N34404:804
Human nature in its fourfold state ... In several practical discourses
Human nature in its fourfold state ... In several practical discourses. / By Mr. Thomas Boston, late Minister of the Gospel at Etterick.
United States : s.n. Printed for the booksellers., M,DCC,LXXXVII. 1787
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
But in this kingdom no misery can have place. All reproaches shall be wiped off; and never shall a tear drop any more from their eyes They shall not complain of desertions again; the Lord will never hide his face from them: but the Sun of righteousness shining upon them in his meridian-brightness, will dispel all clouds, and give them an everlasting day, without the least mixture of darkness. A deluge of wrath, after a fearful thunder-clap from the throne, will sweep away the wicked from before the judgment-seat, into the lake of fire: but they are, in the first place, like Noah brought into the ark, and out of harm's way.
Secondly, White raiment hath been a token of purity, Therefore the Lamb's wise is arrayed in fine linen, clean and white, Rev xix. 8. And those who stood before the throne washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, chap. vii. 14. The saints shall then put on the robes of perfect purity, and shine in spotless holiness, like the sun in his strength, without the least cloud to intercept his light. Absolute innocence shall then be restored, and every appearance of sin banished far from his kingdom The guilt of sin, and reigning power of it, are now taken away in the saints; nevertheless sin dwelleth in them, Rom. vii. 20. But then it shall be no more in them: the corrupt nature will be quite removed, that root of bitterness will be plucked up, and no vestiges of it left in their souls: their nature shall be altogether pure and sinless. There shall be no darkness in their minds; but the understanding of every saint, when he is come to his kingdom, will be as a globe of pure and unmixed light. There shall not be the least aversion to good, or inclination to evil, in their wills: but they will be brought to a perfect conformity to the will of God; blest with angelical purity, and fixed therein Their affections shall not be liable to the least disorder or irregularity: it will cost them no trouble to keep them right: they will get such a set of purity, as they can never lose. They will be so refined from all earthly dross, as never to savour more of any thing but heaven. Were it possible they should be set again amidst the ensnaring objects of an evil world, they should walk among them without the least defilement; as the sun shines on the dunghill, yet untainted, and as the angels preserved their purity in the midst of Sodom. Their graces shall then be perfected; and all the imperfections now cleaving to them, done away. There will be no more ground of complaints of weakness of grace: none in that kingdom shall complain of an ill heart, or a corrupt nature. It doth not yt appear what we shall be, but—when he shall appear, we shall be like him.