A state of glory for spirits of just men upon dissolution, demonstrated. A sermon…

Now we read Heb. 12. 12. the Apostle to hold forth this very relation of Gods being a father of spirits, with this promise thereunto annexed, That they should live: which relation of Father, &c. although it be there explicitly spoken in respect of their first Creation (which is common unto the Saints with others) yet being uttered of and unto men in the state of Grace (as those were supposed, whom he there exhorteth, and that to move them to be subject unto him as such; with promise, that they should live) it evidently respecteth not merely the relation of Father in respect of what was past the act of creating them, but it looketh to the future, That they depended upon him (as children do upon Fathers for their future livelihood, so these) for to live in him and with him as a father to their Spirits by Grace. For I take hold of that word [and live] this ⟨p. 44⟩life is well interpreted by ver. 14. They shall see God, that is, be glorified, and so I conclude all thus, that if he would have them be subject unto God in holiness, as upon that relation, as unto the father of spirits, with this promise, That they should live; then surely one special aim of the promise is answerable, and hath this eye, That God as a Father of their spirits will therefore take care of their spirits singly, and so when separate, that they shall live. And that accordingly he will give demonstration of this special relation born to their spirits (when the occasion shall be) considered apart in bestowing this life on them: and truly when its more proper for him to show himself a Father then when their souls after their subjection to him in holiness here accomplished, and when that as naked spirits they come to stand in need, and stand afore him in his presence, being now turned out of house and home, and quite cashiered out of this world, and come stripped and naked of all but holiness unto their Father (for it is said They return to God that gave them) who proves to be their Father by Grace. And doubt not of it but he will certainly then own them, and give them a Fathers blessing, and not reject them as if they were but Bastards and no children (as that Chapter to the Hebrews speaks) but as spirits, who as sons that have served him, and been subject to him.

Now we read Heb. 12. 12. the Apostle to hold forth this very relation of Gods being a father of spirits, with this promise thereunto annexed, That they should live: which relation of Father, &c. although it be there explicitely spoken in respect of their first Creation (which is common unto the Saints with others) yet being uttered of and unto men in the state of Grace (as those were supposed, whom he there exhorteth, and that to move them to be subject unto him as such; with promise, that they should live) it evidently respecteth not meerely the relation of Father in respect of what was past the act of creating them, but it looketh to the future, That they depended upon him (as children do upon Fathers for their future livelihood, so these) for to live in him and with him as a father to their Spirits by Grace. For I take hold of that word [and live] this