Meditations and Discourses on the Glory of Christ

BUT as I said, by reason of this peculiar intimate Union and Relation between the Soul and Body, there is in the whole Nature a fixed Aversation from a Dissolution. The Soul and Body are naturally and necessarily unwilling to fall into a state of Separation, wherein the one shall cease to be what it was, and the other knows not clearly how it shall subsist. The Body claspeth about the Soul, and the Soul receiveth strange Impressions from its embraces; the entire nature existing in the Union of them both, being unalterably averse unto a Dissolution.

WHEREFORE, unless we can overcome this inclination, we can never dye comfortably or cheerfully. We would indeed rather choose to be clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life, that the clothing of Glory might come on our whole Nature, Soul and Body, without Dissolution. But if this may not be, yet then do believers so conquer this Inclination by Faith and Views of the Glory of Christ, as to attain a desire of this Dissolution. So the Apostle testifies of himself, I have a desire to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better than to abide here, Phil. 1. 23. saith he, [Greek or Hebrew]. Not an ordinary desire, not that which worketh in me now and then; but a constant habitual Inclination working in ••••ment Acts and Desires. And what doth he so desire? It is [Greek or Hebrew], to depart, say we, out of this Body, from this Tabernacle, ⟨image 11⟩to leave it for a season. But it is such a departure as consists in the Dissolution of the present state of his Being, that it should not be what it is. But how is it possible that a man should attain such an Inclination unto, such a Readiness for such a vehement desire of a Dissolution? It is from a View by Faith of Christ and his Glory, whence the Soul is satisfied, that to be with him is incomparably better than in its present state and condition.

WHEREFORE, unless we can overcome this inclination, we can never dye comfortably or chearfully. We would indeed rather chuse to be cloathed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life, that the cloathing of Glory might come on our whole Nature, Soul and Body, without Dissolution. But if this may not be, yet then do believers so conquer this Inclination by Faith and Views of the Glory of Christ, as to attain a desire of this Dissolution. So the Apostle testifies of himself, I have a desire to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better than to abide here,