou;buttheyflowfasterintoyourremembrance,andtheywillnotbeputaway,butcryuntoyou—Weareyourworks,andwewillfollowyou!

Andwhileyour soul is thuswithin,outofpeaceandorder, your children,wife, andfriends troubleyouas fast, tohaveyouput yourgoods inorder; somecrying, somecraving, some pitying, some cheering; all, like flesh-flies, helping to make yoursorrowsmoresorrowful(Lk.12:20).Nowthedevils,whoarecomefromhelltofetchawayyoursoul,begintoappeartoher;andwait,assoonasshecomesforth,totakeher,and carryher away.Your soulwould like to staywithin—but that she feels thebodybeginbydegrees todie,andready, likearuinoushouse, to falluponherhead.Fearfulsheistocomeforth,becauseofthosehell-houndswhichwaitforhercoming.

Oh,shethatspentsomanydaysandnightsinvainandidlepastimes,wouldnowgivethe whole world, if she had it, for one hour's delay, that she might have space to

repent, and reconcile herself unto God! But it cannot be, because her body, whichjoinedwithher in the actionsof sin, is altogethernowunfit to joinwithher in theexerciseofrepentance—andrepentancemustbeofthewholeman.

Nowsheseesthatallherpleasuresaregone,asiftheyhadneverbeen;andthatbutonly tormentsremain,whichnevershallhaveanendofbeing.Whocansufficientlyexpress her remorse for her sins past, her anguish for her presentmisery, and herterrorforhertormentstocome?

In this extremity she looks everywhere for help, and she finds herself every wayhelpless.Thusinhergreatestmisery,desiroustoheartheleastwordofcomfort,shedirectsthisorthelikespeechtohereyes—Oeyes,whointimespastweresoquick-sighted, can you spy no comfort, nor any way how I might escape this dreadfuldanger?Buttheeye-stringsarebroken,theycannotseethecandlethatburnsbeforethem,nordiscernwhetheritisdayornight.

The soul, finding no comfort in the eyes, speaks to the ears—O ears, who wereaccustomedtorecreateyourselveswithhearingnewpleasantdiscourses,andmusic'ssweetestharmony,canyouhearanynewsortidingsoftheleastcomfortforme?Theearsareeithersodeaf,thattheycannothearatall,orthesenseofhearingisgrownsoweak,thatitcannotenduretohearhisdearest friendsspeak.Andwhyshouldthoseearshearanytidingsofjoyindeath,whocouldneverabidetohearthegladtidingsofthegospelinthislife?Theearcanministernocomfort.

Thensheintimateshergrieftothetongue—Otongue,whowereaccustomedtobragitoutwiththebravest,wherearenowyourbiganddaringwords?Now,inmygreatestneed, Can you speak nothing inmy defense? Can you neither daunt these enemieswith threateningwords, nor entreat themwith fair speeches? Alas! the tongue twodays ago lay speechless—it cannot, in his greatest extremity, either call for a littledrink,ordesireafriendtotakeawaywithhisfingerthephlegmthatisreadytochokehim.

Findingherenohopeofhelp, shespeaks to thefeet—Whereareyou,O feet,whichoncewere so nimble in running?Can you carryme nowhere out of this dangerousplace?Thefeetarestone-deadalready—iftheybenotstirred,theycannotstir.

Thenshedirectsherspeechtoherhands—Ohands,whohavebeensooftenapprovedformanhood,inpeaceandwar,andwherewithIhavesooftendefendedmyself,andconqueredmyfoes,neverhadImoreneedthannow.Deathlooksmegrimintheface,andkillsme—hellish fiendswait aboutmybed todevourme—helpnow,or Iperishforever.Alas!thehandsaresoweak,anddosotremble,thattheycannotreachtothemouthaspoonfulofliquid,torelievelanguishingnature.

Thewretched soul, seeing herself thus desolate, and altogether destitute of friends,help,andcomfort,andknowingthatwithinanhourshemustbeineverlastingpains,retiresherselftotheheart(whichofallmembersisprimefaculty),fromwhenceshemakesthisdolefullamentationwithherself.

OmiserablecowardthatIam!Howdothesorrowsofdeathencompassme!HowdothefloodsofBelialmakemeafraid!(2Sam.22:5)Nowhave,indeed,thesnaresbothofthefirstandseconddeathovertakenmeatonce.Ohowsuddenlyhasdeathstolenuponmewithinsensibledegrees!Likethesun,whichtheeyeperceivesnottomove,though it bemost swift ofmotion.How does deathwreak onme his spitewithoutpity!TheGodofmercyhasutterlyforsakenme;andthedevil,whoknowsnomercy,waits to takeme!Howoftenhave I beenwarned of this doleful day by the faithfulpreachersofGod'sword,andImadebutajestofit!WhatprofithaveInowofallmypride,finehouse,andmirthfulapparel?Whatisbecomeofthesweetrelishofallmydeliciousfoods?AlltheworldlygoodswhichIsocarefullygathered,wouldInowgiveforagoodconscience,whichIsocarelesslyneglected.Andwhat joyremainsnowofall my former fleshly pleasures, wherein I placed my chief delight? Those foolishpleasureswerebutdeceitfuldreams,andnow theyarepast likevanishingshadows!But to think of those eternal painswhich Imust endure for those short pleasures,distressesmeashell—beforeIenterintohell.

Yetjustly,Iconfess,asIhavedeservedIamserved;thatbeingmadeafterGod'simageareasonablesoul,abletojudgeofmyownestate,andhavingmercysooftenoffered,andIentreated toreceive it—IneglectedGod'sgrace,andpreferred thepleasuresofsin before the pious care of pleasing God; lewdly spendingmy short time, withoutconsideringwhataccountsImustmakeatmylastend.Andnowallthepleasuresofmylifebeingputtogether,countervailnottheleastpartofmypresentpains!Myjoyswerebutmomentary, andgonebefore I could scarcelyenjoy them;mymiseries areeternal,andnevershallknowanend.OthatIhadspentthehoursthatIconsumedincard-playing, dice-throwing, and other vile exercises—in reading the scriptures, inhearing sermons, in weeping for my sins, in fasting, watching, praying, and inpreparingmysoul—thatImighthavenowdepartedintheassuredhopeofeverlastingsalvation!Othat Iwerenow tobeginmy lifeagain!Howwould Idespise theworldanditsvanities!HowpiouslyandpurelywouldIleadmylife!HowwouldIfrequentthechurch,andusethemeansofgrace!

IfSatanshouldoffermeallthetreasures,pleasures,andpromotionsofthisworld,hecouldneverenticemetoforgettheseterrorsofthislastdreadfulhour.But,Ocorruptcarcass and loathsome carrion! How has the devil deluded us! And how have weservedanddeceivedeachother—andpulledswiftdamnationuponusboth!Nowismycasemoremiserablethanthebeastthatperishesinaditch—forImustgotoanswerbefore the judgment-seat of the righteous Judge of heaven and earth,where I shallhave none to speak for me! And these wicked fiends, who are privy to all my evil

deeds,willaccuseme,andIcannotexcusemyself;myownheartalready condemnsme;Imustneedsthereforebedamnedbeforehisjudgment-seat,andfromthencebecarriedbytheseinfernalfiendsintothathorribleprisonofendlesstormentsandutterdarkness,whereIshallnevermoreseelight,thatfirstmostexcellentthingthatGodmade.

I,whogloriedheretofore inbeinga freeman,amnowenclosed in theveryclawsofSatan,asthetremblingpartridgeiswithinthegrippingtalonsoftheravenousfalcon.WhereshallIlodgetonight—andwhoshallbemycompanions?Ohorrortothink!Ogrieftoconsider!OcursedbethedaywhereinIwasborn—letnotthedaywhereinmymother boreme be blessed! Cursed be theman who showedmy father, saying, "Achildisbornuntoyou,"andcomfortedhim;cursedbethatmanbecauseheslewmenot!Othatmymother'swombmighthavebeenmygrave!HowisitthatIcameforthofthewombtoendurethesehellishsorrows—andthatmydaysshouldthusendwitheternalshame?CursedbethedaythatIwasfirstunitedtosovileabody!OthatIhadbut so much favor as that I might never see you more! Our parting is bitter anddoleful—but our meeting again, to receive at that dreadful day the fullness of ourdeservedvengeance,willbefarmoreterribleandintolerable.

ButwhatdoImeanthus—bytoo late lamentation, toseek toprolong time?My lasthourhas come, Ihear theheart-stringsbreak!This filthy house of clay falls onmyhead!Hereisneitherhope,help,norplaceofanylongerabiding.AndmustIneedsbegone,youfilthycarcass?Ofilthycarcass!Farewell,Imustleaveyou!

ButGodsaidtohim,"Youfool!Thisverynightyoursoulwillbedemandedfromyou.Nowwhowillgetthethingsyou'veaccumulated?"(Luke12:20).Andsoalltrembling,the lost soul comes forth from the body, and instantly is seized upon by infernalfiends,who carry herwith violence to the bottomless lake that burnswith fire andbrimstone;wheresheiskeptasaprisonerintormentsuntilthegeneraljudgmentofthegreatday(Rev.21:8;Jude,verse6;1Pet.3:19.)

The loathsomecarcass is afterwards laid in thegrave. Inwhich action, for themostpart, thedeadbury thedead; that is, theywho aredead insin, bury thosewho aredeadforsin.Andthusthegodlessandunregeneratedworldling,whomadeearthhisparadise,hisbellyhisGod,hislusthislaw;asinhislifehesowedvanity,soheisnowdead,andreapsmisery.InhisprosperityheneglectedtoserveGod—inhisadversityGodrefusestosavehim!Andthedevil,whomhelongserved,nowatlengthpayshimhiswages.Detestablewashis life,damnable ishisdeath.Thedevilhashissoul, thegravehashiscarcass—inwhichpitofcorruption,denofdeath,anddungeonofsorrow—letusleavethemiserablesinner,rottingwithhismouthfullofearth,hisbellyfullofworms, andhis carcass full of stench; expecting a fearful resurrection,when thebody shall be reunited with the soul; that as they sinned together, so theymay beeternallytormentedtogether!

Thusfarofthemiseriesofthesoulandbodyisdeath,whichisbutcursednessinpart—Now follows the fullness of cursedness,which is themisery of the soul and bodyafterdeath.

III.ThemiseryofamanAFTERdeath,whichisthefullnessofcursedness.

Thefullnessofcursedness,whenitfallsuponacreature,notabletobearthebruntofit,presseshimdownto thatbottomlessdeepof theendlesswrathofAlmightyGod,which is called thedamnationofhell (Lk.8:28,& 16:23; 1Th. 1:10;Mt.23:33).Thisfullnessofcursednessiseitherparticularorgeneral.

PARTICULAR is that which, in a less measure of fullness, lights upon the soulimmediately,assoonassheisseparatedfromthebody(Lk.16:22,23;1Pet.3:19;Jude,verses6,7); for in thevery instantofdissolution she is in the sight andpresenceofGod—for when she ceases to see with the organ of fleshly eyes, she sees after aspiritualmanner; likeStephen,whosaw thegloryofGod,andJesusstandingathisrighthand(Acts7:5);orasamanwho,beingbornblind,andmiraculouslyrestoredtohissight,shouldseethesun,whichheneversawbefore.Andthere,bythetestimonyofherownconscience,Christ,therighteousJudge,whoknowsallthings,takesher,byhisomnipresentpower, tounderstand thedoomand judgment that isdueuntohersins,andwhatmustbehereternalstate.Andinthismannerstandinginthesightofheaven,notfit, forheruncleanness,tocomeintoheaven,sheissaidtostandbeforethethroneofGod.Andsoimmediatelysheiscarriedbytheevildemons,whocometofetchherwithviolenceintohell,wheresheiskept,asinaprison,ineverlastingpainsand chains, under darkness, unto the judgment of the great day; but not in thatextremityoftormentswhichsheshallfinallyreceiveatthelastday.

TheGENERALfullnessofcursednessisinagreatermeasureoffullnesswhichshallbe inflicted upon both soul and body, when, by the mighty power of Christ, thesupremeJudgeofheavenandearth,thesoulshallbebroughtoutofhell,andthebodyoutof thegrave,asprisoners, to receive theirdreadfuldoom,according to their evildeeds (2Pet. 2:9; Jude, verse 7; Rev. 11:18; Jn. 5:28,29; Rev. 20:13). How shall thereprobate, by the roaring of the sea, the quaking of the earth, the trembling of thepowersofheaven(Mt.24:29;Lk.21:24,25),andterrorsofheavenlysigns—bedriven,at the world's end, to their wits' end! Oh, what a woeful salutation will there bebetweenthedamnedsoulandbody,attheirreunitingatthatterribleday!

Osinkofsin,Olumpoffilthiness(willthesoulsaytoherbody),howamIcompelledtore-enteryou,notastoanhabitationtorest—butasaprison,tobetormented!Howdoyouappearinmysight,likeJephtha'sdaughter,tomygreattorment!WouldGodyouhadperpetuallyrottedinthegrave,thatImightneverhaveseenyouagain!Howshallwebeconfoundedtogethertohear,beforeGod,angels,andmen—laidopenallthose secret sins which we committed together!Have I lost heaven for the love of

suchafoulcarrion?AreyouthefleshforwhosepleasuresIhaveyieldedtocommitsomanyfornications?Ofilthybelly!HowdidIbecomesucha foolas tomakeyoumygod!HowinsanewasI,formomentaryjoys—toincurthesetormentsofeternalpains!Yourocksandmountains—whydoyouskipawayfromme—andwillnotfalluponme,tohidemefromthefaceofhimwhocomestositonyonderthrone;forthegreatdayofhiswrathiscome,andwhoshallbeabletostand?(Rev.6:16,17)Whytrembleyouthus,Oearth,atthepresenceoftheLord—andwillnotopenyourmouth,andswallowmeup,asyoudidKorah—thatImaybeseennomore?

Oevil fiends! Iwouldyoumightwithoutdelay tearme inpieces—on condition thatyouwouldtearmeintonothingness!

Butwhileyouarethusinvainbewailingyourmisery,theangels(Mt.13:41)dragyouviolentlyoutofyourgravetosomeplacenearthetribunal-seatofChrist;wherebeing,as a cursed goat, separated to stand on the left hand of the Judge—Christwill passsentenceuponyou(Mt.25:33)

Withinyou,yourownconscience(morethanathousandwitnesses)shallaccuseyou.Thedevils,whotemptedyoutoallyourlewdness,shallontheonesidetestifywithyourconscienceagainstyou!Andontheothersideshall stand theholy saintsandangels approving Christ's justice! Behind you, an hideous noise of innumerablefellow-reprobateswaitingtoreceiveyouintotheircompany!Beforeyou,alltheworldburninginflamingfire!Aboveyou,anwrathfulJudgeofdeservedvengeance,readytopronouncehissentenceuponyou!Beneathyou,thefieryandsulphurousmouthofthebottomlesspit,gapingtoreceiveyou!Inthiswoefulestate,tohideyourselfwillbe impossible, for youwouldwish that thegreatest rockmight falluponyou! (Rev.6:16,17).ToappearbeforetheholyLambwillbe intolerable,andyetyoumuststandforth, to receivewith other reprobates, this sentence—"Depart fromme, you cursedone,intoeverlastingfire,preparedforthedevilandhisangels!"

DepartfromMe—thereisaseparationfromalljoyandhappiness.

Youcursedone—thereisablackanddirefulexclusionfromaholyGod.

Intofire—thereisthecrueltyofpain.

Everlasting—thereistheperpetuityofpunishment.

Preparedforthedevilandhisdemons—thereareyour infernal tormentingandtormentedcompanions.

O terrible sentence! From which the condemned cannot escape; which beingpronounced, cannot possibly be withstood; against which a man cannot deny, andfromwhichamancannowhereappeal—sothattothedamned,nothingremainsbut

hellish torments, which know neither ease of pain, nor end of time! From thisjudgment-seat you must be thrust by angels, together with all the devils andreprobates,intothebottomlesslakeofutterdarkness,thatperpetuallyburnswithfireand brimstone (Rev. 21:8).Whereunto, as you shall be thrust, there shall be suchweeping, woes, and wailing, that the cry of the company of Korah, Dathan, andAbiram,whentheearthswallowedthemup,wasnothingcomparabletothishowling!Nay,itwillseemuntoyouahell,beforeyougointohell—buttohearofit.

Intowhichlake,afterthatyouareonceplunged,youshalleverbefallingdown,andnevermeet a bottom; and in it you shall ever lament, andnone shall pity you; youshallalwaysweep forpainof the fire, andyet gnashyour teeth for theextremityofcold;youshallweepto think, thatyourmiseriesarepastremedy;youshallweeptothink,thattorepentistonopurpose;youshallweeptothink,how,forthe'shadowsofshortpleasures'—youhaveincurredthesesorrowsofeternalpains;youshallweep,toseehowweeping itself cannothingprevail;yes, inweeping,youshallweepmoretearsthanthereiswaterinthesea;forthewateroftheseaisfinite—buttheweepingofareprobateshallbeinfinite!

Thereyourlasciviouseyeswillbeafflictedwithsightsofghastlyspirits;yourcuriousearsaffrightedwithhideousnoiseofdevils,andtheweepingandgnashingofteethofreprobates; your daintynosewill be cloyed with noisome stench of sulphur; yourdelicatetastepainedwith intolerablehunger; yourdrunken throatwill beparchedwithunquenchablethirst;yourmindwillbetormentedtothinkhow,forthe loveofpleasures,whichperishedbeforetheybudded—yousofoolishlydidloseheaven'sjoys,and incurhellishpains,which lastbeyondeternity!Yourconscienceshalleverstingyou like an adder, when you think how often Christ by his preachers offered theremissionofsins,andthekingdomofheavenfreelytoyou, ifyouwouldbutbelieveandrepent;andhoweasilyyoumighthaveobtainedmercy in thosedays;hownearyouweremanytimes tohaverepented,andyetdidallowthedevil and theworld tokeepyoustill in impenitency;andhowthedayofmercy isnowpast,andwillneverdawnagain.Howshallyourunderstandingberacked,toconsider,that,formomentaryriches—youhave lost the eternal treasure, and exchangedheaven's felicity for hell'smisery; where every part of your body, without intermission of pain, shall becontinuallytormented!

InthesehellishtormentsyoushallbeforeverdeprivedofthebeatificalsightofGod,whereinconsiststhesovereigngoodandlifeofthesoul;youshallneverseelight,northeleastlightofjoy—butlieinaperpetualprisonofutterdarkness,wherethereshallbe noorder—but horror; where there shall be no voice—but of blasphemers andhowlers; where there shall be no noise—but of tortures and tortured; where thereshallbenosociety—butofthedevilandhisangels,whobeingtormentedthemselves,shall have no other ease but towreak their fury in tormenting you;where shall bepunishment without pity; misery without mercy; sorrow without support; crying

withoutcomfort;mischiefwithoutmeasure;tormentwithoutease—wherethewormdiesnotandthefireisneverquenched;wherethewrathofGodshallseizeuponthesoulandbody,as the flameof firedoeson thebrimstone. Inwhich flameyoushalleverbeburning,andneverconsumed;everdying,andneverdead;everroaringinthepangsofdeath,andneverridofthosepangs,norknowingendofyourpains.

So thatafteryouhaveendured themsomany thousandyearsas there are grass onthe earth, or sand on the sea shore—you are no nearer to have an end of yourtorments,thanyouwerethefirstdaythatyouwerecastintothem!Yes,sofararetheyfromending,thattheyareeverbutbeginning!Butif,afterathousandtimessomanythousand years, your lost soul could but conceive a hope that her torments shouldhaveanend, thiswouldbesomecomfort—to think thatat lengthanendwill come.ButasoftasthemindthinksofthiswordNEVER—itisasanotherhellinthemidstofhell!

This thought shall force thedamned tocry, "Woe!Woe!"asmuchas if they shouldsay, not ever, not ever, O Lord, not ever, not ever torment us thus! But theirconscienceshallanswerthemasanecho,"Forever!Forever!"Henceshallarisetheirdolefulwoe,andalasforevermore!

Thisisthatseconddeath,thegeneralcompletefullnessofallcursednessandmisery,whicheverydamnedreprobatemustsuffer—solongasGodandhissaintsshallenjoyblissandfelicityinheavenforevermore.

Thus far of themisery ofman in his state of corruption—unless he is renewed bygraceinChrist.

MeditationsontheblessedstateofthosereconciledtoGodinChrist

Nowletusseehowhappyagodlymanisinhisstateofrenovation,beingreconciledtoGodinChrist.

ThegodlymanwhosecorruptnatureisrenewedbygraceinChristandbecomeanewcreature, isblessed ina threefold respect—First, inhis life; Secondly, inhisdeath;Thirdly,afterdeath.

I.MeditationsontheblessedstateofaChristianduringhisLIFE

Thisisbutinpart,andthatconsistsinseventhings—

1.BecauseheisbornoftheSpirit(Jn.3:5)—notofblood,norofthewilloftheflesh,norofthewillofman—butofGod(Jn.1:13),whoinChrist ishisFather(Gal.4:6,7;2Cor.9:8)—sothattheimageofGodhisFatherisrenewedinhimeverydaymoreandmore(Eph.4:2,3,13;Col.3:10.)

2.Hehas,forthemeritsofChrist'ssufferings—allhissins,originalandactual,withthe guilt and punishment belonging to them (Rom. 4:8,25; 8:1,2; 1Pet. 2:24), freelyandfullyforgivenhim;andalltherighteousnessofChristasfreelyandfullyimputedtohim(Rom.4:5,19);andsoGodisreconciledtohim(2Cor.5:19);andapproveshimasrighteousinhissight,onthemeritsofChrist(Rom.8:33,34).

3.He is freed fromSatan'sbondage (Act. 16:18;Eph.2:2), and ismadeabrotherofChrist(Jn.20:17;Rom.8:20),afellow-heirofhisheavenlykingdom(Rom.8:17),andaspiritualkingandpriest (Rev. 1:6), toofferup spiritual sacrifices toGodbyJesusChrist(1Pet.2:5;Mal.3:17.)

4.God spares him as aman spares his own son that serves him. And this sparingconsistsin,

(1.)Not takingnoticeof every fault—butbearingwithhis infirmities (Ex. 34:6,7). Alovingfatherwillnotcasthischildaway,justbecauseheissick.

(2.)Notmaking his punishment,when he is chastened, as great as his deserts (Ps.103:10.)

(3.)Chasteninghimmoderatelywhenheseesthathewillnotbyanyothermeansbereclaimed(2Sam.7:14,15;1Cor.11:32).

(4.) Graciously accepting his endeavors, notwithstanding the imperfection of hisobedience;andsopreferringthewillingnessofhismindbeforetheworthinessofhiswork(2Cor.8:12.)

(5.) Turning the curses which he deserved to fatherly corrections. Yes, turning allthings,allcalamitiesofthislife,deathitself,yes,hisverysins,tohisgood(Rom.8:28;Ps.89:31,33;119:71;Heb.12:10;2Cor.12:7;1Cor.15:54,55;Heb.2:14,15;Lk.22:31,32;Ps.51:13,14;Rom.5:20,21.)

5.GodgiveshimhisHolySpirit,who,

(1.)Sanctifieshimbydegreesthroughout(1Th.5:23),sothathemoreandmorediestosinandlivestorighteousness(Rom.8:5,10.)

(2.)Assureshimofhisadoption,andthatheisbygracethechildofGod(Rom.8:16.)

(3.)EncourageshimtocomewithboldnessandconfidenceintothepresenceofGod(Heb.4:16;Eph.3:12).

(4.)Moveshimwithoutfeartosayuntohim,'Abba,Father'(Gal.4:6;Rom.8:15,16.)

(5.)Poursintohisheartthegiftofsanctifiedprayer.

(6.)Persuadeshim that bothhe andhisprayers are accepted andheard ofGod, forChristhismediator'ssake.

(7.) Fills himwith, 1st, Peace of conscience (Rom. 5:1; 14:17); 2nd, Joy in theHolySpirit(Rom.14:17)—incomparisonwhereofallearthlyjoysseemvainandviletohim.

6.Hehasarecoveryofhissovereigntyoverthecreatures(Ps.8:5;Heb.2:7,8),whichhe lost by Adam's fall; and from thence free liberty (Rom. 14:14; 1Tim. 4:2, &c.) ofusingallthingswhichGodhasnotrestrained(1Cor.9:19,20),sothathemayusethemwithagoodconscience(1Cor.3:22,32;Heb.1:7).Fortoallthingsinheavenandearthhe has a sure title in this life (1Cor. 3:22); and he shall have the complete andpeaceablepossessionoftheminthelifetocome(Mt.25:34;1Pet.1:4).Henceitisthatall reprobates are but 'usurpers' of all that they possess, and have no place of theirownbuthell(Acts1:25).

7.HehastheassuranceofGod'sfatherlycareandprotectiondayandnightoverhim;whichcareconsistsinthreethings:

(1.) Inprovidingall thingsnecessary forhissoulandbody, concerning this life (Mt.6:32;2Cor.12:14;Ps.23;34:9,10),andthatwhichistocome;sothatheshallbesureevereithertohaveenough,orpatiencetobecontentwiththathehas.

(2.) In that God gives his holy angels, as ministers, a charge to attend upon himalwaysforhisgood(Heb.1:14;Ps.34:7;91:11).Yes, intimesofdangertopitchtheirtentsabouthimforhissafetywhereverhebe.Yes,God'sprotectionshalldefendhimasacloudbyday,andasapillarof firebynight (Isa.4:5;)andhisprovidenceshallhedgehimfromthepowerofthedevil(Job1:10).

(3.)InthattheeyesoftheLordareuponhim,andhisearscontinuallyopen,toseehisstate (Ps. 34:15; Gen. 7:1), and to hear his pleas for help, and in his good time todeliverhimoutofallhistroubles(Ps.34:19).

Thusfaroftheblessedstateofthegodlyandregeneratemaninthislife.

Nowofhisblessedstateindeath.

II.MeditationsontheblessedstateofaChristianinhisDEATH

WhenGodsendsdeathashismessengerfortheregenerateman,hemeetshimhalf-way toheaven, forhis thoughtsandaffectionsare inheavenbeforehim(Phil.3:20;Col.3:2).Deathisneverstrangenorfearfultohim—notstrange,becausehedieddaily—notfearful,becausewhilehelived,hewasdead,andhislifewashiddenwithChristinGod(1Cor.1:31;Col.3:3).Todie,therefore,istohimnothingelseineffect—buttorestfromhislaborinthisworld,togohometohisFather'shouse,unto thecityofthelivingGod,theheavenlyJerusalem,toaninnumerablecompanyofangels,tothegeneralassemblyandchurchofthefirst-born,toGodtheJudgeofall,andtothespiritsof justmenmadeperfect,andtoJesustheMediatorof thenewcovenant(Rev.14:13;2Cor.5:6;Jn.14:2;Heb.12:22).

While his body is sick, hismind is sound; for Godmakes his bed in sickness, andstrengthenshimwithfaithandpatience,uponhisbedofsorrow(Ps.41:3).Andwhenhebeginstoenter intodeath—thewayofall theworld—hegives (likeJacob,Moses,andJoshua)tohischildrenandfriends,godlyexhortationsandcounsels,toservethetrueGod, toworshipHim truly all thedays of their life (Gen. 49).Hisblessed soulbreathsnothingbut blessings, and such speeches as savor a sanctified spirit.Ashisoutward man decays, so his inward man increases, and waxes stronger; when thespeechofhistonguefalters,thesighsofhisheartspeaklouderuntoGod;whenthesightof the eyes fails, theHoly Spirit illuminates him inwardlywith abundance ofspiritual light. His soul fears not—but is bold to go out of the body, and to dwellforeverwithherLord(2Cor.5:8).HesighsoutwithPaul,"Idesiretodepart—andtobewithChrist,"Phil.1:23.AndwithDavid,"Asthedeerpantsafterthewater-brooks,somysoulpantsafteryou,OGod.MysoulthirstsforGod,forthelivingGod—whenshallIcomeandappearbeforeGod?"Ps.42:2.Heprayswiththesaints,"Howlong,OLord,holyandtrue?"Rev.6:10."Come,LordJesus,comequickly,"Rev.22:10.

Andwhentheappointedtimeofhisdeathiscome(Job14:5),knowingthathegoestohisFatherandRedeemerinthepeaceofagoodconscience(Ps.31:5),andtheassuredpersuasionoftheforgivenessofallhissins, inthebloodof theLamb,hesingswithblessed old Simeon his Nunc dimittis, "Lord, now let you your servant depart inpeace,"(Lk.2:29;Ps.37:37;Isa.57:2),andsurrendersuphissoul,asitwere,withhisown hands, into the hands of his heavenly Father, saying with David, "Into yourhands,OFather,Icommendmysoul,foryouhaveredeemedme,OGodoftruth,"Ps.31:5.AndsayingwithStephen,"LordJesus,receivemyspirit,"Acts7:59.Henosooneryields up the Spirit—but immediately the holy angels (Mt. 18:10; Acts 12:15; 27:23)whoattendeduponhimfromhisbirthtohisdeath,carryandaccompanyhissoulintoheaven,astheydidthesoulofLazarusintoAbraham'sbosom(Lk.16:22),whichisthekingdomofheaven,whereonlygoodangelsandgoodworksdoaccompany the soul(Mt.8:11;Lk.13:28;Acts15:10,11;Eph.1:10;Heb.11:9,10,16;12:22,23;Lk.19:9;9:31;)theonetodelivertheircharge(Ps.91:11;Heb.1:14);theothertoreceivetheirreward(Rev.14:13;22:12).

Thebody,inconvenienttime,asthesanctifiedtempleoftheHolySpirit(1Cor.6:19),themembersofChrist(1Cor.6:15),nourishedbyhisbody(Mt.26:26),thepriceofthebloodof theSonofGod (1Cor.6:20; 1Pet. 1:19), isbyhis fellow-brethren reverentlylaidtosleepinthegraveasinthebedofChrist(1Th.4:14;Acts7:6;8:2),inanassuredhopetoawakeintheresurrectionofthejust,atthelastday,tobepartaker,withthesoul,oflifeandgloryeverlasting(Dan.12:2;Jn.5:28,29;Lk.14:14;1Th.4:16,17;Rev.14:13).Andinthisrespectnotonlythesouls—buttheverybodiesofthefaithfulalsoaretermedblessed.

Thusfaroftheblessednessofthesoulandbodyoftheregeneratemanindeath—Nowletusseetheblessednessofhissoulandbodyafterdeath.

III.MeditationsontheblessedstateofaChristianAFTERDEATH.

Thisstatehasthreedegrees—

1.Fromthedayofdeath—totheresurrection.

2.Fromtheresurrection—tothepronouncingofthesentence.

3.Afterthesentence—whichlastseternally.

1.Fromthedayofdeath—totheresurrection.

AssoonasevertheregeneratemanhasyieldeduphissoultoChrist,theholyangelstakeherintotheircustody,andimmediatelycarryherintoheaven(Luke16:22),andtherepresentherbeforeChrist—wheresheiscrownedwithacrownofrighteousnessand glory; not which she has deserved by her good works—but which God haspromised of his free goodness to all those who, of love, have in this life sincerelyservedhim,andsoughthisglory(Heb.1:14;12:24;2Tim.4:8;Rev.2:10;1Pet.5:4.)

Oh,whatjoywillitbetoyoursoul,whichwasaccustomedtoseenothingbutmiseryandsinnersonearth—nowtobehold the faceof theGodofglory!Yes, toseeChristwelcoming you, as soonas you arepresentedbeforehimby theholy angels,with a"Well done!Welcomegoodand faithful servant!Enter into yourMaster's joy!"Andwhat joywill this be, to behold thousand thousands of cherubim, seraphim, angels,thrones,dominions,principalities,powers!(Col.1:6;Eph.1:21)Alltheholypatriarchs,priests, prophets, apostles, martyrs, confessors, and all the souls of your Christianfriends,parents,husbands,wives,children,andtherestofGod'ssaints,whodepartedbeforeyouinthetruefaithofChrist—standingbeforeGod'sthroneinblissandglory!

If the Queen of Sheba, beholding the glory and majesty of Solomon, was ravishedtherewith, and broke out and said, "Happy are your men, happy are these your

servants,whichstandeverbeforeyou,andhearyourwisdom,"(1Ki.10:8),howshallyour soul he ravished to see herself, by grace, admitted to standwith this gloriouscompany, to behold the blessed face of Christ, and to hear all the treasures of hisdivinewisdom!Howshallyourejoicetoseesomanythousandthousandswelcomingyouintotheirheavenlysociety(Lk.15);forastheyallrejoicedatyourconversion—sowilltheynowbemuchmorejoyfultobeholdyourcoronation—andtoseeyoureceiveyourcrown,whichwasreservedforyourcoming(1Tim.4:8).

There the crown ofmartyrdom shall be put on the head of the martyr, who forChrist'sgospel'ssakeenduredtorments.ThecrownofpietyshallbeputontheheadoftheheadofthemwhosincerelyprofessedChrist.Thecrownofgoodworksshallbeputontheheadofthegoodalms-giver'shead,wholiberallyrelievedthepoor.Thecrownofincorruptiblegloryshallbeputontheheadoftheheadofthosewhobytheirpreachingandgoodexamplehaveconvertedsoulsfromthecorruptionofsin,toglorify God in holiness of life. Who can sufficiently express the rejoicing of thisheavenly company, to see you thus crownedwith glory (Rev. 7:9), arrayedwith theshiningrobesofrighteousness,andtobeholdthepalmofvictoryputintoyourhand!

O what thanks and praise will you have, that, by God's grace, you haveescaped all themiseries of the world, all the snares of the devil, all thepains of hell—and received eternal rest and happiness! For there everyonerejoices asmuch in another's happiness as in his own, because he shall see him asmuch loved of God as himself; yes, they have as many distinct joys as they havecopartnersoftheirjoy.Andinthisjoyfulandblessedstate,thesoulrestswithChristin heaven until the resurrection; when the number of her fellow-servants andbrethrenshallhavebeenfulfilled,whichtheLordterms'butalittleseason'(Rev.7:9.)

II.Theseconddegreeofman'sblessednessafterdeath,isfromtheresurrection—tothepronouncingofthefinalsentence.Foratthelastday:

1. The elementary heavens, earth, and all things therein, shall be dissolved, andpurifiedwithfire(2Pet.2:10,12,13.)

2.Atthesoundofthelasttrumpet,orvoiceofChrist,theArchangel—theverysamebodieswhichtheelecthadbefore(thoughturnedtodustandearth)shallariseagain(1Cor. 15:52; 1Th. 4:16; Jn. 5:28; Ezek. 37:7,8, &c.). And in the same instant, everyman's soul shall re-enter into his own body, by virtue of the resurrection of Christ,theirhead(Rom.8:11;Phil.3:10,11;1Th.4:14),andbemadealiveandriseoutoftheirgraves,asiftheydidbutawakeoutoftheirbedsofsleep(Rom.5:17;1Cor.15:22).Andhowsoevertyrantsbemangledtheirbodiesinpieces,orconsumedthemtoashes—yetshalltheelectfindittrueatthatday,thatnotahairoftheirheadhasperished(Mt.19:30.)

3.Theyshall come forthoutof theirgraves, like somanyJosephsoutofprison;orDanielsoutofthelion'sden;orJonahsoutofthewhale'sbelly;(1Th.4:14;Dan.6:23).

4.Allthebodiesoftheelectbeingthusmadealive,shallarise in thatperfectionofnature whereunto they would have attained by their natural temperament, if noimpedimenthadhindered(Isa.65:20);andinthatvigorofagethataperfectmanis—ataboutthirty-threeyearsold,eachintheirpropergender.Towhichdivinesthinktheapostle alludes when he says, "Until we all come unto a perfect man, unto themeasure of the age (or stature) of the fullness of Christ," Eph. 4:13. Whateverimperfectionwasbeforeinthebody(asblindness,lameness,crookedness)shallthenbe done away. Jacob shall not halt, nor Isaac be blind, nor Leah weak-eyed, norMephiboshethlame.ForifDavidwouldnothavetheblindandlametocomeintohishouse,much lesswill Christ have blindness and lameness to dwell in his heavenlyhabitation.Christmadeall theblind tosee, themute tospeak, thedeaf tohear, thelametowalk—whocametohimtoseekhisgraceonearth—muchmorewillhehealalltheir imperfectionswhomhewill admit tohisglory inheaven!Among those tribes,there is not one feeble; but the lameman shall leap as a deer, and themuteman'stongue shall sing (Ps. 105:37; Isa. 35:6). And it is very probable, that seeing Godcreatedourfirstparents,notinfants,oroldmen—butofaperfectageorstature—thenewcreationfromdeath,shalleverywaybemoreperfectthanthefirstframeofman,fromwhichhefellintothestateofthedead.Neither is it likethattimeof infancy—beingimperfection;orofoldage—beingcorruption—whicharenotconsistentwiththestateofaperfectglorifiedbody.

5. The bodies of the elect being thus raised, shall have four most excellent andsupernaturalqualities."Soitiswiththeresurrectionofthedead:Sownincorruption,raisedinincorruption;sownindishonor,raisedinglory;sowninweakness,raisedinpower;sownanaturalbody,raisedaspiritualbody."(1Corinthians15:42-44)

(1.)Theyshallberaisedinpower,wherebytheyshallforeverbefreedfromallwantsand weakness, and enabled to continue, without the use of food, drink, sleep, andotherformerhelps(1Cor.15:43).

(2.) In incorruption, whereby they shall never be subject to any manner ofimperfections,blemish,sickness,ordeath(1Cor.15:41;Isa.65:20.)

(3.)Inglory,wherebytheirbodiesshallshineasbrightas thesunintheskies(Mt.13:43;Lk.9:31;)andwhichbeingmadetransparent,theirsoulsshallshinethroughfarmoregloriousthantheirbodies(1Th.4:17).

Therearethreeglimpsesofwhichglorywereseen—first, inMoses' face (Ex.34:29);secondly, in the Transfiguration (Mt. 17:2); thirdly, in Stephen's countenance (Acts6:15).These are three instances andassurances of the glorification of our bodies at

thatgloriousday.Thenshall themourner layasidehismourninggarments,andputontherobeoftheKing'sSon,Jesus.TheneverytrueMordecai(whomournedunderthesackclothofthiscorruptflesh)shallbearrayedwiththeKing'sroyalapparel(Est.6:4),andhavetheroyalcrownsetuponhishead,thatalltheworldmayseewhatshallbedonetohimwhomtheKingofkingsdelightstohonor.Ifnowtherisingofonesunmakes themorning so glorious, how glorious shall that day be, when innumerablemillionsofmillionsofbodiesofsaintsandangelsshallappearmoregloriousthanthebrightnessofthesun—thebodyofChristinglorysurpassingall!

(4.)Inagility,wherebyourbodiesshallbeabletoascend,andmeettheLordathisgloriouscomingintheair,aseaglesflyinguntotheirblessedhomes.Tothisagilityofthegloriousbodiesofthesaints theprophetalludes,saying,"Theyshallrenewtheirstrength;theyshallmountupwithwingsaseagles;theyshallrun,andnotbeweary;theyshallwalk,andnotfaint,"Isa.40:31.AndtothisstatemaythatsayingofWisdombereferred—"Inthetimeoftheirvisiontheyshallshine,andruntoandfro,assparksamongthestubble."

And in respect of these four qualities, Paul calls the raised bodies of the electspiritual(1Cor.15:46)—for theyshallbespiritual inqualities—but thesamestill insubstance.

Andhowsoeversinandcorruptionmakeaman,inthisstateofmortality,lowerthanangels,yetsurely,whenGodshallthuscrownhimwithgloryandhonor(Ps.8:5),manshallbesuperiortoangels.Foraretheyspirits?Soismanalsoinrespectofhissoul—yes, more than this, they shall have also a spiritual body, fashioned like unto thegloriousbodyoftheLordJesusChrist(Phil.3:21)—anhonorwhichhenevergavetoangels—andinthisrespectmanhasaprerogativeabovethem.Nay,theyarebutspiritsappointedtobeministersuntotheelect(Heb.1:14;Ps.91:11);andasmanyofthem,whoat the firstdisdained thisoffice,andwouldnotkeep their first estate,were fortheirpridehurled intohell (Jude,verse6;2Pet.2:4).This lessensnot thedignityofangels—butextolsthegreatnessofGod'slovetohisredeemedpeople.

Butasforalltheelect,whoatthatsecondandsuddencomingofChristshallbefoundstill living—when the fire that shall burn up the corruption of the world, and theworkstherein—shall inamoment, inthetwinklingofaneye,burnupthedrossandcorruptionof theirmortality, andmake them immortalbodies.This changeshallbeuntothem,insteadofdeath.

Then shall the soulwith joyfulness greet herbody, saying—O wemeet again, mydear sister! How sweet is your voice! How lovely is your countenance—even afterhaving lainhidden so long in the clefts of the rocks, and in the secret places of thegrave! (Song2:14).Youare indeedahabitation fit, not only forme todwell in—butsuchastheHolySpiritthinksfittoresidein—ashistemple,forever.Thewinterofour

afflictionisnowpast;thestormofourmiseryisblownoverandgone.Thebodiesofourelectbrethrenappearmoregloriousthanthelily-flowersontheearth;thetimeofsinginghallelujahiscome,andthevoiceofthetrumpetisheardintheland.Youhavebeenmyassociate in theLord's labors, and companion inpersecutions andwrongs,forChristandhisgospel'ssake.NowshallweentertogetherintoourMaster'sjoy.Asyouhavebornewithmethecross—soshallyounowwearwithmethecrown.Asyouhavewithme sowed plenteously in tears—so shall you reapwithme abundantly injoy. O blessed, ever blessed be that God, who, when yonder reprobates spent theirwholetimeinpride,fleshlylusts,eating,drinking,andprofanevanities—gaveusgraceto join together in watching, fasting, praying, reading the scriptures, keeping hiscommandments,hearingsermons,receivingtheholycommunion,relievingthepoor,exercising,inallhumility,theworksofpietytoGod,andwalkinguprightlyinallourdutiestowardsmen.Youshall,henceforth,hearnomentionofyoursins—fortheyareforgiven and covered (Ps. 32:1). But every good work which you have done for theLord'ssake—shallberehearsedandrewarded.

Cheerupyourheart,foryourJudgeisfleshofyourflesh,andboneofyourbone(Dan.9:21). Lift up yourhead, behold these glorious angels, like somanyGabriels, flyingtowards us, to tell us that the day of our redemption has come (Lk. 21:28), and toconveyus in the clouds tomeet ourRedeemer in the air. behold, they are at hand!Arise,therefore,mydove,mylove,mylovelyone—andcomeaway(Song2:1,3).Andso,likeyoungdeer(verse17),theyrunwithangelstowardsChrist,overthetrembling'mountainsofdivision'.

6. Both living and dead being thus revived and glorified, shall instantly, by theministryofGod'sholyangels(Lk.17:34,35,36),begatheredfromallthequartersandpartsof theworld,andcaughtup together in theclouds, tomeet theLord in theair(1Th.4:17),andsoshallcomewithhim,asapartofhisgloriousretinue—tojudgethereprobates and evil angels (1Cor. 6:1,3). The twelve apostles shall sit upon twelvethrones (next Christ) to judge the twelve tribes, who refused to hear the gospelpreachedbytheirministry.Andallthesaints,inhonorandorder,shallstandnexttothem,as judgesalso, to judgetheevilangels,andearthly-mindedmen(1Cor.6:2,3).Andassomeofthemreceivedgraceinthis lifetobemorezealousforhisglory,andmore faithful in his service, than others—so shall their glory and reward be greaterthanothersinthatday(Rev.22:12;2Cor.5:6.)

Theplacewhere they shall be gathered unto Christ, and where Christ shall sit injudgment, shall be in theair(1Th. 4:17), over the valley of Jehoshaphat, byMountOlivet,neartoJerusalem,eastwardfromthetemple,asitisprobable,forfourreasons—

1.Becausetheholyscriptureseemstointimatesomuchinplainwords—"Iwillgatherall nations into the valley of Jehoshaphat and plead with them there. Cause your

mightyonetocomedown,OLord—lettheheathenbeawakenedandcomeuptothevalleyofJehoshaphat;fortherewillIsittojudgealltheheathenroundabout,"Joel3:1,2,11,12.Jehoshaphatsignifies, 'theLordwill judge'.And this valleywas so calledfrom the great victory which the Lord gave Jehoshaphat and his people over theAmmonites,Moabites,andinhabitantsofMountSeir(2Chr.20);whichvictorywasatypeofthefinalvictorywhichChrist,theSupremeJudge,shallgivehiselectoveralltheir enemies in that place at the last day, as also the Jews interpret it—(see Zech.14:4,5;Ps.51:1,2)—allagreeingthattheplaceshallbethereabouts.

2.Because that asChristwas thereabouts crucified andput to open shame, so overthat place his glorious throne should be erected in the air,whenhe shall appear injudgment tomanifest hismajesty and glory. For it is fit that Christ should in thatplacejudgetheworldwithrighteousjudgment—wherehehimselfwasunjustlyjudgedandcondemned.

3.Because that seeing theangels shallbe sent togather together theelect from thefourwinds, fromone endof heaven to the other, it ismost probable that the placewhere they shall be gathered to shall be near Jerusalem and the valley ofJehoshaphat; which geographers describe to be in the midst of the surface of theearth.

4.Because the angels told the disciples that as they sawChrist ascend fromMountOlivet(Acts1:11),whichisoverthevalleyofJehoshaphat,soheshallinlikemannercomedownfromheaven.

5.Lastly,WhenChristissetinhisgloriousthrone,andallthemanythousandsofhissaintsandangels,shiningmorebrightthansomanysunsinglory,sittingaroundhim(Mt. 25:31; Jude, verse 14; Rev. 20:11,12), and the body of Christ in glory andbrightnesssurpassingthemall;thereprobatesbeingseparate,andremainingbeneathupontheearth(for therighthandsignifiesablessed, the lefthandacursedestate),Christwillfirstpronouncethesentenceofblissupontheelect(Mt.19:28;)andhewilltherebyincreasethegriefofthereprobatewhoshallhearit,andhewillshowhimselfmore prone to mercy than to judgment (Ps. 145:9; Isa. 28:21). And thus, from histhrone of majesty in the air, he will, in the sight and hearing of all the world,pronounce unto his elect, "Come you who are blessed by my Father—inherit thekingdomprepared foryou, from thebeginningof theworld!For Iwashungry, etc."Mt.25:34.

Come you.Here is our blessed union with Christ, and, by him, with the wholeTrinity.

Blessed.Hereisourabsolutionfromallsins,andourcompleteendowmentwithallgraceandhappiness.

BymyFather.Hereistheauthorfromwhomproceedsourfelicity.

Inherit.Hereisouradoption.

Thekingdom.Beholdourbirth-rightandpossession.

Prepared.SeeGod'sfatherlycareforhischosenones.

Fromthefoundationoftheworld.Othefree,eternal,unchangeableelectionofGod!

HowmucharethosesoulsboundtoloveGod,whoofhismeregoodwillandpleasurechoseandlovedthembeforetheyhaddoneeithergoodorevil(Rom.9:3).

ForIwashungry,etc.O thegoodnessofChrist,whotakesnoticeofall thegoodworksofhischildrentorewardthem!Howgreat ishis love topoorChristians,whotakeseveryworkofmercydonetothemforhissake,asifithadbeendonetohimself!

ComeyoutoMe,inwhomyouhavebelievedbeforeyousawme(Jn.20:29;1Pet.1:8),andwhom you have loved and sought for, with somuch devotion, and through somanytribulations.Comenowfromlabortorest;fromdisgracetoglory;fromthejawsofdeathtothejoysofeternallife!Formysakeyouhavebeenrailedupon,reviled,andcursed(Mt.5:11);butnowitshallappeartoall thosecursedEsaus, thatyouarethetrueJacobs that shall receiveyourheavenlyFather'sblessing;andblessedshall yoube.Yourfathers,mothers,andnearestkindred,forsookandcastyouoffformytruth'ssakewhichyoumaintained(Ps.27:10;Mt.19:29);butnowmyFatherwillbeuntoyouafather,andyoushallbehissonsanddaughtersforever(Jn.20:17;2Cor.6:18).Youwerecastoutofyourlandsandlivings,andforsookallformysakeandthegospel's—but that it may appear that you have not lost your gain—but gained by your loss,instead of an earthly inheritance and possessions, you shall possess with me theinheritanceofmyheavenlykingdom;whereyoushallbeforlove—sons;forbirth-right—heirs;fordignity—kings;forholiness—priests;andyoumaybeboldtoenterintothepossessionof itnow,becausemyFatherpreparedandkept it foryouever since thefirstfoundationoftheworldwaslaid!

Immediately after this sentence of absolution of sin and benediction of blessings,everybeliever receiveshis crown,whichChrist the righteous Judgeputs upon theirheads,astherewardwhichhehaspromised,ofhisgraceandmercy—tothefaithandgoodworksofallthosewholovedhisappearing(2Tim.4:8;1Pet.5:4).Theneveryonetakinghiscrownfromhishead,shalllayitdown,asitwere,atthefeetofChrist;andprostrating themselves, shall with one heart and voice, in a heavenly manner andharmony, say, "Praise,andhonor,andglory,andpower,and thanks,beuntoyou,OblessedLamb,who sitsupon the throne!Youwerekilled, andhave redeemedus toGod by your blood—out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation—and

havemadeusuntokingsandpriestsourGod,toreignwithyouinyourkingdomforevermore.Amen."(Rev.4:10)

Then shall they sit upon their thrones as judges of the reprobates, and evil angels(1Cor. 6:1,2,3, &c.; Mt. 19:13), by approving, and giving testimony to the righteoussentenceandjudgmentofChristtheSupremeJudge.

After the pronouncing of the reprobates' sentence and condemnation, Christ willperformtwosolemnactions—

1.ThepresentingofalltheelectuntohisFather."Behold,OrighteousFather,thesearetheywhomyouhavegivenme—Ihavekeptthem,andnoneofthemislost.Igave themyourword, and theybelieved it, and theworldhated them,because theywerenotoftheworld,evenasIwasnotoftheworld.Andnow,Father,Idesirethatthosewhomyouhave givenme, bewithmewhere I am—that theymaybeholdmyglory,whichyouhavegivenme;andthatImaybeinthem,andyouinme,thattheymaybemadeperfect inunity—thattheworldmayknowthatyouhavesentme,andthatyouhavelovedthem—asyouhavelovedme."(Jn.17:12,14,23,24.)

2.Christ shalldeliverup thekingdomtoGod,even theFather. That is, heshallceasetoexecutehisofficeofmediatorship(1Cor.25:24);whereby,asheisKing,Priest, Prophet, and SupremeHead of the Church, he suppressed his enemies, andruledhis faithfulpeoplebyhisspirit,word,andsacraments—sothathiskingdomofgraceoverhis church in thisworldceasing—heshall ruledirectly inhiskingdomofgloryevermore.Notthatthedignityofhismanhoodshallbeanythingdiminished;butthatthegloryofhisGodheadshallbemoremanifested—sothatasheisGod,heshallfromthenceforthinallfullness,withoutallexternalmeans—ruleallinall.

Fromthistribunal-seat,Christshallarise,andwithallhisgloriouscompanyofelectangelsandsaints,heshallgouptriumphantly,inorderandarray,untotheheavenofheavens,withsuchaheavenlynoiseandmusic, thatnowmaythatsongofDavidbetruly verified, "God is gone up with a triumph, the Lord with the sound of thetrumpets.SingpraisestoGod,singpraises,singpraisestoourKing,singpraises—forGodistheKingofalltheearth,heisgreatlytobeexalted."(Ps.47:4,5,6,8)Andthatmarriage-song of John, "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him; for themarriageoftheLambhascome,andhiswifehasmadeherselfready.Hallelujah;fortheLordGodOmnipotentreigns."(Rev.19:6,7)

Thethirdandlastdegreeoftheblessedstateofaregeneratemanafterdeath,beginsafterthepronouncingofthesentence,andlastseternallywithoutallend.

III.MeditationsoftheblessedstateofaRegenerateManinHEAVEN.

Heremymeditationdazzles,andmypenfallsoutofmyhand;theonebeingnotable

toconceive,northeothertodescribe,thatmostexcellentbliss,andeternalweightofglory (2Cor.4:17;Rom.8:18)—whereof all the afflictions of this present life arenotworthytobecompared—whichalltheelectshallwiththeblessedTrinityenjoy,fromthattimethat theyshallbereceivedwithChrist,as joint-heirs(Rom.8:17) into thateverlastingkingdomofjoy.

Notwithstanding,wemaytakeaglimpsethereof.Theholyscripturesthussetforth(toourcapacity)thegloryofoureternalandheavenlylifeafterdeath,infourrespects—

1.Oftheplaceofheaven.

2.Oftheobjectofheaven.

3.Oftheprivilegesoftheelectinheaven.

4.Oftheeffectsoftheseprivileges.

1.ThePLACEofheaven.

Theplaceistheheavenofheavens,orthethirdheaven,calledparadise(Ps.19:5;2Cor.12:24);whereChrist(inhishumannature)ascendedfaraboveallvisibleheavens.Thebridegroom's chamber (Ps. 19:6; Mt. 25:10), which by the skies, as by an azuredcurtainspangledwithglitteringstars,andgloriousplanets, ishidden,thatwecannotbehold itwith these corruptible eyes of flesh.TheHolySpirit condescending to ourweakness, describes the glory of that place (which no man can estimate) by suchthingsasaremostpreciousintheestimationofman;andthereforelikensittoagreatandholycity,namedtheheavenlyJerusalem(Rev.21),whereonlyGodandhispeoplewho are saved, and written in the Lamb's book (verses 24 & 27), do inhabit. Thisheavenly city is all built of pure gold, like unto clear glass or crystal (verses11,18,19,20); the walls of jasper-stone—the foundations of the walls garnished withtwelvekindsofpreciousstones,havingtwelvegates,eachbuiltofonepearl(verse21)—threegatestowardseachofthefourcornersoftheworld(verse13),andateachgatean angel (verse 12), as somany guards, that no unclean thing should enter into it(verse27).Thecityislaidoutinasquare(verse16),thereforeperfect—thelength,thebreadth,andheightofitareequal,12,000furlongseveryway;thereforegloriousandspacious.Throughthemidstofherstreetseverrunsapureriverofthewateroflife,asclearascrystal(Rev.22:1);andontheothersidetheriveristhetreeoflife(verse2),evergrowing,whichbearstwelvekindsoffruits,andgivesfruiteverymonth;andtheleavesofthetreearehealthtothenations.

There is thereforenoplace sogloriousby creation, sobeautifulwith delectation, sorichinpossession,socomfortableforhabitation.Forthere,thekingisChrist—thelawis love—the honor is verity—the peace is felicity—the life is eternity. There is lightwithout darkness, mirth without sadness, health without sickness, wealth without

want, credit without disgrace, beauty without blemish, ease without labor, richeswithoutrust,blessednesswithoutmisery,andconsolation thatneverknows an end.HowtrulymaywecryoutwithDavid,ofthiscity,"Gloriousthingsarespokenofyou,OyoucityofGod!"Ps.87:3.Andyetallthesethingsarespokenbutaccordingtotheweaknessofourcapacity.Forheavenexceedsallthisinglory,sofar,asthatnotongueisabletoexpress,norheartofmantoconceive, theglory thereof,aswitnessesPaul(2Cor.12:4;1Cor.2:5),whowasinit,andsawit.Oletusnotthendotesomuchuponourpresentwoodencottages,andhousesofmolderingclay,whicharebutthetentsofungodliness, and habitation of sinners; but let us look rather, and long for thisheavenly city, whose builder andmaker is God (Heb. 11:10); which he, who is notashamedtobecalledourGod,haspreparedforus(Heb.11:6).

2.TheOBJECTofheaven.

TheblissfulandgloriousobjectofallintellectualandreasonablecreaturesinheavenistheGodhead, inTrinityofPersons,withoutwhichthereisneitherjoynorfelicity;buttheveryfullnessofjoyconsistsinenjoyingthesame.

Thisobjectweshallenjoytwoways—

1.ByabeatificvisionofGod.

2.Bypossessinganimmediatecommunionwiththisdivinenature.

ThebeatificalvisionofGod isthatalone,whichcancontent the infinitemindofman.Foreverythingtendstoitscenter.Godisthecenterofthesoul—therefore, likeNoah'sdove,shecannotrestnorjoyuntilshereturnandenjoyhim.

AllthatGodbestoweduponMosescouldnotsatisfyhismind,unlesshemightseetheface of God (Ex. 3:13)—therefore the whole church prays so earnestly, "God bemercifuluntous,andcausehisfacetoshineuponus."(Ps.67:1,and80:1).WhenPauloncehadseenthisblessedsight,heeveraftercountedalltherichesandgloryoftheworld(inrespectofit)tobebutrubbish(Phil.3:8,11);andallhislifeafterwasbutasighingout, "Idesire tobedissolved,andtobewithChrist." (Phil. 1:23).AndChristprayed for all his elect in his last prayer, that theymight obtain this blessed vision—"Father,Iwillthatthosewhomyouhavegivenmebewhere?—evenwhereIam.Towhatend?—thattheymaybeholdmyglory."(Jn.17:14).

IfMoses'facedidsoshine,whenhehadbeenwithGodbutfortydays,andseenbuthisbackparts(Ex.34:29;33:31),howshallweshine,whenweshall seehimface toface forever, andknowhimasweareknown, andashe is! (1Cor. 13:12;2Cor.3:18;1Jn. 3:2) Then shall the soul no longer be termed Marah, bitterness—but Naomi,beautifulness; for the Lord shall turn her short bitterness to an eternal beauty andblessedness(Ruth1:20.)

Thesecondmeanstoenjoythisobjectis,byhavinganimmediateandaneternalcommunionwithGod inheaven. Thiswe have—first, by being, asmembers ofChrist,unitedtohismanhood,andasbythemanhood,personallyunitedtotheWord,we are united to him, as he is God; and, by his Godhead, to the whole Trinity.Reprobatesat the lastdayseeGod,asa justJudge, topunish them;but, for lackofthiscommunion,theyshallhaveneithergracewithhim,norgloryfromhim.Forlackofthiscommunion,thedevils,whentheysawChrist,criedout,"Whathavewetodowithyou,OSonofthemosthighGod?"(Mk.5:7)But,byvirtueofthiscommunion,thepenitent soulmayboldlygoandsayuntoChrist, asRuthuntoBoaz (Ruth3:9),"Spread,OChrist,thewingofthegarmentofyourmercyoveryourhandmaid;foryouaremykinsman."ThiscommunionGodpromisedAbraham,whenhegavehimselfforhis great reward (Gen. 15:1)AndChrist prays for hiswhole church to obtain it (Jn.17:20,21).ThiscommunionPaulexpressesinoneword,saying,thatGodshallbeallinalltous(1Cor.15:28).Indeed,Godisnowallinalltous;butbymeans,andinasmallmeasure.Butinheaven,Godhimselfimmediately,infullnessofmeasure,withoutallmeans,willbeuntousallthegoodthingsthatoursoulsandbodiescanwishordesire.Hehimselfwillbesalvationandjoytooursouls,lifeandhealthtoourbodies,beautytooureyes,musictoourears,honeytoourmouths,perfumetoournostrils,lighttoourunderstandings,contentmenttoourwills,anddelighttoourhearts.

Andwhatcanbelacking,whereGodhimselfwillbethesoulofoursouls?Yes,allthestrength,wit,pleasures,virtues,colors,beauties,harmony,andgoodness, thatare inmen,animals,fish,fowls,trees,herbs,andallcreatures—arenothingbutsparklesofthosethingswhichareininfiniteperfectioninGod.Andinhimweshallenjoytheminafarmoreperfectandblessedmanner.Hehimselfwillthensupplytheiruse—nay,thebestcreatureswhichserveusnowshallnothavethehonortoserveusthen.Therewillbenoneedofthesunnorofthemoontoshineinthatcity;forthegloryofGoddoeslightit(Rev.21:23).Nomorewilltherebeanyneedoruseofanycreature,whenweshallenjoytheCreatorhimself.

When, therefore,webeholdanything that isexcellent inanycreatures, letus say toourselves—Howmuchmoreexcellentishewhogavethemthisexcellency!Whenwebeholdthewisdomofmen,whooverrulecreaturesstrongerthanthemselves;outrunthesunandmoon indiscourse,prescribingmanyyearsbefore inwhat courses theyshallbeeclipsed; letussay toourselves—howadmirable is thewisdomofGod,whomademen so wise!When we consider the strengthof whales and elephants, thetempest of winds, and terror of thunder, let us say to ourselves—how strong, howmighty, how dreadful is that God, who makes these mighty and fearful creatures!Whenwetastethingsthataredelicatelysweet,letussaytoourselves—Ohowsweetis thatGod fromwhomall these creatureshave received their sweetness!Whenwebeholdtheadmirablecolorswhichareinflowersandbirds,andallthelovelybeautyofnature,letussay—HowbeautifulisthatGodthatmadethesesolovely!

AndifourlovingGodhasthusprovidedussomanyexcellentdelights,forourpassagethroughthisBochim(Jud.2:5),orvalleyoftears,whatarethosepleasureswhichhehaspreparedforus,whenweshallenterintothepalaceofourMaster'sjoy!HowshalloursoulsbethereravishedwiththeloveofsolovelyaGod!Sogloriousistheobjectofheavenlysaints—soamiableisthesightofourgraciousSavior!

3.OfthePRIVILEGESwhichtheElectshallenjoyinHeaven.

By reason of this communion with God, the elect in heaven shall have foursuperexcellentprivileges:

1.Theyshallhavethekingdomofheavenfortheirinheritance(Mt.25;1Pet.1:4),andtheyshallbefreecitizensoftheheavenlyJerusalem(Eph.2:19;Heb.12:22).Paul,bybeingafreecitizenofRome(Acts21:26),escapedwhipping;buttheywhoareonce free citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem, shall ever be freed from thewhips ofeternaltorments.Forthisfreedomwasboughtforus,notwithagreatsumofmoney(Acts22:28)—butwiththepreciousbloodoftheSonofGod(1Pet.1:18).

2.Theyshallallbekingsandpriests(Rev.5:10;1Pet.2:9;Rom.16:10)—spiritualkings, to reignwith Christ, and to triumph over Satan and the world; and spiritualpriests,tooffertoGodthespiritualsacrificeofpraiseandthanksgivingforevermore(1Pet.2:5;Heb.13:15).Andthereforetheyaresaidtowearbothcrownsandrobes.Owhatacomfortisthistopoorparentsthathavemanychildren!IftheybreedthemupinthefearofGod,andtobetrueChristians,thenaretheyparentstosomanykingsandpriests.

3.Theirbodiesshallshineasthebrightnessofthesunintheskies,likethegloriousbodyofChrist(Mt. 13:43),which shinedbrighter than the sunatnoon,when it appeared to Paul (Phil. 3:21; Acts 12:6). A glimpse of which gloriousbrightnessappearedinthebodiesofMosesandElijah,transfiguredwithourLordintheholymount(Lk.9:30;Mk.9:5).Therefore,saystheapostle,itshallriseagloriousbody; yes, a spiritual body, not in substance—but in quality (1Cor. 15:43,44)—preservedbyspiritualmeans,andhaving(asanangel)agilitytoascendordescend.Owhatanhonorisit,thatourbodies(fallingmorevilethancarrion)shouldthusariseinglory,likeuntothebodyoftheSonofGod!(1Th.4:1)

4.Lastly,They(togetherwithalltheholyangels)therekeep,withoutanylabortodistractthem,aperpetualSabbath,totheglory,honor,andpraiseofGod,forthecreating,redeeming,andsanctifyingthechurch;andforhispower,wisdom,justice,mercy,andgoodness,inthegovernmentofheavenandearth.When you hear a sweet concert ofmusic,meditate how happy you shall be, when,with the choir of heavenly angels and saints, you shall sing a part in that spiritualHallelujah, in that eternal blessed Sabbath, where there shall be such variety of

pleasures, and satiety of joys—as neither know tediousness in doing, nor end indelighting.

4.TheEFFECTSofthoseprivilegeswhichtheElectshallenjoyinHeaven.

Fromtheseprivilegestherewillarisetotheelectinheaven,fivenotableeffects—

1. They shall knowGodwith a perfectKNOWLEDGE (1Cor. 1:10), so far ascreaturescanpossiblycomprehendtheCreator.ForthereweshallseetheWord,theCreator; and in the Word, all creatures that by the Word were created. The mostexcellentcreatures in this life,arebutasadarkveil (1Cor.23:12;2Cor.3:16)drawnbetweenGodandus;butwhenthisveilshallbedrawnaside, thenshallweseeGodfacetoface,andknowhimasweareknown.WeshallknowthepoweroftheFather,thewisdomoftheSon,thegraceoftheHolySpirit,andtheindivisiblenatureof theblessedTrinity.And inhimwe shall know,not only all our friendswhodied in thefaithofChrist—butalsoallthefaithfulthateverwere,orshallbe.For,

(1.) Christ tells the Jews that they shall seeAbraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and all theprophets,inthekingdomofGod(Lk.13:28);thereforeweshallknowthem,

(2.)Adam inhis innocencyknewEve tobeboneofhis bone, and flesh of his flesh(Gen. 2:23), as soon as he awakened;muchmore then shall we know our kindred,whenweshallawakeperfectedandglorifiedintheresurrection.

(3.)The apostles knewChrist after his resurrection, and the saintswhich rosewithhim,andappearedintheholycity(Mt.27:53).

(4.)Peter,James,andJohn,knewMosesandElijahinthetransfiguration(Mt.17:4);howmuchmoreshallweknowoneanother,whenweshallbeallglorified?

(5.)DivesknewLazarus inAbraham'sbosom(Lk.16:23;)muchmoreshall theelectknowoneanotherinheaven.

(6.)Christsaysthatthetwelveapostlesshallsitupontwelvethrones(Mt.19:28),tojudge(atthatday)thetwelvetribes(1Cor.6:2,3);thereforetheyshallbeknown,andconsequentlytherestofthesaints.

(7.)Paulsays, thatat thatdayweshallknowasweareknownofGod (1Cor. 13:11);andAugustineoutofthisplacecomfortsawidow,assuringher,thatasinthislifeshesawherhusbandwithexternaleyes,sointhelifetocomesheshouldknowhisheart,andwhatwereallhisthoughtsandimaginations.Then,husbandsandwives, looktoyouractionsandthoughts;forallshallbemademanifestoneday(See1Cor.4:5).

(8.)Thefaithful in theOldTestament,aresaidtobegathered to their fathers (Gen.

25:35;2Ki.22);thereforetheknowledgeofourfriendsremains.

(9.)Loveneverfails(1Cor.13:8);thereforeknowledge,thegroundthereof,remainsinanotherlife.

(10.)BecausethelastdayshallbeadeclarationofthejustjudgmentofGod,whenheshall reward every man according to his works (Rom. 2:5; Rev. 22:12; Eccl. 12:14;Rom.2:16);andifeveryman'sworkbebroughttolight,muchmoretheworker.Andifwickedmenshallaccount forevery idleword (Mt. 12:36),muchmore shall the idlespeakersthemselvesbeknown.Andifthepeoplebenotknown,invainaretheworksmade manifest. "Therefore," says the apostle, "every man shall appear, to give anaccountfortheworkthathehasdoneinhisbody,"1Cor.5:10.Thoughtherespectofdiversities of degrees and callings inmagistracy,ministry, andbusiness shall cease;yes,Christshallthenceasetorule,asheisMediator(1Cor.15:14,28),andruleallinall,asheisGodequalwiththeFatherandtheHolySpirit.

Thegreatestknowledge thatmencanattain to in this life (1Cor. 13:11) comesas farshort of the knowledgewhichwe shall have in heaven, as the knowledge of a childthatcannotyetspeakplain,comesoftheknowledgeofthegreatestphilosopherintheworld.Theywhothirstforknowledge,letthemlongtobestudentsofthisuniversity.For all the light by which we know anything in this world, is nothing but the veryshadowofGod; butwhenwe shall knowGod in heaven,we shall in himknow themanneroftheworkofthecreation,themysteriesoftheworkofourredemption;yes,so much knowledge as a creature can possibly conceive and comprehend of theCreatorandhisworks.Butwhileweareinthislife,wemaysaywithJob,"Howlittleaportionhearweofhim?"Job26:14.

2.They shallLOVEGodwithasperfect andabsolutea loveaspossiblyacreaturecando.ThemanneroflovingGod,istolovehimforhimself(1Cor.13:12);themeasureistolovehimwithoutmeasure.Forinthislife(knowingGodbutinpart)welovehimbutinpart;butwhentheelectinheavenshallfullyknowGod,thentheywillperfectly loveGod—andfortheinfinitecausesof love,whichtheyshallknowtobeinHim,theyshallbeinfinitelyravishedwiththeloveofHim.

3. They shall be filledwith all kinds of divine PLEASURES. "At your righthand," says David, "there are pleasures for evermore," Ps. 16:11; "Yes, they shalldrink," says he, "out of the river of pleasures," Ps. 36:8. For as soon as the soul isadmitted into the actual fruition of the beatifical essence of God, she has all thegoodness, beauty, glory, and perfection of all creatures, in all the worlds unitedtogether,andatoncepresentedtoherinthesightofGod.Ifanydelightinbeauty,thefairestbeauty isbutaduskyshadowcomparedtothat.Hethatdelights inpleasuresshalltherefindinfinitevarieties,withouteitherinterruptionofgrief,ordistractionofpain.Hethatloveshonorshallthereenjoyit,withoutthedisgraceofcankeredenvy.

Hethat loves treasureshall therepossess it,andneverbebeguiledof it.There theyshallhaveknowledgevoidofall ignorance,healththatnosicknessshall impair,andlife that no death can determine. How happy, then, shall we be, when this life ischanged,andwetranslatedthere!

4. They shall be replenishedwith an unspeakable JOY. "In your presence,"saysDavid,"isthefullnessofjoy."(Ps.16:11)AndthisjoyshallarisechieflyfromthevisionofGod,andpartlyfromthesightofalltheholyangels,andblessedsoulsofjustandperfectmen,whoareinblissandglorywiththem;butespeciallyfromtheblissfulsightofJesus, theMediatorof theNewTestament,ourEmmanuel,Godmademan.The sight of Jesus will be the chief cause of our bliss and joy. If the Israelites inJerusalemsoshoutedforjoy,thattheearthrangagain,toseeSolomoncrowned,howshalltheelectrejoiceinheaven,toseeChrist,thetrueSolomon,adornedwithglory!IfJohntheBaptist,athispresence,didleapinhismother'swombforjoy,howshallweexultforjoy,whenhewillbewithusinheaven!Ifthewisemenrejoicedsogreatlytofindhimababe,lyinginamanger,howgreatshallthejoyoftheelectbe,toseehimsit,asaking, inhiscelestial throne!IfSimeonwasgladtoseehimaninfant, in thetemple,presentedbythehandsofthepriest,howgreatshallourjoybetoseehimaking, ruling all things, at the right hand of his Father! If Joseph andMarywere sojoyfultofindhiminthemidstofthedoctorsinthetemple,howgladshalloursoulsbe,toseehimsitting,asLord,amongangelsinheaven!ThisisthatjoyofourMaster,which,astheapostlesays,"theeyehasnotseen,theearhasnotheard,northeheartofmancanconceive."(1Cor.2:5;Mt.25:21);which,becauseitcannotenterintous—weshallenterintoit.

5. Lastly, They shall enjoy this blissful and glorious state FOREVER—thereforeitistermedeverlastinglife(Jn.17:3).AndChristsays,thatourjoyshallnomantakefromus.Allotherjoys,betheyeversogreat,haveanend.Ahasuerus'feastlastedanhundredandeightydays(Est.1:3)—buthe,andit,andallhisjoysaregone.Formortalman to be assumed to heavenly glory, to be associated to angels, to besatiated with all delights and joys—but for a time, were much—but to enjoy themforever,withoutintermissionorend,whocanhearit,andnotadmire?All thesaintsofChrist,assoonas they feltoncebuta truetasteof theseeternal joys,countedalltherichesandpleasuresofthislifetobebutlossandrubbish,incomparisontothat(Phil.3:8).Andtherefore,withincessantprayers,fasting,alms-deeds,tears,faith,andholyliving,theylaboredtoascertainthemselvesofthiseternallife;andfortheloveofit, they willingly either sold or parted with all their earthly goods and possessions(Acts2:45).

Christ callsChristiansmerchants (Lk. 14), andeternal life apreciouspearl,whichawisemerchantwillpurchase,thoughitcosthimallthathehas(Mt.13).

Alexander hearing the report of the great riches of the eastern country, divided

immediately among his captains and soldiers, all his kingdom of Macedonia.Hephæstion askinghim,What hemeant in so doing? Alexander answered, That hepreferredtherichesofIndia(whereofhehopedshortly tobemaster)beforeall thathis fatherPhiliphad lefthim inMacedonia.AndshouldnotChristians, then,prefertheeternalrichesofheaven,sogreatlyrenowned(whichtheyshallenjoybeforelong),beforethecorruptiblethingsofthisworld,whichlastbutforaseason?

AbrahamandSarah left theirowncountryandpossessions, to look fora citywhosebuilderandmakerisGod(Heb.11:10,15,16);andthereforeboughtnoland,butonlyaplaceofburial.DavidpreferredonedaywithGod,more thana thousandelsewhere;yes, to be a door-keeper in the house of God, rather than to dwell in the richesttabernaclesofwickedness (Ps.134:10).Elijahearnestlybesought theLord toreceivehis soul into his kingdom (1Ki. 19:4), andwent willingly, though in a fiery chariot,there(2Ki.2:11).Paul,havingonceseenheaven,continuallydesired tobedissolved,thathemightbewithChrist (Phil. 1:23).Peter, having espied but a glimpse of thateternalgloryontheMount,wishedthathemightdwell thereall thedaysofhis life,saying,"Master, it isgoodforustobehere."(Mt.17:4)HowmuchbetterdoesPeternowthinkittobeinheavenitself!Christ,alittlebeforehisdeath,prayshisFathertoreceivehimintothatexcellentglory(Jn.17:5).Andtheapostlewitnesses,that"forthejoythatwassetbeforehim,heenduredthecross,anddespisedtheshame."Heb.11:2.Ifamandidbutonceseethoseheavenlyjoys(ifitwerepossible),hewouldendureanhundreddeathstoenjoythathappinessbutoneday.

Augustinesays, thathewouldbecontenttoendurethetormentsofhell togainthisjoy,ratherthantoloseit.Ignatius,Paul'sscholar,beingthreatened,ashewasgoingtosuffer, with the cruelty of torments, answered, with great courage of faith, "Fire,gallows, beasts, breaking of my bones, quartering of my members, crushing of mybody,allthetormentsofthedeviltogether—letthemcomeuponme,soImayenjoymyLordJesus,andhiskingdom."ThelikeconstancyshowedPolycarp,whocouldnotby any terrors of any kind of death, bemoved to deny Christ in the leastmeasure.WiththelikeresolutionBasilansweredhispersecutors,whentheywouldterrifyhimwithdeath—"Iwillnever,"saidhe,"feardeath,whichcandonomorethanrestoremetohimthatmademe."

IfRuthleftherowncountry,andfollowedNaomi,hermother-in-law,togoanddwellwithherinthelandofCanaan(whichwasbutatypeofheaven),onlyuponthefamewhichsheheardoftheGodofIsrael(thoughshehadnopromiseofanyportioninit),howshouldyoufollowChristintotheheavenlyCanaan,whereGodhasgivenyouaneternal inheritance, assured by an holy covenant,made in the word of God, signedwith the blood of his Son, and sealedwith his Spirit and sacraments! This shall beyour eternal happiness in the kingdom of heaven, where your life shall be acommunion with the blessed Trinity; your joy, the presence of the Lamb; yourexercise, singing; your song, hallelujah; your companions, saints and angels—

whereyouthflourishes—andneverbecomesold;wherebeautylasts—andneverfades;whereloveabounds—andnevercools;wherehealthcontinues—andneverslacks;andliferemains—andneverends!

Meditations directing a Christian how to apply to himselfwithout delay,basedontheaboveknowledgeofGodandhimself.

You see, therefore,Oman,howwretched and cursed your state is, by corruptionofnature,withoutChrist! Insomuch, that as the scriptures likenwickedmen to lions,bears,bulls,horses,dogs, and such like savage creatures, in their lives—it is certainthattheconditionofanunregeneratemanisinhisdeathmorevilethanadog,orthefilthiestcreatureintheworld.Forthebeast,beingmadebutforman'suse,whenhedies,endsallhismiserieswithhisdeath;butman,enduedwithareasonableandanimmortal soul,madeafterGod's image, to serveGod,whenhe ends themiseries ofthis life,mustaccount forallhismisdeeds,andbegin toendure thosemiseries thatnever shall know end.No creature butman is responsible to yield at his death—anaccount forhis life.Thebrutecreatures,nothaving reason, shallnotbe required tomakeanyaccountfortheirdeeds—andgoodangels,thoughtheyhavereason,yetshallthey yield no account, because they have no sin. And as for evil angels, they arewithoutallhopealreadycondemned,sothattheyneednotmakeanyfurtheraccounts—manonlyinhisdeathmustbeGod'saccountantforhislife.

On theother sideyou see,Oman,howhappyandblessedyour state is, being trulyreconciledtoGodinChrist;inthat,throughtherestorationofGod'simage,andyourrestitutionintoyoursovereigntyoverothercreatures,youareinthislifelittleinferiorto theangels,andshallbe in the life tocomeequal to theangels—yes, inrespectofyournature,exaltedbyapersonaluniontotheSonofGod,andbyhimtothegloryoftheTrinity,superiortotheangels,afellow-brotherwithangelsinspiritualgraceandeverlastingglory.

YouhaveseenhowgloriousandperfectGodis,andhowthatallyourchiefblissandhappinessconsistsinhavinganeternalcommunionwithhim.

Now, therefore,O impenitentsinner! in theaffectionsofChristJesus I entreatyou,nay, I imploreyou,asyoudesireyourownsalvation, seriously to considerwithme,howfalse,howvain,howvile—arethosethingswhichstillretainandchainyouinthiswretchedandcursedstatewhereinyou live,andwhichhinderyoufromthe favorofGod,andthehopeofeternallifeandhappiness!

MeditationsfortheSick

While your sickness remains, use often, for your comfort, these few meditations,takenfromtheendswhyGodsendsafflictionstohischildren.Thoseareten.

1. That by afflictionsGodmaynot only correct our sins past, but alsowork in us adeeperloathingofournaturalcorruptions,andsopreventusfromfallingintomanyother sins, which otherwise we would commit; like a good father, who allows histenderbabetoscorchhisfingerinacandle,thathemaytheratherlearntobewareoffallingintoagreaterfire:sothechildofGodmaysaywithDavid,"It isgoodformethat Ihavebeenafflicted, that Imay learnyourstatutes; forbeforeIwasafflicted Iwentastray,butnowIkeepyourword."Andindeed,saysPaul(1Cor11:32),"WearechastenedbytheLord,becauseweshouldnotbecondemnedwiththeworld."

With one cross God makes two cures—the chastisement of sins past, and thepreventionof sin to come.For though theeternalpunishmentof sin, as it proceedsfromjustice,isfullypardonedinthesacrificeofChrist,yetwearenot,withoutseriousjudging ourselves, exempted from the temporal chastisement of sin; for thisproceedsonlyfromtheloveofGod,forourgood.Andthis is thereason, thatwhenNathantoldDavid,fromtheLord,thathissinswereforgiven,yetthattheswordofchastisementshouldnotdepartfromhishouse,andthathischildwouldsurelydie.ForGod, likeaskillfulphysician,seeing thesoul tobepoisonedwith thesettlingofsin, and knowing that the reigning of the flesh will prove the ruin of the Spirit,ministersthebitterpillofaffliction,whereby theremainsofsinarepurged,andthesoulmoresoundlycured;theflesh issubdued,andthespirit issanctified.Otheodiousness of sin, which causes God to chasten so severely his children, whomotherwisehelovessodearly!

2.Godsendsafflictiontosealuntousouradoption,for"theLorddisciplinesthoseheloves, andhepunisheseveryoneheacceptsasa son.Endurehardshipasdiscipline;Godistreatingyouassons.Forwhatsonisnotdisciplinedbyhis father?Ifyouarenotdisciplined(andeveryoneundergoesdiscipline),thenyouareillegitimatechildrenandnot truesons." (Heb12:6-8.)Yes, it isasurenote, thatwhereGodseessinandsmites not, there he detests and loves not; therefore it is said, that he allowed thewicked sons of Eli to continue in their sins, without correction, "because the Lordwouldslaythem."Ontheotherside,thereisnosurertokenofGod'sfatherlyloveandcare, than tobecorrectedwithsomecross, asoftenaswe commitany sinful crime.Affliction,therefore,isasealofadoption,nosignofreprobation;forthepurestcorniscleanest fanned, the finest gold is most often tried, the sweetest grape is hardestpressed,andthetruestChristianheaviestcrossed.

3. God sends affliction to wean our hearts from too much loving this world and

worldlyvanities;andtocauseusthemoreearnestlytodesireandlongforeternallife.AsthechildrenofIsrael,hadtheynotbeen ill-entreated inEgypt,wouldneverhavebeensowillingtogotowardsCanaan;so,wereitnotforthecrossesandafflictionsofthis life, God's children would not so heartily long for and willingly desire thekingdomofheaven.Forweseemanyepicuresthatwouldbecontenttoforegoheaven,on condition that they might still enjoy their earthly pleasures; and, having nevertastedthejoysofabetter,howloatharetheytodepartthislife?whereastheApostlewhosawheaven'sglorytellsus,thatthereisnomorecomparisonbetweenthejoysofeternal life,andthepleasuresof thisworld, thanthere isbetweenthe filthiestdungand the pleasantest food; or between the most noisome ash-heap and the fairestbedchamber(2Cor12:4;Phil3:8.)

Godmixessometimesafflictionwiththepleasuresandprosperityofthislife,lest,likethechildrenofthisgeneration,theyshouldforgetGod,andfallintotoomuchloveofthis present evil world; and so by riches grow proud; by fame, insolent; by liberty,wanton;andspurnwiththeirheelagainsttheLord,whentheywaxfat(Deut32:15.)For if God's children love the world so well, when it misuses and strikes us; howwouldwelovethisharlot,ifshesmileduponus,andstrokedus,asshedoesherownworldlybrats?ThusdoesGod, likeawiseanda loving father,embitterwith crossesthepleasuresofthislifetohischildren,that,findinginthisearthlystatenotrueandpermanentjoys,theymightsighandlongforeternallife,wherefirmandeverlastingjoysareonlytobefound.

4. By affliction and sickness God exercises his children, and the graces which hebestowsuponthem.Herefinesandtriestheirfaith,asthegoldsmithdoeshisgoldinthefurnace--tomakeitshinemoreglisteningandbrightly(1Pet1:7;)hestirsusuptopraymorediligently,andzealously,andproveswhatpatiencewehavelearnedallthiswhileinhisschoolofaffliction.Thelikeexperiencehemakesofourhope, love,andalltherestofourChristianvirtues;which,withoutthistrial,wouldrust,likeiron;orcorruptlikestandingwaters,whicheitherhavenocurrent,orelsearenotpouredfromvesseltovessel;whosetasteremains,andwhosescentisnotchanged(Jer48:11.)Andratherthanamanshouldkeepstillthescentofhiscorruptnaturetodamnation,whowould not wish to be changed from state to state, by crosses and sickness, tosalvation?Forasthecamomilewhichistroddengrowsbest,andsmellsmostfragrant;and as the fish is sweetest that lives in the saltest waters: so those souls are mostprecioustoChristwhoaremostexercisedandafflictedwithcrosses.

5. God sends afflictions, to demonstrate to the world the trueness of his children'sloveandservice.EveryhypocritewillserveGodwhileheprospersandblesseshim,asthedevilfalselyaccusedJobtohavedone:butwho(buthislovingchild)willloveandservehiminadversity,whenGodseemstobeangryanddispleasedwithhim?yes,andcleave unto him most inseparably, when he seems with the greatest frown anddisgrace to reject a man, and to cast him out of his favor; yes, when he seems to

woundandkillasanenemy:yet,thentosaywithJob,"Thoughyou,Lord,killme,yetwill I putmy trust in you." The loving and the serving of God, and trusting in hismercy in the timeofour correctionandmisery, is the truestnoteof a sincere childandservantoftheLord.

6.Sanctifiedafflictionisasingularhelptofurtherourtrueconversion,andtodriveushomebyrepentancetoourheavenlyFather."Intheiraffliction,"saystheLord,"theywillseekmediligently."(Hos5:15.)Egypt'sburdensmadeIsraelcryuntoGod(Exod3:7.) David's troubles made him pray (Psalm 86:7.) Hezekiah's sickness made himweep (Isa 38:2-3;) andmisery drove the prodigal child to return and plead for hisfather'sgraceandmercy.Yes,wereadofmany in thegospel, thatbysicknessesandafflictionsweredriventocomeuntoChrist,who,iftheyhadhadhealthandprosperityasothers,wouldhave likeothersneglectedordespised theirSavior, andneverhavesoughtuntohimforhissavinghealthandgrace.ForasthearkofNoah,thehigheritwas tossedwith the flood, the nearer itmounted towards heaven, so the sanctifiedsoul, themore it is exercised with affliction, the nearer it is lifted towards God. OblessedisthatcrosswhichdrawsasinnertocomeuponthekneesofhisheartuntoChrist, toconfesshisownmisery,andto implorehisendlessmercy!Oblessed,everblessed be that Christ, that never refuses the sinner that comes unto him, thoughweather-drivenbyafflictionandmisery!

7.Afflictionworks inuspityandcompassiontowardour fellow-brethren that are indistressandmisery;wherebywelearntohaveafellow-feelingoftheircalamities,andto condole their estate, as if we suffered with them (Heb 13:3.) And for this causeChrist himself would suffer, and be tempted in all things like unto us (sin onlyexcepted) that hemight be amerciful High Priest, touched with the feeling of ourinfirmities (Heb 4:15; Heb 2:18; Heb 5:8-9.) For none can so heartily bemoan themisery of another, ashewho first himself suffered the sameaffliction.Hereupon asinnerinmiserymayboldlysaytoChrist.

8.Godusesoursicknessesandafflictionsasmeansandexamplesbothtomanifesttoothers the faith and virtues which he has bestowed upon us, as also to strengthenthosewhohavenot received so great ameasure of faith aswe; for there canbenogreater encouragement to a weak Christian, than to behold a true Christian in theextremesicknessofhisbody,supportedwithgreaterpatienceandconsolationinhissoul.Andthecomfortableandblesseddepartureofsuchamanwillarmhimagainstthe fear of death, and assure him that the hope of the godly is a farmore preciousthingthanthatfleshandbloodcanunderstand,ormortaleyesbehold,inthisvalleyofmisery. And were it not that we did see many of those whom we know to be theundoubtedchildrenofGod,tohaveenduredsuchafflictionsandcalamitiesbeforeus,thegreatnessof themiseriesandcrosseswhichofttimesweendure,wouldmakeusdoubtwhetherwe are the children of God or not. And to this purpose James says,"God made Job and the prophets an example of suffering adversity, and of long

patience."

9.ByafflictionsGodmakesusconformabletotheimageofChristhisSon(Rom8:18;1 Pet 4:14), who being the captain of our salvation, was made perfect throughsufferings(Heb2:10.)Andthereforehe firstbore thecross inshame,beforehewascrownedwith glory (Heb2:7;) did first take gall (Matt 27:34), beforehedid eat thehoneycomb (Luke 24:42;) andwas deridedKing of the Jews, by the soldiers in theHighPriest's hall, beforehewas salutedKingof glory, by the angels inhisFather'scourt(Psalm24:7.)AndthemorelivelyourheavenlyFathershallperceivetheimageofhisnaturalSontoappearinus,thebetterhewillloveus;andwhenwehaveforatimebornehislikenessinhissufferings,andfought(2Tim4:7-8)andovercome(Rev3:21), we shall be crowned by Christ; and with Christ, sit on his throne; and fromChristreceivethepreciouswhitestoneandmorning-star(Rev2:17),thatshallmakeusshinelikeChristforeverinhisglory(Phil3:21.)

10.Lastly, that thegodlymaybehumbled in respectof their own state andmisery;andGodglorifiedbydeliveringthemoutoftheir troublesandafflictions,whentheycalluponhimforhishelpandsupport.Forthoughtherebenomansopure,butiftheLordwillstraitlymarkiniquitiesheshallfindinhimjustcausetopunishhimforhissin;yet the Lord inmercy does not always, in the affliction of his children, respecttheirsins,butsometimeslaysafflictionsandcrossesuponthemforhisglory'ssake.ThusourSaviorChristtoldhisdisciples,thatthemanwasnotbornblindforhisownor his parents' sin, but that thework ofGod should be showed on him. So he toldthemlikewisethatLazarus'ssicknesswasnotuntothedeath,butforthegloryofGod.O the unspeakable goodness of God, which turns those afflictions, which are theshameandpunishmentduetooursins,tobethesubjectofhishonorandglory!

ThesearetheblessedandprofitableendsforwhichGodsendssicknessandafflictionuponhischildren;wherebyitmayplainlyappearthatafflictionsarenotsignseitherofGod's hatred or our reprobation; but rather tokens and pledges of his fatherly loveuntochildrenwhomhe loves, and therefore chastens them in this life,where,uponrepentance,thereremainshopeofpardon;ratherthantoreferthepunishmenttothatlife where there is no hope of pardon, nor end of punishment. For this cause, theChristians in the primitive church were accustomed to give God great thanks forafflictingtheminthislife.Sotheapostlesrejoiced,thattheywerecountedworthytosufferforChrist'sname(Acts5:41.)AndtheChristianHebrewssufferedwithjoytheconfiscationoftheirgoods,knowingthattheyhadinheavenabetter,andanenduringsubstance(Heb10:34.)

Andinrespectofthoseholyends,theapostlesays,"thatthoughnoafflictionforthepresent seems joyous, but grievous; yet afterwards it brings the quiet fruit ofrighteousness to them who are exercised thereby." (Heb 12:11.) Pray, therefore,heartily, that as God has sent you this sickness, so it would please him to come

himselfuntoyouwithyoursickness,byteachingyoutomakethosesanctifiedusesofit,forwhichhehasinflictedthesameuponyou.

Consolationsagainstimpatienceinsickness

Ifinyoursicknessbyextremityofpainyoubedriventoimpatience,meditate—

1. That your sins have deserved the pains of hell; therefore you may with greaterpatienceendurethesefatherlycorrections.

2.ThatthesearethescourgesofyourheavenlyFather,andtherodis inhishand.Ifyoudid sufferwith reverence,beinga child, the correctionsof your earthlyparents,how much rather should you now subject yourself, being the child of God, to thechastisementofyourheavenlyFather,seeingitisforyoureternalgood?

3.ThatChristsufferedinhissoulandbodyfarmoregrievouspainsforyou,thereforeyoumust more willingly suffer his blessed pleasure for your own good (Isa 53:3.)Therefore, says Peter, "Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example that youshould followhissteps" (1Pet2:21.)And"Letus," saysPaul, "runwith joy the racethatissetbeforeus,lookinguntoJesustheauthorandfinisherofourfaith,whoforthejoythatwassetbeforehim,enduredthecross,"etc.(Heb12:1-2.)

4. That these afflictions which now you suffer are none other but such as "areaccomplished inyourbrethrenthatare intheworld,"aswitnessesPeter (1Pet5:9;)yes,Job'safflictionswerefarmoregrievous.Thereisnotoneofthesaintswhichnowareat rest inheavenly joys,butenduredasmuchasyoudobefore theywent there;yes,manyof themwillinglysufferedall the torments that tyrantscould inflictuponthem, that theymight come unto those heavenly joys towhich you are now called.Andyouhaveapromise, that "theGodofall grace,afteryouhave suffered awhile,willmakeyouperfect,establish,strengthen,andsettleyou"(1Pet5:10.)

5. ThatGod has determined the timewhen your affliction shall end, aswell as thetime when it began. Thirty-eight years were appointed the sickman at the pool ofBethesda (John 5:5.) Twelve years to the woman who was suffering from bleeding(Matt9:20.)ThreemonthstoMoses(Exod2:2.)Tendays'tribulationtotheangeloftheChurchatSmyrna(Rev2:10.)ThreedaysplaguetoDavid(2Sam24:13.)Yes,thenumberofthegodlyman'stearsareregisteredinGod'sbook--andthequantitykeptinhisbottle(Psalm56:8.)

Thetimeofourtrouble,saysChrist,isbutalittlewhile(John16:16.)God'sangerlasts

butamoment, saysDavid (Psalm30.)A little season, says theLord (Rev6:11;) andthereforecallsallthetimeofourpainbutthehourofsorrow(John16:21.)David,forthe swiftness of it, compares our present trouble to a brook (Psalm 110:7), andAthanasiustoashower.Comparethelongestmiserythatmanenduresinthislife--to the eternity of heavenly joys; and theywill appear to be nothing!"ForIconsiderthatthesufferingsofthispresenttimearenotworthcomparingwiththeglorythatisgoingtoberevealedtous."(Romans8:18)Andasthesightofasonsafelyborn,makesthemotherforgetallher formerdeadlypain(John16:21),sothesightofChristinheaven,whowasbornforyou,willmakeallthesepangsofdeathtobequite forgotten, as if theyhadneverbeen.LikeStephen,who, as soonashe sawChrist,forgothisownwounds,withthehorrorofthegrave,andterrorofthestones,and sweetly yielded his soul into the hands of his Savior (Acts 7.) Forget your ownpain, think of Christ'swounds. Be faithful unto the death, and hewill give you thecrownofeternallife(Rev2:10.)

6. That you are now called to repetitions inChrist's school of affliction, to see howmuchfaith,patience,andgodliness,youhavelearnedallthiswhile;andwhetheryoucan, like Job, receive at the hand of God some evil, as well as you have hithertoreceivedagreatdealofgood(Job2:10.)As thereforeyouhavealwaysprayed,"Yourwillbedone,"sobenotnowoffendedatthiswhichisdonebyhisholywill.

7.That"allthingsshallworktogetherforthebest,tothosewholoveGod;"insomuchthat "neitherdeath,nor life,nor angels,norprincipalities, nor powers, etc., shall beable to separate us from the love of Godwhich is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Rom8:28,38-39.)Assureyourselfthateverypangisapreventionofthepainsofhell,everyrespiteapledgeofheaven'srest;andhowmanystripesdoyouesteemheavenworth?Asyourlifehasbeenacomforttoothers,sogiveyourfriendsaChristianexampletodie.DeathisbutthecrossofChristsentbeforetocrucifytheloveoftheworldinyou,that youmay go eternally to livewithChristwhowas crucified for you. As you arethereforea trueChristian, takeup, likeSimeonofCyrene,withbothyourarms,hisholy cross, carry it afterhimuntohim.Yourpainswill shortly pass, your joys shallneverpassaway.

Meditationsforonewhoislikelytodie

Ifyoursicknessbeliketoincreaseuntodeath,thenmeditateonthreethings:

First,HowgraciouslyGoddealswithyou.

Secondly,Fromwhatevilsdeathwillfreeyou.

Thirdly,Whatgooddeathwillbringuntoyou.

ThefirstsortofMeditationsare,toconsiderGod'sfavorabledealingwithyou.

1.Meditate thatGoduses this chastisementof yourbodybut as amedicine to cureyour soul, by drawing you,who are sick in sin, to come by repentance unto Christ,yourphysician,tohaveyoursoulhealed(Matt9:12.)

2.Thatthesorestsicknessormostpainfuldiseasewhichyoucanendure,isnothing,ifitiscomparedtothosedoloursandpainswhichJesusChristyourSaviorhassufferedforyou,wheninabloodysweatheenduredthewrathofGod(Psalm88:7;Isa53:6),thepainsofhell (Psalm18:5), anda curseddeathwhichwasdue toyour sins (Heb5:7; Gal 3:13; Lam 1:12.) Justly, therefore, may he use those words of Jeremiah,"Behold,andseeiftherebeanysorrowlikeuntomysorrowwhichisdoneuntome,withwhich theLordhasafflictedme in thedayofhis fiercewrath."Has theSonofGodenduredsomuchforyourredemption,andwillnotyou,asinfulman,endurealittlesicknessforhispleasure,especiallywhenitisforyourgood?

3.Thatwhenyoursicknessanddiseaseisattheextreme,yetitislessandeasierthanyour sins have deserved. Let your own conscience judge whether you have notdeservedworse than all that you do suffer.Murmur not, therefore, but consideringyourmanifoldandgrievoussins; thankGod that youarenotplaguedwith farmoregrievous punishments. Think how willingly the damned in hell would endure yourextreme pains for a thousand years, on condition that they had but the hope to besaved,and,aftersomanyyears,tobeeasedoftheireternaltorments.Andseeingthatitishismercythatyouarecorrected,ratherthanconsumed(Lam3:22),howcanyoubutbearpatientlyhistemporalcorrection,seeingtheendistosaveyoufrometernalcondemnation?(1Cor11:32.)

4.Thatnothingcomestopassinthiscaseuntoyoubutsuchasordinarilybefellothersyourbrethren;who,beingthebelovedandundoubtedservantsofGodwhentheylivedonearth(Heb11),arenowmostblessedandglorioussaintswithChristinheaven,asJob,David,Lazarus,etc.(1Pet5:9.)Theygroanedforatime,asyoudo,underthelikeburden;but theyarenowdelivered fromall theirmiseries, troubles, andcalamities.Andsolikewisebeforelong,ifyouwillpatientlytarrytheLord'sleisure,youshallalsobedeliveredfromyoursicknessandpain;eitherbyrestitutiontoyourformerhealthwithJob;or,whichisfarbetter,bybeingreceivedtoheavenlyrestwithLazarus.

5.Lastly,ThatGodhasnotgivenyouoverintothehandofyourenemytobepunishedanddisgraced;but, being your lovingFather,he corrects youwith his ownmercifulhand.WhenDavidhadhiswishtochoosehisownchastisement,hechoserathertobe

correctedbythehandofGodthanbyanyothermeans:"Letus fall into thehandoftheLord,forhismerciesaregreat;andletmenotfallintothehandofman."(2Sam24:14.)WhowillnottakeanyafflictioningoodpartwhenitcomesfromthehandofGod,fromwhom,thoughnoafflictionseemsjoyousforthepresent,weknownothingcomesbutwhatisgood?(Heb12:11.)TheconsiderationofwhichmadeDavidendureShimei'scursedrailingwithgreaterpatience;andtocorrecthimselfanothertimeforhisimpatience(2Sam16:9),"Ishouldnothaveopenedmymouth,becauseGodistheonewhohasdonethis."(Psalm39:9;)andJob,toreprovetheunadvisedspeechofhiswife, "You speak like a foolishwoman.What! shall we receive good at the hand ofGod,andnotreceiveevil?"(Job2:10.)AndthoughthecupofGod'swrathduetooursins,wassuchahorrortoourSavior'shumannaturethatheearnestlyprayedthatitmightpass fromhim, yet,whenhe considered that itwas reached unto himby thehandandwillofhisFather,hewillinglysubmittedhimselftodrinkittotheverydregs(Matt26:39,42.)Nothingwillmorearmyouwithpatience in your sickness, than toseethatitcomesfromthehandofyourheavenlyFather,whowouldneversenditbutthatheseesittobetoyoubothneedfulandprofitable.

ThesecondsortofMeditationsare,toconsiderfromwhatevilsDeathwillfreeyou.

1.Itfreesyoufromacorruptiblebody,whichwasconceivedintheweaknessofflesh;andthestainofsin—alivingprisonofyoursoul,alivelyinstrumentofsin.Insomuch,thatwhereastreesandplantsbringforthleaves,flowers,fruits,andsweetfragrances,man'sbodynaturallybringsforthnothingbutcorruption.Hisaffectionsarealtogethercorrupted (Psalm 14:1;) and the imaginations of his heart are only evil continually(Gen 6:5.) Hence it is that the ungodly is not satisfied with profaneness, nor thevoluptuouswithpleasures,nor theambitiouswithadvancements,nor themaliciouswith revenge, nor the lewd with uncleanness, nor the covetous with gain, nor thedrunkard with drinking. New passions and fashions grow daily; new fears andafflictionsstillarise:herewrathliesinwait,therevaingloryvexes;hereprideliftsup,theredisgracecastsdown;andeveryonewaitswhatshallariseontheruinofanother.Nowamanisprivilystungwithbackbiters,likefieryserpents;anonheisindangertobeopenlydevouredbyhisenemies,likeDaniel'slions.Andagodlyman,whereverhelives,shalleverbevexed,likeLot,withSodom'suncleanness.

2.Deathbringstothegodlyanendofsinning(Rom6:7),andofallthemiserieswhichareduetosin;sothatafterdeath,"thereshallbenomoresorrownorcrying;neithershalltherebeanymorepain;forGodshallwipeawayalltearsfromtheireyes."(Rev21:4.) Yes, by death we are separated from the company of wicked men; and God"takesawaymercifulandrighteousmenfromtheeviltocome."(Isa57:1.)SohedealtwithJosiah:"Iwillgatheryoutoyourfathers,andyoushallbeputintoyourgraveinpeace;andyoureyes shallnot seeall theevilwhich Iwillbringunto thisplace." (2Kings 22:20.) And God "hides them for a while in the grave, until the indignation

passesover."(Isa26:20.)Sothatasparadiseisthehavenofthesoul'sjoy,sothegravemaybetermedthehavenofthebody'srest.

3.Whereas this wicked body lives in a world of wickedness, so that the poor soulcannot look out at the eye, and not be infected; nor hear by the ear, and not bedistracted;norsmellatthenostrils,andnotbetainted;nortastewiththetongue,andnotbeallured;nortouchbythehand,andnotbedefiled;andeverysense,uponeverytemptation,isreadytobetraythesoul:Bydeaththesoulshallbedeliveredfromthisthraldom; and this "corruptible body shall put on incorruption, and this mortalimmortality."(1Cor15:53.)Oblessed,thriceblessedbethatdeathintheLord,whichdelivers us out of so evil a world, and frees us from such a body of bondage andcorruption!

The third sort ofMeditations are, to considerwhatgoodDeathwillbringuntoyou.

1. Death brings the godly man's soul to enjoy an immediate communion with theblessedTrinity,ineverlastingblissandglory.

2. It translates the soul from themiseries of this world, the contagion of sin, andsociety of sinners--to the "city of the living God, the celestial Jerusalem, and thecompany of innumerable angels, and to the assembly and congregation of thefirstborn,whicharewritteninheaven,andtoGodtheJudgeofall,andtothesoulsofjustmenmadeperfect,andtoJesus,themediatorofthenewcovenant."(Heb12:22-24.)

3.Deathputs the soul into theactual and full possessionof all the inheritance andhappinesswhichChristhaseitherpromisedtoyouinhisword,orpurchasedforyoubyhisblood.

Thisisthegoodandhappinesstowhichablesseddeathwillbringyou.Andwhattrulypious Christianwho is young, would not wish himself old, that his appointed timemight the sooner approach, to enter into this celestial paradise? where you mayexchange your brass for gold, your vanity for felicity, your vileness for honor, yourbondage for freedom, your lease for an inheritance, and your mortal state for animmortal life.Hewhodoesnot daily desire this blessedness above all things, of allothersheislessworthytoenjoyit.

If Cato Uticensis, and Cleombrotus, two heathen men, reading Plato's book of theimmortalityofthesoul,didvoluntarily,theonebreakhisneck,theotherrunuponhissword, that theymight thesooner,as they thought,haveenjoyed those joys;whatashame it is for Christians, knowing those things in a more excellent measure andmanner out ofGod's own book, not to bewilling to enter into these heavenly joys,

especiallywhentheirMastercallsforthemthere?(Matt25:21.)If,therefore,thereisinyouanyloveofGod,ordesireofyourownhappinessorsalvation,whenthetimeofyourdepartingdrawsnear—that time, I say,andmannerofdeath,whichGod inhisunchangeablecounselhasappointedanddeterminedbeforeyouwereborn—yieldandsurrender up willingly and cheerfully your soul into the merciful hands of JesusChristyourSavior.

Consolationsagainstthefearofdeath

Ifinthetimeofyoursicknessyoufindyourselffearfultodie,meditate—

1.Thatitarguesaweakmind,tofearthatwhichisnot;forthereisnodeathforChristians (Isa25:7-8).Whoeverbelieves inChrist, shallneverdie (John11:26).Let them fear death,who livewithout Christ. Christians do not die; butwhen theypleaseGod, theyare likeEnoch translateduntoGod (Gen5:24;) theirpainsarebutElijah'sfierychariottocarrythemuptoheaven(2Kings2:11-12;)orlikethesoresofLazarussendingthemtoAbraham'sbosom(Luke16:23.)Inaword,ifyouareoneofthosewho, likeLazarus, loveJesus,yoursickness isnotunto thedeath,but for thegloryofGod(John11:4),whoofhis lovechangesyourlivingdeathtoaneverlastinglife.Andifmanyheathenmen,asSocrates,Curtius,Seneca,etc.,diedwillingly,whentheymighthavelived,inhopeoftheimmortalityofthesoul;willyou,beingtrainedsolonginChrist'sschool,andnowcalledtothemarriage-supperoftheblessedLamb(Rev19:7),beoneofthoseguestswhorefusetogotothatjoyfulbanquet?Godforbid!

2.Rememberthatyourabodehereisbutthesecondstageofyourlife; forafteryouhad first livedninemonths inyourmother'swomb, youwereofnecessitydriventhencetolivehereinasecondstageoflife.AndwhenthatnumberofmonthswhichGodhasdeterminedforthislifehasexpired(Job14:5),youmustlikewiseleavethis andpass to a third stage in theotherworld,whichnever ends;which, to thosewholiveanddieintheLord,surpassesasfarthiskindof lifeasthisdoesthatstagewhichonelives inhismother'swomb.Tothis lastandmostexcellentdegreeof life,throughthisdoorpassedChristhimself,andallhissaintswhowerebeforeyou;andsoshallalltherestafteryou.WhyshouldyoufearthatwhichiscommontoallGod'select?whyshouldthatbeunwelcometoyou,whichwassowelcometoallthem?Fearnotdeath,forasitistheexodusofanevilworld--soitisthegenesisofabetterworld;theendofatemporallife--butthebeginningofaneternallife.

3.Considerthattherearebutthreethingsthatcanmakedeathsofearfultoyou:

First,Thelossyouhavethereby;

Secondly,Thepainthatistherein;

Thirdly,Theterribleeffectswhichfollowafter.

Allthesearebutfalsefiresandcauselessfears.

Forthefirst,Ifyouleavehereuncertaingoods--whichthievesmayrob;youshallfindinheavenatruetreasure--whichcanneverbetakenaway(Matt6:19-20.)Thesewerebut lent you as a steward upon accounts--those shall be given you as your rewardforever.Ifyouleavealovingwife,youshallbemarriedtoChrist,whichismorelovely.Ifyou leave childrenand friends, you shall there findall yourpious ancestors—yes,Christ,andallhisblessedsaintsandangels;andasmanyofyourchildrenasareGod'schildren,shalltherefollowafteryou.Youleaveanearthlypossessionandahouseofclay (2Cor 5:1), and you shall enjoy anheavenly inheritance andmansion of glory,whichispurchased,prepared,andreservedforyou(John14:2.)Whathaveyoulost?Nay,isnotdeathuntoyougain?Gohome,gohome,andwewillfollowafteryou.

Secondly, For the pain in death. The fear of deathmore painsmany, than the verypangsofdeath;formanyaChristiandieswithoutanygreatpangsorpains.PitchtheanchorofyourhopeonthefirmgroundofthewordofGod,whohaspromisedinyourweakness to perfect his strength (2 Cor 12:9), and Christ will shortly turn all yourtemporalpainstohiseternaljoys.

Lastly,Asfortheterribleeffectswhichfollowafterdeath, theybelongnotuntoyou,beingamemberofChrist;forChristbyhisdeathhastakenawaythestingofdeathtothe faithful, so thatnowthere isnocondemnation to thosewhoare inChristJesus(Rom8:1.)AndChristhasprotested,thathewhobelievesinhimhaseverlastinglife,and shall not come into condemnation, but has passed from death unto life (John5:24.)UponwhichtheHolySpiritfromheavensays,"Blessedarethedeadwhodieinthe Lord; and that from henceforth they rest from their labors and their works dofollow them." In respect, therefore,of the faithful,death is swallowedup invictory,and its sting,which is sin and thepunishmentof it--is taken away byChrist (1Cor15:54.)Hencedeathiscalled,inrespectofourbodies,asleepandrest(1Thess4:13;Isa26;Rev14;)inrespectofoursouls,agoingtoourheavenlyFather,adepartinginpeace,aremovingfromthisbodytogototheLord,adissolutionofsoulandbodytobewithChrist.

WhatshallIsay?"PreciousinthesightoftheLordisthedeathofhissaints."Thesepainsarebut your throesand travail tobring forth eternal life.Andwhowouldnotpassthroughhell,togotoparadise?muchmorethroughdeath.Thereisnothingafterdeaththatyouneedfear;notyoursins,becauseChristhaspaidyourransom;notthe

Judge,forheisyourlovingbrother;notthegrave,foritistheLord'sbed;nothell,foryourRedeemerkeeps thekeys;not thedevil, forGod'sholy angelspitch their tentsabout you, and will not leave you until they bring you to heaven. You were nevernearereternallife;glorify,therefore,Christbyablesseddeath.Saycheerfully,"Come,LordJesus,foryourservantcomesuntoyou.Iamwilling,Lordhelpmyweakness."

DirectionsforcomfortablewalkingwithGod

"ButNoahfoundfavorintheeyesoftheLord.Noahwasarighteousman,blamelessinhisgenerations.NoahwalkedwithGod."(Genesis6:8-9)

Inthisdreadfulanddismalstoryoftheoldworld'sdegeneracyanddestruction,fallingaway, and final ruin—here stands inmy text a radiant and illustrious star, shininglovelywithsingularityofheavenlylight,spiritualgoodness,andGod'ssincereservice,in the darkest midnight of Satan's universal reign, and amidst the strangestconfusions, idolatrous corruptions, cruelties, oppressions, and lust—which ever theearthbore.Noah,averypreciousman,andpreacherofrighteousness,andhisfamily,were alone excepted. The true worship of God was confined to them, when all theworld besides lay drowned in idolatry and paganism, ready to be swallowedup in auniversal grave of waters, which was already fashioned in the clouds by the angry,irresistible hand of the all-powerful God, who was now so implacably—but mostjustly,provokedbythoserebelliousandcruelgenerations,thathewouldnotallowhisSpirittostriveanymorewiththem;but inexorablyresolvedtoopenthewindowsorfloodgatesofheaven,givingextraordinarystrengthofinfluenceabove,andabundancetothefountainsof thegreatdeep,commandingthemtocastoutthewhole treasureandheapof theirwaters;and takingaway theretentivepower from theclouds, thatthey might pour down immeasurably, for the burying of all living creatures whichbreathed in theair.Fromwhence,by theway,before Ibreak intomy text, take thisnote.

Doctrine.TheservantsofGodaremenofsingularity.Imeanitnotinrespectofanyfantasticalnessofopinion,furiousnessofzeal,orturbulencyoffaction,trulysocalled;butinrespectofabstinencefromsin,purityofheart,andholinessoflife.

REASONS.

1.God'sholywordexactsandexpectsfromallthatarebornagain,andheirsofheaven,an excellency above ordinary, Prov. 12:26; Matt. 5:20, 41. Being taken forth as thepreciousfromthevile,Jer.15:19,bythepoweroftheministry,theymustnotonlygo

beyondthehighestcivilperfectionsoftheexactmoralpurityamongthemosthonestheathens,Heb.12:14—butalsoexceedtherighteousnessandalltheoutwardreligiousconformitiesofthemostdevoutpharisees,whomanythousandsinthesetimescomeshortof,andyethope tobesaved:or theycan innocaseenter into thekingdomofheaven. But, lest any be proudly puffed up with a sense of this singularity andexcellencyabovehisneighbor, lethimknowthathumilityiseveroneof the fairestflowers in thewholegarlandof supernaturalanddivineworth;and that self-conceitwouldpoisonevenangelicalperfection.

2. They must upon necessity differ from a world of wicked men, by a sinceresingularity of abstinence from the course of this world, the lusts of men, thecorruptions of the times, familiarity with graceless companions, the worldling'slanguage,profanesports,allwickedwaysofthriving,rising,andgrowinggreatintheworld,andsoforth.

3. Theymake conscience of those duties andDivine commands, which the greatestpartofmen,eveninthenoontideofthegospel,areso far fromtakingtoheart, thattheirheartsriseagainstthem.As, tobewarminreligion,Rev.3:16; tobezealousofgoodworks,Tit.2:14;towalkprecisely,Eph.5:15;tobeferventinspirit,Rom.12:11;tostrivetoenterinatthestraitgate,Luke13:24;topluckouttheirrighteyes;thatis,toabandontheirbosomdelights,Matt.5:29;tomakethesabbathadelight,Isa.53:13;tolovethebrotherhood,1Pet.2:11;withaholyviolencetolayholduponthekingdomofheaven,Matt.11:12.

4.Experience,andexamplesofallages,fromthecreationdownward,clearlyprovethepoint.Atthistime,asyousee,thesaintsofGodwereallharboredunderoneroof,andyetnotallsoundthere.Surveytheagesafterward—thetimeofAbraham,whowasasabrandtakenoutofthefireoftheChaldeans;thetimeofElijah,whennoneappearedto that blessed man of God; the time of Isaiah, who cried, "Who has believed ourreport?" chapter 53:1; the time of Manasseh, who built altars for all the army ofheaven, in the twocourtsof thehouseof theLord; the timeofAntiochus,whenhecommanded the sanctuary and holy people to be polluted with swine's flesh, anduncleanbeasts tobesacrificed, theabominationofdesolation tobesetupupon thealtar; that darksome time when the glorious Day-star, Christ Jesus himself, camedownfromheaventoenlightentheearth; the timeofAntichrist,whenall theworldwonderedafterthebeast;ourtimes,wherein,ofsixpartsoftheearth,probablyscarceoneof the least isChristian.AndhowmuchofChristendom is still overgrownwithpopery,andotherexorbitantdistempers inpointof religion.Andwhere the truth ofChristispurelyandpowerfullytaught,howfewgivetheirnamesuntoit!andofthosewhoprofess,howmanyarefalse-hearted,ormerelyformal.

5.MethinksworldlywisdomshouldratherwonderthatanyoneiswonuntoGod,thancry out and complain, Is it possible there shouldbe so few? since all thepowers of

darkness,andeverydevilinhell,oppose,mightandmain,theimplantingofgraceinanysoul;sincetherearemoresnaresuponearthtokeepusstillintheinvisiblechainsofdarknessandsin,thantherearestarsinheaven;sinceeveryinch,everylittlearteryofourbodies,ifitcould,wouldswellwithhellishvenomtothebignessofthegreatestGoliath,themightiestgiant,thatitmightmakeresistancetothesanctifyingworkofthe Holy Spirit; since our souls, naturally, would rather die and put off theirimmortalityandeverlastingbeing, thanputon theLordJesus—inaword, since thenewcreationofamanisheldtobeagreaterworkofwonderthanthecreationoftheworld.

6.Letussetasideinanycountry,city,town,family:

First, all atheists, papists, and distempered heretics—from the blessed truth ofdoctrinetaughtinourchurch.

Secondly, allwhoremongers, drunkards, swearers, liars, revelers, worldlings, unjust,andfellowsofsuchinfamousrank.

Thirdly,allmerelycivilmen,whocomeshortofotherhonestheathens,and, lackingholiness,shallneverseetheLord,Heb.12:14.

Fourthly,allgrosshypocrites,whoseoutsidesarepaintedwith superficial flourishesofholinessandhonesty—but their inwardparts filledwith rottennessand lust,whohavetheirhandsingodlyexercises,whentheirheartsareinhell.

Fifthly, all formal hypocrites, who are deluded in point of salvation, as were thefoolishvirgins,andthatproudpharisee,Luke18:11.

Sixthly, all final backsliders, of which some turn sensual epicures, and plungethemselves into worldly pleasures with farmore rage and greediness, by reason offormerrestraintbyatemporaryprofession;othersbecomescurrilousderidersoftheholyway;some,bloodygoads intothesidesof thosewithwhomtheyhave formerlywalkedintothehouseofGodasfriends.

Seventhly, all unsound professors for the present, of which you would little thinkwhatanumberthereis.

I say, let these and all other strangers to the purity and power of godliness be setapart,andtellmehowmanytrue-heartedNathanielswearelikelytofind.

USES—

1. Try then the truth of your spiritual state by this mark of a sober and sinceresingularity. If you still hold correspondence with the world, and conform to the

fashionsthereof,ifstillyouswimdownthecurrentofthetimes,andshiftyoursailstotheturnofeverywind;ifyourheartstillhankersafterthetastelessfooleriesofthepopular, and follow themultitude to do evil; if you are carried with the swing andswayof the placewhere you live, to uphold, by a boisterous combination, lewdnessandvanity,toscornprofession,opposetheministry,andwalkinthebroadway.Inaword,ifyoudoasthemostdo,youareutterlyundoneforever.

But ifwith amerciful violence you are pulled out of theworld by the power of theword, and happily weaned from the sensual, insensible poison of all bittersweetpleasures,andfellowshipwithunfruitfulworksofdarkness; if,bystandingonGod'sside,andhatredofallfalseways,youhavebecomethedrunkard'ssong,asDavidwas,andaby-wordamongthesonsofBelial,aswasJob;iftheworldlowersandlookssourupon you for your looking towards heaven, and your fellows abandon you as tooprecise;ifyourlifebenotlikeothermen's,andyourwaysofanotherfashion,astheepicures of those times charged the righteousmanwhen the Book ofWisdomwaswritten;inaword,ifyouwalkinthenarrowway,andbeoneofthatlittleflockwhichlives amongwolves, and thereforemust needs be little; so that by all the leopards,lions,andbearsaboutyou,Imeanallsortsofunregeneratemen,youarehuntedforyourholinessasapartridgeonthemountains,atleastbythepoisonandpersecutionofthetongue—Isaythenyouarecertainlyinthehighwaytoheaven.

2.IfthesaintsofGodbemenofsingularityinthesenseIhavesaid,thenawaywiththosebaseandbrainlesscavilsagainstthosewhoarewiseuntosalvation.What!areyouwiserthanyourforefathers?thanallthetown?thansuchandsuchlearnedmen?thanyourownparents?Nayfurther,toNoahitmighthavebeensaidbythewretchesofthosetimes—Areyouwiserthanalltheworld?He,outoftheheightofhisheroicalresolution,easilyenduredanddigestedtheaffrontsandindignitiesofthiskindfrommillionsofmen.Buttakethesespitefultaunts,andbindtheminthemeantimeasacrownuntoyou,andadvanceforwardinyourholysingularitywithallsweetcontentand undauntedness of spirit, towards that glorious immortal crown above; and letthose miserable men, whose eyes are hoodwinked by Satan, and so blinded withearthly dust that they cannot possibly discern the invisible excellences and truenoblenessoftheneglectedsaints,followthefollyoftheirworldlywisdom,andswayofthegreaterpart,toendlesswoe,andthengivebelieversleavetotalk.

3. Let everyone, who in sincerity of heart seeks to be saved, ever hold it a specialhappiness and his highest honor to be singled out from the universal pestilentcontagionofcommonprofaneness,andthesinfulcoursesofthegreatestpart,andtobe censured as singular in that respect. Neither is this a singular thing that I nowsuggest—butithasbeentheportionofthesaintsinallagestobetroduponwiththefeetofimperiouscontempt,asanumberofodddespisedunderlings;whereasindeedtheyareGod'sjewels,andtheonlyexcellentuponearth."Behold,"saysIsaiah,chapter8:18, "Iand thechildrenwhomtheLordhasgivenmeare for signsandwonders in

Israel.""Iamasawonderuntomany,"saysDavid,Psalm71:7."Iaminderisiondaily,everyone mocks me," says Jeremiah, chapter 20:7. "We are made," says Paul, "aspectacleuntotheworld,andtoangels,andtomen,"1Cor.4:9."Wearemadeasthefilthoftheearth,theoff-scouringofallthings,"4:13.InAugustine'stime,thosethatmade conscience of their ways, dared not plunge into the corruptions of the times,were scornfullypointedat, not onlybypagans—but evenbyunreformedprofessors,professorsat largeaswecall them,as fellows thataffectedapreciseness andpurityaboveordinaryandothermen—theywouldthusinsultandscoffinglyflyinthefaceofsuchaholyone,"Youareagreatman,sureyouareajustman,youareanElijah,youareaPeter,youcomefromheaven!"

Inafter times, if amanwerebutmerely civil, ingenuous, chaste, temperate, hewasmadeaby-wordandlaughing-stocktothoseabouthim.Theypresentlysaid—Hewasproud,singular,besidehimself,hypocrite,etc.Thusitwas,isatthistime,andwillbetotheworld'send,thateveryvilewhoremonger,beastlydrunkard,ignorantscoundrel,scoffingIshmael,andself-guiltywretch,willhaveabittersneerorreproachtothrow,like the madman's firebrand, into the face of God's people, as though they were acompany of nasty fellows, and a contemptible generation. This, I say, everwas andeverwillbetheworld'sopinionofthewaysofGod'speople.Thechildrenofdarknesseverharborsuchconceits,andperemptorilypasssuchcensuresuponthechildrenoflight.

Itisstrange,menarecontenttobesingularinanythingbutintheserviceofGod,andthesalvationoftheirsouls!Theydesire,andlabortoo,tobesingularlyrich,andthewealthiest inatown;tobesingularlyproud,andinfashionbythemselves;tobethestrongestinthecompanytopourinstrongdrink.Theywould,withalltheirhearts,beinhonoralone,andadoredaboveothers.Theywoulddwellalone,andnotallowapoorman'shousetobewithinsight.Theyaffectsingularityinwit,learning,wisdom,valor,worldlyreputation,andinallotherearthlyhonors;buttheycanbynomeansendureasingularityinzealandtheLord'sservice.Inmattersofreligiontheyareresolvedtodoas themostdo, though in sodoing they certainlydamn theirownsouls,Matt. 7:13.Basestcowardlinessandfearfulnessfitforsuchadoom!Rev.21:8.Theyareafraidoftaking God's part toomuch, of fighting too valiantly under the colors of Christ, ofbeing toobusy about the salvationof their souls, lest they should be accounted tooprecise,fellowsofanoddhumor,andengrossersofmoregracethanordinary.ItisoneofSatan'sdreadfuldepths,aswideashell,andbrim-fullwith thebloodof immortalsouls, tomakemenambitious and covetous of singularity in all other things but ingodliness and God's services—not to allow it in themselves, and to persecute it inothers.

Now, inthisstoryofNoah, sohighlyhonoredwithsingularityof freedomfromthesinful contagion of those desperate times, and happily exempted from that mostgeneral and greatest judgment upon earth that ever the sun saw—a universal

drowning—gloriouslymounting up upon the wings of salvation, and safety both ofsoulandbody,whenaworldofgiant-likerebelssunktothebottomofthatnewseaasastoneorlead,Iconsider,

1. The cause of such a singular blessed preservation, which was the free grace andfavorofGod;"ButNoahfoundgraceintheeyesoftheLord,"5:8.

2.TherenownandhonorofNoah'sname;inthathestandshereasthefatherofthenew world, and the holy seed and progenitor of Jesus Christ; "These are thegenerationsofNoah,"ver.9.

3. The description of Noah's personal goodness, preservation, and posterity. Theselattertwofollow.

Hispersonaldescriptionstandsintheendofver.9;"Noahwasajustmanandperfectin his generations; and Noah walked with God," where we find him honored withthreenobleattributes,whichmakeupthecharacterofacompleteChristian—honesty,uprightness, and piety. And they receive much excellency and luster from acircumstanceoftime;"Inhisgenerations,"whichweremanyandmainlycorrupt.

I.TheCAUSEofsuchasingularblessedpreservation,whichwasthefreegraceandfavorofGod;"ButNoahfoundgraceintheeyesoftheLord,"5:8.PreservationisofGod'sFreeGrace

Without any further unfolding my text's coherence and dependence upon eitherprecedentorfollowingparts,(forhistoricalpassagesareplainer,anddonoteverexactthelengthandlaborofsuchanexactresolutionasotherScripturesdo,)Icollectfromthefirstpoint,whereinIfindGod'sfreegracetobetheprimeandprincipalcauseofNoah'spreservation,this

Doctrine.ThefreegraceandfavorofGodarethefirstmoverandfountainofallourgood.Consider for this purpose suchplaces as these—Jer. 31:3;Hos. 14:4;Deut.7:7,8;Rom.9:11,12,13;John3:16;Josh.24:2,3;Eph.1:5.

And it must needs be so. For it is utterly impossible that any finite cause, createdpower,oranythingoutofGodhimself,shouldprimarilymoveandinclinetheeternal,immutable,uncreated,omnipotentwillofGod.Thetrueoriginalandprimemotiveofall gracious, bountiful expressions and effusions of love upon his elect, is the goodpleasureofhiswill.Andthereforetoholdthatelectiontolifeismadeuponforesightoffaith,goodworkstherightuseoffreewill,oranycreatedmotive,isnotonlyfalseandwicked—butalsoanignorantandabsurdtenet.Tosaynomoreatthistime,itrobsGodofhisall-sufficiency,makinghimgooutofhimself,lookingtothisorthatinthecreature, uponwhich his willmay be determined to elect. The school-men, thoughotherwisearottengenerationofdivines,yetarerightinthis.

Uses.1.AllpraisethenisdueuntoJehovah,theAuthorofallourgood,theFountainofallourbliss, theWell-springof immortalityand life,"inwhomwe liveandmove,andhaveourbeing;"ournaturalbeing, thebeingofouroutwardstate;ourgraciousbeing; the everlastingness of our glorious state.Were the holiest heart upon earthenlargedtothevastcomprehensionofthisgreatworld'swideness;nay,madecapableofallthegloriousandmagnificenthallelujahsandheartypraisesofferedtoJehovah,bothbyallthemilitantandtriumphantchurch,yetwoulditcomeinfinitelyshortofsufficiently magnifying, admiring, and adoring the inexplicable mystery andbottomlessdepthofthisfree,independentmercy,andloveofGod,theFountainandFirstMoverofallourgood.

We may, and are bound to bless God for all the means, instruments, and secondcauses,wherebyitpleaseshimtoconferandconveygoodthingsuntous;butwemustrest principally,with lowliest thoughts ofmost humble and hearty praisefulness, atthewellheadofallourwelfare,Jehovah,blessedforever.Wereceiveagreatdealofcomfortand light from themoonandstars—butweare chiefly indebted to the sun;fromthegreaterriversalso—butthemainseaisthefountain.Angels,ministers,andmenmaypleaseus—butJehovahis theprincipal.Letusthenimitatethose lightsofheavenandriversoftheearth;doallthegoodwecanwiththosegoodthingsGodhasgivenusbyhis instruments; and then reflect back towards, and return all the gloryandpraiseunto,theSunofrighteousnessandSeaofoursalvation.Thebeamsofthemoonandstarsreturnasfarbacktoglorifythefaceofthesun,whichgavethemtheirbeauty,as theycanpossibly; so letusever sendback toGod'sowngloriousself thehonorofallhisgifts,byafruitfulimprovementofthem,insettingforthhisglory,andby continual fervent ejaculations of praise to the utmost possibility of our renewedhearts.

And here I cannot forbear—but must needs most justly complain of the hateful,intolerableunthankfulnessofusinthiskingdom,thehappiestpeopleunderthearchofheaven,hadweheartsenlargedtoconceivearightofGod'sextraordinarylove,andsuchmiraculousmerciesasneveranynationenjoyed.Walkovertheworld,perusethewholefaceoftheearthfromeasttowest,fromnorthtosouth,andfromonesideofheaventoanother,youshallnotfindsuchanotherenlightenedGoshenasthisislandwhereinwedwell.Ofsixpartsoftheearth,fivearenotChristian;andinChristendom,what other part is so free from the reign of popery, the rage of schism, or thedestroyingsword?Orwherebesidesdoesthegospelshinewithsuchglory,truth,andpeace?Or inwhatnookof theworldare there somany faithful soulswho cryuntoGoddayandnightagainsttheabominationsofthetimes,forthepreservationofthegospel, thatGod's namemay be gloriously hallowed, his kingdom come, hiswill bedoneineveryplace,andwhothemselvesservehimwithtruthofheart?

Andyetwearetooready,ifwehavenottheheightofourdesires,andourwillstothe

full,insteadofpatience,tears,andprayers,whichbestbecomethesaints,toembitterall other blessings, and to discover most horrible unthankfulness for them, byrepining,grumbling,anddiscontent;bynotrejoicing,asweought,ineverygoodthingwhichtheLordourGodhasgivenuntous,andbynotimprovingtheextraordinarinessof hismercies to ourmore glorious service of him, andmorehumbly andpreciselywalkingbeforehim.

Away then with all sour, melancholy, causeless, sinful discontent; and "praise theLord;singuntotheLordanewsong,andhispraiseinthecongregationofthesaints.Let Israel rejoice in himwhomade him—let the children of Zion be joyful in theirKing. For the Lord takes pleasure in his people—he will beautify the meek withsalvation.Letthesaintsbe joyful inglory—let themsingaloudupontheirbeds,"Ps.149:1, 2, 4, 5. In a word, let us of this island, as we have just cause above all thenationsoftheearth,andaboveallagesofthechurch,fromtheveryfirstcreationofit,praiseJehovahmostheartily,infinitely,andforever.

2. Never reproach any for deformity of body, dullness of mind, weakness of wit,poornessinoutwardstate,basenessofbirth,etc."Forwhomakesyoutodiffer fromanother?" 1 Cor. 4:7; either in natural gifts, as loveliness of body, beauty, feature,stature,wit,strength,&c.;seeJob10:10,11;Ps.139:13-15;incivilendowments,oranyartificialskill, until it comes even untomatters of husbandry; see Isa. 28:24-28; inoutward things; seePs. 132;moreparticularly inprefermentandpromotion, see Ps.75:6, 7; in children, 1 Sam. 1:27; Psalm 127:3; in a good wife; see Prov. 19:14; inspiritual things; see Ezek. 16; in anything you can name.We are all framed of thesamemold,hewedoutofthesamerock,madeasitwereofthesamecloth—thepathof the scissors making the only difference between one person an another. It istherefore only the free love and grace of God which make all the difference.Whereupon it was an excellent speech of a French king, as his chronicler reports—"WhenIwasborn,therewereathousandothersoulsmoreborn;whathaveIdoneuntoGodmorethanthey?It ishismeregraceandmercywhichdoesoftenbindmemoreuntohisjustice;forthefaultsofgreatmenareneversmall."

Letnonethen,Isay,overlook,disdain,orbrow-beattheirbrethren,byreasonofanyextraordinarygifts,eminenceofparts,singularityofGod'sspecialfavor,orindulgencetowardshiminanygoodthing,whichhedeniestoothers.Especially,yourselfbeingvouchsafedthemercyofconversion,never insolentlyandimperiouslydemeanthosepoor souls who are beside themselves in matters of salvation, who, like miserabledrudges, damn themselves in the devil's slavery, and allow their corrupt nature tocarrythemtoanyvillainy,lust,orlewdcourse.Alas!ourheartsshouldbleedwithinusatbeholdingsomanyaboutus imbruingtheircruelhands in thebloodof theirownsouls, by their ignorance, worldliness, drunkenness, lust, lying, scoffing at piety,hatingtobereformed,etc.Whatheart,exceptitbehewedoutofthehardestrock,orhas sucked thebreasts ofmerciless tigers—butwould yearn andweep to see aman

madeof thesamemoldwithhimselfwilfully,as itwere,against theministryof theword,athousandwarnings,andGod'smanycompassionateinvitations,casthimself,body and soul, into the endless, easeless, and remedilessmiseries of hell? And therathershouldwepityandprayforsuchaonewhofollowstheswingofhisownhearttohisowneverlastingperdition,becausethematterwhereofwewereallmade issonearlyalike;onlythefreemercy,goodness,andgraceofGodmakethedifference.IfGodshouldgiveusovertotheunbridledcurrentofourcorruptnaturewemightbeasbad,andrunriotintoaworldofwickednessaswellashe—ifthesameGodvisithiminmercy,hemaybecomeeverywayasgood,orbetterthanwe.

3.IfthefreeloveofGodbethefountainofallourgood,awaythenwiththatfeigned'foresightoffaith',rightuseoffreewill,andgoodworks,whichshouldmoveGodtoelect before all eternity; and that luciferian self-conceit of present merit, a fitmonstrous brood of that beast ofRome, "who opposes and exalts himself above allthatiscalledGod,"2Thess.2:4.For'foreseenmeritoriousworks'areequallyoppositetograce—asworksmeritoriousreallyexisting.HereyoumustcalltomindthoseeightconsiderationswhichIopposedagainstthatwickedtenetofmerit,whichdoes justlydeservenevertotasteofGod'sfreemercy.

II.PersonalGoodnessBringsComfortableBlessings

TherenownandhonorofNoah'sname;inthathestandshereasthefatherofthenewworld,andtheholyseedandprogenitorofJesusChrist."ThesearethegenerationsofNoah."Whereas the fame andmemorial of all the families upon earth besides layburiedandrottinginthegulfofeverlastingoblivion,astheirbodies intheuniversalgraveofwaters;thefamilyofNoah,arighteousandholyman,isnotonlypreservedinsafety from the general deluge—buthis generations registered and renowned in thebook of God, and conveyed along towards the Lord Jesus, as his progenitors andprecedentroyalline.

Doctrine. Personal goodness is a good means to bring safety, honor, and manycomfortableblessingsuponposterity; seeDeut. 5:29; Exod. 20:6; Ps. 37:25, 112:1-3;Prov.20:1;11:21;Acts2:39.

REASONS

1. Parents professing true religionmake conscience of praying for theirchildrenbeforetheyhavethem,asdidIsaacandHannah;whentheirchildrenwerestillinthewomb.Whentheyareborn,asdidZacharias.Inthewholecourseoftheirlives,asdidJob.Attheirowndeath,asdidIsaac—Gen.25:21;1Sam.1:10;Gen.25:22;Luke1:64;Job1:5;Gen.27:4.Andprayers,weknow,are,fortheprocuringofallfavorat the hands of God, either for ourselves or others, the most undoubted sovereign

meanswecanpossiblyuse.

2.GodlyparentsdoinfinitelymoredesiretoseethetruefearofGodplantedintheirchildren'shearts,than,ifitwerepossible,theimperialdiademofthewholeearthsetupontheirheads.Andthereforetheirprincipalcareis,andthecrownoftheirgreatestjoy would be, by godly example, pious education, daily instruction, lovingadmonitions,seasonablereproofs,restraintfromwickedcompany,thecorruptionsofthe times, etc., by all dearestmeans and utmost endeavors, to leave them graciouswhentheydie,andgooutofthisworld.And"godliness,"saysPaul,"hasthepromiseofthelifethatnowis,andofthatwhichistocome,"1Tim.4:8.Itgivesrightandfullinteresttoallthetruehonor,blessings,andcomforts,whicharetobehadinheavenorinearth.

3.Childrenareordinarilyapt,outofakindlyinstinctofnaturallovingness,frommanyandstrongestmotives,toimitateandfollowtheirparentseitherinbasenessorgodlydemeanor,toheavenorhell.

4.AfatherwhotrulyfearsGoddaresnottoheapuprichesorpurchasehighstationsforhis childrenbywrongdoing, or anywickedways of getting;whereuponbothheandhis family fare far thebetter,andhappilyavoid the flamingedgeof thosemanyfearfulcursesdenouncedinGod'sbookagainstallunjustdealers.Suchasthat,Eccles.5:13,14,"ThereisasoreevilwhichIhaveseenunderthesun,namely,richeskeptfortheirownerstotheirhurt.But thoserichesperishbyeviluse.Andhebrings forthason,andnothingisinhishand."AndHab.2:9,10,"Youaredoomed!Youhavemadeyour family richwithwhat you took by violence, and have tried tomake your ownhome safe from harm and danger! But your schemes have brought shame on yourfamily;bydestroyingmanynationsyouhaveonlybroughtruinonyourself."

Use.1.Wouldyou,then,haveyourlittlebabesyoulovesodearly,blesseduponearth,trulynoble,God'sfavorites,andmeetyouinheaven?Thebeholyyourself!Menarevery careful and curious to have their seed-corn and breed of cattle choice andgenerous;andwill theynotendeavor tonurture,manage,andconduct the immortalsoulsoftheirchildrenwithgrace,bygodlyeducation,tothehighestadvancementofwhich those noble natures are capable, to everlasting bliss, fruition of all heavenlyjoys,andworldwithoutend?

2.Thismayalsoservetoreproveandcorrectthosecovetousmadmenthatlabormoretohavetheirchildrengreatthangood,richthanreligious.Itisamadnessofthatkindwhich lacks terms to express it—that a man should go to hell himself, and fit hischildren to follow him, in seeking to establish his house and raise his posterity bysacrilege, simony, bribery, usury, oppression—or any other course of cruelty andwrong. For so they lay their foundation in fire-works, which is able to blow upthemselvesandtheirposterity,bodyandsoul,rootandbranch!

3.Letthisfill theheartofthedyingChristianwithsweetestpeace.For,whereas thebloody knife of profane men's unconscionable and cruel negligence in training uptheirchildrenreligiously,doesstickfulldeepintheirsouls,and,leavingthislife,theybequeath unto them the curse of God, togetherwith their ill-gotten goods. But theChristian happily finds his conscience, by reason of his former thirsty desire andsincere endeavor to do his children good spiritually, freed from the horror of suchblood-guiltiness,andleavesthemtothatcomfortableoutwardestatewhichnoinjuryorusuryhasimpoisoned,andtothatnever-failingprovidenceofourheavenlyFather,which then isaccustomed toworkmostgraciouslyandbountifully forus,whenwe,renouncingthearmofflesh,thefavorofman,richesofiniquity,andallsuchbrokenreeds,dependmostuponit.Ifwemustneedsbeourowncarversforthingsofthislife,eitherbyrightorwrong,fraudorfairdealing—sothatwemaythriveandgrowgreatintheworld—thenweare justlycastoff fromallmercifulcareoverus,andexposedtoruin and curse. But, if we rest sincerely for ourselves and our family upon the all-powerfulProvidence, itwillneverfailnorforsakeus—buteverexerciseandimproveitssweetnessandwisdomforourtrueandeverlastinggood.

III.Inthethirdpoint,wehaveadescriptionofNoah'sspiritualstate,whichisthecompletecharacterofatrueChristian,consistingofthreeattributes—

1.Justness.

2.Sincerity.

3.Piety.

I gather from the first attribute—Every truly religiousman is also a righteous andtrue-dealingman.

I gather from the second attribute—Sincerity is the sinew and touchstone of trueChristianity.

ButthesetwoIhavesooftenpressedinthecourseofmyministry,thatIwillpassbythematthistime.

Seewhatkindofhonestytomenthatis,whichisnotaccompaniedwithpietytowardsGod;thesameisthatpietytowardsGodwhichisnotattendedwithhonestytomen.Dishonest religion, irreligioushonesty, insincere religion andhonesty, are all of thesame nature—and all out of the right path. If you have respect only to thecommandmentsofthefirsttable,andoutwardperformanceofreligiousservices—butneglectdutiesof the second,andconscientious interactionswithyourbrethren,youarebutaphariseeandformalprofessor.Ifyoudealjustlywithyourneighbor—andyetarea stranger to themysteryof godliness, cannotpray,nor submit to a sincere andsearchingministry,whichthefirsttableenjoins,youarebutameremoralman.Ifyou

putonaflourishandoutwardfaceonlyofobedienceandconformitytoboth,andyetbe true-hearted inneither, as did the pharisees,Matt. 23:14-23, you are but a grosshypocrite.BearyourselfholytowardsGod,honestlytowardsman,andtrueheartedlytowardsboth,oryouarenothinginChrist'skingdom—butstillinthegallofbitternessandbondofiniquity.Putonrighteousnessandtrueholinessinthislife,Eph.4:24,oryoushallneverputonacrownofgloryinthelifetocome.

"Inhisgenerations,"whichweremany,andmainlycorrupt,Noahstoodout,andstuckuntoGodthroughsomanyages,andagainstsowickedaworld; fromwhichwemaylearn-Doctrine.ThatconsistencyiseveraninseparableattendantupontrueChristianity.Butbecauseadoubleconstancyishereimplied,

1.Oneinrespectofcontinuanceoftime.

2.Anotherinrespectofoppositiontothecorruptionsofthetimes.

Imayobservetwopoints.

1.Graceonce truly rooted in theheart canneverbe removed. See for thispurpose,Matt.24:24; 1John2:19,21;John10:28;Rom.8:35,38,39;Luke22:32;2Cor.1:21,22;Eph.4:30,etc.Proofsforthis,maybetakenfrom,

1. The dearness, strength, constancy, inviolableness of God the Father'sloveuntohischildren.Itisdearerthanamother'stohersweetestbabe,Isa.49:15;itisstrongerthanthemountains,Isa.54:10;itisasconstantasthecoursesofthesunandmoonandstars;ofthedayandofthenight,Jer.31:35,36,and33:20,21;itisassureasGodhimself,Ps.89:33-35.

2.Christ'striumphantsittingdownandintercessionathisFather'srighthand;whichmayforever,withsweetestpeace,andfreedomfromslavishtrembling,assureusofourrootednessinChrist,constancyingrace,andeverlastingabodewithhiminthe other world. Being once implanted into Christ by a lively fruitful faith, andblessedlyknituntohimbyhisSpirit,asfastasthesinewsofhispreciousbodyareknituntohisbones,hisfleshtohissinews,andhisskintohisflesh—hethatwouldtearusfromChrist'smysticalbody,mustpullhimoutofheaven,andremovehimfromtherighthandofhisFather.Whatfuriousorinfernalpowercanordarelayafingeronusinthiskind?Christhastakenthepoisoningpoweroutofeverythingthatwouldhurtus, orwoulddragus tohell.Hehas conquered, led captive, carried in triumph, andchainedup forever, all the enemies of our souls, and enviers of our salvation. Theymay, in the mean time, exercise us for our good—but they shall never be able toexecutetheirmaliciouswills,ormortallyhurtus,eitherhere,orinthenextlife.

3.TheirrevocablesealingoftheblessedSpirit,Eph.1:13,14,and.4:30.Andwhoorwhat canor dare reverse thedeed, or break up the seal of theHoly Spirit?Here

then,asyousee,theblessedTrinityistheimmovablegroundofourcontinuingoningrace.

4.Thelastingandimmortalpowerofthewordwhenoncerootedinagoodandhonestheart,Luke8:15;1Pet.1:23.

5. The certainty and sweetness ofpromises to this purpose, Jer. 32:39, 40; Zech.10:12;John8:12;2Sam.7:14,15;Ps.89:83-37.

6.Theforceandmightoffaith,1Pet.1:2-9.

7.TheefficacyofChrist'sprayer,Luke22:32;John17:15-20;Rom.8:34.

8.Thedurablevigorofsavinggraces,John4:14;Rom.11:29.

9.Theinability,nay,impossibility,ofallcausesorcreaturestopluckoutofGod'shand,John10:29,ortodrawanyofhisredeemedchildrentoa totalor finalfalling away. It isnot thedevil himself cando it, 1 John5:18. It is not theworld, 1John5:4;John16:33.Itisnottheconcurrentfuryandunitedforcesofallthepowersofdarkness,Matt.16:18.Itisnotsin,2Sam.7:14,15;Ps.89:81,32.Itisnotweaknessof faith,orothergraces,Matt.12:20.It isnot the impostureof falseprophets,Matt.24:24.Itisnocreature,orcreatedpower,Rom.8:38,39.

USE

1.Thispoint,thusconfirmed,doesconfoundthatforlorntenetofthepopishteachers,which tells us that a justified and sanctified manmay fall finally and totally fromgrace.InwhichIhaveheretoforeuponanotheroccasion,inyourhearing,punctuallyrefuted thosewhichIconceivedBellarmine'sbestarguments. Iwillnotnowtroubleyouwithhissophistryagain.

2. This sweet and precious truth may crown the hearts of all those who are trulyChrist'swithunspeakableandgloriousjoy.LetnewconvertsandbabesinChrist,whoareaccustomed tobevery fearful andmuch troubled lest they shouldnotholdout,becauseupontheirfirstentranceintothewaysofchristianitytheyarecunninglyandconcurrentlyencounteredwithsomanyoppositions—fromthedevil,whothenragesextraordinarily;fromtheworld,whichthenoffersmoreandmorealluringbaits;fromthe flesh, which naturally is very impatient of any spiritual restraint; from carnalfriends, who cannot endure their change; from their old companions, who cry out,'they are turning puritans'; from the times, which discourage and look sourly upontheirzeal;sometimesfromthefatherwhobegatthem;fromthemotherwhonursedthem;fromthewifewholiesintheirbosom;fromaworldofenemiestograce.

Isay,insuchacase,letthemgraspinthearmsoftheirfaiththeproofsandpromises

inthepresentpoint,andrideon,becauseofthewordoftruth.Letthemsweetly,withfull assurance and unconquerable resolution, repose upon that everlastingencouragement, for the finishing of their spiritual building, which ZerubbabelreceivedfromthemouthofGodhimself,forsuccessofthematerialbuilding,atypeofthis—"Notbymightnorbypower—butbymySpirit,saystheLordAlmighty.Whoareyou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain; and he shallbringforththeheadstonethereofwithshoutings,crying,Grace,graceuntoit,"Zech.4:6,7.

Andthat theymaymorecomfortablyandconstantlygoon, let themoftencast theireyes upon these and the like cautions, at their very first giving their names untoChrist.

(1.) Propose such interrogationsas these to your own heart—Are you content toabandon your bosom sin, and the sensual froth of former pleasures, hereafter todelight inGod,asyourchief joy?Canyoutakeupyourcross,and followChrist,histruth and holy ways, amidst the many by-paths that lead to hell, and differentopinions of multitudes of men? Are you willing to suffer adversity, disgrace, andridicule—withtherighteousanddespisedgodlyones?Canyouenduretohavethingslaidunto your charge,which you never did, thought, or dreamed of; to become thedrunkard's song; a by-word to those that are viler than the earth; to be the song ofridiculeattheirfeasts?Lam.3:63.Inaword—canyou,forChrist'ssake,denyyourself,yourworldlywisdom,naturalwit, carnal friends,oldcompanions, pleasures, profits,preferments, ease, excellency of learning, acceptancewith theworld, outward state,liberty,life,orwhateverelseyoucannamedearestuntofleshandblood?Ifyourheartanswersnotaffirmatively,(Imean,outoftheresolutionofawell-advisedregeneratejudgment;forIknowthefleshwillgrumbleandreclaim,)youwillcertainlyfallaway,orendinformality.

(2.)Looktoyourrepentance—thatitbesincere,universal,constant,fromtheheart,for all known sins—to your dying day. 1. If some worldly cross be the continuedprincipal motive of your repentance —2. or the humor of melancholy —3. if it beconfusedlyonlyforsin,andingeneral—4.orforsomeonespecialnotorioussinonly—5.orforsomelessersins,withneglectofgreater,asfortithingmint,etc.—6.ifitbeonly legal—7. but for some sins, of what kind soever; leaving but so much as oneknown sin not taken to heart—8. or but for a time—all will come to naught. Afoundationofgodlysorrow,deliberately,advisedly,andsincerely laidat first,willbeforever after a comfortable encouragement to faith, spiritual joy, well-doing, andwalkingwithGod.

(3.) Take the touchstone of fruitful, powerful, and special marks, to discern anddistinguish justifying saving faith from all false and insufficient faiths; for atemporaryfaithmaygofar.

(4.)Letknowledgeandlovegrowuptogetherinyou,andmutuallytransfusespiritualvigorintoeachother.Presumenotuponanyknowledge,withoutahumbleinflamedlove.Neitherbuildtoomuchupontheheatofzeal,withoutthelightofknowledge—eitherof thesemaybesingleandsuperior insome,whoafterwardsmayshamefullyfallaway.

(5.) Above all things, look unto your heart. If your outward reformation wereangelical, inwords,actions,andallexternaldemeanor—andyetyourheartremainedunchanged,youarebutapaintedtomb,andcannotbesaved.Letamantakeawolf,beatitblackandblue,breakitsbones,knockoutitsteeth,cutawayitsclaws,putuponit a sheep's skin—yet still it retains its wolfish nature. In like manner, let a manbecomeeversoharmlessoutwardly,yetwithoutanewheartallisinvain.

(6.) Incorporate yourself into the companyofGod'speople, by all engagements andobligationsofaprofitable,intimate,andcomfortablefellowshipinthegospel.Thereisa secret tieuntoperseverance, in the communionof saints.He isnot likely towalklong thatwalks alone, especially if hemight enjoy good company. Shunning societywiththegodly,isaplainsignofatemporaryfaith.

(7.)Considerwell (for the contrary is anotablediscovery of counterfeits) that yourcalling to gracemust settle youmore surely in your honest particular employment;andmakeyouthereinmorefaithful,conscientious,andlaborious.

Let Christians also of longer standing, and more strength in their assaults onperseverance,haverecourseuntothistoweroftruth,andlabortopreventthatwhichtheyfear.

1. By constancy, in a careful use of all the means; the word, prayer, conference,meditation,sacraments,etc.Towhich,letthempreservetheirlove,andpracticewhatthey hear, without omission or delay. He who gives way to a heartless neglect, orcustomary hardness of heart, in the use of the ordinances, may justly suspect hisnearness to some fearful sin, or fierce temptation, to some heavy judgment, ordangerousapostasy.

2.Assoonastheydiscoveranyspiritualweaknessordecay,assaultortemptation,letthemoftenfleeuntothethroneofgrace,andmightilyopposewiththemost ferventprayersofextraordinaryprivatehumiliation.

3.Letthemkeepperfectionsingleintheireyeandaim;and,towardstheattainmentthereof,acquireandacquaintthemselveswithrulesofholylife,dailydirections,andwaysofthemostgodlyandself-denyingmen.

4. Let them watchfully deny all occasions of falling back—spiritual pride, knownhypocrisy, desire to be rich, undervaluing and declining themost searchingmeans,

negligenceinpiousduties,discontinuanceofintimatenesswiththegodly,etc.

5.Letthemconsiderthatallwhichispastislost,iftheyfalloff,2John8.

This former point of constancy in grace did arise from a consideration of blessedNoah's continuance in goodness through so many ages. Now, in that he did notconform to the iniquities of the times—but did stand unstained, amidst the mostwicked generations which ever dwelt upon earth, I gather the necessity of anotherconstancy,andthatisinrespectofoppositiontothecorruptionsoftimes.

SevenHindranceswhichkeepbackasinnerfromthepracticeofpiety

I.TheFirstHindranceofPiety.

An ignorantmistaking of the truemeaning of certain places of the holyScriptures,andsomeotherchiefgroundsofChristianreligion.

TheScripturesmistakenarethese:

1.Ezek33:14,16,"Atwhattimesoeverasinnerrepentsofhissin,Iwillblotoutall,"etc.Hence the carnalprofessorgathers, thathemay repentwhenhewill. It is true,whensoeverasinnerdoesrepent,Godwillforgive;butthetextsaysnot,thatasinnermayrepentwhensoeverhewill,butwhenGodwillgivehimgrace.Many,whentheywould have repented, were rejected, and could not repent, though they sought itcarefullywith tears (Heb12:17;Luke13:24,27.)Whatcomfortyields this text toyouwhohavenotrepented,norknowwhetheryoushallhavegracetorepenthereafter?

2.Matt11:28,"Comeuntome,allyouthatlaborandareheavyladen,andIwillgiveyou rest."Hence the lewdestman collects, that hemay come unto Christ when hewills;buthemustknowthatnomanevercomestoChrist,buthewho,asPetersays,having known the way of righteousness, has escaped the pollutions of the world,throughtheknowledgeofourLordandSaviorJesusChrist(2Pet2:20,22.)TocomeuntoChrist is to repent and believe (Isa 1:18; John 6:35;) and this noman can do,excepthisheavenlyFatherdrawshimbyhisgrace(John6:4.)

3.Rom8:1, "There is thereforenocondemnation to thosewhoare inChrist Jesus."True;but theyaresuchwhowalknotafter the flesh,asyoudo,butafter theSpirit,whichyoudidneveryetresolvetodo.

4.1Tim1:15,"ChristJesuscameintotheworldtosavesinners,"etc.True;butsuchsinners, who like Paul, are converted from their wicked life; not like you, who stillcontinue in your lewdness: "For that grace of God which brings salvation unto allmen,teachesus,that,denyingungodlinessandworldlylusts,weshouldlivesoberly,righteously,andgodly,inthispresentworld."(Titus2:11-12.)

5.Prov24:16,"Ajustmanfallsseventimesinaday,andrises,"etc.[inadayisnotinthe text:] which means not falling into sin, but falling into trouble, which hismalicious enemy plots against the just, and from which God delivers him (Psalm34:19.)Andthoughitmeantfallinginandrisingoutofsin,whatisthistoyou,whosefalls allmenmay see every day but neitherGod norman can at any time see yourrisingagainbyrepentance.

6. Isa 64:6, "All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags." Hence the carnal professorgathers,that,seeingthebestworksofthebestsaintsarenobetter,thenhisaregoodenough;andthereforeheneedsnotmuchgrievethathisdevotionsaresoimperfect.ButIsaiahmeansnot in thisplace the righteousworksof the regenerate,as ferventprayersinthenameofGod;charitablealmsfromtheaffectionsofmercy;sufferinginthegospel'sdefense,theconfiscationofgoods,andspillingofblood,andsuchworkswhichPaulcallsthefruitoftheSpirit(Gal5:22;)buttheprophet,makingahumbleconfession in the name of the Jewish church, when she had fallen from God toidolatry,acknowledges,thatwhiletheywerebytheir filthysinsseparated fromGod,as lepers are from men by their infecting sores and polluted clothes, their chiefrighteousnesscouldnotbebutabominable inhissight.Andthoughourbestworks,comparedwithChrist's righteousness, arenobetter thanunclean rags; yet, inGod'sacceptance forChrist's sake, theyarecalledwhite raiment (Rev3:18),yes,pure finelinen and shining (Rev 19:8), far unlike the leopard's spots (Jer 13:23) and filthygarments(Zech3:4)

7.James3:2,"Inmanythingswesinall"True;butGod'schildrensinnotinallthingsas you do, without either bridling their lusts or mortifying their corruptions. AndthoughtherelicsofsinremaininthedearestchildrenofGod,thattheyhadneeddailyto cry, "Our Father who is in heaven, forgive us our trespasses;" yet, in the NewTestament,noneareproperlycalledsinners,buttheunregenerate(Gal1:15;Rom5:8;John9:31;) but the regenerate, in respect of their zealous endeavor to serveGod inunfeignedholiness,areeverywherecalledsaints;insomuchthatJohnsays,"Whoeveris born of God sins not," (1 John 3:9; 1 John 5:18;) that is, lives not in willfulfilthiness,allowingsintoreigninhim,asyoudo.DeceivenotyourselfwiththenameofaChristian;whoever lives inanycustomarygross sin,he livesnot in the stateofgrace. "Let, therefore," says Paul, "everyone that names the name of Christ departfrominiquity:"(2Tim2:19.)Theregeneratesin,butuponfrailty;theyrepent,andGoddoespardon;theretheysinnottodeath(1John5:16.)Thereprobatesinmaliciously,sinfully, and delight therein; so that by their goodwill, sin shall leave them before

theywill leave it; theywillnotrepent,andGodwillnotpardon; therefore their sinsaremortal, says John, or rather immortal, as says Paul (Rom 2:5.) It is no excuse,therefore,tosay,weareallsinners:trueChristians,yousee,areallsaints.

8. Luke 23:43. The thief converted at the last gasp, was received to paradise.Whatthen?ifImayhavebuttimetosay,whenIamdying,"Lordhavemercyuponme,"Ishalllikewisebesaved.Butwhatifyoushallnot?andyetmanyinthatdayshallsay,Lord,Lord,andtheLordwillnotknowthem(Matt7:22-23.)Thethiefwassaved,forherepented;buthis fellow thievehadnograce to repent,andwasdamned.Beware,therefore,lest,trustingtolaterepentanceatyourlastendonearth,youbenotdriventorepenttoolatewithoutendinhell.

9.1John1:7,"ThebloodofJesusChristcleansesusfromallsin."And1John2:1,"Ifanymansins,wehaveanadvocatewiththeFather,JesusChristtherighteous,"etc.Ocomfortable! but hear what John says in the same place, "My little children, thesethings write I unto you, that you sin not;" if, therefore, you leave your sin, thesecomfortsarethine—elsetheybelongnottoyou.

10.Rom5:20,"Wheresinabounded,gracedidaboundmuchmore."Osweet!buthearwhat Paul adds, "What shallwe say then? shall we continue in sin, that gracemayabound?Godforbid.Howshallwethataredeadtosin,liveanylongertherein?"(Rom6:1-2.)Thisplace teachesusnot to presume, but thatwe shouldnot despair.None,therefore,ofthesepromises,promisesanygracetoanybuttothepenitentheart.

Thegroundsofreligionmistakenarethese:

1.Fromthedoctrineofjustificationbyfaithalone,acarnalprofessorgathers,thatgood works are not necessary. He commends others that do good works, but hepersuadeshimselfthatheshallbesavedbyhisfaith,withoutdoinganysuchmatter.But he should know, that though goodworks are not necessary to justification, yetthey are necessary to salvation: "For we are God's workmanship, created in ChristJesusuntogoodworks,whichGodhaspredestinated thatweshouldwalk in them."(Eph 2:10.)Whoever, therefore, in years of discretion, brings not forth goodworksafterheiscalled,hecannotbesaved;neitherwasheeverpredestinatedtolifeeternal.ThereforetheScripturesays,thatChristwillrewardeverymanaccordingtohisworks(Rom2:6;2Cor9:6;Rev22:12.)Christrespects in theangelsof thesevenchurchesnothing but their works (Rev 2:2;) and at the last day he will give the heavenlyinheritanceonlytothemwhohavedonegoodworks—infeedingthehungry,clothingthenaked,etc.At thatdayrighteousnessshallwearthecrown(Matt25;2Tim4:8.)Norighteousness,no crown—nogoodworks, according toaman's talent,no rewardfromGod,unless itbevengeance(Rom2:8.)Toberich ingoodworks, is thesurestfoundationofourassurancetoobtaineternallife(1Tim6:19;)forgoodworksarethetruefruitsofatruefaith,whichapprehendsChrist,andhisobedienceuntosalvation.

AndnootherfaithinChristavails,butthatwhichworksbylove(Gal5:6;)and(butinthe act of justification) that faith which alone justifies, is never alone, but everaccompaniedwithgoodworks:as the treewithhis fruits, thesunwithhis light, thefirewithhisheat,andwaterwithhismoisture.Andthe faithwhichdoesnot justifyherselfbygoodworksbeforemen,isbutdeadfaith,whichwillneverjustifyaman'ssoulbeforeGod(James2:26.)Buta justifying faithpurifies theheartandsanctifiesthewholemanthroughout(Acts15:9;Acts16:18;1Thess5:23.)

2.FromthedoctrineofGod'seternalpredestination(Matt25:24;Eph1:4;Eccles3:14)andunchangeabledecree,hegathers,thatifhebepredestinatedtobesaved,hecannotbutbesaved;iftobedamned,nomeanscandoanygood;thereforeallworksofpietyarebutinvain.Butheshouldlearn,thatGodhaspredestinatedtothemeans,aswellas to theend.Whom, therefore,Godhaspredestinated tobesaved,which istheend(1Pet1:9),hehaslikewisepredestinatedtobefirstcalled,justified,andmadeconformabletotheimageofhisSon,whichisthemeans(Rom8:29-30;John15:16.)And they, says Peter, who are elect unto salvation, are also elect unto thesanctification of the spirit (1 Pet 1:2.) If, therefore, upon your calling, you conformyourselftothewordandexampleofChristyourmaster,andobeythegoodmotionsoftheHolySpirit,inleavingsin,andlivingagodlylife,thenassureyourself,thatyouareone of those who are infallibly predestinated to everlasting salvation. If otherwise,blamenotGod'spredestination,butyourownsinandrebellion.DoyoubutreturntoGod, andGodwill graciously receive you, as the fatherdid theprodigal son, andbyyour conversion, it shall appear both to angels andmen, that you did belong to hiselection(Luke15:10,24.)Ifyouwillnot,whyshouldGodsaveyou?

3.Whenacarnalprofessorhearsthatmanhasnotfreewilluntogood,heloosesthereinstohisowncorruptwill,asthoughitlaynotinhimtobridle,ortosubdueit:implicitlymakingGod theauthorof sin, inallowingman to run into thisnecessity.ButheshouldknowthatGodgaveAdamfreewill,tostandinhisintegrityifhewould;butman,abusinghisfreewill,lostbothhimselfandit.Sincethefall,maninhisstateofcorruptionhasfreewilltoevil,butnottogood;forinthisstate,wearenot,saystheapostle,sufficienttothinkagoodthought(2Cor3:5.)AndGodisnotboundtorestoreuswhatwelostsowretchedly,andtakenomorecaretorecoveragain.Butassoonasamanisregenerated,thegraceofGodfreeshiswilluntogood;sothathedoesallthegoodthingshedoeswithafreewill:forsotheapostlesays,thatGodofhisowngoodpleasure, works both the will and the deed in us, who, as the apostle expounds,cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, and finish oursanctificationinthefearofGod(Phil2:12-13;2Cor7:1.)Andinthisstate,everytrueChristianhasfreewill,andasheincreasesingrace,sodoeshiswill infreedom:"Forwhen the Son shall make us free, then shall we be free indeed," (John 8:36;) andwheretheSpiritoftheLordis,thereisliberty(2Cor3:17;)fortheHolySpiritdrawstheirminds,notby compulsion,butby thecordsof love (Song1:4),by illuminatingtheirmindstoknowthetruth;bychangingtheirheartstolovetheknowntruth;and

by enabling every one of them (according to the measure of grace which he hasreceived)todothegoodwhichheloves.Butyouwillnotusethefreedomofyourwill,so farasGodhas freed it; foryoudomany timeswillfully againstGod's law, to thehazardofyoursoul,which,iftheking'slawforbadeunderthepenaltyofdeath,orlossofyourworldlyestate,youwouldnotdo.Makenot,therefore,yourlackoffreewilltogood,tobesomuchthecauseofyoursin,asyourlackofalovinghearttoserveyourheavenlyFather.

4.Whenthenaturalmanhearsthatnoman,sincethefall,isabletofulfillthelawofGod,andtokeepallhiscommandments,heboldlypresumestosinasothersdo;hecontentshimselfwithafewgoodthoughts:andifhebenotaltogetherasbadastheworst, he concludes that he is as truly regenerate as the best. And every voluntaryrefusalofdoinggood,orwithstandingevil,hecountstheimpossibilityofthelaw.Butheshouldlearn,thatthough,sincethefall,nomanbutChrist,whowasbothGodandman,did,orcanperfectlyfulfillthewholelaw,yeteverytrueChristian,assoonasheisregenerate,beginstokeepallGod'scommandments intruth, thoughhecannot inabsolute perfection. Thus, with David, they apply their hearts to fulfill God'scommandments always unto the end (Psalm 119:112.) And then the Spirit of grace,whichwaspromisedtobemoreabundantlypouredforthunderthegospel,helpsthemintheirgoodendeavors,andassiststhemtodowhathecommandsthemtodo(Joel2:28-29;Zech12:10.)Andinsodoing,Godacceptstheirgoodwillandendeavor(2Cor8:12),Christhavingfulfilledthelawforus.AndinthisrespectJohnsays,thatGod'scommandmentsarenotburdensome(1John5:3.)AndPaulsays,"Iamabletodoallthings,throughthehelpofhimwhostrengthensme."(Phil4:13.)AndZachariasandElizabetharesaidtowalkinallthecommandmentsoftheLordwithoutreproof(Luke1:6.) Hereupon Christ commends to his disciples the care of keeping hiscommandments,asthetruesttestimonyofourloveuntohim(John15:10.)

So far, therefore, does a man love Christ, as he makes conscience to walk in hiscommandments;andthemoreuntoChristisourlove,thelesswillourpainsseeminkeepinghislaw.Thelaw'scurse,which,undertheOldTestament,wassoterrible,is,under theNew,by thedeathofChrist, abolished to the regenerate.The rigorwhichmadeitsoimpossibletoournaturebefore,isnowtothenewbornsomollifiedbytheSpirit,thatitseemsfacileandeasy.Theapostles,indeed,pressedontheunconvertedJewsandGentilestheimpossibilityofkeepingthelawbyabilityofnaturecorrupted;butwhentheyhavetodowithregenerateChristians,theyrequiretothelaw,whichisthe rule of righteousness, true obedience inword and deed; themortifying of theirmembers; the crucifying of the flesh, with the affections and lusts thereof;resurrectiontonewnessoflife;walkingintheSpirit;overcomingoftheworldbyfaith(Rom 15:18; Col 3:5;Gal 5:24-25;Rom6:4-5,12-13;Rom8:11; 1 John 5:4.) So that,thoughnomancansayasChrist,Whichofyoucanrebukemeofsin?(John8:46),yeteveryregenerateChristiancansayofhimself,Whichofyoucanrebukemeofbeinganadulterer, whoremonger, swearer, drunkard, thief, usurer, oppressor, proud,

malicious,covetous,profaneroftheSabbath,aliar,aneglectorofGod'spublicservice,and such like gross sins? else he is no true Christian. When a man casts off theconscienceofbeingruledbyGod'slaw,thenGodgiveshimovertobeledbyhisownlusts,thesurestsignofareprobatesense(Rom1:24,28.)Thusthe law,which,sincethe fall, no man by his own natural ability can fulfill, is fulfilled in truth of everyregenerateChristian,throughthegraciousassistanceofChrist'sHolySpirit(Rom8:9,etc.) And this Spirit God will give to every Christian that will pray for it, and willinclinehishearttokeephislaws(Luke11:13;James1:5.)

5.WhentheunregeneratemanhearsthatGoddelightsmoreintheinwardmindthan in the outward man, then he imagines that all outward reverence andprofessionisbuteithersuperstitiousorsuperfluous.Henceitisthatheseldomkneelsin the church; that he puts on his hat at singing of psalms, and the public prayers;which the profane varlet would not offer to do in the presence of a prince or anobleman.AndsothathekeephisminduntoGod,hethinkshemayfashionhimself,inotherthings,totheworld.Hedivideshisthoughts,andgivessomuchtoGod,andsomuchtohisownlusts;yes,hewilldividewithGodtheSabbath,andwillgivehimalmost theonehalf, and spend theotherwholly inhis ownpleasures.But know,Ocarnalman, thatAlmightyGodwillnotbe servedbyhalves, becausehehas createdand redeemed thewholeman!And asGod detests the service of the outwardman,without the inwardheart, ashypocrisy; sohe counts the inward service,without allexternalreverence,tobemereprofaneness:herequiresbothinhisworship.Inprayer,therefore,bowyourknees,inwitnessofyourhumiliation;liftupyoureyesandyourhands,intestimonyofyourconfidence;hangdownyourheadandsmiteyourbosom,in tokenofyourcontrition;butespeciallycalluponGodwitha sincereheart—servehimholily,servehimwholly,servehimonly;forGodandthePrinceofthisworldaretwocontrarymasters,andthereforenomancanpossiblyserveboth.

6.Theunregenerateprofessorholdsthehearingofthegospelpreached,tobebutanindifferentmatter,whichhemayuse,ornotuse,athispleasure.Butwhoeveryouare,thatwillbeassured inyourheart thatyouareoneofChrist'select sheep,youmusthaveaspecialcareandconscience(ifpossiblyyoucan)tohearGod'swordpreached.For,

First,thepreachingofthegospelisthechiefordinarymeanswhichGodhasappointedtoconvertthesoulsofallthathehaspredestinatedtobesaved(Acts13:48:)thereforeit is called "thepowerofGodunto salvation to everyone thatbelieves." (Rom1:16.)Andwherethisdivineordinance isnot, thepeopleperish(Prov29:18;)andwhoevershallrefuseit,"itshallbemoretolerableforthelandofSodomandGomorrahinthedayofjudgmentthanforthesepeople."(Matt10:22.)

Secondly,thepreachingofthegospelisthestandardorensignofChrist(Isa11:1),towhich all soldiers and elect peoplemust assemble themselves: when this ensign is

displayed,asupontheLord'sday,heisnoneofChrist'speoplethatflocksnotuntoit(Isa 2:2;) neither shall any drop of the rain of his grace light on their souls (Zech14:17.)

Thirdly, it is theordinarymeansbywhich theHolySpirit begets faith inourhearts(Rom 10:14), without which we cannot please God (Heb 11:6.) If the hearing ofChrist'svoicebethechiefmarkofChrist'selectsheep,andofthebridegroom'sfriend(John10:27;John3:29), thenmust itbea fearfulmarkof a reprobategoat (Heb2;John8:47)eithertoneglectordespisetohearthepreachingofthegospel.Letnomanthinkthispositionfoolish,for"bythisfoolishnessofpreachingitpleasesGodtosavethose who believe." (1 Cor 1:11.) Their state is therefore fearful who live in peace,without caring for the preaching of the gospel. Canmen look for God'smercy, anddespisehismeans?"He,"saysChristofthepreachersofhisgospel,"thatdespisesyou,despisesme."(Luke10:16.)"HewhoisofGodhearsGod'swords:youthereforehearthemnot,becauseyouarenotofGod."(John8:4,7.)HadnottheIsraelitesheardthemessage of Phinehas, they had never wept (Judg 2:1, etc.) Had not the Baptistpreached, the Jews hadnevermourned (Luke 7:32-33.)Hadnot theywho crucifiedChristheardPeter'ssermon,theirheartshadneverbeenpricked(Acts2:37.)HadnottheNinevitesheardJonah'spreaching,theyhadneverrepented(Jon3:5;)—andifyouwillnothear,andrepent,youshallneverbesaved(Prov28:9;Luke13:5.)

7.Theopinion that thesacramentsarebutbare signs and seals ofGod's promiseandgracetous,doesnotalittlehinderpiety:whereas,indeed,theyareseals,aswellofour serviceandobedienceuntoGod;whichservice ifweperformnot tohim, thesacramentssealnogracetous.Butifwereceivethem,upontheresolutiontobehisfaithfulandpenitentservants,thenthesacramentsdonotonlysignifyandoffer,butalsosealandexhibitindeedtheinwardspiritualgracewhichtheyoutwardlypromiseand represent. And to this end baptism is called the "washing of regeneration, andrenewingof theHolySpirit," (Titus3:5;)andtheLord'sSupper, "thecommunionofthe body and blood of Christ." (1 Cor 10:16.) Were this truth believed, the holysacrament of the Lord's Supper would be more often, and with greater reverencereceived.

8.Thelast,andnottheleastblockatwhichpietystumblesinthecourseofreligion,isby adorning vices with the names of virtues: as to call drunken carousing,drinkingofhealths;spillinginnocentblood,valor;gluttony,hospitality;covetousness,thriftiness; whoredom, loving a mistress; simony, gratuity; pride, gracefulness;dissembling,compliment;childrenofBelial,good-fellows;wrath,hastiness;ribaldry,mirth: so, on the other side, to call sobriety inwords and actions, hypocrisy; alms-deeds, vainglory; devotion, superstition; zeal in religion, Puritanism; humility,crouching; scruple of conscience, preciseness, etc. Andwhile thuswe call evil good,andgoodevil,truepietyismuchhinderedinherprogress.

And thusmuchof the firsthindranceofpiety, bymistaking the true sense of somespecialplacesofScripture,andgroundsofChristianreligion.

II.TheSecondHindranceofPiety.

Theevil exampleofgreatpeople, thepracticeofwhoseprofane lives theyprefer fortheir imitation before the precepts of God's holy word: so that, when they see thegreatestmeninthestate,andmanychiefgentlemenintheircountry,tomakeneithercarenor conscience tohear sermons, to receive the communion,nor to sanctify theLord'sSabbaths,etc.,but tobeswearers,adulterers,carousers,oppressors,etc., thenthey think that the using of these holy ordinances are not matters of so greatimportance;foriftheywere,suchgreatandwisemenwouldnotsetsolittlevalueonthem.Hereupon they think that religion isnot amatterofnecessity; and therefore,wheretheyshould,likeChristians,rowagainstthestreamofimpietytowardsheaven,theyallowthemselvestobecarriedwiththemultitudedownrighttohell, thinking it impossible thatGodwillallowsomany tobedamned:whereas, if the god of this world had not blinded the eyes of theirminds, the holyScriptures would teach them, that "not many wise men after the flesh, not manymighty,notmanynoble are called," etc. (1Cor 1:26;)but that for themostpart thepoorreceivethegospel,andthatfewrichmenshallbesaved(Matt11:5;Matt19:23-24;)andthathowsoevermanyarecalled,yetthechosenarebutfew.Neitherdidthemultitudeeversaveanyfromdamnation(Matt22:14.)

AsGodhasadvancedmeningreatnessaboveothers,sodoesGodexpectthattheyinreligionandpietyshouldgobeforeothers;otherwisegreatnessabused,inthetimeoftheir stewardship, shall turn to their greater condemnation in the day of theiraccounts.Atwhattimesinfulgreatandmightymen,aswellasthepoorestslavesandbondmen,shallwish that the rocksandmountains should fallupon them,andhidethemfromthepresenceoftheJudge,andfromhisjustdeservedwrath(Rev6:15-16,etc.), it will prove but a miserable solace to have a great company of great menpartakers with you of your eternal torments. The multitude of sinners does notextenuate,butaggravatesin,asinSodom.Betteritis,therefore,withafewtobesavedintheark,than,withthewholeworld,tobedrownedintheflood.Walkwiththefewgodlyinthenarrowpathtoheaven;butcrowdnotwiththegodlessmultitudeinthebroadway to hell (Exod 23:2.) Let not the example of irreligious greatmen hinderyourrepentance;fortheirgreatnesscannotatthatdayexemptthemselvesfromtheirownmostgrievouspunishment.

III.TheThirdHindranceofPiety.

The long escaping of deserved punishment in this life. "Because sentence," saysSolomon,"isnotspeedilyexecutedagainstanevilworker,thereforetheheartsofthe

childrenofmenarefullysetinthemtodoevil,notknowingthatthebountifulnessofGod leads them to repentance." (Eccles 8:11; Rom 2:4; 2 Pet 3:10.) But when hispatienceisabused,andman'ssinsareripened,hisjusticewillatoncebothbegin,andmake an end of the sinner (1 Sam 3:12; Ezek 39:8;) and he will recompense theslowness of his delay with the grievousness of his punishment. Though they wereallowedtorunonthescoreallthedaysoftheirlife,yettheyshallbesuretopaytheutmost farthing at theday of their death.Andwhile they suppose themselves to befreefromjudgment,theyarealreadysmittenwiththeheaviestofGod'sjudgments—aheart that cannot repent (Rom 2:5.) The stone in the kidneys or gallbladder is agrievouspainthatkillsmanyaman'sbody;butthereisnodiseasetothestoneintheheart,whereofNabaldied,andwhichkillsmillionsofsouls(1Sam25:17.)Theyrefusethe trialofChrist andhis cross;but theyare stonedbyhell's executioner to eternaldeath.

Becausemanynoblesandgentlemenarenotsmittenwithpresentjudgmentfortheiroutrageous swearing, adultery, drunkenness, oppression, profaning of the Sabbath,and disgraceful neglect of God'sworship and service, they begin to doubt of divineprovidenceand justice—both which two eyes they would as willingly put out inGod, as the Philistines bored out the eyes of Sampson. It is greatly therefore to befearedlesttheywillprovoketheLordtocryoutagainstthem,asSampsonagainstthePhilistines (Judg 16:21.) By neglecting the law, and walking after their own hearts,theyputout,asmuchasinthemlies,theeyesofmyprovidenceandjustice;leadmetherefore to thesechiefpillars (Judg16:26,etc.)whereupontherealmstands, that Imaypulltherealmupontheirheads,andbeatonceavengedofthemformytwoeyes.LetnotGod'spatiencehinderyourrepentance;butbecauseheissopatient,thereforedoyoutheratherrepent.

IV.TheFourthHindranceofPiety.

Presumption on God's mercy. For when men are justly convinced of their sins,forthwith they betake themselves to this shield—Christ is merciful: so that everysinnermakesChrist thepatronofhis sin:As thoughhehadcome into theworld tobolstersin,andnottodestroytheworksofthedevil(John3:3.)Hereuponthecarnalprofessorpresumes,thatthoughhecontinuesawhile longerinhissin,Godwillnotshortenhisdays.Butwhat is thisbuttobeanimplicitatheist?DoubtingthateitherGodseesnothissins;orifhedoes,thatheisnotjust:forifhebelievesthatGodisjust,howcanhethinkthatGod,whoforsinsoseverelypunishesothers,canlovehimwhostilllovestocontinueinsin?Trueitis,Christismerciful;buttowhom?OnlytothosewhorepentandturnfrominiquityinJacob.(Isa59:20.)Butifanymanblesseshimself in his heart, saying, 'I shall have peace, although I walk according to thestubbornnessofmineownheart,thusaddingdrunkennesstothirst,'theLordwillnotbemerciful tohim,etc. (Deut29:19.)Omadmen!whodarebless themselves, when

God pronounces them accursed! Look, therefore, how far you are from findingrepentanceinyourself;sofarareyoufromanyassuranceoffindingmercyinChrist."Let, therefore, the wicked forsake his ways, and the unrighteous his ownimaginations,andreturnuntotheLord,andhewillhavemercyuponhim;andtoourGod,forheisveryreadytoforgive."(Isa55:7.)

Despairisnothingsodangerousaspresumption;forwereadnotinalltheScripturesofabovethreeorfourwhomroaringdespairoverthrew:butsecurepresumptionhassentmillionstoperditionwithoutanynoise.As,therefore,thedamselsofIsraelsangintheirdances,"SaulhaskilledhisthousandsandDavidhistenthousands,"(1Sam18:7;) so may I say, that despair of God's mercy has damned thousands, but thepresumptionofGod'smercyhasdamnedtenthousands,andsentthemquicktohell,where now they remain in eternal torments, without all help of ease, or hope ofredemption.Godsparedthethiefbutnothisfellow(Luke18:43.)Godsparedone,that no man might despair: God spared but one, that no man shouldpresume.Joyfulassurancetoasinnerthatrepents:nocomforttohimthatremainsimpenitent.God is infinite inmercy, but only to thosewho turn from their sins, toserve him in holiness, "withoutwhich noman shall see the Lord." (Heb 12:14.) Tokeepyou,therefore,frompresuming,rememberthatasChristisaSavior,soMosesisanaccuser(John5:45.)Live,therefore,asthoughtherewerenogospel:dieasthoughtherewere no law. Pass your life as though youwere under the conduct ofMoses:departthislifeasifyouknewnonebutChrist,andhimcrucified.Presumenot,ifyouwillnotperish:repentifyouwillbesaved.

V.TheFifthHindranceofPiety.

Evil company, commonly termed good-fellows—but indeed, the devil's chiefinstruments,tohinderawretchedsinnerfromrepentanceandpiety.ThefirstsignofGod's favor to a sinner is, to give him grace to forsake evil companions: such whowillfullycontinueinsin,despisethemeansoftheircalling,jeeringatthesincerityofprofession inothers, and shaming theChristian religionby their ownprofane lives.Thesesitintheseatofthescorners(Psalm1:1.)ForassoonasGodadmitsasinnertobe one of his people, he bids him come out of Babylon (Rev 18:4.) Every lewdcompanyisaBabylon,outofwhich,leteverychildofGodeitherkeephimself;orifhebein,thinkthathehearshisFather'svoicesoundinginhisear,"ComeoutofBabylon,mychild."AssoonasChristlookedinmercyuponPeter,hewentoutofthecompanythatwasinthehighpriest'shall,andweptbitterlyforhisoffence(Luke22:62.)Davidvowing(uponrecovery)anewlife,said,"Awayfromme,allyouworkersofiniquity,"etc.(Psalm6:8),asifitwereimpossibletobecomeanewman,untilhehadshakenoffall old evil companions. The truest proof of a man's religion is the quality of hiscompanions.Profanecompanionsarethechiefenemiesofpiety,andquellersofholymotions.Manya time ispoorChrist (offeringtobenewborn inyou) thrust into the

stable, (Luke 2:7),when these lewd companions, by their drinking, plays, and jests,takeupallthebestroomsintheinnofyourheart.Oletnotthecompanyofearthlysinnershinderyoufromthesocietyofheavenlysaintsandangels!

VI.TheSixthHindranceofPiety.

A conceited fear, lest the practice of piety should make a man (especially a youngman) tobecometoosadandpensive:whereas, indeed,nonecanbetter joynorhavemorecausetorejoice,thanpiousChristians.ForassoonastheyarejustifiedbyfaiththeyhavepeacewithGod(Rom5:2),thanwhichtherecanbenogreaterjoy.Besides,theyhavealready thekingdomofgracedescended into theirhearts,asanassurancethat,inGod'sgoodtime,theyshallascendintohiskingdomofglory.

This kingdom of grace consists in three things—First, Righteousness (Rom14:17;)forhavingChrist'srighteousnesstojustifythembeforeGod,theyendeavortoliverighteouslybeforemen.Secondly,Peace;forthepeaceofconscienceinseparablyfollowsarighteouslife.Thirdly,ThejoyoftheHolySpirit;whichjoyisonlyfeltinthepeaceofagoodconscience:andissogreat,thatitpassesallunderstanding(Phil4:7.)Notonguecanexpressit,noheartcanconceiveit,butonlyhewhofeelsit.ThisisthatfullnessofjoywhichChristpromisedhisdisciplesinthemidstoftheirtroubles,ajoythatnomancouldtakefromthem(John16:22.)Thefeelingofthisjoy,David,uponhisrepentance,beggedsoearnestlyatthehandofGod—"Restoremetothejoyofyoursalvation." (Psalm 51:12.) And if the angels in heaven rejoice so much at theconversionofasinner,thejoyofasinnerconvertedmustneedsbeexceedinggreatinhisownheart (Luke15:7,10.) It isworldlysorrowthatsnowssoheavilyuponmen'sheads,andfillsthefurrowsoftheirheartswiththesorrowsofdeath(2Cor7:10.)

The godly sorrow of the godly (whenGod thinks it fit to try them) causes in themrepentancenottoberepentedof:foritdoesbutfurthertheirsalvation.Andinallsuchtribulation, they shall be sure to have the Holy Spirit to be their comforter (John14:16-17;)whowillmakeourconsolationstoaboundthroughChrist,asthesufferingsofChristshallaboundinus(2Cor1:5.)Butwhileamanlives inimpiety,hehasnopeace,saysIsaiah(Isa57:21.)Hislaughterisbutmadness,saysSolomon(Eccles2:9;)his richesarebut clay, saysHabakkuk (Hab2:6:)nay, theapostle esteems themnobetterthandungincomparisonofthepiousman'streasure(Phil3:8;Luke6:25;)allhis joys shall end inwoe, says Christ. Let not, therefore, this false fear hinder youfromthepracticeofpiety.BetteritistogosicklywithLazarustoheaven;thanfullofmirthandpleasure,withtherichmantohell.Betteritistomournforatimewithmen,thantobetormentedforeverwithdevils.

VII.TheSeventhHindranceofPiety.

Andlastly,thehopeoflonglife:For,wereitpossiblethatawickedliverthoughtthisyeartobehislastyear,thismonthhislastmonth,thisweekhislastweek—hewouldchange and amend his wicked life. He would use the bestmeans to repent, and tobecomeanewman.Butastherichmaninthegospelpromisedhimselfmanyyearstolive in ease,mirth, and fullness (Luke 12:19-20),whenhehadnot onenight to livelonger: somanywicked epicures falsely promise themselves the age ofmany years,when the thread of their life is already almost drawn out to an end. So Jeremiahascribes thecauseof theJews'sinsandcalamities to this, thatsherememberednotherlastend(Lam1:9.)

Thelongestspacebetweenaman'scomingbythewomb,andgoingbythegrave,isbutshort: for"manthat isbornofawomanhasbutashort timeto live," (Job14:1;)hehasbutafewdays,andthosefullofnothingbuttroubles.Andexceptthepracticeofpiety,howmuchbetteristhestateofthechildthatyesterdaywasborn,andtodayisburied,thanMethuselah's,wholivedninehundredsixty-nineyears,andthendied?Ofthetwo,happierthebabe,becausehehadlesssin,andfewersorrows.Andwhatnowremainsofboth,butabare remembrance?What trust shouldaman repose in longlife?seeingthewholelifeofmanisnothingbutalingeringdeath;sothat,astheapostleprotests,amandiesdaily.

Harken,Osecurefellow!yourlifeisbutapuffofbreathinyournostrils;trustnottoit(Isa2:22.)Yoursouldwellsinahouseofclay,thatwillfallbeforeitbelong;asmayappearby thedimnessof your eyes, thedeafnessof your ears, thewrinkles in yourcheeks, the rottennessof your teeth, theweaknessof your sinews, the trembling ofyourhands,thebrittlenessinyourbones,theshortnessofyoursleep,andeverygreyhair,assomanysummoners,bidyouprepareforyourlonghome.Come,letusinthemeanwhile walk to your father's coffin: break open the lid; see here, how that"corruptionisyourfather,andthewormyourmotherandsister."(Job17:14.)Seehowtheseare?somustyoubebeforelong.Fool!youknownothowsoon.Yourhourglassrunsoutrapidly,deathinthemeanwhilewaitsforyou.

Thewhole lifeofman,savewhat isspent inGod'sservice, isbut foolery: foramanlives forty yearsbeforeheknowshimself to be a fool; andby that timehe sees hisfolly,hislifeisfinished.

Hark,farmer,beforeyouseemanymorecropsofharvest,yourselfshallberipe,anddeath will cut you down with his sickle. Hark, tradesman, beforemanymonths goover,yourlastmonthwillcomeon;afterwhichyouwilltradenolonger.Hark,mostgrave judge,withina fewterms, the termofyour lifeapproaches,whereinyoushallceasetojudgeothers,andgoyourselftobejudged.Hark,OmanofGod,thatgotothepulpit,preach this sermon as itwere the last that you shouldmake to your people.Hark,nobleman,layasidethehighconceitofyourhonor:death,beforeitbelong,willlayyourhonorinthedust,andmakeyouascontemptibleastheearththatyoutread

underyourfeet.Hark,youthatnowreadthisbook,assureyourself,beforeitbelongtherewillbebuttwoholeswherenowyourtwoeyesareplaced;andothersshallreadthetruthofthislessonuponyourbareskull,whichnowyoureadinthislittlebook.HowsoonIknownot;butthisIamsureof,thatyourtimeisappointed,yourmonthsare determined; your days are numbered, and your very last hour is limited (Job14:5,14;Psalm90:12;Dan5:26;Dan11:8),beyondwhichyoushallnotpass.

Forthenthemessengerofdeath,mountedonhispalehorse(Rev6:8),shallalightatyour door; and, notwithstanding all yourwealth, your honor, and the tears of yourdearestfriends—willcarryyouaway,boundhandandfoot,ashisprisoner,andkeepyourbodyundera loadofearth,until thatdaycomeswhereinyoumustbebroughtforthtoreceiveaccordingtothethingswhichyouhavedoneinthatbody,whetheritbegoodorevil (2Cor5:10.)O letnot, then, the falsehopeofanuncertain long lifehinderyoufrombecomingapresentpracticerofpiety!Godoffersgracefortoday;butwhopromisestomorrow?(Psalm95:7;Heb3:7,13.)Therearenowinhellmanyyoungmen who had purposed to repent in their old age; but death cut them off in theirimpenitency,beforeever they couldattain to the time they set for their repentance.The longer aman runs in a disease, the harder it is to be cured: for custom of sinbreedshardnessofheart,andtheimpedimentswhichhinderyoufromrepentingnow,willhinderyoumorewhenyouaremoreaged.

Awisemanbeing to go a far anddifficult journey,will not lay the heaviest burdenupon the weakest horse. And with what conscience can you lay the great load ofrepentanceonyourfeebleandtiredoldage?whereasnowinyourchiefstrengthyoucannot lift it,butarereadytostaggerunderit.Is itwisdomforhimthat istosailalonganddangerousvoyage,tolieplayingandsleepingwhilethewindserves,andtheseaiscalm, theshipsound, thepilotwell,marinersstrong;andthenset forthwhenthewindsarecontrary,theweathertempestuous,thesearaging,theshiprotten, thepilot sick, and the sailors languishing? Therefore, O sinful soul, begin now yourconversion to God, while life, health, strength, and youth last: "before those yearsdrawnear,whenyoushallsay.Ihavenopleasureinthem."(Eccles12:1.)

God ever required in his service the firstborn, and the first fruits, and those to beofferedtohimwithoutdelay(Exod13:2;Exod22:29.)SojustAbelofferedtoGodhisfirstlingsand fattest lambs(Gen4:4;)andgoodreason that thebestLordshouldbefirst and best served. All God's servants should therefore remember to serve theirCreator in the days of their youth (Eccles 12:12), and early in the morning, likeAbraham,tosacrificeuntoGodtheyoungIsaacoftheiroldage(Gen22:3.)"Youshallnot seemy face," says Joseph to his brethren, "except you bring your brother withyou."(Gen43:3.)AndhowshallyoulookinthefaceofJesus,ifyougiveyouryoungeryearstothedevil,andbringhimnothingbutyourblind, lame,anddecrepitoldage?"Offerituntoyourprince,"saysMalachi.(Mal1:8.)Ifhewillnotacceptsuchaonetoservehim,howshallthePrinceofprincesadmitsuchaonetobehisservant?Ifthe

kingofBabelwouldhaveyoungmen(well-favored,andsuchashadabilityinthem)tostandinhispalace,shalltheKingofheavenhavenonetostandinhiscourtsbuttheblindandlame,suchasthesoulofDavidhated?(Dan1:4;2Sam5:8.)

Doyouthink,whenyouhaveservedSatanwithyourprimeyears,tosatisfyGodwithyoursenility?TakeheedlestGodturnyouovertoyouroldmasteragain;thatasyouhaveallthedaysofyourlifedonehiswork,sohemayintheendpayyouyourwages.Isthattimefittoundertake,bytheseriousexercisesofrepentance(whichistheworkof works), to turn your sinful soul to God, when you are not able with all yourstrength to turnyourwearybonesonyour softbed? If you find it sohardamatternow, you shall find it farharder then.For your sinwillwax stronger, your strengthwill grow weaker, your conscience will clog you, pain will distract you, the fear ofdeathwillamazeyou,andthevisitationoffriendswillsodisturbyou—thatifyoubenotfurnishedaforehandwithstoreoffaith,patience,andconsolation,youshallnetbeable either tomeditate yourself, or tohear thewordof comfort fromothers;nor toprayalone,nortojoinwithotherswhoprayforyou.Itmaybeyoushallbetakenwitha deadly senselessness, that you shall neither rememberGod, nor think upon yourown state: and do you notwell deserve thatGod should forget to save you in yourdeath, who are so unmindful now to serve him in your life? The fear of deathwilldrivemanyat that time to cry,Lord,Lord!butChristprotests thathewillnot thenknow them for his (Matt 7:22.) Yes,many shall then, like Esau, with tears seek torepent,andyetthenfindnoplaceofrepentance(Heb12:17.)Formanhasnotfreewilltorepentwhenhewill—butonlywhenGodwillgivehimgrace.

Andifmercyshowedherselfso inexorable, thatshewouldnotopenhergatestosotendersuitorsasvirgins,tosoearnestsuitorsasknockers,becausetheyknockedtoolate(Matt25:11)—doyouthinkthatshewilleverallowyoutoenterhergates,beingsoimpureawretchthatneverthinktoleavesinuntilsinfirstleavesyou,anddidneveryetknockwithyourownfistsuponthebreastsofapenitentheart?

And justly does gracedeny to open the gates of heaven, when you knock in youradversity,whoinyourprosperitywouldnotallowChrist,whileheknocked,toenterinatthedoorofyourheart(Rev3:20.)—Trustnoteitherlaterepentanceorlonglife.Notlaterepentance;becauseitismuchtobefearedlesttherepentancewhichthefearofdeathenforces,dieswithamandying;andthehypocrite,whodeceivedothersinhislife,maydeceivehimselfinhisdeath.Godacceptsnonebutfreewillofferings,andtherepentance thatpleaseshimmustbevoluntary, andnotof constraint.Not long life,for old age will fall upon the neck of youth: andas nothing ismore sure thandeath,sonothingismoreuncertainthanthetimeofdying.Yes,oftenwhenripenessofsinishastenedbyoutrageousnessofsinning,Godsuddenlycutsoffsuchwicked livers,eitherwith the sword, intemperateness, luxury, surfeit,or someotherfearfulmannerofsickness.Mayyounotseethatitistheevilspiritthatpersuadesyouto defer your repentance until old age,when experience tells you that not one of a

thousandthattakesyourcourseeverattainstoit?LetGod'sHolySpiritmoveyounottogiveyourselfanylongertoeatanddrinkwiththedrunken,lestyourMastersendsdeath for you in adaywhenyou looknot for him, and in anhour that you arenotaware of, and so suddenly cut you off, and appoint you your portion with thehypocrites,whereshallbeweepingandgnashingofteeth(Matt27:49-51.)

Butifyoulovelonglife,fearGod,andlongforlifeeverlasting(Deut30:16;Prov3:2;Psalm34:11,etc.)Thelongestlifehere,whenitcomestotheend,willappeartohavebeenbutasatalethatistold,avanishingvapor,aflittingshadow,aseemingdream,agloriousflower,growingandflourishinginthemorning,butintheeveningcutdownandwithered(Psalm90:9;James4:14;Psalm109:23;Psalm76:5;Psalm90:5-6;1Pet1:24;) or like aweaver's shuttle,which, bywinding here and there swiftly, unwindsitself to an end (Isa 38:12.) It is but a moment, says Paul (2 Cor 4:17.) O themadnessofman,thatforamomentofsinfulpleasurewillhazardthelossofaneternalweightofglory!(Heb10:25;2Cor4:17.)

These are the seven chief hinderers of piety, which must be cast out, like MaryMagdalene'ssevendevils,beforeeveryoucanbecomeatruepracticerofpiety,orhaveanysoundhopetoenjoyeitherfavorfromChristbygrace,orfellowshipwithhiminglory(Mark16:9;Luke8:2.)

TheConclusion.

Toconcludeall.ForasmuchasyouseethatwithoutChristyouarebutaslaveofsin,death'svassal,andthefoodofworms,whosethoughtsarevain—whosedeedsarevile—whosepleasureshavescarcelyabeginning—whosemiseriesneverknowend:whatwise man would incur these hellish torments, though he might, by living in sin,purchase to himself for a time the empire of Augustus, the riches of Croesus, thepleasuresofSolomon,thepolicyofAhithophel,thevoluptuousfareandfineappareloftherichman?Forwhatshoulditavailaman,asourSaviorsays,towinthewholeworldforatime,andthentolosehissoulinhellforever?

AndseeingthatlikewiseyouseehowgreatisyourhappinessinChrist,andhowvainare the hindrances that debar you from it; beware, as the apostle exhorts, of thedeceitfulnessofsin(Heb3:13;)forthatsin,whichseemsnowtobesopleasingto your corrupt nature, will one day prove the bitterest enemy to yourdistressedsoul,andinthemeanwhileharden,unawares,yourimpenitentheart.

Sin,asaserpent,seemsbeautifultotheeye,buttakeheedofthestingbehind,whosevenomouseffects,ifyouknew,youwouldascarefullyflyfromsinasfromaserpent.For,

1. Sin did never anyman good: and themore sin aman has committed, themoreodioushehasmadehimselftoGod,themorehatefultoallgodlymen.

2.Sinbroughtuponyoualltheevil,crosses, losses,disgraces,andsicknesses,whicheverbefellyou:"Fools;"saysDavid,"byreasonoftheirtransgressions,andbecauseoftheir iniquities, areafflicted." (Psalm107:17.) Jeremiah ina lamentingmannerasksthequestion,"Whyisthelivingmansorrowful?"(Lam3:20.)TheHolySpiritanswershim, "Man suffers for his sin." Hereupon the prophet takes up that doleful outcryagainst sin, as the cause of all theirmiseries, "Woenowunto us that everwe havesinned!"(Lam5:16.)

3. If you do not speedily repent you of your sins, they will bring upon you yet fargreaterplagues,losses,crosses,shame,andjudgments,thanhithertoeverbefellyou.(ReadLev26:18,etc.;Deut28:15,etc.)

4.Andlastly,Ifyouwillnotcastoffyoursin;God,whenthemeasureofyouriniquityisfull,willcastyouoffforyoursin(Gen15:6;)forasheisjust,sohehaspowertokillandcastintohellallhardenedandimpenitentsinners.If,therefore,youwillavoidthecursedeffectsofsininthislife,andtheeternalwrathduetoitintheworldtocome,andbeassuredthatyouarenotoneofthosewhoaregivenovertoareprobatemind;let then, O sinner, my counsel be acceptable unto you! break off your sins byrighteousness.O let thereat lengthbeanhealingof your error! (Dan4:27.)Nathanusedbutoneparable,andDavidwasconverted(Sam12:13;)JonahpreachedbutoncetoNineveh,andthewholecityrepented(Jonah3:5,etc.;)Christ lookedbutonceonPeter,andhewentoutandweptbitterly(Luke22:62.)Andnowthatyouareoftandsolovinglyentreated,notbyaprophet,butbyChristtheLordofprophets;yes,thatGodhimself,byhisambassadors,begsyoutobereconciledtohim(2Cor5:20),leaveoffyour adulterywithDavid; repent of your sins like a trueNinevite; andwhile Christlooks inmercyuponyou, leaveyourwickedcompanions,andweepbitterly foryouroffences.

Contentnotyourselfwiththatformalreligionwhichunregeneratemenhaveframedtothemselves,insteadofsinceredevotion;forinthemultitudeofopinions,mostmenhave almost lost the practice of true religion. Think not that you are good enough,becauseyoudoasthemost,andarenotsobadastheworst.Nomanissowickedthathe isaddicted toallkindofvices, for there isanantipathybetweensomevices;butrememberthatChristsays,"ExceptyourrighteousnessshallexceedtherighteousnessofthescribesandPharisees,youshallinnocaseenterintothekingdomofheaven."(Matt 5:20.) Consider with yourself how far you come short of the Pharisees, infasting,praying,frequentingthechurch,andgivingofalms:thinkwithyourselfhowmanypaganswhoneverknewbaptism,yetinmoralvirtuesandhonestyoflife,dogofar beyond you—where is then the life of Christ yourmaster? and how far are youfrombeingatrueChristian?

If youdowillingly yield to live in any one gross sin, you cannot have a regeneratesoul,thoughyoureformyourself,likeHerod,frommanyothervices.AtrueChristianmusthaverespecttowalk,inthetruthofhisheart,inallthecommandmentsofGodalike (Mark6:20:) "For," says James, "hewho shall offend in one point of the law"(willfully)"isguiltyofall." (James2:10.)AndPeterbidsus layaside,not some,but"allmalice,guile,andhypocrisies,"etc.(1Pet2:1.)Onesinisenoughtodamnaman'ssoul,withoutrepentance.DreamnottogotoheavenbyanyneareroreasierwaythanChristhastraineduntousinhisword:thewaytoheavenisnoteasyorcommon,butstraightandnarrow(Matt7:14;)yes,sonarrow, thatChristprotests thatarichmanshallhardlyenterintothekingdomofheaven(Matt19:23),andthatthosethatenterarebutafew(Matt7:14;Matt22:14),andthatthosefewcannotgetinbutbystriving(Luke13:24),andthatsomeofthosewhostrivetoenterinshallnotbeable.ThisallGod'ssaints,whiletheylivedhere,knewwell;whenwithsooftenfastings,soearnestprayers, so frequenthearing theword, and receiving the sacraments, andwith suchabundanceoftearstheydevoutlybeggedatthehandsofGod,forChrist'ssake,tobereceivedintohiskingdom.

Ifyouwillnotbelievethistruth,Iassureyouthatthedevil,whopersuadesyounowthatitiseasytoattainheaven,willtellyouhereafterthatitisthehardestbusinessintheworld.If,therefore,youaredesiroustopurchasesoundassuranceofsalvationtoyoursoul,andtogotherightandsafewaytoheaven,getforthwith,likeawisevirgin(Matt25:1), the oil of piety in the lampof your conversation, that youmay be in acontinual readiness to meet the bridegroom, whether he comes by death or byjudgment.

HowtoBegintheMorningwithPiousMeditationsandPrayer

Assoonaseveryouawakeinthemorning,keepthedoorofyourheartfastshut,thatno earthly thoughtmay enter, beforeGod comes in; and let him, before all others,havethefirstplacethere.Soallevilthoughtseitherwillnotdaretocomein,orshalltheeasierbekeptout;andtheheartwillmoresavorofpietyandgodlinessallthedayafter.But if yourheart benot, at your firstwaking, filledwith somemeditations ofGodandhisword,anddressed,likethelampinthetabernacle(Exod27:20-21),everymorningandevening,withtheoil-oliveofGod'sword,andperfumedwith thesweetincense of prayer (Exod 30:6-7), Satan will attempt to fill it with worldly cares orfleshly desires, so that it will grow unfit for the service of God all the day after,sending forth nothing but the stench of corrupt and lying words, and of rash andblasphemousthoughts.

Begin, therefore, everyday'sworkwithGod'sword andprayer; andoffer up toGoduponthealtarofacontriteheart,thegroansofyourspirit,andthecalvesofyourlips,asyourmorningsacrifice,andthefirstfruitsoftheday(Psalm51:17;Rom8:22;Hos13:2;Psalm130:6;)andassoonasyouawakesaytohimthus:

Mysoulwaitsonyou,OLord,more thanwatchmenwatch for themorning!OGod,thereforebemercifuluntome,andblessme,andcauseyourfacetoshineuponme!Fillmewithyourmercythismorning,soshallIrejoiceandbegladallmydays.

MeditationsfortheMorning.

1.TheAlmightyGodcan, intheresurrection,aseasilyraiseupyourbodyoutof thegrave,fromthesleepofdeath,ashehasthismorningwakenedyouinyourbed,outofthesleepofnature.Atthedawningofwhichresurrectionday,Christshallcometobeglorifiedinhissaints;andeveryoneofthebodiesofthethousandsofhissaints,beingfashionedlikeuntohisgloriousbody,shallshineasbrightas thesun(2Thess1:10;Jude14;Phil3:21;Luke9:31;)alltheangelsshininglikewiseintheirglory;thebodyofChrist surpassing themall insplendorandglory;and theGodheadexcelling it. Ifthe risingofonesunmakes themorningsky soglorious,whatabright shiningandglorious morning will that be, when so many thousand thousands of bodies, farbrighterthanthesun,shallappearandaccompanyChristashisglorioustrain,comingtokeephisgeneralsessionof righteousness,andto judge thewickedangels,andallungodly men (Acts 17:31; 1 Cor 6:3; Jude 15;) and let not any transitory profit,pleasure, or vain glory of this day, cause you to lose your part and portion of theeternal bliss andglory of thatday,which is properly termed the resurrection of thejust(Luke14:14.)Beastshavebodilyeyestoseetheordinarylightoftheday:butyouendeavorwiththeeyesoffaith,toforeseethegloriouslightofthatday.

2. You know not how near, the evil spirit which night and day, like a roaring lion,walks about seeking to devour you (1 Pet 5:8; Job 1:7) was to you while you wereasleepandnotabletohelpyourself;andyouknownotwhatmischiefhewouldhavedonetoyou,hadnotGodhedgedyouandyourwithhisever-wakingProvidence,andguardedyouwithhisholyandblessedangels(Job1:10;Psalm121:4;Psalm34:7;Gen32:1-2;2Kings6:16.)

3.Ifyouhearthecockcrow,rememberPeter,toimitatehim(Luke22:61-62;)andcalltomindthatcock-crowingsoundofthelasttrumpet,whichshallwakenyoufromthedead.Andconsiderinwhatcaseyouwere,ifitsoundednow,andbecomesuchasyouwouldthenwishtobe;lestatthatdayyoushouldwishthatyouhadneverseenthis;yes,curse thedayofyournaturalbirth, for lackofbeingnewbornbyspiritualgrace(Jer20:14;Job3:1;Titus3:5.)Whenthecockcrowsthethiefdespairsofhishope,andgivesoverhisnight'senterprise:sothedevilceasestotempt,orattemptanyfurther,whenhehearsthedevoutsoulwakeningherselfwithmorningprayer.

4. Remember that Almighty God is about your bed, and sees your down-lying, andyour uprising; understands your thoughts, and is acquainted with all your ways(Psalm139:2-3.)Remember likewise thathisholyangels,whoguardedandwatchedoveryouallnight,doesalsobeholdhowyouwakeandrise(Gen31:55;Gen32:1-2.)Doallthings,therefore,asinthesolemnpresenceofGod,andinthesightofhisholyangels(Psalm91:5,11;Acts12:11.)

5. As you are putting on your apparel, remember that they were first given ascoveringsofshame,beingtheeffectsofsin;andthattheyaremadebutoftheoffalsofdeadbeasts.Therefore,whetheryourespecttheclothes,youhavesolittlecausetobeproudof them, thatyouhavegreatcause tobehumbledat thesightandwearingofthem,seeingtherichestapparelarebutfinecoversofshame.Meditaterather,thatasyourapparel serves to cover your shame, and to fence your body from cold, so youshould be as careful to cover your soul with that wedding garment which is therighteousnessofChrist(becauseapprehendedbyourfaith),calledtherighteousnessof thesaints (Matt22:11;Rom13:14; 1Cor1:30;Phil3:9;Rev 19:8;Eph4:24;) lest,whilewearerichlyappareledinthesightofmen,webenotfoundtowalknaked(sothat all our filthiness be seen) in the sight of God (Rev 16:15.) But that with hisrighteousness, as with a robe, we may cover ourselves from perpetual shame; andshieldoursoulsfromthatfierycoldthatwillprocureeternalweeping,andgnashingofteeth(Matt22:13.)Andwithalconsiderhowblessedapeoplewereournation,ifeverysilkensuitdidcoverasanctifiedsoul.Andyetamanwouldthink,thatonwhomGodbestowedmostoftheseoutwardblessings,ofthemheshouldreceivegreatestinwardthanks(Luke12:48.)Butifitprovesotherwise,theirreckoningwillprovetheheavierinthedayoftheiraccounts.

6.ConsiderhowGod'smercyisreneweduntoyoueverymorning,ingivingyou,asitwere, anew life (Lam3:23;Psalm19:5), and in causing the sun, afterhis incessantrace,toriseagaintogiveyoulight.Letnot,then,thisgloriouslightburninvain;butprecederather(asoftasyoucan)thesunrisingtogiveGodthanks(Luke12:48;)andkneelingdownatyourbedside,salutehimatthedayspringwithsomedevoutmorningsoliloquy:containingahumbleconfessionofyoursins,seekingthepardonofallyourfaults,a thanksgiving forallhisbenefits,andacravingofhis graciousprotection tohischurch,yourself,andallthatbelongtoyou.

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ThePracticeofPietybyLewisBayly,Copyright©2017

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