SECT. I. The Happiness of good Mens Souls, in their Separation from the Body asserted, and the probability of it discovered.

BEfore the proof and Vindication of this point it may be proper to shew the probability of it (that they who are not perswaded 'tis true may not be over confident that it is false) by shewing the judgment [Page 13]of Eminent Writers, that are presu­med able to judge of a matter of this nature. And if I were to satis­fie a Romanist of it I might cite the noted Men of his Church. i.e. (1.) Aquin. their great Schoolman Sum. prim. 2 ^dae. quest. 4. Art. 5. Aliqui dicunt quod Animae separatae ad be­atitudinem non perveniunt, &c. ‘Some (says he) tell us that good Mens Souls come not to Blessedness till the day of Judgment.’ But this is plainly false. In like manner goes Bellarmine in his tract de Ar­te Moriendi, and especially in Lib. de ascens. mentis grad. 2 chap. 5. p. 35. Quid mirum (ait) si Angeli & beatae Animae, &c. Where he joins toge­ther the Angels and Just Mens Souls, doubting the happiness of the one no more than the other. So grad. 7. cap. 5. — Quibus perpetuus Dies est, &c. [Speaking of the same] 'Tis al­ways day with them, they know no darkness of sin or sorrow. Tho. à [Page 14]Kempis de imitat. Christi lib. 1. cap. 23. Sect. 6. Drexel. Heliotrop. l. 1. c. 1. Sect. 4. Cajetan in Philip. 1.23. most plainly, in several passages that I need not transcribe. But I leave these and rather cite our Protestant Worthies. Musculus in Math. 17. Mors piorum Egressus est ex mundo ad patrem, &c. i. e. The death of God­ly ones is a going out of this World to their Heavenly Father, therefore to be desired more than to be drea­ded. Zanchius in Philip 1.23. Qua­nam sui parte, &c. — [In what res­pect did Paul desire after his dissolu­tion to be with Christ? Not in res­pect of his Body, apparently there­fore of his Soul: therefore his Soul was capable of that Happiness im­mediately after death.] Others speak to the same purpose as follows, D. Joh. Maccov. de Anim. fept in ex­plic. Theorem. 2. Ursin. Catech. part. 2. Resp. ad quest. 42. Paraeus in Rom. 6. Resp. ad Dub. 9. Alsted. Theol. Casuum [Page 15]p. 172. Piscator in Philip. 1. Essenius in Triumpho Crucis (de satisf Christi) lib. 1. sect. 4 cap. 3 ( part. 1.) Dan. Cha­miet. lib. 25. cap. 2. (de Beatitudine) Jos. Stegman. Photin. disp. 52. q. 1. Jo. Scarpii curs. theol. de purgatorio. Palan. syntagmo l. 7 cap. 5. Arnoldus ( Lux. in Tenebr. p. 418. D. Henr. Altin­gius L. C. Loc. 5. Controvers. 2. — To whom I may add a few of our English Worthies (and those are as good as a great many) Bp. Usher sub­stance of Christian Religion (of Judg­ment) Bp. Prideaux Fascicul. de Ec­clesiâ q. 2. B. Davenant in Colos. cap. 8. ver. 15. Bolton de 4. Novissimis. And this at least must be a probable Ar­gument of the truth of what I con­tend for: for that is like to be sound Doctrine which is so evidently own­ed by these excellent Authors so blessedly enriched with the wise­dom from above. And if any such, (or less than they) had written a set Discourse on it, plainly and prac­tically, [Page 16]and to the capacities of vulgar Christians, I might have spared the little pains that I have taken about it.

If then I have erred in maintai­ning this Principle I have erred with Company (and good Compa­ny too) But I trust the ensuing Sec­tions will shew it to be a truth to those that seek the truth in love.

SECT. II. The Happy State of Good Mens Souls after death proved from Philip. 1.23. [having a desire to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better] together with an Answer to a Socinian exception.

HAving told thee (Christian Reader) that this Doctrine is probably true, I am now to shew how certainly 'tis so, and that in the first place from those words of the Apostle, [Having a desire to de­part and to be with Christ, which is far better.] In 1 Cor. 15. he called Death an Enemy, and doubtless he was not in love with it as consider­ed in itself: But yet to die and be with Christ, this he heartily desired [Page 18]as that which would be far better for him. He tells his beloved Peo­ple ( vers. 24.) that his continuance in the World would be most for their benefit. [To abide in the Flesh, is more needfull for you.] But his departing would be most for his be­nefit being a departing and being with Christ. And therefore he was in a strait (as he calls it) not know­ing which to chuse. Now if he should not upon his departure be with Christ, as to his Soul, he must needs have accounted a longer life to be most desireable. For as to others good it was apparently so, and no less for his own good also, if his Soul could have no happiness in its ab­sence from the Body; for he had a great degree of comfort in Christ while he was living, and could say in the midst of all his Persecutions, Blessed be God who always giveth us cause to Triumph in Christ. And he that had an eminent measure of [Page 19]Communion with Christ while li­ving, and all those strong Consolations that flowed from his assurance that nothing should separate from his love ( Rom. 8.) would have been a great loser by dying, if his Soul must then have been deprived of those precious comforts which before he had in Christ.

Surely St. Paul's words shew no fear of any such thing, but plainly evince the contrary, as the like ex­pression in other cases would be thought to import. Suppose one say, [I desire to go to London and see my Friends, or, I desire to go to Church and profit my Soul] In these speeches any Man of reason would judge (unless the person had the reputation of a Lyar) that he cer­tainly meant as he spake, and ho­ped to see his Friends by doing the one, and to benefit his Soul in doing the other. And so in Scripture, To go up and see the Land, to go over and [Page 20]possess it ( Numb. 13.30. Deut 3.25.) are meant of going to see and possess it as the Way to the one and the o­ther. And if St. Paul's phrase [to depart and be with Christ] were not meant in like manner, it were some­thing more than very strange; and it can be no otherwise, his being with Christ after his departure being affirmed to be a better state than be­fore he had (notwithstanding the enjoyments before mentioned) nor must our Opposers right reason (which they talk so much of) dis­swade us from expounding the words in that way that is most a­greeable to common sense.

And though this may seem plain enough to any unprejudiced person, yet it will not be amiss to answer what is excepted against it, and to clear it from that darkness which some have (so learnedly) cast upon it.

Except. And as to this I know none more considerable than V. Smalcius, [Page 21]who in his Disputation [De Judicio Extremo] is pleased to present us with this Memorandum, viz. 1. That St. Paul there makes no mention of his Soul, but speaketh [De se toto] of his whole Person. 2. That he might die and be with Christ at the Ap­pointed time (the Resurrection) without supposing any Being with Christ presently after death.]

Ans. By this Man's temper (and Tenet) we may see that humane Learning and Acuteness is not suf­ficient to make a Man sound in the Faith, and it might move our won­der that one of so much subtilty should not perceive the Apostles meaning in this particular, if we did not remember the old saying, None so blind as those that will not see, for had it been (confessedly) inten­ded to shew his Souls being with Christ (or enjoying of him) upon his departure, yet it needed not have been expressed otherwise than by a [Page 22]desire to depart and be with Christ. For after his departure he could not be with Christ as to his Body till the Resurrection; which will be at the time appointed and cannot be hastened by his (or any Man's) shor­ter Life. Nor could he desire to de­part this Life, if it were not for the hope of being with Christ in a bet­ter state thereby, since it was more for his Peoples profit to have lived longer with them. And we are sa­tisfied he was not weary of his Life through the troubles that he met with in the service of Christ (his Faith and Love was more powerfull than so) nor doth he name any thing but his being with Christ (which was far better) as a motive to him to desire to depart this Life.

And to say ['tis not meant of his Soul's being with Christ, because he speaks of his Person, without na­ming his Soul] is indeed to talk more like an Ignorant Man than a Di­vine [Page 23]or a Disputant, for 'tis spoken of his Person in respect of his Soul: and nothing is more common in dis­course than to speak that of Persons, which holds true of them in re­spect of their Bodies, or their Souls (though not both perhaps) as when we say, they are Sick or Lame, Wise and Knowing, &c. we hope we may speak true enough, and proper enough too, though we do not say (formaliter) they are Sick as to their Bodies, &c.] but say (ab­solutely) [they are sick] so when Scripture says, To dust thou shalt return, it must be taken accordingly: and my Authors Brain was not so Earthy as to think it must be so therefore with his whole Person; or to argue that Man's Soul shall turn to Dust, because 'tis said to Dust [thou] shalt return. More therefore I need not say upon this Argument, till others think fit to say more a­gainst it. Yet for the comfort of [Page 24]weak Christians I think fit to add, that this privilege [of being with Christ after Death] is not peculiar to St. Paul but belongs also to all that are truly Godly. Death (as well as Life) is yours, said he to the believing Corinthians, and in them to all other faithfull Christians, and certainly he meant, t'was theirs in a comfortable sense, for their good, and leading to their happiness, 1 Cor. 3.22. And if all things work for good to them that love God, Death shall also (and do them a kindness as well as the Apostle) Rom. 8.28. nor doth the Apostle make any comparison between himself and the rest of the faithfull in this case, or set himself a­bove them in any respect: as also in other places he declares them to have the same interest in him, and Acceptance for his sake. Christ who is our Life, Colos. 34. He made us accepted in the Beloved, Eph. 1.6. Phil. 4.19. [My God shall supply all [Page 25]your need according to his Riches in Glory through Christ Jesus. Yea, He is made unto us, Wisedom and Righte­ousness, and Sanctification and Re­demption, 1 Cor. 1.30.

And that the Souls of other Chris­tians are capable of happiness after death, as well as S. Paul's, I will un­dertake to prove when I can think worth while so to doe.

SECT. III. The point proved from Luke 23.43. [This day thou shalt be with me in Paradise; and Co­los. 1.20. To reconcile all things to himself whether things on Earth or things in Heaven] with an Answer to some exceptions.

AMong the many Scriptures that confirm this comfortable Doc­trine, these are very considerable. In the former our Saviour tells the dying Penitent the joyfull News [This day thou shalt be with me in Pa­radise] but he was not so in respect of his Body, therefore in respect of his Soul. Whether his Soul was to be that day in Heaven, or only ten­ding to it, I shall not here enquire; [Page 27]'Tis enough for my purpose that it was to be in Paradise; for that can signifie no less than a place and state of happiness. And we doubt not but Christ's favourable presence could make any place a Paradise for delight, and more delightfull than the Earthly Paradise ever was. This Text is so strong on our side that our greatest opposers can hardly tell what to say to it, any otherwise than by espousing that wretched e­vasion of the foresaid Racovian Doc­tor Val. Smalcius, viz. Changing the Sentence, by misplacing the Com­ma, and reading the words thus [Verily I say to thee this day, Thou shalt be with me in Paradise] namely, some time or other, as if [this day] were meant of Christ's speaking, and not of the Penitent's enjoying. Modus loquendi Hebraicus, &c. It is, says he, a speaking after the manner of the Hebrews, who use to express them­selves so, when they would tell us [Page 26] [...] [Page 27] [...] [Page 28]matters of special remark, as Deut. 30.18. If ye Worship other Gods and serve them, I denounce unto you this day that ye shall surely perish.

But if they gain the cause at such a rate, Luk. 23.43. cleared. let them take all, and set up their own Heresie for sacred and saying truths. For 'tis easie to turn [...]th into errour, and sense into non- [...]se, by mis-pointing any places of Scrip­ture or any other Books; and when Men make so bold with the words of our Lord, we may fitly call them to account for it, and censure their presumption and perverseness, which in this case seems very plain. For first, they shew us no good reason why it should be read [I say unto thee this day] nor was there need that Christ should tell him that he said so in that day; nor do we find him use such an expression in any place, or on any great occasions. [Page 29]For when he would tell us the ne­cessity of Conversion, he says not [ I say unto you this day, but [ Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted ye shall not enter into the Kingdom of Hea­ven, and the like of his being own­ed by the Angels [ Verily, Verily I say unto you, hereafter ye shall see Heaven open, and the Angels of God ascen­ding and descending upon the Son of Man, Joh 1.51.

Vain enough therefore is that Author's suggestion, that it was so spoken for the weightiness of the matter. And though in the Old Testament there were such phrases used [I say to thee this day] yet it was in matters of threat, or of com­mand, but not in matters of pro­mise, or comfort. Our Lord also hath it [ Verily I say, &c.] now as there was no need at all of such a so­lemn Asseveration to tell the Peni­tent Thief when it was he spake un­to him (his own Ears being suffici­ent) [Page 30]so it was very proper to be used in telling him of the happy change that he should make so speedily, and tended much to satisfie him in it.

So that of the Apostle, Colos. 1.20. to reconcile all things to himself, whether things on Earth or things in Heaven. Here what can we sup­pose meant by [things in Heaven re­conciled] Piscator expoundeth tam fideles, &c. as well the faithfull re­ceived to Heaven as those still on Earth. If this be the sense of it 'tis full enough to prove the faithfull Christians Soul to be happy after death: and if it be not, I almost despair of knowing it. As to the Holy Angels it seems very improper to interpret it of them; for how are they Things reconciled that never offended their God, and so needed not any reconciliation? [And there is in that Chapter no discourse of Enoch and Elias, or any thing to enforce it to be meant of them and [Page 31]whether the expressing it by [...], all things, not [all Persons] he may not have a special respect to the Souls of the faithfull departed, I leave to others to consider of.

SECT. IV. The same proved from 2 Cor. 5.8. [ we are willing rather to be absent from the Body, and pre­sent with the Lord; and Heb. 12.23. [The Spirits of just Men made perfect.

IF other places should not satisfie Men as to this particular, yet these one would think could not fail of so doing. In the former St. Paul speaks nothing that was peculiar to himself, but joyneth the rest of the [Page 32]faithfull in the very same privilege with himself. [We, says he, are willing to be absent from the Body, and to be present with the Lord.] Wherefore it must needs be grant­ed that the Apostle did believe that when they were (as he calls it) ab­sent from the Body, they should be present with the Lord, not only in a general sense, as all things are, but in a gracious and spiritual manner, and such as containeth more com­fortable Communion with him than any they could have in this mortal Life; and that their being thus pre­sent with them, when absent from the Body is to be understood in re­spect of their Souls, is that which needeth not to be proved to any that make use of sober reason, and are willing to understand the plainest words; and I find not that the con­trary minded have made any excep­tions against this proof that are wor­thy any serious consideration. And [Page 33]for that of the Apostle, [ Heb. 12.23] I take it to be no less convincing; For what but the Souls of good Men can be supposed to be called the Spirits of just Men made perfect? For it can­not be said of the Angels, they being distinguished from them in the same verse, nor can it be meant of the Persons of Men (Bodies and Souls united) for these are called Men, and not Spirits; much less the Spirits of just Men.

Obj. But we find in Scripture, the Angels that have a charge over the faithfull are called their Angels, and why may they not be called their Spirits, being Spirits indeed?

Ans. The question in this matter is not, whether they may not be so called in some sense, or respect? but whether in that Text they are so called, and I say they are not, for two Reasons.

1. Because the Angels are men­tioned just before (as was intima­ted) [Page 34]and they are never called the Spirits of Men, or the Spirits of the Just, in Scripture.

2. Because these are spoken of as made perfect (as the things that are imperfect are brought to perfection by degrees, for so the original signi­fieth) now the Holy Angels never were destitute of any perfection that their nature needeth. Since therefore it must be only the Souls of the Just that there are called the Spirits of the Just, it will be easie to conclude the point from it. For 'tis evident it cannot be meant of their Spirits (or Souls) while in the Bo­dy here on Earth; for in this state they are not made perfect, but have a great deal of sinfull imperfection in them: not as though I were alrea­dy perfect, said St. Paul of himself. And 'tis said they are made perfect: that is, already perfect; and therefore is not spoken of that perfection which they shall have hereafter at [Page 35]the Resurrection of their Bodies, (nor can the scope of the place, or con­text, favour the interpreting of it concerning their state on Earth) and since it cannot be understood of their Souls in their Bodies on Earth nor at the Resurrection, then it must be meant of their Souls in their sepa­rated state. And if in that state they are, they are more perfect than before they were, they must cer­tainly be more happy also.

SECT. V. The same Doctrine proved from Rev. 14.13. Blessed are the Dead that die in the Lord, for they rest from their La­bours, &c.

HAving urged several Scriptures for my purpose, I shall now only add this unto them. And if any Person doubts whether this will prove the happy state of Just Mens Souls in separation from their Bodies, he must be a Man of doubtfull Re­ligion.

But (for the business) let us note in what manner the truth was ma­nifested: I heard, said St. John, a voice from Heaven saying to me, write, Blessed are the Dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.

Note also that it is not spoken of Men as living on Earth or in Hea­ven, but of them as dying in the Lord, (in his Faith and Fear) Bles­sed are those Dead.

It is added, from henceforth (from the time of their dying.) And how can we think it would be said, Bles­sed are those Dead, if they did not ob­tain some blessed privilege by dying? if death did not bring more good to their Souls than hurt to their Bodies; then we have the Spirit asserting it, yea, saith the Spirit; Together with one part, or property, of their blessedness; they rest from their La­bours, (from all their troubles what­soever.) And this Rest must include a positive happiness in the Love and Peace of their gracious God: For a meer Negative, or Privative Rest, consisting in a bare Freedom from Pain and Trouble, is no more than the Beasts partake of; when the Horse is dead there's an end of his [Page 38]weariness as well as his work. And I hope we may safely believe that a dead Christian (that shewed him­self such in his life) is in a better state presently after Death than a dead Beast can be; and he whose Religion is any thing stronger than his Atheism will account this Text an evidence of it.

And this shall suffice for Confir­mation of the point, and I doubt not but it may be some satisfaction to those that seek the truth in Love, and humbly implore the guidance of God's Holy Spirit. In the next place I am to make good my me­thod, and so to vindicate this truth from exceptions, and defend it from that violence which some have of­fered unto it.

SECT. VI. The Happiness of Just Mens Souls, in the state of separation, vin­dicated.

AS to contend for the truth is no unlawfull strife (by clear­ing and confirming it) so to main­tain it against objections is not un­necessary. And I know not whe­ther some may not expect it.

But before I answer Mens Cavils against this comfortable Doctrine, it may not be amiss to say something to those that would dissuade us from medling with matters of this nature. For to what purpose (say they) should we trouble our selves about it? For if we believe the Ser­vants of God shall have an Eternity of Happiness after the Resurrection, [Page 40]is not that sufficient for us, whether our Souls can be happy in their se­paration or not?

Whether it is kindness or crosness, Religion or Sin, that moves men to talk after this rate, I shall not now enquire: Sure I am, It is our Duty to search the Scriptures (and blessed be God for the liberty of doing so.) And certainly 'tis not below us to search them for this purpose, if per­haps we may find satisfaction about it: which that we may, I trust, will be acknowledged by the unprejudi­ced Reader. Things revealed do belong to us; and that this is revea­led may easily be perceived by what has been insisted on about it. And he that grants it a truth will never deny it to be a comfortable one (whatsoever also Christians may un­dervalue, methinks they should not despise the Consolations of the Scrip­ture which will hold when other comforts fail). And though it be [Page 41]not very delightfull to deal with the confident cavils of deceived Sinners, yet to prevent their mischief, I am willing to bestow a few lines upon them. As for Scripture that they use to oppose this truth by, 'tis espe­cially that of the Psalmist, Ps. 6.5. In death there is no Remembrance of thee, and in the Grave who shall give thee Thanks? But must not they be very quick-sighted that can find in the place of Darkness, an Argument against this encouraging Doctrine?

But how little this Text maketh against it a few words will shew. For. 1. The Psalmist doth not say, there is no Remembrance of God after Death, but thus [In Death there is no Remembrance of thee, viz. In that which is in Death or under Death's power, even the Body. Or, then there is no such Remembrance of God as in the time of Life, for the Edificati­on of others, (or the like) and we know Negatives in Scripture are [Page 42]sometimes meant only in some re­spect, or kind; as when the Pro­phet says, there is no Peace to the Wicked: that is, no sound well-groun­ded Peace; for they may have Peace such as it is, yea till sudden destruc­tion come upon them, 1 Thes. 5.3.

It follows, [Who shall give thee Thanks in the Grave] very sure, that's no place for Praise: Yet nothing hinders but that the Soul after its departure, may have a blessed Re­membrance of the goodness of its God, and give him perpetual thanks, in its way and according to its capaci­ty. Nor do those words of the Psalmist import any thing to the contrary:

For as it was no part of the Psal­mist's design to enquire into the state of a separated Soul (in that Text) so the Soul it self, when separated from the Body, is not in the Grave. Nor doth it answer to the word [Who] for the Soul is not a Person, but only a Constitutive part of the Person.

With no less vanity is Psal. 146.4. objected against this point [His Breath goes forth, he returneth to his Earth, and in that very day his thoughts Perish] for Man's [thoughts] in that Scripture, need be extended no far­ther than his Earthly Thoughts, his Counsels, Projects and Policies, as to this world, Moller in loc. which is enough to dissuade us from put­ting our trust in Man.

Which also to doe was the purpose of the Psalmist in that place. The Soul of the best Man would be pitifull Poor indeed, if after Death it should be depri­ved of all its thoughts (or think­ing power) and I am very confi­dent the Apostle would not have desired to depart this Life, if af­ter Death his Soul should not have so much of Life as a thinking faculty containeth. In the new Testa­ment also there are some Texts ur­ged [Page 44]by these Men, but chiefly that of St. Paul 2 Tim. 4.8. Henceforth is laid up for me a Crown of Righte­ousness, which the Lord the Righteous Judge shall give me in that Day, (meaning the day of Judgment.)

Therefore that Blessedness signified thereby (say they) is reserved till that day, and not given before. But this Argument is so far wide that no art can make it come any thing close for their purpose. For though we grant that the Faithfull have not their Happiness till then (which is the most that it can prove.) Yet that doth not contradict the Happiness of their Souls, in their separated state. And how happy soever their Souls be in that case, yet their Persons cannot enjoy the State of Glory, till they are in the State of Personality, in the Union of their Bodies and Souls; which will not be till the Resurrection.

There be, I confess, other Texts that some can fansie this Doctrine to be opposed by; but I pass them, because they are so far from confu­ting it, that in my Opinion, they do not so much as seem to concern it.

SECT. VII. The point improved for Confuta­tion of Errours.

AMongst the many good pur­poses for which the truth in hand may be serviceable, it may fit­ly be considered for the disproving some principles, that some People have too gladly entertained. 1. That of the Libertines [that the Soul at Death looseth its very being, and vanisheth into Air (or what they please) or, that it then hath a [Page 46]drowsie state, if any, and sleeps, as it were, in the Grave or other pla­ces] Doctrines exactly calculated for the Meridian of Profaneness, and may indifferently serve for all bad practices. They are indeed of such a dismal Aspect, and Malign Influ­ence that I can hardly compare them to any more fitly than those that came out of the mouth of the Leviathan (for they look as ugly though not just like them.) And as one day their folly shall be mani­fested to all Men, so the present truth doth fully discover it.

For if the Soul in its separated state be capable of Joy and Happi­ness (as was proved) certainly then it looseth not its Being, nor its Ap­prehension. And well may he be deemed a senseless Man here, that thinketh his Soul shall be so insensi­ble hereafter.

And as plainly doth it oppose the Doctrine of Purgatory, which [Page 47]though Bellarmine and his Brethren say hath its difficulties as to those questions about it, which the Church has not determined, yet is strongly asserted by them as a place of real punishment for the Souls of such as shall see Happiness at last; but must, in order to it, be Purged and Purified in that place of Suffer­ing. Which can hardly need any other confutation than the proof of the happy state of the Spirits of the just in their departure from their Bodies; which I hope hath been given from the Texts urged for that purpose.

SECT. VIII. For Trial of our selves, whether we are of the number of those just ones, that may justly expect this approaching Felicity.

SInce there is such a happy state for the just after Death, yea presently after it; so as that Death it self becomes their advantage, and leadeth their Souls into the blessed presence of their Saviour: Since it is thus (I say) methinks it should mightily move considering People to search and try their ways, and states, and see whether they are in such a state as may warrant them to lay claim to this Happiness at Hand, which the word of our God disco­vers to us. If it be reported (any thing credibly) that they who are [Page 49]so and so qualified shall have Ho­nours and Preferments, how easily would they be brought to consider whether they have the supposed Qualifications: at least if they think themselves capable of them (though at the same time they are not igno­rant that Death will shortly disgrace all worldly glory.) Much more should Men try whether they can yet lay claim to that real Happiness, that shall come quickly and last for ever.

Now (as to this) They need no more to prove their Interest in it upon the account of Christ, than to prove themselves to be truly Just, or Righteous Persons. For 'tis the Just that shall come out of Trouble, Prov. 12.13. 'Tis the upright one whose end is Peace, Ps. 37.37. 'Tis the Righteous that hath hope in his Death, Prov. 14.32 'Tis the same al­so that the Prophet tells us, shall enter into Peace, Esa. 57.2. And we know by a Just or Righteous Man, the [Page 50]Scripture meaneth a Godly or Reli­gious Man. There are but two sorts, the Good, and the Bad, (in Scripture) which are commonly cal­led the Righteous and the Wicked, ( Malachi 3. Psal. 37.) The Just, and the Unjust ( Math. 5.) So that the question will be [who are these Just, Righteous, Religious People?] To which I shall Answer, 1. Nega­tively, 2. Positively.

1. Negatively, They are not the Just ones that laugh at Religion, and mock at all that is called Holy; that are more taken with the prin­ciples of the Leviathan, than with the precepts of the Bible; that are Enemies to the word of Righteous­ness, and had rather hear of any thing almost than the holy truths thereof that most concern them; that say in their Hearts, their Tongues are their own; and are not affraid (of that fearfull Sin) to despise Govern­ment, and speak evil of Dignities, [Page 51]2 Pet. 2.10. Jude 8. That drink as if they were made only to swallow, and keep Company (in their usual course) till they are unfit for any Company; that love to raise them­selves by the ruines of others, and spare not the Poor, the Widow, and the Fatherless, to gratifie their greedy humours, and please their proud malicious Minds; that spight at the very Appearances of Piety, and rail at the most upright and inoffensive Livers when they have put some hated Names upon them (as the Heathens of old baited Christians with Dogs when they covered them all over with the Skins of wild Beasts) that go about doing mischief in abundance, inven­ting a company of ugly, silly, re­proachfull tales to set us at a distance from each other, and destroy the sacred Bonds of Peace and Love; that have so desperately debauched themselves, and overcome their con­sciences, [Page 50] [...] [Page 51] [...] [Page 52]as to follow (without fear or shame) such courses as the Hea­thens would cry out against; that provoke the most high in the most horrible manner, and imprecate on themselves (on the smallest occasi­ons) the wrath of that great God which the proudest Devils tremble at. That these and such like, are not the Just and Righteous ones, that the Scripture promiseth Salva­tion to, is very evident in it self. And I need no more to prove it, than to prove a Dunghill is not a Star. If therefore such People should have never so good thoughts of their States, yet in the day of God's Vi­sitation, they shall see their Vanity, and understand with shame enough, that the holy one remembreth all their Wickedness, Hos. 7.2.

And now I shall endeavour to shew what a Man may have, and yet not be a truly Just and Righte­ous Person, and afterwards add the [Page 53]Character of such a one in various propositions.

For the former: A Person may have outward peace and prosperity, and yet not be a Just Person; he may have very much of all earthly good, and not be good himself. Though prosperity is promised to the Godly so far as the Divine Wis­dom sees fittest, yet it commonly cometh to many of the Wicked, Ps. 73.12. Behold these are the un­godly, these prosper in the World. Yea the Tabernacles of Robbers did prosper, Job. 12.6.

2 A Man may have (as out­ward prosperity, so) inward peace and yet not be a Righteous Man. That guilt may not much afflict the conscience here, which hereafter may sink the Soul into the horrid depths of endless sorrows. The French Historian tells us that two of the veriest Villains that ever that great Nation held, were observed [Page 54]to die very quietly, though they shewed no signs of true Repentance; and St. Paul tells us of the wicked that when they say, Peace and Safety, then sudden Destruction cometh upon them, 1 Thes. 5.

3. One may have a fair outside and a good profession, be a moral honest Man (as they call it) and so far from scandalous in the Worlds Eye, as to escape their severer cen­sures, and yet not be a just Man (indeed and in a Scripture sense.) It would be (in comparison at least) a very Happy Age, if all that seem good were so indeed: if all that are not scandalous in the sight of the World, were Righteous in the sight of God. The Scribes and Pharisees whom we must surpass in goodness, if ever we would see the Kingdom of Heaven, ( Mat. 5.20.) These I say, had (many of them) a fair outside, and could not have gained such a Reputation for Piety as we [Page 55]know they had, if they had come short of moral Men, and sober Li­vers; and indeed they were some­what more than such; for 'tis not easie to conceive a more curious frame of Religion, as to the out­ward part of it than they had; wit­ness their Praying and Fasting, their Alms and Observation of the Sab­bath, in Mat. 6. and elsewhere. Yet they were not spoken of as the Righteous Servants of God: yea that very Text, ( Mat. 5.20.) shews plainly that they came short of Hea­ven, notwithstanding all their pre­tences and performances.

And if a Man may be morally honest, and outwardly Religious, and yet not be Righteous and Re­ligious indeed, O then (Christian Reader) what shall we think of those that are Scorners of Religion, and have scarce any shews of good­ness in them: that value the Scrip­ture no more than a Play Book, [Page 56]and an Orthodox Sermon than an idle Story: that act contrary to the great Rules of Morality and Sober Reason, dishonouring their God and themselves, at once, by horrid Oaths and Imprecations, by Hellish Railings, Lyes and Slan­ders, in their ordinary course; that call themselves People of the Church of England, and live as if they were made to disgrace it, saying (once in a month or two) [I Believe in God] yet behaving themselves daily as if they Believed there is no God; boasting very fre­quently of the Loyalty of their principles, yet seldom coming to Church to pray for their King; in a word, grinding the Faces of the poor and needy in the grossest manner) treating them with terri­ble threatnings, and discoursing them with Luciferian Loftiness, when they humbly beg the money that they have honestly earned of them, [Page 57]and beseech it for their necessities sake? O how far are these from the Just Man's path? And though at pre­sent they may have a false peace, yet when Conscience is awakened they may be forced to consider (with confusion enough) that their God is not to be mocked, and that he knoweth how to reserve the un­just to the day of Judgment to be punished, 2 Pet. 2.9.

4. A Man may have some kind of good motions, and good desires, and yet not be a truly Just and Righteous Person. Pharaoh him­self desired Moses to pray for him, and 'tis said of Simon Magus that he Believed, Acts. 8.13. which must needs imply some good thoughts of the Christian Faith, and some motion of his mind to­wards it. And those to whom the Holy Prophet was as a pleasant Song (which argues that they had some delight in his Ministery, and [Page 58]some desire after it) yet are not spoken of as God's Righteous Ser­vants: for 'tis added, They hear thy words but do them not, Ezech. 33.32. Divines, (I acknowledge) use to put a good Interpretation upon good desires, and speak often of their Acceptance in the sight of God, when they write for the com­fort of afflicted Consciences: But then those good desires are supposed to be sound and well grounded, and attended with suitable endeavours, and an upright inoffensive Conver­sation in the main: But as for those good desires that too many are apt to content themselves with; as when they content themselves to live ill, (in Sottish, Profane, Mali­cious, and Injurious practices) and yet satisfie themselves with this that they wish in some sort that they could do better (and so hope that God accepteth the Will for the Deed in such a case) This, I say, is a sad [Page 59]mistake, and one of the most wretched delusions that ever Satan deceived any Sinner with; for God doth absolutely require Men, and chiefly Christian Professors to live well; and will never dispence with it for the sake of any good desires; nor are our desires truly good any further than they make us, truly and in the main, followers of that which is good. Nor can any de­sires be accepted with God, which a Man may have while his heart is in love with any way of Wickedness. If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me, Psal. 66.18. These things are so plain that there may seem little need to say any thing to clear or confirm them: yet because 'tis the saddest thing imagi­nable for Men to be deceived to destruction by false Apprehensions of their own goodness here on Earth, I shall add a few words more about it. Consider therefore that as the [Page 60]Scripture in some places describes the just by their good desires (for 'tis little of good, for any to doe what is good against their Wills) so in other places, and more usually it describes them by good Conversa­tion, and upright doings. When the question is put, Who shall dwell in God's Holy Hill, ( Psal. 15.2.) 'tis answered, He that walketh uprightly and worketh Righteousness. (Not he that faintly wisheth to walk up­rightly, and in the mean time liveth wickedly, but he that so desires it as to doe it in some measure, and in his ordinary course. So the Ser­vant in the parable that is stiled good and faithfull, is intimated to have done well, and not only to have spoken well, or to have wished his Masters work well done, without any more concern about it. Thus also Zachary and Elizabeth, Luk. 1.6. are commended for Righteous Persons, not for having some good [Page 61]thoughts of God's ways, or some uneffectual good wishes about them, but for walking in them, (vers. 6) They were Righteous before God, walk­ing in the Commandments of the Lord. The Righteous (that are noted to be mercifull also) are spoken of as walk­ing in their uprightness, Esay. 57.1, 2.

Briefly, 'tis well doing, and not well wishing without it (where Ability and Opportunity is affor­ded) that shall end well at last, and come off with Credit at the great day of Revelation: They that have done good shall come forth to the Re­surrection of Life, Joh. 5.29.

And the great reason why Men shall be judged according to their ways, may be supposed to be this, be­cause these are the truest discove­ries of their desires and dispositions; (as the stream discovereth the na­ture of the Fountain whence it floweth) and the matter is clear in any other case: If, for instance, [Page 62]one that hath took up Arms against his King, should consider what it is that he doth, how evil, how dan­gerous, how scandalous it is, and so should resolve (and accordingly desire) to cease his Rebellion, and become a true Subject: yet if he does not so indeed, and actually lay down his Arms (it being a thing that lyeth in his power) he is cer­tainly no better than a Rebel still, and must not think that his King will accept those good desires and Resolutions that made him never a whit the better Man.

5. A Man may doe some good deeds and yet not be in the number of the just. Possibly his goodness may be as the Morning Dew, when his Wickedness is more constant and prevailing. His common course may be Earthly and Sensual, yea Devilish too, though he sometimes make a shift to step out of Satan's path into some good action for his [Page 63]credit sake, or the like ends. As we have the Scribes and Pharisees for examples of it, though they were the greatest enemies our Sa­viour had.

It was said of Amaziah, he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a perfect (or upright) heart, 2 Chron. 25.2. Thus some will doe works of Justice to­wards Men, and yet live in a wil­full and common neglect of the du­ties of Prayer, and publick Worship and Service toward God, and what is such Mens Righteousness worth, while 'tis so void of Religion to­wards the God of Righteousness? Some again will doe works of mercy towards the Poor, yet allow themselves to rail at the Rich, and spight at any that are above them in the World; and what is such Mens mercy worth?

Are these just Men indeed that are so injurious to their God, and [Page 64]dishonour him more in some ways than they honour him in others? We think that Man more an Ene­my than a Friend that knowingly and usually does us more hurt, than good. And our Religion, we know, engages us to mind (in its place) every part of God's revea­led Will, to keep a good Consci­ence towards God as well as Men, and towards one as well as another, Acts. 24.16. Phil. 2.15. In short, to live Godly, Righteously and Soberly in this present World, Tit. 2.12.

Having seen what good a Man may have and yet not be a good or just Man, I think it will be no in­excusable digression to consider what evil one may have and yet be such indeed.

1. A Person may have variety of troubles, yea such as the most and the worst do seldom meet with, and yet be a just Person (Righte­ous [Page 65]and accepted in the sight of God) the straits of time may be Tempestuous to those to whom the Ocean of Eternity shall be calm enough. Many are the troubles of the Righteous, Ps. 37. and we know the troubles of Job, that upright Man, were such as few or none ever suffered the like.

2. Inward and Spiritual Afflicti­ons are not at all inconsistent with the State of the just in this World. One may be full of doubts of his Salvation and fears of Hell, yea he may be under the extremity of these evils (and be swallowed up as it were in these depths of sorrow) and yet be an Heir of Heavens joy. The Psalmist shews us, He had suf­fered God's Terrours from his Youth, Psal. 88.15. Job complained that the Terrours of God had set themselves in array against him, 6.4. Terrours are turned upon me, they pursue my Soul, Chap. 30.15. adding ( v. 17.) [Page 66] My Bones are pierced in the night sea­son, and my Sinews take no Rest.

3. A Christian may be followed with great Temptations, yea with horrid and unheard-of ones, and yet may be a just Man. For it was so with our Lord himself. He was tempted to fall down and worship the unclean Spirit, and to cast himself down from the Pinna­cle of the Temple, Mat. 4.6.9. And if these things befell the Son of God, the vilest Temptations may be managed against the Ser­vants of God. They that have grace in their hearts and favour in Heaven, may have their Heads fil­led with horrible thoughts (of God, Christ, Scripture, &c.) And these thoughts being hated increase not their guilt, but their grief only, and Satan the suggester of them shall an­swer for them, and not the temp­ted humbled Sinners.

4. A Man may have much to doe with Sin, and find a great deal of evil in his Soul, (in affections, thoughts and passions) and yet be found in the number of the just. Not only disturbing thoughts in Prayer and other Duties, but also many other evil affections and in­clinations may be really in him, and yet he may be a Servant of God. St. Paul says, The flesh lusteth against the Spirit (Corruption a­gainst Grace) which supposeth sin­full dispositions. And Rom. 7.21. says he of himself, When I would doe good, evil is present with me: Name­ly, the evil of his own heart, for the [...] signifieth properly not the evil one Satan, but the evil thing Sin. To which may be added Jam. 5.17. where speaking of that eminently Righteous Man Elias, he saith, He was a Man of like pas­sions with us — which seems to mean that he was subject to the [Page 68]same sinfull passions that others are, and had them really though not Reigning in his Soul: such as rash anger, immoderate cares, inordi­nate fears, impatient motions, and the like — That this is the meaning of it may be guessed by the 17. verse, Elias was a Man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed that it might not Rain for three years, and it Rained not: that is, God shewed such a regard to his Prayers, though he were such a one; now if we interpret it of the like passions only in a natural sense (so as to have in him joy and fear and the rest that belong to the nature of Man as such, without any thing of Sin) this would be lit­tle wonder that his Prayers should be thus heard; there being nothing more agreeable to the divine good­ness than to shew a great regard to the petitions of those Creatures that are fully conformed to their Maker's [Page 69]Will, and have nothing amiss, or offensive in them. But that God should so regard the petitions of one that was subject to the like sinfull passions as we are, this was won­drous indeed, and a piece of unspeak­able condescension in the most high and holy one: this therefore is most like to be the meaning of it.

And if it were not so, it would be little encouragement to sinfull Creatures, which I verily believe it was especially written for. So that sinfull affections and motions, where they are resisted and opposed, and accompanied with a conscientious course in the main, are no argu­ments at all that a Man is not a­mong the number of the Just. Whatsoever evils there may be, which do only hinder us in the ways of God, but do not ordinarily turn us out of them (or set our hearts against them) all these are not able to disprove our sincerity or [Page 70]deprive us of Acceptance with our gracious God. The Traveller that resolveth, with God's Assistance, to go to such and such Towns (set­ting out and proceeding as he ought to doe) though he should be some­times thrust out of his way, or be forced to carry a Burden that makes him walk slowly and wearily in it, yet is in truth a Traveller towards those places as much as if he went with the greatest ease and speed; so the Christian that makes God his end, and the way of his Command­ments his common path to walk in, though he be clogg'd with Sin and compassed with Infirmity (and many ways hindered in running the Race that is set before him) yet is a Traveller towards Heaven truly so called, and shall one day see that City of God.

SECT. IX. Shewing the usefulness of the point in two other particulars.

IN the next place, it may occasion us to consider the different ends of the Righteous and the Wicked. They may (I grant) be alike in their ends, but they will not be alike afterwards. Though they may die the same kind of Death, yet Death will not be the same to both; the one shall be a gainer by it, and be with Christ; which is far better than any condition here: the other shall be a looser by it, and be in greater misery than any he feared in this World. That which by any means cuts the thread of his Life, casts down also all the Pillars of his hope, Proverbs 11.7. When a [Page 84]Wicked Man dyeth, The Wicked Man's misery after Death. his Expectation shall Perish, and the hope of unjust Men Pe­risheth. As then he is deprived of all his Wealth and Honour, Sport and Pleasure, and all that outward good or comfort which here he took any content­ment in; so his departed Soul will find nothing to supply the want of them. 'Tis true: It hath to doe with God, but not in a way of mer­cy and favour; and therefore his presence will not comfort it in the absence of earthly comforts. The Spirit, says Solomon, returns to God that gave it; that's spoken of the Spirit, or Soul of Man, in general, whether good or bad. The Spirit of a good Man returneth to God as to a gracious Father, the Spirit of a bad Man as to a Righteous Judge and disposer of it. And we cannot imagine that the Soul of one that [Page 85]would never return (in a holy sense) in his life time should return to God, in a happy sense, when his life is ended. For he will recompense him according to his ways, saith the Prophet, and hath revealed his Wrath against all the ungodliness and unrigh­teousness of Men, Rom. 1.18. 'Tis said of the unbeliever, so continuing, that the Wrath of God abideth on him, John 3.36. And every ungodly Man (we doubt not) is an unbelie­ver, in a Scripture sense, though he cares not to think so ill of himself. And what wonder is it if the holy one shew his high displeasure against the departed Soul of that Sinner, that would not Religiously depart from Evil, nor was ever reconci­led through Jesus Christ? Now what a dreadfull case will this be? What a terrible taking will a guilty Impenitent Soul be in, when it sees it self in the Regions of Eternal Dark­ness? When it hath lost all com­forts [Page 86]and comfortable Expectations, and shall never see any more good: when Money and Lands, when Ac­quaintance and Friends, when Time and Hope, and all is gone! O what deep distress, what substantial sorrows will it be filled with, when 'tis compast about with miseries un­changeable, and utterly swallowed up (without help or hope) in the depths of God's revenging Wrath? —Consider of it, Reader, in the fear of God, and never let thy Soul be satisfied without that mercy and grace which may fit thee to escape such a fearfull condition.

2. It may also keep us from won­dring at, (or at least from stumbling at) the troubles of true obedient Christians in this World. They come on them, many times, thick and threefold (as we call it) and are so far from moving the careless World to pity them, that they ex­pose them rather (but too common­ly) [Page 87]to the utmost scorn and con­tempt.

Sometimes also they are ready to Blaspheme (on that occasion) and say, Behold, what good doth all their Godliness do them? For, how miserably do they live? and who is there round about that have more sorrows and grievances than many of those that make so much adoe a­bout Religion? But assuredly all this will not warrant them to des­pise Religion, or those that love and follow it. For besides other consi­derations that might be urged, name­ly, Their remaining sinfulness which maketh the chastisements of their Heavenly Father needfull for them (with that most wise providence and Fatherly love that ordereth and limi­teth them) together with the nature of Sin it self that makes them worthy of more and greater sufferings than in this mortal life they can ever bear; Death eternal being the wages of Sin, [Page 88]Rom 6.23. I say, besides these and the like considerations that may be urged, the shortness of their trou­bles, and the certainty of their Souls Happiness after Death, may abundantly satisfie them: and is more than sufficient to countervail the saddest sufferings of this mortal State, (as will farther be evinced by the nature and property of that Felicity, which in its place with God's Assistance I shall endeavour to explicate)

SECT. X. Being a perswasive to several great Duties.

THE truth of the present point may be looked on as a true [Page 89]and just ground for Christian prac­tices; and 'tis great pity but Peo­ple should be somewhat the better for a point of so much comfort and en­couragement to Goodness. Here therefore I may fitly endeavour to engage my self and others to the duties following.

1. Patience under God's afflicting hand (whether by outward or in­ward troubles) Men of ordinary prudence can follow very unplea­sant methods of Physick from the meer prospect of that ease and health which they hope, in time, to find by so doing (though none do pro­mise them health, much less assure them of the continuance of it How should a Christian then endeavour (more and more) that patience may have its perfect work, when he fore­sees by Faith that blessed Rest which his Soul shall have after death hath seized upon his Body; and hath the word of God to assure him that this [Page 90]happiness shall never end, but be compleated at the Resurrection of the just, when their wasted Bodies shall forsake their dark Prisons, and Shine as the Sun in the Kingdom of their Father, Mat. 13.43. He may therefore say with chearfulness as once a worthy Servant of Christ [Hold out Faith and Patience, for your work will shortly be at an end.]

2. The Duty of Charity should hence be enforced upon us according to our place and power. What if Men be never so unworthy or un­thankfull, yet Christians should be ready to extend their Charity to them, in any reasonable way, for the sake of that good God who will do them so much good after death. How can they do less than shew forth real compassions (on all fit oc­casions) yea towards their very names, if they find them wronged therein, when they remember their heavenly Father's Love, and consi­der [Page 91]how shortly he will receive their immortal Souls, and Crown them with his tenderest mercies?

3. Upright living in the general: how should this engage a Christian to honour his God what he can, and (as the Apostle exhorts) to do all to his Glory: to live by Faith and walk in Love, and be ready to every good work? For as Samuel said, 1 Sam. 12.24. Serve the Lord in truth with all your heart, for consi­der what great things he hath done for you; How fitly then may I say to such a one, be diligent in thy duty, and lead thy life to the glory of that gracious God who will satisfie thy Soul with his glorious goodness when once it hath left this sinfull World.

4. It should make a Christian willing (yea glad) to glorifie his God by dying for his truth (if pro­vidence should call him to it.) Life is sweet, (says the Proverb) and to [Page 92]part with it when we can keep it is commonly counted a hard Chapter: and 'tis really a principal part of self denial. But 'tis no more than a Christian ought to be content to practise (though Mr. Hobbs his Le­viathan would render it needless) when God calls him to it, and when he cannot keep his Life without re­nouncing the truth or doing wicked­ly some other way; and as in such cases he should think himself bound to it by Christ's dying for him (whose death was more grievous than the death of any Man else, and whose life was more precious than the life of all created Beings;) so he should be encouraged to it by acting his faith upon the truth in hand: for why should he either think it much or think it sad, to part with his life for the honour of that immortal Majesty whose presence and favour is his whole Felicity, and shall sure­ly be to his departed Soul an Ocean [Page 93]of Eternal Peace and Pleasures?

5. It should move a Christian to be content under the ordinary cros­ses of this life, and particularly pains and sicknesses and spightfull causeless aspersions and disgraces.

No Affliction (we confess) is in it self joyous but grievous; (and therefore People are not to be bla­med for being sensible of them; nor are those kind of Persons wonder­full wise, nor yet very charitable, that censure their Neighbours of gross impatience for crying out in an extremity of pain) though, I say, no Afflictions, or those instanced in, are in themselves any other than matters of grievance, yet a Christian has no cause to be discontent or dis­couraged: for his mind may receive great satisfaction when his Body can receive no ease; and why should he faint at those Tribulations that shall so shortly have an end, and a happy end too?

For however his Body be tired with Sicknesses, and his Name abu­sed by the basest Tongues, yet e're long his Soul shall have Rest enough, yea and credit enough also amongst the excellent Inhabitants of the un­seen-World when once it hath put off its Earthly Tabernacle.

6. It should move Christian Pa­rents to take care of their Childrens spiritual welfare, and see that they be brought up in the Knowledge of God, and the Instructions of that sacred word, Which is able to make them Wise to Salvation, 2 Tim 3.15. And so tends to prepare them for a happy immortality when this mor­tal life is passed away.

SECT. XI. Containing the Resolution of two great Questions.

I thought to have gone on in the smooth track of duties and com­forts arising from the Doctrine in hand: but on second thoughts I was willing to resolve (so far as the gi­ving my opinion of) some Queries relating to the present point.

1. Whether the Souls of the Just af­ter Death, do go so immediately and directly to Heaven (or are so confined and limited) as to have nothing to do e at any time in this lower World?

2. Whether the Rest and Joy which they have after Death be perfect or not?

Concerning these I desire the Rea­der to be of my mind no farther than he can see some reason for it. As to the former, the most common opinion (I think) is, that such de­parted Souls have no more to doe with any on Earth, or have no presence with them (nor appearance to them) at any time, or on any account.

But with me the saying of it, with­out the proving of it signifies but lit­tle: and I know no Argument they being for it that my reason is satisfi­ed in. I therefore conceive the con­trary to be true: [that holy Souls after death may be at some times, and on some occasions, present with Men in this World, appear to them and converse with them] (though I believe it is not ordinary, nor ought to be expected by any.) And since there's no [...] better way to prove a thing may be, than to prove that it hath been; I shall therefore [Page 97]offer what to me seemeth consi­derable for that purpose. And first: That Text of St. Matthew 17.3. There appeared (says the E­vangelist) unto them Moses and Elias talking with them. — Moses then appeared at Christ's Transfiguration: now we read that Moses dyed, and was buried in the Land of Moab, Deut. 34.5. And if then he appea­red in his Body, he must have been raised from the Dead at that time: but Scripture tells us no such thing, which in all probability it would have done if it had been so. There is therefore as great a probability that he then appeared in his Soul only. And I find the Reverend Bishop Hall (in Contempl. on the Transfiguration) express himself in this sort; [ Moses did then appear, but whether in the Body, or out of the Body I cannot tell.] Thereby granting the latter might be as well as the former: and it is no absur­dity [Page 98]for me to suppose that possible which so excellent an Author judg­ed so.

If any should ask, how can a Soul being a spiritual substance, appear in the World? perhaps I may an­swer (in like manner) I cannot tell: and if I, nor others cannot tell the manner of it, yet that disproves not the reality of the thing. I know the Spider makes his Web, yet I do not tell Men (nor they me) how he makes it, nor yet of what matter. And if such Cavillers would tell us how Angels do appear (that are as far from all essential corporeity, as the Souls of Men) we might the ea­sier shew them how Souls may ap­pear. And thus much also I will add, that an eminent Divine assu­red me that the best Philosophers he knew were of opinion, that the Souls of Men removed from their Natural Bodies, are embodied (as it were) in Aerial Vehicles; and that he him­self [Page 99]was of the same Judgment.

2. That of Samuel appearing to Saul, (1 Sam. 28.12, 13, 14.) may fitly be urged. For the Scripture gives no cause to believe that Samu­el's Body was then raised from the Dead, (nor do I find Expositors supposing such a thing) it may there­fore well be thought it was Samuel in Soul only. For the context seems to evince that it was Samuel really: The Apparition being called by no other name, as oft as 'tis men­tioned, — vers. 12. When the Woman saw Samuel, vers. 14. And Saul per­ceived it was Samuel; and thrice more in the other verses 'tis so cal­led. I know the contrary minded will have Samuel to be meant of somewhat else, either the Witches Familiar, or Satan in his shape, or some cunning piece that was to de­ceive Saul with I know not what extraordinary Arts and Tricks, (as Mr. Scott and Mr. Webster are wil­ling [Page 100]we should think.) But if this be a warrantable way of interpre­ting Scripture, I shall hardly know what is not; and let any intelligent Person judge whether by such a way of interpreting, the plainest History in Scripture (or elsewhere) may not be spoiled; And let it be re­membred that He that called it Sa­muel so often was the holy Pen-man of that part of Scripture. And the Letter is to be insisted on, if there be nothing in that context, or in o­ther Scripture, to enforce the con­trary; I am also the proner to think there is no such thing, when I con­sider the insufficiency (if I much mistake not) of the best Answers that are given by Writers of great Judgment and Acuteness in other matters: as Dr. Willet, Chamierus, and the Anti-Racovianist Nichol. Arnoldus in his Notes upon the place. Whose Answer being brief, (and yet the substance of what the others [Page 101]say) I shall (with due respect to his Name and Works) humbly take leave to examine. Well then: in Lib. cui tit. Lux in Tenebris. It must not be thought that it was Samuel in his Soul, that there had to doe with Saul. This the learned Author will not grant, and gives the follow­ing reasons as (1) Quia sic subjectus fuisset Pythonissae: Because (says he) if so, he should have been Subject to the Witch of Endor; whereas such a Servant of God was not, in his Soul subject to her.

Reply. True indeed: He was not thus subject to her, nor doth that Scripture imply any such thing. For it is not said that Samuel came at her command; yea the contrary is intimated: for when he that is called Samuel appeared, the Woman ('tis said) cryed out with a loud voice: a sign she was surprised, by seeing what she was not wont to see (and [Page 102]perhaps before she had gone over all the methods of her Inchant­ments,) doubtless the appearance of her Familiar in humane shape (or any thing else that was usual in her Magical Contrivances) was not like to have been such an Afrightment to her.

2. Ans. — Passus est se Adorari, &c. The Samuel here, (says he) suffered Saul to worship him. But true Samuel, though in Soul only, would not have suffered such a thing.

Reply. Indeed the holy Soul of Sa­muel Would not have consented to such a thing: but 'tis possible for it (for ought I know) to have suffered such a thing. The best of God's Servants, in some cases may let a Sin pass without a formal reproof. (Not to espouse the opinion of those that say, Duty properly respects the Person, not a part of him. Lex datur personis.) 2. How knows any [Page 103]Man that this apparition did not re­prove Saul for Worshipping it if he did so indeed: For there is no necessity of supposing that not to have been done, which the Scripture doth not say was done. We read of our Saviour, that he did many things (meaning, no doubt, many great and wonderfull ones) that are not written, or recorded, John 21. And whereas some conceive that Saul's act was only an act of reverence and respect, and not of worship or adoration, they are like enough to be in the right; and I am confident the expression (in the 14 verse) [He stoopt with his Face to the ground, and bowed himself] doth not enforce the contrary.

His 3 ^d. Ans. Quia Sauli non Re­spondebat, &c. Because (says he) God refused to Answer Saul by any of the Prophets then living: much less then would he do it by the dead, and Luke. 16. Such a thing was de­nied [Page 104]to the rich Man that reques­ted it.

Reply. That saying [The Lord answered him not] may, according to the scope of the place, be inter­preted of answering Saul, as he ex­pected, or in a comfortable way as t'was said to a wicked People, When ye make many Prayers, I will not hear, Esay. 1.15.

And though Luk. 16. we are taught to attend to the Scripture, and not to expect information from Saints departed; yet this hinders not but that the Soul of a Saint in an extraordinary case, may have some converse with the living in this World. And I have read in a good Author, that some of those Angels that Scripture tells us appeared to People, were probably the Spirits of Just Men, called Angels only from their Office of Message and Ministration. Thus Reader, I have given thee my thoughts in this mat­ter: [Page 105]and if thou shewest me that I have erred herein, I shall willing­ly owe thee, and pay thee, my thanks, And if I am (herein) out of the way, yet I am not alone: some of my betters are of the same mind, and particularly the famous Philo­sopher and Divine Dr. Henry More.

I shall now only (as to this) add a remarkable History (mentioned by a good Author) as followeth [One Mr. Watkinson a Religious Man had a Daughter, whom he dearly loved, married to a Man at York (He then living in London) She came several times to visit her Father: and the last visit she made, she said, at par­ting, that she feared she should ne­ver see him more in this World. To which he answered, if he died be­fore her, in case God would permit: the Dead to see the Living, he would surely see her once more.

When he had been dead about half a year, in a night when she­could [Page 106]not sleep, the Chamber grew lighter and lighter; and being per­fectly awake, she saw her Father stand by her, who called her as he used to do, saying [Did I not tell you I would see you again?] She called him Father, and talked of many things. He bad her be Patient, and Dutifull to her Mother; He also bad her speak what she desired at that time, because he must shortly leave her; and then he should meet her no more till they met in the Kingdom of God: and so at length the Chamber grew darker, and he was gone.]

I know very well that Men of large Consciences have a very nar­row belief of matters of this nature, (for the most part.) And I doubt not but the Atheistical Leviathanists of this Age are ready to laugh at such a Relation; but I dare say, 'tis not the less credible for that. For as it was the substance of a Letter [Page 107]written to a Doctor of Divinity, so 'tis recorded by a very ingenious, and judicious Author Mr. Joseph Glanvil, with these words at the end of it [I was told this with great assurance by Dr. Rust, afterwards Bishop of Dromore, and was not credulous in these things.] Now though these Men had a design to promote the interest of Religion, yet 'tis verily thought they were not so unwise or unworthy as to endeavour it by frivolous and un­grounded reports. (Thus to the first Question)

Quest. 2. Whether the Rest and Joy of Just Mens Souls in their sepa­rated State, be perfect or not?

Ans. This is proposed by several Writers, and particularly Buchan in Loc. Com. and Alstedius in Theol. Po­lemicâ: and is determined in the Ne­gative. Inchoatâ Beatitudine, &c. O­thers [Page 108]use the word Incompleta. They enjoy (say these) the beginning of Blessedness, or an imperfect Bles­sedness — Those that like this No­tion (for me) may make the most of it, and reap all the comfort that it can afford: for my part I must needs say I do not admire it. And now I shall take leave to declare my Sentiments herein (with submission to better Judgments, and a Willing­ness to be farther informed.) And (1.) by way of Concession: I grant that the perfection of happiness, properly so called, or in respect of the Compositum, or whole Man, is reserved to the day of Judgment. Then the Lord will give his Righteous Servants the Crown of Righteousness, and the eternal weight of Glory, as St. Paul speaketh.

(2.) I grant there is a state of Christians in this Life that may be called a Blessedness, which yet is accompanied with no small imper­fection, [Page 109]because they daily lodge an Enemy of God, and have sin dwelling in them. If we say we have no sin we deceive our selves.

But (3.) that a holy Soul after death has not the perfection of Hap­piness, or less of Happiness than it needeth or desireth, this I cannot comply with. Here therefore I shall attempt to prove that the de­parted Souls of the Just are in a State of perfect Happiness, and have all that spiritual comfort from the God of all comfort, which on any account they have need of, (and such a Happiness I think we may justly call perfect, and is all that I wish to my own Soul in its absence from the Body.)

Now (for this) let us consider the state of Sanctified Souls after their removal from their Bodies. They have certainly Life, and Sense, and Knowledge, and all the essen­tial perfections that belong to them [Page 110]as spiritual substances. St. Stephen (doubtless) would not have said (when his Enemies were killing him) Lord Jesus, Receive my Spirit, if he had not believed that his Soul should continue in its spiritual Being after his Body was dead. Now the Souls of such, if they have not all the Happiness that they need, then they must know so much or not; if we say they do not know it, we shall hardly prove that they know any thing else: and so comply with the Socinian Dream, of the Souls slee­ping after death.

And (in reason) what are they more like to know than their own State? But if then they know them­selves destitute of any Happiness that they need, that knowledge must be matter of trouble and dissatisfacti­on unto them; and so (at that rate) the Souls of the Just shall be in part really unhappy, which those that judge of them by the Scriptures will not believe.

2. If in their separated State they have a perfect enjoyment of God, they must be perfectly happy: (by the confession of all those that know wherein Happiness consisteth.) And that in that State they have a per­fect enjoyment of God, is (one would think) no hard matter to make evident. For nothing but sin can hinder the Soul from a perfect Communion with God, and comfort in Him. The Prophet tells the Peo­ple of nothing but their Iniquities that could separate between them and their God (he means apparently in point of comfort, Esay. 59.2. But their iniquities (we have seen alrea­dy) do not follow them into the other World; their Souls are not under the defilements of sin, when they leave the Body and go into the glorious presence of the holy one. The Apostle calls them the Spirits of Just Men made perfect, Heb. 12. and the Psalmist tells us no evil shall dwell with him.

3. To be ever with the Lord, (in his special glorious presence) is spoken of as the very top of our Felicity, and the principal matter of a Christian's Comfort, 1 Thes. 4.17, 18. And this Happiness the de­parted Spirits of the Just do partake of— To depart and be with Christ says St. Paul, Phil. 1.23. and in 2 Cor. 5.8. Desiring rather to be absent from the Bo­dy, and to be present with the Lord. If therefore the one proveth the com­plete Happiness of the whole Man as such, the other as well proveth the perfect Happiness of the Soul as such. Go on therefore, O Faithfull Christian, in thy Christian course, with Faithfulness and Diligence, with Christian courage and Resolu­tion: and let thy Soul magnifie the Lord, for it shall shortly want for no Felicity.

SECT. XII. Treating of the Nature of this Happiness, and the Joy that at­tends it.

BEing come unto these points I am in the depths indeed: and may well say, as St. Paul, who is sufficient for these things? But ha­ving engaged in this Service, 'tis fit I should go on with it, and perform it as God shall enable me.

Here then, I am to consider the happy privileges of a Sanctified Soul in its state of Separation.

And (1.) its Sanctification; I mean full and perfect by which it is freed from all the evil of sin for the present, and all the danger of it for the future, as the Apostle calls them, the Spirits of Just Men made perfect, [Page 114](Heb. 12.23.) That this is meant of the Souls of the faithfull, is gene­rally granted (and 'tis common in Scripture for the Soul to be spoken of under the name of Spirit: The dust (the Body) shall return to the Earth, but the Spirit shall return to God that gave it, Eccles. 12.7.) And St. Stephen in like sort commended his Soul to his Saviour, Lord Jesus, receive my Spirit, Acts. 7.59. And, in that Text to the Hebrews [The Spirits of Just Men] can signifie no­thing but their Souls, because men­tion is made of Angels in the verse before, from whom therefore they are plainly distinguished. And [their being made perfect] must needs be meant, of perfection in Grace and Holiness: for as to any perfection in a natural sense, they had it as much before in this World (yea the state of the Soul in its Separation, without the perfection of Grace in it, may be thought to be a state of [Page 115]greater imperfection than before it was in.) Now ponder with thy self, Reader, of this particular, and think what a blessed condition this must be

If he is stiled Blessed, whose Ini­quity is forgiven, Psal. 32.1. How Blessed then may they be accounted that have all their Iniquities par­doned, and removed also? What a Happiness is it, to be freed from all possibility of sinning? If St. Paul so much lamented the In-being of Sin, complaining that when he would do good, evil was present with him, (Rom. 7.) and called himself Wretch­ed Man for that very reason. How glad (may we think) would he have been, if at that very hour, he could have assured himself that he should never be troubled with it any more? a privilege which after death his Soul was perfectly insta­ted in. If the poor Man that I have read of, was so much delighted to [Page 116]behold the Face of that Physician that had cured him of his fainting Sleeps, and frightfull Dreams; O then with what transcendent Joy and Gladness will a gracious Soul reflect upon the Love of its Re­deemer, when he hath freed it from all degrees of sinfulness, and healed all its Infirmities for ever! Oh what sacred and satisfying Irradia­tions will it receive from the Sun of Righteousness, when the Spirit of Glory hath perfected all its Gra­ces, and delivered it from all the darkness of sin! And in being free from sin, it shall be free from all other evils (as he that is freed from his Debt is secured from all arrests and troubles that relate to it) for whatsoever our God may be pleased to doe out of Sovereignty (and with­out respect to his Creature's sin) as 'tis supposed Job's Afflictions came on him in that way: Yet Divines agree that God did never lay Afflic­tion [Page 117]on his People but while they had sin dwelling in them; so that the Souls of his Servants, after Death, are rid of all other evil, as well as of sin. They shall then be no more disturbed by any Enemies of their Peace; the Regions of the unseen World they are then in, shall be al­ways Serene: The Ocean of Eter­nity shall be calm and comfortable to them; Then they shall have no more to doe with the Temptations of Satan, the Mocks of the Profane, the Snarls and Censures of proud-hearted Hypocrites. These shall fol­low the upright no farther than the Grave: For their end is Peace, Psal. 37.37. How found and substantial will the Soul's Joy be when it sees it self safe in the Arms of God's Love, beyond the sphere of sin and sorrow? which should move it to bear the more contentedly the Troubles and Temptations of this Transitory Life.

In particular, the gracious Soul shall then have the excellencies that are most essential to true Happiness, and be perfected in the Knowledge and love of God in Christ. St. Paul himself, though he knew much more of Christ than most ever did, or shall do in this World, and had the Revelations of things too great to be uttered, (2 Cor. 12.) Yet his knowledge had a real imper­fection at the same time. We know but in part, 1 Cor. 13.9. and vers. 12. Now I know in part, but (as it follows) then I shall know as I am known. I will not play the Critick on that phrase, nor search curiously into the depths of it: 'tis, for our purpose, clear enough; for it must be meant of perfection of knowledge, because 'tis opposed to a knowing in part. If any say it is to be under­stood especially of the state at the Resurrection, I shall not gainsay it. But I see not why it may not be ap­plyed [Page 119]also to the Soul in its Separa­tion. For as the particle [Now] doth confessedly denote the state of this Life, so the particle [Then] doth as plainly intimate any time or state after this Life ended. And he might express it so if it were properly and primarily meant of the Soul, in its Separation from the Body: As when he said (Phil. 1.) I desire to de­part and be with Christ. Which [Be­ing with Christ] is confessedly in­tended in respect of his Soul. Nor is it easie to conceive how his Soul's being with Christ after Death, should be so much a better conditi­on than any in this Life, if therein it had not perfection in the Know­ledge and Love of Christ: For on Earth he had a great measure of them, and was daily tending for­wards towards perfection, and was assured that nothing should separate him from the Love of Christ, ( Rom. 8.)

Surely therefore a holy Soul will not want for knowledge when it has left the World. How can it be any thing less than perfectly light in the Lord, when it shall be perfectly and gloriously present with him? And who is able to tell us what a Joy and Blessedness this must be? If I could know my God and Saviour with such a powerfull, spiritual and affec­ting knowledge as some good Men have had on Earth, my heart should be glad and my spirit rejoyce, though I were utterly despised in the World, and had not one hours health all the days of my Life; yet all their knowledge here was imper­fect (as we have seen;) And how much better shall that state be where all sinfull imperfections shall be done away? If the Mystery of Christ and Salvation by him, be such a glorious thing that the Angels of Hea­ven desire to look into it, (1 Pet. 1.12.) O then what abundant matter [Page 121]of satisfaction and joy will it yield to all those blessed Souls to whom it doth really and eternally belong? and to whom the worth and excel­lency of it (with their interest in it) is fully discovered by the Spirit of Grace and Revelation.

2. Another privilege that holy Souls shall have after their depar­ture hence, is their Company.

They shall then converse with the best of Creatures, and such as never offended their good God, I mean the Holy Angels: After Death they shall be (as it were) made Free of that Company, and see them­selves Members of that Blessed So­ciety united in, and under, the same Head Christ Jesus. Now (in­deed) if they should see but one of those immortal Spirits standing be fore them with his Crown of Glory, compassing them about with a Light brighter than that of the Sun, offer­ing to draw nigh unto them, and [Page 122]asking to joyn with them in the Praises of the great Jehovah; such a sight probably would more asto­nish them than rejoyce them; be­cause the sense of their sinfulness might cast a Damp upon their Hearts, and make them unfit for the heavenly employment: But it shall be otherwise with their Souls when they are fully conformed to their Maker's Will, and as free from sin as the Angels of his presence; for the Angels of Heaven and the Spirits of Just Men made perfect, are Members of that happy Society which Divines use to call the Church Triumphant; and therefore are related to one another by a far nearer and nobler Relation than that of Fellow Creatures, of which the learned may consult Polanus (in Syntag.) and H. Altingii Theol. Nov. problemat. p. 616. In a word, they are called in the Gospel Their An­gels, Math. 18.10.

And we cannot think that those blessed Spirits above that have mi­nistred to them, and (by Gods ap­pointment) took charge of them, and especially, rejoyced at their Conversion, ( Luke 15.10.) I say, we cannot think they will do any thing less than joyfully congratulate their safe Arrival at the state of per­fect purity and peace: and chiefly as it is the proper Fruit of the Will of God, and the purchase of his Christ. Surely the holy Inhabi­tants of the best World, will not be strange to Holy Souls when they come into it; nor are they like the foolish Hypocrites of the Earth that delight to shew themselves proud and scornfull, and look with an evil eye upon the welfare of others.

3. As I question not a Holy Com­munion and Converse between the Angels of God, and the perfected Spirits of the Just, so hitherto I can as little doubt their knowledge of [Page 124]one another and their satisfaction in each others Happiness: (in their state of Separation) at least, and especially, those of them that were before more nearly related, and were wont to join together in God's Service and Praises here on Earth. For it was the design of Christ, to bring his People into a nearer Union with each other, as well as himself: [ that they may be one as we are one, John 17.22.] And those Arguments Divines bring for the Saints know­ledge of one another after the Re­surrection, may seem almost as strong for their Souls Acquaintance with one another, in their absence from their Bodies. The Scripture spea­king of the death of the faithfull says, that (therein) they are gathered to their Fathers (the holy Patriarchs and other their Religious Predeces­sours.) But they are not gathered to them in respect of their Bodies, therefore in respect of their Souls.

4. Holy Souls after Death shall be with Christ, Phil. 1.23. When ab­sent from the Body, they are present with the Lord, 2 Cor. 5.8. And oh what a thing is this! 1. [To be with Christ] (in his special and blis­full presence, to know, love and en­joy him fully, clearly, continually; as the same Apostle maketh it the Crown of all Comforts, To be for ever with the Lord, 1 Thes. 4.17.) Thus, I say, to be with Christ must needs be a matter of purest and per­sectest Joy to a Christian's Soul. Oh that thou couldest fully understand (good Reader) the preciousness of such a privilege!

But, Alas I want words to ex­press it, much more a heart to con­ceive it: I am my self too little a Christian to tell thee the sweetness of this Consolation, to discover the depths of this purest River of the Water of Life. If the holy Apostle could solace himself in the hope of [Page 126]having the Company of his converts at Rome; If the Lord Chancellour of England (in the Reign of King Henry the 8th.) was so much deligh­ted to see in London the Florentine Merchant that (in some difficult cases) had befriended him beyond Sea; (the expressions of whose joy and gratitude were so memorable, that the Learned Dr. Hakwell, thought good to record them, in his Apology of God's power and providence;) If the Hearts of the weak have gathered strength, and revived to admiration at the coming of some eminent unexpected Friends: (though these were but dying Dust, and had not any degree of comfort absolutely at their command:) How unspeakably then must a gracious Soul be refreshed, and most super­latively satisfied, by the presence and favour of that immortal Majes­ty who suffered Death, and the Curse to make it happy?

Surely it must needs be an inesti­mable benefit to be in the happiest manner, present with him who is the King of Glory, the Consolation of Israel, the joy of Angels, and the Saviour of the World.

This therefore, as he was a Me­diatour, was his great desire for his People, That they might be with him where he is, John 17.24. The joy of which we may a little guess at by the things that shall accompany this their Presence with him.

As (1.) a full Deliverance from all Doubts and Fears, and all things that may cause, or occasion them. Here how hard a thing was it for them to get an assurance of their in­terest in Christ, and Salvation by him? and when they had it, t'was no easie matter to maintain and pre­serve it: yea the best on Earth are not so privileged, but that if they be not carefull and watchfull over them­selves, they may fall into such sins [Page 128]as may darken all their evidences for Heaven, and deprive them of the Joy of their Salvation. It was David's case, Psal. 51. But when once their Souls come to dwell with Christ, then they shall be ever se­cured from all possibility of doubt­ing about their spiritual and eternal welfare: no such sad mist can cloud that Soul which lives under the Rayes of the Sun of Righteousness: Here as they may have assurance, so they may loose it again. But to be with Christ is far better, in that respect: and they then Rest from their Labours (from all that may be tedious and tiresome unto them,) Rev. 14.13.

2. Their Presence with the Lord (in St. Paul's sense) will set them free from all manner of cares: not only from disorderly and distrustfull cares, but also from all natural, ne­cessary, and prudential cares, which their present state doth expose them [Page 129]to: And the reason is plain, because then their Souls are above all wants and necessities: They want not for Monies when they are fully possest of the riches of Christ; They want for no Friendship and good Compa­ny, when they are happily joyned to the whole Family of Heaven. They take no care for Food or Sleep, when they enjoy him who is the Bread of Life, and partake of that eternal Rest which he hath purcha­sed for them.

3. In a word; Then they shall be freed from taking any care about doing their Duty, and pleasing their God: For the Difficulty of Duty will then be over, and the Comfort of it only shall remain. When they thus dwell with the holy one, they shall be fully framed to his holy Will. To love God in perfection, and de­light in him, (without which Hea­ven it self cannot make us happy.) These things (I say) willbe as natu­ral [Page 130]and easie to holy Souls after death, as it is to a thirsty man to drink, or to the eye to behold the desired Light; There being no sin then re­maining in them, to alienate and es­trange them from their gracious God, (as hath been already proved.)

And as their Being with Christ secureth them from all Trouble, so it shall afford them the truest and strongest Consolation: and that on these following grounds. 1. Be­cause they shall then see Christ to be their Own for ever: And in all their knowledge of him they shall know him to be Theirs. Propriety is in it self a pleasant thing: with what content do Men many times speak even of those outward (insuf­ficient) comforts which they can truly call their own. My Mony and my Lands, my Relations and my Friends, &c. Do usually sound with an Accent of Pleasure. O what blessed Delight then, must a pious [Page 131]Soul be elevated with, when it dwells with Christ in a better World? What Triumphant exultation will it be filled with, when it can say (with full assurance) My Rock and my Refuge, my Lord and my King, my God and my Saviour, my great High Priest and my Redeemer!

2ly. When they are with Christ (in the sense aforesaid) they shall pos­sess the eternal Treasure, and know (perfectly) the Love of Christ which passeth knowledge, Eph. 3.19. The very Being with him, necessarily implies the enjoying of his Love, (as the Departing from him, imports the want of it, Mat. 7.23.) And how great a Happiness must that be? And though I cannot comprehend it, yet I may fitly take occasion to consider it: and it shall be the sub­stance of the following Section.

SECT. XIII. Shewing the Greatness of the Love of Christ, which the Souls of his People shall enjoy after Death.

WIthout this, my small Book would be too small, and would speak me guilty of too great an oversight to be handsomly excu­sed. For how should I make good its Title Page, of the Joy of Just Mens Souls after Death, if I should not treat of that Love of his, which shall surely be their Glory and Joy?

And though it may be somewhat difficult to resolve in what method to discourse of his unmeasurable Love, yet I think the main of what con­cerns me to say, may be reduced to these two Heads.

1. What Christ is, in Himself.

2. What he hath done and suffered for Sinners.

First, let us consider (for this pur­pose) what Christ is in himself. For, as it was said of old, as the Man is, such is his Strength; so we may say herein, as the Person is, such is his Love; the more excellent any Per­son is, the more excellent and valu­able is his Kindness, in what way so­ever it be expressed towards his In­feriours. It were a greater matter for one that is a King, to hazard his Health for the good of any People, than for an ordinary Person to ven­ture his Life for them.

Now on this account, the Love of Christ towards Sinners, must needs be worthy of everlasting Admirati­on, because he was a Person of infi­nite excellency, the Eternal Son of God, of the same substance with his [Page 134]heavenly Father.] Reader, I be­seech thee, Hold fast this Principle, and part not with it as thou lovest the life of thy precious Soul. For the contrary opinion is not only an errour, but such an errour as stri­keth at the very heart of Christiani­ty, and overthrows the very Foun­dation of our Faith. 'Tis not my present Design to prove this at large, (yet something shall be said of it in due place.) And (by the way) we may perceive how necessary the Knowledge of it is, by considering that of our Saviour, Mat. 16.13. He asked his Disciples, Whom do Men say that I the Son of Man am: q. d. They are very well satisfied that I am indeed the Son of Man, true and very Man (as really as any of you is;) But what do they think of my Person? Do they take me to be a Humane Person, and so no more than a Man, or the Son of Man? To which the Disciples an­swered, [Page 135] Some say, Thou art John the Baptist, some Elias, &c. (Persons very eminent, and as great in God's account as any of the Sons of Men.) But yet they did not therein think highly enough of him; and there­fore, vers. 15. He asked his Disci­ciples, Whom say ye that I am? To which Peter, in the name of the rest, giveth answer saying, Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God, vers. 16. which Answer Christ so well appro­ved of, that he pronounced him bles­sed, vers. 17. and intimated this Truth to be the Rock on which the Church is built: and assureth him, that against it the Gates of Hell shall not prevail, vers. 18.

And now that [his being the Son of the living God] (which he took to himself so apparently) is meant of being his Son properly, by eternal and unspeakable Generation, of the same substance with his Father. This (I say) is now to be cleared and [Page 136]confirmed, and it may be so from those Scriptures wherein he is called, The Son of the Father, 2 John 3. His own Son, Rom. 8. His only begotten Son, John 3. who had Glory with the Father before the World was, Joh. 17.5. who thought it no Robbery to be (or declare himself to be) equal with God, (viz. God the Father) Phil. 2. Titles certainly too high for any mere Creature (whatever Satan and Socinians suggest to the contrary.) The Jews supposed him guilty of Blasphemy, because he being a Man, made himself God (that is, decla­red himself so to be) which they did not charge him with, on any other ground than his owning himself to be the Son of God, John 5.18.10.33. compared with Mark 14, 61, 64.

And if our Saviour had not been the Son of God in such a sense as imported him to be true and very God (as the Jews conceived him to mean,) there is no doubt but he [Page 137]would have shewed them their mis­take, yea quickly too, and have disowned that Title (in the sense that they took it) being Lowly in Heart, and filled with the highest Zeal for his Father's Glory.

And that he was not called the Son of God, upon the account of his miraculous conception, or any privileges that a meer Creature may partake of (as too many would perswade us) may be easily manifes­ted on these two grounds 1 Be­cause he was the Son of God before these things could be said of him. As (in the fullness of time) he came of the Lineage of David, according to the Flesh, and was called the Son of David: So before his Incarnation, he was David's Lord. David in Spirit called him Lord, Mat. 22.43. compared with Psal. 110.1. Surely therefore he was a Person in David's time: And what Person was he then? Surely the same that now he [Page 138]is, even the Son of God: The same in all times past, present, and to come, Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and to day, and forever, H. 13. Nor do I yet find that the Socinians them­selves ever were so senseless as to say, that Christ was the Son of Man, or one of the Angels, in David's time. (And if then he were not a Humane Person, nor an Angelical Person: what remains but that he was a Divine Person at that time, (& therefore at all times.) In a word, he was then such a Son as the same Kingly Prophet calls upon Men to trust in, and calls them blessed that do so, Psal. 2.12. and therefore God the Son, of the same substance with his Father (and so above the rank of meer creatures, for to trust in a meer crea­ture, is so far from blessedness that it is in it self an accursed thing, Jer. 17.5.

2. Such things are said of Christ, the Son of God as no temporal ex­cellencies, privileges, or qualifica­tions [Page 139]can possibly entitle him to: as, To have his outgoings from everlas­ting, Micha 5.2. compared with Mat. 2.6. To be the First and the Last, Rev. 1. To have all things consist in him (or by him) Col. 1. To have all things created by him, and for him, Col. 1.16. Not to in­sist on those places where he is called God absolutely, and solemnly, see John 20.28. and Heb. 1.8. Unto the Son he saith, Thy Throne O God is for ever and ever.

If any can convince me, that all this will not prove Christ to be the Son of God, in a higher sense and manner than any temporal privile­ges, or created excellencies can make him to be, they then may have hope enough to make me be­lieve that my Right Hand is my Left, or any other piece of the pro­foundest Non-sense, that their pre­tended Right Reason can impose upon me. Yet it being a matter [Page 140]above the reach of natural Reason, I must say, (with him in the Gospel) Lord I believe, Help thou my unbe­lief. They that would see more on this great subject, may consult Steg­man-photin Refut. Disp. 5. quaest. 7. Jacobi ad part. Def. Fidei. and espe­cially the acute Thalyaeus in Anat. Samosat. quaest. 2.

And whereas some do much urge Luke. 1.35. to prove that Christ was the Son of God, by reason of his miraculous Conception, because 'tis immediately added. [Wherefore also that holy thing that shall be Born of Thee, shall be called the Son of God.] This I say, will not serve their pur­pose: And if from hence they could make such a knot as we could not untie, yet that would not make the matter e're the clearer on their side. And whether we can search the depth of that sacred Text or no, yet we may soon be perswaded that this his miraculous conception was [Page 141]not the chief reason of his being, or being called, the Son of God. For if so, he must have been the Son of the Holy Ghost, because this work is peculiarly ascribed to him in the foregoing verse. But Christ, we are told, is the Son of the Father, John 2.3. and the Holy Ghost is the Spi­rit of the Son, Gal. 4.6.

2. If Christ was the Son of God, on account of his miraculous concep­tion, then he began to be so when that began: But 'tis not so (certain­ly) For he was the Son of God long before, and was so called, Psal. 2.7.12. and he had Glory with his Father before the World was, Joh. 17.5.

He was therefore the Eternal Son of the Father (as our Church spea­keth) on account of an eternal and unspeakable Generation. And be­ing a Person of infinite Dignity, his Love must needs be of infinite value; so that the utmost conceivable kind­ness [Page 142]of all the Angels in Heaven, (if they were as many as the drops in the Sea, and the Sands on the Shore) would be utterly inconside­rable in comparison of His, and ex­ceed the Understandings of mortal Men, almost as far as it doth their Deservings, (which by the next Sec­tion may farther appear.)

SECT. XIV. Discovering the Greatness of Christ's Love, in what he did, and suffered for Sinners.

That the sense of the love of Christ, will be the special matter of the joy of Just Mens Souls after Death, will easily be granted, and may in its place be farther proved: At pre­sent [Page 143]I think it my Duty, and full enough to my purpose, to set forth the greatness of his Love, in the great things that he did and suffered for Sinners sake. And first, I may fitly instance in his taking our na­ture into unity with his own Divine Person, so as to become true and very Man, like unto us, Sin excep­ted. If St. John so much admired that such as we should be called the Sons of God (by Adoption,) Be­hold what manner of Love is this? 1 John 3.1. How then may we wonder at that Love that moved the Son of God from Everlasting, to be­come the Son of Man in Time? What a height of kindness and con­descension was that which moved the most High and Holy one to stoop so low for our sakes and Salvation? Sure the utmost kindness that the best of Creatures can have towards us, in comparison of this Love of Christ, is but as a drop to the Sea, [Page 144]or as a Mote in the Sun to the whole frame of Nature.

For let us but think with our selves what a wondrous thing it was that the Son of God should vouch­safe to take our Nature on him, and be made in the likeness of sinfull Flesh, Rom. 8.3. well may we say in this as the Psalmist doth, Lord, what is Man that thou art mindfull of him? For the Nature of Man that is corrupt with sin, and subject to the darkness of the Grave, what is this, (I say) to him who is the Light of the City of God, and had Glory with the Father before the World was, John 17.5. Thus there­fore to assume our Nature, might seem a matter infinitely below him, but that his love thought nothing so. And as he took Humane Nature to himself, so in it he did those excel­lent things that expressed the great­ness of his Love towards Men, and the care he took of their eternal [Page 145]Salvation. He came into the World to save Sinners, 1 Tim. 1.15. He went about doing good, preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, and work­ing the most absolute uncontrolla­ble miracles for Confirmation of his holy Doctrine, leading them in the way to Heaven by his own blessed example, bearing patiently the grea­test Slanders, and suffering the con­tradictions of Sinners against himself, Heb. 12.3. Overcoming daily their evil with good, and inviting them to himself to come unto him, that they might have Life. And the eminency of his Love and Goodness, will be especially visible in the evils that he suffered, and voluntarily exposed himself to for the sake of Sinners; which, being compared with the excellency and innocency of his Person, will easily appear to exceed the most enlarged thoughts of Men and Angels. As to this therefore, I must say with the Apos­tle, [Page 146] who is sufficient for these things? And as it was said of old, who hath declared his Generation? So I may (as justly) who can declare his Hu­miliation and Passion, and that Sa­cred Depth of Divine Love that was discovered therein?

That he whom the Heaven of Heavens could not contain, and of whom they borrow their Brightness and Glory, should be laid in a Manger, and live in Meanness and Obscurity; That He who is Rich from all Eternity should in time become poor for our Sakes; That He who was the God of Israel, the Author and Maintainer of the Water of Life (Rev. 22.1.) should Himself be subject to Weariness and Thirst, and be fain to refresh him­self with so weak a Cordial as the Water of Jacob's Well (John 4.) That He whom the Highest Angels worshipped should be abused by the basest Men, be reviled and scorn'd, [Page 147]buffeted and spitted on, and (at last) be Crucified between two Malefactours, (as if he had been the worst of the Three) That He who was purer than all the created In­habitants of the high and holy Place, should suffer himself to be tempted to Sin, and bear Day by Day, the vilest Assaults of the unclean Spirit: ( Math. 4.) That He who uphold­eth all things by the word of his power, ( Heb. 1.) should be weak and faint, and in the midst of sor­rows, give up the Ghost: That He who was the Heir of all things, and the Son of the Blessed, should be de­prived of all Comforts, and cry out upon the Cross, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? and (in a word) fall under Condemnation, and be made a Curse, Gal. 3.13. Wonder, Christian Reader, wonder evermore at that Superlative Love which moved him to do, and suffer such marvellous things for such as [Page 148]we. Methinks our Hearts should be mightily affected with it, and our whole Souls be swallowed up as it were in this blessed and boundless Ocean; And because we can know but little of it whilst we live, let us be content to dye, that our Souls may know it better; For certainly the perfect Knowledge and Enjoy­ment of this transcendent Love of Christ, must needs be no less than Blessedness indeed. If the People of Israel (after the Dedication of the House of God) went away so glad and merry in heart for the Goodness that the Lord had shewed them therein, (2 Chron. 7.10.) If they had so much comfort in their Souls when Providence had delivered them from the sorrows of their Captivity, and made them sit in peace under their own Vines; Neh. 8.17. If the Wise­men rejoyced so exceedingly when they saw but our Saviour's Star ap­pear? Math. 2.10. O then what [Page 149]blessed Joy may we conceive to pos­sess those happy Souls, that partake of the sweetest Influences of that Sun of Righteousness, and enjoy those Rivers of sacred pleasures that flow from his everlasting Love? (being perfected at the same time in their Love towards him) This must needs be far better than the best condition here; and how much better thou shalt know, Christian Reader, at the fittest Season, in a far better manner than I am able to tell thee.

SECT. XV. Being other Brief Improvements of the Point.

THIS Truth will truly serve for other good purposes, besides those already mentioned: and in the next place it may assure us of the comfortableness of a Christian Life The Enemies of Religion be­ing (as St. Paul speaketh) unrea­sonable and wicked men, instead of Reasons against it do rather deal in Reproaches and Slanders: And there's scarcely a greater reproach cast on it by the Men of the World than the unpleasantness of it (as they imagine) and the opposition they sup­pose it to carry against Mens pre­sent Comfort and Content. Religi­on [Page 151]they confess, is many times (like Fire) a good Servant (as we use to say) and therefore they think good (it may be) to have some­thing of it, and make a profession of it for their Credit sake, or other earthly Ends: But in the mean time they are loth to account it a good Master: For if they came un­der the power of it, and be ruled by it in their general Course, they think it would make them melan­choly, and robb them of the very Joy of their Lives. But assuredly there is no more reason why we should be asraid of Piety for the causeless Censures of ungodly Sin­ners, than why we should despise the Light of the Sun for a mad Man's mocking and railing at it.

Let men but try the good way in truth, and walk uprightly in it, and then (my Life upon it) it shall not (in the main) make them sad: It shall much rather make them [Page 152]glad; yea it shall one day be the Joy of their Hearts to remember that they walked therein, 2 Cor. 1.12. This is our rejoycing, the Testimo­ny of our Consciences, that in Simpli­city and godly Sincerity, we have had our Conversation.

And the reason of it may in part be seen from hence; for the good Way shall have a good End, and bring them that walk in it to a hap­py State in spight of all that Death can do; yea after it has done its worst upon them. When they de­part this Life, they shall be with Christ which is far better, Phil. 1.23.

2. We may here inform our selves of the Nature of those Troubles that come upon good Christians in this Life, viz. That they are but Cros­ses and not Curses: Trials of Grace and mercifull Visitations, not Venge­ances in the least Degree, or any Effects of destructive wrath; for surely that mercifull Father that [Page 153]will make them so happy after Death doth not mean any mischief to them, in the Afflictions he layeth on them in this present Life: But will make all things work together for good unto them that love him, Rom. 8.28.

3. It may encourage Christians in their Spiritual Warfare, and make them to run with patience the Race that is set before them. How stre­nuously should they now strive a­gainst Sin, since they shall shortly be more than Conquerours through him that loved them? what Diffi­culties should make them weary of well doing, since they shall so cer­tainly and so speedily enter upon the Eternal Rest?

4. Let Christians seriously consi­der this point and endeavour by Prayer and Meditation, and all o­ther good means to get their Hearts more affected with this Happiness that is so near at hand. And to this end compare we the Joy of Just [Page 154]Mens Souls made perfect, with other matters of Consolation, that the Scripture offers unto our thoughts; O what gladness would it have put into the Heart of a pious Christian, to have seen the Saviour of the World in the Temple, to have heard him preach the Doctrine of Salvati­on, and speak as never Man spake? To have seen the Multitudes that were miraculously fed, and the Dead that were raised by him? To have seen him invite poor Sinners to himself (standing in the most solemn Day of the Festival) and crying with a loud Voice, whosoever is a-thirst let him come unto me and drink; especially if at the same time he could have known his need of him, and interest in him? And what a Joy would it have been to have seen him (after his Conquest over Death) ascending to the high and holy Place? To have stood among the Celestial [Page 155]Orbs, to behold how he passed through the Regions of the Air, how dark the brightest Stars were made by the presence of their Ma­ker's Glory? But chiefly, what a thing would it have been, to have seen the Blessed Jesus at his Entrance into the Heaven of Heavens? To have seen the Everlasting Doors set open for that King of Glory to enter in? together with that unconceiva­ble welcome which he then recei­ved of all the Heavenly Hierarchy, Angels and Archangels, Cherubins and Seraphins, (all the innumera­ble Armies of immortal Spirits) con­gratulating his incomparable Victo­ries over Sin, the Devil and Death, offering up their praises to him, and casting all their Crowns before him? How joyfull a thing may we well conceive this would have been, or rather joyfull beyond all our present conceptions? And yet I think we may easily believe that the perfected [Page 156]Spirits of the Just do enjoy more comfort than all this could amount to; for though in such Cases a Godly Man's Eye would in a great Measure affect his Soul, yet while his Soul is sinfull, 'tis impossible it should be so perfectly joyfull as when it is freed from all Sin; And while Sin is in it self Enmity against God, it abiding in us must needs be an Enemy to our Comforts, and withhold (in some measure) Good things from us.

SECT. XVI. Being a farther Improvement of the Doctrine aforesaid, as an Antidote against the fear of Death.

HE that dwells in a World where Dying is so much in fashion, should be (one would think) very inquisitive after something (if pos­sible to be found) that may com­fort him against that fatal stroke which he has so little hopes of es­caping; nor can I apprehend how any Man should be able to lead a truly comfortable Life, that is not above the fears of Death, in some good measure; because there is no Place or Case, no Company or Con­dition, no Day nor Hour wherein [Page 158]it may not overtake him (for ought he knows to the contrary.) And though what I am now to add can be but little comfort to the care­less ungodly World (because Reli­gion will comfort none whom it doth not rule) yet to the true con­scientious Christian I hope it may afford even strong consolation; For what more effectual Armor against the fears of Death can be shewed to such a one (or be wished by him) than this Truth before us? [That Death it self shall be his advantage, and prove a Friend unto his Soul.] If a Man have an Antipathy against Bleeding, (so as to saint almost at the very thought of it) yet he that can prove that it is necessary for him as a means against those difficult and dangerous distempers that he feels or fears (and can demonstrate the safety of it also) may thereby reconcile him to it, and make him not only content, but glad also, to [Page 159]part with a little of his Blood. Much more may a Godly Christian be content to part with his Life (when God calls for it,) while his Faith and his Reason is really satis­fied, (by the word of truth) that his Death shall be safe and gainfull, and that his Lord and Saviour will be better to his Soul than the Life of his Body, and all created com­forts whatsoever. For a wicked Man to be afraid of dying is no wonder at all, nor no Absurdity neither: well may he fear Death that shall feel Damnation after it, if he dye in the State he is yet in; but for a Religious Person, that placeth his Happiness in God through Christ, and desires nothing more than to be fitter to serve and enjoy him: For such a one to be afraid of dying, O what pity is it? I do not say 'tis strange: For alas, it is but too com­mon with the best: (Many are now of a fearfull Heart, that shall stand [Page 160]without Fear at the Day of Judg­ment;) but I may safely say that such Fears, in such Persons, are very needless and strangely unreasonable. As yet I know nothing that a good Christian is less concern'd to fear than dying: For when he is absent from the Body, he shall be present with the Lord, 1 Cor. 5.8. that is, in a more excellent manner than he was or could be, in this mortal Life, in a State far better, as 'tis expressed elsewhere ( Philip. 1.23.) God hath often said by his Prophets, Fear not, and in Esay 40.10. He urged it to his Servant, with the Reason of it: [Fear not for I am with thee: Be not dismayed for I am thy God, &c.] Now if any shuld say this may ex­cuse them perhaps from fearing or­dinary Evils, but not from fearing Death, I wou'd then demand the Reason of his Speech, and can per­swade my self that he cannot shew any Reason, truly so called, in de­fence [Page 161]of it; And I need say no more to confute him therein, than to tell him that God is the God of his People, as truly, and as com­fortably at a dying Hour as at any other time; and that Death shall not separate them from the Love of God, Rom. 8.38.

But possibly it may be expected that I should answer some objections; which also, with God's Assistance I shall endeavour to do.

Obj. 1. When you have said all you can, yet (say some) we know very well, that Dying is a Hard word, and a Harder thing: and hath such Difficulties accompanying it, as are puzling and unpleasing to the most of Men.

Answ. What it may be to the most, is little to my purpose to enquire of: For 'tis not most Men but good and upright Christians that here I speak of. And that Dying is so hard a thing to such persons, I think I am not obli­ged [Page 162]to believe: 'Tis confessed it may seem so unto them, but it is not so indeed; for the Difficulties are more fancifull than real. And when they are most troubled at the thoughts of Death, yet (in that Case) it is not Dying it self, but Snning and Doubting, that is the cause of their Distress: which as to the weakest true Christian they are pardoned for Christ's Sake, so at Death there is an end of them. (See before, Sect. 12.) Christ's Death for them has taken away the Sting of Death, (1 Cor. 15.56, 57.) So that they have more cause to be afraid of Li­ving, than of Dying: For in Life they are liable to variety of Troubles, and may often be in heaviness through manifold Temptations: But in Dying, they are subject to none of them. From thence forth their Souls shall never see one evil Hour. They that dye in the Lord are blessed from thence forth, and they rest from their Labours, Rev. 14.13.

Obj. 2. But at a dying Hour we may expect Satan's fiercest Assaults, and strongest Temptations: For he is never more apt to assail us than when we are at the weakest; (as some report of the Learned and Pious Mr. Pemble, that when he lay on his Death-bed, the wicked one managed his subtilest Suggestions a­gainst him, even in way of Argu­ment, to baffle his Faith in the Blessed Jesus, to keep his Soul from resting on that Rock of Salvation.)

Answ. This needs not to trouble any true hearted Christian: For (first,) he cannot conclude it shall therefore be his own case; or that his last Hour shall be, in any sad sense, an Hour of Temptation. God deals very variously with his People, and ordereth all their Af­fairs according to the Methods of his own most mercifull Will and Wis­dom. Mr. Pemble, and others, had manifold Temptations in their latter [Page 164]Hours; Mr. Holland, Molinaeus, Mr. Robert Bolton, and multitudes more had their Hearts then filled with Heaven's Peace; and though Satan wants not malice, or knowledge, to take advantage of their weaknesses, and to oppose them with his fiery Darts when he sees them least able to resist; yet we are sure his Power is limited, so that he cannot give them one Minutes disturbance more than God is pleased to permit, whose mercy, we are told, is to everlasting upon them that fear him, (Psal. 103.17.) and therefore shall not be tur­ned from them by all the Power of Hell. How well would they be satisfied if some of their best friends (whose kindness they have most experienced) had a power given them to order all circumstances that concern their Death? Behold the matter is much safer than so, and all their Affairs in a better hand. Sure I am, the truest Affection, and [Page 165]heartiest Love of the most compas­sionate Parent upon Earth is as no­thing, and vanity to the tender Mer­cy of that Great High Priest, and gracious Saviour with whom they have to do. Nor would he be cal­led the Shepherd of their Souls (1 Pet. 2.25.) if he did not mean to take care of them accordingly, and help them in their greatest need.

Ob. 3. But the mere Absence of the Soul from its Body, may seem to make its condition somewhat un­comfortable; for Philosophers com­monly write of the Desire it hath to the Body, and a late Metaphysical Pen has laid it down as a Theorem [Desiderat Anima separata iterum cum corpore conjngi] i.e. The separated Soul desires to be united to its Body.

Answ. As to this, I think that of St. Paul to the Coloss. may fitly be re­membred, Take heed lest any man spoyle you through Philosophy and vain Deceit: For indeed, Some things [Page 166]that go under that Name are suffi­ciently vain and deceitfull. And as to this. [the Soul's desire to be united to the Body again] if meant of the Souls of the Just, to me seemeth no excellent Notion; nor can I con­ceive how men should know it if it were so indeed. Their Arguments for it I am not satisfied in, and I hope it is excusable if I venture to urge one or two against it.

1. If a good Christian's Soul, when absent from the Body, doth actually and properly desire to be joyned to it, (as a sick man desireth health, or a Prisoner Liberty) then whilst separate, it must wish to be in another condition; as the Sick wisheth his health. But the separa­ted Soul of a good Christian doth not wish it self at that time any o­ther condition: for being perfectly sanctified, it is perfectly satisfied in the Will of God, who crowneth it with his loving kindness, and is bet­ter [Page 167]unto it than the Body, and all the comforts here below.

2. If such a Soul thus desireth to be in the Body; then, the Being in the Body seems to it a better and more desirable State, but that it doth not, nor cannot without Delusion; for St. Paul tells us, to depart and be with Christ is far better, Philip. 1. And if in any sense it desires to be joyned to its Body, yet it desires this only in God's appointed time, for the reason afore given.

Ob. 4. But may it not grieve a Man to think of leaving his old Friends and Acquaintance, and go­ing into that World and State which he never saw, nor ever spake with any that did?

Answ. Doubtless this is that which lyeth hid in the hearts of many, though they speak not to any such purpose: And an evil Heart of un­belief may be much moved by it. But how little cause a Godly Chri­stian [Page 168]hath to be unwilling to dye on this Account, a few words may suf­fice to make manifest. For,

1. He that is such indeed hath his Will, in some good measure, resigned up to his God, whose Will is, that He and his Friends should not dwell always together in this World.

2. The Friends that he leaveth at Death, are but fellow Creatures, and sinfull ones too; such Friends as may afflict him, as well as comfort him; in a word, such as may hinder, as well as help in the way towards Heaven. (Nor can their greatest Friendship be firm and constant to him any farther than God's Favour doth make it so, nor do them any good without his good providence.) But by Death, the Sanctified Soul is translated into a far better condition, to enjoy that most gracious glorious God, who was his first and best Friend; to whose undeserved good­ness he was absolutely beholding for [Page 169]all the kindness that ever any Crea­ture shew'd him; In short, that blessed God to whom all Nations, (as the Prophet speaks,) are as nothing and vanity; that God whose Name alone is excellent, and his Glory a­bove the Heavens; whose Power is Omnipotency, whose Time is Eter­nity, whose Bounty is unspeakable, and whose Benignity is better than Life, Psal. 63.3. And touching the other part of the Objection, viz. [the Strangeness of the State that the Soul doth enter upon] nothing but gross infidelity can make it seem of any weight. For (1.) Strangeness in it self hath no harm in it: When the man that was born blind had Sight given him by Our Saviour, it was doubtless a Strange thing to him to perceive the Light which he never did before, nor could have any Ideas of: yet the change was not grievous but joyous unto him. How much more must it be so with that blessed Change [Page 170](to a Blessedness that changeth not) which a gracious Soul shall find after Death? And (2.) as to such a Strange­ness as consisteth in unacquaintedness; I take it to be a strange Fancy, with­out any ground at all in Scripture or Reason: yea the contrary seems very evident from Scripture. For as to their God the Case is clear; in their absence from the Body they are present with the Lord, 2 Cor. 5.8. And that it is meant of a more special and comfortable presence with him than before they had, may easily be gathered from the Apostle's Scope in that place; and is partly proved in a foregoing Section, where that most comfortable Text is insisted on. And how can they but have a nearer Communion with him, when they are freed from Ignorance and Unbe­lief, and all those things that are of­fensive in his Sight?

And concerning the Creatures also, I humbly conceive that the [Page 171]Souls of such Persons do not want for Acquaintance with them: How can we imagine that those Holy Angels should desire to be strange to those Souls in another World, that delighted to do them good in this World, and rejoyced in their Grace and Repentance? Luke 15.10. Will those heavenly Inhabitants chuse to be at a Distance with them, when they are most perfectly united to their glorious Lord and Head, Jesus Christ the Righteous? This let them believe that can: for my part I hate the Thoughts of so gross a Solecism. And I see no cause to doubt of the spiritual Communion and Converse of Holy Souls with each other, in this their State of Separation; The knowing one another can be no in­convenience when they are complea­ted in Grace, and perfected in Love. That Charity and Joy are found in the perfected Spirits of the Just, is confessed by all that believe them to [Page 172]such, and to partake of any Happi­ness after Death: And how can these Affections more properly be exercised among them, than in Rejoycing at each others Happiness? And how can that be without the Knowledge of each other, and of their happy State? And to this I shall only add the position of the Learned Macco­vius. Communicant Animae Separatae, &c. Separated Souls do communi­cate their minds to one another. De Anima Sep. Cap. 4.

Ob. 5. But (say some) it is not Dy­ing, but sorrowfull Dying that we are so unwilling of. Alas, we are so haunted with horrible Temptations, and our Faith and Hope are so sadly shaken therewith, that we fear lest we should dye in Despair: which also we are the more amazed at, be­cause we are told that Despair is a most horrid Sin, such as spoileth all at once (as we say) and stops up (as it were) the current of God's Mercy towards us.

Answ. This Objection I cannot but think fit to deal with; and I am the more willing to do so for the Satisfaction of those, whose Religi­ous Friends may have dyed in Doubts and Fears, (and with no Appearance of comfort:) For which end I lay down the ensuing Assertions.

1. That such a case is not incon­sistent with the State of a true Chri­stian. Though the bright Morning Star (Christ so called) be truly risen upon any Person, and hath imparted to him the Light of Life, yet that doth not make it impossible for his Sun to set in a Cloud; for the Word of God says nothing to the contra­ry. Though he therein promiseth his Servants everlasting Joy after Death, yet he promised not that they should have Joy the Minute, or Hour before they dye. And when Solomon tells us, there is one Event to the Righteous and to the Wicked (as to outwards he meaneth) Ecl. 9.2. I [Page 174]cannot fansie, why any uncomforta­ble Circumstances about Death should seem to be excepted. Our Blessed Lord himself (in comparison of whose Holiness the Heaven of Heavens is but unclean) departed this Life in the Depths of Sorrow, and cryed with a loud voice, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Math. 27.46.50. Which being inti­mated, gave some satisfaction to a Learned and worthy Divine, when (in his last Sickness) he asked his Friend, what that man might think of the State of his Soul that is just a­dying, and can find no comfort in his God? Mr. Rob. Bolton mention­eth a very Religious Gentlewoman, who in her latter Hours was exer­cised with many Sorrows, and, to appearance, dyed in them (shewing little or no Sign of any comfort in her Soul.) But that judicious Man of God did not think the worse of her State, or question her Salvation: [Page 175]but rather supposed that sad Dispen­sation of her God to be in Judgment to those wicked People, that mali­ciously slaundered her good Conver­sation in Christ; that those who would not be bettered by her unblamable Life, might be hardned by her un­comfortable Death.

But this we may account God's strange Work, most commonly the way of Holiness doth end more comfortably. And we are assured the upright ones end is peace, Psal. 37.37. though we cannot be sure of peace in his Soul just before his End; because we read God's Judgments are unsearchable, and his ways past finding out. Thus of the first Asser­tion.

The Second is this, [That to be followed much with Satan's sorest Temptations is no ill Sign] St. Paul himself complained of Ter­rours within, as well as Troubles without. Yea Christ himself, when [Page 176]his Heavenly Father had solemnly owned him for his Beloved Son in whom he was well pleased, Math. 3.17. the next news we hear of him was, that he was led into the Wilderness to be tempted of the Devil, (yea 40 days, as St. Mark hath it. Mark 1.11.13.) whilst the strong man armed keepeth possessi­on, the things he hath are in peace. The Pyrate spendeth not his biggest Bullet upon the empty Ships, but upon the laden, and best laden. So Satan doth not cast the fiery Darts of his Temptations, against those that are under his accursed slavery, and follow the ways he would have them, (at least not usually, nor unless he have them at a pinch, as we say, un­der some considerable Crosses as to the World,) but rather against those that have chosen a better Master, and turned through grace into the Holy Path.

The third Assertion in answer to [Page 177]the said Objection is thus, [That a Christian's Fear of Dying uncomfor­tably, is no sign that he shall Dye so.] As God bids his Prophet, say to them that are of a fearfull heart, Be strong and fear not: So he is pleased many times to strengthen and en­courage them abundantly, and do for them above all they could ask or think. He that had his Spirit overwhelmed in him, and walked mournfully all the year round by reason of those blasphemous Sugges­tions, that the unclean Spirit had so constantly exercised him with, yet at length was enabled to offer up joyfull Praises to his God and Savi­our, and ended his days in a blessed peace, (as a great Authour hath tes­tified.) The like is recorded of Mr. Saunders, viz. That though he was sometimes much concerned (as we call it) to think what he should do if he should be brought to the fiery Trial, yet when he was brought to [Page 178]it, he had his Fears removed, and (being strengthened with God's Spi­rit of Might) passed as comfortably through that Sea of Blood, as the rest of that noble Army of Martyrs.

The fourth Assertion. [God often worketh by contraries, and brings about his gracious purposes by means that seem the most unlikely.] As he brought water for his People, not out of the Sea or the River, but out of the Rock; so he often suffers those People to be most shaken with Temp­tations, whom he meaneth most to establish, to make most grounded and rooted in the Faith. Of which I might instance in Luther and others, if it were my purpose to enlarge on this particular.

The fifth Assertion. [The Arm of God's Love is infinitely stronger than the Arm of a Christian's Faith:] If therefore he be such in sincerity, he may be sure that either he shall not Dye in despair (or Discomfort) or [Page 179]else that he shall not be ruined by Dying so. For if his Graces be ne­ver so much opposed, yet God's Kindness to his Servants is absolute and unconquerable. If their Faith and Hope should seem to be shaken beyond recovery, yet compassion cannot fail in the Father of Mercies, and his Covenant of Peace shall not be removed, Esay 54.10. so Rom. 8.38. What shall separate us (so spea­king of the rest of the faithfull as of himself) from the Love of Christ? Neither Death nor Life, nor things pre­sent, nor things to come; (that is, they shall never do it, by any means, or any sad Circumstances that can attend them.)

The sixth Assertion [Despair, in all kinds and cases, is no such heinous and dangerous Sin as some have ima­gined.] (And it were to be wished that some Authours, otherwise lear­ned and good, had written more cautiously about it than they have [Page 180]done.) And those that despaired of Francis Spira's Salvation, because he ended his days in the darkness of De­spair may seem as unskilfull, as un­charitable: and I believe they have been blamed for it by many Divines besides, and since, Mr. Perkins. — But to come directly to the point it self. Despair therefore may be con­sidered in several sorts of People, and on several grounds (or occasions of it.)

As to the first; Despair in a wicked man, if total and ordinary, I confess must needs be a very sad matter; because it hinders him from using the means of Salvation. Yet it doth not make his Salvation impossible, be­cause 'tis not impossible for it to be removed.

2. To despair of Salvation out of a conceit, that there is not in Christ a sufficient Power and Merit for that purpose: This, I say, is no less dan­gerous; because it is grounded on a [Page 181]prevalent Unbelief, and argues the Person under it to have no right Ap­prehensions of the Person of Christ, or the Excellency and Alsufficiency of his Merit and Righteousness.

3. But for a true Christian to be brought into Despair by Temptations and Mistakes, this I cannot conceive to be such a heinous Sin, or such a dangerous Case. For example; If through Melancholy, or Satan's Sug­gestions, he be brought to think, that he is under the guilt of the unpar­donable Sin, then he cannot chuse but despair of being pardoned. And though I believe it is a great truth, that no true Christian shall ever be guilty of the unpardonable Sin (hav­ing an interest in Christ, and there be­ing no condemnation to them that are in Christ, even such as walk not after the Flesh but after the Spirit, Rom. 8.1, 2. and for other reasons that need not now be named:) Yet I doubt not but such a one may fear [Page 182]he is under it, and verily think so: I remember Mr. Fox tells us it was the case of Mr. John Glover a Person of exemplary Piety. So that Despair, in such persons and on such grounds, may be reckoned amongst those Frailties and Infirmities which our God doth pardon of course to his adopted Children in Christ.

He is (what he is stiled) their Hea­venly Father, ( Mat. 6.) and we can easily understand that the Child is incomparably safer by his Father's Hold of him, than by any Hold that he can take of his Father.

He is their God for ever, Ps. 48.14. and no Darkness or Discomfort, no Terrour of Life or shadow of Death shall ever deprive them of their Interest in him, or disanull his purpose of Grace which was towards them in Christ Jesus before the World began.

Ob. 6. But after all this, you may perhaps (when your turn comes) be [Page 183]as much afraid to Dye as others are.

Answ. Very like so; I can say nothing to the contrary: nor can I tell in the least how it will be with me, in point of comfort at my last Hour. I well know, that of my self I am as nothing, and all my Suffici­ency is of God. I shall therefore fear the last Enemy, either much or little, or not at all, according as that King Eternal shall be pleased to grant or to withhold the Influences and As­sistances of his Holy Spirit. If he should leave me to my self, to the Power of Temptation (to the Doubts and Sins of my own Heart) I know my Spirit would fail on a suddain, and I should look like those that have been seven Days dead. But (good Reader) how weak soever, I or others may be, yet our God is Strong and Faithfull and True: and the Empyrean Heaven may sooner fall and perish, than the least part of his promised Goodness fail. Go on [Page 184]therefore, O Christian, in the good Way with a good Courage and Reso­lution; Live upon Christ, and live unto him, and serve that blessed Lord with Joyfulness of Heart; Fear not the Reproach of Men, nor be a­fraid of their Revilings: Endeavour to bring Glory to the Name of Christ by walking (more and more) as be­comes his Gospel, and then never value a thousand hard Censures, and disgracefull Names, or any other cruel Arts that Hell can invent to discourage Religion by. For e're long through the tender Mercies of our God, thou shalt be above the reach of all thy Enemies; when thou removest from the best of thy Friends on Earth, thou shalt dwell with those that Love thee better; When thy Soul shall leave this ma­lignant World, it shall see the Love of the Lord Jesus; that free, that full, that glorious Love which is bet­ter [Page 185]than Life and stronger than Death, which makes the Host of Heaven glad, and fills the Seraphins with Sacred Joy.