Again, it is such a communion as we shall never 1part with, such a communion as we shall always enjoy: Here we have communion, but it is often darkened, because we are often in our dumps, and many times there is an occasion of sorrow given; but to have communion where there shall be always joy, continual being at the feast, the supper of the Lamb, that must needs be sweet. Therefore that Text you have of Lazarus in Abraham's bosom, sets out the continual feast of the Lamb that the Saints shall have, because that was the manner of the Jews feasting, to lean in the bosom of one another; and therefore John when he sate to eat with Christ, he leaned in his bosom, noting that the Saints shall be always as the children of the Bride-Chamber: There is a question made by some, of the knowing of one another in heaven. It is reported of Luther, the night before he dyed, he was reasonable well, and sate with his friends at the Table, and the matter of their discourse was, Whether they should know one another in heaven or no, whether the father should know the child, or the child the father? Luther held it affirmatively; and this was one reason he gave, As it was with Adam, as soon as he saw Eve, he knew what ⟨p. 590⟩Eve was, not by discourse, but by the Spirit of God, telling him what she was; and so we being filled with the Spirit of God, we shall come to know one another, we shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; we shall have communion with them, not only as godly men, but as with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and if with them, why not with others? This we have in Scripture, that spiritual relations shall add much to the glory of the people of God in Heaven, though natural relations shall be taken away; as the Father, if he know the child, there shall not be that natural affection to the child as is now; yet the Scripture seems to speak of spiritual relations, that they shall continue even in Heaven for the glory of the Saints; and therefore St. Paul says to the Philippians, You are our crown, and our rejoicing in the day of Christ: It shall be known, who were converted by such a Ministry, and it shall be a crown to a Minister, that such were converted, and edified, and built up by him.
Again, it is such a communion as we shall never 1part with, such a communion as we shall always enjoy: Here we have communion, but it is often darkned, because we are often in our dumps, and many times there is an occasion of sorrow given; but to have communion where there shall be always joy, continual being at the feast, the supper of the Lamb, that must needs be sweet. Therefore that Text you have of Lazarus in Abrahams bosom, sets out the continual feast of the Lamb that the Saints shall have, because that was the maner of the Jews feasting, to lean in the bosom of one another; and therefore John when he sate to eat with Christ, he leaned in his bosom, noting that the Saints shall be always as the children of the Bride-Chamber: There is a question made by some, of the knowing of one anoanother in heaven. It is reported of Luther, the night before he dyed, he was reasonable well, and sate with his friends at the Table, and the matter of their discourse was, Whether they should know one another in heaven or no, whether the father should know the childe, or the childe the father? Luther held it affirmatively; and this was one reason he gave, As it was with Adam, as soon as he saw Eve, he knew what ⟨p. 590⟩Eve was, not by discourse, but by the Spirit of God, telling him what she was; and so we being filled with the Spirit of God, we shall come to know one another, we shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Iacob; we shall have communion with them, not onely as godly men, but as with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and if with them, why not with others? This we have in Scripture, that spiritual relations shall adde much to the glory of the people of God in Heaven, though natural relations shall be taken away; as the Father, if he know the childe, there shall not be that natural affection to the childe as is now; yet the Scripture seems to speak of spiritual relations, that they shall continue even in Heaven for the glory of the Saints; and therefore St. Paul says to the Philippians, You are our crown, and our rejoycing in the day of Christ: It shall be known, who were converted by such a Ministery, and it shall be a crown to a Minister, that such were converted, and edified, and built up by him.
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