A27107:254
The practice of piety directing a Christian how to walk, that he may please…
The practice of piety directing a Christian how to walk, that he may please God / amplified by the author
A27107:254
The practice of piety directing a Christian how to walk, that he may please God / amplified by the author
No title page in the transcription: set from the catalogue record.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
5. The Bodies of the Elect being thus raised, shall have four most excellent and supernatural qualities: For, ⟨p. 74⟩1. They shall be raised in Power, 1whereby they shall for ever be freed from all wants and weaknesses, and enabled to continue without the use of Meat, Drink, Sleep, and other former helps. 2. In Incorruption, 2whereby they shall never be subject to any manner of Imperfections, Blemish, Sickness, or Death. 3. In* Glory, 4whereby their Bodies shall shine as bright as the Sun in the Firmament, and which being made transparent, their Souls shall shine through, far more glorious than their Bodies.5 Three glimpses of which Glory were seen: First, In† Moses's Face: Secondly, In the *Transfiguration: Thirdly, In Stephen's †Countenance. Three Instances and Assurances of the glorification of our Bodies at that glorious Day. Then shall David lay aside his Shepherd's Weed,9 and put on the Robe of the King's Son Jesus, not Jonathan's. Then every true Mordecai, (who mourned under the Sackcloth of this corrupt Flesh) shall be arrayed with the King's Royal Apparel, 10and have the Crown Royal set upon his Head, that all the World may see how it shall be done to him whom the King of Kings delighteth to honour. If now the rising of one Sun ⟨p. 75⟩makes the morning so glorious; how glorious shall that Day be when innumerable Millions of Millions of Bodies of Saints and Angels shall appear more glorious than the brightness of the Sun! the Body of Christ in glory surpassing all. 4. In* Agility, whereby our bodies shall be able to ascend and meet the Lord at his glorious coming in the Air, as Eagles flying unto their Blessed Carcass. 12To this Agility of the Saints glorious Bodies, the Prophet alludes, saying,† They shall renew their strength: They shall mount up with wings as Eagles: They shall run and not be weary: They shall walk and not faint. And to this state may that saying of Wisdom be referred;14 In the time of their Vision, they shall shine, and run to and fro, as sparks amongst the stubble. And in respect of these four Qualities, *Paul calleth the raised bodies of the Elect, Spiritual; for they shall be spiritual in qualities, but the same still in substance.
5. The Bodies of the Elect being thus raised, shall have four most excellent and supernatural qualities: For, ⟨p. 74⟩1. They shall be raised in Power, 1whereby they shall for ever be freed from all wants and weaknesses, and enabled to continue without the use of Meat, Drink, Sleep, and other former helps. 2. In Incorruption, 2whereby they shall never be subject to any manner of Imperfections, Blemish, Sickness, or Death. 3. In* Glory, 4whereby their Bodies shall shine as bright as the Sun in the Firmament, and which being made transparent, their Souls shall shine through, far more glorious than their Bodies.5 Three glimpses of which Glory were seen: First, In† Moses's Face: Secondly, In the *Transfiguration: Thirdly, In Stephen's †Countenance. Three Instances and Assurances of the glorification of our Bodies at that glorious Day. Then shall David lay aside his Shepherd's Weed,9 and put on the Robe of the King's Son Jesus, not Jonathan's. Then every true Mordecai, (who mourned under the Sackeloth of this corrupt Flesh) shall be arrayed with the King's Royal Apparel, 10and have the Crown Royal set upon his Head, that all the World may see how it shall be done to him whom the King of Kings delighteth to honour. If now the rising of one Sun ⟨p. 75⟩makes the morning so glorious; how glorious shall that Day be when innumerable Millions of Millions of Bodies of Saints and Angels shall appear more glorious than the brightness of the Sun! the Body of Christ in glory surpassing all. 4. In
And howsoever sin and corruption make a Man in this state of Mortality lower than Angels; yet surely when God shall thus crown him with glory and honour, I cannot see how Man shall be any thing inferior to Angels: For, are they Spirits? so is Man also in respect of his Soul; ⟨p. 76⟩yea more than this; they shall have also a spiritual body,1 fashioned like unto the glorious body of the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom Man's Nature is exalted by a personal Union, into the Glory of the Godhead, 2and individual Society of the Blessed Trinity; an Honour which he never vouchsafed Angels. And in this respect Man hath a Prerogative above them▪ Nay,3 they are but Spirits appointed to be Ministers unto the Elect:4 and as many of them, who at the first disdained this Office, and would not keep their* first standing, were for their pride† hurried into Hell. This lesseneth not the Dignity of Angels, but extols the greatness of God's love to Mankind.
And howsoever sin and corruption make a Man in this state of Mortality lower than Angels; yet surely when God shall thus crown him with glory and honour, I cannot see how Man shall be any thing inferiour to Angels: For, are they Spirits? so is Man also in respect of his Soul; ⟨p. 76⟩yea more than this; they shall have also a spiritual body,1 fashioned like unto the glorious body of the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom Man's Nature is exalted by a personal Vnion, into the Glory of the Godhead,
But as for all the Elect, who at that second and sudden coming of Christ, shall be found quick and living, thea fire that shall burn up the corruption of the world, and the works therein, shall in ab moment, in the twinkling of an Eye, overtake them, as itc finds them, either grinding, in the Mill of Provision, or walking in the Fields of pleasure, or lying in the bed of ease; and so (burning up their dross and corruption) of Mortal make them Immortal Bodies: and this change shall be unto them instead of Death.
Then shall the Soul with joyfulness greet her Body,1 saying, O well met again my dear Sister. How sweet is thy Voice! How comely is thy countenance having lain hid so long in the Clefts of the Rocks, and in ⟨p. 77⟩the secret places of the grave! thou art indeed an habitation fit, not only for me to dwell in, but such as the H. Ghost thinks meet to reside in, as his Temple for ever. The Winter of our affliction is now past; the storm of our misery is blown over and gone. The Bodies of our Elect Brethren appear more glorious than the Lily-flowers on the Earth: the time of singing Hallelujahs is come, and the voice of the Trumpet is heard in the Land. Thou hast been my Yoke-fellow in the Lord's labours, and companion in persecutions and wrongs for Christ and his Gospel sake; now shall we enter together into our Master's Joy. As thou hast born with me the Cross, so shalt thou now wear with me the Crown. As thou hast with me sowed plenteously in tears, so shalt thou reap with me abundantly in joy. O blessed, ay blessed be that God! who (when yonder Reprobates spent their whole time in Pride, fleshly Lusts, eating, drinking, and profane Vanities) gave us grace to join together in watching, fasting, praying, reading the Scriptures, keeping his Sabbaths, hearing Sermons, receiving the holy Communion, relieving the Poor, exercising (in all humility) the works of Piety to God, and walking conscionably in the Duties of our calling towards Men. Thou shalt anon hear no mention of thy sins, for they are remitted and covered, but every good work, 2which thou hast done for the Lord's sake, shall be rehearsed, and rewarded.
Then shall the Soul with joyfulness greet her Body,1 saying, O well met again my dear Sister. How sweet is thy Voice! How comely is thy countenance having lain hid so long in the Clefts of the Rocks, and in
Cheer up thy heart, for thy Judge is flesh of thy flesh,1 and bone of thy bone. Lift up thy head, behold these glorious Angels, like so many Gabriels flying towards us,2 to tell us, That the day of our Redemption is come, and to convey us in the Clouds, to meet our Redeemer in the Air. Lo,3 they are at hand: Arise therefore, my Dove, my Love, my fair One, and come away. And so like Roes or young Harts, they run with Angels towards Christ over the trembling Mountains of Bether.
Chear up thy heart, for thy Judge is flesh of thy flesh,1 and bone of thy bone. Lift up thy head, behold these glorious Angels, like so many Gabriels flying towards us,2 to tell us, That the day of our Redemption is come, and to convey us in the Clouds, to meet our Redeemer in the Air. Lo,3 they are at hand: Arise therefore, my Dove, my Love, my fair One, and come away. And so like Roes or young Harts, they run with Angels towards Christ over the trembling Mountains of Bether.
6. Both quick and dead being thus revived and glorified, shall forthwith (by the ministry of God's holy Angels) be gathered from all the quarters and parts of the world, 1and caught up together in the Clouds, to meet the Lord in the Air, and so shall come with him, as a part of his glorious Train, to judge the Reprobates and evil Angels. 2The twelve Apostles shall sit upon twelve thrones (next Christ) to judge the twelve Tribes, 3(who refused to hear the Gospel preached by their Ministry) and all the Saints (in• honour and order) shall stand next unto them, as Judges also, to judge the evil Angels and earthly-minded Men. And as every of them received grace in this life, to be more zealous of his glory, and more faithful in his service than others:4 so shall their glory and reward be greater than others in that Day.
6. Both quick and dead being thus revived and glo••fied, shall forthwith (by the ministry of God's holy Angels) be gathered from all the quarters and parts of the world, 1and caught up together in the Clouds, to meet the Lord in the Air, and so shall come with him, as a part of his glorious Train, to judge the Reprobates and evil Angels. 2The twelve Apostles shall sit upon twelve thrones (next Christ) to judge the twelve Tribes, 3(who refused to hear the Gospel preached by their Ministry) and all the Saints (in• honour and order) shall stand next unto them, as Judges also, to judge the evil Angels and earthly-minded Men. And as every of them received grace in this life, to be more zealous of his glory, and more faithful in his service than others:4
The place whither they shall be gathered unto Christ, and where Christ shall sit in judgment, shall be in the* Air over the ⟨p. 79⟩Valley of Jehoshaphat, by Mount Olivet, near unto Jerusalem, Eastward from the Temple as it is probable for four reasons.
1. Because the holy Scripture see•s to intimate so much in plain words, aI wi• gather all Nations into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and plead with them there.b Cause thy mighty one to come down, O Lord, let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat; for there will I sit to judge a• the heathen round about. Jehoshaphat signifieth, the Lord will judge. And this Valley was so called, from the great cvictory which the Lord gave dJehoshaphat, and his people over the Ammonites, Moabites, and inhabitants of Mount Seir. Which victory was a type of the final victory, which Christ, •he supreme Judge shall give his Elect over •ll their enemies in that place, at the last •ay, as all the Jews interpret it. See Zech. •. 4, 5. Psalm 51. 1, 2, &c. all agreeing ••at the place shall be thereabouts.
1. Because the holy Scripture see•s to intimate so much in plain words, aI wi• gather all Nations into the valley of Jehosha•phat, and plead with them there.b Cause thy mighty one to come down, O Lord, let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat; for there will I sit to judge a• the heathen round about. Jehoshaphat signifieth, the Lord will judge. And this Valley was so called, from the great
2. Because that as Christ was thereabouts crucified, and put to open shame; •• over that place his glorious Throne •hould be erected in the Air, when he ••all appear in Judgment, to manifest his Majesty and Glory. For it is meet that ••st should in that place judge the world with righteous Judgment, where • himself was unjustly judged and con•mned.
2. Because that as Christ was therea••uts crucified, and put to open shame; •• over that place his glorious Throne •hould be erected in the Air, when he ••all appear in Judgment, to manifest his Majesty and Glory. For it is meet that ••st should in that place judge the •orld with righteous Judgment, where • himself was unjustly judged and con•mned.
3. Because that seeing the Angels shall • sent to gather together the elect from the •••r winds, from one end of heaven to the ⟨p. 80⟩other; it is most probable, that the place whither they shall be gathered to, shall be near Jerusalem, and the Valley of Jehoshaphat; whicha Cosmographers describe to be in the midst of the superficies of the Earth; if the termini à quibus be the four parts of the world, the terminus ad quem must be about the Centre.
3. Because that seeing the Angels shall • sent to gather together the elect from the •••r winds, from one end of heaven to the ⟨p. 80⟩other; it is most probable, that the place whither they shall be gathered to, shall be near Jerusalem, and the Vally of Jehoshaphat; whicha Cosmographers describe to be in the midst of the supersicies of the Earth; if the termini à quibus be the four parts of the world, the terminus ad quem must be about the Center.
4. Because the Angels told the Disciples, that as they sawb Christ ascend from Mount Olivet, which is over the Valley of Jehoshaphat, so he shall in like manner come down from Heaven. This is the opinion ofc Aquinas and all the Schoolmen, except Lombard and Alexander Hales.
4. Because the Angels told the Disciples, that as they sawb Christ ascend from Mount Olivet, which is over the Vally of Jehoshaphat, so he shall in like manner come down from Heaven. This is the opinion ofc Aquinas and all the Schoolmen, except Lombard and Alexander Hales.
5. Lastly, When Christ is set in his gloriousd Throne, and all thee many Thousands of his Saints, and Angels, shining more bright than so many Suns in glory, sitting about him; and the Body of Christ in glory and brightness surpassing them all: the Reprobates being separate and remaining beneath upon the earth (for the right-hand signifies a blessed, the left-hand a cursed estate) Christ will first pronounce the sentence of absolution, and bliss upon the Elect: First, because he will thereby increase the grief of the Reprobate that shall hear it. Secondly, to show himself more pro•e tof mercy than to Judgment. And thus from his Throne of Majesty in the Air, he shall (in the sight and hearing of all the World) pronounce unto his Elect, Come ye blessed of my Father, and inherit the ⟨p. 81⟩Kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world, &c.4
5. Lastly, When Christ is set in his gloriousd Throne, and all thee many Thousands of his Saints, and Angels, shining more bright than so many Suns in glory, sitting about him; and the Body of Christ in glory and brightness surpassing them all: the Reprobates bei•g separate and remaining beneath upon the earth (for the right-hand signifies a blessed, the left-hand a cursed estate) Christ will first pronounce the sentence of absolution, and bliss upon the Elect: First, because he will thereby increase the grief of the Reprobate that shall hear it. Secondly, to shew himself more pro•e tof mercy than to Judgment. And thus from his Throne of Majesty in the Air, he shall (in the sight and hearing of all the World) ponounce unto his Elect, Come ye blessed of my Father, and inherit the
Come ye] Here is our blessed Union with Christ, and by him with the whole Trinity
Come ye] Here is our blessed Vnion with Christ, and by him with the whole Trinity
Blessed] Here is our absolution from all sins, and our plenary Endowments with all Grace and Happiness.
Of my Father] Here is the Author, from whom by Christ proceeds our Felicity.
Inherit] Here is our Adoption▪