IN that Prophecy of our Blessed Saviour, recorded by the Evangelist, Luke 17.34, 36. concerning some black and terrible Day, which some understand of the approaching ruin of the Jewish State, and others apply to the dis­solution of the World; among other things we are told, That two Men shall be in the same field; two Persons in one and the same bed, the one shall be taken, the other shall be left. Somewhat like this the Sovereign discriminating Providence of God hath lately done among you. Not long since Two Persons were working in this part of God's Field: A few days ago there were Two that were wont to stand in the same Pulpit; the unprofitable Servant in­deed is left, but Alas! the very Valuable one is taken. The first remarkable stroke that was given him, was in this very Place, and in the midst of his Work; and the change that it made in his Countenance, and thereupon in many of yours, you cannot but remember. Death pur­sued the Blow that made the strong and fruitful Tree to shake, till at last it fell to the Ground. And now, if like the Sons of the Prophets we should seek our Elijah, it would be in vain; for he is Ascended. 'Tis to no purpose to enquire for him at his own home, for he is [Page 2]absent from his Family. 'Tis a vain thing to search the houses of any of his People for him, for he is absent from his Flock. It would be lost labour to seek him any where here below, for he is absent from the Body too, and present with the Lord. Our time and pains will be far bet­ter employed in seeking after some portion of the same Spirit that rested on him, that so we who have so lately followed him to his Grave, and must ere long do so in another sense, may follow him to Heaven too. For the hour of our decease will come; whether we are willing or no, we also must ere long be absent from the Body; and I wish our being present with the Lord, were but as sure as that is. For could we but say upon good grounds with our A postle and his Brethren, that we are confident of this; we should not stop there, but be able to go on to the end of the Text, and add, we are willing rather to be absent from the one, and present with the other.

In which words you have these three Parts.

1. One of the true Notions of Death. 'Tis a being absent from the Body.

2. What immediately follows upon it to a holy Soul. He shall thereupon be in Heaven; which the Apostle de­scribes by one of the greatest Privileges of it, being pre­sent with the Lord. 'Tis the Lord Jesus Christ he here means. For of him is this word Lord used in the New Testament, as peculiarly belonging to him. And in other parallel places the Apostle describes the happiness of Hea­ven by our being with Christ, Phil. 1.23. 1 Thess. 4.17. and being for ever with the Lord; where the Context plainly shews, that Christ is meant; for 'tis that Lord that shall descend from Heaven with a shout, and whom they that remain alive to that day shall be caught up to meet in the Air. And so our Saviour himself was wont to describe Heaven. Where I [Page 3]am, there shall my servant be also. And, John 12.26. Chap. 14.3. I will receive you to my self, that where I am, there ye may be also.

3. The frame of his Spirit, and of other holy Men like him, in reference to Death on this account. We are con­fident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and be present with the Lord.

I say; These words are not in the Original, but are well put in by our Translators. The Apostle had said this be­fore, v. 6. And after the interposition of a short Paren­thesis, v. 7. For we walk by faith, and not by sight, he here repeats it, lest any should suspect that these great words had hastily dropp'd from him. He intimates hereby that he had well-weigh'd the Point, and that this was indeed the settled temper of his Soul.

We are confident; i. e. we are well assured of Heaven; or, we are full of holy Courage to venture on all dangers that lye in the way of our Duty, and are able to look even Death it self in the face, without the least degree of fear.

We are willing. We do acquiesce in and approve of, [...]. as the word signifies. We are willing rather. We have a natu­ral Inclination to continue in this Body; but yet this is over-ruled by Reason and Grace to that degree, that of the two we like this better, to lay down these our Earthly Tabernacles, as knowing the advantage we shall receive thereupon by being immediately introduced into the blessed Presence of Christ above.

From the words thus open'd, many Doctrines might be raised; but I shall confine my self to these two.

I. 'Tis a most desirable thing to a holy Soul to be present with Christ in Heaven.

II. 'Tis possible for a holy Person to be willing to dye, rather than live any longer, that he may be with him there.

I. 'Tis a most desirable thing to a holy Soul to be present with Christ in Heaven.

In speaking to this Point, I shall shew you on what accounts it is so. Only I must premise, That my Text confines me to treat of our being with him only in that intermediate space of time between the hour of a Christi­an's Death, and the Day of the Resurrection; being pre­sent with him while we are absent from the Body. For tho indeed we shall be with him to all Eternity, yet we shall behold him in other kind of Circumstances as to some par­ticulars; when the end of all things is come, his intercession is over, 1 Cor. 15.24, &c. and the Kingdom shall be delivered up to the Father, and the Son himself shall be subject to him, that God may be all in all. I am therefore to discourse of the presence of holy Souls with Christ above to the end of the World. And how very desirable that is to them, will appear by a threefold consideration.

1. Of the Person they shall then be present with.

2. The State he is in, and what shall be manifested concerning him there.

3. The Circumstances which they themselves shall then be in.

1. The Person they shall then be present with; our Lord Jesus Christ. For consider how glorious he is in him­self, how exceeding gracious he hath been to them, and how great a one in their thoughts. He is the King of kings, and the Lord of lords, the first and the last, the brightness of his Father's Glory, and the express image of his Person, by and for whom all things were created; and who upholds all things by the word of his Power. Their Prophet, Priest and King; their Sacrifice, Recon­ciler and Advocate; their Peace and Hope; their Life [Page 5]and Head; their way to the Father, the Saviour, the Shep­herd and Bishop of their Souls; made to them of God, Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification and Redemption. Without whom they could do nothing, through whose strengthning of them they could do all things. From whom they have received all habitual, and all supplies of actual Grace, and Peace, and Comfort in every time of need: Through whom their Sins are pardoned, their Tempta­tions conquer'd, their Fears scatter'd, their Sorrows re­mov'd, their Souls quickned, their Trials sanctified, and who in all their wandrings through the howling Wilder­ness hath been a Pillar of Cloud to defend them from the scorching heat of the Day, and of Fire to guide them through the darkness of the Night. The blessed Jesus on whom they have believed, having committed their Souls to him, and laid the whole weight and stress of their Salvation upon him; whom they love more than their nearest Re­lations, or their own Lives; in whom they rejoice, having no confidence in the Flesh; whom they have served, to whom they have lived; Fellowship and Communion with whom they have breathed after, and a little taste whereof hath been sweeter to them than Wine; who is precious to their Souls, the chiefest of ten thousands, fairer than all the Children of Men, whose very name hath carried with it the savour of Life. What would not a disconsolate Widow give to enjoy again the sweet converse of a Husband that was the delight of her Eyes! And a mournful People to see and hear again their dear and justly-beloved Pastor! Oh what ravishing transports will be in the Faithful, when they shall be introduced into the presence of that Jesus who stood in the same Relations, and filled them up far better than any meer Creature was ever capable of; especially con­sidering they shall see him not in a low condition, but in such circumstances as they desire to behold him in. Which leads to,

2. The state that Christ is in above, and the manifesta­tions of him there. He is there without that Veil, and those Eclipses which were here caused by his sinless Infir­mities in the Days of his flesh. For consider,

1. The glory of his humane Nature above. That Body of his which endured Hunger, Thirst, and Weariness, was Spit on, Buffeted, Scourged, and Broken for them, lifted up on the Cross, and cast into the Grave, is now made Immortal and Spiritual; and differs as much from what it once was, as a Diamond when it is rough, and after it hath past through the Hands of the skilful Artist, setting off its native Beauty and Lustre to the greatest advan­tage. It now out shines the Sun in his Meridian bright­ness: For so shall the Bodies of his Saints do at the last Day, which yet must be much inferior to his, he being the Exemplar and Patern to which theirs shall be conform'd, but yet fall far short of it, that in all things he may have the pre-eminence. All the Members, Senses, and Faculties of it are every way suited to all the purposes and pleasures of his Holy Soul: And all the Powers of that Soul of his exquisitely fitted for that noble Work and high Honour to which his Father hath advanced him; and invigorated by the constant and unlimited influences of the indwelling Deity pouring it self into, and in a most ineffable manner discovering its own glorious Excellencies through the Man Christ Jesus, to the everlasting Admiration of all the In­habitants of Heaven.

2. The manifestation of his Deity, Ʋnity with the Father, and mystical union with his Brethren. His God-head lay hid and obscured for a season when he emptied himself, making himself of no Reputation, taking on him the form of a Servant, and enduring the punishment of a Slave. The speedy discovery of it therefore he prays for when he was going out of the World; at least this is one thing [Page 7]intended in those words, And now, O Father, John 17.5. glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee be­fore the World was. For this glory he had with the Father from all Eternity, to be with him in the form of God. And 'tis as if he had said, this hath now been hid by the poverty of my life for many Years, and will further be so by my speedy suffering so shameful a Death. But O Father, make it fully known that I am not what the most have hitherto judged me to be, a meer Man, but truly and really God, even the same God with thy self.

And he himself told his Disciples, John 14.20. In that day ye shall know that I am in the Father; and you in me, and I in you. Some understand it of the day of his Resurrection; others, of the time when the Holy Ghost was poured forth. But how small a portion of these deep Mysteries did they then know, in comparison of what they in Heaven understand, where Knowledge is perfect? The better understanding of them is reserved for us as one of the Priviledges of the State a­bove: And it were well Men were willing to wait for it till they come thither, and would forbear reaching after this Fruit which hangs too high for them in their present State, till they strain themselves, and it may be tumble into the Ditch. These great things of God partly through the craft of Satan and his Instruments, and partly through the darkness and unbelief of their own Spirits, the best are sometimes apt to stagger at; but yet because they are laid down in the Scriptures, they humbly adore and receive with the Obedience of Faith. It cannot but shed a migh­ty pleasure throughout the Souls of the Blessed, when they shall see them displayed in such an illustrious manner be­fore them, as never more to have an uneasy thought, like a Thorn in their Minds, about them.

3. His glorious work of Redemption shall then be much better understood. The breadth and length, the depth [Page 8]and height of the love of Christ, and the glory of Divine Wisdom, Power, Holiness, Justice, Goodness, Mercy and Grace manifested herein, is that which they are daily study­ing of; their Souls do live upon, and are refreshed by. These things we see now through a glass darkly. 1 Cor. 13.12. Ver. 9. What things doth the Apostle mean? The fame things that they did prophecy about; viz. Christ and him crucified. We see these now as a Man doth those objects that are at a great distance through a Perspective-glass, which he hath but a small glimpse of. [...]. They are obscure in a great measure to us, as Truths wrapt up in a Riddle: But then we shall know them face to face, have such a knowledge of them as two persons have of one another that steadily view each others faces: Now we know but in part, but then shall we know even as also we are known.

4. The views they shall have of his Intercession for all Saints. Heb. 5.5. This is a part of that Honour and Office to which the Father hath called, and thereby glorified him. To per­ceive how near an access he hath to God, being now within the Veil, how high his designs are, how powerful his claims, how acceptable his suit, how great an interest he hath in him, how faithfully he doth improve it in the behalf of his and their Brethren, how fervently he doth plead their cause, recommend their persons and services, procure their re­newed pardon and continual supplies of Grace and Strength for the carrying them through the same or the like temp­tations, doubts, distresses and dangers, wherewith they themselves had been exercised here below; and how effectual­ly he takes care of their eternal Salvation. The beholding all this cannot but be highly grateful and pleasing to those Holy departed Souls, that have so high a concern for the glory of God, and the welfare of their Brethren that are left behind them, exposed to so many storms which them­selves have so happily escaped. Especially considering this [Page 9]further, that the tenderness of Christ towards their Bre­thren which they there behold, cannot but create in them a quick and lively Sense of the incomparable Kindness and Compassion which he formerly shewed to themselves when in the same straits. In what he doth for them, as in a Glass, they see how near they lay to his Heart, and in what a manner he appeared in the presence of God for them.

5. That universal Kingly Power that he is instated in. This is a part of that Glory that Christ means in that Peti­tion of his, that runs in a very peculiar strain: Father I will, John 17.24. that they also whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me, for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the World. The in­sisting upon his most endearing Relation to him, Father; the manner of expression, I will; and the enforcing it with the consideration of the everlasting Love that he bare to him, shew how much the Heart of Christ was set upon this matter. The views of Christ, as lifted up on the Cross, have been unspeakably refreshing to them here below; How much more will the views of him be so upon the Throne above, Eph. 1.21, 22. where he is exalted far above all principality and power, and might and dominion, and every name that is named not only in this world, but in that which is to come, all things being put under his feet? It cannot but be so, con­sidering how fit and reasonable a constitution this is, how honourable to him, that 'tis his reward for what he en­dured on their account, and that of the rest of their Bre­thren; that he is now in a condition to vindicate his own Honour against all those whom they formerly saw to the great grief of their Souls reproaching, despising, hating and opposing of him; that he is able to save his whole Church, and fulfil all the promises made unto her. He is in such Circumstances that he can give Eternal life to all that John 17.3. [Page 10]the Father gave him, for he hath a power over all Flesh given him to that end. Eph. 1.22, 23. And he is head over all things unto his Church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

6. His entire Faithfulness and Devotedness to his Fa­ther. How amiable a sight is an eminent Saint on Earth, on whom the Divine Image is stamp'd, the whole tenor of whose life shews the sincerity of his aims for God, and the purity of his affections to him? Such a one is a very valuable thing, like a small but exact Medal of a great King; and 'tis Pity there should be the same reason to en­hance the worth of the one as of the other, the great scar­city of them. And yet there's no such person to be found on Earth but hath his Blemishes, and sometimes takes a wrong Step or two; as the most exact compass in some places hath its Variations. What then will it be to be­hold our Lord Jesus, the brightest and most perfect Ex­emplar of Fidelity to, and Zeal for his Father's Interest and Honour! For he not only leads a life of Glory above, but a life of Service too: Rom. 6.10. In that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Both as Priest and King he faithfully manageth all things with due Respects to his Father's Will and Glory, and goes on continually beating down every person and thing that exalt themselves against him, till all being brought into an entire subjection to him, the Kingdom be resign'd up into his Father's Hands.

7. The excellent State of all that are present with him, Angels and departed Saints. For in the same Firmament where the Sun is, these Stars are fixed and shine with a distinct Glory. His Government is acceptable, and all his Subjects easy and orderly; noble and holy, numerous and inexpressibly happy. The place where they are, as St. Peter styles it, 2 Pet. 1.17. The most excellent Glory. Who can tell what noble Creatures the good Angels are, or how many [Page 11]Myriads of them there be? Or give us a clear Comment on St. Paul's words, where he makes a distinction between principalities and powers, and thrones and dominions? Colos. 1.16. Whi­ther some of them are subordinated to others is not so clear. But sure we are they are all subjected to Christ, and there is not the least shadow of Confusion or Disorder among them: The Spirits of just Men there are perfect, and their number daily encreasing: None there hath so much as a Thorn in his Foot, a Cloud on his Face, a Tear in his Eye, or a Spot on his Soul. There's neither Pride nor Envy, Jealousy nor Strife, Weakness or Folly, to render them uneasy to themselves or each other; they are like flaming Tapers in a Branch of burnished Gold, which so mingle their several Lights, that at a distance they seem to be but one, though indeed they are many. They live in glorious Light, entire Love, and perfect Harmony, and such a fulness of Joy, that there is no room for any Sor­row to creep in among them. Now if the Queen of Sheba, when she saw the Glory and Wisdom of Solomon, the Stateliness and Magnificence of his Buildings, and the Riches, Beauty, and Order of his Court, was wrapt up into such an Admiration of him, and said, 1 King 10.7, 8. Happy are these thy servants which stand continually before thee: Who can imagine the Extasies of a holy Soul when brought into the presence of Christ, the Glory of whose Court and Govern­ment doth more exceed his, than the place where Christ is is higher than that Throne on which Solomon sate.

8. The universal Adoration given to Christ by all the Host of Heaven. They all say, with a loud voice, Rev. 5.12, 13. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and riches, and wis­dom, and strength, and honour and glory, and blessing. And they actually give him what they acknowledge him to be so worthy of; for they add blessing, and honour, and glory, and power be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto [Page 12]the Lamb for ever and ever. O the pleasant melodious found of this Song (sung by so many sweet Voices in the heavenly Choir) to a holy Soul that sees so much of Excel­lency and Glory in Christ, and is so sensible of the straitness of his own narrow Spirit, that he unfeignedly wishes that wherever there is a Heart, he had a Throne, and is daily grieved here below to behold him so despised and rejected of Men, that know neither him nor their own Mercies!

So much for that second Consideration. The State that Christ is in, and what shall be manifested concerning him above. To this I must add,

3. The Circumstances which holy Men themselves shall be in when present with him.

And here consider 1. what lies in the Text, viz. The be­ing absent from the body, i. e. the present one. Not that it can be the happiness of a Soul to be eternally unclothed of any body at all, and commence a purely naked Spirit; nor the matter of a regular desire. Departed Spirits retain an inclination to their old Collegue, and the being reunited to it when 'tis so much improved, as it shall be at the last day, will be an additional bliss to what they now enjoy. But yet a removal from this Body as now it is, where the bright Sword is so much impaired by the rusty Sheath wherein 'tis lodged, may justly be esteemed no small ad­vantage. For what vile things are these Bodies of ours at present? 'Tis an humbling description given of us while we are in this World, Job 4.19. Ch. 17.14. that we dwell in houses of clay whose foundation is in the dust: that corruption is our father, and the worm our mother and our sister; and these unnatural Parents will ere long devour their Children. How many inconve­niences and evils are we subject to while we are lodged in these sorry Tenements? Sleep, which is the rest of our [Page 13]Nature, is the Image of Death, and interrupts our most noble Thoughts and Designs. 'Tis to life, like long and frequently returning Parentheses in an Author, that suspend his sense, and mar the beauty of his Stile. The several Creatures that we live upon, revenge themselves upon us; for much of our precious time is eaten up while we feed up­on them. And he that never found any ones Table to be a snare to him, is a perfect Man indeed. Recreations, tho in­nocent and necessary, are a great Diversion from the main business of Life, and hinder the Rational and Divine Ex­ercise and Improvement of the Faculties of our Souls. How doth the providing Accommodations for these Bo­dies of ours engross our Thoughts, take off the edge and vigour of our Affections from heavenly things, steal away our hearts from God, and the one thing necessary, and fill us with pale Fears and perplexing Cares, so that we neglect our Duty, or perform it with abundance of coldness, and a world of distraction? How much guilt do we contract? How many follies are we betrayed into out of an inordinate love of bodily Pleasure, and a sinful fear of bodily Pains?

How many Sins are Men strongly inclined to by their Constitution and Complection? We need to make but one visit to a melancholy Person, and we shall presently see what a fatal Enemy Bodily-Temper is to a Life of Grace and Peace? How often doth Sin enter in at our Ears, and our Eyes? The Christian hath far more reason to com­plain of being deceived by his Senses, than the Philosopher hath? How frequently do bodily Passions darken our Minds, and cloud our Judgments, and involve us in Practi­cal as well as Speculative Errors? And the weakness and disorders of the Flesh cramp the forward motions of a wil­ling Spirit?

What a multitude of tormenting Diseases are they subject to, which shatter our Understandings, and bow [Page 14]down our Spirits to a continual Meditation on our Misery; are an Obstruction to the present performance of Duty, as well as a Chastisment for our former neglects; and ex­pose us to strong Temptations to impatience and fretting against Gods, jealousies and hard thoughts of him. How many cruel methods of Cure are we forced to submit to? How many Potions do we sometimes swallow down, which are so very nauseous, that they would make a man Sick, if they did not find him so? And when the Tem­pest is over, how much time and pains doth it cost us to stop the Leaks, and piece up the ruins of the poor wea­ther beaten Vessel? All which too is but the rigging it out for a new Storm that will arise again in a few days. For the Sun doth not more certainly and more constantly run through the same Signs, than many pass through the same Diseases. And they who happily escape such Calamities as these, shall have the rough Wind often blowing upon them from some other Corner, in this open State where we are so much exposed every moment.

'Tis no small part of the Happiness of departed Saints, that they are absent from such a Body as this is, which yet they know shall be restored to them with so great ad­vantage at the last day.

2. Consider the happiness of their Souls. They shall be perfectly conform'd to God's Image, and satisfied with his Likeness. They shall never any more groan as now they do, Wretched Creature that I am, who have so much of Corruption, and so little of Christ in me! In this World sometimes they are sick of love to him, Cant. 2.5. but have oftner reason to be so for want of it. There they shall love him as they would, which they never could do before. They shall have no chilness on their Spirits, no coldness on their Hearts. Never more shall that doleful cry be heard, Cant. 3.1. We sought him whom our souls loved, but we found [Page 15]him not. Now they have a small glimpse of him in an Ordinance, as a Man of a Star through a glass held in a shaking and trembling hand, which he just sees and loses. Now a Cloud is often drawn between him and them, but then they shall with a steady Eye always be­hold his pleased and glorious Face. They sup with him now, and how sweet, but oh how short is the Banquet! But then they shall always eat and drink with him at his Table, sit with him on his Throne, as he sat down on his Father's Throne; shall be Heirs together with him, and have a Kingdom appointed to each of them, as his Fa­ther hath appointed one for him. By such earthly Ex­pressions, because we are not capable of understanding heavenly Language, doth the Scripture shadow forth to us their most intimate and delightful Converse and Com­munion with him; and how in their respective Measures and Degrees they shall be partakers together with him of such Bliss and Glory, as eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor can it enter into our hearts to conceive. Now all these things being laid together, no wonder that ho­ly Souls are willing to be present with the Lord. One would think that all the true Lovers of Christ should say, not as his Disciples, Let us go away and die with him, John 11.16. but let us go away and live, and be for ever with him. And so they would, but that there's a Lion in the way; Death is the passage to him. They must be absent from the Body, before they can get to him, a thing that few have a heart to desire, tho our Apostle and his Brethren did so. Which brings me to the

II Point. 'Tis possible for a holy Person to be willing to dye, ra­ther than live any longer, that he may be with Christ in Heaven.

I shall endeavour to open this in these following Pro­positions.

1. All sincere Christians are willing to be with Christ above. For they profess themselves to be Pilgrims and Strangers on the Earth, and declare plainly by the Tenor of their Lives, that they seek another Country. Their Conversations and their Hearts are in Heaven, they have set their Affections upon, and seek after the things that are above, Colos. 3.1, 2. where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God. They love him more than life it self, and can't bear the thoughts of being eternally at so great a distance from him. They have been drawn to him by that promise among others, John 12.26. Where I am, my servant also shall be; the fulfilling of it therefore cannot but be grateful to them. 'Tis the main business of their Lives to prepare for an eter­nal Abode with him, and Ministration before him in the holiest of all. This is what they have in their eye, as the great end of their attendance on him in his Ordinances. And is it possible for them to be unwilling to enjoy what they are continually providing for? They hope for Heaven, and that cannot be without desiring to be there, that they may have the nearest Conjunction with him, and the fullest Enjoyment of him.

2. All holy Souls are willing in the general to dye some time or other, that they may be with him. This follows from the foregoing particular. They know there is no other way but being absent from the Body to get to him. This therefore doth so far reconcile them to Death, that they had rather on the whole submit to its stroke, than to an eternal distance from him whom their Soul loveth. They fear the King of Terrors indeed, but they fear and abhor an everlasting Separation from Christ a great deal more. Tho when it comes to the Point, many of them are afraid to dye, and ready to contradict all again; yet they would not for all this World, and the Glory of it live always, if they might, in their present State. And [Page 17]this doth not flow from a sullen and impatient humour. For,

3. A holy Soul's willingness to dye, proceeds from noble Principles. He is not like the men of this World, who when crossed, in discontent, passion, and despair, madly wish for Death, and sometimes sinfully hasten it; which is not a desi­ring to be with Christ, but only to be out of their present Misery. Not but that a sincere Christian may have those short-liv'd fits and pangs that are very unbecoming; but these are the sinful Infirmities of the man, not the holy Groanings of the Saint within, which we are now speaking of. The acci­dental fretting of a rich and generous Wine must be distin­guisht from its natural Ferment.

'Tis true, indeed, a sense of those Miseries that press so hard upon them, is a help to these desires. Being burden'd, we groan after the heavenly House. 2 Cor. 5.4. But the true Springs of their willingness to depart, are such as these: A certain Knowledge and serious Consideration of the Happiness of being with Christ, and how much better that is than to continue here. A new Nature that tends to the place whence it came. A Divine Faith; Love to Christ; some degree of a weanedness from, and deadness to this World, and a serious preparation for the next; some good hopes, through Grace, of Eternal Life; some taste of the sweetness of an imperfect fellowship with Christ here be­low, and desires of drinking more of this Water of Life at the Fountain-head. These are the things that make these Doves be upon the wing, ready to fly away towards Heaven.

But yet they are not too forward to be gone. For,

4. This willingness is duly regulated with an entire sub­mission to the Divine Will. Tho they are in a close and painful Confinement, yet they are not for breaking Prison, but resolve to wait till they are released by Authority. They are not like an hasty Clock that out-runs time, and strikes before the hour is come. Tho they are willing rather [Page 18]to depart, yet they are contented to stay as long as God hath any Work and Service for them to do in this World; consi­dering that the Presence of Christ, when they are introduced into it, will make abundant amends for the delays and suf­ferings of a few moments; and the more they do for him, the greater shall be their reward. But tho that be so very great; yet

5. There are many things that do check and abate these Inclinations of a holy Soul.

A real desire of being further serviceable to the interest of Christ in this World. This was the Apostle's case, who was willing to have his happiness suspended for a time, because to abide in the flesh was more needful for others. Phil. 1.24.

The weakness of their Faith, and love to Christ. Too great addictedness to this World. Immoderate love to near Relations, with some touches of a distrust of Divine Providence, as tho God either would not, or could not take care of them and their Affairs, when we are gone.

But the more common and powerful Obstructions are these two.

1. A natural Fear of Death. Could they with a sudden Spring leap over the Gulf, and in a moment be with Christ; Could they but as easily get up to the place where he is, as his three Disciples to the top of that Mountain where he was transfigured; they would do it without any re­luctancy or delay. But alas, the dark Valley must first be passed through, Death must first be endured by them; a fear of which the God of Nature hath inwrought into the very Frame and Constitution of Man, it being necessary in order to the good Government of this World. His own commands are enforced with the promises of a long Life, and the threatnings of a speedy Death; which Sanction of his would lose its edge and force, did not Men love the one, and dread the other. Were it not for this, the refined sort [Page 19]of Mankind would sinfully neglect the Body, and never undergo all that Slavery which now they endure for its Preservation. Upon every cross accident men would lay violent hands on themselves; at least, on every sore Affli­ction they would boldly cut the Cable that fastens them to this wretched Shoar, and sail away to the invisible World, and this Earth be unpeopled, and much thinner of Inhabi­tants than God hath design'd it should be for a season. The Magistrate would then always bear the Sword in vain, for no one would fear the edge of it. All places would be fill'd with Rapine and Blood; for he that despiseth his own Life, is master of his Neighbour's almost whenever he pleaseth. And holy Men would not have that opportunity for the ex­ercise and discovery of their Graces, as now they have, in conquering the Reluctancies of Nature, and laying down their heads to receive the fatal stroke with steddiness and composure of Mind. So to do, is great indeed. For to endure tedious Sickness, and sharp Pains, the rude Knocks, the strong and repeated Blows that this Enemy gives to break asunder Body and Soul, which are so strongly fastned together; to be cast as a noisome Lump into the Grave, there to crumble into Dust, to be triumphed over by worms, and turned into corruption and rottenness; these are very formidable things. How doth this beat down the ascending Flame, and hinder its rise! It is hereupon with a Christian, as with an affecti­onate Child that is in another Land, and desirous to go home that he may be with his beloved Father. But there's a dangerous Sea to be first passed over, and therefore he often comes down to the Shoar, looks wishly over to the other side, and would be glad he was there. But when he sees the swelling Billows, his heart misgives him, and he hardly knows how to think of venturing and launching forth.

2. The want of Assurance. Many are ignorant, unskil­ful, and negligent in the great work of Self-examination. Many have but very low degrees of grace; the hand-wri­ting of God's Spirit on their hearts is in so very small a Character that they are not able to read it. Too many are loose and careless in their Walk. Not a few are over­run with Melancholy, and have dismal apprehensions of their state, tho a judicious Stander by may perceive the goodness of it; the dark side of the Lanthorn is towards themselves, and tho others behold the Grace of God in them as a burning and a shining Light, yet the Persons themselves cannot discern it. And in this gloomy State they conclude if they should dye, they should be banisht from the Presence of Christ; and under these apprehensi­ons Death is such a thing, as strikes Terror and Confusion into every corner of their Souls.

These are the things whereby the Soul of a sincere Chri­stian is pressed down, as the inferior Air is in the Judgment of Modern Philosophers, by the incumbent weight of the superior Air and Clouds; which as soon as 'tis in any degree unfetter'd from, by a spring that is natural to it self, it flies up again. Which brings me to the

6. As the heavenly Life improves, so holy Souls get ground on the fears of Death, and are more willing to be gone, that they may be with Christ.

As Grace and Peace are multiplied in their Souls, as these living Waters do encrease, they lift them higher and nearer towards Heaven. The young and tender Eagles are afraid to stir out of the Nest, and try their fee­ble Wings; but when they arrive to a greater strength, they can mount upwards with a vigorous flight. When they are arrived at the same height and stature in Christ as Paul was; when they can say on as good grounds as he, To us to live is Christ, and to dye is gain; especially at [Page 21]some seasons when their Hearts are listed up into a heaven­ly Frame, and enlarged in sweet Communion with God in Christ: They can long for Death, welcome it, and tri­umph over it. When their near Relations and Friends stand round about their Sick-Beds very Sad and Melancho­ly, they are the only chearful Persons in the Room; they can die smiling, and spend their expiring Breath in Halle­lujahs, that bear some resemblance with those they are to sing for ever. Their last Speeches are like the grateful stroaks of a skilful Musician when his Instrument is al­most brought in Tune; a delightful Praeludium to the sweet Melody that shall immediately succeed. Hence it fol­lows,

7. That this is not a mark whereby to try the truth, so much as the strength of our Grace. For though there be some true desires in the Soul this way, yet they may be so born down by many things, that they are not easily discerni­ble; like Seed in the ground that may be rooted there, but yet hath not shot through the surface of the Earth, nor is it crowned with a beautiful Flower; or if it hath been so, yet may be covered by an extraordinary Snow, and be invi­sible for the present. All cannot attain to Paul's Height and Spirit; the Children come behind the young Men, and the young Men themselves fall short of those that are Fathers in Christ. Indeed no great measure of this can be attain­ed, but by great improvements in Grace, a long and close walking with God, and contending with Flesh and Blood that strongly oppose and speak contrary things.

But yet to prevent Sloth, and rouze up our dull and sluggish Hearts; I add,

8. That more of this Spirit ought diligently to be laboured after.

I shall have occasion briefly to urge this in the Appli­cation. Which I now hasten to.

Ʋse 1. Is Heaven desirable to you under this notion where­by our Apostle sets it forth? It is amiable in your Eyes, as a place where you hope to be eased of all those Afflictions that sit so very uneasy upon your Spirits. You like it as a Refuge from Hell: But can you savour it, and take any de­light in it under this consideration, as a place where you shall be for ever with Christ? You may know this by the standing frame and workings of your Hearts towards him. If your Eyes have not been opened to see his Beauty, if your Hearts have not been drawn to him, if your Souls do not pant and thirst after him, and rejoyce in him; if he be as a wither'd Flower to you, the Heaven which the Gospel hath propoun­ded to us, cannot be grateful to you. How can such a Man tune his Voice to sing the Song of the Lamb, or take any pleasure in that place, if it were possible for him to crowd into it?

2. See to it that you be persons so qualified, that when you die, you may be present with the Lord. Suppose God should say to you, This night shall thy Soul be required of thee, Whither do you think it would go? Don't many of your Hearts misgive you, and your guilty Consciences tell you, not to be with Christ, but with Devils and damned Spirits beneath? Die ere long you must, and the youngest and strongest among you know not how soon. There's a com­mon Executioner that stands invisibly by us all, and hath not promised the Civility to wait till we give the Sign; he may suddenly and without any warning give us the fatal Blow. It may be in a little while you may be filled with such intolerable Pains, that you may long to be absent from the Body, that you may be out of your Misery. But yet how will you be able to wish for that, if you are tortured with Fears of hearing those dreadful words, Depart from me ye cursed?

Will you then believe on the Lord Jesus Christ with all your hearts? For the unbelievers will be shut out.

Will you seek after Regeneration? For verily, verily, John 3.3. I say unto you, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Give God no rest till he put this good Principle into you, that you may cease from evil, and do good. Without this, the most glittering Profession will not avail; and mul­titudes will find it so when 'tis too late. You have the Su­perscription of God upon you, see that his Image also be stamped on your Souls, otherwise you will be rejected. Our Saviour in propounding the Parable of the Virgins, Matth. 25. speaks of them as though there was an equal number of wise and foolish ones, five of one sort, and five of the other. But in our days we have reason to apprehend the latter do vastly exceed the former; and then they will look like foolish ones indeed, when that Scripture shall be fulfilled, where­in it is written, Luke 13.26, 27. that the Judge shall say to many that have eat and drunk in his presence, and heard him in their streets, I know not whence you are, Depart from me all ye workers of ini­quity. The Sentence, is Severe, but Righteous, and Univer­fal too. All that fall under that Character shall fall under that Condemnation; and 'tis worth our while to observe the disdainful manner wherein their Plea is over-ruled, and Execution awarded against them. Then shall ye begin to say, q. d. this is so idle and frivolous an Allegation in the behalf of the workers of Iniquity, that they have eat and drunk in my presence, and I have taught in their streets, that I can have no patience to hear it: I will cut off such foolish Babblings and idle Arguments immediately, for they do not deserve any regard. And I tell you, I know not whence you are. I scorn to be thought to have any Acquaintance with, or Respect for so vile a Generation of Men. I often warn­ed them that I would disown them; and I now judicially declare, I am unalterably fixed, and will never change my mind.

Will you serve and imitate the Example of Christ? For if any man, John 12.26. saith he, will serve me, let him follow me, and where I am there shall my servant also be.

Oh that Men were wise for themselves, that they would consider and prepare for their latter End, that then an en­trance may be administred to them into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour!

3. Let holy Souls labour after this divine and raised frame of Spirit, to be willing rather to be absent from the body, that they may be present with the Lord. How willing was Christ to come from Heaven, a far better Place than this where we are, to undergo a sharper Death for you, than you can suffer to be with him? And should you be unwilling to depart hence, and go to him? How unkindly may he take such a temper, when he is gone to prepare so glori­ous a Place for you, that you should be so backward to en­ter into it? He desires that you may be where he is, to behold his glory; And should not the same mind be in you that is in him? What though Death lie in the way? Is it not an Enemy that he hath Conquer'd, and pluck'd out its Sting? What have you in this World, the Element of Sin and Sorrow, whose Pleasures are so thin, whose Mise­ries are so weighty, that you should hang about it, and cleave so fast to it? Methinks you should groan earnestly within your selves to be gone to that better Place and Com­pany.

That you may be willing, draw off your Affections from every thing here below; take heed of over-indulging the Body, and the Pleasures of it; familiarize Death to your selves by serious Meditations; encrease in the Knowledge of the Mystery of the Father, and of Christ, Faith in him, and love to him; beware of wilful Sins; get and keep your Evidences for Heaven clear, and let the Glory of God and Christ be the end of your lives.

4. Let not surviving Friends too much regret and bewail the Death of their Holy Relatives. They are gone from us, but they are with Christ, where they were and are wil­ling to be.

And this I doubt not is the Case of your late Reverend deceased Pastor, Mr. Richard Mayo.

He was a Man of sincere Godliness.

A worthy Person, Mr. Single­ton. sufficiently known in this City for his great Skill and Pains in training up of Youth, was the happy Instrument which Providence made use of for the first awakening and enclining him to look out after God. I have often heard him speak with great thankfulness both to God and him, of that mixture of Love and Pru­dence whereby he gained upon him.

God having engraven a Divine Image upon his Heart, used him as a Seal to impress the same upon many others. For upon this he soon entred (tho Young) upon the Sacred Work of the Ministry.

I shall not follow him into all the places of his Abode, tho he was like a Box of sweet Perfume, that sheds abroad a fragrant Smell whithersoever 'tis carried and open'd. It shall suffice to take notice of one or two only.

He was fixed for many years at Kingston upon Thames, where he had a large opportunity for Service, and his La­bours were crowned with an answerable Success. And tho most of the old Disciples that were wont to sit under his Ministry are dead, yet his Name and Memory still lives, and is very precious there to this day.

But tho that was the place of his stated Residence, yet he was not confined to it, and 'twas pity he should. He kept up for several Years, a weekly Lecture in London at White-Chappel Church, where multitudes flocked after him to that degree, that many were wont to hang about the ve­ry [Page 26]Windows, glad to fix their Foot in any place where they might but have the advantage of hearing him; so that they darkned as well as filled the place. And seeing the Multitude, he was moved with Compassion, open'd his Mouth and taught them with great Life and Zeal, a more than ordi­nary Spirit being pour'd out on him and them, so that the Word of the Lord ran and was glorified. Such a deep tin­cture and savour of God, Christ, and Religion, was by his means left on the Spirits of many, as is not worn out to this very day.

At length came that Black day, wherein so many hundred faithful and excellent Ministers of Christ were ejected; and he among the rest. But yet they could not wholly silence him, 1 Cor. 9.16. because he remembred that it was written, Wo be unto me, if I Preach not the Gospel. I pass over all the fol­lowing time, which he with the rest of his Brethren spent with a great variety of interchangeable Providences till he came to be fixed with you.

You know his preaching among you to have been solid, weighty, and substantial, apt at once to instruct and move. For the matter of it, it was things of the greatest importance, Christ crucified, the necessity of an Interest in him, Con­formity and Obedience to him; imputed Righteousness and inherent too, not putting one into the room, or exalting it to the Prejudice of the other, both being necessary in their proper places, and to distinct ends, which he knew well how to assign, and warmly to press. Three great Excellencies in his Preaching I have often observed, that it was methodi­cal, clear, and genuinely derived from his Text, like ripe and fair fruit that drops from the Bough whereon it naturally grew. I had rather that your Lives than my Tongue or Pen, should shew how successful his Labours have been among you; yet I have had the opportunity of knowing that here he hath been far from labouring in vain; tho it [Page 27]can't be presumed, but that he hath done a great deal more good than ever came to my knowledge, or even to his own, while he was here below.

As for his great insight into Divinity, both Polemical and Practical, his Learning and Ingenuity, you may have a tast of all these if you peruse what he himself hath publisht; a Catalogue of which you will find annexed to the end of this Discourse. And indeed Men's own Books are far better Pi­ctures of the Authors, than any of those which their Friends are sometimes pleased to set before them. We may in these Points more fully and exactly discern what manner of Men they are, by what they themselves have written, than by any Representations that another can make of them. The Understanding Reader may become more so, by a diligent consulting of what he hath printed; and then will have reason to thank me, tho I only do the Office of a hand in the Margent, point out to him those remarkable things that deserve a very attentive perusal.

Besides all this, he had some other most valuable Qua­lifications; such as a great love for Peace and Union. This he unweariedly pursued with a godly Zeal in despight of all Discouragements; a thing that all wise and good Men can't but wish to see effected for the Glory of God, and the publick Welfare. For Animosities and Divisions, sla­ming Anger and Passion in the Bosoms of Brethren one against another, will naturally produce as many terrible Effects, as blazing Comets in the Heavens are generally thought to presage.

Add to all this his great Sincerity, and an excellent Sweetness of a natural Temper that ran through his whole Converse, like a Golden Thread through a Garment.

With such a one you may be sure that I could not but lead a very happy and comfortable Life. We drew in the same Yoke, and the same Way, though indeed on my side with [Page 28]a vastly unequal strength. He treated me with the same gentleness and kindness as the right hand doth the left. The pleasure of a Minister's Life and the success of his Labours greatly depend on this; the contrary will weaken his Hands, and is enough to break his very Heart. Where two are joyned toge­ther to serve their common Lord in one place, though matters should not come to an open Breach and Quarrel, yet if there be but a shiness, or a secret displeasure against each other tainting their Spirits; or if there be but oblique Reflections, 'tis like the two Eyes in a Man's Head turned several ways and looking ill-fa­vouredly on each other, a very unpleasant and uncomely thing, and very prejudicial to the Body which they are to serve: But God be thanked it was not so with us. We have lived and laboured together among you for about the space of eight Years, and matters have been carried with the same endear­ing Affection on his part, and the same reverential Respect on mine, as are wont to be between a Father and a Son; which have been so far from decaying, that they were daily on the growing hand: Like the Joynts of the Body the longer we grew, the more firmly we were knit toge­ther; of which he gave me very ample Proofs, particular­ly throughout his late Sickness, which put a period to his Days about the 65th Year of his Age.

His make and the strength of his Constitution, and his un­interrupted state of Health for so many Years (which made his Life like a strong Thread drawn out to a great length without any Knots) promised a much longer continuance here. And could the Skill of his Eminent Physicians, who were also his cordial Friends, have effected it, we had ye [...] enjoyed him. But experience shews us, that neither the na­tural Strength of the Place, nor all the contrivances of th [...] most excellent Artists, are able to keep a Castle from being taken, which is strongly besieged by a numerous and poten [...] Enemy, and furiously battered by a great train of Artillery.

He was attack'd by a great variety of Distempers; and while endeavours were using to dismount one Battery, another as strong and threatning was raised; and then no wonder the Fortress was so speedily taken, even tho the Garison had not been weakned by any foregoing Siege. But there was no Distemper in his Mind, tho so many in his Body; his Soul was in health and at ease. Through­out the whole of his Sickness of six Weeks continuance, all was clear between God and him. His end was like the Light of the Evening when the Sun setteth, 2 Sam. 23.4. an Even­ing without any Clouds. He said to my self, when I en­quired of him, concerning that matter, I have not indeed those raptures of Joy which some have felt, (tho yet, he ad­ded, blessed be God, I have sometimes tasted of them too) but I have a comfortable well-grounded hope of Eternal Life. Ano­ther time, I have had my Infirmities and Failings; but my heart hath been right with God as to the main, and I look for the Mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to Eternal Life. Again, another time, I know that I have passed from Death to Life. And again, Blessed be God for our Lord Jesus Christ who hath delivered me from the wrath to come. In the presence of others that stood by him, when the sudden Blast was so strong as almost to puff out the Lamp of Life, expect­ing to dye in a very few moments, he said in the words of the Psalmist, Into thy hands I commit my Spirit; thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth; and this was utter'd by him with a more than ordinary chearfulness visibly spread on his Face. He would often say in his Sickness, If God hath any pleasure in me, and any more work for me to do, he will raise me up; but if not, lo, here am I, let him do with his servant what seemeth him good.

In short, I could neither observe my self, nor learn from those that were constantly about him ( who must know this matter better than any others, and would not lye for God [Page 30]himself) that he had the least Darkness upon his spirit as to his present and future State from the beginning of his Sickness, till he gave up the Ghost, which he did the last Lords-day about five in the Morning, the time when he was wont to arise and prepare himself for his Sacred Work. Then did he enter upon his Everlasting Sabbath, to the very great loss of his own Family, of this Society in particular, and indeed of the Church of God, and In­terest of Christ in general among us. To our great loss, but his own gain; and therefore weep not as those that are without hope or comfort. For he is entred into the Joy of his Lord; he is gone within the Vail, and hath left the People weeping without, to whom he shall never return. For the Eye that saw him in this place with so much delight, shall see him here no more; the Ear that so often heard him with pleasure, shall hear his Voice no more.

But tho the Sower be dead, let not the Seed be so. Let me bespeak you in the words of the Apostle, Heb. 13.7. Remember him that had the rule over you, Who so often spake to you the word of God, whose faith follow, considering the end of his conversation. For his END was PEACE.

The God of all Grace enable us to prepare to follow, that when our turn shall come, we may also go to the great Shepherd of the Sheep, even that Jesus who hath loved us, and washt us from our Sins in his own Blood, and may be for ever with him singing Hallelujahs to God, and to the Lamb that sitteth upon the Throne.