This is the sixth and last privilege and benefit, and you all know is the last thing in the execution of Gods eternal purpose toward all his beloved and chosen ones; whom he hath predestinated, called, justified, them he hath also glorified, Rom. 8.30. hereby we are made perfect in holiness, no more sin shall stir in us, perfect also in happiness; no more tears, nor sorrows, nor temptations, nor fears, shall ever molest us: Heb. 12.23. Revel. 14.13. and all this shall be in our immediate communion with God in Christ, Col. 1.28. John 17.23, 24. we shall be then, saith Paul, for ever with the Lord: if the Lord would but open our eyes, and give us one glimpse of this, what manner of persons should we be? how would we then live? how willingly then should we embrace faggots and flames, prisons and penury? the light afflictions here, would not they work for us glory? nay the Apostle useth such a phrase which I believe may pose the most curious orator in the world to express to the life of it, an exceeding weight of glory. 2 Cor. 4.17. What is our life now but a continual dying, carrying daily about us that which is more bitter then a thousand ⟨p. 314⟩deaths;1 what faith the Apostle to us, You are dead, yet when Christ shall appear, you shall appear with him also in glory; the general security of these times foretold by Christ, (especially when Churches become Virgins, and People are seeking after purity of Ordinances) it shall not be in a want of watchfulness against the present corruptions of the times so much, as in a careless want of expectation of the coming o• Christ in glory, not having our loins girt, and lamps burning, nor readiness to meet the Lord in glory, Mat. 25.1, 2, 3, 4, 5. &c. oh that I were able therefore to give you a blush and a dark view of this glory, that might raise up our hearts to this work.
This is the sixth and last priviledge and benefit, and you all know is the last thing in the execution of Gods eternall purpose toward all his beloved and chosen ones; whom he hath predestinated, called, justified, them he hath also glorified, Rom. 8.30. hereby we are made perfect in holinesse, no more sinne shall stirre in us, perfect also in happinesse; no more teares, nor sorrowes, nor temptations, nor feares, shall ever molest us: Heb. 12.23. Revel. 14.13. and all this shall bee in our immediate communion with God in Christ, Col. 1.28. Iohn 17.23, 24. wee shall be then, saith Paul, for ever with the Lord: if the Lord would but open our eyes, and give us one glimpse of this, what manner of persons should we be? how would we then live? how willingly then should wee embrace faggots and flames, prisons and penury? the light afflictions here, would not they work for us glory? nay the Apostle useth such a phrase which I beleeve may pose the most curious oratour in the world to expresse to the life of it, an exceeding weight of glory. 2 Cor. 4.17. What is our life now but a continuall dying, carrying dayly about us that which is more bitter then a thousand ⟨p. 314⟩deaths;1 what faith the Apostle to us, You are dead, yet when Christ shall appeare, you shall appeare with him also in glory; the generall security of these times foretold by Christ, (especially when Churches become Virgins, and People are seeking after purity of Ordinances) it shall not be in a want of watchfulnesse against the present corruptiions of the times so much, as in a carelesse want of expectation of the comming o• Christ in glory, not having our loynes girt, and lamps burning, nor readinesse to meet the Lord in glory, Mat. 25.1, 2, 3, 4, 5. &c. oh that I were able therefore to give you a blush and a dark view of this glory, that might raise up our hearts to this work.
- 1Col. 3.3.
