The four last things viz. death, judgment, heaven, hell, practically considered and applied in…

6. Let us strengthen our Belief of the blessed State after Death. Divine Truths lose their Influence and Efficacy when they are not steadfastly believed. Faith is the substance of things not seen, ¹and the Evidence or Conviction of things hoped for. The Spirit confirms our Faith, not by a pure Physical Act, but by convincing Reasons of the Truth of the Gospel. The Life of Christ so glorious ⟨p. 129⟩in Holiness, his Doctrine so becoming the Wisdom and other excellent Attributes of the Deity, his Miracles so great, numerous, open, and beneficial, not merely to surprise the Spectators with Astonishment, but to touch their Hearts; his Death foretold by the Prophets, and exactly agreeing in all the Circumstances of the Predictions; his Resurrection the most noble Operation of the Divine Power, are the strongest Proofs that what he has revealed as the Counsel of God for our Redemption, and the Preparations of Glory for the Saints in Heaven, are divine Truths. And the Efficacy of the Spirit of Christ in sanctifying his Disciples in all Ages, is a continual and as satisfying an Argument that the Gospel is derived from God the Fountain of Truth, as extraordinary Miracles. For Holiness is as inseparable a property of the Divine Nature as Omnipotence; and the Sanctification of the Soul as divine an Effect, as the Resurrection of the Body. Now in the Gospel God enters into Covenant with obedient Believers, to be their God, a Title and Relation, that supposing them the most happy here, all the Enjoyments ⟨p. 130⟩of this World cannot fulfil. This Covenant is not dissolved by Death, for he uses this Stile after the Death of his faithful Servants: and from hence it follows they are Partakers of his Glory and Joys in the next Life. For the Honour of his Veracity is most dear to him. The Psalmist declares, that he has magnified his Word above all his Name. No Perfections of his Nature are more sacred and inviolable than his Truth. The Foundations of Nature shall be overturned, and the most solid parts of the Creation destroyed, but his Promises shall be completely accomplished. We are assured by his infallible Authority, that there remains a Rest for the People of God. And he that receives this Testimony, sets to his Seal that God is true;