THis small Treatise of Hell being fitted for the presse, it was thought fit by the learned examiner, that it should not passe alone, but that as much at least of Heauen should be added to it: that as the reader should be driuen by Iudge­ments, so hee might also be drawne by Mercies, to turne vnto God by true & vnfeigned Repentance. Now [Page 2] therefore that what is expected, may be performed: here shall also be obserued, the same order (as neere as may be) that was before obserued. As first, that there is a Heauen, or place of Blessednesse. Se­condly, what this Heauen is? Third­ly, where it is and shall be? Fourth­ly, for whom it is prepared? Lastly, how long it shall continue? And first, That there is a Heauen. This albeit none can denie, when they doe behold the glorious firmament, so wonderfully adorned and beau­tified, with a bright and great light for the Day, a glorious, though lesse light for the Night; so trimmed and decked with a many of glitte­ring Starres, each differing from other in Glory: this cannot but en­force all wise men, to conceiue of a higher place, and farre more excel­lent, then this is: yet because no­thing [Page 3] doth so well satisfie the Con­science, as the wholesome words of our Lord Iesus Christ, let vs see it made euident by plaine Scriptures: as where it is written, That Christ is not entred into the holy places made with hands, but into Heauen it selfe, now to appeare in the presence of God for vs. Heb. 9.24. Also at the last day it is written, that the Lord himselfe shall descend from Heauen. 1. Thes. 4. Also where we reade, that the Apostles looked vp stedfastly toward heauen, at our Lords Ascension: it is written. That two men stood by them in white apparell, which also saide; yee men of Galilee, why stand yee gazing vp into Heauen? This same Iesus who is ta­ken vp from you into Heauen, shall so come in like manner, as you haue seene him goe into Heauen.Act. 1.10.11. Also the Saints that are persecuted on eath, are willed to Reioyce, and to be [Page 4] exceeding glad, yea, to leape for Ioy because their reward is great in Heauen.Mat. 5.11.12. Luck. 6.23. Againe it is written, Tha [...] Ioy shall be in Heauen, ouer one sinner that repenteth, more then ouer ninetie and nine iust persons, that neede no repentance.Luc. 15.7. Also wee reade that in the resurrection. They neither marry, nor are giuen in mar­riage, but are as the Angels of God in Heauen.Mat. 22.30. And this shall suffice to proue that there is a Heauen. Now to shewe what this Heauen is? This is the great difficultie which doth amaze all that shall endeuour to expresse it: heare they all come short, this is that which is so sur­passing Glorious, and so Excellent, as that no heart can conceiue, nor tongue expresse, much lesse any pen describe, or set forth the won­derfull and vnsearchable excellen­cy thereof: as it is euident by that [Page 5] the Apostle speaking out of the Prophet, of the beginnings of it euen here: saith, Eye hath not seene, nor eare heard, neither haue entred into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that loue him. Is. 64.4. 1. Cor. 2.9. If these lesser be so farre out of the reach, especially of naturall men, how impossible is it for any so to expresse those grea­ter, that natural men (who are ther­by to bee drawne to Repentance) should conceiue of it in any wise as it is, and as it shall be clearely seene of such as are spirituall, at the last Day: yet because the begin­nings of it are here, euen vpon Earth, and they that will euer see, and enioy the fulnesse of it hereaf­ter, must bee acquainted with the Beginnings here: as it is written, Hee that beleeueth on the Sonne hath euerlasting life. Io. 3.36. Also, he that hea­reth [Page 6] my word (saith Christ) and be­leeueth on him that sent me, hath euerlasting life; and shall not come into condemnatiō, but hath passed from death to life. Io. 5.24. And on the contra­ry, he that beleeueth not on the Sonne, shall not see Life, but the wrath of God abideth on him. Io. 3.36. Therefore here shalbe first shewed somewhat con­cerning those beginnings, which the sonnes and daughters of the Almightie doe enioy euen here: Secondly, those Scriptures which concerne the excellent Glory here­after, shall be laid downe: and that blessednes looked for, at least poin­ted at. And that as much as we en­ioy heare may the better appeare, and we may sensibly perceiue how good the Lord is, and how blessed they are that trust in him: euen while they soiourne on Earth. That this may the more set foorth [Page 7] the louing kindnesse of the Lord, and the wonderfull change that such haue made, as are once trans­lated from death to life; such as haue once ouercome; and haue their part in the first Resurrection. We will first take a viewe, of what wee are by nature since Adams fall, and then shall be shewed, what we doe become by Grace. By Nature we are all dead:1. Cor. 15.22. Accursed, Deut. 27.26. the wrath of God abideth on vs, Ioh. 3.36. there is none of vs righteous, no not one: There is none that vnderstandeth, none that searcheth after God: we are all gone out of the way, we are altoge­ther become vnprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no not one: wee are all guiltie of condemnation be­fore God.Rom. 3.10.11, 19. We are dead in sinnes and trespasses, wee all walke according to the course of this world, according to the Prince of the power of the ayre, [Page 8] the Spirit that worketh in the chil­dren of disobedience. Among whom we all haue our conuersation in the lustes of the flesh, and fulfilling the de­sires of the flesh, and of the minde, and are by Nature the children of wrath, as well as others; wee are without Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers from the couenant of Promise, hauing no hope, and with­out God in the world; Ephes. 2.1.2.3. v. 12. we are vn­wise, disobedient, deceiued, seruing diuers lustes and pleasures, liuing in malice, and enuy, hatefull, and ha­ting one another: Tit. 3.3. We are in the snare of the Diuell, taken captiue by him at his will: 2. Tim. 2.26. Wee yeelde our members seruants to vncleannesse; and to ini­quitie vnto iniquity: Rom. 6.19 we are wretch­ed, miserable, and poore, and blinde, and naked: Reu. 3.17. we are fire-brands in the fire, Zach. 3.2. Iude. 23. we are cast out into the open field, polluted in our blood: Ezec. 16.5.6. we are [Page 9] lost, Luc. 19.10 stinking, corrupt, and very loathsome. psa. 31.5.7 This, and much more then this, is our misery by Nature; but here, behold what manner of Loue the Father hath bestowed vpon vs that we should be called the Sonnes of God 1. Io. 3.1.? Oh, consider I pray you, the wonderfull change that wee haue made. And that we may tru­ly tast the goodnesse of our God, e­uen to all his; in this life, here shall be laide open, some fewe of those many benefits, inward & outward; which we doe enioy while we are yet vpon earth.

The first is Peace and rest: Peace. yea such Peace as passeth all vnderstanding phil. 4.7.: and such Rest as is not to be expres­sed: For where as by Nature by rea­son of our Guilt, we are at great vn­rest, and haue no Peace: but are at much disquiet, yea we are there­fore compared, and that fitly to [Page 10] the troubled Sea that cannot rest Is. 57.20.. As Iob truely saith of himselfe, I was not in safetie, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet, yet trouble came. Yea, when we say our bed shall com­fort vs, our couch shall ease our com­plaint, then such are scared with dreames, and terrified with visions, so that their soules many times choose strangling & death rather then life Iob. 7.13.14.15.. Yea, as Marriners in a tempest they are tossed vp and downe, som­times they mount vp to the hea­uen, and they goe downe againe to the depths: so that their soules are melted because of Trouble. They reele too and fro, and stag­ger like drunken men: and are at their wits end. But when crying to God in such trouble, they are in­deed deliuered out of such distres: when the storme is once become a calme, and the waues are still: then [Page 11] such are glad, because they be at Rest, when they ar brought to the desired Hauenpsal. 107.26.27.. Here is now a wonderfull change, when men haue once gotten the victory by the blood of the Lambe Heb. 10.28.19. 1. Cor. 15.57.: when once we haue ouercome by Faith in Christ 1. Ioh. 5.4.. Then followeth such Peace, such Rest, as cannot by any meanes be expressed: as it is writ­ten, We being iustified by Faith, haue Peace with God through our Lord Iesus ChristRom. 5.1.. Also, this is plainly spoken by the Prophet Isaiah, thus: The worke of righteousnesse shall be Peace: and the effect of righteousnes, quietnesse and assurance for euer. And my people shall dwell in a Peace­able habitation, and in sure dwellings and in quiet resting places Isa. 32.17.18.. Also the Apostle plainly affirmeth, that such as haue beleeued do enter into Rest Heb. 4.3. not shall hereafter, but doe. [Page 12] This our Lord noteth, where hee speaketh of this faith, he saith: That many shall come from the East, and West, and North, and South, and shall sit downe with Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob, in the kingdome of God [...]. 8.11 L [...]c. 13.28.29.. By sitting downe, is noted vnto vs this Rest or Quietnesse. As a man greatly is refreshed when hee can haue a conuenient place to sit downe, especially at the end of his Iourney: so are the children of God at quiet when they sit down on the top of this glorious mountain, which with great difficultie they haue cli­med. This is that Rest which the Prophet Isaiah speaketh of, where speaking of Christs kingdoms flou­rishing, he saith; In that day there shall be a roote of Iesse, which shall stand vp for an ensigne to the people: to it shall the Gentiles seeke, and the Rest shall bee gloriousIsa. 11.10.. And the [Page 13] same Prophet in another place [...]aith thus, from the Lord, Behold I [...]reate the fruite of the lips Peace, Peace to him that is a farre off, and to him that is neare, saith the Lord, and I will heale him Isa. 57.13.. Also speaking of the Church: The Lord by that Pro­phet saith thus: Behold I will extend Peace to her like a RiuerIsa. 66.12.. And this is that Peace which our blessed Re­deemer speaketh of, where he saith: Peace I leaue with you, my Peace I giue vnto you, not as the world giueth, giue I vnto you, let not your hearts be troubled, neither let it be afraide Io. 14.27.. Here this Peace is directly opposed to the feares and terrors, the trou­ble and disquiet of such as haue it not. Hence it is that such as hear­ken to wisedome are promised to dwell safely, and to be quiet from feare of euill, yea this is manifest in Dauid, when he had once ouercome [Page 14] he could say, Returne to thy Rest, O my soule, for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee. And turning him to the Lord, he saith, Thou hast deliuered my soule from Death, mine eyes from teares, and my feete from fallingpsal. 116, 7.8.. In this comfortable estate was Hezechiah when Isaiah comes vnto him, with terrible tidings, and that from the Lord, telling him: That the daies come that all that was in his house, & that which his fathers had laide vp in store vnto this day should be carried away into Babylon, and that the Lord had said, that no­thing should be left. And that his sons which should issue from him, and which he should beget, they should take away, and they should be Eunuches in the Pallace of the king of Babylon. At this terrible and dreadfull ty­dings, hee is not disquieted, but hee doth manifest his peaceable, [Page 15] [...]nd most comfortable estate, yea [...]t he had obtained this Peace and [...]st; the inseparable companions [...]r effects of righteousnesse: by his [...]ouing, amiable, & most temperate answer, where he saith, Good is the word of the Lord which thou hast spo­ken: And to this he added. Is it not good if Peace and Truth bee in my daies2. Kin. 20.17.18.19.. And is not this and vn­speakeable benefite to haue such a blessed change wrought, to haue such surpassing Peace and Rest, in this Life! If there were no more but this, it is worth all the paines we suffer, and all the afflictions we vndergoe; and yet men are so ouer­ [...]ome with doubtings, and vnbe­ [...]efe, that they struggle not for this Rest, and surely the Reason is, because [...]hey beleeue not the Scriptures. To this Peace which passeth all vn­derstanding, is added Ioy, which is [Page 16] vnspeakeable, and ful of Glory 1. pet. 18.. Th [...] is that ioy of the holy Ghost tha [...] blessed and glorious Comfor [...]er, Ioy. a [...] it is written, The kingdome of Go [...] is not Meate and Drinke, but Righteousnesse and Peace, and Ioy of th [...] holy GhostRom. 14.17.. The difference betweene this, and the Ioy of Hypocrites, is knowne by these. The Ioy o [...] Hypocrites is very short, and it dot [...] vanish at length, and come to nothing: as it is written, The triumphing of the wicked is short, and th [...] Ioy of the Hypocrite but for a moment. Though his excellency mount v [...] to the Heauens, and his head reac [...] vnto the Clouds: yet he shall peris [...] for euer like his owne dung, and the [...] which haue seene him shall say wher [...] is he? He shall flie away as a dreame and shall not be found: yea he shall b [...] chased away as a visiō of the nightIob. 20.5.6.7.8. But the ioy of the Saints is euer­lasting, [Page 17] as it is written: The Redee­ [...]ed of the Lord shall returne, and [...]ome with singing to Sion; euerla­ [...]ting Ioy shall be vpon their Heards: they shall obtaine ioy, and gladnesse, and sorrow, and sighing shall flye a­way. Is. 35.10. Isa. 51.11. It shall neuer be taken from them, as it is written; I will see you againe, and your heart shall reioyce, [...]nd your Ioy no man taketh from you. Io. 16.22. This continually increaseth: as it is written, that our Lord saith to his Disciples. As my Father hath lo­ued mee, so haue I loued you, conti­nue yee in my Loue. These things haue I spoken vnto you that my Ioy might remaine in you, and that your [...]oy might be full. Io. 15.9.11. And this is the [...]irst difference, betweene the Ioy of Hypocrites, and our Ioy. Theirs is short or momentany, ours euerlasting; [...]heirs is taken from them, ours neuer; [...]heirs vanisheth, ours increaseth. [Page 18] A second difference is, that the Ioy of the Hypocrite is not accompani­ed with Peace, and Rest, for these are alwayes the effects of Righte­ousnesse. And we know, that, there is no Peace to the wicked: for the Lord hath spoken it.Is. 48.22. And who knowes not that an Hypocrite, is a wicked man in the highest degree. But the Ioy of the righteous, is al­wayes accompanied with Peace, and Rest; as it is euident, where Righteousnesse, and Peace, and Ioy of the holy Ghost, are ioyned toge­ther as inseperable cōpanions, and that very often in Scriptures, as where it is written, The Kingdome of God, is not meate and drinke, but Righteousnesse, and Peace, and Ioy of the holy Ghost.Rom. 14.17. As if it should haue beene saide in more plaine wordes, it is not the obseruation of meates, and drinkes, and such other [Page 19] outward things, that discouers vs to bee of the Kingdome of Christ, but it is Righteousnesse, and Peace, and Ioy of the holy Ghost: these are indeede the things that makes vs manifest to our selues, and others to be Christs subiects; also the same Apostle saith to the same Saints, Now the God of hope fill you with all Ioy, and Peace in beleeuing. Rom. 15.13 Loe heare Ioy, and Peace, are ioy­ned together in true beleeuers. Also wee being iustified by Faith, haue Peace with God, and reioyce in hope of the glory of God. Rom. 5.1.2 Also in that excellent Psalme. Then are they glad, because they be at quiet, and so he bringeth them to their desired ha­uen. Heare is also gladnesse, and rest. Also the Prophet Isaiah spea­king of the Church, saith, Thus saith the Lord, behold I will extend Peace to her like a Riuer, and the glory of [Page 20] the Gentiles like a flowing streame: then shall yee sucke, and be borne vp­on her sides, and dandled vpon her knees: as one whom his mother com­forteth, so will I comfort you, and yee shall be comforted in Ierusalem; And when ye see this, your heart shall reioyce, and your bones shall flou­rish like an hearbe. Is. 66.12.13.14. Here is Peace, and Ioy, to the Saints. And this is another manifest difference, be­tweene the Ioy of the Hypocrite, and of the child of God. Though the Hypocrite triumph and reioyce, yet he is neuer at quiet. But the childe of God hath also Peace, and Rest. A third difference is this, the Ioy of the Hypocrite lifts him vp: as be­fore, Though his excellency mount vp to the Heauens, and his head reatch vnto the Cloudes.Iob. 20.6. This doeth plainely shew the exaltation of Hy­pocrites in their reioycing and tri­umph: [Page 21] yea these are so exalted that they despise others: which our blessed Lord obserued, and disco­uered by a parable, where it is writ­ten, That he spake this parable to cer­taine men which trusted in them­selues, that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went vp into the Temple to Pray, the one a Pharisee, the other a Publicane; The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himselfe, God I thanke thee that I am not as other men are. Luc. 18.9.10.11. Thus doe Hy­pocrites exalt themselues, and are lifted vp with Capernaum to Hea­uen, though they shall come down to Hell.Mat. 11.23. Hee is so caried away with the Loue of himselfe, that hee basely accounteth of other. But the Ioy of the Saints, is neuer seue­red from meekenesse and lowlinesse. Gal. 5.22.23. They are all clothed with humili­tie. 1. Pet. 5.5. For these haue learned not [Page 22] to reioyce in themselues, but in the Lord, as it is written, Reioyce in the Lord alway, and againe I say reioyce, let your Moderation be knowen vnto all men: the Lord is at hand; yea the same minde is in them which was also in Christ Iesus, who being in the forme of God, thought it no robbery to be equall with God; but made himselfe of no reputation, and tooke vpon him the forme of a ser­uant, and was made in the likenesse of men. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himselfe, and became obedient vnto Death, euen to the Death of the Crosse Phil. 4.4.5. So those that reioyce with exceeding great ioy, when they saw that the Lambe had preuailed to open the Booke with seuen seales, we reade that they fell downe before the Lambe Reuel. 5.8.. And this is another ma­nifest difference, betweene the Hy­pocrites [Page 23] Ioy, and the Ioy of the Saints. The Hypocrites Ioy makes him proude, and lifts him vp; and causeth him to despise others. The Ioy of the Saints doth humble him, yea cast him downe before the Lord: and is alwayes accompani­ed with Humilitie. A fourth diffe­rence is this: That the Ioy of the Hypocrite holdes not out in perse­cution, as it is plaine, where it is written: Those on the Rocke are such, which when they heare, receiue the word with Ioy, and these haue no roote, which for a while beleeue; and in time of Temptation fal away. Luc. 8.13. But Matthew writeth thus, Hee that receiueth the seede in stony pla­ces, the same is he which heareth the word, and anone with Ioy recei­ueth it, yet hath hee no roote in himselfe, but dureth for a while: for when Tribulation, or Affliction [Page 24] ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offendedMat. 13.20.27.. Where­as the Ioy of the childe of God, that is indeed iustified by Faith in the blood of Christ: doth increase in tribulation, yea euen in the greatest trials, such doe glory: as it is written, We glory in Tribulati­onRom. 5.3. And Iames also biddeth vs, To account it all Ioy, when wee fall into diuers TemptationsIam. 1.2.. Also Peter speaketh of this Ioy, where speaking of manifold Temptations, yet wee reioyce greatly in them all, in the consideration of the liuely Hope, and neuer fading inheritance which wee beleeue is laide vp for vs, and shall be reuealed in the last time1. Pet. 1.5.6. We are as sorrowfull, yet al­way reioycing2. Cor. 6.10. This appeareth plainely in the examples of such Redeemed ones; As the blessed A­postles when they were beaten, de­parted [Page 25] from the Counsell, reioy­cing, that they were counted wor­thy to suffer shame for Christs nameAct. 5.41.. So Paul and Silas, when they were cruelly beaten, and had receiued many stripes, and were cast into prison, yea thrust into the inner prison, and their feete made fast in the stockes, yet at midnight they prayed, and sang praises vnto God so loude, that the prisoners heard them.

Act. 16.22.33.24.25.Thus hauing laid down some differences, betweene the Ioy of Hypocrites, and of the Saints, as that their Ioy is but for a moment, ours is euerlasting: their Ioy doth exalt, and lift them vp; ours doth humble, and cast vs downe: theirs is seuered from Peace, and Rest; ours accompanied with them both: theirs failes them, when tribulation commeth; ours holdes out, nay [Page 26] which is more, encreaseth: in the most sharpe and fiery Trials. And by this the false Ioy of the Hypocrite being discouered, the true Ioy of the Saints is clearely seene. Which Ioy doth so comfort them, as that it is truely saide of them. That the voyce of reioycing and saluation is in the dwellings of the Righteous. Ps. 118.15. These are euer singing, & making melody in their hearts vnto the Lord. Speaking to themselues in Psalmes, and Hymnes, and spiritu­all songs,Ephes. 5.19 singing with Grace in their hearts vnto the Lord Col. 3.16.. So we read of the hūdred fourty & foure thousand that were with the Lambe on mount Sion: that they had the voyces of harpers, harping with harpes, and they sang (as it were) a new song before the Throne, and before the foure Beastes, and the Elders: and no man could heare that song, but the hundred fourty and [Page 27] [...]ure thousand which were neuer [...]edeemed from the Earth Reuel. 14.1.2.3.. Also [...]hen the Lambe had taken the [...]ooke out of the hand of him that [...]te vpon the Throne, hauing also [...]reuailed to open the seuen seales [...]hereof, wee reade that the foure [...]eastes, and the foure and twentie [...]lders, fell down before the Lambe, [...]auing euery one of them harpes [...]nd golden Vials full of Odours, which are the Prayers of Saintes. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the Booke, [...]nd to open the Seales therof: for thou vast slaine, and hast Redeemed vs, [...]o God; by thy blood, out of euery [...]indred, and tongue, and people, and nation: And hast made vs vnto our God, Kings and Priests; and we shall reigne on earth Reu. 5.8.. Also Iohn saith, I saw as it were a Sea of Glasse, min­gled with fire, and them that had got­ [...]en the victory, ouer the Beast, and o­uer [Page 28] his Image, and ouer his mark [...] and ouer the number of his Nam [...] stand on the Sea of Glasse; hauin [...] the Harpes of God. And they sing th [...] Song of Moses, the seruant of God and the song of the Lambe, saying Great and maruellous are thy worke Lord God Almighty, Iust and true are thy wayes; thou King of Saints who shall not feare thee, O Lord, an [...] glorifie thy Name? for thou onely ar [...] holy, for all nations shall come, an [...] worship before thee, for thy Iudge­ments are manifest Reu. 15.3.4.5.. Here is a Tas [...] of the inward Comforts of Gods redeemed ones, yea a beginning of that Fulnesse which they haue a­biding for them in the Heauens: whereas such as are out of Christ, albeit, Their way seeme right vnto them, yet the ends therof are the waies of death: yea in laughter their hearts are sorrowfull, and the end of that [Page 29] mirth is heauinesseProu. 14.12.13.. For as the [...]rackling of thornes vnder a Pot, [...] is the laughter of a FooleEccl. 7.6.. And [...]he Prophet Isaiah telles vs, that [...]uch as take their owne courses [...]o comfort themselues, and do not [...]rust in the name of the Lord, and [...]tay vpon their God: that the end of such solace shall bee sorrow, in [...]hese words; Behold all ye that kindle a Fire, that compasse about with sparkes: walke in the light of your fire, and the sparkes that yee haue kindled. This ye shall haue of mine hand, ye shall lie downe in sorrowIs. 50.11.. And so you haue these two sweet and comfor­table fruites of the Spirit, Peace, and Ioy; with which the children of God are maruellously cheared in this Life.

To these may bee added Loue; this Loue is not the Loue of the world, nor of men or Angels, but [Page 30] the Loue of Christ, or of God th [...] Father, by Christ: through the assi­stance of the holy Ghost. This Loue wee reade of where it is written, That the Loue of God is shed abroade in our hearts, by the holy Ghost, which is giuen vnto vs Rom. 5.5.. Also, wee loue him because he loued vs first 1. Io. 4.19.. This Loue of Christ doth rauish the soule, and makes it to mount on high, yea, to be aboue in hea­uenly Meditations. As it appeareth by the Song, which for the excel­lency is termed the Song of Songs: where there shineth out the vn­speakeable Loue of Christ, and the Church: and of the louing speech­es the Church vseth, we find these amongst many: Let him kisse mee with the kisses of his mouth, for thy Loue is better then wine. Also, Drawe me, and wee will runne after thee, the King hath brought me into [Page 31] his Chambers, wee will be glad and [...]eioyce in thee, we will remember thy Loue more then wine, the vpright Loue thee Cant. 1.2.4.. Also as the Apple tree, among the trees of the wood, so is my beloued amongst the sonnes. I sate downe vnder his shadowe with great delight, and his fruite was sweete vnto my Tast. Hee brought me vnto the banquetting house and his banner ouer me was Loue. Stay mee with Flagons, comfort me with Ap­ples, for I am sicke of Loue ^h.Can. 2.3.4.5. Al­so, by night vpon my Bed; I sought him whom my soule loueth; I sought him, but I found him not; I will rise now and goe about the Citie, in the Streetes, and in the broad wayes, I will seeke him whom my soule loueth: I sought him but I found him not, The watchmen that goe about the Citie found mee, to whom I saide, sawe yee him whom my solue loueth? It was [Page 32] but a litle that I passed from them, bu [...] I found him whom my soule loueth: held him, and would not let him goe vntill I had brought him into my Mothers house, and into the chamber, of her that conceiued me Can. 3.1.2.3.4.. Her [...] is the wonderfull Loue of the Spous [...] to Christ: yea wee see her soule lo­ueth him, yea she is sicke of Loue And this is a notable representati­on of the Loue of euery childe o [...] God, to God; they are euen sicke o [...] Loue. As is euident in the example of Paul where hee writeth thus, I am in a strait betwixt two, hauing a desire to depart, & to be with Christ, which is farre better. (Neuertheles) to abide in the flesh, is more needefull for you Phil. 1.23.24.. Also where hee speaketh in the behalfe of all the Saints hee saith: We knowe, that if our earthly house of this Tabernacle were dissol­ued, we haue a building with God, an [Page 33] house not made with handes eternall [...]n the heauens. For in this we grone [...]arnestly, desiring te be clothed vpon with our house which is from heauen. If so be that being clothed, wee shall not be found naked. For wee that are in this Tabernacle doe groane, be­ing burdened; Not for that we would be vnclothed, but clothed vpon, that mortalitie might be swallowed vp of life. Now hee that hath wrought vs for the selfe same thing is God, who also hath giuen vnto vs the ear­nest of the Spirit. Therefore wee are alwayes confident, knowing that whilest wee are at home in the Body, we are absent from the Lord. For we walke by Faith, and not by sight. Wee are confident I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord 2. Cor. 5.1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.. This also appeareth euidently, where the same Apostle writeth thus. Our [Page 34] selues which haue the first fruites of the Spirit, euen we our selues groan [...] within our selues, waiting for th [...] Adoption, that is the Redemptio [...] of the Body Rom. 8.23.. Here is the Loue wherewith the soules of the chil­dren of God are rauished, with a desire to see God face, to face: a [...] it is written.1. Cor. 13 12. Now we see throug [...] a Glasse darkely, but then face to face And this none conceiue of, bu [...] such as feele it. And this is not al [...] that may be saide of this Loue, bu [...] as it maketh vs desire to bee euer with the Lord, so it doeth also ex­ceedingly helpe vs, to performe the will of God vpon Earth. For such as doe thus Loue God, they are content to doe his will, yea his Lawe is within their Hearts. And howsoeuer formerly they haue beene much grieued with the bur­den of the Lawe, now it is the Ioy, [Page 35] and Reioycing of their hearts, to doe the will of God, as it is plaine, where it is written, This is the Loue of God, that we keepe his Commaun­dements, and his Commaundements are not grieuous 1 Io. 5.3.. Also Dauid could say: That the Lawe of the Lord was more to bee desired then Gold: yea, then much fine Gold: sweeter also then the hony, and the hony combe Psa. 19.7.10.. Also, The Lawe of thy mouth is better to me then thousands of Gold and Siluer Ps. 119.72.. Also, How sweete are thy wordes to my tast, yea sweeter then hony vnto my mouth Ʋers. 103.. Also, I loue thy Com­maundements aboue Gold, yea aboue fine Gold psa. 119.127.. This we see cleerely to appeare in the example of Abra­ham, who being once Iustified by Faith in Christ, deferred not to doe the will of God: but speedily, euen the same day hee performed what God commaunded, as it is [Page 36] written. And Abraham tooke Isma­ell his sonne, and all that were borne in his house, and all that were bought with his money, euery male among the men of Abrahams house, and cir­cumcised the flesh of their foreskinne, the selfe same day, as God had saide vnto him Gen. 17.23. This is twise repeated to stirre vs to take the more speci­all notice of Abrahams willing obe­dience, and ready performance of Gods Commaundement. Thus in the selfe same day, was Abraham circumcised, and Ismaell his sonne, and all the men of his houseVers. 26.27.. And a little after that when God appea­red vnto him, hee ranne to meete him, and vouchsafed to be feasted of him, it is written: that he haste­ned into the Tent, and willed Sa­rah quickely to make ready.Cha. 18.2. And he ranne to the herd, and fetcht a calfe tender and good, and gaue it [Page 37] [...]o a young man, that hasted to dresse itVers. 5.6.7. And a little after that, when Sarah desired, that he should [...]ast out the bondwoman and her sonne, it was grieuous to him: yea, very grieuous, because of his sonne Ismael. But as soone as the Lord bid him, it is written, that hee rose vp earely in the morning to performe it Chap. 21.10.11.13.14.. And a little after we read, that this Father of the Faithfull, when he was tried by a wonderfull strange Commaundement, that is to offer vp his sonne Isaac for a burnt offe­ring: yea his onely sonne, whom he loued so tenderly: it is written, That hee rose vp earely in the mor­ning, and performed chearefully what the Lord commaunded Chap. 22.1.2.3. & 10.11.. So Dauid will run the wayes of Gods com­maundements, when his heart is once inlargedps. 119.32. For the Loue of Christ constrayneth them 2. Cor. 5.14.. And [Page 38] this is not the least part of the Saints happinesse vpon Earth: that they are no longer vnder a Schoole­master Gal. 3.25., or a Law commaunding:1. Tim. 1.9 but they hauing the Spirit of Christ, haue libertie: yea, a glori­ous Libertie, which is not the least tast of Heauen vpon Earth 2. Cor. 3.17 18. Rom. 8.21.. To this Peace, Ioy, and Loue of Christ, may be added, Hope of the Glory of God. Hope. This is not the least priuiledge that wee haue, that this is that which continueth our Peace, en­creaseth our Ioy, and holdeth vs fast to this Loue of Cod, and this delight to doe his will. By this wee are preserued and kept from wauering, or being tossed vp and downe with euery winde of Temp­tation. This beares vs vp that we are not destroyed, and that wee sinke not vnder the hard stripes of grieuous assaults of the Diuell, and [Page 39] [...]he world, that lay on loade vpon vs. This keepeth vs from the [...]hame of reproches, which are or­dinarily cast vpon Gods children. This Hope of the Glory of God, wee finde where we reade it thus writ­ten, we that haue accesse, or entrance by Faith in Christ, into this Grace, wherein we stand, doe reioyce in the Hope of the Glory of GodRom. 5.2.. Here­by we are preserued and kept, euen all our life time, while we waite for our adoption: euen the redempti­on of our bodies. That as God is the Father onely of Spirits here; So he may become the Father of Bodies and Spirits; for this time these way­ting are kept by Hope, as it is writ­ten, We our selues, groane within our selues: wayting for the adoption, that is, the Redemption of our Body: for we are saued by HopeRom. 8.23.24.. By this we are staied from being beaten vp [Page 40] and downe, and being driuen hi­ther and thither by euery Winde, and Tide, and therefore it is cal­led the Anker of the soule, where it is written, Wee haue a strong con­solation, who haue fled for refuge to lay holde vpon the Hope set before vs, which Hope, we haue as an An­ker of the Soule, both sure and sted­fast Heb. 6.18.19.. By this also we are defended, and are holpen to wrestle with Prin­cipalities and Powers, and with the rulers of the darkenesse of this world, against spirituall wickednesse: or ra­ther wicked spirits, which are in hea­uenly, or high places. And for this purpose, together with the Girdle of Trueth, the Brestplate of Righ­teousnesse, the shoes of the Prepara­tion of the Gospell of Peace, the shield of Faith, and the Sword of the Spirit; togither with these we are also commaunded to take the [Page 41] Helmet of SaluationEph. 6.17.. And that his Helmet (which is not the least [...]art of the spirituall armour) is Hope, as euident where it is writ­ [...]en: Let vs who are of the Day, bee sober, putting on the Brestplate of Faith, and Loue: and for an Hel­met, the Hope of Saluation1. Thes. 5.8.. By this we haue the shame of reproch­es, and disgraces: of afflictions, and persecutions taken away. And ther­fore the Apostle saith, Tribulation worketh Patience: and Patience, Experience: and Experience, Hope; and Hope maketh not asha­med Rom. 5.3.4.5.. And this is one of our in­ward priuiledges, euen this Hope: whereby we are preserued and stai­ed from fleeting hither and thi­ther. Defended against the vio­lence of those with whom we com­bate in Christs behalfe: and here­by the shame of all our afflictions [Page 42] and reproches is cleane taken a­way.

To this Peace, and Ioy, this per­fect Loue and blessed Hope, may be added Boldnesse: which doth much cheare the children of God, and that they are bold, is euident: By these Scriptures, and Examples. As it is written; The Righteous are bold as a Lionprou. 28.1.. Here you see is a wonderfull boldnesse expressed by that it is compared to the Bold­nesse of a Lion, as it is also written of the righteous: That fiue of them shall chase an hundred, and an hun­dred of them shall put ten thousand to flightLeu. 26.8. Also such as are wise, One of them shall chase a thousand, and two of them, shall put ten thou­sand to flight Deut. 32.29.30.. And therefore when the Lord would fit Iosuah for the performance of that great worke, he bids him to be strong & of a good [Page 43] [...]ourage, three seuerall timesIosuah. 1.6.7.8.. And Dauid could say, that he would not [...]e afraide of ten thousands of people, [...]hat haue set themselues against him round abaut, when the Lord was [...]nce become his shieldps. 3.3.6.. Also he saith The Lord is on my side, I will not feare what man can doe vnto me: All na­tions compassed me about, but in the name of the Lord I wil destroy them psa. 118.6.10.. It was Ieremies complaint, that there were none valiant for the Truth vpon the earth Ier. 9.3.. The Apostles did manifest this Boldnesse, when they were called before the Coun­cell, and commanded not to speake at all, nor teach in the name of Iesus. But Peter and Iohn answe­red and said vnto them: Whether it be right in the sight of God, to hearken to you more then to God, iudge ye. For, we cannot but speak the things which we haue seene and heard. And [Page 44] when they came to their owne cō ­pany, and had reported all that the chiefe Priests and Elders had done vnto them, they ioyned all with one accord in Prayer to God, espe­cially for boldnesse to speake the word, and receiued from the Lord gifts of the holy Ghost, so that they spake the word of God with Bold­nesse Ast 4.13.19.20.23.29.31.. So we reade of Paul that he spake boldly in the Synagogue at E­phesus for the space of 3. moneths, disputing and perswading things pertaining to the kingdome of GodAct. 19.8.. Also he exhorteth the Ephe­sians to pray for him that vtterance may bee giuen, that hee may open his mouth boldly, to make knowne the my­stery of the GospellEphes. 6.19. This boldnes appeared in Steuen, who being full of faith and power, spake boldly to the aduersaries, applying his speech so closely to their conscien­ces, [Page 45] that they were cut at the heart, [...]nd gnashed on him with their [...]eeth; yea, they stoned him with stones that he diedAct. 7.51.52.54.55.. This boldnesse [...]s euident also in Paul, when as there went many Prophecies of him concerning his handling at Ie­rusalem, and all his louing friends with teares intreated him not to goe thither. But his answer was, what meane yee to weepe, and to breake my heart, for I am ready not to be bound onely, but to die at Ierusa­lem, for the name of the Lord Iesus Act. 1.12.13.. This boldnesse or confidence is an inseparable effect of faith in Christ, and where it is not, there is not a­ny faith in Christ at all, as it is eui­dent where it is written, We are al­waies confident. For wee walke by faith and not by sight, wee are confi­dent I say: and that this is faith in Christ, the words following doe [Page 46] make plaine; The Loue of Chris [...] constraineth vs, and God hath recon­ciled vs to himself by Iesus Christ▪ Againe, the same Apostle writeth thus; That vnto Principalities an [...] Powers, in heauenly Places is mad [...] knowne by the Church the manifold wisedome of God. According to the e­ternall purpose, which he purposed in Christ Iesus our Lord. In whom wee haue boldnesse, and accesse with con­fidence by the faith of him Eph. 3.10.11.12.. Here is boldnesse and confidence as before ioyned with faith in Christ. Also such as haue beleeued the Gospell and are entred into rest, such doe come boldly to the throne of GraceHeb. 4.16.. Adde to this where it is written. That where remission of sinne is, there is no more offering for sinne, but such haue boldnesse to en­ter into the holiest by the blood of IesusHe. 10.22. So that you see that boldnes [Page 47] is an inseparable companion of faith in Christ. And therefore such onely are the Lambes warriours as are called, and chosen, and faithfull Reuel. 17.14.. Ob­serue, men may be chosen to salua­tion, and not yet called nor faithful, so was Paul when hee consented to Stephens death Act. 7.58. the 8.1.. Also, they may bee called, and neither chosen nor faithfull, as it is written, Many are called but few chosen Mat. 20.16.. So were Iudas and Demas called, but neither cho­sen, and so not faithfull. So were the Apostles before the holy Ghost was giuen vnto them, or before that power from on high was re­ceiuedLu. 24.49. Witnesse their running from Christ at his apprehension Ioh. 16.30 31.32.. And Peters deniall of him three se­uerall times with cursings and swearingMat. 6.70.72.74.. Now then we may safe­ly conclude, that such onely are the bold Soldiours of the Lambe as are [Page 48] called, and chosen, and faithfull: as were all the Apostles and Disciples, when they had once receiued the holy Ghost, and as Paul could with comfort testifie of himselfe. I haue fought a good fight, I haue finished my course, I haue kept the Faith. So these onely shall be able to testifie: and euery of these shall be able to testifie the same. So that it is now most euident, that such as doe in­deede beleeue with the heart to Righteousnesse, doe also confesse with the mouth vnto Saluation Rom. 19.. And such as beleeue in Christ shall not be ashamed Ver. 11.. And Paul could say, I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God vnto Saluation to euery one that be­leeueth Rom. 1.16.. Yea euery such beleeuer can hazard his life for Christs sake: as it is written, Whosoeuer will loose his life for my sake and the Gospels: [Page 49] the same shall saue it. And there is added, whosoeuer shall bee ashamed of me and of my wordes in this adul­terous and sinfull generation, of him also shall the Sonne of man bee asha­med, when he commeth in the Glory of the Father with the holy Angels.Mar. 8.35.38. Neither are the Saints terrified by their Aduersaries, which is to them an euident token of Perditi­on: but to themselues of saluation, and that of God: for vnto such it is giuen in the behalfe of Christ, not onely to beleeue on him, but also to suf­fer for his sake Phil. 1.28 29.. The contrary to this, is in men before Iustification, as it is plaine where it is written. The wicked flye when none pursueth. Prou. 28.1 Also wee haue not receiued the Spi­rit of bondage to feare againe Rom. 8.15. Where we plainly see, that before Iustification, we haue that Spirit of Bondage. This made the Iaylor to [Page 50] tremble ^l: and Paul to be astonished, and to tremble, when hee was smitē to the Earth Act. 9.6.. And caused this Cor­nelius to be afraid of the Angels Act. 10 4.. This is euident, where it is writ­ten: That the curse, or the wrath of God abideth on such as doe not yet be­leeue in ChristIo. 3.36.. And part of that curse, is feare and astonishment: as it is written, I will appoint ouer you terrour; Leuit. 26.19 and yee shall flee when none pursueth you Vers. 7.36.37.. Also God saith to the disobedient: I will giue thee a Trembling heart; and thy life shall hang in doubt before thee, and thou shalt feare day and night, and shalt haue no assurance of thy Life: in the morning thou shalt say, would God it were Euen: and at Euen thou shalt say, would God it were Morning; for the feare of thine heart wherewith thou shalt FeareDeut: 28.65.66.67.. And it is also saide, that men remaining so feare­full, [Page 51] shall haue their portion with whoremongers, the abominable, and murderers, & sorcerers, idola­ters, and all liars: in the Lake which burneth with Fire and Brimstone, which is the second Death Reuel. 21.8.. And thus you haue seene the wonderful Blessednesse, which such as are once Iustified by Faith in Christ, haue obtained by this Boldnesse and Courage, euen here in this life.

To these may bee added their Freedome from the reigning power of Sinne,Freedome. which is not the least Pri­uiledge, and doth wonderfully en­crease their Peace, nourish their Ioy, kindle their Loue, strengthen their Hope, and a [...]de vnto their Boldnesse. This, this may be rightly termed: a Glorious Libertie, Rom. 8.2.21. and a Freedome indeede2. Cor. 3.17.18. Io. 8.36.. This is that for which Paul gaue thankes, euen when a litle before he hath spoken [Page 52] of his wretched Body: yet procee­deth thus. I thanke God thorugh Iesus Christ our Lord: So then with the minde, I my selfe serue the Lawe of God, but with the flesh the Lawe of Sinne Rom. 7.24.25.. This Freedome shineth out clearely, where it is written: Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Libertie 2. Cor. 3.17.. Also where the Spirit of Christ is, it doeth free such from the dominion of Sinne, as appea­reth by these words of Paul. The Lawe of the Spirit of Life in Christ Iesus, hath made mee free from the Lawe of Sinne and DeathRom 8.2.. That is the power of the Spirit of Christ hath freed me from the power of sinne and death. Againe the same Apo­stle affirmeth. That where Sinne a­bounded, Grace did much more a­bound. That as sinne had reigned vn­to Death; euen so might grace reigne through righteousnesse vnto eternall [Page 43] life, through Iesus Christ our LordRom. 5.20 21.. Also in the very next Chapter, the same blessed Apostle answereth an obiection that might hence arise amongst such as peruert the truth thus. If Grace doeth the more a­bound, where sinne hath most a­bounded? then let vs continue in sinne, and multiply Transgression: that Grace may the more abound Rom. 6.1.. To this diuellish obiection the Apostle answereth in that whole Chapter very plainly & largely, and addeth Reason, to Reason: yea very strong and inuincible Reasons are brought in place; First, he doeth shewe his detestation of such conclusions, and how farre it is from the Saints so to conclude, in these wordes. Far be it from vs to admit of this Rom. 8.8.. And he draweth a Reason from the im­possibilitie of any such thing. How shall we that are dead to Sinne, liue [Page 54] any longer therein Rom. 6.2.. As if he would say, as it is impossible for dead men to performe any thing: so impos­sible is it for vs to bring any sinne foorth to perfection Iam. 1.15. Then hee drawes vs to consider of Gods pro­ceeding, in bringing vs to Christ: that is, As many of vs as are now in Christ, were first baptized into his death. That is, were slaine or kild by the Power of Repentance; For here is a twofold baptisme spoken of: one, A Baptisme into the death of Christ, Another, a Baptisme into ChristRom. 6 3. Heb. 6.2. Mat. 3.11. Io. 1.33.. The first, giuing Sinne his deadly wound, or killing vs to Sinne; the other quickning vs, or making vs aliue to Righteousnesse. After this it is added, that we are not onely dead, but buried by the first Baptisme into death: that is by Repentance, all the glory, and beau­ty of our flesh is taken awayIs. 40 6 7 1. Pet. 1.24., that [Page 55] being raised by Faith in Christs blood, wee should walke in new­nesse of lifeRom. 6.4.. Now this Newnes of Life, notes to vs this Freedome from our olde course of sinning. As it is a little after, He that is dead is freed from Sinne vers 7.. That is, from the seruice of Sinne vers. 6.. Now that it may yet more plainely appeare, there is added the continuance of this glorious Libertie, or blessed Freedome from Sinnes-seruice, thus: Now if we be dead with Christ, we beleeue that wee shall also liue with him, Knowing that Christ being rai­sed from the dead, dyeth no more: death hath no more dominion ouer him; For in that he dyed, he dyed vn­to Sinne once: but in that he liueth, he liueth vnto God. Likewise, rec­kon yee also your selues dead indeede vnto Sinne, or truely dead: but aliue indeed, or truly aliue to God through [Page 56] Iesus Christ vers. 8.9.20.11.. Heere doeth mani­festly appeare this Freedome from Sinne, and so also from death, euen in the same manner, in respect of continuance & trueth, as Christ is freed, as it is euident by that it is saide, Likewise; as also it is cleare­ly made manifest, that when once the spirit of life beginnes our Li­bertie, wee are neuer after that in­thralled, or brought into Bondage. Besides these, that Scripture is ex­ceeding full stuffed, with forcible and strong Reasons, euen to the ende of that Chapter: as onely to touch them,vers. 12. Let not Sinne reigne. For Sinne shall not haue dominion o­uer you vers. 14.: yee were the seruants of Sinnevers 17.. Being made Free from Sinne, yee became seruants of Righ­teousnessevers. 18., When yee were the ser­uants of Sinne, yee were Free from Righteousnessevers. 20.. But now being [Page 57] made Free from Sinne, and become seruants to God, yee haue your fruite vnto holinesse, and the ende euerla­sting life vers. 22.. And that this Freedome from Sinnes-seruitude or Bondage, may yet more clearely appeare: consider that where it is written. If Christ bee in you, the body is dead for Sinne, but the Spirit is Life, for Righteousnesse Rom. 8.10. Also, walke in the spirit, and ye shlal not fulfill the lustes of the flesh Gal. 5.16. And they that are Christs, haue crucified the flesh with the affections and lustes Gal. 5.24. Also if any man be in Christ, he is a New Crea­ture? And such an one can truely say, and with comfort: yea great boldnesse and confidence; I liue no more, but Christ Iesus liueth in me 2. Cor. 5.7.. Of this Freedome Paul glo­ried, where it is written: I am the least of all the Apostles, that am not meete to be called an Apostle, because [Page 58] I persecuted the Church of God. But by the Grace of God, I am what I am, and his Grace which was bestowed vpon mee, was not in vaine. But I laboured more aboundantly then they all, yet not I, but the Grace of God which was with me 1. Cor. 15.9.10.. Also hee writeth thus of himselfe; I thanke Christ Iesus who hath inabled me, for that he counted me faithfull, putting mee into the Ministery, who was before a Blasphemer, and a Per­secuter, and Iniurious1. Tim. 1.12.13.14.. But I ob­tained Mercy, because I did it igno­rantly in vnbeliefe. And the Grace of God was exceeding aboundant, with Faith and Loue, which is in Christ Iesus. Here you see Paul proposing, or setting foorth him­selfe as an example of one, that had obtained this Freedome which euery Iustified one, hath also ob­tained: as it is euident in Dauids [Page 59] example, who could say of himselfe, when once hee had gotten this Free­dome, or Libertie. Thou hast deli­uered my soule from death, mine eyes from teares, and my feete from falling ps. 116.8., Also ô Lord, thou hast loo­sed my Bondsvers. 16..

But some will here obiect.O B. Doe not the Children of God Sinne, af­ter they are once Iustified by Faith in Christ? What say you then to that where it is written. If we say that we haue no Sinne, wee deceiue our selues 1. Io. 1.8.? Also in many things we offend allIam. 3.2., Also there is not a iust man vpon earth that doeth good, and sinneth notB [...]le. 7.20.. And many moe Scriptures to the same purpose.

I answer,ANS. That there is great dif­ference betweene hauing sinne, and sinning; betweene sinning altoge­ther against purpose, and sinning with delight, and consent of heart: be­tweene [Page 60] failing in the performance of good, and doing that which is absolutely euill: betweene reigning and dwelling. So that these Scrip­tures are thus to bee reconciled. The Saints after iustification haue sinne dwelling, not reigning in them, and hence it is, that in euery good Purpose they faile much in their per­formance, and giue offence to God, and many times to their bre­thren. And therefore they are taught dayly to forgiue their bre­threnLuc. 17.3 4.. And dayly to aske forgiue­nesse of God, in the name of Iesus Christ Mat. 6.9.12.14.15.. Yet all this doth not proue that which some would vrge out of these, and such like places, that they commit sinne, and this is most euident: for if they should commit, then were they still the seruants of sinne, as it is written, Whosoeuer com­mitteth Sinne, is the seruant of [...]in Ioh. 8.34.. [Page 61] Such an one is a tran gessor of the Law1. Ioh. 3.1., he abideth not in Christ, nei­ther did euer see him, or know him Ʋer. 6.. Such an one is of the diuell, neither is it possible for him that is borne of God to commit sinneVer. 8.9.. For wheresoeuer the Sonne of God dwelleth and a­bideth, he doth manifest his abode there, by destroying the workes of the diuell Ver. 5. with 8.. And howsoeuer it is ob­iected that Paul doth crie out of his Body, and confesseth that hee cannot doe the good he would, but the euill which hee would not, yet obserue the same words, and hee shall answer for himselfe. Thus, Now if I doe that I would not, it is no more I, that doe it, but sinne that dwelleth in me Rom. 7.20, not that reigneth in me, but dwelleth in mee. Thus Paul hath freed himself from com­mitting sinne. So that then hee is thus to be vnderstood, that hee [Page 62] is thus to be vnderstood, that he [...] could performe nothing, so per­fectly as he would. And this made him grone vnder his Tabernacle 2. Cor. 5.1.2.3.4.5.6.7 8. Rom. 7.24., and crie out, O wretched man that I am, who shall deliuer me frō this body o [...] Death. So that the Saints Freedome from the reigning power of Sinne, remaines firme and vnshaken, and it is most manifest, that where Christ hath once cast out the strong man, hee as the stronger takes pos­session neuer to bee dispossessedLu. 11.21 22. Ioh. 10.29. Ioh. 8.35.. And this is not the least benefite that the Children of God doe enioy in this life, and for which they praise God, as it is written, God be thanked, ye were the seruants of Sinne, but ye haue obeyed from the heart the form of doctrine which was deliuered you Rom. 6.17.. Also, the same Apostle writing to the Colossians, giues thanks vnto the Father, who hath made them meete to [Page 63] [...]e partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light, and had deliuered thē from the Power of Darkenesse, and translate them into the kingdome of his deare SonneCol. 1.12 13.. And this freedom for which they continually praise God, and which they most comfor­tably enioy, commeth by embra­cing the Truth, as it is written, The Truth shall make you freeIoh. 8.32.. Where­as before they are ouercome of sinne and it is euident they are sins-slaues or bondmen, as it is written: Of whom a man is ouercome, of the same is he brought into Bondage. And Paul tels vs plainly, that as he him­selfe, so all of vs were by nature ser­uants to diuers lusts and pleasures Tit. 3.3.. And this is one of the most excel­lentest benefits that we here enioy, and the want of this is accompanied with the want of all the Rest that haue beene before, or shall here­after [Page 64] be mentioned.

Adde to this the vnsearchable Wisedome, Wisedome. which the Saints doe en­ioy euen here; such, as Christ is be­come their Wisedome 1. Cor. 1.30.. These are Wise indeede: and how can it bee but such should be Wise? for whom God layeth vp sound Wisedome, and who may at any time when they want it, goe to God and haue it for the asking: as it is written, If any of you lacke Wisedome, let him aske of God, that giueth to all men libe­rally and vpbraideth not: and it shall be giuen him Iam. 1.5.. This is not that earthly, sensuall, and diuellish Wise­dome, which is accompanied with bitter enuying and strife. But this is the Wisedome from aboue, that is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, ea­sie to be intreated, full of mercy, and good fruits, without Partiality, with­out Hypocrisie, yea such as haue it [Page 65] will shew out of a good conuersation, his workes with meekenesse of wise­dome Iam. 3.13.14.15.16.17: This was one of the Reasons that Moses vsed to prouoke the people of Israel to obedience: shew­ing them, That it should bee their wisedome, and vnderstanding, in the sight of the Nations, which shall heare all these Statutes, and say: Surely this great Nation, is a wise, and vnderstanding peopleDeut. 4.6.. This was the wisedome, that made Io­seph famous in Pharaohs Court, and exalted him to bee Ruler ouer all Egypt. As it appeareth; by Pha­raohs speech; can wee finde such a man as this, in whom is the Spirit of God Gen. 41.38. And Pharaoh saide vnto Io­seph, Forasmuch as God hath shew­ed thee all this, there is none so dis­creete and wise. Thou shalt bee ouer my house, and according to thy word, shall all my people be ruled Vers. 39.. [Page 66] And wee reade, that the Lord lay­eth vppe sound wisedome for the RighteousProu. 2.6.: yea, as before hee is their treasurer. This wisedome ap­peareth in Elihu, where he reproo­ueth Iob, and his three friends, and checketh them sharpely for their grosse ignorance: As it is written of him, I saide: Dayes should speake, and multitude of yeeres should teach wisedome: But there is a spirit in man, and the Inspiration of the Al­mightie, giueth vnderstanding. Great men are not alwayes Wise, neither doe the aged vnderstand Iudgement. Iob. 32.7.8.9. And a little after he saith, Where­fore Iob heare my speeches; I pray thee, and hearke to all my words. My words shal be of the vprightnesse of my heart, & my lips shal vtter knowledge clear­ly Iob. 33.1.2.5.. This wisedome was in Dauid, as it is euident where he saith; O how I loue thy Lawe, it is my Meditation all the Day. Thou (ô Lord) through [Page 67] thy cōmandements hast made me wiser then mine Enemies: for they are euer with me, (that is, thy cōmandemēts are euer with me.) I haue more Vn­derstanding then all my Teachers, for thy testimonies are my Meditati­on. I vnderstand more then the An­cients, because I keepe thy Precepts ps. 119.97 98.99.100.. Also it is saide of Steuen, that his Aduersaries were not able to resist the Wisedome, and Spirit by which he spake Act. 6.10.. Yea the Saints are saide to be so Wise, as that their mouthes are as wels of Life Prou. 10.11. Their Tongues as choyse siluerVers. 20.. Their mouthes bring foorth WisedomeVers. 31.. Their lippes know what is acceptable Vers. 32.. Their lippes Vers. 31. feed many Vers. 21.. Their fruite is a Tree of LifePro. 11.30. They are all as well watered gardens, and as springs of water, whose waters faile not Is. 58.11.. Yea, our Lord hath saide, That such as drinke of the water that hee shall giue him: whosoeuer it be, shall neuer [Page 68] thirst; but the water that hee shall giue him, shall be in him a well of wa­ter, springing vppe into Euerlasting LifeIo. 4.13.14.. Also hee hath saide, If any man thirst, let him come vnto mee and drinke. Hee that beleeueth on me, as the Scripture hath saide, out of his belly shall flowe Riuers of wa­ter of LifeIo. 7.37.38.. This hee spake of the Spirit, which they that beleeue on him should receiue. And how can it be, but they should be Wise? that are become so familiar with God, as to be called his friendes, as was Abra­ham Is. 41.8. iam. 2.23., of whome God saide, shall I hide from Abraham the thing I doe? For I knowe him Gen. 17.18.19.. And speaking of beleeuers, he saith: yee are my friends, if yee doe whatsoeuer I commaund you. I shall no more call you seruants, (that is, when once you doe indeede beleeue in me,) For the seruant knoweth not what his Lord doth, but I haue called you friendes, [Page 69] for all things that I haue heard of my Father, I haue made knowen vnto you. Io. 15.14.15.. And surely the Lord will doe nothing, but hee reueileth his se­crets to his seruants the ProphetsAmos. 3.7.. Adde to this, The secret of the Lord is with them that feare him, and hee will shewe them his Couenantps. 25.14.. Yea, these haue the mind of Christ. As it is written of Paul, My speech and my preaching, was not with enti­sing wordes of mans Wisedome, but in demonstration of the Spirit, and Power. Howbeit wee speake Wise­dome among them that are perfect, yet not the Wisedome of this world, nor of the princes of this world, which come to nought. But wee speake the Wisedome of God in a Mystery, euen the hidden Wisedome, which God or dained before the world vn­to our Glory. Yea eye hath not seene, nor eare heard, neither haue [Page 70] entred into the heart of man, the thinges which God hath reuealed to vs by his Spirit: for the Spirit search­eth all things, yea the deepe things of God: Yea hee that is spirituall dis­cerneth all things, yet hee himselfe is discerned of no man. For who hath knowne the minde of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But wee haue the minde of Christ1. Cor. 2.4.5.6.7.9.10.15.16.. Lo here as in a glasse, the wonderfull Wise­dome of a Child of God, in whom Christ dwelleth; whereas, before he walked in darkenesse, and knewe not whither he went, because that darke­nesse had blinded his eyes 1. Io. 2.11.. He was held captiue vnder the Power of it Col. 1.13. Act. 26.18.. He was foolish and ignorant, euen as a beast ps. 73.22.. Yea Isaiah saith, that the Oxe knoweth his owner, and the Asse his maisters Crib Is. 1.3.. But rebellious People doe not knowe, they doe not consider. And Ieremiah telles [Page 71] vs, that wicked men are brutish in knowledge Ier. 10.8.14.. And Salomon tear­mes them, Prating fooles Pro. 10.8.10., and sim­ple ones Pro. 1.22.. And the Wisedome of this world is foolishnes with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their owne craftinesse 1. Cor. 3.19.. Thus the inward Priuiledges which at this time shall be touched, being dispatched: in the next place, the outward benefits are to bee han­dled. These are also manifold, whither we respect the neere com­munion of the Saints, the glorious seruice of Angels, the wonderfull reconciliation of all the creatures, the abundance of all things neces­sary for the body to our selues, and children, and the certaine continu­ance of all this blessednesse. All these with many more, as clearely shine foorth in Scripture, as the former from within: Howsoeuer [Page 72] the last, which is the certainety of the continuance of such a blessed estate, pertaineth to both outward and inward benefits. And first of the Communion of Saints. Cōmunion of Saints. This is not the least benefit that they en­ioy vpon Earth, nor the least tast of Heauens happinesse, here begun, to knowe that wee haue neere fel­lowship, and true familiaritie with all the Saints in the world: though we neuer sawe them face, to face: nor euer so much as heard of them by name. This was vsed as one helpe to comfort Elijah in his di­stresse, when he complained: That he onely was left, and they sought his life, to take it away. He receiued an answere; That God had left him se­uen thousand in Israel, all the Knees which had not bowed vnto Baal, & eue­ry mouth, which hath not kissed him.1. King. 19 14.18. And it is no small comfort to the [Page 73] children of God, to knowe that al­beit they liue where they haue but little fellowship, with Gods chil­dren, yet are they not destitute of their fellowship: but doe enioy the helpe of the effectuall feruent pray­ers of all the Saints in the worldIam. 5.16.. Howbeit the enioying of their sweete Communion, face to face: and that in great multitudes, in times of Peace: as in the Apostles time, when they continued daily with one accord togither, and breaking bread from house to house, did eate their meate with gladnesse, and single­nesse of heart, Praysing GodAct. 2.46.47.. This sweete Communion of the Saints, face to face: and their bold fami­liaritie in the seruice and worship of God, is a most glorious priui­ledge, and an excellent Benefit.e This Beautie and comelinesse, in these exercises of Prayer and Pro­phecy [Page 74] and breaking Bread: is noted wher Christ saith of this his Spouse. Thou art beautifull, O my Loue, as Tirzah, comely as Ierusalem, terrible as an Armie with Banners. Also in the same place. Who is shee that looketh foorth as the Morning, Faire as the Moone, cleare as the Sunne, terrible as an Army with Banners.Cant. 6.4.10. Mee thinkes, I heare Christ also speaking of such an assembly; Thou hast rauished my heart, my sister, my spouse: thou hast rauished my heart, with one of thine eyes, with one chaine of thy necke Cant. 4.9.. And if Christ him­selfe bee rauished with Comfort, much more are the Saints: who haue beene sometimes oppressed with sorow, & horror: because that they sawe themselues vnworthy of being present at such glorious and beautifull assemblies, by reason of their sinnes: when these doe see, [Page 75] and knowe themselues so blessed, as that they are now by Grace, be­come the Sonnes and Daughters of God, then they reioyce and say with Iohn, Behold what manner of Loue the Father hath shewed vnto vs, that we should be called the Sons of God1. Io. 3.1.. That he should seperate vs to be the Sonnes and Daughters of the Lord Almighty2. Cor. 6.18.. That wee should haue Fellowship, not onely with the Father, and the Sonne, but such vnspeakable comfort amongst the Saints in Light1. Io. 1.3.7. Col. 1.12.13.. And surely the comfort of such Communion is set foorth plainly, where it is written: The Ransomed of the Lord shall re­turne, and come to Sion: with Songs and euerlasting Ioy vpon their heads: they shall obtaine Ioy and gladnesse, and sorrow and sighing, shall flee a­way 1. Is. 35.10.. Yea this is that feast spoken of, where it is written: And on this [Page 76] mountaine shall the Lord of hostes make vnto all people; a feast of fatte things, a feast of Wine on the Lees, of fatte things full of Marrow, of wine on the Lees well refined. And he will destroy in this Mountaine the face of the couering: cast ouer all peo­ple, and the vaile that is spread ouer all NationsIs. 25.6.7.. Also to this pur­pose is that where it is written of the Church. Lift vp thine eyes round about, and behold: all these gather themselues together, and come to thee, as I liue saith the Lord, thou shalt surely cloath thee with them all, as with an ornament: and binde them on thee as a Bride doth. Thus saith the Lord God: behold I will lift vp mine hand to the Gentiles, and set vp my standerd to the people, and they shall bring thy sonnes in their armes, and thy daughters shall be carried vp­on their shoulders. And Kings Is. 49.18.22.23. shall [Page 77] be thy noursing Fathers, & Queenes thy noursing Mothers. Also, Thy watchmen shall lift vppe the voyce: with the voyce togither shall they sing: for they shall see eye, to eye: when the Lord shall bring againe Sion. Breake foorth into Ioy, sing togither yee wast places of Ierusalem: for the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath re­deemed IerusalemIs. 52.8.9.. Also, Thou shalt see and flow togither, and thine heart shall feare and be inlardged, because the abundance of the Sea shall bee con­uerted vnto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come vnto thee Is. 60.5.. Also, Reioyce yee with Ierusalem, and bee glad with her all yee that loue her reioyce for Ioy with her, all yee that mourne for her: That yee may sucke and be satisfied with the breastes of her consolations: that yee may milke out, and be delighted with the aboun­dance of her Glory. For thus saith [Page 78] the Lord, Beholde I will extend Peace to her like a Riuer, and the glory of the Gentiles, like a flowing streame, then shall yee sucke, and be borne vpon her sides, and be dandled vpon her knees. As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you, and yee shall be comforted in Ie­rusalem. And when yee see this, your heart shall reioyce, and your bones shall flourish like an hearbeHeb. 66.10.11.12.13.14.. And how can they but reioyce in such as­semblies, who doe loue one ano­ther not in word, and in tongue: but in deed and trueth 1. Io. 3.18.. Yea, their loue is feruent Loue, out of pure hearts 1. Pet. 1.22: yea such is the feruency of their loue, as that they cannot onely bee content to part with goods, but they can willingly lay downe their liues one for another.1. Io. 3.16. This we see plainly in that exam­ple of Aquila and Priscilla Rom. 16.3.4.: who [Page 79] laide downe their owne neckes for Pauls life. These are one anothers Keepers Gen. 4.9.. They doe watch ouer one anotherHeb. 13.17, exhorting one ano­ther Heh. 3.13, and prouoking to loue, and to good workes Heb. 10.24. And to this ende they doe not only reioyce in great assemblies in times of Peace, as be­fore, but euen in the hotest times of the most bloody persecution, they cannot bee withholden, but will come togither thogh it cost them their Liues Act. 20.24.: witnesse their often meetings in the time of the Apo­stles Act. 4.12.17.. Yea, though they were drawen and haled out by violence before Magistrates Iam. 2.6.: yea they re­ioyce at the very sight one of ano­ther, and receiue one another with feare and trembling2. Cor. 7.15.16.: they are ready to performe the basest offi­ces one for another, as to wash one anothers feeteIo. 13.14.15.. And the rather, [Page 80] because of the high esteeme they haue one of another, when they consider one another, not as the sonnes and daughters of an earth­ly King, which would procure an high esteeme, if it were but so; but they consider one another, as the sonnes and daughters of the Lord Almightie 1. Cor. 6.18 Io. 1.12.13.: yea when they vnder­stand themselues to bee no lesse then heires with God, and coheires with Christ, this is that which doeth knit them together, and makes them to thinke, that all they doe one for another, to be too too littleRom. 8.17.. What should bee more spoken? great is the comfort that Gods chil­dren haue one from another, and the sweet Communion amongst the Saints, is not to be expressed. And how can it be? but such as are Sub­iects of one Kingdome Reuel. 15.3, Citizens of one Citie Eph. 3.14., Seruants of one Family Eph. 3.14.15., [Page 81] Sonnes and Daughters of one Father, [...]nd Mother Gal. 4.26 L [...]. 15.1.2.5; Branches of one vine, [...]iuely stones of one building 1. Pet. 2. [...], mem­bers of one body, 1. Cor. 12.27. yea one body & one SpiritRom. 12.5 Eph: 4.4.. How is it possible but such should be neerely lincked togither [...]n Loue, & haue so especiall famili­aritie amongst themselues, and be maruellous comfortable one to another? And therefore these may bee iustly called: A chosen genera­ [...]ion, a Royall Priesthood, an holy Na­tion, a peculiar people: 1. Pet. 2.9 seeing by his Loue, they do shew forth the prai­ses of him who hath called them out of Darkenesse, Guard of Angels. into his maruellous Light. And this is not the least beginning of Heauen vpon Earth: nor the least tast of that vnspeake­able comfort the Saints shall en­ [...]oy at the right hand of God in the Heauens for euermore. Adde to [...]is the comforts wee haue by the [Page 82] seruice of the blessed spirits, the Angels Heb. 1.14.. Who doe encampe round a­bout such as feare God, to deliuer them from euill Psal. 34.7. These blessed and louing Spirits, doe alwayes be­hold the face of God, as ready exe­cutioners of his vengeance vpon any such as dare to offend the Saints: as it is written. Take heede that yee despise not one of these little ones which beleeue in mee, for I say vnto you (saith our Lord) that their Angels in Heauen doe alwayes behold the face of my Father which is in Hea­uen Mat. 18.10.. This assistance of Angels is euident, plentifully in holy scrip­ture, as where it is written. The Chariots of God are twenty thousand, euen thousands of Angels: The Lord is among them as in Sinai, in the holy Place Ps. 68.17.. Now that these Chariots doe attend Gods chil­dren, and are their host, as Iacob cals them, where before his grea [...] [Page 83] distresse these met him, and when he sawe them, he said: This is Gods host Gen. 32.1.2., or that host wherewith God defendeth his children, as it is e­uident by that example of Elisha, who when his seruant had gone foorth in the morning and seene a great host of the Syrians compas­sing Dothan, with horses and cha­riots, and saide vnto him: Alasse my maister, how shall we doe? Eli­sha answered: Feare not, for they that be with vs, are more then they that be with them. As if hee would haue said, if thou didst see how we are guarded with horses, and cha­riots of greater power then those. Thou wouldest not bee affraide as thou art. But his seruant not vn­derstanding any such safetie that they had, Elisha prayed vnto the Lord and saide, Lord I pray thee open his [...]yes that hee may see. And the Lord [Page 84] opened the eyes of the yong man, and hee sawe. And behold the Moun­taine was full of horses, and Chari­ots of Fire, round about Elisha 2. King. 6.16.17.. Here it is euident, that the seruants and children of God are alwayes at­tended with a powerfull host, for if we do but cōsider of this history, it will appeare, that by this is noted the safe estate, not of Elisha alone, but of all the Saints of God. As first, it is euident by two things that Dothan was compassed a­bout with hilles; one was, that the young man sawe them compassing the CitieƲer. 15.. Against this, some may say, that it was more likely that it was vpon a hill, but this rea­son it selfe will conuince, for then one man could see but part of the Army, on what side soeuer of the hill hee should stand, but the next thing makes it plaine, where it is [Page 85] said, They came downe vnto him Ʋer. 18.. By this it is cleare that Dothan stood in a valley, and was compas­sed round with hilles: and there­fore it must bee, not a bodily, but a spirituall Mountaine, vpon which that yong man sawe his maister, as another thing makes more mani­fest, which is, the opening of his eyes, which were open before in an ordinary manner, for hee was not blinded that could discouer an Army of men, and so we haue here the spirituall saftetie of Elisha, and so of all the children of God, to whome Gods Angels are an hoste compassing them about continu­ally. For so it is also expressely written, That we are come to Mount Sion, to an innumerable company of AngelsHeb. 12.22.23.. So wee see that Eliah in his distresse was fed by an An­gell 1. King. 19.5.7., Daniel comforted by an An­gell, Dan. 9.21, [Page 86] The three children kept by an AngellDan. 3.28. And the readinesse of that Angell at the prayer of Isaiah, and Hezekiah, when they cryed to Heeuen 2. Chr. 32.20.. That Angell speedily, e­uen in one night slewe an hundred, fourescore and fiue thousand, all mighty men of valour: Leaders, and Captaines2. King. 19.35. 2. Chro. 32.21.. Here you see the readinesse of these blessed and powerfull spirits to protect, or de­fend Gods children, and to execute vengeance vpon their aduersaries, and this is not our least benefite, that wee here enioy, and no small beginning, but a very great taste of the powers of the world to come.

These are not alone, but wee may adde the Loue of the Creatures, Creatures Loue. yea of all the Creation to the chil­dren of God; Their vnwillingnesse to hurt them, and their readinesse [Page 87] to doe them good. The reason is, it was Gods ordinance at first in mans innocency: to him was giuen the Lordship of them all, as it is plaine, God blessed them, and God saide vnto them, bee fruitfull and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it, and haue dominion ouer the Fish of the Sea, and ouer the Foule of the Aire, and ouer euery li­ling thing that moueth vppon the earth Gen. 1.28..

Now albeit this was lost by our disobedience in Adam: yea, wee were depriued of any good: yet wee being againe recouered by Christ, these are also recouered to vs. This appeareth plainely by the Scriptures thus, when Adam had sinned, then beganne the whole creation, to groane vnder the bur­den thereof, as it is written: vnto Adam God saide, Because thou hast [Page 88] hearkned to the voyce of thy wife, and hast eaten of the Tree, of which I com­maunded thee, saying: Thou shalt not eate thereof, Cursed is the ground for thy sake: in sorrowe shalt thou eate of it all the dayes of thy Life Gen. 3.17 18.. Thornes also and Thistles shall it bring foorth to thee Gen. 3.17.18.. Also when Cain had kil­led his Brother, this was a part of his Curse: when thou tillest thy ground it shall not hencefoorth yeeld vnto thee her strength Gen. 4.12. Also it is written: that God turneth riuers into a wildernesse, and water springs into a dry ground. A fruitfull Land into barrennesse, for the wic­kednesse of them that dwell therein ps. 107.33 34. Also the olde world was drowned for the wickednesse of man ^a.Gen. 6.12.13. & 8.2 [...]. And Sodome and Gomorrah with those other Cities were burnt for the sinnes of the inhabitantsGen. 19.15. Con­trariwise [Page 89] the Earth hath beene bles­sed, and the habitatiōs of the Saints preserued for their Sakes. Wit­nesse that blessing, with which I­saac his field was blessed in a yeere of famine: hee sowed and receiued an hundred-fold in the same yeere Gen. 26.12.. And for Iosephs sake, all that was in the Egyptians house, and in the field: the blessing of the Lord was vp­on itGen. 39.5 And so it is also written, that when men shall haue repen­ted, and pertake by Faith in the blood of Christ, of the Glorious Li­bertie of the Sonnes of God: The Creatures shall reioyce with them in these wordes, They shall goe out with Ioy, and bee ledde foorth with Peace: The Mountaines and the Hilles shall breake foorth before them into singing, and all the Trees of the Field shall clappe their handes Is. 55.12.. And amongst other blessings that the [Page 90] Church is promised when shee shall bee glorious euen on earth: this is one, that they shall build hou­ses and inhabite them, and they shall plant vineyards, and eate the fruite of them Is. 65.21.. So spake our Lord of Zacharias, This day is saluation come to this House, for so much as he is al­so the Sonne of AbrahamLuc. 19.9.. This is very manifest, if wee consider the blessings, and the Curses promi­sed, and denounced to and against the obedient, and disobedient Louit. 26. Deut. 28.. So that hence we may now truly con­clude, That the earnest expectation of the Creature, waiteth for the mani­festation of the Sonnes of God. For the Creature was made subiect to va­nitie, not willing, by reason of him who hath subiected the same in hope: Because the Creature it selfe also shall be deliuered from the bondage of cor­ruption, into the glorious Libertie of [Page 91] the Children of God. For we knowe that the whole Creation groaneth, and trauaileth in paine togither vntill now Rom. 8.19 20.21.22.. And it is euident that the creatures are freed from bondage, when Gods children are made ma­nifest, to bee such: as it is plaine by this one Scripture, if there were no more. A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruell Pro. 12.10.. But all this being but a passage to this Loue of the Crea­tures to vs; when we are once re­conciled to God, and the restitu­tion of them to their former liber­tie, we will come yet to that which shall manifestly discouer this, as where it is written. That the man whom God chasteneth, whom he ma­keth sore, and bindeth vp: whom he woundeth, and his hands make whole: Such an one shall be deliuered in six [Page 92] troubles, and in seuen none euill shall touch him: He shall not bee af­fraid of the Beastes of the Earth; for hee shall bee in league with the stones of the Field, and the beastes of the Field shall be at Peace with him Iob. 5.17.23.. Also where God speakes of recon­ciling a people to himselfe, wee haue the same thing set forth thus, That Day I will make a couenant for them with the Beastes of the Field, and with the foules of Heauen, and with the creeping thinges of the ground, and I will breake the Bowe, and the Sword, and the Battell out of the Earth, and I will make them to lye downe safely; And I will betroth thee vnto me for euer, Yea I will be­troth thee vnto me in Righteousnes, and in Iudgement, in louing kindnesse, and in mercies, I will euen betroth thee vnto me in Faithfulnesse, and thou shalt knowe the Lord. And it [Page 93] shall come to passe in that Day I will heare saith the Lord, I will heare the Heauens, and they shall heare the Earth: And the Earth shall heare the Corne, and the Wine, and the Oyle, and they shall heare IezreelHos. 2.18.22.. Also wee haue the expresse promise of God, where it is written: Thus saith the Lord that created thee ô Iacob, and hee that formed thee ô Israel: feare not; for I haue redeemed thee, I haue called thee by thy name, thou art mine: when thou passest through the waters I wil be with thee, and through the riuers they shall not ouerflowe thee: when thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burnt, neither shall the flame kindle vpon thee: For I am the Lord thy God, the holy one of Israel thy Sauior Is. 43.1.2.3.. Also, be­hold I haue created the smith that bloweth the coales in the fire, and that bringeth foorth an instrument for his [Page 94] worke, and I haue created the water to destroy. No weapon that is for­med against thee shall prosper, and e­uery tongue that shal rise against thee in Iudgment, thou shalt condemneIs. 54.16.. Of this league betweene Gods re­conciled children, and the Crea­tures, there are many examples found in Scriptures, yea such as God hath but respected outward­ly, haue receiued this priuiledge. As of the readinesse to fight for Gods children, and take part with such as God hath fauoured: as the readinesse of the sea and the wind, to make way for the children of Is­rael, to passe thorow as on dry land Ex. 14.21. And of the earth, how ready was it to open her mouth,Num. 16.32.33. and to swal­low vp Corah Dathan, and Abiram, and all their rebellious company, who were Moses aduersaries. Al­so how ready was the fire, to con­sume [Page 95] 250. more of that proude Conspiracyver. 35.. How ready was the Sunne and Moone to stay their course, till Ioshua and the people of Israel had auenged themselues on their enemiesIos. 10.13.. Also that glori­ous Song of Deborah. They fought from Heauen, the Starres in their courses fought against SiseraIudge. 5.20.. How readily did the Rauens bring fleshe and bread morning and euening to refresh Elijah1. King. 17.6.? How readily came those Beares to teare the children, that mocked Elisha 2. King. 2.24.. Also how readily did that fire descend from Heauen, to consume those two proude Captaines, and their fif­ties2. King. 1.10.12.. How readily did the fire drowne those valiant men, that vndertooke the casting of the three Children into the firie for­nace Dan. 3.22.? Also how speedily did those Lions euen breake all the bones in [Page 96] peeces of Daniels enemies, ere they came at the ground. On the contrary we see their vnwillingnes to touch Daniell for hurtDan. 6.22.25.. And of the three children Shadrach, Me­shach. and Abednego. That freedom from the fire, is wonderfull: of whom wee reade: That when they came forth out of the midst of the fire, And the Princess, Gouernour, Cap­taines, and the Kings Counsellours being gathered together saw them, vpon whose bodies the fire had no Power, nor was an haire of their head sindged, neither were their coates changed, nor the smell of fire had pas­sed on them Dan. 3.26 27.. And of Daniel it is recorded, That where he was taken out of the Lions denne, no manner of hurt was found vpon him because, he beleeued in his GodDan. 6.23.. And thus you haue the Loue of the creatures and the certainty of their reconciliation [Page 97] [...]o the Children of God, when [...]nce they themselues are reconci­ [...]ed. For if they haue beene so or­ [...]ered before their reconciliation [...]hat they haue not touched them [...]or hurt, but haue fought for them, [...]ow much more when they are re­ [...]onciled, and made manifest in­ [...]eed, to be the Sons and Daugh [...]ers of the Lord Almightie. And [...]urely this is no small outward be­ [...]efit, neither is it slightly to be pas­ [...]ed ouer, as many vse, but seriously [...]o be weighed and considered of, [...]hat the praise of that may be ren­ [...]red vnto the giuer thereof, as wel [...]s for the rest.

Another outward Benefit which [...]uch enioy is the Aboundance of [...]ll good things for the body,Aboundance o [...] outward Ritches. and [...]hat to themselues and their chil­ [...]ren. That this may appeare plain­ [...]y, let vs consider of such Scrip­tures [Page 98] as doe make it manifest, as where it is written: Godlinesse is profitable vnto all things 1. Tim. 4.8: Also, Godlinesse with contentment is great gaine 1. Tim. 6.6.. Againe, we finde it an ex­presse promise to beleeuers, or such as yeeld willing obedience to Gods Commaundements. That they shall haue Raine in due season and their Land shall yeelde her in­crease, and the trees of the field shall yeeld their fruit. And their threshing shal reatch vnto the vin­tage, and their vintage shall reatch vnto the sowing time, and they shall eate their bread, to the full, and they shall eate olde stone, and bring foorth the old, because of the newLeuit. 26.4.10.. Also in another Place it is written of them thus: If thou shalt hearken diligently to the voyce of the Lord thy God, to ob­serue and doe all his Commande­ments, [Page 99] which I command thee this Day, that the Lord thy God will set [...]hee on high, aboue all the Nati­ [...]ns of the Earth, and besides many other blessings there mentioned, [...]here are these: The Lord shall commaund the plessing vpon thee [...]n the storehouses, and the Lord [...]hall make thee hlentious in good­ [...]esse in the fruite of thy Body, in [...]he fruite of thy Cattell, and in the [...]ruite of thy ground. The Lord [...]hall open to thee his good Trea­ [...]ure, the Heauen to giue the Raine [...]o thy Land in his Season, and to [...]lesse all the worke of thine Hand, [...]nd thou shalt lend vnto many Nations, and shalt not borrowDeut. 28.1.12.. Also it is written, At destruction [...]nd famine thou shalt laugh Iob. 5.22.. Also, [...]o Feare the Lord yee his Saints, for there is no want to them that feare him. The young Lions doe lacke and [Page 100] suffer hunger, but they that seeke the Lord, shall want no good thing ps. 34.9.10.. If such as doe but seeke the Lord, shal haue sufficient without want, how much more will God opē his hand euen wide to such as haue found him, and doe walke with him. Also The Lord is a Sunne, & shield, the Lord wil giue grace, & glory, & no good thing will he withhold from them that walk vprightlyps. 84.11.. Also it is one of the promises made to the Saints by Ezechiel. That God will cause them to dwell in the Cities, and the wastes shalbe builded. And the desolate Land shall bee tilled, whereas it lay desolate, in the sight of all that passed. And they shal say the Land that was desolate is be­come like the Garden of Eden, and the wast and desolate, and the rui­ned Cities are become fenced, and are inhabited. Adde to this that where our blessed Redeemer ma­keth [Page 101] many such promises, for the incourgement of his Redeemed ones, as where he willes vs to take no thought for our liues; what we shall eate, or what we shall drinke, nor for our bodies, what we shall put on. Is not the life (saith hee) more then Meate, and the Body more then Raiment? Also, if hee should say: haue I giuen you the more, and wil I deny you the lesse? Hath your Father giuen you Life, and will hee denie food? Hath he giuen you Bodies, and will with­hold Raiment? Who clotheth lillyes, who feedeth Rauens? is it not your Father? and are yee not much better then they? Doth God pro­uide so for the worser, and will hee not prouide for the betterMat. 6.25 26.27.? And where Peter demaunded of our Lord, what they should haue: vr­ging that they hadde forsaken all. [Page 102] Our Lord hauing answered the [...] with a peculiar promise, addeth al­so for our instruction: Verily I say vnto you, Euery one that hath forsa­ken houses, or brethren, or sisters, o [...] fathers, or mothers, or wife, or chil­dren, or landes, for my names sake, shall receiue an hundred fold Mat. 19.27.29.. Luke writeth, manifold more in this pre­sent time Luc. 18.30.. And Marke hath thu [...] written. There is no man, that hath left house, or bretrhen, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or chil­dren, or landes, for my names sake, and the Gospelles: But hee shall re­ceiue an hundred fold, now in this time, houses, and brethren, and si­sters, and mothers, and children, and landes, with persecutions, and in the world to come eternall life Marc. 10 29.30.. Now that these promises doe extend, or stretch euen to our children, is eui­dent where it is written: I haue [Page 103] beene young, and now am olde, (saith Dauid) yet haue I not seene the Righ­teous forsaken, nor his seede begging bread. Hee is euer mercifull and lendeth, and his seede is blessed ps. 37.25.26.. And it is also written. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his Commaundements, his seede shall be mightie vpon Earth, the generation of the vpright shall be bles­sed ps. 112.2.. And wee reade, that bles­sed is euery one that feareth the Lord, and that walketh in his wayes. For thou shalt eat the labour of thy hands, ô well is thee, and happy shalt thou be! Thy wife shall be as the fruitful vine, by the walles of thine house, thy chil­dren like oliue plants, round about thy table. Also it is a promise to the Saints: That they shall not labour in vaine, nor bring foorth troubles, for they are the seede of the blessed of the Lord, Is. 65.23. and their of-spring with [Page 104] them. So that you see it most ma­nifest that the children of God shall neuer want any good thing for themselues or their seede, and how can it be, that they should, see­ing they haue the promise of God: Yea, of the God of Trueth: The God that cannot lye Deu. 32.4. Tit. 1.2..

Obiect. But some obiect that Gods chil­dren haue bene destitute, yea that the Ministers of Christ are appro­ued by their patience in distresses and necessities, And that some shall be throwne to hell at the day of iudge­ment, because they haue not relee­ued the hungry, thirsty, naked, sick, imprisoned, and wandring Saints, And Lazarus say they was a beg­ger.Answ. Note. For the better and more spee­dy answer of these and all other such obiections against such plain Scriptures, as are before set down. Obserue alwayes this rule that the [Page 105] the plainst & the most in nūber are euer to be regarded, and other Scrip­tures that are more obscure and darke to be suspected, the reason of this rule is, that the word of the Lord is pure and cannot admit demini­shing or addition, as it is written, Euery word of God is pure, adde thou not vnto his words lest hee re­proue thee and thou bee found a LiarPro. 30.5.. And let God be true and euery man a liar Rom. 3.4.. The testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the sim­plePs. 19.7.. Also, Wisedome saith, Heare, for I will speake of excellent things, and the opening of my lips shall bee right things, for my mouth shal speake truth, and wicked is abhomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are in righteousnesse, and there is no­nothing froward or peruerse in them. They are all plaine to him that vnder­standeth, and right to them that finde [Page 106] knowledge Pro. 8.6.7.8.9., out of these, this Rule is gathered. That such as haue vnder­standing, do know that the Scrip­tures are not so darke and crooked, and peruerse, or froward, as men do make them: neither do they at all crosse one another. And there­fore the answer is, that that of La­zarus is a parable, noting thus much, that howsoeuer Gods chil­dren are esteemed miserable and wretched here, and rich men set light by them: yet hereafter their estate shall bee so different as that wicked men would change their mindes, if it were possible, but then it will be too late. And in a word: The necessitie, distresse hunger, thirst, and such like miseries of Gods chil­dren, are onely in seeming. The truth is, they are euer in a maruellous comfortable estate, howsoeuer their aduersaries iudg no & accor­ding [Page 107] to their iudgement of the e­state of Gods children, shall they be iudged at the last day. For they do indeede account them a cursed company of People, worthy of all shame and reproch: They oppresse them, draw them before iudge­ment seates, mock them, rent their garments from them, withdraw from thē al succor, and do scarse ac­count them worthy of the licking of their dogges: yea, they keepe them as much as in them lieth, from the means of life or comfort. And in this sence are they sayd to be destitute, hungry, thirsty, naked, sicke, strangers, in necessitie, & di­stresse, in heauinesse, sorrowfull, poor, yea, most miserable: but here obserue the Loue of God. These tyrants that shall bee damned, and perish eternally at the last day, for handling the Saints thus, and for [Page 108] not stretching out their hands to releiue themMat. 25.41.42.43.. These bloody Ty­rants that thinke they do God ser­uice, (through their blindnesse) when they kill the SaintsIo. 16.1.2.3., and speake hard things against themIude 15.. They are deceiued, for though the Saints are troubled on euery side, yet are they not distressed, though perplexed, yet not in despaire, though persecuted, yet not forsa­ken: cast downe, but not destroy­ed2. Cor. 4.8.9.. They are as sorrowfull, yet al­way reioycing, as poore, yet ma­king many ritch; as hauing no­thing, yet possessing all things2. Cor. 6.10.: yea, they take pleasure in infirmi­ties, in reproches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christs sake2. Cor. 12.10.. And when such Ti­rants thinke they are in great hea­uinesse, then doe they greatly re­ioyce1. Pet. 1.6.,Mat. 5.12 yea they are exceeding [Page 109] glad, so that they reioyce with Ioy vnspeakeable and full of Glo­ry Luc. 6.23. 1. Pet. 1.7.8.: for they can bee abased and they can abound, they haue lear­ned in what estate soeuer there­with to be content: yea they pos­sesse the hundred-fold gaine of godlinesse1. Tim. 6.8., notwithstanding the, bloodiest persecutiō of their most raging aduersaries: Yea in all, they are more then conquerors, and though they are slaine all the day long, and are accounted euen as sheepe appointed for the slaugh­ter: yet in all this they know God is faithfull: and the issue shall bee his glory, and their euerlasting goodRom. 8.28. And so you see clearely that the promises of God are yea, and Amen in Christ Iesus; and per­uerted Scriptures doe not darken them a Iot, to such as walke by Faith and not by sight2. Cor. 5.7.

Continuance.Lastly, that wee may truely, (though not fully) see this begin­ning of Heauen vpon Earth, and the excellency of the estate of Gods children, euen whiles they are yet on Earth: Let vs consider what the Scripture speaketh of their safetie, and assured continuance, in this condition. Thus the Scripture speakes plainely; They that trust in the Lord shall neuer be remooued, but abide for euer Ps. 125.1. Also, hee will not suffer thy foote to be mooued, and hee that keepeth thee, will not sleepe Ps. 121.3. And hauing described an inhabi­tant of Sion, or a Iustified childe of God. The Prophet Dauid affirmeth by the holy Ghost. That he shall neuer be mooued Ps. 15.5.. Also our Lord him­selfe had said, that whosoeuer hea­reth and doeth his sayings, is like vnto a wise man; which built his house vpon a Rocke. And the raine de­scended, [Page 111] and the flood came, and the winde blewe, and it beate vpon that house, and it fell not, for it was foun­ded vpon a Rocke Mat. 7.24 25.. And Luke writeth his wordes thus, whosoeuer commeth to mee, and heareth my say­ings, and doeth them, I will shewe you to whom hee is like: Hee is like a man which built an house, and digged deepe, and laide the foundation on a Rocke, and when the flood arose, the streame beate vehemently vpon that house and could not shake it, for it was founded vpon a rocke Luc. 6.47 48.. So of the whole Church it is written: vpon this Rocke will I builde my Church, and the gates of Hell shall not preuaile against it Mat. 16.16.18.. Now because in this Scripture we reade that hee saide: Thou art Peter, & vpō this Rock. &c. The name Peter signifying a stone: hence there are some would haue the Church to be built vpon Peter, [Page 112] others vpon Peters confession. Both these are deceiued: howbeit the lat-seeme to come somewhat neerer the trueth: and their errors espe­cially of the former sort, is as was the errors of those false witnesses: that stood vp against Christ, and testified. That if they would de­stroy the Temple at Ierusalem, which was fortie and sixe yeeres in building, he would raise it vppe a­gaine in three dayes: whereas it is euident, he spake of the Temple of his Body. So doe these apply that to Peter and to Peters confession, which was but a voice which shold be applied to Christ himselfe, who [...]s indeede the Rocke, as hee is ex­pressely called by Paul, where hee writeth thus. Our Fathers did all eate the same spirituall meate: and did all drinke the same spirituall drinke, for they dranke of the spiritu­all [Page 113] Rocke that followed them, and that Rocke was Christ 1. Cor. 10.4.. So also the same blessed Apostle writing of the Saints hath these wordes: Yee are built vppon the foundation of the Prophets, and Apostles, Iesus Christ himselfe being the chiefe corner stone Eph. 2.20. Also the same Paul wri­teth thus, other foundation can no man lay, then that which is laide, which is Iesus Christ1. Cor. 3.11.. And let vs adde to all these that of the Prophet I­saiah, where it is thus written. He that walketh righteously, and speaketh vprightly, he that despiseth the gaine of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, stoppeth his eares from hearing of blood, and shut­teth his eyes from seeing euill, he shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall bee the Munitions of Rockes Is. 33.15.16.. Thus by these it appeareth plainly, that the children of God are so [Page 114] safe, and firme, and their estate is so stable, and vnmoueable, as that they cannot fall, no not so much as be shaken: for they are built vp­on the Rocke Christ, euen the Foundation of the Prophets and Apostles. And the gates of hell shall neuer preuaile against it: So that our condition is not fickle, subiect to change, or vncertaintie, but we are confident, that hee that hath be­gunne a good worke, wil finish itPhil. 1.6.. Wheresoeuer hee beginnes it, to the day of the Lord Iesus Christ. And our Lord saith: My sheepe, heare my voyce, and I know them: and they followe mee. And I giue vnto them eternall life, and they shall ne­uer perish, neither shall any man plucke them out of my hand. My Fa­ther which gaue them me is greater then all, and no man is able to plucke them out of my Fathers hands, I and [Page 115] my Father are one Io. 11.27.28.29.30..

But some obiect, that men may tast the heauenly gift,Ob. be pertakers of the holy Ghost, taste the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come; yea, bee so en­lightened, that they receiue the knowledge of the Trueth, and bee sanctified by the blood of the Co­uenant, and yet after all this, fall a­way, and become aduersariesHeb. 6.4.5.6. Heb. 10.26.26.28.29.. Yea turne from the holy Commaunde­ment2. Pet. 2.20.21..

I answere these are saide to re­ceiue the knowledge of the trueth, and afterwards to fall away, and to turne from the holy Commaun­dements, are such as are lifted vp with Capernaū, with a seeming bles­sednesseMat. 11.2 [...]. They onely thinke they stand1. Cor. 10.12., the vncleane spirit is cast out, but they remaine emptie swept and garnishedMat. 12.43.44.45.: they haue [Page 116] escaped some corruptions in the world, and cast vp their vomit like the dogge, but with a purpose to resume it againe2. Pet. 2.22.. And so their sanctification by the blood of the Couenant, is onely seeming sanctification They haue no such thing, as it is euident, where it is written. Whosoeuer hath, to him shall be giuen: and from him that hath not, shall be taken away euen that which he seemeth to haue Luke. 8.18 Mat. 13.12. the 25.29.. So that it is eui­dent, that whatsoeuer in this kind may bee had and lost, was neuer truely hadde, but onely in see­ming.

Thus we haue now seene the ex­cellent estate of Gods children vp­on earth, after Iustification by these inward and outward benefits which haue bene named. This pas­sing Peace, and glorious Ioy, this fer­uent Loue, and stedfast Hope, this [Page 117] vndanted Boldnesse, and freedome from reigning sinne, this deepe and vnsearchable Wisedome, this happy fellowship with the Saints in light, this powerfull host of Angels, this perfect League with all the Crea­tures, this Abundance of all good things for them and their children, this certain Assurance of al such bles­sednes for euer. Adde to these those gratious promises which are also enioyed euen on earth, and more clearely seene in the life to come. That such shall eate of the tree of life which is in the middest of the Para­dise of God. They shall not be hurt of the second death. They shall eat of the hidden Manna, and shall receiue a white Stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth sauing he that receiueth it. They shall haue power ouer the nations. And shal rule them with a Rod of Iron, as the [Page 118] vessels of a Potter shall they be broken to shiuers. Euen as Christ receiued of his Father, they shall receiue the mor­ning starre. They shall bee clothed in white raiment, their names shall not be blotted out of the booke of life, but shall be confessed by their Lord before his Father, and before his Angels. They shall bee Pillers in the temple of God, and shall go no more out. They shal haue the name of God written vp­on them, and the name of the Cittie of God, new Ierusalem which commeth downe out of heauen from God, euen Christs new name. Yea such as ouer­come shall sit with Christ in his Throne Reuel. 2 7.11.17.26.27.28. Reuel. 3.5.12.21..

And all these are yet but small tastes, and very little begin­nings of that infinite blessednesse, which is prepared for the Saints hereafter. Yea, albeit if these duely weighed they be exceeding great, [Page 119] yet by comparison, as earst before, so say I now againe: They are but as a very small drop of a whole ri­uer, a handfull of sand, that is on the sea shore, the dust of the bal­lance, or a small point of the com­passe of Heauen, if wee respect that inconceiuable glorious condition that abideth for them in Hea­uen.

This may appeare somthing plain­ly vnto vs, if wee take a view of the Scriptures, which doe concerne that Estate, which are these. In Gods presence there is fulnesse of Ioy, and at his right hand pleasures for euer­more ps. 11.11.. Euerlasting life Ma. 19.29. They shall be as the Angels in heauenMat. 22.38. They shall haue a great reward in heauen Mat. 5.12. They shall shine foorth as the Sunne in the kingdome of their Father Mat. 13.43.. They shall behold Christs glory Io. 1.24.. They shall haue eternall life Rom. 2.7.. An exceeding, 2. Cor. 4.17. and [Page 120] eternall waight of glory 2. Cor. 4 17.. Their vile bodies shall be fashioned like vnto his glorious bodie Phil. 3.21 1. Thes. 4.17. They shall bee euer with the Lord 1. Cor. 9.27.. They shall haue an incorruptible Crownes. A Crowne of Righteousnesse 2. Tim. 4.8.. An inheritance in­corruptible and vndefiled, that fadeth not away, is reserued in heauen for them 1. pet. 1.4.. They shall haue the Crowne of life Iam. 1.12.. When he shall appeare they shall be like him, for they shall see him as he is 1. Io. 3.2.. They shall haue heauenly bodies, yea incorruptible, glorious, powerfull, and spirituall, for they shall beare the Image of the Lord of heauen ^y. Adde to all this, that they shall inherite the kingdome prepared for them from the foundation of the worlda.

And is not this wonderfull bles­sednesse, which is reserued to be re­ueiled in the last times ^b? What should be more said to expresse it, [Page 121] and wee are plainely taught that it doeth not yet appeare, what wee shall bee 1. Io. 3.2.: Yet by these Scriptures we may take a view a farre off, and see as in a glasse darkely the infinit glory, and most happie condition, which shall then bee enioyed: by these we may know in part, the ex­cellency of our condition then: how vile and base soeuer, it is estee­med in this Life. As to liue euer­lastingly in such a Paradise of Plea­sures; to be at Gods right hand, to enioy his presence, and in his pre­sence perfect Ioy. It is a great pri­uiledge to stand before an earthly Prince, and to solace our selues fa­miliarly with the Kings of this world. Oh what then wil the estate be, to such as shall stand before the King of Kings: and Lord of Lords: nay which is more, shall be feasted by him; yea, and he himselfe shall [Page 122] gird himselfe, and serue theeLuc. 12.37.. Oh happie are the people that bee in such a case, yea blessed are the peo­ple whose God is the Lord Iehouah. Could the Queene of Sheba say to Salomon, happy are thy men, and happy are these thy seruants which stand before thee continually, and heare thy wisedome 2. Chron. 9.7.. What shall we say that doe not onely heare a report of such a glorious King, and such happy seruants: nay more such a louing Father, and such bles­sed children: but we know it to be trueth, yea the one halfe of it: nay the least iot of it, not one part of many 100000. can possibly be dis­couered. Is it a small thing said Da­uid to be a kings son in law, is it a smalthing may it be truly said to be as the Angels in Heauen: to receiue that infinite reward: to shine as the Sunne in Gods Kingdome eter­nally? were Salomons seruants hap­py [Page 123] that heard his Wisedome, and sawe his Glory? and shall not those be happy that shal behold the glo­ry and maiestie of Christ: and that eternally; yea enioy themselues an exceeding waight of Glory, when they shall bee fashioned like vnto Christ Iesus himselfe: and beare his image: hauing Spirituall, pow­erfull, Glorious, Incorruptible, and Heauenly Bodies: crowned as Kings, and possessing a perpetuall King­dome prepared from eternitie for them to inherite; yea, me thinkes I clearely see as great a difference betweene the best estate, of the most happy man vpon earth, and this estate in Heauen, reserued for the Saints: as there is between,Similitude. a man alone in the middest of a mightie storme, beaten vpon with tempestuous winds in a very darke night, farre from any succour, ter­rified [Page 124] with terrible thunderings, and scorching flashes of fearefull lightnings: yea compassed round with Diuels. And another man in the middest of a strong Citie, in a faire house with great lighes in a bright day, well attended on by comely waiters, in the compa­ny of his beloued friends, at a roy­all table well furnished with all sortes of dainties, hauing a most melodious Harmony of the best Musicke: being in perfect health of body, and of a sound minde. Here is great difference betweene these two conditions: yet is the estate of men on earth, and the Saints in heauen farre more different: yea the estate of Gods own deare ones is so different here, and hereafter: that when they haue gotten all the priuiledges before mentioned,Similitude. yet they differ farre more then a child [Page 125] in his mothers wombe yet vn­borne, and a man in his perfect age, and full strength: & yet great is the difference betweene these, if we consider the weakenesse of the one, the strength of the other; the ignorance of the one, and the knowledge of the other, the darke­nesse with which the one is com­passed and enclosed; and the light with which the other is comforted the solitarinesse of the one, and the multitudes of companies the other enioyeth? Oh blessed estate, happy life, glorious condition, for which we waite; It is no wonder then that the Saints groane for it, and wonderfully desire it 2. Cor. 5.1.2. Rom. 8.23.. Yea hereby we see that all the hardnesse they endure, the tribulation they goe through, the afflictions, and persecutions, and fiery trials they passe, the shame and torment they suffer: all the [Page 126] distresses, necessities, stripes, impri­sonments, tumults, labours, watch­ings, fastings: may be termed iustly light and momentany, in compari­son of this exceeding and eternall waight of Glory, which Gods chil­dren shall obtaine. To conclude, let vs with all sobrietie praise God, that such an estate is prepared for vs: and not prie too farre, what e­state it is, or shall bee? For secrete things belong to the Lord our God: but those things which are reueiled to vs and to our children for euer Deut. 29.29..

Now followeth to bee shewed, where these Pleasures, and this ful­nesse of Ioy, with al that hath beene mentioned, and more then can pos­sibly bee expressed: where or in what place this shall bee enioyed? This is very euident by the Scrip­tures, that it shall bee aboue the Heauens which our eyes doe be­hold, [Page 127] and not vpon Earth: as some doe dreame; and that it shall be a­boue, let vs consider these Scrip­tures, which as so many witnesses doe all testifie this Trueth: That whereas our Lord saide to his Dis­ciples. I goe to prepare a place for you: and if I goe to prepare a place for you, I will come againe and re­ceiue you to my selfe: that where I am, there ye may be also 1. Iob. 14.3.. Also, this is witnessed by our Lords glori­ous Ascension, where it is written. After the Lord hadde spoken vnto them, hee was receiued vp into Hea­uen, and sate at the right hand of God Mar: 16.19.. Also, it came to passe while he blessed them, hee was parted from them, and carried vp into HeauenLuc: 24.51.. Adde to this, That when many were gathered togither while they beheld, he was taken vp, and a cloude recei­ued him out of their sight Act: 1.9.. Also [Page 128] it is written: That the heauens must receiue Christ, vntil the time of resti­tution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his Pro­phets since the world began Act. 3.20.21.. Also, Stephens glorious vision, when being ful of the holy Ghost he looked vp into heauen, and saw the glory of God and Iesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, behold I see the hea­uens opened, and the sonne of man standing at the right hand of God Act. 7.55.56.. By these Scriptures and many more it is euident, that our Lord ascended vp from earth to heauen. And hee hath said that where he is wee shall also bee, as it appeareth where it is written, that he saith, Fa­ther I will that they also whō thou hast giuen me be with me, where I am, that they may behold my Glory which thou hast giuen me. Io. 17.24. Also, The dead in Christ shall arise first, then wee also [Page 129] which are aliue, and remaine, shall be caught vp togither with them into the clowds, to meet the Lord in the Aire, & so we shalbe euer with the Lord. 1. Thess: 4.17. Also our Lord said vnto the thiefe on the Crosse; To day thou shalt be with me in Paradise. Lu: 23.43 This Paradise (Paule speaketh of) & tearmeth it also the Third Heauen, or place of Blessednes, as it is writtē, where he saith, I know a man in Christ, about fourteen yeares ago, whether in the Body, I cannot tell, or whether out of the Bodie, I cannot tell God knoweth, such a one caught vp into the third Heauen. And I knowe such a man, whether in the body, or out of the body, God knoweth, how that hee was caught vp into Paradise. 2. Cor. 12.2.3.4. So Eliah went vp by a whirlwinde in­to Heauen. 2. Kings, 2.11. And let vs call to minde the saying of our Lorde to Marie, when she drew neer to him, at his Resurrection, Iesus saith vnto [Page 130] her, Touch mee not, for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but goe to my Brethren, and say vnto them: I ascend to my Father, & to your Father to my God, and your God. Io. 20.17. This is most plaine, where the Church groanes, desiring to be cloathed vpon with her house, which is from Heauen. 2. Cor. 5. Also, our Conuersation is in Hea­uen, from whence we looke for the Sa­uiour, the Lorde Iesus Christ

Phil. 3.21And so by these Scriptures it is most manifest, that the Hauen of e­ternall happinesse, and fulnesse o [...] Ioye, is not on Earth, but in the glori­ous Heauens: yea, aboue the Firma­ment, which we behold, and that al [...] conceits of men of corrupt mindes that Heauen shall bee enioyed on Earth, are to bee reiected, as most false and Diuellish.

Now it followeth in order, to be shewed, for whom it is ordai­ned? [Page 131] This the Scriptures doe make manifest, as it appeareth where it is written. That Grace [...]nd Glory is giuen to such as walke vprightly Psal. 84.11. Also, the Righteous [...]hall shine foorth at the sunne in the [...]ingdome of their Father Mat. 13.43.. Such [...]s are washed with the washing of re­ [...]eneration, and renewed by the holy [...]host Tit. 3.5.. Such as repent and be­ [...]eeue in Christ, as it is written; Re­ [...]ent, and be conuerted, that your sins [...]ay be blotted out, when the time of [...]efreshing shall come from the pre­ [...]ence of the Lord Act. 3.19.. Such as are Mercifull, as it is written: Then [...]hall the King say to them, on his [...]ight hand, come yee blessed of my Fa­ [...]her, inherit the Kingdome prepared [...]or you, from the foundation of the [...]orld; For I was an hungred, and [...]ee gaue me meate: I was thirsty, and [...]ee gaue mee drinke: I was a stran­ger, [Page 132] and yee tooke me in: naked, an [...] yee clothed me: I was sicke, and ye [...] visited me: I was in prison, and ye [...] came vnto me. Then shall the Righ [...]teous answere him, saying: Whe [...] sawe wee thee a stranger, and took [...] thee in: or naked, and clothed thee or when saw wee thee sicke, or in pri [...]son, and came vnto thee? And th [...] King shall answere, and say vnt [...] them: Verily I say vnto you, in a [...]much as you haue done it to one of th [...] least, of these my brethren, yee hau [...] done it to me. And these shall go into eternall life Mat. 25.34.40. Vers. 46.. The poore of th [...] world, as it is written. Blessed be ye [...] poore, for yours is the Kingdome o [...] God Luc. 6.20.. But more plainely, Iame hath written thus: Hearken my be [...]loued brethren, hath not God chose [...] the poore of this world, ritch in Fait [...] and heires of the Kingdome which he [...] hath promised to them that loue him Iam. 2.5. [Page 133] And Paul writeth plainely of this [...]n these wordes. Brethren you see [...]our calling, how that not many wise [...]en after the flesh, not many mighty, [...]ot many noble are called. But God [...]ath chosen the foolish things of the world, to confound the wise: and God hath chosen the weake things of [...]he world, to confound the things which are mightie. And base things [...]f the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen: and things which are not, to bring to nought [...]hings which are 1. Cor. 1.26.2.2 [...].. Such as are [...]ated and reproched, persecu­ [...]ed, and afflicted here: for these [...]s euerlasting life ordained, as [...]t appeareth plainely, where it is written. Blessed are yee when men shall hate you, and when they shall seperate you from their compa­ny, and shall reproch you, and cast out your name as euill, for the Sonne [Page 135] of Mans sake, reioyce in that day, an [...] leape for Ioy: for behold your rewar [...] is great in HeauenLuc. 6.22.23.. Also, blesse [...] are they which are persecuted fo [...] Righteousnesse sake, for theirs is th [...] Kingdome of Heauen. Blessed are ye [...] when men shall reuile and persecut [...] you, and shall say all manner of eui [...] against you, falsely for my sake (sait [...] the Lord Christ) reioyce and be ex [...]ceeding glad, for great is your rewar [...] in HeauenMatt. 5.10.11.12.. Also Iames, Blesse [...] is the man that endureth temptation for when he is tried hee shall receiu [...] the Crowne of Life which the Lor [...] hath promised to them that loue him Iam. 1.12. [...] And to this Peeter assenteth, whe [...] he writeth thus, Blessed be the Go [...] and Father of our Lord Iesus Chris [...] which according to his abundant me [...]cy hath begotten vs againe to a liue hope, by the resurrection of Iesus fro [...] the Dead: to an inheritance incorrup [...]tible [Page 136] and vndefiled, th [...] [...]deth not a­way, reserued in Heauen for you, wherein yee greatly reioyce; Though now for a season yee are in heaui­nesse, through manifold temptati­ons 1. Pet. 1.3.4.5.6.. Also, It is a righteous thing with God to recompence tribulation to them that trouble you: and to you which are troubled, rest with vs 2. Thes. 2.5.7.. When the Lord Iesus shall be reuei­led from Heauen with his mightie Angels. Thus it is plaine, that E­uerlasting life is prepared for the righteous or vpright, the regene­rate, or such as haue repented and doe beleeue in Christ, the mercifull, the poore, the foolish, weake, and de­spised, the hated, reproched, scorned, persecuted, and troubled ones. Such in a word, as the world knoweth not, but doe basely esteeme and ac­count as the off-scouring of the earth. These being rich in Faith, [Page 136] are those th [...] shall enioy Eternall Happinesse in the Heauens.

Obiect.But some may say you seem here­by to exclude all rich, and mightie ones, out of this Blessednes.

Answ:Farre be it. For then shuld be con­demned, the generation of the Iust: and the Scriptures teach, that wee pray for Kings, and all that are in Authoritie,1. Tim. 2.1 and that because God will haue all men to be saued.v. 4. That is, not the whole worlde of men created, as some peruert it to their own destruction: but men of all Degrees, Kings, as well as mea­ner people, as the Scriptures doe make it plainely to appeare, and plentifully doe confirme it, that fewest great and mighty ones, yea, very fewe of them shall be saued.

Matt: 19.23.24. Psal: 49.12.14.19.Thus this glorious Estate of the Saintes here and hereafter, beeing manifest, and for whom it is prepa, [Page 137] red? wee shall see in the last place, how long it shall continue. This the Scriptures doe clearly shew to be for euer, yea, to be Euerlasting, as GOD is euerlasting. For so we finde, That their Fulnesse of Ioy in Gods presence, and the pleasures at his right hand, are for euermore. psal. 16.11 Also, the Righteous is an euerlasting Foun­dation. pro. 10.25. And our Lord himselfe saith, that such as followe him in the Regeneration, and euery one that for­saketh ought for his Names sake, shall receyue in this present, an hundred folde more with persecutions, and shall inherite Euerlasting life. Mat: 19.29. Also hee saith againe. That at the last day, Luc: 18.30. the Righteous shall goe away into eternall life. Matt. 25.46. Also, whosoeuer belieueth in Christ shall haue euerlasting life. Io: 3.15.16.36. Al­so, the Apostle telles vs, That our light afflictions, which are but for a moment, work for vs a farre more [Page 138] exceeding & eternal wait of Glorie. 2. Cor. 4.17.18. Also, the same Apo: saith, We shal be euer with the Lord.1. Thess. 4.17. Therfore it is termed an incoorruptible crowne. 1 Cor. 9.25. And an Inheritāce that fadeth not 1 Pet. 1.4.. Also, a Crowne of Life Iam. 1.12. By all these and many more it appeareth euidently that the Blessed, and most happie condition of the Saints is eternall, or euerlasting, In­corruptible, it neuer fadeth, but abi­deth for euermore: Yea, it may bee saide of this for the vnspeakeable comfort of all the Godly, the poore hated, despised, scorned, reproched, and persecuted members of Christ Ie­sus, that their momenta [...]y, or light afflictions, shall be recompenced with long and exceeding lardge continuance of happinesse in the Heauens: yea, their happinesse, and Comfort there shall haue no end. But when so many thousand yeeres [Page 139] are passed and gone away as there are Starres in the Firmament, droppes of water in the Sea, sands on the Sea shore, grasses on the earth, Leaues in Sommer, ha [...]es on the Bodies of liuing Creatures: yea, when an hundred thousand times so many shall bee passed a­way and gone ouer, yet the ende of the wonderfull Ioyes, and the Plea­sures which the Righteous shall possesse, is as farre, as it was at the beginning.

Is it euen so that there is a Hea­uen, that is of old prepared for the godly? and is it so lasting and per­petuall? is the blessednesse so ex­ceeding great? shall this excellent and most glorious estate be enioy­ed for euermore? Then may Gods adopted sonnes, and his deare chil­dren; yea euery redeemed one, may thus solace and comfort him­selfe. [Page 140] Happy day! blessed houre! yea thrice happie time! that euer I was borne! blessed bee the God that created mee, the parents that brought me vp, the earth that hath borne me, the other creatures with which I haue beene nourished to this ende; But a thousand times more blessed those times that mine eyes were opened, mine heart turned, and my sinnes par­doned. What thankes shall I re­turne to the Lord for such mercy, such vnspeakeable louing kind­nesse! Alasse in what case are my poore brethren and sisters which were created in the same Image, but either liue in such Countries where they vtterly are depriued of all such meanes of Saluation as I haue had; or else liuing in this land where it is: doe vtterly neg­lect, or wilfully reiect it: oh that [Page 141] they did but knowe what Peace I feele, what rest I haue obtained; wheras they cannot deny but they are tossed vp and down, as a shippe with waues in a terrible storme: yea they knowe not where to rest them, so that they are at their wits ende, not knowing what to doe, or which way to turne them. Oh that they would hearken and heare that they might take the same course which I haue taken, to ob­taine this sweete Peace, and blessed Rest. Neither haue I onely such Rest and Peace, but also my Ioy is vn­speakeable, and glorious. I haue formerly walked in seeming good wayes, and haue kindled fires, and compassed my selfe with sparkes; but euen in laughing my heart was sorrowfull, and the ende of that mirth was heauinesse. But since I haue receiued the assurance of the [Page 142] Loue of God in Christ, I haue beene so comforted, for the most part, that I haue beene constrained to breake foorth into singing: yea, the high prayses of God haue bin in my Mouth, and I haue sung a loud vpon my bed, yea night and day I haue had Melody in my Heart: and albeit this hath sometimes beene lesse then at other times; yet when I haue searcht my selfe duely and found out the cause: and haue sought it againe diligently, by fa­sting, watching, and prayer: it hath returned with great aduantage. And besides this, I am so rauisht with the Loue of Christ, that I can truely say, my soule loueth him: yea, I account all things doung, yea filthy and loathsome. I desire so much to bee with him which is best of all: yea many times I doe groane earnestly in this Taberna­cle: [Page 143] willing to bee absent from it, and to bee present with the Lord: Oh how easie is his yoke vnto mee now, and how light his burden, his Commandements are no lon­ger grieuous, but they are become the Ioy, and reioycing of my heart; whereas sometimes I was obsti­nate, and rebellious, and onely what I did, was compelled by the terrors of God which made mee affraide: and when I was reproo­ued for swearing, lying, breaking of the Saboth, neglecting vtterly the worshippe of God, and such like, it makes me to blush in secret: when I doe but thinke of my folly, and ignorance, with these I also am stayed to depend vpon God in all trialles, and to waite for an is­sue: yea, I can beare any thing through the sweete Hope, and bles­sed expectation of a good ende [Page 144] which the Lord will make: yea, I am not ashamed of the Gospell of Christ, because I can waite for the Saluation that it bringeth. Besides these, I haue such wonderfull Bold­nesse, as cannot bee expressed with Pen, whereas before the shaking of a leafe, would put me in feare: and great men would affright me with their high wordes. But now I feare them not, for I knowe they shall die and fade as grasse: neither can the greatest oppressor touch one haire of my head for hurt. As for death, it is swallowed vp in vic­tory by my Lord Iesus Christ. And whereas formerly I was ledde vio­lently to the committing of sinne, and lust did raigne in me: yea sinne had dominion ouer mee, and I like a base Captiue, bound hand and foote, not able to resist, did yeelde the seruice of my members to sin: [Page 145] yea had not God in his aboundant mercy holden mee, I had broken foorth into all foule sinnes. But here behold the wonderfull mercy of God! and vnspeakeable louing kindnesse! I haue gotten the victo­ry through our Lord Iesus Christ. Yea I can with comfort say; O Death where is thy sting! Yea, I liue no more, but Christ Iesus liueth in mee. The strong man is cast out, and the stronger hath taken posses­sion neuer to be dispossessed. I am now his Freeman, he hath resisted the Diuell, crucified the flesh, and ouercome the world for me. Yea, olde things are passed away, and all things are become newe, and I knowe my selfe to be in Christ, by that I am a newe creature. And when I take a viewe of my Folly, and ignorance, how brutish I haue beene, it doeth euen couer mee [Page 146] with blushing, and shame: and when withall I doe call to minde, what aboundance of wisedome I haue obtained since Christ be­came my wisedome, yea when I consider Gods wonderfull libera­litie, in opening to me his treasury of wisedome and knowledge: and bidding mee aske what I will: this doeth many times amaze me, and wonderfully astonish mee, that so vile a person as I am, should bee trusted with Treasures of such va­lue, and Pearles of such price: I doe thinke thus with my selfe, what am I? that I should be so regarded, as that my mouth should be made a Well of Life? my lippes should know what is acceptable, that they should feede many: and that o­ther should seeke the Lawe at my mouth? That such Wisedome and Spirit should be giuen me, that all [Page 147] mine aduersaries should not be a­ble to gainsay, or resist; oh blessed be my God for euermore! oh let my tongue neuer cease to sound foorth his prayses, and to tell of his louing kindnesse from day to day. And when I looke without me, me thinkes the Communion of Saints doeth rauish me, the feruent Loue, which we haue amongst our selues, whereas I was once a companion of Murderers: such I meane, as vn­aduisedly would breake out into anger, wrath and rage, disclose se­crets, breake couenants, carry tales to shedde blood, amongst whom, though I sometimes blessed my selfe, yet was my condition feare­full, for I could expect nothing but death euery day, such was the vncertaintie of any staiednesse in their familiaritie.

But now I am a Companion of the [Page 148] Sonnes of Peace: All my Familiars are Peacemakers, wee are one an o­thers Keepers, Many wholesome ex­hortations, Louing instructions, and Amiable reprooffes, doe passe be­tweene vs.

Manie are the feruent Prayers, we put vp one for another: yea, all that wee haue, we account not our owne, in one anothers necessitie.

Our Loue is not in word, and in Tongue, but in deed, and in Truth It is continually increased, and do­eth daily Flourish: Oh what com­fort is it to meete in great Assem­blies, in the time of Peace; to heare the Word! break Bread togither! and to ioyne in heartie prayers and praises to our louing Father! Also, I now doe plainly see, that we haue more with vs, then against vs; For I was wont to consider of the mul­titude of wicked men in the world, [Page 149] and how they bandie themselues, and conspire against the Saintes, but now I see their attempts are ex­ceeding weake: for wee haue our Seate on high, and are compassed round, with a Wall of Fyre: yea, the Angels of God, as Chariots of Fire, and Horses of Fyre, doe compasse vs round continually: Yea, they also beholde our Fathers face in Heauen, readie to execute vengeance on our ad­uersaryes, and to beare vs in theyr hands, that wee hurt not our foote against a stone.

Besides all this, the Creatures were at enmitie with me, the Sunne, Moone, and Starres, in theyr courses, the Earth would haue swallowed, the Water drowned, the Fire con­sumed me: yea, the Winde would haue throwne downe Trees, and Houses vpon mee: the very stones of the Fielde were at oddes with [Page 150] mee, the Beasts, Fowles, and Crea­ping things at variance.

The Corne, Wine, and Oyle, these did (as it were) disdaine or re­fuse to yeeld me strength: where­as now on the contrarie, the sweete Familiaritie which is betweene vs, is exceeding great.

The Sunne will not hurt me by day, nor the Moone by night: the Heauens, doe as it were smyle vpon mee: the Fire warmes me: the wa­ter yeelds me moysture: the Earth habitation: the Ayre, refreshing: What shall I say? Mee thinkes, I see the Fire comming from Heauen: the Water preparing, the Earth o­pening wide her mouth: the Ayre threatning: yea, all the Creatures mustering themselues: and in con­tinuall readinesse, to execute ven­geance vpon such, as shal euer dare to touch me for hurt.

And all these are accompanyed with aboundance, of all necessaries for my selfe and my children: and whereas before I was in continuall want, in the midst of plenty: and e­uer caring for more, though I had enough: Now haue I abundance of all thinges with gteat Content­ment: that hundred fold gaine by Godlinesse, yea, I can truely say, I can be abased, and I can abounde, I haue learned in what estate so e­uer, therewith to be content. Yea, I know that I shall neuer want any thing that is good: neyther shall my children beg their bread.

And when to this I can adde the sure continuance of this estate, and doe knowe that I shall neuer be re­moued, neither is my estate subiect to Change: but I shall increase, not decrease: growe, not dye: goe forwards, not backwards, flourish, [Page 152] decay; and that I am in Christ, as stable, firme, and vnmooueable, as God is stable, firme, and vnmooue­able, this doeth so rauish me with comfort, that it drawes teares from mine eyes, I cannot but reioyce ex­ceedingly. And yet further, when I thinke on my estate to come, at that day, which will be a dreadfull day to the wicked. I finde that all this which I haue cald to minde is very little, yea scarse a handfull of the whole sand of the Sea, in com­parison of that blessednesse then to bee receiued. Then when our glorious Lord, the Lord of Glory, shall descend from Heauen with a shout, with the voyce of an Arch-angell, and which the Trumpe of God: when hee shall come most gloriously, in his owne Glory, his fathers Glory, and the Glory of all his holy and mightie Angels: [Page 153] atten­ded with tenne thousands of his Saints in flaming fire to be glorifi­ed in them. When he shal sit vpon the throne of his Glory, and all na­tions shall bee gathered before him, and he shal seperate them one from another, as the shepherd di­uideth his sheepe from the Goates: and hauing set the sheepe on his right hand; then shall this King of Glory, say vnto them on his right hand: Come yee blessed of my Father, inherite the Kingdome prepared for you, from the foundations of the world, Then shall I with the rest of Gods redeemed ones, passe away with great triumph, and in a glorious manner, enter those heauenly Man­sions, to take possession of my euer­lasting habitation. There, I shall see God face, to face: Yea I shall know him, euen as I am knowen: Then shall I be like him, for I shall [Page 154] see him, as he is. And when this my corruptible body hath put on Incorruption: and this Mortall bo­py hath put on immortalitie: then shal be fully and perfectly brought to passe, for mee and all the elect, that which before was truely belee­ued. That death is swallowed vp in victory. And will not this bee a wonderfull and most glorious e­state! when I shall shine foorth as the Sunne in his greatest glitter: and most glorious brightnesse? when I shall bee as the Angels in Heauen, alwaies beholding the face God, Where I shall haue no compani­ons but glorified Saints, and blessed Patriarches, holy Prophets, glorious Apostles, triumphing Martyrs, chast Virgins, louing Angels! Where I shall haue plentie without want, health without sicknesse, honour without disgrace, peace without [Page 155] trouble, strength without weake­nesse, courage without feare, loue without hatred, ioy without sor­row, light without darknesse, beau­tie without deformity, safety with­out danger; knowledge without ignorance, life without death, all good without any euill: Yea this blessednes is so great, that the more I conceiue of it, the shorter I come to comprehend it. Yea if it were possible that the glory and excel­lency of the meanest Saint in hea­uen, were to bee knowen vnto the Sons of men, it would rauish them so, as that there would remaine no spirit in them: so wonderfully would it astonish and amaze them, oh how blessed then is my conditi­on! may a child of God say; That of one so poore, I shall be so inriched: of base, I should become so honourable; of despised, so respected: of deformed, [Page 156] so beautifull, so oppressed, persecuted, and afflicted: so free, so glorious and triumphant a Conquerour! And am not I then in a most blessed condi­tion, hath not God dealt richly with me? by whose spirit I am per­swaded firmely of such Happinesse; of which I haue already tasted a­boundantly? yea my present con­dition, if there were no other, I would not exchaunge with the Crownes of all the Kings in the world: so bountifully hath God dealt with mee, yet I must confesse, that the time was I could not conceiue of Happinesse, at all, in this Life: which now I so plenti­fully enioy, and so surely hold, as that I knowe all the powers of Hell shall neuer preuaile against me: oh how hard a thing was it to mee in former times, in blind times of my Ignorance: to be mooued to Repen­tance, [Page 157] it was exceeding harsh vnto me: but now blessed be God, I am so well acquainted with the rich in­heritance of the Saints in light, that if Repentance were againe to bee ta­ken vp, though it were a thousand tlmes more difficult then it was, yet could I vndergoe it, for the happi­nesse which I doe already enioy: how much more for that fulnesse of happinesse, which I shall enioy in the Heauens? Neither doe I any longer meruaile as I haue done; why the Saints haue so willingly vndergone such sharpe and fiery trials as they haue done: yea, haue gloried in them, and accounted it all Ioy when they haue fallen into diuers trials; or, why the Prophets, and Apostles, and other Preachers of Righteousnesse, before and since haue cryed so earnestly for Repen­tance: and doe daily prouoke to re­pent, [Page 158] and turne vnto God; For sure­ly they haue knowen, and do know perfectly, that such a blessed condi­tion will followe, not onely in this Life, but in that which is to come. And to conclude, let me be heard amongst my Countreymen. Sticke not at Repentance, what if it fill your hearts with sorrow, your head with care, your eyes with teares, your chambers with complaints, yet I know, and you shall finde a recom­pence euen here: yea, and a full re­ward hereafter. The Lord open our eyes that we may see, and our eares that wee may heare, and our hearts that we may vnderstand; for certainely this is trueth which is here laide downe, for the God of trueth hath spoken it in his owne wordes.

And so desiring a blessing vp­on your reading: as I found vpon [Page 159] my selfe writing; in that God made me an able Minister of the truth, & [...] faithfull disposer of what I know, [...]d doe yet vnderstand: for your [...]d, and desiring that the Church [...]y be built vp, & the Gospell flo­ [...]ish, that Sathan may be disaduan­taged, our aduersaries conuerted, trueth maintained, loue euery where encreased. I doe ende, ascri­bing to our God all glory, honor, power praise, thanksgiuing, might, maiestie, wisedome, riches and dominion by Iesus Christ now and for euer­more.