Meditations and Discourses on the Glory of Christ

FOR this doth not follow absolutely on the Nature of the thing it self. A mere Dissolution of our Natures can bring no Advantage with it, especially as it is a part of the Curse. But it is from the Sanctification of it by the Death of Christ. Hereby that which was Gods Ordinance for the Infliction of Judgment, becomes an effectual Means for the Communication of Mercy, 1 Cor. 5. 22. Chap. 15. 54. It is by virtue of the Death of Christ alone, that the Souls of Believers are freed by Death from all impressions of Sin, Infirmity and Evils, which they have had from the Flesh, which were their Burden, under which they groaned all their Days. No Man knows in any measure the Excellency of this Privilege, and the Dawnings of Glory which are in it, who hath not been wearied, and even worn out, through long conflicting with the Body of Death. The Soul hereon being freed from all Annoyances, all Impressions from the Flesh, is expedite and enlarged unto the Exercise of all its gracious Faculties, as we shall see immediately.

FOR this doth not follow absolutely on the Nature of the thing it self. A meer Dissolution of our Natures can bring no Advantage with it, especially as it is a part of the Curse. But it is from the Sanctification of it by the Death of Christ. Hereby that which was Gods Ordinance for the Infliction of Judgment, becomes an effectual Means for the Communication of Mercy, 1 Cor. 5. 22. Chap. 15. 54. It is by vertue of the Death of Christ alone, that the Souls of Believers are freed by Death from all impressions of Sin, Infirmity and Evils, which they have had from the Flesh, which were their Burden, under which they groaned all their Days. No Man knows in any measure the Excellency of this Priviledge, and the Dawnings of Glory which are in it, who hath not been wearied, and even worn out, through long conflicting with the Body of Death. The Soul hereon being freed from all Annoyances, all Impressions from the Flesh, is expedite and enlarged unto the Exercise of all its gracious Faculties, as we shall see immediately.

WITH wicked Men it is not so. Death unto them is a Curse; and the Curse is the Means of the Conveyance of all Evil, and not Deliverance from any. Wherein they have been warmed and refreshed by the Influences of the Flesh, they shall be deprived of it. But their Souls in their separate State, are perpetually harassed with the disquieting Passions which have been impressed on their Minds by their corrupt fleshly Lusts. In vain do such Persons look for Relief by Death. If there be any thing remaining of present good and usefulness to them, they shall be deprived of it. And their Freedom for a Season from bodily pains, will no way lie in the Balance against that Confluence of Evils which Death will let in upon them.