TheGloriousFeastoftheGospel

byRichardSibbes

TableofContents

Preface-totheReaderTheFirstSermon-Isaiah25:6TheSecondSermon-Isaiah25:6TheThirdSermon-Isaiah25:6-7TheFourthSermon-Isaiah25:7-8TheFifthSermon-Isaiah25:8TheSixthSermon-Isaiah25:6-7TheSeventhSermon-Isaiah25:8TheEighthSermon-Isaiah25:8-9TheNinthSermon-Isaiah25:9

Preface-TotheReader

THEGLORIOUSFEASTOFTHEGOSPELorChrist’sgraciousinvitationandroyalentertainmentofbelievers,whereinamongstotherthingsthesecomfortabledoctrinesarespirituallyhandled:

1.TheMarriageFeastbetweenChristandHisChurch2.TheVeilofIgnoranceandUnbeliefRemoved3.Christ’sConquestoverDeath4.TheWipingawayofTearsfromtheFacesofGod’sPeople5.TheTakingawayofTheirReproaches6.ThePreciousPromisesofGod,andTheirCertainPerformance7.TheDivineAuthorityoftheHolyScriptures

8.TheDutyandComfortofWaitinguponGod

DeliveredindiversesermonsuponIsaiah25:6-9byThelateReverend,learnedandfaithfulMinisteroftheGospel,

RICHARDSIBBES,D.D.

Master of Katharine Hall in Cambridge, and Preacher at Grayes Inne,London.

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Proverbs9:1-5

Wisdomhathbuildedherhouse;Shehathhewenouthersevenpillars.Shehathkilledherbeasts;Shehathmingledherwine;Shehathalsofurnishedhertable.Shehathsentforthhermaidens;Shecriesuponthehighestplacesofthecity,Whosoissimplelethimturninhither:Asforhimthatwantsunderstanding,Shesaithtohim,Comeeatofmybread,AnddrinkofmywinethatIhavemingled.

Perusedbythosethatwereentrustedtorevisehiswritings.London, printed for John Rothwell at the Sun and Fountain in Paul'sChurch-yard,nearthelittleNorth-door,1650.

So much of late hath been written about the times, that SpiritualDiscoursesarenowalmostoutofseason.Men'smindsaresohurriedupand down, that it is to be feared, they aremuch discomposed to thinkfuriously as they ought, of their eternal concernments: Alas! Christianshave lost much of their communion with Christ and his saints; (theheaven upon earth) whilst they have woefully disputed away, anddispirited the life of religion and the power of godliness into dry andsaplessControversiesaboutGovernmentofChurchandState.Torecover

thereforethyspiritualrelishofsavorypracticaltruths,thesesermonsofthatexcellentmanofGod,ofpreciousmemory,arepublished:Whereinthouartpresentedtheprincipalsubjectshandledinthesesermons.

(1.)OftheMarriageFeastbetweenChristandHisChurch:

WithaninvitationtoagreatandwonderfulFeast,theMarriageFeastoftheLamb, an admirableFeast indeed,wherein JesusChrist the eternalSonofGodistheBridegroom,whereeverybelieverthathathputontheLordJesus,(theweddinggarment)isnotonlytheGuest,buttheSpouseofChrist,andtheBrideatthisweddingsupper.HereJesusChrististheMasteroftheFeast,andtheCheerandProvisiontoo.HeistheLambofGod, theRamcaught in the thicket.He is theFattedCalf,whenhewassacrificed. Wisdom killed her beasts, (Proverbs 9:2). At his death, theoxenand fatlingswerekilled (Matthew22:3).His flesh ismeat indeed,andhisbloodisdrinkindeed.Andthatthoumayestbefullydelightedatthis Feast, Christ is theRose of Sharon, the Lilly of the Valley; he is abundleofMyrrh,aClusterofCamphor,hisnameisanointmentpouredout,andhisloveisbetterthanwine.

InChristareallthingsready,forChristisallinall(Colossians3:11).Andgreat is theFeast thatChristmakes forbelievers; for it is theMarriageFeastwhichthegreatKingmakesforhisSon.ThegreatdesignandaimoftheGospelbeingtoexalttheLordJesusChrist,andgivehimanameabove everyname (Philippians2:9).Great is the company that arebid,(Luke14:6)JewsandGentiles.Godkeepsopenhouse;Loeveryonethatthirsts come, and whosoever will let him come and freely take of thewater of life (Isaiah 55:1; Revelation 22:17). Great is the cheer that isprovided;everyguestherehathAsher'sportion,royaldainties,andbreadof fatness (Genesis 49:20). Here's all excellent, best wine, wine on theleeswell refined.Here's fat things,yea fat things fullofmarrow.Here'sthehiddenManna,thewateroflife,andthefruitofthetreeoflifewhichisinthemidstoftheParadiseofGod(Revelation22:2).AllthatisatthisFeastisofthebest,yeathebestofthebest.Here'svarietyandplentytoo,here'sbreadenoughandtospare.CaligulaandHeliogabalustheirFeasts,whoransackedtheearth,air,andseatofurnishtheirtables,werenothingto this.Andaboveall,here'swelcome foreveryhungry thirsty soul.Hethatbidstheecome,willbidtheewelcome,hewillnotsayeat,whenhis

heart isnotwith thee.The invitation is free, thepreparationgreat, andthe entertainment at this Feast, suiting the magnificence of the greatKing, is full and bountiful. All which is at large treated of in theseexcellentSermons,whicharethereforedeservedlyentitled,TheMarriageFeastbetweenChristandHisChurch.

We readof aPhilosopher, that havingprepared an excellent treatise ofhappiness,andpresenting ituntoagreatKing, theKingansweredhim,"Keep your Book to yourself, I am not now at leisure." Here is anexcellenttreasureputintothyhand,donotanswerus,"Iamnotnowatleisure."Odonot letChriststandknockingat thyheart,whowillcomeand supwith thee, and bring his cheer with him. O let not a deceivedheartturntheeanylongerasidetofeeduponashes,feednolongerwithswineuponhusks,whilethoumayestbefilledandsatisfiedwithbreadinthyfather'shouse(Luke15:11-23).

But this isnotall, if thouwiltbepleased toperuse thisbook, thouwiltfind there are many other useful, seasonable, and excellent subjectshandledbesidestheMarriageFeast.

(2.)Oftheveilofignoranceandunbelief,andtheremovalofit:

JesusChristhathnotonlyprovidedaFeastbut,becausehe isdesirousthatallthoseforwhomitisprovidedshouldcometoit(whichonlytheydothatbelieve),hetakesawaytheveilofignoranceandunbelieffromofftheirhearts.Andhereyoushallfindthisskillfulpreacherhathexcellentlydiscoursed,what this veil is, how it naturally lies upon all, and is onlyremoved by the Spirit of GOD. And if the Lord hath destroyed thiscoveringfromoffthyheart,wedoubtnot,butthetruthofthisheavenlydoctrinewillshinecomfortablyintothysoul.

(3.)OfChrist'sconquestoverdeath:

JesusChristtomakehisbountyandmercyfurtherappearinthisFeast,hehathgivenhisguests theBreadofLife,andhathsecuredthemfromthefearofdeath.Theyneednotfear,there'snoMorsinollaatthisFeast,we may Feast without fear. Jesus Christ by his tasting of death hathswalloweditupinvictory(1Corinthians15:54).Christdothnotmakehis

peoplesuchaFeast,asitisreportedDionysiustheTyrantoncemadeforhis flatterer Damocles, who set him at a princely table, but hanged adrawnswordinasmallthreadoverhishead.

ButChristwouldhaveustriumphovertheKingofFears,whowasslainbythedeathofChrist,andwetherebydeliveredfromthebondageofthefearofdeath(Hebrews2:14-15).AtotherFeaststheywerewontofold,tohaveadeath'sbreadservedinamongstotherdishes,tomindtheminthemidstofalltheirmirthoftheirmortality(whichpracticeoftheheathenscondemnstherantingjollityofsomelooseprofessorsinthesetimes).Buthere, Christ serves in death's head, (as David the head of Goliath) theheadofaslainandconquereddeath.OurSampsonbyhisowndeathhathdestroyed death, and hath thereby ransomed us from the hand of thegrave,andhathredeemedusfromdeath,andtheslavishofit.Allwhichisatlargehandledinthesefollowingsermonsforthycomfortandjoy,thatthou mayest triumph in his love through whom thou art more thanconqueror(Romans8:37).

(4.)OftheChristian'stears,andthewipingthemaway:

BecauseitisamerryheartthatmakesacontinualFeast(Proverbs15:15),and that this Feastmight be aGaudy-day indeed unto thy soul, Christdothherepromise,towipeawayalltearsfromoffthefacesofhispeople.TheGospelhathcomfortsenough tomakeglad theheartsof the saintsandpeopleofGod.ThelightofGod'scountenancewillrefreshthemwithjoyunspeakable,andgloriousinthemidstofthevalleyoftheshadowofdeath(Psalm23:4).Atruelygodlypersoncanweepforhissins,thoughthe world smile never somuch upon him; and though he be never somuchafflictedintheworld,yethecanandwillrejoiceintheGodofhissalvation.InthesesermonsthouhastthisGospelpromisesweetlyopenedand applied; wherein thou shalt find directions when and for what tomourn and weep, and the blessedness of all true mourners, whosesorrowsshallbeturnedintojoy.

(5.) Of the rebukes and reproaches of God's people, and the taking ofthemaway:

InthesesermonsyoushallfurtherfindthatthoughJesusChristrespect

his people highly and entertains them bountifully; yet they have butcourse usage in the world, who are wont to revile them as fools andmadmen,as seditious rebels, troublersof Israel,proudandhypocriticalpersons.ButblessedaretheythatdonotstumbleatthisStoneofoffence,thatwearthereproachesofChristastheircrown,andbywell-doingputto silence the ignorance of foolishmen (1 Peter 2:15); for let theworldloadthemwithalltheirrevilings,yettheSpiritofgloryrestsuponthem(1Peter4:14),andinduetimehewillrollawaytheirreproach,andbringforth their judgementas the light,and their righteousnessas thenoon-day(Psalm37:6).

(6.)Ofthepromises:

AndbecauseaChristianherehathmore inhope than inhand,more inreversionthaninpossession,walksbyfaithratherthansense,andlivesby the Word of God, and not by bread alone. Thou shalt have here(Christian reader) a sweetdiscourseof thepreciouspromisesofChrist,whichhehathleftusheretoslaythestomachofthesoul,tillwecometothat Feast of Feasts in heaven. That by this glimpse we might in partknow the greatness of that glorywhich shall be revealed (Isaiah 40:5),thatthefirstfruitsmightbeapawnoftheharvestandtheearnestoftheSpiritapledgeofthatfullrewardweshallhaveinheaven,whereweshallbebrimfullofthosepleasuresthatareatGod'srighthandforever(Psalm16:11). Christ hath given us promises to uphold our faith andhope, tillfaith be perfected in fruition, and hope end in vision; till Jesus Christ,whoisheretheobjectofourfaith,betherewardofourfaithforever.

(7.)OftheHolyScriptures,andtheDivineAuthorityofthem:

Nowbecausethecomfortofthepromisesisgroundedinthefaithfulnessof him that hath promised, this godly and learnedman, hath stronglyasserted theDivine Authority of theHoly Scriptures, proving that theyare theopneustos, that they are the very Word of God, that they areautopistosandaksopistos,worthyofallacceptation,andbetide,fortheirown sakes. A truth very seasonable for these times to Antidote theeagainstthepoison-fullerrorsofblasphemousAntiscripturists.

(8.)OfwaitinguponGod:

Lastly, because thatGod often takes a long day for performance of thepromise, thou shalt find herein the doctrine of waiting upon Godexcellently handled. A duty which we earnestly commend unto thypractice, as suitable to these sad times.Say,Osay,with theChurch, Inthewayofthyjudgements,OLord,wehavewaitedforthee:(Isaiah26:8)andwiththeProphet,IwillwaitupontheLordthathideshisfacefromthehouseofJacob,andIwilllookforhim.(Isaiah8:17)Andrestassuredthat none of the seed of Jacob shall seek him in vain; he will notdisappointtheirhopenormaketheirfacesashamedthatwaitforhim.

Thuswehavegivenyouashortprospectofthewhole,abriefsumofthattreasure which these sermons contain. We need say nothing of theauthor, his former labours sufficiently speak for him in the gates, hismemory is highly honoured amongst the godly learned.He that enjoysthegloryofheaven,needsnotthepraiseofmenuponearth.Ifanyshoulddoubtof thesesermons,as if theyshouldnotbe trulyhis,whoseNametheybear, let himbut observe the style, and the excellent and spiritualmatterhereincontained,andhewillhopefullybesatisfied.Besides,therearemanyear-witnessesyetliving,whocanclearthemfromanyshadowof imposture. They come forth without any alteration, save only somerepetitions(whichthepulpitdidwellbear)arehereomitted.

TheLordmakethese,andallotherthelaborsofhisservantsprofitabletohisChurch.AndtheLordsodestroytheveilfromoffthyheart,thatthoumayest believe, and by faith come to this Feast, the joy and comfortwhereofmayswallowupalltheslavishfearofdeath,dryupthytears,androllawayallreproach.AndtheLordgivetheeawaitingheart,toslaythysoul upon the name of the Lord, to believe hisWord, and his faithfulpromises, that in due time thou mayest rejoice in the God of thysalvation.Thisistheearnestprayerof:

ARTHURJACKSONJAMESNALTONWILLTAYLOR

London:April19,1650

TheFirstSermon-Isaiah25:6

In thismountain shall the LORDofHostsmake unto all people aFeastoffatthings,aFeastofwinesonthelees,offatthingsfullofmarrow,ofwineontheleeswellrefined.

Theconnectionofthetext:

In the former chapter the holy prophet having spoken of themiseries,and desolation of the Church, in many heavy, sad, and dolefulexpressions, as the Vine languishes, the earth is defiled under theinhabitants thereofbecause theyhave transgressed theLaws,changedtheOrdinanceandbrokentheeverlastingCovenant.Thereforetheearthshallbeaccursedandtheythatdwellthereinshallnotdrinkwinewithasong.Hereyouseeallsweetnessandrejoicingofheartisdepartedfromthem; yet even in the midst of all these miseries, God (the God ofcomforts)makes sweet andgraciouspromises tohisChurch, to raise itoutofitsmournfulestateandcondition.AndthereforetheprophetintheformerpartofthischapterspeaksofblessingGodforthedestructionofhisenemies,andforhisgreatlovetohisChurch.

Andwhenhehadspokenof the ruinof theenemy,hepresentlybreaksoutwiththanksgiving,breathingforthabundantpraisestohisGod,asitisthecustomofholymen(guidedbythemotionoftheblessedSpiritofGod, upon all occasions, but especially for benefits to his Church) topraise his Name, not out of ill affection at the destruction of theadversaries,butattheexecutionofDivineJusticeforthefulfillingofthetruthofhispromise.Asinthefirstverseofthischapter,OLord,thouartmy God, I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name, for thou hast donewonderfulthings,thycounselsofoldarefaithfulness,andtruth (Isaiah25:1).Whenthethingsthatwerepromisedofoldwerebrought topass,theChurchwaseverreadytogiveGodthegloryofhisTruth.Thereforerejoicenotwhenthineenemiesfall;butwhentheenemiesoftheLordarebroughttodesolation,thenwemay,nay,weoughttosingHallelujah tohimthatlivesforeverandever.

Iwillnowfallupontheverywordsofmytext:InthisMountainshallthe

LORD of Hosts make unto all people a Feast of fat things, et cetera.Thesewordstheyarepropheticalandcannothaveaperfectperformanceallatonce;buttheyshallbeperformedgradually.Thepromiseofanewheavenandanewearthshallbeperformed.TheconversionoftheJews,and the bringing in of the fullness of the Gentiles shall gradually bebrought to pass. All the promises that everGod hathmade, before thesecondcomingofChrist toJudgment, shallbe accomplished.Godhathmade his peace with us in the Gospel of peace, and when all thesepromisesshallbefulfilled,thenallimperfectionshallbedoneaway,andweshallneverberemovedfromourRock,butourjoyshallthenbefull.Nayeveninthis lifewehavesomedegreesofperfection,wehavegraceand the means of grace, the Ordinances of Christ, and a testimony ofeverlastingglory.

InthisMountainwilltheLORDofHostsmakeaFeast.

InthesewordsyehaveletdownagloriousandroyalFeastandtheplacewhere this Feast is to be kept is Mount Zion. The Feast-maker is theLORDofHosts.Thepartiesinvitedareallpeople.TheissuesofandtheprovisionfortheFeastarefatthings,andwineofthebest,aFeastofthebestofthebest,aFeastofthefat,andofthemarrow,aFeastofwineontheleeswellrefined.

Here you may see that God doth veil heavenly things under earthlythings, and condescends so lowas to enter into the inwardmanbytheoutwardman. For our apprehensions are so weak and narrow that wecannotbeacquaintedwithspiritualthings,butbytheinwardworkingoftheSpiritoftheAlmighty.

TheChurchthemostexcellentofallsocieties

ThisMountain is theplacewhere thisFeast ismade,evenMount Zion,which is a type and figure of the Church, called in Scripture, the holyMountain. For as mountains are raised high above the earth, so theChurchofGod is raised in excellency anddignity above all the sorts ofmankind.Asmuchasmenabovebeasts, somuch is theChurchraisedaboveallmen.ThisMountain is aboveallmountains, theMountainof

the Lord is above all other mountains whatsoever; Thou O Mountainshaltstandimmoveable,whenallothermountainsshallsmoke, if theyarebuttouched(Psalm144:5).

TheChurchisaMountain

ThisistheMountainofmountains.TheChurchofGodismostexcellentingloryanddignity,asyemayseeinthelatterendoftheformerchapter,howthegloryoftheChurchputsdownallotherglorieswhatsoever.TheMoon, saith the Prophet, shall be confounded, and the sun ashamedwhentheLORDofHostsshallreign inMountZion,and inJerusalem,andbeforehisAncientsgloriously(Isaiah24:23).SothatthebrightnessoftheChurchshallputdownthegloryofthesunandofthemoon,thusyouseetheChurchofGodisaMountain.

TheChurchbuiltuponthestrongestfoundation

First Reason: Because God hath established it upon a strongerFoundationthanalltheworldbesides.Itisfoundeduponthegoodness,andpower,andtruthofGod,mountainsofbrassandironarenotsofirmas thisMountain. Forwhat sustains the Church but theWord of God?Andbeingbuilt uponhisWord andTruth, itmay verywell be called aMountain,foritshallbeasMountZion,whichshallneverberemoved.Itmay bemoved but never removed; thus in regard of the firmness, andstabilitythereof,itmayrightlybetermedaMountain.

OfthevisibilityoftheChurch

Again,wemayhere speak in somesortof thevisibilityof theChurch;butherewillariseaquarrel for thePapists,whowhentheyhearof thisMount,theypresentlyalludeittotheirChurch.“TheirChurch,”saythey,“is aMount, so saith theScripture.” I answer:Weconfess in some sorttheirChurchtobeaMount(thoughnotthisMount)forBabylonisbuilton seven hills, but if this prove her a Church, it is the AntichristianChurch. Secondly, that the Catholic Protestantial Church had always a

being, though sometimes invisible. TheApostlewriting to theRomans,exhortsthem,nottobehigh-minded,but fear, forsaithhe, ifGodhathbroken off the natural branches, perhaps he will break you also(Romans11:18-21).And indeed for theirprideandhaughtinessofmindthey are at this day broken off. Christ that walks between the sevengolden candlesticks (Revelation 1:13), did never say that the Church ofSmyrnaorEphesusshouldalwaysremainavisibleChurchtotheeyesoftheworld,neitherwerethey.Fortothisveryday,theylieunderbondageandslaverytotheTurks.

TheMounthathbeenalwaysvisible, thoughnotalwaysalike gloriouslyvisible; for there will be a time when the Church shall fly into thewilderness, where then shall be the glorious visibility of the Church?There is a timewhen all shall follow the beast; the Papists themselvesconfess that inAntichrist’s time theChurch shall scarce be visible. Theessenceofathingandthequalityofathingmaydiffer.TheChurchisachurch,andvisiblebutnotalwaysequallyandalikegloriouslyvisible.Yetthosethathadspiritualeyes,anddidlookuponthingswiththespectaclesof the Scripture, they could always declare theChurchwas visible. Forfrom the beginning of the world the Church had always lustre enoughsufficienttodelightanddrawtheelect,andsoshallhavetotheendoftheworld. Though sometimes the Church may have a mist before it, asAugustine speaks, “It isnowonder that thoucanstnot seeamountain,forthouhastnoeyes.”ButthePapistshaveseenthismountain,astheyhave always been bloody persecutors of the Church, they have seenenoughtoconfoundthem.ForwehavenothinginourChurch,buttheyhavethefame;onlyoursisrefinedandfreedfromidolatry.WehavetwoSacraments, they have seven. We have Scripture, they have traditionswhichtheyequalwithit.WehaveScripturespure, theycorrupt;sothatourChurchwas in themidst of theirs, as a sound andmoreuncorruptpartinacorruptbody.

TheMountainistheChurch

ThisMountainistheChurch(Revelation14:1).TheLambstandsuponMountZion,andwithhimahundred fortyand four thousand,havinghisFather’snamewrittenintheirforeheadsChurch.Christstandsinthe

Church,andstandinginMountZion,heisaccompaniedwiththosethathisFatherhathgiventohim,beforetheworldwas;thereforethosethatbelongtothisholyMountain,theyareChrist’s.

GodmakesaFeastforhispeople

And in thisMountain shall the LORD ofHostsmake a Feast for allpeople.AndthisFeastisaroyalFeast,amarriageFeast,whereinthejoyand comfort of God’s people are let down by that which is mostcomfortableamongmen.

TheLordofHoststhefounderoftheFeast

ThefounderoftheFeastistheLORDofHosts.Itisonlyhethatisabletoprepareatableinthewilderness,thatismightyandofabilitytoFeasthisChurchwithaspiritualandholybanquet.Weallliveathistableforthefeedingofourbodies,butmuchmoreinregardofoursouls.HecanmakeaFeast forthewholeman, forhe isLordof theconscienceandhe is tospreadatableforthewholeworld.Naymore(ifthereweresomany)hecanfurnishatablefortenthousandworlds.HeistheGodofallspiritualcomfortsandtheGodofallconsolation.Heis infiniteandcanneverbedrawndry, forhe is thefountaineternal life.Allgracesandcomforts inthe Scripture are called the comforts and graces of the Holy SpiritbecauseGod is the giver of themby his Spirit.Who can take away thewoundofaguiltyconscience,buthe thathathset theconscience in theheartsofmen?He(ifhepleases)cantakeawaytheburdenofagrievedconscience and supply it, instead thereof,withnewand solid comforts.Heknows all thewindings and turnings of the soul,where all thepainand grief lies, and he cannot but know it because he only is above thesoul.HeisthereforethefittesttomakethesoulaFeast,heonlycandoit,andhewilldoit.

InthisMountainshalltheLORDofHostsmakeaFeast.

WhyishecalledtheLORDofHosts?

It isanusual termtoset forththegloryofGod,tomakehispower

andthegreatnessofhisMajestyknownamongstthechildrenofmen(Psalm145:10).

HeshallmakeaFeastforallpeople.

ThisFeastisforallpeople

ThosethatareinvitedtothisgloriousFeastareallpeople,noneexcepted,noneexcludedthatwillcomeintoChrist,someofallsorts,ofallnations,ofalllanguages;thishathrelationtothetimeoftheGospel.TheChurchatfirsthaditsbeinginparticularfamilies,butafterwardsmoreenlarged.TheChurchatthefirstwasofthedaughtersofmen,andthesonsofGod.ThechildrenoftheChurchmingledwithagenerationofcorruptpersonsthat would keep in no bounds, but after Abraham’s time there wasanother generation of the Church that so it was a littlemore enlarged.Then there was a third generation, a divided generation, consisting ofJews,andGentiles.

SothatwhenChristcameintotheworld,theboundsoftheChurchbeganto enlarge themselves more and more, so that now it is in this happycondition:Comeyealluntome,allthatareheavyladen(Mathew11:28).BothJewsandGentiles,allareinvitedwhosoevertheyarenothingisnowunclean(Acts10:15).ChristiscomeandhathmadetoallpeopleaFeastoffatthings.ItmustbeaFeastandoffatthings,foralltheworldshallbethe better for it. The Jews shall be converted and the fullness of theGentilesshall come in.Andyet it isnoprejudice toanyparticularmanbecausethethingsyearetotasteofarespiritual.Gotoallthegoodthingsin the world. Themore one hath of them, the less anothermust havebecausetheyareearthlyandsoarefinite.Butinspiritualthings,allmayhavethewholeandeverymaninparticular.

Everymanenjoysthelightofthesuninparticularandallenjoyittoo.SothewholeChurchandonlytheChurchenjoysthebenefitandcomfortofthis Feast. But under the name of this Church come all the elect, bothJewsandGentiles;andthereforeitmustbetheLORDofHoststhatcanmakesuchaFeastasthisis,aFeastforallpeople.Nootherisabletodoit.

ChristthechiefdishintheFeast

ThisFeastisaFeastoffatthingsfullofmarrowandofwineonthe leeswellrefined,thebestthatcanbeimagined,thebestofthebest.AFeastispromised, a spiritual Feast. The special graces and favours of God arecomparedtoaFeastmadeupof thebestthings, fullofallvarietiesandexcellencies. And the chief dish (that is all in all) is Christ and all thegracious benefitswe, by promise, can in anywise expect fromhim.Allother favours and blessings whatsoever they are, are but Christ dishedout(asImaysospeak)inseveralofficesandattributes.Heistheoriginalofcomfort, theprincipleofgraceandholiness;all is included inChrist.Askofhimandyeshallobtain,eventheforgivenessofyoursins,peaceofconscience, and communionof Saints. Ask of Christ as of one investedwithallprivilegesforthegoodofothers,butyetthisisbyhisdeath.HeistheFeastitself,heisdishedoutintopromises.Haveyouapromiseofthepardonofsins,itisfromChrist.Wouldyouhavepeaceofconscience,itisfromChrist; justification and redemption, it is fromChrist.The loveofGodisderivedtousbyChrist,yea,andallthatwehavethatisgoodisbutChristparceledout.

WhyChristwithhisbenefits is compared toaFeast;BecausethefavourswehavebyChristarechoiceones

Now Iwill showwhyChristwithhis benefits, prerogatives, graces, andcomforts,iscomparedtoaFeast.

First,inregardofthechoiceofthethings:InaFeastallthingsareofthebest,soarethethingswehaveinChrist.WhatsoeverfavourswehavebyChrist, theyarechoiceones, theyare thebestofeverything;pardon forsinisapardonofpardon;thetitlewehaveforheaventhroughhimisasure title; the joywe have by him is the joy of all joys; the liberty andfreedom from sin, which he purchased for us by his death, is perfectfreedom; the riches of grace we have by him are the only lasting anddurableriches.Takeanythingthatyoucan,ifwehaveitbyChristitisofthebest.Allworldly excellencies andhonoursarebutmere shadows tothehighexcellenciesandhonourwehave inChrist.Nojoy,nocomfort,nopeace,noriches,no inheritance tobecomparedwith the joy,peace,

andinheritancewhichwehaveinChrist.Whatsoeverwehavebyhimwehaveitinagloriousmanner.Andthereforeheiscomparedtofat,tofatthings full of marrow; to wine, to wine on the lees that preserves thefreshness of it; the best wine of all that is not changed from vessel tovessel,butkeeps itsstrength.And indeedthestrengthandvigourofallflowsfromJesusChristinCovenantwithus.

TheloveofChrististhebestloveandhehimselfincomparablythebest,andhathfavoursandblessingsofthechoicest.

ThereisvarietyoffavoursinChrist

Again,asinaFeast,besideschoice,thereisvariety.SoinChristthereisvarietyanswerable toallourwants.Arewe foolish,he iswisdom.Haveweguiltinourconsciences,heisrighteousnessandthisrighteousnessisimputeduntous.Arewedefiled,heissanctification.Areweinmisery,heisourredemption.If therebeathousandkindsofevils inus, there isathousand ways to remedy them by Jesus Christ. Therefore the goodthingswehavebyChristarecomparedtoallthebenefitswehaveinthisworld,inChristischoiceandvariety.Areweweak,heismeattofeedusthatwemaybe strong,hewill refreshus,he is thebestofmeats,he ismarrow; so are our spirits faint, he is wine. Thuswe have in Christ tosupplyallourwants,heisvariety.

Christ,liketheIndianplantCoquus,goodforallthings

There is a plant among the Indians calledby thenameofCoquus. Thefruitthereofservesformeatanddrink,tocomfortandrefreshthebody.Ityieldsthatwhereofthepeoplemakeappareltocloththemselveswithal,andalso thatwhich isphysical,verygoodagainst thedistempersof thebody.AndifGodwillinfusesomuchvirtueintoapoorplant,whatvirtuemayweexpecttobeinChristhimself?Hefeedsoursoulstoalleternity,putsuponustherobesofrighteousness,andhealsthedistempersofoursouls. There is variety in him for all ourwantswhatsoever; he is food,physic,andappareltoclotheus.Andwhenweareclothedwithhim,wemaywithboldnessstandbeforetheMajestyofGod.Heisallinall,Heisvariety and all. There is something in Christ answerable to all the

necessities ofGod’speople andnot only so, but to their full content ineverything.

ThereissufficiencyandfullnessinChrist

Again,asthereisvarietyinafeastsothereissufficiency,fullsufficiency.Webeheld theonlybegottenSonofGod, fullofgraceand truth (John1:14).Andbeingfullofgrace,Heiswiseandabletofurnishthisheavenlybanquet with enough of all sorts of provisions fit for the soul to feedupon.There’sabundanceofgraceandexcellencyandsufficiencyinChristand it must needs be because he is a Saviour of God’s own sending.Labournotthereforeforthemeatthatperishes,butforthemeatthattheSon of God shall give you, for him hath God the Father sealed (John6:27).That is,sent forth for thispurposeto feedtheChurchofGod.Asthere isanall-sufficiency inGod, so inChrist,whoby thesacrificingofhimselfwasabletogivesatisfactiontodivinejustice.Therefore(saithhe)Myfleshismeatindeed,andmybloodisdrinkindeed(John6:55).Thatis,spirituallytothesoulheisfoodindeedandcansatisfyGod’sjustice.IfweconsiderhimasGodalone,heisaconsumingfire;orasmanalone,hecandonothing.ButconsideredasGod-man,heismeatindeedanddrinkindeed. And now the soul is content with that, which Divine justice iscontentedwithall;thoughourconsciencesbelarge,yetGodislargerandabove our consciences. Therefore as there is variety of excellency, so istheresufficiencyandfullnessinChrist;whathedid,hedidtothefull.HeisaSaviourandhefillsupthatnametothefull.Hispardonforsinisafull pardon.Hismerits for us are fullmerits.His satisfaction to divinejustice,afullsatisfaction.Hisredemptionofoursoulsandbodies,afullredemption;thusallhedidwasfull.

AsaFeastformany,soChrist isafeastforthecommunityofSaints

AFeastisforcompany,itisconvivium;thereisconverseatit.SoCiceroprefersthenameofconviviumamongtheLatins,beforetheGreeknamesymposion. And this Feast is not for one, we are all invited to it. Theexcellency of Christ’s Feast consists in the Communion of Saints; forwhosoevertakespartofit,theirspiritsmustagreeonewithanother.Love

is the best and chiefest dish in this Feast; themore we partake of thesweetnessofChrist,themoreweloveoneanother.ChristbyhisSpiritsoworksintheheartsofthechildrenofmenthatbringathousandtogetherof a thousand several nations, and within a little while you shall havethemallacquaintedonewithanother.Iftheybegood,thereisagreementofthespiritandasympathybetweenthem;thereisakindredinChrist.

He is the true Isaac.ThedeathofChrist and thebloodofChrist is thegroundofallunionandjoyandcomfortwhatsoever.ThebloodofChristsprinkledupontheconscience,willprocurethatpeaceofconsciencethatshall be a continual Feast unto the soul. This Feast must needs bewonderfully comfortable, for we do not Feast with those that are likeourselves,butweFeastwithGodtheFatherandtheHolySpirit,sentbyChrist,procuredbythedeathofChrist.TheangelsatthisFeastattendus,thereforeitmustneedsbejoyful,nojoycomparabletothejoyofaFeast.This is not every Feast, this is a marriage Feast, at which we arecontracted to Christ. Now of all Feasts, marriage Feasts are mostsumptuous. This is a marriage Feast for the King’s Son, for Christhimself,andthereforeofnecessity itmustbe fullofall choicevarieties,andofthesweetestofthings,of themostexcellentof things,andof thequintessenceofthings.HereisalljoythatbelongstoaFeast.Hereitistobe hadwithChrist.What acquaintance can bemore glorious than thatwhichistobehadbetweenJesusChristandaChristiansoul?Whenwehave hope of better things to come, thenwe find the sweetness of thiscommunion.Noharmony in theworldcanbe so sweetas theharmonymaintained between Christ and the soul. When we have this and aremadeonewithGod inChrist,our joymustneeds thenbeunspeakable.When the contract is once made between the soul and Christ, therecannotbutbeabundantjoy.WhenthesoulisjoinedwithChristbyfaith,itcannotbutsolaceitselfinaperpetualjubilee,andaperpetualFeastinsomedegrees.

Becausewe have the glorious attire of Christ, asmen put onchoicegarmentsatfeasts

Again,foraFeastyehavethechoicestgarments,asatthemarriageoftheLamb,whiteandfinelinen(Revelation19:8),whichistherighteousness

oftheSaints.WhenGodseestheserobesuponus,andtheSpiritofChristin us, then there is a robe of righteousness imputed, and a garment ofsanctitywherebyoursoulsareclothed.SothisisaFeastthatmusthavewonderful, glorious attire. And when this marriage shall beconsummated,wearesuretohaveagarmentofgloryputuponus.

Because he was resembled by the Paschal Lamb, which waschosenfourdaysbeforeoutoftheflock

ThiswassignifiedinoldtimebytheJewsintheFeastofthePassover,not to name all resemblances, but only one or two. The Lamb for thePassover(youknow)waschosenoutoftheflockfromamongsttherest,fourdaysbefore the timeappointed for thatFeast.SoChrist is thetruePaschal Lamb, chosen of God, before the foundation of the world waslaid,tobeslainforus.

ByManna,towhichChristanswersinmanyparticulars

Again,Manna was a type of Christ, it came from Heaven to feed thehungrybodiesoftheIsraelitesinthewilderness(Exodus16:35).Evensocame Christ, sent from God the Father to be the eternal food andupholderofthesoulsandbodiesofeveryoneofus.Mannawaswhiteandsweet;soisChrist,whiteinrighteousnessandholinessandalsosweettodelightthesoul.MannafelluponthetentsinthenightandChristcamewhen darkness was spread over all the world. God gave Manna freelyfrom Heaven; so Christ was a free gift, and he freely gave himself todeath,eventothecurseddeathofthecrossforus.All,bothpoorandrich,theygatheredManna.Christ isacommonfoodforKingandsubject;alltakepartofChrist.NeitherJewnorGentileareexempt,butallmaycome,andbuyfreelywithoutmoney(Isaiah55:1).Of thisManna,he thathadleast had enough. So here, he that hath least of Christ, though he takehimwith a trembling hand, yet he shall have enough, for Christ is his.Whosoever hath the least grace, if it be true and sound, hath graceenough to bring him to eternal life. The Jewswondered at theManna,saying “what thing is this”? So it is one of Christ’s names to be calledwonderful (Isaiah 9:6). Grace and favour from Christ is true spiritualMannatothesoul.Mannafellinthewilderness,evensomustweremain

inthewildernessofthiswretchedworlduntilwecometoHeaven.Christis Manna to us, and very sweet in the conveyance of his Word andSacraments. When the Israelites came into the Land of Canaan, theManna ceased, not before. So when we come to Heaven (the Elect’spurchased possession) we shall have another kind of Manna for oursouls;weshallnottherefeedonChrist,asintheSacrament.No,butweshall see him face to face, and know as we are known (1 Corinthians13:12). In the wilderness of this world it is fit God should convey thisHeavenlyMannatothesoulwhatsoeverwayhepleases.MannacouldnotfalluntiltheIsraeliteshadspentalltheprovisiontheybroughtwiththemoutofEgypt.AndwecannottasteofthatheavenlyMannaofourFatheruntiloursoulsaredrawnawayfromallworldlydependenciesandcarnaldelights,thenindeedMannawillbesweetandprecious.

SurelythosethatarespiritualtasteChrist

WhatisthisheavenlyManna,whatisChristandhisFather,whatistheWord and Sacraments, to a depraved vicious heart stuffed full withearthlyvanities?Alas, it loathesall these.AsnonetastedofManna,butthosethatcameoutofEgypt;sononeshalltasteofChristbutthosethatarenotoftheworld,thatarecomeoutofEgypt,outofsinanddarkness.MannafellonlyaboutthetentsofIsraelandinnootherpartoftheworldbutonly there, thatnonemighthave theprivilege toeatof itbutGod’speculiar chosen ones. Christ falls upon the tents of the righteous andnoneshalltasteofthisblessedspiritualfoodbutsuchasaretheIsraelofGod,suchasareoftheChurch,suchasfeeltheburdenofsinandgroanunder it.Otheverytasteof thisheavenlyMannaissweettotheirsoulsandtononebutthem.ThusyeseetheFeastthatChristmakesforusinMountZion,andthatthisMannadothtypifyChristwithallhisbenefits.

Bytherockinthewilderness

Againthehardrockinthewilderness,whenitwasstruckenwiththerodofMoses, presently water gushed out in abundance (Numbers 20:11),whichpreservedlifetotheIsraelites.SoChristtheRockofourSalvation,thestrengthofhisChurch,therockandfortressofallhisSaints,whenhisprecious sidewas goredwith the bloody lance upon the cross, that the

blood gushed out (John 19:34) and in such a manner and suchabundance,thatbythesheddingthereofoursoulsarepreservedalive.HeisbothMannaandtheRockofwater.Mannahadallinit,sohadtherockandallnecessitiesareplentifullysuppliedbyChrist.TheChurchofGodhath always had bread to satisfy spiritual hunger, it never wantednecessarycomforts.Itissaid,WhentheChurchfledintothewilderness,God fed her there (Revelation 12:6; Revelation 12:14); alluding to thechildrenofIsraelfedbyManna.TheJewsdidnotwantinthewilderness,northeChurchofGodneverwantedcomfort,thoughinthemidstofthepersecution and oppression of all her enemies.When Elias was in thewilderness hewas fed. TheChurch ofGod shall not only be fed in herbody but in her soul, for Christ hath hiddenManna for his Elect. Thisdoth typify the exceeding joy of the Church, the hidden Manna that,neither eye hath seen, nor ear heard of, neither can it enter into theheartofmantoconceiveofthosejoysthattheChurchofGodshallhavewhen the marriage shall be consummated (Isaiah 64:4; 1 Corinthians2:9).JoyintheHolyGhostandpeaceofconscience,theyarehidfromtheworld and sometimes fromGod’s people themselves, though they shallenjoythemhereafter.

ByalltheJewishfestivals

All the formerFeasts in timespastwerebut typesof this.TheFeast ofTabernacles,theFeastofthePassover,thespiritualManna,andallotherholyFeasts,werebuttosignifyandtoshowforththisFeastbyChrist.Butthere is thisdifferencebetween the typeand the thing signified.By thetype,thePassoverLambwasquiteeatenup,butthisPassoverChrist,thatwasslainforsincanneverbeeatenup.Wefeeduponhimwithoursouls,hecannotbeconsumedasthePassoverLamb,norasMannawhichwasgone when the sun arose. Yea that Manna that was laid up for aremembrancebeforetheark(Hebrews9:4),becamenothing,butChristis inheaven forevermore for thesoul to feedupon.Though thesewereresemblances,yetthesefailedasitisfitresemblancesshouldfail;thatis,come short of the body of the thing itself. Thus you see the spiritualcomfortsofaChristianmaywellandfitlybecomparedtoaFeast.

BytheSacramentoftheLord’sSupper

ThusyouseeGodprovidesaFeastandinvitesall.IntheSacramentyouhave a Feast, a Feast of varieties not only bread, butwine to show thevarietyandfullnessofcomfortinChrist.Heintendsfullcomfort.AsforourAdversariesthePapists,theyhavedryFeasts,theygivethepeoplethebread,butthewinetheykeepforthemselves.ButGodinChristintendsusfullcomfort;whatsoeverChristdid,itwasfull,hismeritsarecompleteandhisjoywasfull.Heisfullnessitselfandthereforewhatsoevercomesfromhim,mustneedsbeashehimselfis,bothfullandsweet.Heintendsusfullconsolation.

BepreparedforthisFeast

Therefore we ought to be prepared to partake of this Feast in such amanner as that wemay have full joy and full comfort. For there is inChrist enough to satisfy all the hungry souls in the world, he himselfbeingpresentat thisheavenlybanquet.All fullnessdwells inhim, fromwhichwehaveallreceived,andgraceforgrace(John1:16).

Labourforlargeheartstoreceivemuch

Thereforeletuslabourtohavelargehearts,forasourfaithgrowsmoreandmore,soweshallcarrymorecomfort,andmorestrengthfromthisholyFeast.Asthepoorwidowifhervesselshadnotfailed,theoilhadnotceased;iftherehadbeenmorevessels,therehadbeenmoreoil.Oursoulsareasthesevessels(1Kings17:14-16);letusthereforelabourandmakeitour great business to have large souls, souls capable to drink in thisspiritualoilofgladness.ForasmuchfaithaswebringtoChrist,somuchcomfort we shall carry from him. The favours of God in Christ beinginfinite, themorewe fetch fromhim, themoreglorywegiveuntohim.But if theywere finite,we should offend his bounty, hemight soon bedrawndry, and so sendusawaywith anuncomfortable answer thathewas not able to relieve us. But Christ is infinite and themorewe havefrom him, the more we may have; to him that hath shall be given(Matthew13:12).TheoftenerwegotoChrist,themorehonourandglorywebringuntohim;thisisabanquettothefull.

WearenowcometothebanquetandChrististhefounderofit;nay,heis

theFeastitself.HeistheAuthorofit,andheitisthatwefeedupon.

Labourforspiritualappetite

LetuslabournottobestraightreceiversoftheSacrament,butsuckinabundance fromChristwith a great deal of delight; thatwemay cometogethernotfortheworsebutthebetter,consideringwhatagreatdealofstrength and grace is required as verynecessary for themaintaining ofspirituallife.

TheSecondSermon—Isaiah25:6

InthisMountainshalltheLORDofHostsmakeuntoallpeopleaFeastoffat things, a Feast ofwines on the lees, of fat things full ofmarrow, ofwineontheleeswellrefined.

IhaveshowedthatChristandhisbenefitsarecomparedtoaFeast,andinwhatrespectstheyarefitlyresembledbyaFeastandhavepressedthatweshouldprepareforit,firstbygettinglargehearts.NowinthesecondplacethatwemayhavecomfortatthisFeast,wemustlabourforspiritualappetite;fortowhatendandpurposeisthatmanataFeastthathathnostomach?Ishall thereforeshowwhatmeansweare touse, togeteagerstomachsandholyappetitesalterthisFeast.

First means to get appetite: sour herbs, a sense of sin andmisery

The Appetite is raised with four things, as anguish of spirit, andmournfulnessofheartforsin.IfwewilleverrelishChristaright,wemustlabourtohaveaquickapprehensionofoursins.WemustdoastheJewsdidat thePassover.Theyeat itwithsourherbsthattheymighttherebyhavethesharperstomachs.Somustwe.Wemustcastoureyesintoourownheartsandconsiderwhatvilewretchesweare;how fullof sinandvanityandthiswillbeassourherbstothePaschalLamb.Wemustjointhe sweet benefits and privileges that we have in Christ with theconsideration of our own wretched and miserable condition, and then

this heavenly ordinance cannot but be sweet and comfortable to oursouls. I beseech you enter into your own souls and consider seriouslyunderwhatguiltyoulie,andthiswillwhetyourappetite.Afullstomachdespises the honeycomb (Proverbs 27:7). But in this appetite there issenseofemptiness,fromthatsenseofemptinesspain,andfrompainanearnestdesireofsatisfaction.Thusitisinspiritualthings,wewantChristandallthespiritualcomfortsthatflowfromhim.Thereisanemptinessin us andwe see a need every day to feed upon themercies ofGod inChrist.Thereisanemptinessinoursouls.Theremustbeasenseofthatemptiness and pain from that sense, which must stir up a strongendeavour to follow after that thatwe do desire. ThenChrist indeed issweet,whenwefindoursoulshungeringandthirstingafterhim.

Secondmeans

Again if so be, wewould have that appetite of spirit that is fit for thisFeast,wemustpurgeoursouls fromthecorruptionsof fleshandspirit,perfectingholinessinthefearofGod(2Corinthians7:1).Wemustcleansoursouls fromthose lustsandpassions thatdailycleaveunto them,allcruditiesmust be taken away that the edge of the stomachmaynot beflatted, forwhile these earthly carnal corruptions lie upon the soul,wecan expect no spiritual appetite to heavenly things. Let us thereforeexamine ourselves what filth lies upon our souls, and what corruptinclinations are there, that so theymay be purged, and our desires becarriedfullyafterChristintheSacrament.

Thirdmeans

Anothermeanstogetappetiteistoconsiderthoroughlywhatisrequiredof a Christian well to maintain the trade of Christianity. It's anothermannerofthingthanwetakeitfortoentertaincommunionwithGod,toperform holy duties in a holymanner, to bear the yoke as a Christianshould do. Here is a great deal of strength required and becausecorruptions will mix themselves amongst our best performances, theremustbeagreatdealofmercyfromGodtopardonthem.AndwhenceisallthisbutbythedeathofourblessedSaviorJesusChrist?ForhissakeGodhathaforebearingeye.Nowifweconsiderwhatadegreeofspiritual

strengthandvigorweshouldhave togo throughwith theseduties, thiswouldsharpenourstomachsandspiritualappetites,tofurnishourselveswithgracefromChristtogothroughwiththeseholyservices.Theremustbeanexercisingofall thedutiesofChristianity,which isanestate thatmustbemaintainedwithagreatdealofchargeandlabour.AmancandonoserviceacceptabletoGodbutbygrace,andgracemust feedthesoulwith fruitfulknowledge in thepowerof faith,andwhen thesoul feelsanecessityofgrace,Othenbeloved, ithungersandearnestlythirstsafterthe love of God in Christ. We need to every trade a great deal ofknowledge; then surely the calling of Christianity needs a great deal. AChristian must expect much both in prosperity and adversity, as theApostlesaith,Ihavelearnedtowantandtoabound,tobeinhonour,andtobeindisgrace,andIcandoallthingsthroughChristthatstrengthensme (Philippians 4:12-13).Nowbecause there is somuch goings out forthemaintenanceofChristianity,wemustalsobring inmuchgrace,andfaith,andlove,andholiness,orelseweshallneverbeabletoupholdthiscondition. Where there is an exercise of Christianity, there will be anappetite to heaven. That is our best calling; forwhenwe have done allthat we can, that that we must have comfort from is Christianity.Thereforelabourwithalllabour,tobeholyandableChristians.Allothercallings arebut for thispresent life, but that that is for eternity, is thiscallingofChristianity.Andthisisonlytofitushereinthisworldforaneverlastingconditionofgloryintheworldtocome.

Fourthmeans:acquaintancewiththosethataregood

Again,ifwewouldhaveadesireandappetitetoheavenlythings,wemustlabour togetacquaintance,andconstantly conversewith those thataregood.TheoldProverbis,Companywillmakeamanfallto,especiallythecompanyofthosethatarebetterthanourselves,forveryemulationmenwillbedoingasothersdo.Whenmen liveamongst thosewhoseheartsare framed this way, theymust be equal. Conversationwith those thathave good relish of spiritual things and show forth grace in their lives,setsanappetiteuponourdesirestodesirethesamethingsthattheydo.ThusSt.PaulwritestotheGentilestostiruptheemulationoftheJews(Hebrews 10:24). Therefore receive this likewise for the procuring of aspiritualappetite.

Fifthmeans:Weknownothowlongwehavetolive

Togoon.Thenextthingthatmaystirupourdesirestogetanappetitetothebest things is seriously to consider thatwe cannot tellhow longwehavetolive,ormayenjoythebenefitofthemeansofgrace.Thosethatsitat tableanddiscourseaway thegreatestpartofdinnertime in talk,hadneedatlasttofalltosomuchthefaster,byhowmuchthemorenegligenttheyhadbeenbeforeineating.

WecannottellhowlongwemayenjoythisspiritualFeastthatGodmakesforus;thereforebestirreduptogetspiritualappetites,forweknownothowlongGodwillspreadatableforus.Weknownothowlongweshallenjoy our lives and if we be surprised on the sudden, wemay suffer aspiritual famine, a famine of the soul ifwe have nothing to comfort usbeforehand.Andofallfamines,aspiritualfamineismostgrievous,mostfearful.ThereforedoasJosephdidandbewise.Heinthesevenyearsofplenty,gatheredforsevenyearsoffaminethatwastocomeuponthelandofEgypt.

Weshouldholdoutagainsthungertocome

Alas, ifwehavenothing laidupbeforehand,whatwill be our end?WeshalllieopentoGod'swrathandanger;nothingcansupportoursoulsintheeviltime.Whereforeasyoudesireatthatdaytohavecomfortofthosethingsyeshallstandmostinneedof,labourtogetagoodappetite.Fortoperish and starve at a Feast is a shame; to famish in the liberty of theGospelandplentyofspiritualmeatisshamefulanddishonourable.Thusyousee,beloved,(nottobelargeinthepoint)howyoumayprocuresuchanappetite,asisfitforsuchaholyFeast.First,bygettingasenseofsin.Secondly, by seeing anecessity ofChrist. Thirdly, bypurgingout thoselusts that lieupon the soul.Fourthly,byconversingwith those thatarespirituallyminded.Andlastly,byconsideringthetimetocome.

Getaspiritualdispositionofsoultoheavenlythings

Itisnotenoughtohavestomach,butwemusthaveaspiritualdispositionofsoultoheavenlythings,aswehavetooutwardthings.Labourtohavea

taste of good things and a distinguishing taste of heavenly things fromother things.God is theGod of nature andhath furnished uswith fivesenses,andashehathgivenussensetoapprehend,sohehathfurnishedthe creature with varieties of excellencies suitable to all our severalsenses.Hewillnothaveobjectsinthecreaturewithoutsense,norsenseinmanwithoutobjects.Hehathfurnishedmanwithsenses,andvarietyofsenses,andgivenfitandproportionableobjectsforthosesenses.

Thesoulhathhersenses

Thesoulalsohathhersense,wheresoeverthereislifethereissense.Godhaving given spiritual life to the soul, he doth maintain that life withspiritualfood.AsinaFeastthereissight,andtheeyeisnotonlyfedtherewithrichfurniture,butwithvarietyofdainties.Theearlikewiseandthesmell issatisfied,theonewithmusic,theotherwithsweetfavors.SointhisFeast there is todelightboththeear,andthesmellof thesoul, theonewithhearingthegraciouspromisesofJesusChrist,andtheotherinreceiving thesweet savourof that sacrifice thatwasoffereduponce forall.NothingsosweettothesoulastheblessingsofChrist;heissweetintheWord,asthevesselthatconveyshimintooursouls.ThusyouseeinthisFeastallthesenses:thesight,thesmell,thetaste,andhearing,allaresatisfied. And a great care had in the provision for the Feast, that ouroutwardmanmaybepleased.AndshalltheLORDofHostsmakeaFeast,andnotcontentthewholeman?Heisforoursight, ifwehavespiritualeyestosee; theear, ifwehaveears tohear;all thesensesareexercisedhere.Whatisthereasonwhycarnalmencannotrelishapardonforsin,ajustification,andsanctification,andholiness,norgoboldlytoGod?

It may be they have good sweet notions of these, but they have nospiritual tasteorrelishof them,andallbecausetheywantspiritual life.None but a Christian can have spiritual taste answerable to a spirituallife. Taste is a kind of feeling, one of themost necessary senses, and aChristiancannotbewithoutrelishandfeeling.YeaitistheverybeingofaChristiantohaveatasteofspiritualthings.Ofallothersensesthereisastrongerapplicationintaste;theothersensesfetchtheirobjectsafaroff,but as for taste there is a near application in it, and therefore mostnecessary.Everylifeismaintainedbytaste.Tasteandseehowgoodthe

Lordis(Psalm34:8).

Twothingsinspiritualtaste

Nowtastedoth two things, itdothrelish that that isgoodanddisrelishthe contrary; there must be a spiritual taste to discern of differences.There can be no spiritual taste, but it must know what is good andprofitable for the soul and what is not because God will not have ourtastestobewronged.Yeseewhatcoursehetakes:firsttheeyeseeswhatthingswetasteon,andiftheeyebedispleased,soalsoisthesmell.ThusGodlaysbeforeusspiritualthings,knowledgeofgoodandbad,andgivesusmany caveats, and all because hewould not have us to taste thingshurtfulforthesoul,norpoisoninsteadofmeat.Nowwhenwehavetastedthatwhichisgood,letustakeheeditbenotatasteonly,lestwefallintothesinagainsttheHolyGhost.

Wemustlabourforadigestionofspiritualthings

Again,besidetaste,theremustbeadigestingofwhatwetaste,andthatthoroughly,inourunderstandings,whenweapprehendathingtobetrueandgooditmustbedigestedthoroughlyintotheaffections.Lovetothebest things, must be above all other love whatsoever, yet thismust bedigested. Men oftentimes have sweet notions, but alas they are butnotions, they do not digest them into their affections. It is the lastdigestion that nourishes and when any spiritual truths are understoodthoroughly, then comes in spiritual strength. And hereupon the soulcomesandsucksinthatvirtuewhichisforthenourishmentofit,thusitisinthesoulupondigestion,thereisnourishment.

Again there must be a faculty to retain what we have received that itmaybedigested.Yehavemanythatlovetohear,buttheydonotdigest.Iftherebenothinginthesoul,nothingcanbeextracted.Andthereforewemust learn to retain necessary truths that so upon occasion they maycomefromthememoryintotheheart;thoughindeedtheyarenotintheirproperplacewhen they are in thememoryonly, yet notwithstanding iftheyarethere,theymaywithcarebebroughtdownintothesoul.

Wemustwalkinthestrengthofspiritualfavour

Thenwemustlabourtowalkinthestrengthofspiritualthings.Forwhatis theuse of this Feast, but to cherish both soul and spirit?Theuse ofspiritualthingswhichwehavethroughChrististocherishandenliven.Itconveys strength to us, that wemay walk in the strength of Christ, asEliasdidfortydaysinthestrengthofhisfood.

Andconsider,thoughinourconsciencesandconditionswehavevarietyof changes, yet in Christ we have several comforts suitable to all ourseveral conditions. If to be our sins trouble us, we should watch overourselves, thatwe be not overmuch cast down, but feed upon spiritualthingsinconsiderationofpardonforsininthebloodofChrist.ThisisthegrandissueofallthatChristhathtracedoutintheforgivenessofsins.Heisnot,hecannotbedivided.Wherehepardonssins,hesanctifies;wherehesanctifies,hewriteshislawintheirhearts;sothatthereisachainofspiritual favours. Where the first link is, all the rest follow; whereforgiveness of sin is, there is the spirit and that spirit sanctifies, andcomforts, and is an earnest of everlasting life.Therefore feed especiallyuponthefavoursofGodandgetforgivenessofsinsandthenalltherestofthechainofgraceandspirituallifewillfollow.

Sometimeswe stand in need of present grace and comfort, andwe areundone if comforts and grace are not at hand, never considering thepromisesthataretocome.AsthatpromiseofChrist,Iwillbewiththeetothe end of the world, fear not; (Matthew 28:20), no temptation shallbefallus,butweshallhaveanissueoutofit(1Corinthians10:13),anditshallworktogetherforthegoodofallthosethatfearGod(Romans8:28).This isAquavita to thesoulofman, therefore thegraciouspromisesofChristandhisHolySpiritweshouldeverremembertogetintooursouls.Forwhenallothercomfortsfail,thencomesinthecomfortsoftheSpirit,whowillbewithusandupholdusinallextremities.Ifwehadnothinginthis world to comfort our spirits, yet let us rejoice in hope of glory tocome.OurlifeishidwithChrist,wehavethehiddenManna,inhimwerejoice in hope of glory (Romans 5:2). And the way to maintain aChristianholylife,istomakeuseofalltheprivilegesofChristianity,andofthosepromisesthatconveytheseprivilegestooursouls.

Now thatwemay thebetterdo this, observe continuallywhat it is thathinders us, thatwe cannot feed upon spiritual things aswe should do,whatsoeveritis,wemustlabourconstantlytoremoveit.

ConsequenceofthisFeastisspiritualcheerfulness

NowwhatmustfollowafterthisFeast?Whyspiritualcheerfulness.Ifwefind this in our duties of Christianity, it is a sign we have fed uponspiritualthings.ThenatureofaspiritualFeastistoemptythesoulofsinand to fill it full of gracious thoughts and actions. Instead thereof itmoderatesallthings,itmakesususetheworldasifweuseditnot.Whenwe can do this, we may certainly know that our souls have tasted ofabundanceofbenefitbythisFeast.

A man that hath no spiritual joy is drowned for the most part in thecontentmentsoftheworld,drownedinrichesandhonours;andtheseareliketostrongwatersimmoderatelytaken,insteadofcheeringthespirits,exhaust and kill them.He that hath the joy of heaven here by faith ismortified to all other base delights, he only minds the things above,whereChristis(Colossians3:1).Andthereforetheexhortation,orrathercommand,seekthethingsthatareabove(Colossians3:2;Matthew6:33),haththispromiseinfitmethodannexeduntoit.Andthenallotherthingsshall be cast in upon you: riches and honours in the world, and if notthem,yetsomuchasisnecessary,andmortificationofoursins,andthelustsoftheflesh.

Thankfulness

Again, if we have fed upon spiritual things for our souls, we shall bethankful.ThatmanthathathtastedhowgoodandgracioustheLordhathbeentohiminthisworld,andhowfullof joyandcomforthewillbetohiminanotherworld,inconsiderationofthis,hissoulcannotchoosebutbethankfultoGod.

JustifythewaysofGodagainstcarnalslanders

Hereweseehowtomakethisspiritualfoodfitforoursouls,thatChrist

provides for us. And if there be such joy as we have said there is inspiritual things, what use should we make further of them but labourfrom hence to justify the ways of godliness against our own false andcarnalhearts,andagainsttheslanderousimputationsoftheworld.Whenourheartsarereadytobefalsetous,andhankerafterthecontentmentsof the world and are ready to say the best contentment that they canenjoy is in the thingsbelow, letusanswerourbaseand falsedisputinghearts,thatthewaysofwisdom,thewaysthatGoddirectsusto,theyonlyarethewaysofpleasure.Andreligionisthatthatmakestheheartsofthechildren of men joyful, and a good conscience only makes a continualFeast,solongasmanliveth.Butespeciallyatthehourofdeath,whenallthe,comfortsoftheworldcease,thenconsciencestandsourfriend.

Religious people are melancholy; it's because they are notmorereligious

But theworld'sobjection is thatofallkindsofmen in theworld, thosethatprofessreligionarethemostmelancholy.Butifitbeso,itisbecausetheyarenotreligiousenough,theirsinsarecontinuallybeforetheireyes.Theyhavepardonforsinandfreedomfromtheguiltofsinbutknowitnot.Theyhavegoodthings,anddonotknowthem.Andsoinregardofspiritual comforts, God's people may have spiritual joy, and inwardconsolation,andyetnotknowofit.Theremaybesuchatimewhentheymaybesad,anddroop,andthat is,whentheyapprehendGoddothnotlookpleasantlyuponthem;butthetruecharacterofaChristianistobecheerful,andnoneelsecanbetrulycheerfulorjoyous.Joyisusurpedbyothers,thereisnocomfortinthemthatcanbelaidtobereal.Allthejoyofamanthatisacarnalmanisbutasitwerethejoyofatraitor.HemaycometotheSacramentsandFeastwiththerestofGod'speople,butwhatmirthorjoycanhehavesolongastheMasteroftheFeastfrownsuponhim?WhereChristisnot,thereGodisnotreconciled;nojoylikethatjoyofhimthatisassuredoftheloveofGodinChrist.

Amanmaybeignorantofhiscomforts

Amanmay sometime through ignorancewant that joy that belongs tohim,rejoiceyerighteous,andbeglad(Psalm32:11).Itbelongstothose

that are in Christ and to the righteous to rejoice, for joy is all theirportion. They only can justify the ways of God against all reproacheswhatsoever;buttheeyesofcarnalmenaresoheldinblindness,thattheycanseenojoy,nocomfortinthiscourse.AsitissaidofAugustinebeforehis conversion, he was afraid to turn Christian indeed, lest he shouldwantallthosejoysandpleasuresthattheworlddidthenaffordhim.Butafterhewas converted, thenhe couldcry, "Lord Ihave stayed too longfromthee,"andtoolongdelayedfromcomingintotasteofthesweetnessofJesusChrist.

AChristianattheworstishappierthanaworldlingatthebest

Take a Christian at theworst, and he is better than anotherman, takehimatthebest.TheworstconditionofGod'schildrenfarsurpassestheverybestconditionofgracelesspersons.TheissueofthingsshallturntohisgoodthatisamemberofChrist,achildofGod,anheirofheaven;theevilofevilsistakenawayfromhim,takehimattheworst,heisanheirofheaven.Buttakethewickedatthebest,heisnotachildofGod,heisastranger toGod,he isasabranchcutoff,andasmiserableawretchaseverBelshazzarinthemidstofhiscups,tremblingandquakingwithfearand astonishment when he saw the writing on the wall. When a manapprehends thewrathofGodhangingoverhishead, thoughhewereatthegreatestFeastintheworld,andamongstthosethatmakemirthandjollity,yetseeingvengeancereadytoseizeuponhim,itcannotbutdampallhisjoyandallhiscarnalpleasures.AndthereforeonlyaChristianhathatruetitletothisFeast.

LabourtopartakeofthisFeast;allinvited

Ibeseechyouletuslabourearnestlytohaveourpartandportioninthethingsabove;butwhatshalltheydothatasyetapprehendnointerestinJesusChrist?Why,letthemnotbediscouraged,forallarecompelledtocomeintothisFeast;bothblindandlame,theservantsaresenttobringthemin.Themostwretchedpeopleofall,Goddoth invite them;allarecalledtocomeintothisFeastthataresensibleoftheirsins.AndthatGodrequires at our hands, or else we can have no appetite to taste of thisFeast. God saith, come all; I but saith the poor sinful soul, "I have no

grace at all."Why but yet come, buy without money; the Feast is free(Isaiah55:1).God'sthoughtsarenotasthythoughtsare,forasheavenishighabovetheearth,evensoarehisthoughtsabovethythoughts(Isaiah55:8-9). Poor wretch thou thinkest thou hast led a wicked life, and sothou hast. I but now come in, God hath invited thee, and he will notalwaysbe invitingthee.ThereforecomeinandstudytheexcellenciesofChrist.Whenmuchpersonsastheseseetheyneedmercy,andgrace,andreconciliation,andmusteitherhaveit,orelsebedamnedforever;nowtheyareearnesttostudythefavourandloveofGodinChrist.Nowtheybestir themselves togetpeaceofconscience,and joy intheHolyGhost.Now they see salvation to be founded only on Christ and all otherexcellencies belonging toChristianity.And thereforehe goes constantlyprovidedwithgraceandholiness,sointhislifethathemaynotlosehispartingloryinthelifetocome.Thinkofthisandprayforit,astheyintheGospel,Lordevermoregiveusofthatbread.Hereishopethatthoumanbesavedbecausethouartinvitedtocomein.

WearesuretoperishwithoutChrist

To what end is the ministry of the Gospel, but to entreat thee to bereconciled? O let this work upon our souls, when we hear of theexcellencies of these things, and together with them consider of thenecessitythatiscastuponustoobtainthem,andthatwemusthavethemorelsebedamnedeternally.Wemustdoasthelepersdid,whosaidonetoanother,Why sitwehere tillwedie; ifwe saywewill enter into theCity,why the famine is in theCity,andweshalldie there,and ifwesitstillhere,weshallalsodie.

Nowwhatcourse took they?Theysaidone toanother, letusenter intothecampoftheSyrians,thereismeattofeedus(2Kings7:3-5).Sosaiththesoul,ifIgointotheCityoftheworld,thereIshallbestarved;ifIsitstill, I shall alsoperish;what shall I nowdo, Iwill ventureuponJesusChrist,hehath food thatendures toeternal life, and if Iperish there, Iperish (Esther 4:16); If I have not Christ Imust die; thewrath of GodhangsovermyheadandIcannotescape.Alaspoorsoul,nowthouseestthywretchedness,castthyselfuponhimandcomein.Ifthouventurest,thoucanstbutdie;adventuretherefore,putthyselfuponGod'smercy,for

heisgraciousandfullofcompassion(Psalm111:4).

HonourGodbytakingallottedcomforts

ThosethathavegivenupthemselvestoChrist,letthemstudytohonourGod and Christ (2 Timothy 2:15), by taking those comforts that areallotted to them.When anyman invites us to a Feast, he knows if werespecthim,wewillfalltoo.GodhathbestowedhisSonuponusandwillhenotwithhimgiveusall things?(Romans8:32).Letusnot thereforedishonour thebountyofourgoodGod,butcome inand labour tohaveour hearts more and more enlarged with the consideration of theexcellency of these eternal comforts. The fullness of Christ is able tosatisfy the soul, though it were a thousand times larger than it is. If itwere possible that we could get the capacity of angels, it could not besufficient toshowforth the fullnessofpleasures thatareprovided foraChristian. Let us therefore labourwith all labour to open our hearts toentertainthesejoys,forwecannothonourGodmorethanofhisbountyto receive thankfully what he freely offers. To taste plentifully in thecovenant of grace, of these riches and joy, andhope of things to come,gloriousaboveallthatweareabletothinkof(Ephesians3:20);Isay,thisis the way to honour God under the Gospel of hope of things that areinfinite. The more we take, the more we may take and the more wehonourhimthatgives.Letusthereforeenterdeeplyintoourspecialsins,thereisnofearofdespair;thinkofall thywants,andofall thysins, letthembeneversomany,yetthereismoretobehadinChristthantherecan bewanting in thee. The soul that thinks itself full of wants, is therichestsoul,andthatthatapprehendsnowantatall,noneedofgraceorChrist,isalwayssentemptyaway;grievethereforeforthysins,andthenjoythatthouhastgrieved,andgotoGodforthesupplyofallthywants.Theseedsofjoyandofcomfortaresownintears,andgriefinthisworld,butyetweknowweshallreapinjoyintheworldtocome(Psalm126:5).

Rememberthis,wehaveweknownotwhattogothroughwithallinthisvalleyoftears.ThatspeechofBarzillaiwasgoodandexcellent,whobeingbyDavidhimselfinvitedtotheCourt,answered,"Iamnowgrownold,IamnotfitfortheCourt,formysensesaredecayedandgone"(2Samuel19:34-36).Evensothetimewillcomewhenoursenseofrelishingearthly

pleasureswillutterlybelost.Wearesuretogotoourgravesandweknownot what particular trouble we may meet with in this world and gothrough ifwe live to a full age.Alas,what are all comfortshere, to thecomfortsof eternity?Whenourdaysare spentonearth, thencomes intheeternityofpleasure,oreverlastingsorrow.Othen,if(whenweshallleaveallbehindus)wehavethejoyoftheHolyGhostinourhearts,itwilladvance us above all the suggestions of sin or Satan, and bring uscheerfullyabovetothetribunalseatofChrist.Labourthereforetohaveaspiritualrelishofsoul,togrowingraceandcomfortsoftheHolyGhost.Forthetimewillcomewhenweshallwishthatwehadhadmorethanwehave; everyone will repent of looseness and slackness in the ways ofholiness.Therefore letus labour earnestly tobe goodhusbands foroursoulsforthetimetocome.

TheThirdSermon—Isaiah25:6-7

And in thisMountain shall the LORDofHostsmake unto all people aFeast…AndhewilldestroyinthisMountain:thefaceofthecoveringcastoverallpeople,andtheveilthatisspreadoverallNations.

I have heretofore spoken of the Feast that God makes to his Church,specially in the later times, which was specially performed at the firstcomingofChrist,whentheGentilescamein.Buttheconsummationandperfectionof allwill be at thedayof judgment, thenGodwill spread aTableforhistoalleternity.

Wehavespokenheretoforeatlargeoftheresemblanceofspiritualgoodthings, by this comparison of a Feast. God sets out spiritual things byoutwardbecausewecannototherwiseconceiveofthem;thebestthingsingrace, by the best, and sweetest things in nature. And thusGod entersintooursoulsbyoursenses,asweseeintheSacrament.

TheSpiritofGodmustworkustoarelishofspiritualthings

Butwehavespokenat largeof this.Ourcaremustbe tohaveaspecialtaste,aspiritualappetite,torelishthisFeastthatGodprovides.Naturallywearedistasteful,werelishnotspiritualandheavenly things,wesavornotthethingsofGod.AndtheSpiritofGodmustalterourfavorandtasteashedoth;wheresoeverthere isspiritual life, there isspiritualrelishofheavenlytruths.

WemustbringsomethingtotheFeastthoughnotofourown

Nowletmeaddthisfurther,thatthoughitbemadebyGod,yetwemustbringsomethingto thisFeast.ChristFeastswithus,asyehavehesupswithus(Revelation3:20),notthatwehavegracefromourselvesorcanbringanything,hebringshisownprovisionwithhimwhenhesupswithus. But yet by the Covenant of grace whereby he enters into terms offriendship with us, we must sup with him, we must have grace toentertainhim;thoughitisathisowncost,yetwemusthavesomething.He doth not require us to pay our debts, but he gives us wherewith,secretlyhebidsus come,butgives a secretMessenger toodrawus.HesendshisSpiritcertainly;certainlyhewillhaveusbringsomethingwhenwecometoFeast,butitisofhisowngiving.

Wemustbringemptysouls,andaSpiritoffaith,andaSpiritoflove

Andthatwearetobringishumbleandemptysouls,(whereinwearetodelightourselvesinsenseofourunworthiness)andtheSpiritoffaithtobelieve his promises that pleases himwhenwe can honour himwith aSpiritofFaith,andthenaSpiritofLove,andnewObedience,springingfromaSpiritofFaithandLove.Thesebe the thingsChrist requiresweshouldhave.OursoulsmustbethusfurnishedthatChristmaydelighttodwell with us. And therefore it is a good importuning of God. Lord Idesire thou shouldestdwell inmeandpreparemy soul as a fit temple,vouchsafemethegracesthoudelightestin,anddelightesttodwellin.SowemaybegofGodhisHolySpirittofurnishoursouls,soashemaydwellanddelightinus.

But we have spoken largely of the former verse, I will nowspeakofthenextthatfollows.

And I will destroy in this Mountain the face of covering cast over allpeople, and the veil spread over all nations, to swallow up death invictory, theLordwillwipeawaytears fromall faces,andtherebukesofhispeopleshallbetakenfromtheearth,fortheLordhathspokenit.

TheservicesoftheFeast

Thesedependoneuponanother,beingtheseveralServicesoftheFeast.HepromisesaFeastinthesixthverse.Andwhatbetheseveralservices.Hewill destroy in thismountain, thisChurch, the faceof covering castover all people, et cetera. He will take away the veil of ignorance andunbelief that they may have special sight of heavenly things, withoutwhich they cannot relish heavenly things, they can take no joy at thisFeast.

AndthenbecausetherecanbenoFeastwherethereisthegreatestenemyin force andpower,he swallowsupdeath in victory.Deathkeepsus infearallour lifetime,thatthatswallowsupallKingsandMonarchs; theterror of the word death shall be and is, swallowed up by our Head,Christ, andshallbe swallowedupbyus invictory. In themeantimeweare subject tomany sorrowswhich cause tears, for tears are but dropsthatissuefromthatcloudofsorrow.Andsorrowwehavealwaysinthisworld,eitherfromoursins,ormiseries,orempathyintearsofthatkind.Well,thetimewillcomethattearsshallbewipedawayandthecauseoftears, all sorrow for our own sins, for our own misery, and forempathizingwiththetimeswhereinwelive.Ourtimeshallbehereafteratthedayoftheresurrection,whenalltearsshallbewipedfromoureyes.Godwillperformthatofficeofamothertowipethechildren'seyes,orofa nurse to take away all cause of grief whatsoever, else it cannot be aperfectFeast.

But there is reproach cast upon religion, and religious persons. It goesunder a veil of reproach and the best things are not seen in their owncolours,northeworstthings,theygoundervizards[disguises]here.

Butthetimewillcome,thattherebukesofhispeopleshallbetakenaway.Thegoodthingsastheyarebest,soshalltheybeknowntobeso.Andsinandbasecourses,astheyarebadandastheyarefromHell,sotheyshallbeknowntobe.Everythingshallappear in itsowncolours, thingsshallnotgomaskedanylonger.Andwhatisthesealofallthis?Thesealofitis,Themouth of the Lord hath spoken it; truth itself hath spoken it, andthereforeitmustneedsbe,Jehovahthatcangiveabeingtoallthings,hehathsaidit.

WehaveheardwhytheChurchiscalledaMountain.HewilldestroyorswallowupastheWordmaysignify,thefaceofcoveringorthecoveringof the face, the veil which is the covering of the face, and particularlyexpressedinthatterm,always,theveilthatisspreadoverallnations.

Godwill take away the spiritual veil that covers the souls of his peoplethatisbetweenthemanddivinetruths.Ithathallusiontothatof(Exodus34:33-35)aboutMoseswhenhecamefromtheMount,hehadaveil,forthepeoplecouldnotbeholdhim.Hehadagloryputuponhis face thattheycouldnotlookuponhimwithadirecteye,andthereforehewasfaintoputaveiluponhisface,toshowthattheJewscouldnotsee.AsPaulinterprets it (2 Corinthians 3:15), To this day, saith he, whenMoses isread,thereisaveilputupontheirhearts.TheycouldnotseethattheLawwas a School-master to bring to Christ, the Ceremonial Law, and theMoral Law.Godhad a blessed end by the curse of it, to bring them toChrist.Theyrestedintheveil,theirsightwasterminatedintheveil,theycouldnotseethroughtotheendandscopeofit.Nevertheless,whentheyshallturntotheLord,theveilshallbetakenaway.

1.Fromthewordsconsiderfirstofall,thatnaturallythereisaveilofignoranceuponthesoul.

2.Secondly,Goddothtakeawayhisveil,andGodbyhisSpiritonlycandoit.

3. Thirdly, that this is only in his Church. And where this veil ofignorance is taken off, there is FeastingwithGod and spiritual joyanddelightinthebestorder.Andwhereitistakenoff,thereisnoneofit.

Thereisaveiloverallmens'spiritsbynature,atwo-foldedveilofthingsthemselves

Firstofallbynaturethereisaveilofcoveringoverallmen'sspirits.Tounderstandthisbetter, letusunfold the termsofveila little.There isaveil either upon the things themselves that are to be seen, or upon thesoul which should behold them. The veil of things themselves is whenthey be hidden altogether, or in part, when we know part and areignorant of part. And this veil upon the things arises from the weakapprehensionofthem,whentheyarenotrepresentedinclearexpressionsbutinobscurityofwords,orintypes.Whenweseethemonlyintypesorobscurephrases,whichhides sometime the sightof the thing itself, themanner of speech sometimes casts a veil on things. For our SaviourChristspakeinparables,whichwereliketheclouddarkontheonesidelight on the other, dark towards the Egyptians, light towards theIsraelites.SosomeexpressionsofScripturehavealightsidethatonlythegodlysee,andadarkside, thatothermenofgoodwit(asnaturalmen)seenot.

Ofthesoulsnotseeingornotbelieving

Again,thereisaveiluponthesoul,anduponthesight.If thethingsbeveiled,orthesightveiled,thereisnosight.Nowthesoulisveiled,whenwebeignorantandunbelieving,whenweareignorantofwhatisspokenandrevealedorwhenweknowthetermsofit,andyetbelieveitnot.

Theremustbealighttomakethingsvisible

Now this veil of ignorance and unbelief, continues in all unregeneratemen,untilgracetakesawaytheveil.Besides,beforeathingcanbeseen,theobjectmustnotonlybemade cleanand the eyesight too,but theremustbeLumendeferens,alighttocarrytheobjecttotheeye.Ifthatbenotwe cannot see. As the Egyptians in the three days of darkness hadtheireyes,but therewanted light torepresent theobject.Andthereforetheycouldnotgonearonetoanother;itisthelightandnotsight.Iftherebesightandnolighttocarryandconveytheobject,wecannotsaythereislight.

Thatwhichanswerstothisveil,istheveilofScripture,wherebyheavenlythingsaresetoutbyamystery.Amystery iswhensomething isopenlyshownandsomethinghidden.

Allthingsinreligionaremysterious

Whensomethingisconcealed,asintheSacrament,theybemysteries.Weseethebread,weseethewine;butunderthebreadandwineotherthingsareintended.ThebreakingofthebodyofChristandthesheddingofhisblood,andinthattheloveandmercyofGodinChrist, ingivinghimtodeath for us, andChrist's love to give himself to satisfyDivine Justice.Thesebethethingsintended,whichonlythesoulseesandapprehends.AndsoallthingsintheChurchindeedaremysteries:theincarnationofChrist, the union of both natures, thatChrist should save theworld bysuchawayashedid,thatheshouldbringustoglorybyshame,tolifebydeath,toblessingandhappiness,bybeingacurseforus.Itisamysterytobringcontraryoutofcontrary,thatsogloriousapersonasGodshouldbecoveredwithourweakandsinfulnature. Itwasamystery, theJewsstumbledat it; light came,and thedarkness couldnot comprehend thelight. And as Christwas amystery himself, so theChurch is amysterythat God should so much delight in a company of poor men, the off-scouringoftheworld,tomakethemtemplesofhisHolySpirit,andheirsofheaven,menthatwereunderthescornoftheworld,thisisamystery.So all is mystical: the Head, the members, the body, the Church, andevery particular point of religion.There is amystery in repentance.Nomanknowswhatsorrowforsinisbutthetruegraciousperson.Nomanknowswhat it is tobelieve,buthe thathathaheart tobelieve.Nomanknowswhatpeaceof conscienceand joyof theHolyGhost isbut thosethat feel it. So that is amystery and therefore "great is themystery ofgodliness," saith the Apostle (1 Timothy 3:16), not only in the pointsthemselves,buteventhepracticeofreligionisamysterytoo.RepentanceandFaith,andnewobedience,andlove,andthecomfortsofreligionareallmysteries.There isaveilupontheminall thesepoints thatacarnalmancannotseethem.

Youseetheninwhatsensethereisaveilofthethingsandinwhatsensethere is a veil onmen'shearts; that is, either the things themselvesare

hid,orifthethingsbeopen,theywantsightandlightofknowledge,andtheywantfaithtobelieve.Beloved,weliveintimesthattheobjectisclearto us, the things themselves are made clear. As who knows not whatChristisandthenotionoftheincarnation,andoftheunionwithhim,weknowthemnotionally,theybeopenedandrevealedtousveryclearly,allthe articles of faith, and mysteries of religion. So that there is noobscurity in the object, the things are clear, specially in these places ofknowledge.Butyetnotwithstandingthereisaveiluponthesoul.Thesoulof everyman that is not graciouslywroughtuponby the Spirit ofGod,hathaveilofignoranceandunbelief.

Thereisaveilofignoranceonallnaturalmen

Firstofall,ofignorance.Thereisaveilofignoranceinmany,andinallmennaturally a veil of ignorance of spiritual things; for unless they berevealed, they can never be known to angels themselves. The angelsthemselvesknownot theGospel till it beopenedand therefore theybestudentsinitcontinually.AndthebestmenintheworldknownothingintheGospelfurtherthanitisrevealed.

Naturalmenknownotspiritualthingsintheirproperspecies

But there is a veil of ignorance upon them that know these thingsnotionally because they do not know them as they should know them;theydonotknowtheminpropriaspecie,spiritualandheavenlythingsasspiritual and heavenly things. They do not know spiritual things asspiritualthings,theyhaveahumanknowledgeofspiritualthings.Thosethatwant grace, they know the grammar of the Scripture andDivinity,and they know how to discourse as schoolmen do, from one thing toanother,andtoargue.TheyknowthelogicandrhetoricoftheScripture,buttheystickinthestyle.Thereissomethingtheyareignorantof,thatis,theyhavenotaneyeofknowledge,aswecall it.Theydonotseethingsthemselves, but only they see things by another body's spirit, and theyhave no light of their own. And so no man knows naturally but thechildren of God what original sin is, what corruption of nature is, norknowssininitsownodiouscolourstobefilthyandtobedangerousasitistodrawthecursedvengeanceofGoduponit.Thisisnotknown,butby

theSpiritrevealingtheodiousnessofsinthatthesoulmayapprehendit,asChristdidwhenhesuffered for it, andasGoddoth.Agraciousmansees itasGodsees itbecauseby theSpiritofGodhesees the filthinessandodiousnessofit,andthedangeritdrawsafterit.

And so in any points of religion naturally, a man sees not themspiritually, as they are and as God sees them, but he sees them by ahuman light;he seesheavenly thingsby ahuman light,notionally, andmerely to discourse of them, he sees not intuitively into the thingsthemselves,heseesthemsubalienaspecie,underanotherrepresentationthantheirown.

Agodlymanseesspiritualthingsintrinsically

OnlyagodlymanseesspiritualthingsastheSpiritofGodandseesthemastheyare,knowssinasitis,knowsgracetobeasitis,andknowsfaith,what it is to believe, what it is to have peace of conscience, and thepardonofsins.Heknowsthesethingsinsomesenseintrinsically,thoughnotsoasheshalldowhenheshallseethesethingsinheaven,whenheshallseefacetoface(1Corinthians13:12).Thereisagreatdifferenceinit,he sees them intrinsically, in respect of the knowledge of other men,thoughheseesbutinaglass,inregardoftheknowledgeheshallhaveinheaven.As Saint Paul saith, forwe see but as in a glass (1Corinthians13:12); but he that sees in a glass seesmore life, than he that sees thedeadpictureofaman.Sothoughweseebut inaglassheavenlythings,yetweseethembetterthanthosethatseetheminadeadnotion;thoughit be nothing to the knowledge we shall have in heaven, yet it isincomparableabove theknowledgeofanycarnalnaturalmanupon theearth.

Again,naturallymenhaveveilsofignoranceuponthemostdivinethings;of spiritual things, such as is union and as is the communion betweenChristandus,andthemysteryofregenerationinthenewcreature,suchasisthejoyintheHolyGhost,theinwardpeaceofconscience.Iwillnotname the particulars to insist on them, but give you only an instance;though they know the notion of these things, yet they are altogetherignorantof them.Their knowledge is amereoutward light, it is a light

radicated in the soul. It is not as the light of themoon,which receiveslight from the sun, but it is a light radicated and incorporated into thesoul,asthelightofthesunisbytheSpirit,itisinthesoul.Itisnotonlyuponthesoul,butinthesoul;theheartseesandfeels,andknowsdivinetruths. There is a power and virtue in the sight and knowledge of agraciousman,thereisnoneintheknowledgeofacarnalman.

Thelightof thegodly isa lightwith influence, the lightof thewickediswithoutit

Thelightofacandlehathalightinit,butnovirtueatallgoeswithit.Butthelightofthesunandthelightofthestars,theyhaveaspecialvirtue;theyhaveheatwiththemandtheyhaveaninfluenceinaspecialkindoninferior bodies working, together with the light. So it is with heavenlyapprehensionandknowledge,itactuallyconveyslight;butwiththelightthere isablessedandgracious influence, there isheatandefficacywiththatlight.Butthoughacarnalmanknowallthebodyofdivinity,yetitisa mere light without heat, a light without influence. It is notexperimental.Asablindmancan talkof colours ifhebea scholaranddescribethembetterthenhethathatheyes.Hebeingnotascholar,buthethathathhiseyescanjudgeofcoloursagreatdealbetter.Oftentimesbybookascholarcantellyouforeigncountries,betterthanhethathathtraveled, yet the traveler that hath been there, can tell them moredistinctly.Sohethat isexperiencedinthatkind,thoughastranger,canmeasureanotherman'sgroundbetterthanhimself,hecantellyouhereissomanyacres.Buthethatpossessesthemknowsthegoodnessofthem,theworthofthem,andimprovesthemtohisowngood.Andsoitiswithmany, they can measure the points of religion and define and dividethem; but the poor Christian can taste, can feel them, can relish andimprove them. His knowledge is a knowledge with interest, but othermen'sknowledgeisaknowledgewithnointerestorexperienceatall.Sothat there is naturally a veil of ignorance on the heart of every naturalman.

Christianityisamystery;tillconversionthereisamysteryineverypointofreligion.Noneknowwhatrepentanceisbutarepentantsinner.Allthebooksintheworldcannotinformtheheartwhatsinisorwhatsorrowis.

Asickmanknowswhatadiseaseisbetterthanallphysicians,forhefeelsit.Nomanknowswhatfaithisbutthetruebeliever.Thereisamysteryalsoinlove.Godlinessiscalledamystery,notonlyforthenotional,butthepracticalpart of it.Whydonotmenmore solace themselves in thetranscendentthingsofreligion,whichmayravishangels.Alas,thereisaveil over their soul that theydonot know them, ornot experimentally,theyhavenotasteorfeelingofthem.

Thereisaveilofunbeliefovertheunregenerate

And so there is a veil of unbelief; there is no man without grace thatbelieves truly what he knows, but he believes in the general only. Hebelieves things so far forth, as they cross not his lusts. But whenparticulartruthsareenforcedonacarnalman,his lustsdooverbearallhisknowledge,andhehathasecretscornarisinginhisheart,wherebyhederides those truths, and goes against them, and makes him thinkcertainlythesebenottrue,andthereforehebelievesthemnot.Ifamanbynaturebelievedthetruthshesaithheknows,hewouldnotgodirectlyagainstthem.Butthegroundofthisis,thereisamistofsinfulluststhatareraisedoutofthesoul,thatdarkensthesoul,thatatthepresenttimethe soul is atheistical, and full of unbelief. For there is no sin butignorance,andunbeliefbreathesitintothesoulandmakeswayforit.Forifamanknewwhathewereabout,andapprehendedthatGodsawhim,andthedangerofit,hewouldneversin.

Ignoranceandunbeliefactinallsins

Thereisnosinwithoutanerrorinjudgment,thereisaveilofignoranceand unbelief. What creature will run into a pit when he sees it open?Whatcreaturewillrunintothefire,themostdullcreature?Manwillnotrunintothatdangerthatisopentotheeyeofthesoul,iftherewerenotaveil of ignorance, at least unbelief, at that time upon the soul. All sinsupposeserror.

Andthisshouldmakeushatesinthemorewhensoeverwesin,speciallyagainstourconscience;thereisatheisminthesoulatthattime,andthereis unbelief. We believe not truth itself; no sinner but calls truth into

question.Whenhesins,hedeniesitorquestionsit;andthereforethereisa veil on everymannaturallyoverhisheartby ignoranceandunbelief.The truths themselves are clear, God is clear, and the Gospel is light,Mens,Lux.Youknow theyknow things in theobject,but inus there isdarknessinourunderstandings;andthereforetheScripturesaithnot,wearedarkonly,butdarknessitself.Thecloudsthatarisearelikethemiststhatdo interposebetweenoursoulsanddivine things,arising fromourownhearts.Andtheloveofsinfulthingsraisesuchacloudthatweknownot,orelsebelievenotwhatisspoken.

God only can take off the veil of ignorance and unbeliefbecause of the unsuitableness between the soul and spiritualthings

Toproceed,Godonlycanrevealandtakeawaytheveilofignoranceandunbelieffromoffthesoul.Iwillspeakspeciallyofthisveil.Thereasonis,there is such a natural unsuitableness between the soul and heavenlylightandheavenly truths thatunlessGodopens theeyeof thesoulandputs a new eye into the soul, it can never know or discern of heavenlythings.Theremustbeaneyesuitabletothelight,elsetherewillneverbesightofit.NowGodcancreateanewspiritualeyetodiscernofspiritualthings,whichanaturaleyecannot.Whocanseethingsinvisible?Divinethingsareinvisibletonaturaleyes,thereisnosuitableness.Hethatmustrevealtheseandtakeawaytheveil,mustcreatenewlightwithin,aswellas a light without. Now God and only God that created light out ofdarkness,cancreatelightinthesoul.Lettherebelight(Genesis1:3).Heonlycancreateaspiritualeye,toseethethingsthattonaturearevisible.

Fourthingsrequiredinsight

1.Theobjecttobebeheld.

2.Thelightthatconveysit.

3.Theorganthatreceivesit.

4.Andthelightoftheeyetomeetthelightwithout.

So it is in the soul together with divine truths, there must be light todiscoverthem;forlightisthefirstvisiblethingthatdiscoversitself,andallthingselse.Andthentheremustbealightinthesoultojudgeofthem,and this lightmust be suitable. A carnal-base spirit judges of spiritualthings carnally like himself becausehe hathnot light in his own spirit.The thingsare spiritual,hiseye is carnal;hehathnota light inhiseyesuitable to the object, and therefore he cannot judge of them. For theScripturesaithplainly,theyarespirituallydiscerned.Thereforeacarnalperson hath carnal conceptions of spiritual things, as a holyman dothspiritualizethingsbyaspiritualconceptionofthem.

Fourdegreesofdiscerningthings

Therebedegreesofdiscerningthings.Thehighestdegreeistoseethingsfacetoface,astheybeinheaven.Thenexttothatistoseetheminaglass,forthereIseethemotionandtruespeciesofaman,thoughnotsoclearlyaswhenIseehimfacetoface.Thereforewesoonforgetthespeciesofitin a glass (1 Corinthians 13:12). We have more fixedness of the otherbecause there ismore reality.We see things put intowater and that isless;butthenthereisalightofmaninpictures,whichislessthantherestbecauseweseenotthemotion.Itisevenso,acarnalmanscarceseesthedeadresemblanceofthings.InMosestime,theysawthingsinwaterasitwereblindly,thoughtrue.Butweseethingsinaglassoftruth,asclearlyaspossiblywecaninthisworld.Inheavenweshallseefacetoface,shallseehimashe is (1John3:2).And thenwillbe the joyof this excellentFeast, and the consummationof all sweetpromises,whichherewe canbuthaveatasteof.

SothatisthefirstreasonofitthatGodisonlythetakerawayoftheveil,whicharisesfromtheunsuitablenessbetweenthesoul,anddivinetruths.Thereisnothingintheheartofman,butacontraritytodivinelight.Thevery natural knowledge that is contrary, natural conscience that onlycheckforgrosssins,butnotforspiritualsins:obedienceandcivillifethatmakesamanfullofprideandarmshimagainstself-denial,andagainsttherighteousnessofChrist,andjustification.Thereisnothinginthesoul,but(withoutgrace)risesagainstthesoulindivinethings.

Andadisproportionalso

Again,thereissuchdisproportionbetweenthesoulbeingfullofsinandguiltiness, and heavenly things that are so great, that the heart ofmanwill not believe unlessGod convinces the soul thatGod is so good andgracious.Though theybegreatandexcellent,yetGodwillbestowthemupon our souls and therefore he sends the Spirit, that over-powers thesoul;thoughitbefulloffearandguiltthatsincontracts.

Though we be never so unworthy, he will magnify his grace to poorsinners and without that, the soul will never believe. There is such aninfinitedisproportionbetweenthesoulandthethings,betweenthesinfulsoul and the Spirit, so that God must over-power the soul to make itbelieve.

The Scripture is full of this, as we are naturally ignorant and full ofunbelief.SoGodonlycanover-powerthesoul,andtakeawaytheveilofignorance.

Nocreature,angelsormen,canbringlightintothesoul

All the angels in heaven and all the creatures in the world, the mostskillful men in the world cannot bring light into the soul, they cannotbring light into the heart. They can speak of divine things, but theyunderstandthemlittle;buttobringlightintotheheartthattheheartmaytalk of them and yield obedience to believe, that they cannot do. Andtherefore all God's children they be Theodidactoi, taught of God. Godonlyhaththeprivilege to teachtheheart, tobendandbowtheheart tobelieve.

So that God only by his Spirit takes away the veil of ignorance andunbelief.

It'speculiartotheChurchtohavetheveiltakenaway

Now the third thing is that this is peculiar to the Church and to thechildren of God, to have the veil taken off. In thisMountain, saith the

Scriptures,theveilofallfacesshallbeswallowedup,ortakenaway.

Ipartlyshowedintheformerpoint,thatitispeculiartoGod'schildrentohavetheveiltakenoff.InthisMountain,saiththeScripture,theveilofallfacesshallbeswallowedup,or takenaway.There isaveil inall things,either the things be hid from them as amongst the Gentiles, or if thethingsbe revealed, there is a veilupon theheart.Their lusts raiseupacloud, which until God subdue by the Holy Spirit, they be dark, yeadarknessitself.Goshenwasonlylight,whenallEgyptwasindarkness.Sothere is lightonly in theChurchandall otherparts in theworldare indarkness.

And amongstmen in the Church there is a darkness upon the soul ofunregenerate men that be not sanctified and subdued by the Spirit ofGod.Andallgodlymenarelightsome,naytheybelightsintheworld.Aswickedmenaredarkness,sograciousmenbytheSpiritofGodaremadelights of theworld fromhim that is the True Light (John 8:12), Christhimself.

It's peculiar to the Church to know the greatest good andgreatestevil

It is peculiar to theChurch to know the greatest good and the greatestevil.ItisnowherebutintheChurch,whoarethepeopleofGod.NonebutGod'selectcanknowthegreatestevilthatissin,whichtheSpiritofGodrevealeth, and the greatest good, that is God's mercy in Christ andsanctifyinggrace.ThesameSpiritdothboth.Aslightdothdiscoverfoulthings, as well as faire; so the same Spirit of God discovers theloathsomenessofsinandthesweetnessofgrace.Wheretheoneis,thereisnevertheother;wherethereisnottrulyadeepdiscerningofsin,thereisneverknowledgeofgrace.ThereisnonebutintheChurch,thosethathavetheSpiritofillumination,theyhavesanctificationlikewise.

Weshallmakeuseofalltogether.YouseethenwhatnaturallyweareandthatGod'sgracemusttakeawaytheveil,andthisisfromallthemwithintheChurch,andintheChurchthosewhomGodispleasedtosanctify.

Wheretheveilistakenaway,thereisspiritualjoyandfeasting.ThesameSpiritisaSpiritofrevelationandconsolation.

Inthefourthplace,wherethisveilistakenofffromany,thereiswithitspiritualjoyandfeasting,asherehejoinsthembothtogether.IwillmakeaFeastoffatthings,andwilltakeawaytheveil.

ThereasonoftheconnectionofthisisthatsameSpirit,thatisaSpiritofRevelations,isaSpiritofComfort.AndthesameSpiritthatistheSpiritofComfort,isaSpiritofRevelation.Allsweetnessthatthesoulrelishes,comes from light, and all light that is spiritual conveys sweetness bothtogether. Beloved, there is a marvelous sweetness in divine truths, inChrist is all marrow. And in religion forgiveness of sins, and inwardpeace,and joy,andgrace, fittingus tobe like toChristand forheaven.Theybeincrediblysweet,theybeallmarrow,buttheyareonlysotothemthat know them.NowGod's Spirit that reveals these things to us, dothbreedatasteinthesoul.TheSpiritofilluminationtoGod'schildrenisaSpirit of sanctification likewise. And that sanctification alters the tasteandrelishof thewillandaffections, thatwithdiscoveryof thesethings,there is a taste and relish of them. It is sapida Scientia, a savoryknowledge they have. And therefore where hemakes a Feast, he takesawaytheveil;andwherehetakesawaytheveilhemakesaFeast.Whatawonderfulsatisfactionhaththesoul,whentheveilistakenoff,toseeGodinChristreconciled,toseesinpardoned,toseethebeginningsofgrace,whichshallbefinished,andaccomplishedinglory,todiscernthatpeacewhich passes understanding… (Philippians 4:7). What a marveloussweetnessareinthesethings.

Theycannotberevealedtotheknowledgespiritually,butthereis a Feast in the soul, wherein the soul doth solace itself; soboththesegotogether.

Andthereforeweshouldnotrest inthatrevealingthatdothnotbringasavorwithittothesoul.Undoubtedly,thatknowledgehathnosolaceandcomfortforthesoulthatisnotbydivinerevelationofheavenlytruths.

Weseethedependenceoftheseoneuponanother,thenletusmakethis

useofall.

Labourtohavethisveiltakenoff

Since there is a veil over allmenbynature, theworkof ignorance andunbelief,andsinceGodonly takes itawaybyhisHolySpirit,andsincethatonlythosethatbegodlyandsanctifiedhavethistakenoff,whilethisis, there isaspiritualFeast, joy,andcomfort,andstrength.Then letuslabour to have this veil taken off, let us labour to have the eyes of ourunderstandingsenlightened(Ephesians1:18),tohaveourheartssubduedto believe; let us take notice of our natural condition.We are drownedand enwrapt in darkness, the best of us all. It is not having knowledgewhat we are by nature; it is not any knowledge that can bring us toheaven,theremustbearevelation,atakingawayoftheveil.Howmanycontent themselves with common light of education and traditionaryknowledge;sotheywerebredandcatechized,andundersuchaMinistry,but for spiritual knowledgeof spiritual things,how little is it cared for,andyetthisisnecessarytosalvation.Thereisgreatoccasiontopressthis,that we rest not in common knowledge. If religion be not known topurpose, it's like lightning, which directs not a man in his way, butdazzles him and puts him quite out of his way. Many have flashes ofknowledge that affect thema little, but this affection is soon gone, anddirectsthemnotawhitinthewaysoflife;andthereforelabourthatthewill and affectionsmay be subject. Beg of God a fleshly heart, a heartyieldingtothetruth.Weknowear-truthswillharden;asnoneisharderthanacommonformalChristian.AmanhadbetterfallintothehandsofPapists, than into the hands of a formal hypocritical Christian. Why?Theypridethemselvesintheirprofession.NopersecutorsworsethantheScribesandPhariseesthatstoodintheirownlight.TheyweremorecruelthanPilate.Andthereforeifwebeinformed,butnottrulytransformedtolovethetruthweknowandhatetheevilweknow,itmakesusworse.

Andthenitenragesmenthemore.Themoretheyknow,themoretheybeenraged.Menwhen truthsbepressed,which theypurposenot toobey,they fretagainst theordinanceandcaststones,as itwere in the faceoftruth.Whenphysicaldothraisehumors,butisnotstrongenoughtocarrythemaway,theyendangerthebody.Andwherelightisnotstrongenough

todispel corruptionwhen it raises corruption, it enrages it.WhenmenknowTruth,andarenotmoldedintoit,theyfirstrageagainstit,andthenby little and little fall from it, and grow extreme enemies to it. It's adangerous thing therefore to rest innakedknowledge.Beg thenofGodthathewouldtakeawaytheveilofignoranceandunbelief,thatlightandlifemaygotogether,andsoweshallbefittoFeastwiththeLord.

Now that we may have true saving knowledge, first we must attendmeeklyuponGod'sordinances,whichhe sanctified to thisend to let inlighttothesoul.

ForthiswemustattendonOrdinances

Willweknowsinandourstatebynatureandhowtocomeoutofit,thentogether with this Revelation must come a heavenly strength into thesoul, a heavenly taste and relish and therefore attend upon theOrdinances.Andlabourforahumblesoul,emptyofourselves,anddonotthink to break into heavenly things with strength of parts, God mustreveal, God must take away the veil only by his Holy Spirit in theOrdinance.Theveil istakenawayfromtheobjectsinopeningoftruths,buttheveilmustbetakenawayfromtheobject,andfromthehearttoo.Theremustbeknowledgeof theobject,aswellasanobject.Theobjectmustbesanctifiedandfittedtothepersonselsedivinetruthswillneverbe understood divinely, nor spiritual truths spiritually. Labour to beemptied of yourselves. In what measure we are emptied of our self-conceitednessandunderstanding,webe filled indivine things. Inwhatmeasureweareemptiedofourselves,wearefilledwiththeSpiritofGod,andknowledge,andgrace.Asavessel inwhatmeasureit isemptied, inthatmeasure it is fit to be filled withmore supervenient liquor. So inwhatmeasurewegrowinself-denialandhumility,inthatmeasurewearefilled likewisewithknowledge.Hewill teachahumble soul that standsnotinitsownlight,whatitistorepent,tobelieve,tolove;whatitistobepatientunderthecross;whatitistoliveholilyanddiecomfortably.TheSpiritofGodwillteachahumble,self-denyingsoulallthesethings,andtherefore labour forahumble,emptysoulandnot tocastourselves toomuchintothesins,andfashionsofthetimes.AstheApostlesays,Benotconformedtothisworld,butbeyetransformedbytherenewingofyour

mind(Romans12:2).

Fashionnotourselvesafterthetimes

Whenamancastshimselfintothemouldofthetimes,andwillliveastherest do, he shall never understand the secrets of God and the goodpleasureofGod, for theworldmustbecondemned.Theworldgoes thebroadway.Andthereforewemustnotconsiderwhatothersdo,butwhatGodteachesustodo.

Becarefultopracticewhatweknow

And add to this:What we know, let us labour to practice. But he thatcloththewillofmyFather,shallknowofeverydoctrinewhetheritbeofGodornot(John7:17).Wemustdo,andweshallknow;butcanwedobefore we know? Themeaning is this, that we have first breeding andeducation,andsourcelightoftheSpiritturnsitpresentlytopractice,byobediencetothatknowledgeandthenyoushallknowmore.Hethatdoththese things, he shall know all. They shall know that do practice whattheyknowalready;Tohimthathathshallbegiven(Matthew13:12).Thatis, tohimthathathsomeknowledgeandputs inpracticewhathehath,Godwill increase the talent ofhis knowledge.He shall knowmore andmoretillGodrevealshimselffullyintheworldtocome.

Lovewhatweknow

Andthereforebefaithfultoourselvesandtruetotheknowledgewehave;loveitandputitintopracticewhendivinetruthsarediscovered.Lettheheart affect them, lestGod gives us up to believe lies (2 Thessalonians2:11). We have many given up to this sin because when truths arerevealed,theygivewaytotheirownproudscornfulhearts,theyknownottheloveofthetruth.GodknowswhataJeweltheTruthisandsincetheydespiseit,Godgivesthemuptobelievelies(2Thessalonians2:11).Andtake heed, practicewhatwe know and lovewhatwe know, entertain itwithalovingaffection.

AlovingaffectionistheCasketofthisJewel.Ifweentertainitnotinlove,

it removes fromus its stationandbeinggone,Godwill removeus intodarkness.

Make our studies and closets oratories for the getting ofknowledge

And remember it is God that takes away the veil of ignorance andunbelief. And therefore make this use of it, to make our studies andclosets oratories, not to come to Divine Truths to out-wrestle theexcellencyof themwithourownwits, but topray toGod, as youhave.Openmineeyes,andrevealthytruth(Psalm119:18).AndSt.PaulpraysfortheSpiritofRevelation(Ephesians1:17).AndsodesireGodtorevealand take away the veil from us that hewill openDivine Truths to oursouls;thatsincehehaththeKeyofDavidthatopensandnomanshuts,thathewouldopenourunderstandingstoconceivethingsandourheartstobelieve.

Wecanshutbutnotopenourheartstodivinetruths

Hehaththeonlykeyofthesoul,wecanshutoursouls,butcannotopenthemagain.SowecanshutourheartstoDivineTruths;wecannaturallydothis,butopenthemwithoutthehelpoftheSpiritwecannot.Hecanopenourunderstandings,ashedidtheDisciples.Hecanopenourheartstobelieve,hecandoitandwilldoit.Ifweseekhim,hewillnotputbackthe humble desires of them that fear him. And therefore, for heavenlylight and heavenly revelation, all the teaching of themen of the worldcannotdo it. Ifweknownomore thanwe canhavebybooksandmenthatteachus,weshallnevercometoheaven;butwemusthaveGodteachthe heart, as well as the brain. He must teach not only the truthsthemselves,astheybediscovered,buttheloveofthem,thefaithinthem,thepracticeofthem,andheonlycandothis.Heonlycanteachtheheart,heonly candiscover thebentof theheart, andSatan'swiles that call acloudupontheunderstanding.TheSpiritonlycandoit,andthereforeinallourendeavours,labourtogetknowledge,andjoinholinessanddivinegrace,andpray toGodthathewouldreveal themysteryofsalvation tous.

Howshallweknowthatwehaveheavenlylight

But how shall we know whether we have this heavenly light andrevelationornot?Whethertheveilbeyetuponourheartsornot?Iwillnotbelonginthepoint.Wemayknowitbythis:TheApostlePetersaithtoexpressthevirtueofGod'spower,hehathcalledusoutofdarknesstohismarvelouslight(1Peter2:9).

Byamarvelingatthethingsoffaith,andthegoodnessofGodinrevealingthemtous

The soul that hath the veil taken from it, there is a marveling at thegoodness ofGod, awondering at the things of faith. And the soul seessuchapriceupondivinethingsthatallisdunganddrossincomparisonoftheexcellentknowledgeofJesusChrist.Whereforeisitthatthouwiltrevealthyselftous,andnotuntotheworldasadmiringthegoodnessofGod?Whatarewe?WhatamIthatGodshouldrevealthesethingstome,andnottotheworldthatmanyperishindarknessandshadowofdeath,though they hear of divine things; yet they teaching rebellion andunbelief,arenotmoldedtothemandsoperisheternally.ThereisasecretadmirationofthegoodnessofGodtothepoorsoul,andawondermentatspiritualthings.OhowsweetisthylawsaithDavid(Psalm119:103).Andteachme the wonders of thy law, and joy unspeakable and glorious (1Peter1:8),andpeacethatpassesunderstanding(Philippians4:7).

Bybeingcarriedwithdesiretoknowmoreandmore

These things be high to the soul; by the taste of what they have, theywonderatthatlittleandatthattheylookforandarecarriedwithdesirestill furtherandfurther,whichisafartherevidence.Theythathaveanyspiritualknowledge,theybecarriedtogrowmoreandmore,andtoenterfurtherandfurtherintotheKingdom.WherethereisnotadesirestilltilltheycometothefullmeasurethatistobehadinJesusChrist,thereisnoknowledge at all.Certainly a gracious soulwhenonce it sees, it desiresstilltofeelthepowerandvirtueofChristinit;asPaulcountedalldungincomparisonofthisknowledgetoknowmyselfinChrist(Philippians3:8),

and feel the power of his death in dying to sin, and virtue of hisresurrectioninraisinghimtonewnessoflife.ItwasSaintPaul'sstudytowalkstilltothehighpriceofGod'scalling,andwherethatisnot,nograceisbegun.

When the veil is taken off by sanctificationmeans,whichwecanjustifybyourownexperienceofthem

And again, where divine light is and the veil taken away, it is thesanctifiedmeansforGodworksbyhisowninstrumentsandmeansandtheybeable to justifyall coursesofwisdom.Wisdom is justifiedofherchildren(Matthew11:19).ByexperiencetheybeabletosaytheWordisthe Word; I have found it casting me down, and raising, me up, andsearchingthehiddencornersofmyheart.IhavefoundGod'sOrdinancespowerful, the Word and Sacrament. I have found my hope, faith,strength, and spiritual comfort, and therefore I can justify them. For Ihave found, tasted,andrelishedof thesethings;whichworksthatuponthe soulwhichChristdidon thebody. I findmineeyes, I findmydeafearsopened.Icanhearwithanotherrelishthanbefore.Ifindalifeandquickeningtogoodthings,thoughitbeweak,Ihadnolifeatalltothembefore.IfindarelishwhichIknewnotbefore;sothattherebespiritualsenseswherebyIamabletojustifythatthesethingsbethethingsofGod.Sothattheythathavedivinetruths,canjustifyalltheordinancesofGod,bytheirownexperience.AsPeteransweredwhenChristaskedhim,willyoubealsogone?Begone,saidPeter,whethershouldwego, thouhastthewordsofeternallife(John6:67-68).

Ihavefoundthywordsefficacioustocomfortandstrengthen,andraise,andshallIdepartfromthee,whohastthewordsofeternal life?Andsotakea soul that theSpiritofGodhathwroughtupon,askwhether theywillbecarelessofmeansofsalvation,nottopray,orhear,orreceivetheSacrament;bythesehaveIeternallifeconveyed.Godhathletinbythese,comfort and strengthand joy, and shall I leave these things?No, Iwillnot;whethershallIgo,thouhastthewordsofeternallife?Areweabletojustify these things by the sweetness we have found in them? ThencertainlyGodhathshineduponthesoul,andtogetherwithstrengthandlightconveyedsweetnesstothesoul.

Whenourknowledgeworkethuponus

A godly man sees things with life, his sight works upon him; it is atransforming sight, as theApostle saith,weall behold thegloryofGodandarechanged(2Corinthians3:18).SightoflightandlifegoestogetherwithaChristian;asChristsaith,heisthelightoftheworld(John8:12),and the lifeof theworld.First light, for life comeswith light, and lightconveyslife.Allgraceisdroppedintothewillthroughtheunderstanding;and wheresoever Christ is life, he is light because true knowledge is atransforming knowledge. But if religion be not known to purpose, ithardensandmakeswork.

ApplicationofthistotheSacrament

We are now by God's good providence come to farther business, topartakeofthesemysteries;yetitshouldbethedesireofoursoulsthatoureyesmaybeopened,thatinthesedivineandpreciousmysterieshewoulddiscoverhidden love,which isnot seenwith theeyesof thebody.Theymayseeandtaste,andrelishhisloveandgoodnessinJesusChrist;thatas theoutwardman is refreshedwith the elements, so the inwardmanmayberefreshedwithhisSpiritthattheymaybeeffectualtous;thatwemayjustifythecourseGodtakessofar,astocomecharitablyandjoyfullytothem.

TheFourthSermon—Isaiah25:7-8

I will destroy in this Mountain the face of the covering cast over allpeople, and the veil that is spreadover allNations.Hewill swallowupdeathinvictory…

WehaveheretoforeatlargespokenofthespiritualandeternalfavorsofGod,letoutintheformerverse,InthisMountainwilltheLORDofHosts

makeaFeastoffatthings.Whileoursoulisinthebodyitismuchguidedby our fancy, spiritual things are therefore presented by outward andconveyedtothesoulthatway.Onlywemustrememberthatthereisafargreaterexcellencyinthethingsthemselves,thanintheirrepresentation,forwhatisallbanquets,fatnesswithmarrow,wineonthelees,tothejoyandsweetnessof religionbegunhereandaccomplished in theworld tocome.

InChristthereisnothingbutallmarrow,andsweetnessinreligionthatmayrefreshamaninthelowestcondition,ifhecanbuthaveatasteofit.

NowbecausethespiritualthingsofChristdousnogood,aslongastheyarehid,thereforetheHolyGhostsetsdownapromiseThatGodwilltakeawaythecoveringcastonallpeople,andtheveilspreadoverallnations(Isaiah25:7).

Buttherebesomethingsthatwilldampenallmirth.Nowhereissecurityagainstthemthatourjoymaybecompleteandthis inthenextversetowhichInowcome.Hewillswallowupdeathinvictory,hewillwipeawaytears fromall faces(Isaiah25:8).TheProphethavingspokenofagreatFeastbefore,anexcellentFeast,setsforthheretheservicesofthatFeast,whatisitthataccompaniesit.

FirstofallthereshallbelighttodiscovertheexcellencyoftheFeast, the veil is taken away and a knowledge given to knowdivinethingsinaspiritualmanner.

Then(whichwilldampallfeasts)thefearofdeathistakenaway;Hewillswallowupdeath invictory, andwipeawayall tears, that is all sorrow,theeffect isput for thecause.This isanexcellentpromise,anexcellentservice in this spiritual banquet. Suppose a man were set at a Feastfurnishedwithalldelicates,royaltyattended,clothessuitableandhadasword hung over his head ready to fall upon him, it would call such adamp on his spirit, as would spoil the joy of this Feast. So to hear ofspiritual excellencies and yet death, and hell, and damnation comingalong,alaswhereisthecomfortyouspeakof?AndthereforetomaketheFeastmoreperfect,thereisnotonlylightandknowledge,butremovalof

itwhatevermaydamptheFeast.Sothismustneedscomeintocomfortall the rest;He shall swallow up death in victory, andwipe away tearsfromallfaces.Deathishererepresentedtousunderthewordvictory,asacombatant,asonethatwearetofightwithall,aCaptain.

And then here is the victory of him, Christ overcomes him, andovercomeshimgloriously.It isnotonlyaconquest,butaswallowingofhim up. Usually God uses all sorts of enemies in their own kind. Hecauses them that spoil, to be spoiled; them that swallow up, to beswallowedup.SoDeath,thegreatswallower,shallbeswallowedup.

Deathisthegreatkingofkings;Deathsparesnone

Beloved,Deathisthegreatkingofkings,andtheemperorofemperors,the great captain, and ruling king of the world. For no king hath suchdominionasDeathhath; it spreads its government andvictoryover allnations.Heisequal,thoughatyrant.Asatyrantsparesnone,heisequalinthis,hesubduesyoungandold,poorandrich.Helevelssceptersandspadestogether,helevelsall.Thereisnodifferencebetweenthedustofan emperor and themeanestman, he is a tyrant that governs over all.Andsothereisthisequityinhim,hesparesnone.

Deathhathcontinuedfromthebeginning,letinbysin

Hehathcontinuedfromthebeginningoftheworldtothistime;butheisa Tyrant brought in by ourselves (Romans 5:12). Sin let in Death, itopenedthedoor;deathisnocreatureofGod'smaking.Satanbroughtinsin and sin brought in death; so that we be accessory ourselves to thepowerfulstrokeofthisprevailingTyrant.Andthereforesiniscalledthecauseofdeath.

Sinarmsdeath;Helltheattendantofdeath

Sinbroughtindeathandarmsdeath;theweaponthatdeathfightswithandcausesgreatterror,itissin.ThecauseisarmedwiththepowerofthewrathofGodforsin,thefearofhellanddamnation;sothatwrath,andhell, and damnation, arming sin, it brings a sting of itself and outs a

venom intodeath.All cares, and fears, andsorrows,andsicknessesarelessandpettydeaths,harbingerstodeathitself.Buttheattendantsthatfollow this great king areworst of all, as (Revelation6:8) I saw, a palehorse,anddeathuponit,andafterhimcomeshell.Whatweredeath,ifitwere not for the Pit and Dungeon that follows it? So that death isattendedwithhell,andhellwitheternity.Thereforehereisastrangekindofpreveiling.Thereisnovictorywherethereisnoenemy,andthereforedeathmustneeds be an enemy, yea it is theworst enemy, and the lastenemy.Deathisnotplantedintheforbornehope,butitisplantedatlastfor the greatest advantage, and is a great enemy.What doth death? Itdeprivesusofallcomfort,pleasure,communionwithoneanotherinthislife,callings,orwhatsoeverelseiscomfortable.Thegraveisthehouseofoblivion. "Death is terribleof itself,even tonature,"asAugustinesaith,"whereitisnotswallowedupofChrist."Foritisanevilinitself,andasIsaid,armedwithastingofsinafterwhichfollowsHell.

Nowthisdeathisswallowedup.WhentheScriptureputsapersonupondeath, it is not uncomely for us to speak as the Scripture doth. TheScriptureputs apersonupondeath, andakindof triumphingSpirit inGod'schildrenoverdeath.Odeathwhere is thysting,Ogravewhere isthyvictory?(1Corinthians15:55).

DeathisthegreatestswallowerandyetitisswallowedupbyChrist;deathhathswallowedupall,andwhenithathswallowedup,itkeepsthem.Itkeeps the dust of kings, subjects great and small, to the general day ofjudgment,whendeathshallbeswallowedupofitself.Itisthereforeofthenature of those that Solomon speaks of that cry, give, give, and yet isnever satisfied (Proverbs 30:15), like the grave; yet this death isswallowedupinvictory.

Christ swallows up death in victory for himself and his;becausehehathsatisfiedforsin

Buthowcomethdeathtobeswallowedup?Christwillswallowupdeathinvictory,forhimselfandhis.Firstofall,becausesinbroughtindeath,ourSaviourChristbecamesin,a sacrifice tohisFather's justice for sin.Hewasmadesinforus(2Corinthians5:21),hewasmadeacurseforus,

to take away the cursedue tous.And sinbeing takenaway,whathathdeathtodowithus,andhell,anddamnation, theattendantsondeath?Nothingatall.Therefore (Colossians2:13-14)upon thecrossChristdidnail the law, and sin and the devil; there he reigned over principalitiesandpowers,whichwerebutexecutionersletloosebyreasonofoursins.AndGodbeingsatisfiedforsin,thedevilhathnothingtodowithus,butto exercise us, except it be for our good. So that he hath swallowedupdeathbecausebyhisdeathhehath takenawaysinandso thepowerofSatan, whose power is by sin. And therefore it is excellently set down(Hebrews2:14).Healsotookpartoffleshandblood,thatthroughdeathhemightdestroyhimthathadthepowerofdeath, that is, thedevil.SoChristbydeathoverthrewSatan,thathadthepowerofdeath;becausebydeathhetookawaysin,thesinsofall,andbareoursinsuponthecross,andwasmadesinforusthatknewnosin(2Corinthians5:21).Heisours,if we believe; for then Christ is given to a particular man when hebelieves.Beloved,Christuponthecrossdidtriumphoverallourspiritualenemies,sinanddeath,andall.Itwasakingdomofpatience.

AdoublekingdomofChrist;Akingdomofpatience,Akingdomofpower

You know there is a double kingdom of Christ; a kingdom of patience,andakingdomofpower.Christonthecrosssufferingpunishmentduetosin overcame the law, and the devil, and sin which is the kingdom ofpatience;thekingdomofpowerhehathinheaven.IfChristweresoableinhiskingdomofpatiencetoconquerourgreatestenemies,whatwillhedo in his kingdomof power?As Paul reasons (Romans 5:10), If by hisdeathwearesaved,muchmorenowhetriumphsinheaven,andappearsforus,isheabletoconveygreatermatterstous.

Christconquersforusandinus

If Christ in the days of his flesh did conquer, how glorious will hisconquestbeatthedayofjudgment.NowChristhathconqueredallinhisownpersonasourhead,thenhewillconquerforusinhismysticalbody;what is now done in his person, shall be done in hismembers. In themeantime, faith is our victory, his conquest over death our victory, his

victory over all our spiritual enemies is our victory. Everyone thatbelieves is a conqueror of death, though he die, because he sees itconquered in Christ his head, and as it is truly conquered in him, soChristwillconqueritinallhismembers.

ForasChristinhisnaturalbodyisgonetoheaventheretoappearinourbehalf, so shall mystical Christ be wholly in glory. He will not leave afinger, we shall all triumph over all our spiritual enemies; as Christ'snaturalbodyisgloriousinheaven,asourhead,soshallalsohismysticalbodybe.

Yousee thenhowdeath is swallowedupbyChristasoursurety,as thesecondAdamuponthecross;andtrulyswallowedupinhim.Andbyfaiththisvictoryisours,andtimewillcomewheninourownpersonsitshallbeswallowedupinvictory.

Thismightbeenlarged,butIhastetomakeuseofit.

Deathwas conqueredbyChristwhenhehad givenway to beunderthepowerofit

Mark I beseech you how death is swallowed up by Christ in his ownpersonforourgood,hegaveagreatwaytodeath,fordeathseizedonhimupon thecross,deathseverssoul frombody,deathhadhim inhisowncabinet, his grave for three days.Nay this greatKing and tyrant death,hadagreatconquestoverChristhimself.Butherewas thegloryof thisvictory:whendeaththisgreatconqueroroftheworldhadChristuponthecross,andinhisowndominioninthegrave,whereherulesandreigns,consumingandswallowingupall,deathwasfaintogiveupall,andSatanthought tohavehadagreatmorselwhenhedevouredChrist.But therewasahookinhisdivinepowerthatcatchedhim,thatwhenhethoughttohave swallowed up Christ, he was swallowed up himself, his head wasthenbroken.HeneverhadsuchablowasbyChristonthecross,whenhewas overcome being a scorn of theworld visibly, yet invisibly inGod'sacceptationofthatsacrifice,andinaspiritoffaith.ChristtriumphsoverSatan,deathwassubduedeveninhisownkingdomandthatmakesthevictorygreat.

Deathby seizingonChristwithout right,Christhath freedus from theevil of death when it had right to as Death hath lost all its right byfatteningonChrist,andsoisbecomeasadronewithoutasting.SothegreatswallowerofallisswallowedupitselfatlastbyChrist.

FirstweseeGodgiveswaytohisenemies fora timewhenhewillgivegloriousvictory

Nowforcomfortableuseof it.First, letusconsiderthatGodoftentimesgivesagreatdealofwaytohisgreatestenemies.Godusesastratagemofretiring.He seems to retire and give liberty to his enemies, but it is totriumphandtrampleuponthemwithgreatershame,hewilltreadthemto dust afterward. Christ gave death a great deal of liberty, he wascrucifiedandtormented,thenhadtothegrave,andtherehelay.Andthiswas to raise a greater triumphover this great prevailer, over theworldanddeathitself.

ItiscontinuedsointheChurch.DothnothegivewaytotheenemiesoftheChurch,theymaycometosay,"Ahah,ahah,sowouldwehaveit.NowthepoorchildrenofGodarewherewewouldhavethem;butthencomessuddendestruction"(1Thessalonians5:3).Godtomakehisvictorymoregloriousandmoretodiscovertheircruelty,comesuponthemwhentheybe in the top of pleasure and the Church in the bottom of abasement;thenGodswallowsupallinvictory,asChristdiddeathwhenitseemedtohavebeenitselfvictorious.

Thisisaverycomfortableconsideration,forifdeathbeovercomewhenitseemedtoovercomeChrist,whatneedwefearanyotherenemy?Christhathbrokenthenetasaneagleorgreatbird,andtherestescapebyhim.

Deathisalreadyswalloweduptofaith

Youmayenlargethisinyourownmeditations:hewillswallowupdeathinvictory.Thisissaidforthetimetocome,hewillswallowupdeath;butPaulsaithitisalsopast,andswallowedupalready.Faithsaithitisdone,andsoitisinourhead.WereitnotcomfortablenowtoalltrueheartedChristians, to hear that the Church fares better, and that the enemies

wereswallowedup,fortheybebuttheinstrumentsofthisinferiordeath.Letusget theSpirit of faithand see themall conquered, certainly theyshallhavetheworstatlast.Hethathathswallowedupdeathinvictory,willswallowupallthatbethecauseofdeath.AndthereforetheScripturespeaksofthesethingsaspast,Babylonis fallen,asamillstonecast intothebottomoftheSea(Revelation18:21).

Getaspiritof faithandweshallneverbemuchtroubledwithBabylon;foralltheenemiesofChrist,andadherentstothatmanofsinmustdown,andpartakeofthejudgmentthreatenedintheRevelations.Heavenhathconcludedit,andallthepolicyofRomeandhellcannotdisannulit.Theybealreadyswalloweduptofaith,andChristwillruletillhehathputthemallunderhis feet;which shallbedonenotonly todestroy them,but toraisehimselfhigher,ingivingthemuptotheirconfusion.

LabourtobeonewithChristcrucified

Again, ifdeathbeswallowedup invictory, labour tobeonewithChristcrucified for union with him, begin with union with Christ. The firstunioniswithChristabased,andthenwithChristglorified.Andthereforelabourtoseesinthatbroughtindeath,subduedbythepowerofChrist'sdeath in some measure, and then we shall have comfort in his deathglorified.For inmyholymountdeath is swallowedup, that is, the trueChurchofChrist.Labour tobemembersofChrist,otherwisedeathwillcomeasa tyrant indeed,armedwitha terriblesting, inhis full force toassailyou.ItisthemostterriblethingtoseedeathcomearmedwiththewrathandangerofGod,andattendedwithhellanddamnation.Labourtherefore to be onewith Christ crucified, to get our sins crucified, andourselvespartakersofhisdeath;andthennodamnation,nofearofdeathtothemthatareinChrist.Theymaydie,buttheyarefreedfrometernaldeathandtheyshallriseagainevenasChrist'sbodyrosetoglory.

GetthereforeintoChristanddesirethepowerofhisdeathsubduingsin.In what measure we grow in that, we grow in boldness and joy, andwhatsoeverprivilegesfollowChrist.

BethankfultoGodforthisvictoryinChrist

Again,whenwebeinChristtruemembersofhim,thenletusbethankfultoGodforthisvictory,thankfultoJesusChristthathathgivenusvictory.Whenwethinkofdeath,ofsin,ofjudgment,ofhell,ofdamnation,letusbeframedasaChristianshould.

Nowlethim(thathaththemostterribleandfearfulthingsintheworldasconquered enemies) say, "O blessed be God for Christ, and blessed beChrist fordying forus,andbydeathdisarming,deathofhis sting; thatnowwecanthinkofitinourjudgmentsquietly.Nowwecanthinkofalltheseasconqueredenemies."ThisisthefruitofChrist'sdeath,theyarenotonlyenemies,butfriendsinChrist.Sintheremainderofit,theguiltof it that binds over to damnation is taken away, the remainders of itserve to humble us, make us feel the power of pardon, and to desireanotherworldwhereweshallbeallspiritual,sothatdeathisapartofourjointure.

ThebenefitsofdeathtoapersonthatisinChrist

All things are yours, life and death; death doth us many excellentservices. It is a door and passage to life. Death is the death of itself,destroys itself.Wenever truly live tillwedie, andwhenwedie,wearepastfearofdeath.Sothatsindies,miserydies,deathdies;thoughittakesusfromcomfortsandemployments,andfriendshere,yetitisachangetoabetterplace,andbettercompany,andbetteremployments,andbettercondition,tobeinagloriousconditiontoeternity.Andthereforewehavecause to bless God in Christ that took our nature, and in our naturedisarmed our greatest enemy, sin and so disarmed death, and freed usfrom the wrath of God, and hell and damnation. O, we can never bethankfulenoughforthis.

LetthosethatareinChristbeashamedofthefearofdeath

Again,ifdeathbeswallowedupinvictory,letusbeashamedofthefearofdeathbecauseChristsaithhewillswallowhimup,ashehathalreadyinhisownperson.Shallwebeafraidofanenemythat isswallowedup inourhead,andshallbeswallowedupineveryoneofus?Ifwecherishfear,weshowwe looknot foran interest inthispromise; for it isapromise,

that in this holymountain death shall be swallowed up in victory, andwhyshouldwefearaconqueredenemy,nonewill fearanenemythatisconquered.

ButhowcameChristtofeardeath,andwenottofear?

Answer:Christhadtodealwithdeatharmedwitha terrible thing,withsinandthewrathofGodforsinandthereforewhenhewastodie,Fatherletthiscuppassfromme(Matthew26:39).Butdeathisdisarmedtous;He had to encounter sin and the wrath of God, and death in all itsstrength. But we are not so, we are to deal with death like the brazenSerpentthathaththeshapeofdeath,butnostingatall.IthasbecomeadroneeversinceitlostitsstinginChrist.Lifetookdeaththatdeathmighttake life (2Corinthians4:11-12)ashesaid.Themeaning is,Christ's lifeitselftookdeaththatwethatweresosubjecttodeath,thatweweredeathitselfmighttakelife.Oblessedconsideration,nothingcomparabletotheconsiderationofthedeathofChrist,itisthedeathofdeaths.

Andthenagainwearesureofvictory, it isconquered inourHead,andshallbeinus.Butyousaywearetoconflictwiththepangsofdeath,andmanytroublesmeetindeath.Itistrue,butitisconqueredtofaithandinChrist our Head, we must fight. Christ trains us to overcome deathourselves by faith and then we are sure of victory. Join these twotogether, it is conquered inChristourHead, and shallbe conqueredofus;deathkeepsourdustandmustgivethemallagain.

Butinthemeantimewedie.

Answer: 'Tis so, but we are sure of victory. He will protect us in ourcombatthathathconqueredforus.Wefightagainstdeathandtheterrorofit,inthestrengthandfaithofhisvictory;jointhesethreetogether.

He that hath been our Saviour in life, will be so to death and notexclusively,thentoleaveusbuttodeath,andindeathforever,yeamostreadytohelpusinourfastconflict.

Deathisterribletothewicked

Indeed to wickedmen death is terrible, for he sends the devil to fetchthemoutof theworld;but for these thatbehis,he sendshis angels tofetchthemandhehelpsthemintheircombat.Wemustnotthereforefearovermuch. There is a natural fear of death, deathwrought uponChristhimselfGod-man;notonlydeath,butsuchadeath,hewastobe leftofhisFatherandlieunderthesenseofthewrathofGod.Theseparationofthatsoulfromthebodyhetookuponhimwasterrible;andthereforehesaith, If itbepossible let this cuppass fromme (Matthew26:39).Thatwasnatureandwithoutithehadnotbeentrueman.ButthatIsay,isthatgracemay be above nature.Death is a time of darkness, it strips us ofearthlycomforts,friends,callings,employments;butthencomestheeyeoffaithtolayholdonthevictoryofChrist intimetocome,whendeathshallbeonlyswallowedupinvictory,andthenthegloriousstatetocome,to which death brings us, so that here faith must be above sense andgraceabovenature.AndthereforeIbeseechyouletuslabourforit.

TherebetwosortsofmentowhomIwouldspeakalittle.

Theyare fools that inacarnalbraverycondemndeathbeforedisarmedinChrist

First, those that in akindofbravery seem to slightdeath;menofbasespiritsaswecallthem,fools,vain-gloriousspirits,emptyspirits.IsthereanycreatureunlessinChrist,ablegroundedlytoslightsogreatanenemyas death, armed with a sting of sin and attended with hell anddamnation?TheRomishanddevilishspiritsareterrible;butifthysinsbenotpardoned,itisthemostterriblethingintheworldtodie,forthereisa gulf afterwards.What shallwe say thenof single combatants that forvain-gloryareprodigaloftheirlives,thatforafoulword,alittledisgrace,willventureonthisenemythatisarmedwithsinandiftheydie,theydieinsin.Andwhich is themiserableconditionofhimthatdies insin,hisdeath opens the gate to another death which is eternal. They say theyhaverepented,butthereisnorepentanceofasintobecommitted.Canstthourepentofasinbeforeitbecommitted?ThatisbutamockeryofGod.AndwhatsaiththeScripture?Isitnotthemostterriblejudgmentunderheaventodieinoursins?Amanthatdiesinsindiesinhell,hegoesfromdeathtohellandthateternal.

Iwonderthereforethatthewisdomoffleshandbloodshouldtakeawaymen'swit, and faith,andgrace,andall, somuchas to slightdeathandrepentance,asifitweresoeasy.Nowbeloved,deathisaterriblething,ithathastingandthoushaltknowitifthouhastnotgracetofeelthestingofitwhilstthoulivest.

Whenthoudiestthestingwillrevive,thenthyconscienceshallawakeinhell.Drunkennessandjollitytakesawaysenseofsin,butsinwillreviveandconsciencewillrevive.Godhathnotputitintousfornaught.Deathis terrible, if not disarmed beforehand. And if thou go about to diewithoutdisarmingitbefore,itwillnotbeout-faced.Itisnotanenemytobescornedandslighted.AndthereforebeChristiansingoodearnest,elseleave profession and perish eternally. For we must all die and it is agreater matter than we take it. But if we be true Christians, it is thesweetest thing in the world, an end of all misery, a beginning of truehappiness,aninlettowhatsoeveriscomfortable.BlessedaretheythatareintheLordbyfaith,andthemthatdieintheLord,theirdeathisbetterthanthedayoflife.Ourbirthdaybringsusintomisery,andthereforeletme speak to trueChristians andbid thembe ashamedof fearingdeathtoomuch,whichofanenemyisbecomeareconciledfriend.

Of consolation to those that are in Christ; death is not onlysubdued,butmadeafriend

Thismay in the next place yield great consolation to those that are inChrist Jesus, that death by Christ is swallowed up in victory; and therather because the Holy Ghost means more than a bare victory overdeath.Deathisnotonlysubdued,butismadeafriendtous.AsinPsalm110 it is said his enemies shall be his footstool (Psalm 110:1). Now afootstoolisnotonlytrampledupon,butahelptorise.Andsodeathisnotonlysubdued,butitadvancesGod'schildren,andraisesthemhigher.Itisnotonlyanenemy,butareconciledfriend,forhedoththatwhichnofriendintheworldcando.Itendsallourmiseryandistheinletintoallhappiness for eternity. And whatsoever it strips us of here, it gives usadvantage of better in another world. It cuts off our pleasures, andprofits,andcompany,andcallingshere;butwhat is that toourblessedchange afterward, to our praising of God forever, to the company of

blessedsouls,andtheprofits,andpleasuresattherighthandofGodforevermore? And therefore it is not only conquered, but to show theexcellencyofhispower,hehathmade it a friendof an enemy, and thebestfriendintheworld.Itindeedseparatessoulfrombody,butit joinsthesoultoChrist;sothattheconjunctionwehavebyitisbetterthantheseparation,iftheconjunctionmakesuspartakeofourdesire.Idesiretobe dissolved, saith St. Paul, but that is not well translated. I desire todepart, and to bewithChrist,which is best of all (Philippians 1:23) sothatit isnotonly,notanenemybutafriend.AndthereforetheApostlemakesitourjointure,partofourportion,allthingsareyours.Why?YouareChrist'sandChristisGod's.Whatareours?thingspresent,thingstocome,life,death.Andwellmaydeathbeoursbecausesinisourenemy,thatremainder that iskept inournature toexerciseusandhumbleus,andfitusforgrace.

Itisprofitableforsometofall

AsAugustinesaith,"Idarebeboldtosay,itisprofitableforsometofall,tomake themmore careful andwatchful, and to prizemercymore, sothatnotonlydeath,butsinandthedevilhimselfisours;forhisplotsarefor our good.Godover-shoots him inhis ownbow."Hewill give themovertoSatan,saiththeApostle,thattheymaylearnnottoblaspheme;yetthoughtheyhaveaspiritofblasphemybythehumblingoftheirbodies,theybe taughtnot toblaspheme,so thatnotonlydeathbutsin,andhethatbroughtsinintotheworld,thedevil,arebecomeourfriends.

Satanhathadvantagebyourfearingdeath

Thisbeingso,itmaybeforspecialcomfortthatwenotfeartheKingofFears.Thedevilhathgreatadvantagebythisaffectionoffear,whenitislet upon this object death. Overcome death, and all troubles areovercome;whowillfearanythingthathathgivenuphimselftoGod?Skinforskinandallthatamanhathwillhegiveforhislife.Thedevilknowsthatwellenough;Thereforefearnot,saithChrist,themthatcankillthebody (Matthew 10:28). Fear causes snares, saith Solomon, snares ofconscience.Butifamanhathovercomethefearofdeathonce,whatmoreistobedone?Whatiftheytakeawaylife,theycannottakeawaythatthat

isbetter than life, the favorofGod. Ifwedie in theLord,wedie in thefavorofGod,whichisbetterthanlife;andweshallbefoundintheLordatthedayofjudgment,andshallbeforeverwiththeLordinheaven.Andtherefore this isagroundof resolution ingoodcauses,notwithstandingallthreatswhatsoeverbecausedeathitselfisswallowedupinvictory.

Theworsttheworldcandoistotakeawaylife,andinthattheydothegodlyapleasure

Theworsttheworldcandoistotakeawaythisnatureofours,whentheyhave done that they have done all they can; andwhen they have donethat, they have done a pleasure. "That is not to be feared," saithTertullian, "that frees us from all that is to be feared." What is to befearedintheworld?--everysickness,everydisgrace.Why,deathfreesusfromall.Wedoseeeverydaytakesawayapieceofone'slife,andwhendeathcomesitoverthrowsitself;forthesoulgoespresentlytotheplaceofhappiness,thebodysleepsawhileanddeathhathnomorepower.

He, thatbelieves inme, saithChrist,he shallnot seedeath,but ispastfromdeathtolife(John11:26).Heshallnotseespiritualdeath;butashelives inChrist, shalldie inChristandriseagain inChrist.He thathaththe life of grace begun, shall have it consummatewithout interruption.It'sapointofwonderfulcomfortthatdeathissoovercomethatwebeinheaven already. And it is no hard speech, but standswith the truth ofotherpoints; forarenotChristandweallone.Hisbody is thereand isnothetheHeadofhismysticalbody?Hethatcarriedhisnaturalbody,willnothecarryhismysticalbodythithertoo?Willhebeinpiece-mealinheaven?Thereforeweare inheavenalready thebestpartofus.Wearerepresentedinheaven,forChristrepresentsusthereasthehusbanddoththewife.Hehathtakenupheavenforus.

Christwilldrawhismysticalbodytohimintoheaven

"Christcannotbedivided,"asAugustinesaith;wesit inheavenlyplacesalreadywithChrist.Andwhatacomfortisthis,thatwhileweliveweareinheaven,andthatdeathcannothinderusfromourresurrection,whichistherestoringofallthings.Andtherefore,astheApostlesaith,Comfort

oneanotherwiththesethings(1Thessalonians4:18).Thesethingsindeedhavemuchcomfortinthem.

OurcomfortbyChristshouldmakeusfruitfultoChrist

Letus labour then tobecomfortable, (thisuse theApostlemakesof it)and fruitful inourplaces,uponconsiderationof thevictorywehavebyChrist,(1Corinthians15:57).ItisanexcellentchapterthatlargelyprovesChrist'svictory,asthecauseofourvictorybecauseheisthefirstfruitthatsanctifies all the rest. Finally my bretheren be constant, immoveable,always abound in theworkofLord, knowing that your labour isnot invainintheLord(1Corinthians15:58).Heraisesthatexhortationoffruitfullnessandconstancy, fromthisverygroundof thevictoryChristhathgotten by death: O Death where is thy Sting? O Grave where is thyVictory? (1 Corinthians 15:55) Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ.Andthereforebeconstant,immovable,alwaysaboundingintheworkofthe Lord, knowing that your labour shall not be in vain in the Lord (1Corinthians15:58).MakethatusetheApostledoesoffruitfulnesstoGodforChrist,thatwecanthinkofdeathandsin,thedevilandallhismalice,andnotbeafraid.Yeathinkofthemallwithcomfort,thatwebenotonlyfreedfromtheirtyranny,buttheybeourfriends.

Christhaththekeyofhellanddeath,asayingtakenfromthecustomofGovernorsthatcarriedthekey.Hehaththegovernmentandcommandofhellanddeath.NowifChristhathcommandofdeath,hewillnotsufferdeath to hurt hismembers, or triumph always over them, hewill keeptheminthegrave.Ourbodiesaresafeinthegrave,thedustisfittedforaheavenly,foranothermannerofbodythanwehavenow,andChristthathath thekeywill let themoutagain.Therefore trustawhile till timesofrestoringcome,andthenweshallhaveaglorioussoulandgloriousbody.AstheApostlesaith,Ibeseechyouthinkofthesethingsandgetcomfortagainsttheevilday(Philippians4:8).Andtothatend,besuretogetintoChristthatwemaybeinChrist,living,anddying,andbefoundinChrist.For what saith the Scripture, Blessed are they that die in the Lord(Revelation14:13).

ItsbettertodieintheLord,thanfortheLord

ItisanargumentofblessednesstodiefortheLord,butifitbenotintheLord, it is tonopurpose. If there isgranted thishappinessofdying fortheLord,it iswell;butblessedaretheythatdieintheLord.Why?theyrestfromtheirlabour.Deathtakesthemofffromtheirlabours,alltheirgoodworks go toheavenwith them.So saith theSpiritwhatsoever theflesh saith, and there is no resting till that time. Their life is full oftroublesandcombers,andthereforelabourtogetassurancethatwearein Christ, that we be in Christ and die in Christ and then, there is nocondemnationtothemthatareinChrist(Romans8:1).

PreparefordeathbygettingintoChrist

Howbesottedarewe toput awaypreparationofdeath till it comes;hethatforgetsChrist,andgettingintoChristallhislifetime,itisGod'sjustjudgmentthatheshouldforgethimselfindeath.Weseehowavillainthathathnocareofhisownlife,mayhavepowerofanotherman'slife.

AndthereforelabourtobeengraftedintoChristbyfaithandthatwemayknow it by the Spirit of Christ prevailing in us over our naturalcorruptions more and more. As the Apostle saith, There is nocondemnationtothemthatareinChrist;fortheSpiritoflife,theLawoftheSpiritoflifewhichisinChrist,hathfreedmefromthelawofsinanddeath,thecondemninglawofsin(Romans8:1-2).IfthelawoftheSpiritoflifewhichisinChristtheHeadbeinusinanymeasure,itfreesusfromthecondemninglawofsinthatitcarriesusnotwhitheritwould.Thenwemay say with comfort, There is no condemnation to them that are inChrist; for the lawof theSpirit of life inChrist,hath freedus from thecondemning,tyrannizinglawofsinanddeath.

Sinhathnolawinustoruleby

Sinhathnolaw.Itisinusasasubduedrebel,butitsetsnotupathrone.SomehopetobesavedbyChrist,andyettheysetupsinathroneinthesoul. Sin bids them defile themselves and they must obey it; this is awoefulestate,howcantheyexpecttodieintheLordbutsuchasarefreedbytheLawoftheSpiritoflife?Newlords,newlawswhenkingsconquer,they bring fundamental laws; and when we are taken from Satan's

kingdom into the Kingdom of Christ, the fundamental laws are thenaltered.ChristbyhisSpirit setsupa lawofbelieving,andpraying,anddoinggood,andabstainingfromevil;theLawoftheSpiritoflifefreesusfromthelawofsinanddeath(Romans8:2).

Ibeseechyou,enlargethesethings inyourthoughts.Theybethingswemust all have use of beforehand, against the evil day. It should becomfortable and useful to us all, to hear that our enemy, our greatestenemydeath,isswallowedupinvictory.Andyetthere'smorecomfortintheText.

TheFifthSermon—Isaiah25:8

Andalltearsshallbewipedawayfromallfaces.

Notonlydeathshallbeswallowedupinvictory,butGodwillwipeawayalltearsfromalleyes.Religionshallbereligion,goodthingsshallbegoodthings,nothingshallgounderfalsenotions,alltearsshallbewipedaway.Wehavenowmanycausesoftears.Intheworldthereiscontinualraisingof clouds that distill into drops of tears; hadwe nothingwithout us toraiseavapourtobedistilledintears,weareabletoraiseupmistsfromourownmists,fromourowndoubtsandconflictswithin.

Goodmenareeasytoweep

Asweshouldweepforourownsins,soforthesinsofothers;aswemayseeinJeremiah,wheretheProphetsaith,Othatmyheadwereafountainof tears, that I might weep continually for the sins of my people(Jeremiah9:1).And indeedgoodmenareeasy toweep, as theheathenmanobserveth, theyareeasy to lamentnotonly for theirownsins,butthesinsandmiseryofanother.

Our blessed Saviour himself, we never read that he laughed, we have

heardthatheweptandforhisveryenemies,OJerusalem,Jerusalem.Heshed tears for them that shed his blood. Tearsweremain evidences ofChrist's sweetness of disposition; as that he would becomeman and acurse,anddieforus.Andthathewouldmakesomuchoflittlechildrenandcallalltohimthatwerewearyandheavyladenthatheneverrefutedany that came to him. He that wept specially for the miseries andafflictions,thisshowedhisgraciousandsweetdisposition.

Christinheavennotwithoutcompassion

And that inheaven,he is so full of sympathies in glory thatwhenPaulpersecuted the Church,Why dost thou persecute me? (Acts 26:14). Sothoughheisfreefrompassioninheaven,heisnotfreefromcompassion,fromsympathywithhisChurch.AndsoeverychildofGodisready,notonlytogrieveforhisownsinsandthemiserythatfollowsthem,butthesins and miseries of others. Mine eyes gush out with rivers of tears(Psalm 119:136), saith theProphetDavid,whenhe saw thatmenbreakthelawofGod,whomheloved.

Atruenaturalchildtakestoheartthedisgraceofhisfather.Ifwebenotgrievedtoseeourfatherdisgraced,wearebastards,notsons.Theythatmakeasportofsinwhatare they?Alas, theyhavenotonesparkof theSpirit of adoption. They are not children, who rejoice at that at whichtheyshouldgrieve.

SoSaintPaul,Ihavetoldyouoften,andnowtellyouweeping,therebemany enemies of the cross of Christ (Philippians 3:18). When he sawsome men preach against and others enemies of the cross of Christ,whoseendisdamnation,hetellsthemofitweeping.

Wehavecausetoweepforthesinsofothers

We have cause therefore to mourn for the sins of others, and for themiseriesofothers;whetherwerespectGod,ortheChurch,orourselves.

FromourlovetoGod;FromlovetotheChurchandourbrethren

First,theloveofGodmovesustoweepwhenweseehimdishonored.Ifwe love the Church, we shouldmourn for any sins thatmay prejudicetheirsalvation.Dothitnotpityanymantoseeanoxgotoslaughter;tosee a man of parts otherwise by sinning against conscience going toslaughter; to see an ordinary swearer, an unclean person, a prophanewretchcoveringhimselfwithprideasagarment, scorningGodand theworld and all. Can a Christian look upon this, see flesh and blood likehimselfundertheGospel,underacursedconditionunavoidable,withoutseriousrepentance,andnotbeaffectedwithit?Canamanseeapoorassfallunderaburden,andnothelptotakeitup,andyetseemanfallingtohell andnot be affectedwith it? Thuswe seewehave cause enough oftears.Andasthereiscause,soweshouldbesensible;weoughttotaketoheart the afflictionsof Joseph.He is adeadman thathathnot sense inthiskind.Ifwegotothebodyandstateoranythingaboutaman,thereiscauseofgrief;hathnoteverymembermanydiseases?Andisnotourlivesakindofhospital,somesickofonething,someofanother?Butasthereiscauseweshouldbesensibleofit,wearefleshandnotstones;thereforeit isasottishopiniontobestockishandbrutish,as if tooutfacesorrowandgriefwereaglory.

Tocondemnstoicism

WhenourSaviourwassentintotheworld,Christidolor,dolormaximus,there were no patience without sensibleness; away then with that ironthat flinty philosophy, that thinks it a virtue to be stupid. And as theApostlesaith,(Romans1:31)withoutnaturalaffections.HecountsitthegreatestjudgmentofGoduponthesoul,yettheywouldhaveitavirtue.Why should I smite themanymore saithGod?Theyhaveno sense,nofeeling(Isaiah1:5).

Theproudphilosopherthoughtitwasnotphilisophicaltoweep;aproudstoicalhumor,butChristiansdesireit.

Thebestmenmostapttogrieve

Andthereforeweoughttolabourtobemoresensiblethatwemightmakeourpeace,andreverencethejusticeofGod,andbemoresensibleofhimafterwards.ItismosttruethatSapiensmiser,plusmiser;themorewiseanymanisthemoresensibleofmisery.Andthereforeofallmen,thebestmenhavemost grief because they havemost quick senses, they be notstupified with insensibility and resoluteness to bear it bravely as theworld;buttheyapprehendwithgrief,thecauseofgrief.Andastheyhaveamore sanctified judgment than othermen, so they have amorewiseaffectionoflove,andaquickerlifeofgrace.Wherelifeisthereissense;and where there is a clear sight or cause of grief, there is most grief.Thereforethebestmenhavemostgriefbecausetheybemost judicious,mostloving.

Then they have most grace to bear it out of all others; thereforeconsideringthereiscauseinourselvesandinothersofgriefcontinually,weoughttolabourtobesensibleofit,elseitwerenofavourtohavetearswipedaway.

Sothatthereiscauseoftears,andtearsisadutyofChristians,sensibleofthecausebothofsinandmisery,upononeandanother.

Itisgoodwedogrieve

Andasitisanunavoidablegrief,soitisgoodweshouldgrieve.WemuststooptoGod'scourse,wemustbringourheartstoitandpray(thatsinceournecessitiesandsinsdocallforthisdispensationthatwemustundercorrection,hewillmakeussensibleofhisrod)thathewouldmakegoodhisCovenantofgrace,totakeawayourstoneyhearts,andgiveusheartsofflesh(Ezekiel36:26)thatwemaybesensible.

Most of graces are founded upon affection, and all graces are butaffections sanctified. What would become of grace if we had not

affections?Thereforeas there is causeofgrief,and tears fromgrief,weoughttogrieve.Itisaconditionandaduty;aconditionfollowingmisery,andadutyfollowingourcondition.

Avoidwhathinderssensibleness

Takeheedof thatwhichhinderssensiblenessof troublesandjudgment,that is: hardness of heart, forgetfullness, studying to put away sorrowwithsin.Forweoughttobesensibleandoughttolabourtobesensible,toknowthemeaningofeverycrossinourselvesandothers.

But supposewe have crosses andwemust be sensible of them, then itfollows, God will wipe away all tears from our eyes (Isaiah 28:25). Istherenothingforthepresent,nogroundofcomfort?Yes.Asweoughttobe sensible of grief, sowe ought to be sensible ofmatter of joy for thepresent,speciallyifweconsiderthetimetocome.

ThelifeofaChristianisamixtureofjoyandsorrow

ThelifeofaChristianisastrangekindoflife,heoughttogrieveandheoughttojoy.Hehathoccasionofboth,andheoughttoentertainboth;forthat thatweought to aimat specially is joy.And ifwegrieve, it is thatafterwardswemight joy.Wemust be sensible of any affliction thatwemightjoyafterwards,andweoughttolabourforit.Forisnotthejoyofthe Lord, our strength? (Nehemiah 8:10). Are not we fit to do servicewhenourspiritsaremostenlarged?AndisitnotacredittoreligionwhenwewalkincomfortoftheHolyGhost?Isitnotascandal,whenwedroopunderthecross?Weoughttobesensible,yetnotsoastoforgetmatterofjoyandcomfort.

Weshouldpickmatterofcomfortoutofgrief

Andthereforeasweoughttogrieve,soweoughtwhenwehavegrieved,tokeepupthesoulwithconsiderationofjoyforthepresentasmuchaswecan,yea,topickoutmatterofcomfortfromtheverycross.ThatistheheartofaChristian,notonlytojoyinothermatters,buttopickcomfortoutofgrief.Godsuffersmetofallintothisorthatcondition,itisafruitof

hisfatherlylove.Hemightsuffermetorunthebroadway,tobegivenupto a reprobate sense and hard heart, but he doth not do so. Pick outmatterofcomfortfromgrief.

ThenconsiderthepresenceofGodinit;indeedIhavematterofgrief,butIfindGodmoderatingit.Itmightbefarworse, it ishismercyIamnotconsumed (Lamentations 3:22). I findGod by it doingme good; I findmyselfbetterbyit,Icannotwellbewithoutit.Whowouldnotlabourtobesensibleofacrosswhenhe looksup toGod'scross,and justice,andmercy;hehathrathercausetojoy,thantogrieveintheverycrossitself.

But speciallymarkwhat theHolyGhost saithhere,weoughtnot tobecastdownovermuchwithanycross,consideringGodwillwipeawayalltearsfromoureyes,thatisallnaturaltearsandthemiseriesofthislife.Thereshallbenomoremisery,nomoresickness,nomoretrouble.

And then all tears that arise from consideration of sin and miseryfollowing sin, death is the accomplishment of all mortification. It is acomfort that we shall not always lead this conflicting life, but the warbetweenthefleshandspiritwillbetakenup;thesensewillberemoved,weshallbeoutofSatan'sreach,andtheworld'sreachoneday,whichisagreatcomforttoconsider.

Allcausesofsorrowshallberemoved

Whatsoeverthecauseis,thecauseshallberemovederelong.Ifthecausebe desertion, for that God leaves us comfortless, we shall be foreverhereafterwiththeLord.Ifthecausebeseparationfromfriends,whyweshallallmeettogethererelong,andbeforeverinheaven.Ifthecausebeourownsins,weshallceasehereaftertooffendGod,andChristwillbeallin all (1 Corinthians 15:28). Now sin is almost all in all, sin andcorruptionbearagreatswayinus.Ifthematterofourgriefbethesinsofothers,andtheafflictionsofothers,thereisnosininheaven,nouncleanthingshallenterthere.Thesoulsofperfectmenarethereandallareofonemind.Thereisnooppositiontogoodness,thereallshallgooneway,there(howsoevertheycannotagreehere)allshallhavemutualsolaceandcontentmentinoneanother;theyinusandweinthem,andthatforever.

You cannot name them or imagine a cause of tears, but it shall beremovedthere.

Themoretearshere,themorejoyhereafter

Nay,themoretearswehaveshedhere,themorecomfortweshallhave.Asour troubles are increasedhere, our consolation shall increase.Thatwesufferhere, if foragoodcause,willworkoureternalandexceedingweight of glory (2Corinthians 4:17).We sayApril showers, bring forthMayflowers,itisacommonspeechfromexperienceofcommonlife.Itistrueinreligion,themoretearsweshedintheAprilofourlives,themoresweetcomfortweshallhavehereafter.Ifnotearsaretobeshedhere,noshowersaretobegatheredthere.Andthereforebesidesdeliverancefromtrouble,hereiscomfort,Godwilltakeawayallcauseofgriefandallkindsofgriefwhatsoever.

Andthereforethusthinkofit.

First shed tears and then have them wiped away; our ownnecessity

Thenext thing tobeconsidered is theorder.First,wemust shed tears,andthentheymustbewipedaway.Afterastorm,acalm;aftersowingintears, comes reaping in joy (Psalm 126:5). What is the reason of thatorder? The reason is our own necessity. We are in such a frame andconditionsincethefallthatwecannotbeputintoagoodframeofgracewithoutmuchpain.ThetruthsofGodmustcrossus,andafflictionsmustjoinwiththem.Forthesinscontractedbypleasuremustbedissolvedbypain.Repentancemustcostustears;wemaythankourselvesifwehavebrought ourselves to a sinful course. For the necessity of this order, adiseasedpersonmustnotbecuredtillhefeelsomesmartofthewounds.

Fortheincreaseofourcomfort

Again,consideritisforourincreaseofcomfortafterwardsthatGodwillhaveusshedtears;andthentohaveourtearswipedawaybecausewebemoresensibleofjoy,andcomfortaftersorrow.Wecannotbesensibleof

thejoysofheaven,unlessweseizethecontraryhere.Andthereforeofallmen,heavenwillbethemostheaventothemthathavehadtheirportionofcrossesandafflictionshere.First therefore shed tears,and then theymust be wiped away because joy is most sensible. As it is with thewickedest of all men, they be most miserable that have been happiestbecause their soul is enlarged by their happiness, to apprehend sorrowmorequickly and sensibly.So they thathavebeenmostmiserablehereshallhavemostjoyhereafter.

TakenoticeofthetendermercyofGodinthisthathewillwipeawaytears

NowforUse:HereisnotonlythemerciesofGodinChrist,butthetendermercythatwhereasourlifeisfulloftears,whichwehavebroughtuponourselves, yet God stoops so low as to wipe our eyes. Like a father ormother,hismercyisasweetandtendermercy.AndasthePsalmistsaith,Whenwearesickhemakesourbedsinoursickness(Psalm41:3).Christwill comeandserve them thatwatchandservehim;nayhewill attendthemandsupwiththem.Heisnotonlymercyandgoodness,buttherebeinhimbowelsofmercy.Henotonlygivesmatterofjoyandcomfort,buthewilldo likea tender-heartedmother,wipingawayall tears fromoureyes.WecannotapprehendthebowelsinGod'slove,thepityandmercyofGodtowardsthemthatbehis,andafflictedintheworld,speciallyinagoodcause.Thoughtheybeneversomany,iftheybepenitenttears,hewillwipethemallaway.

Judgenotbysight,forthegodlyheremournmost

And whereas we must shed tears here that we may be comfortedhereafter,takeheedthatwedonotinthislifejudgebysight,butbyfaith.If we live by sight, we are of allmenmost wretched. In the world thechildrenofGodaremostmiserable,andofthechildrenofGod,thebestsaints.Whohathmorecauseoftearsthanthebestsaints?Itisbutseedtime here; while seed time continues, there be tears. The husbandmanwhile it is seed timecannotdohisofficebutwith trouble.Theministercannotdohisoffice,butheisforcedtotaketoheartthesinsofthetimes,toseehisworkgobackward.Governorsoffamiliesandsuch,theycarry

their seed weeping; yea, the best men cannot do good sometimes, butthey do it with trouble in themselves, andwith conflict of corruptions.Thereisnogoodsownhere,butitissownintears;yettakenoscandalatthis,Godwillwipeawayalltears.

TheHeadoftheChurchourblessedSaviourandallhisgraciousApostles,whatalifedidtheylive?ThegloriousmartyrsthatsealedthetruthwiththeirbloodandthereforeastheApostlesaith,Ifourhappinesswerehereonly,wewereofallmenmostmiserable(1Corinthians15:19).Ifwejudgeby sight,we shall condemn the generation of the righteous.We live bysightwhenweseeanycastdownwithsightofsin,senseof temptation,distress of conscience, we think him forlorn. O take heed of that. Forthosethatshedtearshere,Godwillwipethemallaway.Woetothemthatlaughnow,fortheyshallmournhereafter(Luke6:25).Thoughweweephere, yetmatterof joyenoughshall springuphereafter.Afflictionswillyield a quiet fruit of righteousness to them that are exercised thereby,(Hebrews12:11).Wemaynotseetheirfruitspresently,butafterwards.

Benotdiscouragedforourownorthechurch'scausesofgrief

Andthereforebenotdiscouragedforanythingwecansufferhereorforthe Church, if we see her under pressure. As darkness is sown for thewicked,thefoundationoftheireternaltormentislaidintheirjoy.Sothegroundandfoundationofallagodlyman'sjoyislaidintears.Blessedarethey thatmourn, for theyshallbecomforted(Matthew5:4).Yet for thepresentthereismorematterofjoythangrief,ifwelookwithbotheyes,aswe ought to have double eyes; one to be sensible of our grief aswemust be, the other of our comfort, that wemay not be surprised withgrief.

Christianshavemorecauseofjoythangrief,andtheyoughttoeyeboth

Thereisasorrowtodeath,anovermuchsorrow(2Corinthians7:10).ItisunthankfullnesstoGodtoforgetourcomforts,asitisstupiditytoforgetour sorrow. Take us at the worst, have not wemore cause of joy thansorrow?Being justifiedby faith,wehavepeacewithGod(Romans5:1),

and rejoiceunderhopeof glory.Nayafterwards, saithhe,we rejoice intribulations: And why? upon what ground? Knowing that tribulationsbring experience, and experience hope, and hope makes not ashamed(Romans5:3-5).NowwerejoiceinGodreconciledinChrist.Sothatasweought to lookwithoneeyeupon thegrief, thatwemayhaveground toexercisegrace,whichwearenotcapableofwithout sensibleness; sowemustlooktogroundsofjoy.Ourlifeiswovenofmatterofsorrowandjoy,andasitiswovenofboth.Affectionsshouldbesensibleofboth,thattheymaybemoreapprehensiveofthegroundsofcomforts.

Thisiscomfortablewhileweliveandwhenwedie

Whenthedayofpersecutionapproaches,thiswillmakeuscomfortable,forourlifeisavalleyoftears;andshallnotwegothroughthisvalleyoftears to thismount where all tears shall be wiped away from all eyes?Whenwebedejectedwiththelossofanyfriend,theysayasChristsaidtothewoman,"weepnotforme"(Luke23:28).Theybehappyandalltearsarewipedawayfromtheireyes.Andthereforeasitismatterofcomfortwhilewelive,soagroundofcomfortwhenwedie.Forthereisoccasionofsorrowindeath,partingwithfriendsandcomfortsofthisworld,thentears are shed in more abundance, and then we bethink ourselves offormer sins, and there is renewing of repentance more than at othertimes. Yet then are we near the time of joy, and nearest theaccomplishmentofthepromisethatalltearsshallbewipedaway.

Acarnalmanisalljoyorallsorrow

AndsoyouhavethewholestateofaChristianlife,anafflictedcondition,but it is a comfortable condition. The more afflictions here, the morecomfort here, but specially hereafter. The life of a carnalman is all inmisery;ifhefallstojoy,heisalljoy,iftosorrow,heisallsorrow.Hehathnothingtosupporthim,heislikeaNabal,hesinkslikeapieceofleadtothebottomofthesea.LikeAhithopheldownhegoes;whenheisuponthemerrypin,heisnothingbutjoy.

The godly have a mixed condition and should have mixed

disposition

ButaChristian'sstateanddispositionarebothmixed,hehathgroundofsorrowforhisownsins,andforthesinsandmiseriesofthetimes.Sohehathmatterof comfort andmiseriesof the times.Sohehathmatterofcomfortforthepresent,inthefavourofGod,inthepardoningofsins,inthe presence of God, in delivering him from trouble. He hath specialgroundof joy inhopeof glory in time to come.Thereforeaswehaveamixedstate, labour foramixeddispositionand labour tobe ina joyfulframe,sotogrieve,asoutofittoraisematterofjoy.Andwhenwewouldjoy,grievebefore,forjoyissowningrief.Thebestmethodofjoyisfortotake away all that disturbs our joy; search the bottomof the heart, seewhatsinisunconfessed,unrepentedof,spreaditbeforeGod,desireGodto pardon it, to seal the pardon. When our souls are searched to thebottom,thenoutof thatsorrowsprings joy:andoutof thesesighs,andgroansthatcannotbeexpressed,comesjoyunspeakable,andfullofglory(1Peter1:8).Ifamanwillbejoyful,lethimlabourtoweepfirst,thatthematterthatinterruptshisjoymaybetakenaway.Thosethatwillbejoyfulandnotsearchtothebottom,mustneedswithshamebebroughtbacktosorrow.Whenwewilljoytopurpose,letusjudgeourselves,thatwemaynotbejudgedoftheLord.Mournforoursinsandthenlayholduponthepromise, that all they that mourn for sin shall be comforted (Mathew5:4).Andblessedaretheythatshedtearshere,foralltearsshallbewipedaway.

Wearesubjecttowrongourselvesbothgoodandbad;forthegoodthinkiftheybeinmiserytheyshallbeeverso;thebadiftheybeinprosperitytheyshallalwaysbeso,andtheyblessthemselvesinit.Nowthejoyofthehypocrites isasthecracklingof thorns,andthegriefof thegodly isbutshort.And therefore letnot thewicked fool themselveswithgroundlesshopes, nor the godly vex themselves with needless fears; but put offconceitednessofthelongcontinuanceoftroubles.Timeisbutshort,anderelongGodwillwipeawayalltearsfromoureyes.Nomists,noclouds,shallbeextendedtoheaven.Thestateinheavenshallbelikethestateofheavenandthereisnocloudtherebutallpure,allserene.

Waysaretobeesteemedbytheirend

Therefore in Christianity consider not their beginning but their ends.Mark theendof theupright, for theendof theupright ispeace (Psalm37:37).Wayshavetheircommendationfromthetameinwhichtheyend.If by any means I may attain the resurrection of the dead saith Paul(Philippians 3:11). Through thick and thin, fair and foul, ruggedwinds,dry,orbloodydeath, ifbyanymeansImaycometotheresurrectionofthedead, the first degree of glory, all iswell; it's a goodway that endswell.Nonqua,fedquo;considernotwhatwayhebringsustoheaven,butwhitherhebringsus. Ifhebringus toheaventhroughavalleyof tears,it'snomatter, for inheavenall tearsshallbewipedfromoureyes.Andtherefore Christianity is calledwisdom. And this wisdom is justified ofher children (Matthew 11:19; Luke 7:35).What is the chiefest point ofwisdom?Tolookhometotheendandtodirectallmeanstothatend.Heiswisethatiswiseforeternity.Thewickedwillhavetheirpaymenthere.But woe to them that laugh, for they shall mourn, saith Christ (Luke6:25).Theywillnotstayforgroundofjoyhereafter,butwillhavepresentpayment.But though thewaysofChristiansbe foulandwetwith tears,yet blessed are they, for God will wipe away all tears from their eyes.Comfortoneanotherwiththesewords.

TheSixthSermon—Isaiah25:6-7

Andheshallswallowupdeath invictory,andGodwillwipeawaytearsfromallfaces,thattherebukesofhispeoplemaybetakenawayfromofftheearth,fortheLordhathspokenit.

You have heard heretofore of a Feast provided for God's people, thefounderofitbeingGodhimself,whoonlycanindeedcomfort(thatwhichisspeciallytobecomforted)thesoulandtheconscience,hebeingabovethe conscience. The place where the Feast is kept is Mount Zion, theChurchofGod.Thedelicaciesaredescribedbyfatthings,winerefinedonthe lees, et cetera.Thebestof thebest that canbe thoughtof,which isChristwithallhisbenefits;who isbread indeedanddrink indeed, that

cherishes and nourishes the soul to life everlasting. And because thereshouldbenothing todisturb the solemnity of the feast, hepromises todestroythefaceofcovering,totakeawaytheveilspreadoverallnations,theveilofignoranceandinfidelity,toshineuponthesoulandfillitfullofknowledgeandheavenlycomfort.Andbecause therecanbenocomfortwheredeathisfeared,beingthegreatestenemyinthislife;thereforehewill swallow up death in victory, and all that makes way for death orattends death. And when this is taken away, all the attendants vanishwithit,Godwillwipeawayalltearsfromallfaces.Becausethebestthingshavenotthebestentertainmentintheworld,northebestpersons,Godpromisesthattherebukesofhispeopleshallbetakenawayfromofftheearth; what they are they shall be known to be. These be very greatmattersandthereforethereisagreatconfirmation,theyhaveaseal,andwhatisthat?TheLordhathspokenit.

ThelastdayIshowedthatGod'schildrenshallshedtears,andthattheyhavecausetodoit.Iwillnowenlargeitalittle.

Mansincethefallissubjecttosorrow;nosorrowinParadise,norshallanybeinheaven.

It is theconditionofmensince the fall inParadisebefore therewasnocause of tears, nothingwas out of joint, all in frame; there was no sintherefore no sorrow, therefore no apprehension of sorrow. And so inheaventhereshallbenotearsbecausenocauseofit;theyshallbeasfarfromheavenasthecause.Thislifeisavalleyoftears,alifeofmisery,andthereforeweshedtearshere.Andwewantnocauseofitaslongassinisintheworld,andsorrow,andmiserythatfollowssin.

Thegreatestcauseofthegodly'smourning,sinwithinhim

Ourownsinsandthesinsofothers,ourownmiseriesandthemiseriesofothers,andsurelyachildofGodfindsthisthegreatestcauseofmourninginthisworld,thathehathaprincipleinhimalwaysmolestinghimintheservice of God. He cannot serve God with that cheerfulness, hisunfeelingness that he cannot be so sensible of God, dishonoured byhimself and others is his burden. He is grieved that he cannot grieve

enough;hecanfindtearsforotherthings,matterofthisenough,astheheathenmancouldsay.Amanloseshisestateandhathtears forthem,but forces tears for other things, which are the true ground of grief. AchildofGodhatharemainderofcorruptionswhichputshimontooffendagainst God and hinders him in his service, in the liberty andcheerfulness of it. And this he complains of with Paul and others,MiserablemanthatIam,notforhisafflictionthoughthatwasmuch;but,whoshalldelivermefromthisbodyofdeath(Romans7:24).

Acaseabouttears

Iwillhereaddacase.Somesay theycannotweep,but theycangrieve,whetherthenisitnecessaryornottoweep?Tearsaretakenforthespringoftears,grief,allgriefshallbetakenaway.Tearsarebutthemessengersof grief, and often times the deepest apprehension that takes thingsdeeply cannot express it in tears. In some the passages fetching theconceit totheheartaremademoretenderthattheycanweep.Nowthegrief of a Christian is a judicial grief, a rational grief, not only sensibletearsmusthavesensiblegrief,butaChristian'sgriefisasensiblejudicialgrief.Hehatharightjudgmentofthingsthatcausesorrow,willsit,andtearsareonlyanexpressionofit.

Godhathnobottleforsometears

Buthowshall Iknowwhethergriefberightornot?TherebetearsGodhathnobottlefor:Thouputtestmytearsintothybottle(Psalm56:8),hemakesmuchofthem,theybeVinnumAngelicumashesaith,GodisanAngeltohispeopletowipeawaytheirtears.ButsometearsGodhathnobottle for,hypocritical tears:Delilah's tears, tearsofrevengeandanger,Esau'stears.

Marksofgoodtears,whentheirspringistheloveofGod

AndthereforethetruetearsthatGodwillwipeawayaresuchasfirstofallfollowourconditionhere,ourmisery,Godwillwipethemaway.Ifwespeakoftearsfromajudicialground,thespringoftruetearsistheloveof

God and of Christ, and of his Church, and the love of the state ofChristianity.Tearsspringfromlove,thesetearsspecially.

O,aChristiantakestoheartthatGodshouldbesoillusedintheworld,thatChristtheSaviouroftheworldshouldfindsuchentertainment,thatheshouldhaveanythinginhimthatshouldoffendsuchaSaviour.Thisunkindnessstingshimtotheheart,hetakesitgrievouslythatGodshouldbeabused.Latitiahabetsuaslachrimas,thereisnotonlygriefthatistheimmediatecauseoftears,butanothercausebeforehand,thatislove.Joylikewisehathitstears,thoughtheybenotheremeantspecially.

Whenweweepforourownsins,andsinsofothers

Againtearsaregoodandsound,whenweweepforourownsins,aswellasthesinsandmiseriesofothers.AndIwilladdmore,wemustweepforthe sinsofothers,aswell as forourown.For it isagreater signof thetruthofgracetotaketoheartthesinsofothers,morethanourown.Youwillsay this isakindofparadox, foroftenamanmaytaketohearthisown sins, asmatter of terror of conscience, not his sins as contrary toGod,havingantipathytohim,beingoppositetothestateofthesoul,notas sin is properly sin, but to be grieved and vexed for sin as it hathvexationandterrorofconscience.

Truth of grace appearsmore in grieving for others sins thanourown

WhenamancantaketoheartthesinsofanotherandthattrulyasitisanoffenceofhisgoodGod,andacrucifyingagainofhissweetSaviour,thesebe true tears indeed. It ismore signof grace, than toweep for aman'sownsins.

Some are taken up with terrors of conscience that let their children,family,andfriendsalone,theirheartiseatenupwithselflove,andtheybenear eatenupwith their own terrors of conscience.But here is truegriefandahatredofsin inarightrespect,when itexercises itselfuponothers,aswellasuponourselves.

Whenourtearsareshedinsecret

Againtearsarisefromtherightspring,fromtruegrief,whenwecanweepin secret.O saith Jeremiah, if youdo so and so,My soul shallweep insecret for your pride (Jeremiah 13:17). Here was a good soul indeed.Manywillhave tearsof comfort inpublic, et cetera,butwhen they canweepinsecretfortheirownsinsandthesinsofothers,itisanevidenceofarightspringofgrief.

Whentearstendtoreformationofwhattheyareshedfor

Again, tears tend to reformationofwhat they grieve foror else theybesteriles lachrimae, barren tears. Do they tend to reformwhat we weepfor?Dotheytendtoaction?Affectionsarethengoodwhentheycarrytoactionasgrief,love,joy,theyareallforaction.Whenweweepandgrieveandreformwithall, it isagoodsign.Iwillnamenomore.Youseethenthat grief is sound,when it springs from the loveofGodand is for thesinsofothers,aswellasourown,andourownaswellasothers:whenitstirsuptoreformation;whenitisinsecret.Andthereforeletusexamineourgriefbytheseandthelikeevidences,itwillbeagoodcharacterofagracious soul. Then God will carry himself as a sweet nurse, or lovingmothertoherchildthatshedstears.Godwillwipeawayallthesetears.Othe transcending love of God; his love is a tender love, the love of amother, the love of a nurse! It is not love, but the bowels of love, thebowelsofmercyandcompassion.How lowdothhestoop towipeawaythetearsofhischildren!Godwillwipeawayalltears.

Iwillpropoundonequestionmoreandthenproceed.Butwearebidtorejoicealways,whythenisitrequiredthatweweepandmourn?Cantwocontrariesstandtogether?

HowcanaChristianjoyandgrievetogether?

Ianswer,"verywell."Forwemaygrieveaswehavematterofgriefandareinaconditionofgrief.Andwemayrejoiceandoughttorejoice,aswelooktothepromisethatGodwillwipeawayalltears.Whenwethinkofthe present cause we cannot but grieve; but when we look beyond all

troubles,wecannotbutjoy,ithathinfluenceofjoyintoourheart.Nayforthepresentwemayjoyandgrieve,withoutlookingtoeternitysometimes.If we consider that we have offended God, done that that grieves hisSpirit,thatismatterofgrief.ButwhenweconsiderwehaveChristathisrighthand,thatspeakspeaceforusandmakesourpeacebyvirtueofhismediation,thatgivescomfort.Sothatwehavecauseofjoyandcauseofgriefaboutthesamethings,atthesametime.

Wearenever insuchastateofgriefhere,but ifwe lookaboutus, lookforward, lookupward.AChristian, that isagoodChristian, isapersonthat hath many things to look after that he may manage his estate ofChristianitywisely.Heistolooktohimselfandhissins,tothemerciesofGodinChrist,totheconstancyofit,thatitisanswerabletothefruitofitin peace and joyhere andhappiness hereafter,which are constant too.Hisgraceashimselfisconstant,thefruitsofitconstant;thereforerejoiceevermore.And(saiththeApostle:IknowwhatIsay,Iamwelladvised)evermore rejoice (Philippians 4:4). So that the life of a Christian is amixed life;naythegroundofour joy isoursorrowandgrief,and joy issown in grief. If we will rejoice indeed, let us mourn indeed; true joyarisesandspringsoutofsorrow.

God'speopleareunderrebukeandreproach

Iproceedtothenext.Andtherebukesofhispeopleshallbetakenawayfromofthefaceofftheearth.AnotherbenefitthatmakestheFeastsweetandcomfortableisthis:Hewilltakeawaytherebukesofhispeople.AndhereisthesamemethodtobeusedthatGod'schildren,hisChurchandpeopleareunderrebukesandunderreproach.

Weneednotstandtoprovethetruthofit.Itistrue.FirsttheHeadoftheChurch and the Church itself, and every particular member, they gounderrebukes.FortheHeadoftheChurch,weshouldspendthetimetono purpose to prove it.What was Christ's life? It was under a veil, heappearednottobewhathewas.Youknowhewasesteemedthechiefofdevils, anenemy tohisPrince, toCaesar. Iwillnot spend time in cleartruths.

FortheChurchitselfyouseeintheBookofEsther3.Thereisastrangepeople thatacknowledgeno law, theybeagainst the lawsof thePrince;theypassunderthe imputationofrebels(Esther3:8).ThepoorChurchthat had thoughts of peace, themeek Church of God, they counted asenemies of the state, as Christ the Head was. And so the Church inBabylon, under what rebukes was it? They reproached them, By thewatersofBabylonwesatdownandwept,whentheysaidsingusoneofthesongsofZion(Psalm137:1).TheChurchsitsbythewatersofBabylonallthislife.

TheworldisakindofBabylontoGod'speople."Andthensingusoneofyoursongs;whereisnowyourGod?"saytheheartsofwretchedpeople,whentheysawthepeopleofGodindisgrace.TullycouldsayofthenationoftheJews,ItshowshowGodregardsit,ithathbeensooftenovercome.ThustheheathenmancouldscornthefateofGod'speople.YouseehowthePsalmistcomplainsinthenameofparticularChristians,whereishisGod,hetrustedinhim,lethimsavehim(Psalm22:8;Matthew27:43).OthiswasdaggerstoDavid'sheart,(Psalm42:10).Itpiercedtomyheart,when theysaidwhere is thyGod.To touchaChristian inhisGod,as ifGodhadnocareofhim,itismorethanhisowngriefandaffliction.Soitis when a child of God is rebuked and affronted, when religion mustsufferbyit.SothattheHeadoftheChurch,themembersoftheChurchareunderrebukes,asitmaybeproved,ifIcarryyouthroughallstories.

ThistextpointsattheconversionoftheJews

Atthisday,theChurchoftheJewsyouseewhatitiscometo,thenationof the Jews under what reproach it is. And surely this prophecy aimspartly at the conversion of the Jews; it shall be accomplished at theresurrection, when all tears shall be perfectly wiped away. But it hathrelation to the conversion of the Jews inwhat state are they now?Aretheynotawordofreproach?Mosesspeechisverifiedofthem;Theyshallbe a hissing to all nations (Jeremiah 18:16). And is not it a proverb?HatedasaJew.

There be two seeds in the world: of the Serpent, and of thewoman

Butwhatisthereasonofit?Nottostandlonguponthepoint;youknowtherebetwoseedsintheworld,theseedoftheSerpentandtheseedofthe woman (Genesis 3:15). And the enmity between them is the trueground,andtheantipathyintheheartsofcarnalmentogoodness.Thereisalightshinesinthelifeofthemthatbegood;andthemthatbeillhatethelight,asdiscoveringthemselvestothemselvesandtotheworld,nottobethattheyseemtobe.Thereisasaltinessinthetruth;itissavorybutitistart,whetherintheWordpreachedorhowsoevertruthlaysopen,whatiscrosstocorruption.

Carnalmenwouldhaveallmenthoughtofalike

Andhereuponprideandself-loveincarnalmenstudieshowtoovercastall they can, the names of those that be better than themselves,with acloudofdisgrace. It is thepropertyofvilemen, tomakeallothersvile,that they may be alike. Men cannot abide distinctions of one fromanother. The Scripture distinguishes the righteousman,more excellentthanhisneighbour,buttheywillnothavethat.Thehatredofdistinctionisthecausetheymakeallasbadastheycan.

Menputafalseveilbothongodlinessandwickedness

Andhereuponitisthatgoodthingswereneverclothedintherighthabit,nor ill things neither, but do pass under a veil. Take away the truegarmentofgraceandholinessandgoodness,andputafalseveiluponit.Itpassesnotunderthatthatit is inthisworldbecausewickedmenwillnotsufferit,butwillraiseupthecreditofotherthings:ofemptylearning,oremptythings,orvaincourses,andcryupthecreditofworldlythings,that theymay seem to bewise and not fools, that are carried to thosethings.Thebestthingshadneverthehappinesstopassundertheirownnames,buttheyhadothercoverings.Truthgoesalwayswithatornandscratched face; it is a stranger in the world, and hath strangeentertainment.

Takeheedoflayingscandalonreligion

Ifthisbesoweoughttotakeheedoflayingascandalorreproachuponreligion.Salviancomplains inhis time, thatwickednesshadgotten thathead, that those that were good and honourable,mali ess volunt, ne amalis abhorreantur. They that were good, studied to be vile, that theymight not be vilified of others. "O" saith he, "how much is Christbeholdingtotheworld,thatthosethatownhim,andowngoodness,andownhiscause,shouldbethereforebasebecausetheybehisfriends;takeheedoftakingscandals."

Study to be wise that we be not misled by themisrepresentationofthings

We had need be wise that we be not taken in this snare of Satan, tomistake error for truth and good for evil; Satan and his agents makethings pass under contrary, representations. Superstition goes forreligion,andreligionforsuperstition,schismandheresy.Ithathalwaysbeen so; therefore seek wisdom to discern aright. The devil hath twoproperties,heisaliarandamurderer;theonemakeswayfortheother,forhecouldnotmurderunlesshedidlie.Thedevilhimselfwillnotbeanopenmurderer,ifhecanhelpit.Thefraudulentpersecutionisworsethantheviolent.Ifhecanbringtohellbyfraudandlying,hewillneverdoitbyviolence.Heisaliarthathemaybeamurderer;forwhenhecanraiseanimputation upon the Church and children of God, that they be rebels,enemies of state, then hemay cum privilegio be amurderer.When hehathtaintedGod'speopleintheconceitoftheworld,thentheyfindthatentertainmentnotwhichtheydeserve,butwhichtheybeapprehendedtodeserve,whentheconceitofothermentowardsthemispoisoned.OthisSectisspokenagainsteverywhere,saytheytoPaul(Acts28:22).

Whyitisthecourseoftheworldtoslander

Thereforewehadneedbewise; for if the instrumentsofSatan ledwithhisspirithadnothopedthatslandersshouldtake,theywouldneverhavebeensoskillfulinthattrade.Buttheyknowtheyshallfindsomeshallowfoolsthatwillbelievethemwithoutsearchingintothedepthofthem,andtakeuppersons and thingsunderprejudice. It is enough for them thatthis is said of them, they have neither wit nor judgment, nor somuch

patiencefromfollowingtheir lustsastoexaminethem.Andthatmakesthemsomadas theyare.Calumniareaudacteraliquidhaerebit,slanderstoutly, somethingwill stick they are sureof it.Thatwhichhath raisedandruinedmanyamanisthatofcastingofjealousyuponthosethatarebetter than themselves. That was Haman's trick, and so will be thepracticeofthewicked,asithathbeenfromthebeginning,sototheendoftheworld.

Thou art notCaesar's friend say they, and it's enough to Pilate; thus ithathbeenandwillbetotheendoftheworld.Thereforewehadneedtobewise,thatwebenotmisled.Menwillneverleavetospeakill,tilltheyhavelearnedtospeakbetter,tilltheSpiritofGodhathtaughtthem.

Thingsshallbeknowntobeastheyare

NowitissaidthatChristwilltakeawaytherebukesofhispeople.Thatisthepromise,astheyaretheyshallbeknowntobe;hewillsetallinjointagain.Harmony is a sweet thing and order is a sweet thing. Timewillcomewhenthingsthatarenowoutofordertoappearance,shallbeallsetintheirdueorderagain.Thosethatarebasest,shallbelowest,andthosethatbeexcellent,shallbehighest;thisisaworkingandframingnow.Inthisconfusionwemustlooktothecatastrophe,theconclusionofall,hewilltakeawaytherebukesofall.GodistheFatheroftruth,andtruthisthedaughteroftime;timewillbringforthtruthatlast.Andthosethatbehonourable indeed, shallbehonourable. It is as trueasGod is just, forgoodnessandholinessarebeamsofGod;andwillhesuffer italwaystopassundera falseveil.There isnotanattributeofGod,butshall shineforthgloriously,evenallhisexcellencyanddignity.Thereisnothingshallbeabovehimandhisexcellency,none,thoughheseemsforawhilenottoruleintheworldorhavepower,butsuffersthemtogoawaywithitthatare his enemies. He is working another thing by suffering them, he isworkingthegloryofhischildrenandconfusionofhisenemies.ThereisnothinginGodbutshallgloriouslyshine,andnothinginhischildren,nobeams ofGod, but shall gloriously shine to the confusion of theworld.They that are good, shall be known to be good, God will bring theirrighteousnessto light.Thewitnessesthatvexedtheworldandhadbaseentertainment, they were slain and disgraced, but they rose again and

werecarriedtoheaven,asElias.Sotherewillberesurrectionofname,aresurrectionofreputation,thatthatisgoodshallbegood,andthatthatisbadshallbebad;itshallbeknowntobeasitis.Thisisforcomfort.

Todirectwhatcoursetotakeunderdisgraceandscandal

Youhearthereforewhatcoursetotakeunderdisgrace,whatshallwedowhen the Church passes under disgrace as it is now? A Protestant isworsethanaTurkoraJew,amongsttherailingpapists.Amongourselvesweseeunderwhatreputationthebestthingsgo, it istoowellknowntospeakof.Andthescandaltakenfromhencedothextremelyharden,keepsmenfromreligion.Itdrawsmanyfromreligionthathaveenteredintoitbecause they have not learned somuch self-denial, as to venture upondisgrace.And surelywhereno self-denial is, there isno religion.Christknewwhatdoctrinehetaught,whenhetaughtself-denialinthisrespect.

Labourtobeinnocent

Whatshallwedotherefore?Labourfirstofallforinnocency,thatifmenwillreproach,theymayreproachwithoutacause.

Labourtobepatientandcourageous

Then labour for a spirit of patience to serve Christ with; great is yourrewardwhenmenspeakevilofyouforagoodcause(Matthew5:11-12).Itis theportionof aChristian in this life, todowell and suffer ill.Ofall,certainlytheyarebestthatoutoflovetogoodnessarecarriedtogoodnesswithout looking to rewards ordisgrace that follows,with an single eye.Labour therefore for patience and not only so, but for courage; for themoongoesitscourseandletsthedogbark.Wehaveacoursetorun,letus keep our course constantly, pass through good reports and badreports,beatapointwhattheworldthinks,weseekapplauseatanothertheaterthantheworld.

Besincere

Againthen,labourforsincerityunderrebukes,thatwehaveagoodaim,suchanaimasPaulhad.IfIbemadandoutofmywits;hebeingearnestforhisMasterChrist,theycounthimoutofhiswits.IfIbeoutofmywitsitisforChrist.IfIbesoberitisforyou,theloveofChristconstrainsmetobeso(2Corinthians5:13-14).GettheloveofChrist,andthatwillmakeamancarefornothing.IfIgobeyondmyself,itistoGod,asDavidsaid,whenhewasmockedbyMicholl.ItistotheLord,whenhedancedbeforethe Ark. Bonus ludus a good dance, where Micholl scoffs, and Daviddanceth;wheregraciousmenmagnifyGodandhaveMichollstoscoffatthem, it is bonus ludus.Godwill lookupon them, for it is to theLord.Labourthatouraimsbegood,anditisnomatterwhattheworldjudgesofthem.

CommendourcreditstoGodbyprayer

Andwhenallwillnotdo,commendourcreditstoGodbyprayer,aswecommend our souls and conditions, so our reputations; that he wouldtakecareofthem,thathewouldbringourrighteousnesstolight,thatitshould shine out as the noonday (Psalm 37:6). So David doth: hecomplains to God and commends all to him; prays him to take partagainsthisenemies,torighthiscause.Andwhenwehavedonethat,wehavedoneourduty,yetwithallhopeforbetterthings.Becontenttopassundertheworldasunknownmen,andtobeinwardlyworthyandpassasunknownmen. Richmen if truly rich, they will applaud themselves intheir bosoms, though the world disgrace them; yet at home I am thusfurnished.AndsoaChristianthatknowshisworth,thatheisachildofGod,heirofheaven,thatheisattendeduponbyangels,thatheisajewelto God in his esteem, to be absolutely the best thing in the world. HeknowstheworthofaChristianandhisownworthasbeingaChristian;heapplaudsandcomfortshimself,inthatheknowsheloathahiddenlife,astate of glory hidden in Christ. Now it is covered with disgrace anddisrespectintheworld,scornedandreproached,butwhatisthattohim?Itisahiddenlife,andforthepresentheknowshisownexcellency,andtherefore can pass through good report, and bad report. I care not forman's day saith Paul, there is another day to which I must stand (1Corinthians4:3-4).

Andthusifwedo,asPetersaith,ThereisaSpiritofgloryshallrestuponus (1 Peter 4:14). The ground we have of comfort under rebuke anddisgrace, there isaSpiritofglory,what is that?A largeSpiritenlargingourhearts,withinwardcomfort,inwardjoy,inwardloveofGod.ASpiritof glory shall rest upon you, and shall continue with you, as long asdisgraceshallcontinue;heopposesthis toalldisgracehemeetswith intheworld.

Godputsagloryuponhischildrenunderdisgrace

God puts sometimes a glory and excellency upon his children underdisgrace and ill usage in the world; that he will daunt the world, asStephen'sfacedidshine,asthefaceofanangel,whichcamefromaSpiritofglorythatresteduponhim,andexpressedhimselftobetheservantofGod.Hethattakesawayfromourgoodreport,ifwebegood,headdstoourreward,ourSaviourChristsaithasmuch.Blessedareyouwhenyoubeillspokenof,forgreatisyourreward(Matthew5:11-12).

TheSeventhSermon—Isaiah25:8

Andtherebukesofhispeopleshallhetakeawayfromalltheearth:ForthemouthoftheLordhathspokenit.

Forcomforttothegodly,theirrebukesshallbetakenaway

ThisisagreatpromiseandIprayyoubecomfortedwithit.ForofallgriefthatGod'speoplesufferintheworld,thereisnonegreaterthanreproach,disgrace, and contumely.Movemur contumeliis plus quam injuriis,Weare more moved with reproaches than injuries. Injuries come fromseveral causes, but disgrace from abundance of fighting. No man butthinkshimselfworthyofrespectfromsomeorother.Nowslanderscomefromabundanceofmaliceorelseabundanceofcontempt;andthereforenothingstickssomuchasreproaches,speciallybyreasonofopinionandfancythatraisesthemoverhigh.

OurSaviourChristenduredthecrossanddespisedtheshame(Hebrews

12:2).Thatshamethatvainpeoplecastuponreligionandthebestthings,theydespisethatandmakethatamatterofpatience.Theyknewthecrosswouldnotbeshakenoff,persecutionandtroublesmustbeenduredandtherefore they endured the cross anddespised the shame.Now to bearcrosses take the counsel of the holy Apostle, look up to him, considerChristandwhatsoeverdisgraceinwordsorcarriageweshallendurewearesure,(thoughweshallneverknowittillwefeelitbyexperience).TheSpiritofgloryshallrestuponus(1Peter4:14),andrebukeshallbetakenaway.

Erelongtherewillbenogloryinheavenandearth,butthegloryofChristandofhisspouse,foralltherestshallbeintheirownplace.AsitwassaidofJudas,thathewenttohisplace.Theirproperplaceisnottodomineer,but tobe inhell andere long they shallbe there.Heaven is theproperelement of the saints, that is the place of Christ the Head. And whereshould thebodybebutwith theHead?Where theSpouse,butwith theHusband? I say this shall come to pass, that all thewicked shall be intheir place, and all the godly in theirs with Christ, and then shall therebukesofGod'speoplebetakenaway.Agreatmatterandthereforeitissealed with a great confirmation, The Lord Jehovah hath spoken it;therefore itmustandwillbeso.Themouthof theLordhathspoken it.Thisisnotinvainadded,fortheLordknowswellenoughweneedit,tobelievesogreatthingsthatthereissuchaFeastprovided.Andthatthereis suchavictoryoverdeathour lastenemy,and that therewillbe suchglorythatallthegloryshallbeChrist'sandhisSpouse's,thatthewickedthat are now so insolent shall be cast into their proper place with thedevil, bywhose spirit they are led. They be greatmatters, and there isgreatdisproportionbetweenthepresentconditionandthatconditioninheaven,andinfidelitybeinginthesoul,it'shardtofastensuchthingsonthesoul,thatsogreatthingsshouldbedone.

Godistheauthorofpromises

ButtheyarenogreaterthanGodhathsaid,andheisabletomakegoodhisWord.TheLordhathsaidit,andwhenGodhathsaiditheavenandearth cannot unsay it. When heaven hath concluded it, earth and hellcannotdisannul it.Themouthof theLordhathspoken it; that is, truth

itselfhathspokenit,thatcannotlie.Amanmaylie,andbeaman,andanhonestmantoo;hemaysometimesspeakanuntruth, it takesnotawayhisnature.ButGodwho ispure truth,unchangeable truth, truth itself,cannotlie(Hebrews6:18).

ConsiderGodinthepromisestohelpourfaith

When we hear of great matters, as matters of Christianity be greatmatters, theybeas largeas thecapacityof thesouland larger too.Andyet the soul is large in theunderstanding and affection too,whenwerehearofsuch largematters,weneedagreat faith tobelieve them.Greatfaithneedsgreatgroundsandthereforeit'sgoodtohaveallthehelpswecan.When we hear of great things promised, great deliverances, greatglory to strengthen our faith, remember God hath spoken them. Heknows our weakness, our infirmity, and therefore helps us with thisproblem. The mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. Let us thereforeremember those great things are promised in theWord of God, in theWordofJehovah,thatcanmakethemallgood,thatgivesabeingtoallhispromises.Heisbeingitselfandgivesbeingtowhatsoeverhesaith,heisabletodoit.SetGodandhispoweragainstalloppositionwhatsoeverfromthecreatureandalldoubtsthatmayarisefromourownunbelievinghearts,ThemouthoftheLordhathspokenit.

How is it thewordofGod, Isaiah spake it?Hedidbutwrite,Goddiddictate

But ye will say, the Prophet Isaiah saith it, whose words they were. Ianswer,IsaiahwasthePen-man,Godthemouth.TheHeaddictates,thehandwrites;ChristtheHeaddictates,andhisservantwrites.Sothatholymenwriteas theywere inspiredby theHolyGhost,abetter spirit thantheirown.Whydoyelookonme,saithIsaiah?ThinknotitisIthatsayit,Iambutamanlikeyourselves;butthemouthoftheLordhathspokenit.

Weshouldnot somuch lookon theministers as fromwhomtheyspeak

Weshouldnot regardmen,nor theministry ofmen, but considerwhospeaks bymen,who sends them,withwhat commissiondo they come.Ambassadors are not regarded for themselves, but for them that sendthem.AndthereforeCorneliussaidwell;WearehereinthepresenceofGod,tohearwhatthouwiltspeakinthenameofGod,(Acts10:33).Andsopeopleshouldcomewiththatreverendexpression.WearecomeinthepresenceofGodtheFather,Son,andHolyGhost,inthepresenceoftheblessed angels to hearwhat thou shalt say in theName ofGod, by theSpiritofGod.Wearenottodealwithmen,butwithGod.Andthereforehesaith,ThemouthoftheLordhathspokenit.

TheScriptureauthorityfromitself

Hencemaythisquestionbeeasilyanswered.WhencehaththeScriptureauthority? Why from itself, it is the Word; it carries its own Letter'stestimonial with it. Shall God borrow authority from men? No, theauthoritytheWordhathisfromitself.Ithathasupremeauthorityfromitself.

TheSpiritofGodinScripturesjudgesallcontroversies

Andwemayanswer thatquestionabout theJudgeof all controversies.What is the supreme Judge? The Word, the Spirit of God in theScriptures. And who is above God? It is a shameless ridiculousimpudencyofmen,thatwilltakeuponthemtobejudgesofScripture,asif man would get upon the throne and as a judge there judge. TheScriptures must judge all ere long, yea that great Antichrist. Now anignorant man, a simple man that perhaps never read Scriptures mustjudgeofallcontroversies;yea,thatthatisthejudgeofallandofhimself,theWord,whichisfromtheverymouthofGod.

Youwill askme,howshall Iknow it is theWordofGod, if theChurchtellsusnot?

The Word known to be of God by its majesty andmysteriousness

Acarriershowsusthesebe letters fromsuchaman,butwhenweopentheletterandseethehandandseal,weknowthemtobehis.TheChurchknowstheWordandexplainsit,andwhenweseeandfeeltheefficacyoftheWordinitself,thenwebelieveittobetheWord.Forthereisthatinthe Word that shows it to be the Word; the majesty that is in it, thematter that is mysterious, forgiveness of sins through a mystery,forgiveness of sin, victory over death, life everlasting in the world tocome.Greatmatters,whicheyehathnotseen,norearheard,norenteredinto theheartofman (1Corinthians2:9). If ithadnotbeen revealed itcouldnothaveenteredintotheheartofangels.Itcontainssuchglorioustranscendingmysteries.

WitnessoftheSpiritinwarmingandcomforting

AndthenagaintheWordtoallthemthatbelongtoGod,haththeSpiritofGod,bywhichitpassed,rightlyaccompanyingit,witnessingtothesoulofmanthatitisso,andbyadivineefficacyitismightyinoperation.Whatdothitintheheart?Itwarmstheheartuponthehearing,andspeaking,anddiscoursingofit.AswhenthediscipleswenttoEmaus.IthathaheatofSpiritgoingwithittoaffecttheheartwithheavenlyjoyanddelight.Ithath power going with it by the Spirit to raise joy unspeakable andglorious. It hath a power to pacify the soul amidst all troubles. Whennothingwillstillthesoul,theSpiritofGodintheWordwilldoit,byitsdivinepower.

Changingandcastingdownthesoul

Yea itwill change aman fromabeastly ordevilish temper, to ahigherandhappierestate,asyouhavein(Isaiah11:6-9).Itmakeslionslambs,leopardskids.Andwhatisthegroundofall?Inthatveryplace,theearthshallbefulloftheknowledgeoftheLord(Isaiah11:9).TheknowledgeofGodreconciledissuchapowerfulknowledge,thatithathatransformingvirtuetoaltermen'sdispositions.WhatwasPaulbeforeconversion,andZaccheus?Therefore it is theWordbecause ithathdivineoperation, toheatthesoul,andraisethesoul,andchangethesoul,andcastdownthesoul,aslowinamannerashell,insenseofitsownmisery.ItwillmakeaFelixtotremble,amanthatitdothnoteffectuallyworkupon.Thetruths

ofitaresomoving,thatitwillmakeacarnalmantoquake.WhenPaulspake of judgment to come, of giving account of all that is done in theflesh,when a possibility of itwas apprehended, itmadeFelix to quake(Acts 24:25). It makes mountains level and it fills up the valleys. TheWord can raise up the soul whenman is as low as hell, and looks fornothing but damnation, the Spirit with the Word will fetch him fromthence. As the jailor in Acts 16, there was little between him and hell.WhatshallIdotobesaved?(Acts16:30).WhybelieveintheLordJesus(Acts16:31).Andwiththesewordstherewentoutanefficacy,hebelievedandheafterwardwasfullofjoy.

Adamnearestdamnation

ThefirstGospeleverpreachedinpardonwasbyGodhimself.Neverwasanycreaturesoneardamnationasourfirst father,Adam,cast fromthegreatesthappiness.Miserrimumest fuisse faelicem; forhe that enjoyedbefore communionwithGodandhis angels,having sinned, andhavingconscienceofhissinconsideringhisgreatparts,andapprehensionofthestatehehadbeenin,thismustneedsaffecthimdeeply.Andbeinginthiscondition, thepromiseof the seedof thewoman tobreak theSerpent'sheadrevivedhim.

There is a strange efficacy in the Gospel. The Roman Empire was thegreatest enemy that theChurch everhad.The tenpersecutions you seewhattheywereandyetnotwithstandingtheWordgrewuponthemandnever rested the spreading of theGospel, and the Spirit with it till theCrossgotabovetheCrown,asitdidinthetimeofConstantine,andsoitcontinues.

Searching

Andmustnot thisbeadivineWordwhichhath this efficacy, to revive,comfort, change, cast down, raise up again, search secrets, search theheart to the bottom.Apoor idiot that comes tohear theWordofGod,when he hears the secrets of his heart laid open by the Word, heconcludes certainly, God is in you and you are God's ministers (1Corinthians14:25).TheWorddividesbetweenthemarrowandthebone

(Hebrews4:12), it arraigns theheartbeforeGod'sTribunalSeat.Thosethataresaved,ithaththeseeffectsinthemthatIhavenamed.

TheWordprovedtobeofGodfromourexperience

And if youaskhow theyknowwhether theWordbe theWord?Amanmayanswer,"Ihavefoundittobeso,raisingmeup,comfortingme,andstrengtheningme. I had perished inmy affliction if theWord had notraisedme". Principles are proved, you know from experience, for theyhavenothingabovethem.ThereisnootherprincipletoprovetheWord,butexperiencefromtheworkingofit.Howknowyouthelighttobethelight but by itself? And that fire is hot, but by itself? Principles provethemselves only by experience.And this principle is soprovedby itselfthatthereisnochildofGodbutcansaybyexperiencethattheWordistheWord.

Byreason

If amanmight go to reason, onemight bring thatwhich could not beeasilyansweredforthesatisfactionofanAtheist.LethimbutgrantthereisaGod,hewillgrantonethinginreligionoranother.ButlethimgrantthereisaGodandareasonablecreature,thentheremustbeaservice,areligion,andthisservicemustbeaccordingtosomerulesprescribed,forthesuperiorwillnotbeservedastheinferiorpleases.Hemustdiscoverwhatgoodthesuperiorintends,andwhatdutiesheexpects.Thismustberevealed in some word; God and the reasonable creature, and religionmake a necessity of a word, and that must be the word we have oranother;andwhatwordintheworldisprobabletobetheWordbutthis?

TheWord corrupted?TheJews looked to theOldTestament,HereticsovertheNew

Youwill say, itmaybe corrupt. The Jews looked to theOldTestamentthat it should not be corrupted, for they knew every syllable in it andpreservedeveryletter.Itisonepartoftheirsuperstition,andGodblessesthatsuperstitiontotakeawayallsuchcavils.FortheNewTestamentthe

Jews cared not for, but heretics on their side watch over it that thereshouldbenocorruption,theywillsoobserveoneanother.ButwhatarethesereasonstothosewhichthesoulofagraciousChristianknowsbytheoperationoftheWordupontheheart?

LetusregardandhearScripturesastheWordofGod

AndthereforeletusregarditastheWordofGod,hearitastheWordofGod, read it as theWord of God. A company of profane wretches youshallhave,thescumsandbasestofthepeoplethatwilldiscourse,andtogracetheirdiscourse,theymusthaveScripturephrases.ButwhoseWordisit?ItistheWordofthegreatGod.EglonwasaHeathenKing,andyetwhen amessage came fromGod, he arose up andmade obeyance.WeshouldneverreadtheWordbutwithreverence,consideringwhosebookitis,andthatwemustbejudgedbyitanotherday.

Know God will make every part good, every threateningratifiedinheaven

IfitbetheWord,Ibeseechyouconsiderwhatwesay,andknowthatGodwillmakeeverypartofitgood.Thereshallnotajotofitfail,nothingofitshall miscarry. God speaks all these words, and therefore if you beblasphemersyoushallnotcarryitawayguiltless.Godhathsaidit.Ifyoucontinuenot to obey you areunderGod's curse, unless you repent youshallperish.EverythreatGodwillmakegood;youmustrepentandgetintoChrist,elseperisheternally.Godhathsaiditandwemayconfirmitintheunfoldingandreadingofit;thetimeiscomingfortheexecutionofit,andthenGodisperemptory.NowGodwaitsourleisureandentreatsus,butifwewillnotrepent,weshallhavethatarrowinoursidesthatwillnever be gotten out till we die in hell. Whose sins are condemned inScripture,theyarecondemnedbyGod;andwhomweshutheaventobyopening the Scriptures, God will shut heaven to. The opening of theScripturesistheopeningofheaven.IftheScripturesaithamanthatlivesinsuchasinshallnotbesaved,heavenshallbeshut tohim;he is inastateofdeath,heisstruckenandremainsindangertillherepents.Howmanyliveinsinsagainstconscience,thatareundertheguiltanddangerof their sins, they be wounded, they be struck by theWord; there is a

threat against their sins, although it be not executed. And they be asmuchindangerofeternaldeathasacondemnedtraitor,onlyGodsuffersthemtolivethattheymaymaketheirpeace,sotheyhaveblessedtimesofvisitation.Omakeuseofit,itistheWordofGod,andknowthatGodwillmakeeverypartofhisWordgoodinthreats,aswellasinpromises.

Let us take shame to ourselves for our infidelity in thepromises

Takeoccasionfromhencelikewisetoshameourselvesforourinfidelityinthe promises, when we are in any disconsolate estate, we are in Job'scase, being in trouble the consolation of the Almighty seemed light tohim, these be the comforts of God. When we come to comfort some,though the sweet promises of the Gospel be opened, yet they do notconsiderthemasbeingtheWord,theconsolationsoftheAlmighty,andthereforetheyseemlighttothem.Butitshouldnotbeso.Considertheybe the comforts of theWord, and therefore we should hear themwithfaith,labourtoaffectthemandshameourselves.IsthisGod'sWordthatgivesthisdirection,thatgivesthiscomfort,andshallInotregardit?IsittheconsolationoftheAlmighty,andshallnotIembraceit?Thereforeweshould be ashamed, not to be more affected with the heavenly sweetthingspromisedofGodthanweare.

Aman that refusesheavenly comforts to embrace comforts below,howshouldhereflectuponhimselfwithsin?HathGodpromisedsuchthings,Godthatcannotlie(Hebrews6:18),andshallIlosemyhopeofalltheseglorious things, for the enjoying of the pleasures of sin for a season? IprofessmyselftobeaChristian,whereismyfaith?Whereismyhope?AmanmustacknowledgeeitherIhavenofaith,forifIhadfaithbelievingGodspeakingtheseexcellentthings,Iwouldnotventuremylossofthemtogettheenjoymentofpoortemporarythingshere, forthegoodthingspromised in another world. Labour therefore to bring men's hearts tobelievetheWord,anddesireGodtosealittooursouls,thatitisso.

ToregardtheWord,labourforthatSpiritthatindictedthem

I will give one direction: Labour for the Spirit of God that wrote the

Word,thatindictedtheWord.BegofGodtosealtooursoulsthatitistheWord,andthathewouldsanctifyourheartstobesuitabletotheWord,andneverresttillwecanfindGodbyhisSpiritseasoningourhearts.Sothat the relish of our soulsmay suit to the relish of divine truths, thatwhenwehearthemwemayrelishthetruthinthem,andmaysofeelthework ofGod's Spirit, thatwemay be able to say, "he is ourGod".Andwhen we hear of any threatening, we may tremble at it, and any sindiscovered, we may hate it. For unless we by the Spirit of God havesomethingwroughtinussuitabletotheWord,weshallneverbelievetheWordtobetheWord.AndthereforepraytheLordbyhisSpirittoframeour hearts to be suitable to divine truths, and so frame them in ouraffections, that we may find the Word in our joy, in our love, in ourpatience,thatallmaybeseasonedwiththeWordofGod.

RelishingtheWordmakesamanaChristianindeed

Whenthere isarelish intheWordandinthesoulsuitableto it, thenamanisaChristianindeedtopurpose.Tillthenmenwillapostatize,turnpapist, turnatheist,oranythingbecausethereisadistancebetweenthesoulandtheWord.TheWordisnotengraftedintothesoul;theydonotknowtheWordtobetheWordbyargumentsfetchedfromtheWord,andthereforetheyfallfromthepoweroftheWord.Butifwewillnotfallfromdivinetruths,gettruthwrittenintheheartandourheartssoseasonedbyit,andmadesoharmoniousandsuitabletoit,thenwemayembraceittodeaththatwemayliveanddieinit.

Togoon:

Inthatdayshallitbesaid;forthisisourGodwehavewaitedforhim.

Here isagraciouspromisethatshutsupallspokenbefore.Hespakeofgreatthingsbefore,andnowhereisapromiseofaday,whereinhewillmakeallthingspromisedgoodtothesoulofeverybelievingChristian.

Inthatdayitshallbesaid,thisisourGod,wehavewaitedforhim,hewillsaveus.

It is an excellent portion of Scripture to show the gracious dispositionthat the Spirit of Godwill work in all those that embrace the graciouspromisesofGod.Thetimeshallcomewhentheyshallsay;Lo,thisisourGod,wehavewaitedforhim,andnowweenjoyhim.

Thepointsconsiderablearethese:

First of all, by supposition that there be glorious excellent thingspromisedtothepeopleofGod,richandpreciouspromisesoffeasting,oftaking away the veil of conquest over death by victory, of wiping awaytears and removing rebukes; great things, if we go no farther thanmyText.

Secondly, thesehave a daywhen they shall beperformed,which is notpresently; for the end of a promise is to support the soul till theperformance. God doth not only reserve great things for us in anotherworld, but to comfort us in the way, doth reach out to us promises tocomfort us till we come thither. There is a time when he will performthem, and not only a time, but there are likewise promises ofperformance, at that time the promises of these great things shall beperformed.

The next thing is that God will stir up in his children a dispositionsuitable, that is the grace of waiting. As great things were promisedbefore,sothesoulhathagracefitforit.Wehavewaitedforthee.

And as they wait for them, while they are in performing, so they shallenjoythem.Wehavewaitedforthee,andwewillbegladinthysalvation.Weshallsoenjoythem,thatweshalljoyinthem.Goodthingswhentheybeenjoyed,theybejoyedin.

Again,weshallrejoice inoursalvation;weshallgloryinourGod.Aftertheybeawhileexercisedinwaiting,thencomesperformance,thentheybeenjoyedandtheybeenjoyedwithjoyingloryinginGod.ForthatistheissueofaChristian,whenhehathwhathewouldenjoy,whenheenjoysitwithjoy,whenthefruitofitisthatGodhathhisglory,andthereforetheheartcanrejoiceinhissalvation.

Thenthereisaday,asfortheexercisingofhispeopleherebywaiting.Sothere is a day of performing promises. In that day. That is a day of alldays.When that day comes, then all Prophecies and Promises shall beaccomplishedtotheuttermost.

But before that great day, there is an intermediate performance ofpromises assisted by waiting, to drop comfort to us by degrees. Hereservesnotalltothatday,therebelesserdaysbeforethatgreatday.Asat the first coming of Christ, so at the overthrow of Antichrist, theconversionof theJews, therewillbemuchjoy.Butthat isnotthatday,these daysmakeway for that day.Whensoever prophecies shall end inperformances,thenshallbeadayofjoyingandgloryingintheGodofoursalvationforever.AndthereforeintheRevelationswherethisScriptureiscited (Revelation 21:3-4), ismeant the conversion of the Jews, and theglorious estate they shall enjoy before the end of the world. We havewaitedforourGodandnowweenjoyhim.Yes,butwhatsaiththeChurchthere?ComeLordJesus,comequickly.ThereisyetanothercomeLord,tillwebeinheaven.Sothatthoughintermediatepromisesbeperformedhere,yetthereisanothergreatdayoftheLordtobeperformed,whichisspeciallymeanthere.

The last thing considerable in the words is the manner of expression.Theyareexpressedfulloflifeandwithrepetition,tomakethemsureandmorecertain.Inthatdayitshallbesaid,hisisourGod,wehavewaitedfor him, he shall save us. He brings them in speaking these words ofaffection.

Indeed when we come to enjoy the performance of God's graciouspromises, ifwe should live to see the fullnessof theGentiles comeandJews called,we should speakof it againandagain.Affectionsare largeand few expressions will not serve for large affections. It will be notautologytosay,ThisisourGod,wehavewaitedforhim.

Beloved,timesareyettocomewhichmaymuchaffect theheartsof thechildren ofGod.Howsoeverwemaynot live to see the performance ofthesethings,yetweshallalllivetoseethatdayofjudgment,andthenweshallsay,ThisisourGod,wehavewaitedforhim.WenowseeGodinthepromises,andthenweshallseehimfacetofacewhomwehavewaitedfor

inthepromises,andweshallseehiminheavenforever.

Lo,thisisourGod,wehavewaitedforhim.Whilewelivehereweareinstateofwaiting,weareunderpromisesandaconditionunderpromisesisawaitingcondition;aconditionofperformanceisanenjoying,condition.Weareinawaitingconditiontillourbodiesberaisedoutofthegrave,forwhenwediewewait for the resurrectionofourbodies.WemaysayasJacobwhen hewas dying, I havewaited for thy salvation.We are in awaiting condition till body and soul be joined together at the day ofjudgmentforever.

Andthereforeweshouldlabourtohavethosegracesthataresuitableforthiscondition.Thethingswewait forareofsotranscendingexcellency,as glory to come, that they cannot be waited for, but the Spirit by thethingswaitedfor,fitsustowaitforthem.Amancannotwaitforgloryofsoulandbody,but theSpirit that raisesup faith tobelieveandhope towait,willpurge,andfit,andpreparehimforthatgloriouscondition.Hethathaththishopepurifieshimself,asheispure(1John3:3).O,itisaquickeningwaiting,andapurgingwaiting;itisefficaciousbytheSpirittofit and purify his soul suitable to that glorious condition he waits for.Wherethatisnot,itisbutaconceit;averyslenderapprehensionoftheglory to comewillmakemen better.He that hath hope of heaven andhappinessunderglory,itwillmakehimsuitabletotheplacehelooksfor.

TheEighthSermon—Isaiah25:8-9

Heshall swallowupdeath invictory,and theLordGodwellwipeawaytearsfromoffallfaces,andtherebukesofhispeopleshallhetakeawayfromoffalltheearth,fortheLordhathspokenit.Anditshallbesaidinthatday,Lo,thisisourGod,wehavewaitedforhim,andhewillsaveus:thisistheLord,wehavewaitedforhim,wewellbegladandrejoiceinhissalvation.

PromisesofGodflowfromGod'sgoodness

Ocomeclosertotheparticulars.Itshallbesaidinthatday,LothisisourGod. Themouth of the Lord hath spoken gracious things before, hathpromisedaFeast,andanexcellentFeast.God'smanner is firstofall togive promises to his Church; Why? His goodness comes from hisgoodness,hisgoodnessofgracecomesfromhisgoodnessofnature.Heisgood,anddothgood.Nowthesamegoodnessofdispositionwhichwecallbounty,thatreservesheavenandhappinessforusinanotherworld,thesamegoodnesswillnotsufferus tobewithoutallcomfort inthisworldbecause the knowledge and revelation of the glory to come hathmuchcomfort in it. Therefore in mercy he not only intends performance ofglory, but out of the same fountain of goodness, he intends to revealwhatsoeverisgoodforhisChurchinthewaytoglory.Sothatpromisesofgood,comefromthesamegoodnessofGodbywhichheintendsheaven.ForwhatmovedGodtocomeoutof thathidden light, thatnomancancomeintoanddiscoverhimselfinhisSon?TheWordinhispromisestorevealhismindtomankindandmakeknownwhathewillhaveustodo,andwhathewilldotous,butonlyhisgoodnessisthecauseofall.Andtherefore theendofpromises inGod's intention is tocomfortus in theway to heaven, that we may have something to support us; they arepromissa, quasi premissa. They are promises and premises, and sentbeforethethingitself.

Nowhereitcomesthattheglorytocomeistermed"thejoyofheaven",and"thegloriousestatetocome".Youhaveneedofpatiencethatyoumayget thepromises.Heavenandhappiness is called thepromisesbecausewehavethemassuredinpromises.TheblessingsoftheNewTestamentarecalledpromises,asthechildrenofthepromise,yeatheheirsofglorybecauseallisconveyedbyapromise;thereforeallhappinessisconveyedbyapromise.

Promisesfreeandfull

Nowthepromisesareofgoodthings.Theyareforthespringofthem,freefromGod'sfreegoodness;forthemeasureofthem,full;forthetruthofthem,constant,evenasGodhimselfthatpromises.Andthereforewemaywellbuilduponthem.

Letuscountpromisesourbesttreasure

BeforeIgoanyfarther,Ibeseechyouletusaccountthepromisesofthegoodwehavetobeourbesttreasure,ourbestportion,ourbestriches,forthey be called precious promises; not only because they be precious inthemselves,butbecausetheyarefromthepreciousloveofGodinChristto us. They are likewise for precious things, they are laid hold of bypreciousfaith,astheScripturecallsthem,andthereforetheyarepreciouspromises.Letusnotonlyaccountofourrichesthatwehave,forwhatisthatwehave,towhatwespeakof,tothatwehaveinpromise.AChristianis rich in reversion, rich in bills, and obligations. Christ hath boundhimselftohim,andhecansuehimoutwhenhepleases.Inallkindsofnecessity,hecansueGodforgood;hecangotoGodandsay,RememberthypromiseLord,whereinthouhastcausedme,thyservant,totrust,andcanbindGodwithhisownWord.

ButItakethisonlyinpassageasthefoundationofwhatIamtospeak.

FromthemouthofGodyouseethegreatpromisesdeliveredandnowwehavewaited for them.Thatwhichanswerspromises, isexpectationandwaiting.

Godtakesalongdayforperformanceofpromises

The second thing therefore between the promises wherein God is adebtor, and the performance is that there is a long time, a long day.OftentimesGod takesa longday forperformingofhispromise,as400years Abraham's posterity went to be in Egypt. And it was 4000 yearsfromthebeginningoftheworldtillthecomingofChrist;whichwasthepromise of promises, the promise of the seed, a great long day. AndthereforeChrist issaidtocomeinthe latterendof theworld.Abrahamhadpromiseofa son,but itwasnotperformed tillhewasanoldman.SimeonhadapromisetoseeChristintheflesh,buthewasanoldman,readytoyielduptheghostbeforeitwasperformed.Godtakesalongdayforhispromises—longtous,nottohim—fortohimathousandyearsarebutasoneday(2Peter3:8).

Toexerciseourfaith;towainfromthecreature

ThepromisesofGodarelonginperforming;fortoexerciseourfaith,andourdependencetothefull,totakeusofffromthecreature,andtoendearthe thingspromised tous, to set the greaterpriceupon themwhenwehave them. Many other reasons may be given, ill intended to enlargemyselfinthatpoint.AChristianhathatitletoheaven,assoonasheisaChristian he is an heir to heaven; perhaps hemay live here twenty orfortyyearsmore,beforeGodtakeshimuptoglory.Whydothhedeferitsolong?

Toendearthethingspromised;tofitusforenjoyment

The reason is: God will fit us for heaven by little and little and willperfumeusasEstherwasperfumed,beforeshemustcometoAhasuerus;thereweremanyweeksandmonthsofperfuming.SoGodwill sweetenandfitus forheavenandhappiness. It isaholyplace,GodaholyGod.Christ is thatholy one, and forus tohave everlasting communionwithGodandChristinsoholyaplace,requiresagreatpreparation.AndGodbydeferringitsolong,willmortifyouraffectionsbylittleandlittle,andwillhaveusdietoallbasethingshereinaffectionbeforewedieindeed.David had title to the Kingdom as soon as ever he was anointed, butDavid was fitted to be an excellent king indeed, by deferring theperformanceof thepromise till afterward.So inour right and title andpossessionofheaven,thereisalongtimebetween.

Our Saviour, Christ, was 34 years before he was taken up to heavenbecausehewastoworkoursalvation.Andhewaswillingtosuspendhisgloryforsuchatimethathemightdoit;tosuspendhisgloryduetohimfromthefirstmomentofhisconception.Forbyvirtueoftheunion,glorywasdue tohimat the first,butbecausehehadtakenuponhimtobeaMediator, out of love he would suspend his glory due to him, that hemight suffer. And soGod byway of conformity,will suspend the gloryduetous,thatwemaybeconformedtoChrist.Thoughwehaverighttoheavenassoonasweareborn,yetGodwillsuspendthefullperformanceofit;becausehewillbycorrection,andbylengthoftimesubduebylittleandlittlethatwhichmakesusunconformabletoourHead.

And can we complain for any deferring of heaven when we are butconformedtoourgloriousHead,whowascontenttobewithoutheavensolong.

Aconditionofwaitingisamixedconditionofimperfectionandperfection

Buttogoon.Astherebegraciousandrichpromisesandtheyhavelongtime of performance to us, and hope deferredmakes the soul languish(Proverbs13:12).SoGodvouchsafesaspirittofitthatexpectationofhis,aspiritofhopeandwaiting.Andthiswaitinghathsomethingperfectinitandsomethingimperfect,it isamixedcondition.Thereisgoodbecausethere is a promise; for a promise is the declaration of God's willconcerning good, but because it is a promise of a thingnot performed,there is an imperfection. So there is a mixture in the promise and amixtureinthegrace,hope,andexpectation;andwaitingisanimperfectgrace.Thattherebegloriousthings,itisperfectionofgoodthatwehavethem not in possession, that is the imperfection. So that hope issomething,butit isnotpossessed.Apromiseissomething,butit isnottheperformance.Aseedissomething,butitisnottheplant.

ThusGodmixes our condition here of perfection and imperfection.Hewillhaveusinstateof imperfection,thatwemaynotthinkourselvesathomeinourcountry,whenwearebutinourway.Thereforehewillhaveus in a state of imperfection, that wemay long homeward; yet he willhaveitastateofgood,thatwemaynotsinkintheway.

Wehaveatastehereofwhatweshallhavehereaftertosupportus

Andnot only promises, for in theway to heavenGod keeps not all forheaven,heletsindropsofcomfortoftentimesinthemidstofmisery.Hedothrevealhimselfmoregloriousandsweetthanatothertimes,thereisnothingreservedforusinanotherworld,butwehaveabeginningataste,anearnestofithere,tosupportustillwecometothefullpossessionofwhatremains.

Weshallhavefullcommunionofsaintsthere;wehaveithereinthetasteof it.We knowwhat it is to be acquainted with them that be graciousspirits.WehavepraisingofGodforeverthere;weknowthesweetnessofithere, inthehouseofwhichmadeDaviddesirethisonething, thathemightdwellinthehouseofGod,tovisitthebeautyofGod(Psalm27:4).There we shall have perfect peace, here we have inward peace,unspeakable and glorious; a peace that passes understanding in thebeginning of it (Philippians 4:7). There we shall have joy without allmixtureofcontrariety.Herewehavejoy,andjoyunspeakableandfullofglory.Thereisnothinginheaventhatisperfect,thatissweetandgood,andcomfortable,butwehavea taste, andearnestof ithere.TheSpiritwillbeall inall there.There issomethingof it inusnow;more light inourunderstandings,moreobedienceinourwills,moreandmoreloveinouraffections,anditisgrowingmoreandmore.

And therefore all is not kept for time to come. We have somethingbeginning here besides promises; there is some little degrees ofperformance,sothatthestatebetweenusandheavenisastatemixedofgoodandimperfection.

Waiting is a grace whereby God fits us for an imperfectcondition

Now God hath fitted graces suitable to that condition and that isexpectation or waiting, a fit grace and a fit disposition of soul fromimperfectconditionthatisafterwardstobeperfected;forfruitionisthecondition of perfect happiness not of waiting, for waiting impliesimperfection.

Waitingcarrieswithitallgraces

Thiswaitingcarrieswith italmostallgraces,waitingforbettertimes inglory to come, it hath to support it. It is a carriage of soul that issupportedwithmanygraces.Forfirstwewaitforthatwebelieve,wehaveaSpiritoffaithtoleadtoit.Andthenwehope,beforewewaitandhopeistheanchorofthesoul(Hebrews6:19)thatstaysthesoulinallthewavesandmiseries of theworld. It is thehelmet that keeps off all the blows.

This hope issues from faith, for what we believe, we hope for theaccomplishmentofit.

Patience, Long-suffering, Contentment, and Silence frommurmurings

So that all graces either make way for waiting, or accompany it. Thegraces that accompany thewaiting for good things in time to come arepatience, to endure all griefs between us and the full possession ofheaven. Then long suffering, which is nothing else but patiencelengthenedbecausetroublesarelengthened,andthetimeislengthened.So there is patience and patience lengthened, which we call longsuffering. And then together with patience and long suffering, there iscontentmentwithoutmurmuringat thedispensationofGod,somethingin the soul that hewould have it to be so.He that hath a heart to risebecausehehathnotwhathewouldhave,hedothnotwaitwiththatgraceofwaitingthatissuesfromarightspring.

God reserves joy for the time to come, for our home. We should becontenttohavecommunionwithGodandthesoulsofperfectmen,andnotmurmurthoughGodexercisesuswithmanycrosseshere.

AndthereforetheScripturecastsitasilence,Insilenceandinhopeshallbeyourstrength.ThesoulkeepssilencetoGodinthiswaitingcondition,andthissilencequellsallrisingsinthesoulpresently.AsDavid,mysoulkept silence unto the Lord (Psalm 94:17). It will still all risings of theheart,issuingfromaresignationofthesoultoGod,todoashewillhaveus to do. So it implies patience and long suffering, contentment, holysilence,withoutmurmuringandrepining.

Watchfulness;Fruitfulness

Andthenitimplieswatchfullnessoverourselves,(tillwecometothefullaccomplishmentofthepromises)thatwecarrynotourselvesunworthilyin the meantime. That we should not spend the time of waiting inwickedness,tofetchsorrowfromthedevil,andtheworldtocomfortusorto be beholding to Satan. This is no waiting, but murmuring and

rebellion, when in crosses and discomforts we cannot be content, butmustbebeholding to thedevil.So theremustbewatchfullnessandnotonlyso,butfruitfulnessinwaiting.Forhewaits,thatwaitsindoinggood,thatwaits inobservance.Hewaits forhisMaster'scomingthat isdoinghisdutyallthetimeinafruitfulcourseofobservanceandobedience,elseitisnotwaiting.Waitingisnotmerelyadistanceoftime,butatillingupofthattimewithallgraciouscarriage,withobedience,andwithsilence,withlongsufferingandcontentment,andwatchfulnessthatwetakenotanyillcourse,andobservance,andwithfruitfulness,thatwemayfilluptimesofwaiting, tillperformancewithall thegraces, thatwemayhavecommunionwithGod.

Wantofwaitingandthecauseofwickedness

Itisanothermannerofgracethantheworldthinks.Whatistherationofallthewickednessoftheworldandbarrenness,andvoluptuousness,butbecause they have not learned to wait? They hear of good things andprecious things promised; but they would have present payment, theywillhavesomethinginhand.AsDives,son,son,thouhasthadthygoodthingshere;theywillhavetheirgoodthingshere.Andwhatisthereasonofwickedness,butbecause theywillhavepresentpleasuresof sins.WemustprefertheafflictionsofChristbeforethepleasuresofsin.Nowthatshortnessofspirittohaverewardhereisthecauseofallsin.Theyhaveno hope, nor obedience, nor expectation to endure the continuance ofdiuturnity [lastingness]; where then is patience, and hope, andcontentment?

ThecharacterofaChristianisthatheisinawaitingcondition,andhaththe grace ofwaiting; otherswill have the pleasures of sin, their profitsandcontentments,elsetheywillcracktheirconsciences,andsellChrist,God,heaven,andall.

AChristianashehathexcellent thingsabove theworld, sohehath thegraceofexpectation,andall thegracesthatstoreup,andmaintainthatexpectationtilltheperformancecome.

Manyrubsbetweenusandheaven

AndthereforeitisahardthingtobeagoodChristian,anotherthingthantheworldtakesittobe.FormarkIbeseechyou,whatisbetweenusandheaven,thatwemustgothroughifeverwewillcomethere.Betweenusandheaven,thethingpromised,therebemanycrossestobemetwithall,andtheymustbeborn,andbornasaChristianshoulddo.Throughmanyafflictionswemust enter into the kingdomofHeaven. Besides crosses,therebescandalousoffences,thatbeenoughtodriveusfromprofessionof religion without grace. Sometimes good men by their failings andfallingsout,theyfallintosinandfallout;andthatisascandaltowickedmen."O"saythey,"whowouldbeofthisreligion,whentheycannotagreeamongthemselves."Thisisagreathindranceandstop.Itisascandalandrub in the way, not so much in themselves. We are full of scandalourselves, catch at anything thatwemay except against the best ways;there isarootofscandal intheheartsofallbecausemenwillnotgotohellwithoutreason.

Nowbecauseweareeasytotakeoffence,ratherthenwewillbedamnedwithoutreason,itisnoteasytoholdout.Besidesthis,Satanpliesitwithhis temptations from afflictions and from scandal. He amplifies thesethings in the fancy, "Who would be a Christian? Ye see what theirprofessionis."Andsohemakesthewaythemoredifficult.

Weareofunsettleddispositions

Andthenagain,lookatourowndispositiontosuffer,toholdout,tofix.Thereisanunsettledness,whichisaproperinfirmityinournaturessincethefall.Welovevariety,weareinconstant,andcannotfixourselvesuponthebest things,andweare impatientof sufferinganything.Wearenotonly indisposed to do good, butmore indisposed to suffer any ill. TheSpiritmusthelpusoverallthis,whichmustcontinueallourlifelong;tillwebeinheaven,somethingorotherwillbeinourway.NowtheSpiritofGodmusthelpusoveralltheseafflictions.Weshallnevercometoheaventoovercomeafflictions,andscandals,and temptationwhichSatanpliesusherewithall.

It'shardtoovercometediousnessoftime;Alltobeovercomebywaiting

Andthentoovercomethetediousnessoftime,thisneedsagreatdealofstrength. Now this grace of expectance doth all. And therefore it is sooftentimes stood upon in Scripture, in Isaiah, and in the Psalms, howoftenisitrepeated,WaitontheLord,ifhetarrywaitthou(Isaiah40:31;Psalm27:14;Psalm37:34).TheLordwillwaitforthemthatwaitforhim,anditisthecharacterinScriptureofaChristian.Moseshesaith,suchaswaitedfortheconsolationofIsraelbeforeChristcameintheflesh,suchaone is one that waits for the consolation of Israel. To have a graciousdisposition,andagraceofwaitingwasthecharacterofgoodpeople.NowsincethecomingofChrist,thecharacteroftheNewTestamentistowaitforChrist'sappearance.Thereisacrownofgloryforme,andnotonlyforme,butforallthemthatlovehisappearance(2Timothy4:8).Thatisaningredientinwaiting,whenwelovethethingwewaitfor.Andso(Titus2:12) The grace of God that teaches to deny ungodliness and worldlylusts,andtoliveholily,andjustlyandsoberlyinthispresentevilworld,lookingforandwaitingforthisgloriousappearingofJesusChrist.

So that looking with the eye of the soul, partly on the first coming ofChrist,whichwastoredeemoursouls,andpartlyuponthesecond,whichistoredeemourbodiesfromcorruption,andtomakebothsoulandbodyhappy,itmakesamanagoodChristian.ForthegraceofGodonthefirst,teachesustodenyungodliness;andlookingforChrist'sappearingmakesuszealousofgoodworks.YouhavescarceanyEpistle,butyouhavetimedescribed for looking for the coming of Christ. As Jude, PreserveyourselvesintheloveofGodandwaitforthecomingofChrist.Sothatasthere be gracious promises, and a long day for them, God vouchsafesgracetowaitfortheaccomplishmentofthem.

NowasGodgivesgracetowait,sohewillperformwhatwewaitfor.Astheysayhere,wehavewaited,thatisthespeechofenjoying.Godwillatlength make good what he hath promised; and what his truth hathpromised,hispowerwillperform.Goodnessinclinestomakeapromise,truthspeaksit,andpowerperformsitasyoushallseehere.

Wehavewaited…(Isaiah25:9)

InGod there is amouthof truth, aheartofpity, andahandofpower.Thesethreemeetingtogether,makegoodwhatsoeverispromised.Hewill

fulfill thedesiresofthemthatfearhim(Psalm145:19).ThedesiresthatGodhathputintohischildren,theybekindledfromheaven,andhewillsatisfy them all out of his bowels of pity and compassion. He will notsufferthecreaturetobealwaysundertherackofdesire,undertherackofexpectation, but he will fulfill the desire of them that fear him. Andthereforelearnthisforthetimetocome.

Godwillperformpromisestothemthatwait

Thoughwewait,Godwillperformwhatsoeverwewaitfor;andtherefore,lo,wehavewaitedforhim.Asthereisatimeofpromising,sothereisatimeofperforming;asthereisaseedtime,sothereisatimeofharvest.There is a succession in nature and a succession in grace; as the dayfollowsthenight,andtheSabbaththeweek,andtheJubileesuchatermofyears.Andasthetriumphfollowsthewar,andastheconsummationofmarriage followscontract, so it isahappyandgloriousconditionaboveallconditionshereonearth.ThereforeinthistextyouhavenotonlytheseedtimeoftheChristian,wemaysowintearsandanexpectationasinsowing;buthere is likewise theharvest of aChristian.There is timeofsowing,sothereistimeofreaping;astimeofwaiting,soofenjoying.Wehavewaited,andnow,lo,wehavewhatwewaitedfor.

Godkeepstimesandseasonsinhisownpower

Butwhydothnot theHolyGhost setdowna certain time,but leaves itindefinite, In thatday?Godkeeps timesandseasons inhisownpower;thepointoftimeingeneralheleavesit.Thereisaday,butthepointandmomentoftimehekeepsinhisownpower.Itisenoughtoknowthereisaday,andadaythatwillcomeinthebestseason;God'stimeisthebesttime.Whenjudgmentswerethreateneduponthewicked,theysay,Letuseatanddrink, for tomorrowweshalldie.SoSaul, tomorrow thoushaltdie, and was he the better? So where there is a certain time of God'scominginjudgment,godlymenwouldnotbetheworse,andwickedmenneverthebetter.ThereforeGodreservesitindefinite,Inthatday.

There isagloriousdayyet forChristians;Therebeparticular

daysofperformanceinthislife

Thereisaday,anditisagloriousday,adayofalldays,adaythatneverwillhavenight,adaythatweshouldthinkofeveryday.Thatday,bywayofexcellency.Andbeforethatdaytherebeparticulardaysinthisworld,whereinGodshowshimselfandfulfillstheexpectationofhischildren,tocherish the grand expectation of life everlasting. As in times of troubletheyexpectofGod,andwaitfordeliveranceinGod'stime,andtheymustbeabletosay,Lo,wehavewaited.Becauseitisabeginningandpledgeofthegreatperformancethatshallbeconsummateatthatgreatdayandofall themiseries that shall thenbe removed.So there is adaywhen theJewsshallbeconverted,andthefullnessoftheGentilesbroughtin,andtheman of sin discovered, and consumed by the breath of Christ. AndwhentheChurchofGodseesthem,theymaysay,Lo,wehavewaitedfortheLord,andLo,heiscome,thatwhichwelookedforisnowfulfilled.SothatGodreservesnotthefulfillingofallthepromisestothegreatdayofalldays,buteveninthislifehewillhaveathatday.

GoodtoobservewhatdaysofperformanceGodgivesin

AnditwereverygoodforChristiansinthepassagesoftheirlives,toseehowGod answers their prayers and delivers them. Let them do as thesaints in theOldTestament, that gavenames toplaceswhere they sawGod.AsPenuell,heshallseeGod,andAbraham,GodwillbeseenintheMount.SoSampsonandotherstheygavenamestoplaceswheretheyhaddeliverance,thattheymightbemovedtobethankful.AChristiantakesinallthecomfortsofthislifetobelievethethingsofthelastgreatday.Lo,wehavewaitedforhim.

That shall be a time of sight, and fruition, of full power, and full joy,which is reserved for heaven. Thenwe shall say, Lo, behold this is theLord.Themorewe seeGodhere, themorewe shall seehimhereafter.Therebemanywaysofseeing,soastosay,Lo,thisistheLord.Wemaysayfromthepoorestcreature,LothisistheLord,herearebeamsofhisMajesty in theworksofhis justiceandmercy,Lohere is theLord.TheLordhathbroughtmightythingstopass,theLordismarvelouslylovingtohisChildren.BeholdandseethesalvationoftheLord.Wemaysay,Lo

here, and see somethingofGod inevery creature,no creaturebuthathsomethingofGod.Thethingsthathavebutmerebeing,havesomethingofGod;but the things thathave lifehavemoreofGod.Andso insomethereismore,insomelessofGod.

But in the Church of God specially, we may see his going in theSanctuary;lothisGodhathdoneforhisChurch.AndintheSacramentswemaysay,"IhaveseentheLord,"andfelttheLordinhisOrdinancebyhisHolySpirit.Wedoallthisbeforewecometoseehiminheaven,butthatisnotmeantspecially.

Weshall say,Lo, this is theLord,whenweshall seehim inheaven,allsighthereleadstothatsight.Faithhathasighthere,butitisintheWordandSacrament, and so imperfect; but the sight inheaven is immediateandperfect,andthereforeopposedtofaith.Welivebyfaith,andnotbysight;inheavenweshalllivebysight,notthatwelivenotbysighthereinsome degree, for the lesser sight leads to the greater sight. But incomparisonofsightinheaven,thereisnosight.

AsightofGodcomparativehere

TheScripturespeaksofsightofGodcomparatively:MosessawGod,thatis,morethananyother.AndJacobsawGod,thatiscomparativelymorethan before, but not fully and wholly.We can apprehend him but notcomprehendhim,astheysay;wemayseesomethingofit,butnotwholly.ButinheavenweshallhaveanothersightofGodandthenweshallsay,Lo,thisistheGodwehavewaitedfor;weshallseeChristfacetoface(1Corinthians13:12).

Beloved,thatisthesightindeed.AndifyewillaskmewhetherweshallseeGodthenornot,considerwhatIsaidbefore,thisistheGodwehavewaitedforinobedienceandfruitfully.

IfweshallberavishedwiththesightofGod,surelyifweseehimherewemayseehimthere.Weseehimwith theeyeof faith,weseehimin theOrdinance, we have some sight of God that the world hath not. GoddiscovershimselftohisChildren,morethantotheworld.Andtherefore

they say, Thou revealest thyself to us, not unto the world. A Christianwonders that God should reveal his love, andmercy, and goodness tohim,morethantoothers.AndthereforeifwebelongtoGodandshallseehimhereafter,wemustseehimnow,aswemayseehim,wemusthavesome knowledge of him. And if we see God any way, all things in theworldwillbethoughtofnorequestincomparisonofthecommunionofGodinChrist.AsIsaiah,WehaveseentheLord,andwhathavewetodowithidols?ThesoulthathathseenChrist,growsindetestationofsinandloathesallthingsincomparison.

And then again, if we shall ever see God in glory, in this glorious andtriumphingmanner,ThisistheLord,thissightisachangingsight.ThereisnosightofGod,butitchangesandalterstothelikenessofGod,whenhecallstolookuptohim,andhelooksonusinfavourandmercy.Thebest fruit ofhis favour is grace, of peace, and joy, for thesebeams thatissue fromhim,grace, asbeams from the sun.ButwhereverGod lookswith any favour, there is a conformity to Christ, a gracious, humble,pitiful,merciful,obedientdisposition,whichisanearnestoftheSpiritofChrist.And there is a study of purity, of a refineddisposition from thepollutionsof theworld.Thepure inheart shall seeGod(Matthew5:8).TheythathopetoseeGodforever inheaven,will studythatpurity thatmay dispose, and fit them for heaven. And there is such a graciousinfluenceinitthattheythathopeforheaven,theveryhopemustneedshelptopurifythem.

Thereisaninfluencefromthethinghopedfortoupholdgracesinwaiting

As there is grace suitable to waiting, so there is an influence from thethingshopedfor,togivevigortoallgrace.AsallthegracesofaChristianfitandenablehimforheaven,sohopeofheavenyields life toallgrace.There isamutual influence into these things.Godvouchsafesdiscoveryofthesegloriousthings,tohelpustowait,tobepatient,andfruitfulandabundant in theworkof theLord.Andthemorewewait fruitfully,andpatiently,andsilently, themoreweseeofheaven.So thatas innature,theseedbringsthetree,andthetreetheseed;sointhethingsofGodonething breeds another, and that breeds that again. So that waiting and

gracefitusforheaven,andthethoughtofheavenputslifeandvigorintoallthegracesthatfitusforheaven.

Whatisourfaithtothosegloriousthingsweshallseehereafter?Whatispatience, but for consideration of that? What is hope, but for theexcellencyoftheobjectofhope?Andwhatwereenduringoftroubles, ifsomethingwerenot inheaven tomakeamends forall?Theyhelpus tocome to glory, and the lively hopeful thoughts of those things, animateand enliven all the graces that fit for heaven. If everwe shall hereafterpossessheaven,andsay,Lo, this ishewehavewaited for,wemustseehimhere,soastoundervalueallthings,toseehimwithachangingsight,fortheobjectofglorycannotberevealed,butitwillstirupadispositionsuitabletoglory.Ifthisbenot,neverhopeforasightofhiminheaven.

Weshouldlooktothelastendtofitusforit

Andtherefore letmeentreatandbeseechyou,withtheApostlePaul, tolooktotheend,looktothemainchancethatcancomeinthisworld,andthat shall come hereafter. It is wisdom to look to the end. Aman thatbuildsahouse,willthinkoftheend,thatisthedwellingandhabitationthathepropounds.WeareforeverlastingcommunionwithGod;wearetobeperfectasingrace,soinglory.Heavenisourelement,werestnottill then,we are inmotion till then, that being our station. Then thinkoftenofthis,nevertorestinanyintermediateconditionbecauseweareinwaiting,tillwecometothatcondition.Letussocarryourselves,thatwe may say, This we waited for, it is the glory we expected. It is ourwisdom often to have the end of our lives in our eyes that wemay behelped to wait patiently, cheerfully, and comfortably, till theconsummationcomewhenallpromisesshallendinperformance,whenallthatisillandimperfectlygoodshallberemoved,aconsumptionofillandaconsummationofallgood.

Ohavethatdayinoureyes,thatdayofalldays,andtheverythoughtsofitwillfitusfortheday.Thethoughtsofourendwillfitandstirusuptoallmeans tending to that end.Physical is good if it tend tohealth.Thevery thoughts of that prescribes order, and means. We read, Seek theKingdom of Heaven first, and all other things shall be added to you

(Matthew 6:33). The thought of the end prescribes order to allmeans,anditprescribesmeasure,Howtousetheworld,asthoughIuseditnot;forthethoughtsofmyendstirmeuptouseallcoursessuitabletothatend. And therefore the bestwisdom inChristians is often to prefix theend and to be content in no grace, nor comfort, as it is in a way ofimperfection,buttolookuponeverygrace,everycomfort,everygoodasit tends to perfection. David desired not to dwell in theHouse of GodforeverbecausehewouldterminatehisdesireinthehouseofGodhere,but he aims at Heaven. And so when the saints of God bound andterminate theirdesires and contentment, it iswith reference to the lastday, the rest of a Christian, beyond which they cannot go, evencommunionwithGodhimself.

TheNinthSermon—Isaiah25:9

And it shall be said in thatday, lo, this is ourGod,wehavewaited forhim,andhewillsaveus:thisistheLord,wehavewaitedforhim,wewillbegladandrejoiceinhissalvation.

IntheworstageoftheChurch,thattheChurchmaynotbeswallowedupwithfear,intheworsttimes,Goddothpreparepromisesforhispeople.ItwasthecaseofourblessedSaviourhimselftohispoordisciples,thattheymightnotbeoverwhelmedwithsorrow.ThereforeheaddsSacramentstoPassover, and the New Testament to the Old, and all to confirm faith,knowingthatourheartsareverysubjecttobedaunted.

TheLordpromiseshereaFeastoffatthings,andallthingspertainingtoaFeast, the best of the best, and removal of all thatmayhinder joy astakingaway theveil,whichhinders themfromthesightof it.And thendeath is swallowed up in victory, as it is already in our Head, who isgloriouslytriumphinginheaven.Andthenall tearsshallbewipedfromallfaces.Thereisavicissitudeofthings,theyarenowinavalleyoftearsbut it will not be always thus, time shall come when all tears shall be

wiped away; and the cause of all tears are sorrow. The rebukes of hispeople shall be taken away, the scandal that lies upon the best thingsshall be taken away.Theworst things gounder a better representationandthebestthingsunderaveil,butonedayasthingsare,theyshallbe.TheGodoftruthwillhavetruthtobeclearenough.AndallthisissealedupwiththehighestAuthoritythatadmitsofnocontradiction.TheLORDofHostshathspokenit.

Wecamethelastdaytothesewords;LothisisourGod…

Whereinwemayconsiderfirstofall,thatGodhathlefttohisChurchrichandpreciouspromises,suchasisspokenofbefore,aFeastandremovalof all hindrances whatsoever. He not only vouchsafes heaven whenwedie, and eternal happiness; but in thisworld in ourway he vouchsafespreciouspromises tosupportour faith, thatwemaybeginheavenuponearth.Whatthesepromisesare,weshowedthelastday.

The secondobservationwas, in thatGod'speoplearehere ina stateofexpectation. It shall be said, Lo we have waited for him. We are in acondition ofwaitingwhilewe live in thisworld, becausewe are not athome.Our state requireswaiting, heaven requires settledness and rest.Thereallappetites,alldesiresshallbesatiatedtothefull.Ourestatehereis apassage to abetter state, andwaiting is adisposition fit for suchacondition.

Andinthisthereisgoodandimperfection.Goodthatwehavesomethingtowaitfor;imperfectionthatwearetowaitforit,thatwehaveitnotinfruition. And till we be in heaven we are in a state of waiting. In theRevelations,ComeLordJesus,comequickly(Revelation22:20)thereisagloriousstateofaChurchsetforth,butwhileallisdone,ithathnotwhatit would have.We cannot be in such a state in the world, but there isplaceforadesire,namelyimmediateandeternalcommunionwithChristinheaven.Andtherefore,Itshallbesaidinthatday,LothisisourGod,wehavewaitedforhim.

Godwillhaveuscontinueinastateofwaiting

IwilladdalittletothisgateofwaitingbeforeIgofarther.Godwillnothaveour conditionpresentlyperfect, buthaveus continue in a stateofwaiting.

It'shispleasureweshouldlivebyfaithnotbysight

Firstofall,itishispleasurethatweshouldlivebyfaith,andnotbysight(2 Corinthians 5:7). We have sense and feeling of many things, hereservesnotallforheaven.Howmanysweetrefreshmentshaveweintheway?Butthetenorofourlifeisbyfaith,andnotbysight.Godwillhaveusineachacondition.

WearenotyetfittedforsightofGlory

Again,wearenotfittedforsightoftheglorytocomehere;ourvesselsarenot capable of that Glory. A few drops of that happiness so overcamePeterinthetransfiguration,thatheknewnothimself.

BecauseGodwouldhaveusenjoythebestatlast

Godissogoodtousthathewouldhaveusenjoythebestatthelast;thesweeter is heaven, by howmuch themore difficult our way thither is.Heaven is heaven, and happiness is happiness, after a long time ofwaiting. For waiting enlarges the capacity and desires of the soul toreceivemore,itcommendsthehappinessafterwards.AndthereforeGodkeepsthebestforthelastbecausehewillneverinterruptthehappinessofhischildren,whentheybeinheaven,thereisabanishmentofallcauseofsorrow. He will have a distinction between the Church militant andtriumphant.Hewill trainuphischildrenherebeforehebringsthemtoheaven.HewillperfumehisSpouse,andmakeherfitforanever-lastingcommunionwithhiminheaven.

Waitingisnotanemptything

Thethirdthingisthatastherebepromises,andthesepromisesarenotpresentlyfulfilled,whichputusinastateofwaiting;soGodgivesgracetoupholdinwaiting.Waitingisnotanemptytimetowaitsolongandno

grace in themeantime; but waiting is a fitting time for that we are toreceiveafterwards.

We see in nature in thewinter, which is a dull time to the spring andharvest, and the timesarevery cold; yet it ripensandmellows the soil,andfitsitforthespring.Thereisagreatpromotionofharvestinwinter,it is not amere distance of time. So between the promise and heavenitself, it isnotamerewaiting timeand there isanend;but it isa timewhichistakenupbytheSpiritofGodinpreparingtheheartinsubduingall base lusts, and in taking us off from ourselves and whatsoever iscontrarytoheaven.Thetimeis filledupwithagreatdealof thatwhichfitsusforgloryinheaven.

Godfitsheavenforusandusforheaven

ThegraciousGodthatfitsusforheaven,andheavenforus,fitsuswithallgracesnecessary for that condition.As faith tobelieve,patience towaitfor,andtodependonthatwhichheseesnottobeabovesense,agraceofhopetowaitforthatwhichhebelievestobeananchortohissoulinallconditionswhatsoever,andthenagraceofpatiencetowaitmeeklyallthewhile, and then long suffering patience lengthened out. As thetediousness is long between us and heaven, so there be lengtheninggraces.Wewould have all presently,How long Lord, how long (Psalm13:1).We are so short, evenDavid and others and thereforeGod givesgrace to hold out and lengthen our spiritual faith, and hope, andperseverance, and constant courage to encounterwith all difficulties intheway.When the spiritof amanbeholdsheaven, andhappiness, andGod,itmakeshimconstantinsomesort,asthethingshebeholds,fortheSpirittransformshimtotheobject.NowhebeholdsaconstantCovenant,andasfaithlooksuponaconstantGod,constanthappiness,andconstantpromises,itframesthesoulsuitabletotheexcellencyoftheobjectitlaysholdupon.

And then the Spirit of God in the way to heaven, subdues all evilmurmuringsandexceptionsinsufferingusnottoputforthourhandstoany iniquity, thoughwehavenotwhatwewouldhave,hekeepsus inagoodandfruitfulway.Fortowaitisnotonlytoendure,buttoendureina

goodcourse,fittingusforhappinesstillgraceendinglory.

In the fourth place, God will perform all his promises in time. As theChurchfaithhere,ThisistheLord,wehavewaitedforhim,nowhehathmadegoodwhatsoeverhehathsaid.

As there is a time of waiting, so there will be a time ofperforming;GodisJehovah

Toenlargethispointalittle,asthereisatimeofwaiting,sotherewillbeatimewhenGod'speopleshallsay,Lothis is theLord,wehavewaitedfor him. Why, God is Jehovah, a full and pregnant word, a word ofcomfortandstayforthesoulinthiswordJehovah.HeisaGodthatgivesabeingtoallthingsandabeingtohisWord,andthereforewhathesaith,hewillmakegood.He isLordofhisWord.Everyman'sword is,ashisnature and power and ability is, theword of aman, or theword of anhonestman.ButbeingtheWordofGod,hewillmakeallgood.

God is faithful; he has bowels of compassion towards hispeople

Andthenhewillmakeallgoodbecauseheisfaithful.God,hesaithit,andhewilldoit,youneednomorereasonthenpitytohispeople,hisbowelsofcompassion.Theheartsofpeoplewouldfail,ifheshouldstaytoolong.And thereforeoutofhisbowels inhis time,which is thebest time,notonlybecauseheisfaithful,butbecauseheislovingandpity-full,hewillmakegoodallhispromises.Andthenhewilldoit.

Because thegracewehave isbutanearnestofwhatwe shallhave

Forwhatisgrace,butanearnestofthatfullnessweshallhaveinheaven?Whatispeacehere,butanearnestofthatpeaceinheaven?Andwhatisjoyhere,butanearnestoffullnessofjoyforevermore?AndwillGodlosehis earnest?Thereforewe shall enjoywhatGodhathpromised, andweexpectbecausewehavetheearnest.It isnotapledgeonly, forapledgemay be taken away, but an earnest which is never taken away, but is

madeupinthefullbargain.Graceismadeupinglory,asbeginningsaremadeupwithperfection.WhereGodlaysafoundation,hewillperfectit.WhereGodgivesthefirstfruits,hewillgivetheharvest.

Butitwillbealongtimebefore,becausehewillexerciseallgracetotheuttermost. You see how Abraham was brought to the last. In themountainGodprovidesforasacrificewhentheknifewasreadytoseizeonIsaac'sthroat.

OurfaithshouldanswerGod'sdealing

WeshouldanswerwithourfaithGod'sdealing,thatis,ifGoddeferletuswait,yeawaittotheuttermost,waittodeath.HeisourGodtodeath,andindeath,andforever. IfGodperformhispromiseat theworst, thentillweareatthelowestwemustwait.

WaitingisthecharacterofGod'speople

AndthereforeonecharacterofachildofGodfromothers is this: "Giveme the present," saith the carnal beastly man, "the world." But God'speoplearecontent towait.Heknowswhathehath inpromise isbetterthanwhathehathinpossession.ThegleaningsofGod'speoplearebetterthan the others' harvest. The other cannotwait, butmust have presentpayment. God's child can wait, for he lives by faith. And therefore weshouldlearnpatientlytowaitfortheperformanceofallGod'spromises.

Directionstohelpwaiting;God'stimeisthebesttime

Andtodirectalittleinthatremembersomerules,whicheverymanmaygathertohimself,asGod'stimeisthebesttime.Deusestoptimusarbiteropportunitatis,thebestdiscernerofopportunities.And,inthemountainwillGodbeseen.Thoughhetarrylong,hewillcome,andnottarryover-long,andthenallthestrengthoftheenemyiswithGod.RoburhostiumapudDeum,thestrengthoftheenemyis inhishand,hecansuspenditwhenhepleases.

Godwilleffectthingsthoughbycontraries

Then though God seems to carry things by contrary wages to that hepromises,whichmakeswaitingsodifficult;yethewillbringthingsaboutat last. He promises happiness, and there is nothing but misery; hepromises forgiveness, and opens the conscience to cry out of sin. ButLuther'sruleisexceedinggoodinthiscase.Summaars,thegreatestartofaChristianis,crederecredibilia,etcetera,andsperaredilata, tohopefor things a long time, and to believe God when he seems contrary tohimselfinhispromise.

TimesareinGod'shands

ButthoughGoddothdefer,yetinthatdayhedothperform.Itissetdownindefinitely, for it isnot fitweshouldbeacquaintedwith theparticulartime.And thereforehe saith, in thatday,he setsnotdownaparticulartime,butinthatdaywhereinhemeanstobegloriousintheperformanceofhispromise.Thereisatimeandasettime,andthereisashorttimetoo in regardofGod, anda fit time. If the timewere shorter thanGodhathappointed,thenitweretooshort,iflonger,toolong.Mytimes,saithDavid,areinthyhands(Psalm31:15).Iftheywereintheenemieshands,we shouldnever be out, if in our own,wewouldnever enter. If in ourfriends,theirgoodwillwouldbemorethantheirability.Hesaithnot,mytime, but my times are in thy hands, that is my times of trouble, andtimesofwaiting.AnditiswelltheybeinGod'shands,forhehathadayandacertainday,andafitdaytoanswerthewaitingofallhispeople.

And when that day is come, you see how their hearts areenlarged, they will say, This is the Lord, we have waited forhim.

WhenGodmeans toperformhispromise either in thisworldor in theworld to come, the world to come specially when there shall beconsummationofallpromises,Godshallenlargetheheartsofhispeople.This is theLord,wehavewaited forhim, this is theLord;he repeats itagainandagain.

Oursoul isverycapablebeingaspiritualsubstance,andthenGodshallfillthesoulandmakeitcomprehendmisery,orcomprehendhappiness,wheneverycornerofthesoulshallbefilled.Andthenhavingbodiestoo,itisfittheyshouldhaveapart;sothewholemanshallexpressforththejusticeormercyofGod.

Forthenatureof thething itcannotbeotherwise,everymemberof thebody shall be fit to glorifyGod.What the Psalmist saith of his tongue,Awakemyglory,hemaysayofeverymember,dothyofficeinglorifyingtheLordandrejoicingintheLord.Pectusfacitdisertos,theheartmakesamaneloquentandfull.Sotheperformanceofanypromisefitstheheartsofullofaffections,theaffectionsaresoenlarged.Andthereforewemustnothaveaffectionstoacourtkindofexpressions,astheyinoldtime,andthelikecourt-eloquence,whenmenmightnotspeakfully.Butwhenjoypossessesthehearttothefull,therebefullexpressions.ThisistheLord,thisistheLord,letusrejoiceinhim.Andthereforethereseemssomanytautologies in the Psalms, though they be not tautologies [needlessrepetitions],butmereexuberanciesofasanctifiedaffection.

Obeloved,whatablessedtimewillthatbe,whenthislargeheartofoursshall have that that will fill it! When the best parts of us, ourunderstanding,will,andaffectionsshallbecarriedtothatwhichisbetterandlargerthenitself,andshallbeasitwereswallowedupinthefullnessofGod!Andthat is thereasonof therepetitionof theword,This is theLord,thisistheLord.

Anditfollows,Wewillrejoiceandbegladinhissalvation(Isaiah25:9).When a gracious heart is full of joy, how doth he express that joy! Awickedheart,whenitisfullofjoyislikeadirtyriverthatrunsoverthebanks, and carries a deal of filthwith it, dirty expressions.Butwhen agracious heart expresses itself being full of joy, it expresses itself inthanks andpraises, in stirringupof others.Lo this is ourGod,wewillrejoiceandbegladinhissalvation.Isanymerry,saiththeApostle,SaintJames,Lethimsing(James5:13).

There'ssuitableactionforeveryaffection

Godhathaffectionsforanycondition.Isamaninmisery?Lethimpray.This isa timeofmourning.DothGodperformanypromiseandsogivecauseofjoy?Lethimsing.Thereisactionforeveryaffection,affectionforevery condition, and this may stir us up to begin the employment inheaven,onearthhere.Weshallsaysoinheaven,LothisistheLord,wehavewaitedforhim.

Inperformancesofpromisesbemuchinthankfulness

For every performance of promises, be much in thankfulness. Ourconversationisinheaven,saiththeApostle.Andwhatisthegreatestpartof a Christian's conversation, but in all things to give thanks.Here theHolyChurchsaith, theirmatterofpraisewastoobigfortheirsoul,andthereforetheybreakoutinthismanner.AndsooftentimesachildofGod,his heart is so full, that it is too big for his body in the expression ofmatterofpraise.Butitishiscomfort,thatinheavenheshallhavealargeheart,answerabletothelargeoccasionofpraise.Iwillnotenlargemyselfinthecommonplaceofthanksgiving.

Inthisconditionwecanneverbemiserable,foritspringsfromjoy,andjoydisposesamantothankfulness,anduponthankfulnessthereispeaceand can we be miserable in peace of conscience? Therefore saith theApostle,inallthingsgivethanks,andletyourrequestsbemadeknowntoGod(Philippians4:6).Andwhatwillfollowuponthat,whenIhavemadeknownmyrequestsandpaidmytributeofthanks?thenthepeaceofGodwhich passes understanding shall guide your mind (Philippians 4:7).WhenwehavepaidtoGodthetributewecanpayhim,thenthesoul,ashavingdischargedadebt,isatpeace.IhaveprayedtoGod,Ihavelaidmypetition inhisbosom, I amnot inarrears for former favours, thereforethepeaceofGodwhichpassesallunderstandingshallkeepyourheartsandminds.Hannahadprayedonce,wentnotawaybutprayedagain.Thehappiness of heaven follows the actions of heaven, praisings being themain employment of heaven, the happiness and comfort of heavenfollows.

And howsoever these promises be fulfilled in heaven, yet they have agradualperformanceonearth.Forhespeakscertainlyofthestateofthe

Jews yet to come, wherein there shall be accomplishment of all thesepromises.

ExperienceofGod'sperformancesshouldstirupwaiting

Weoughttotreasureupexperiences

Wehavewaitedforhim,hewillsaveus.ExperienceofGod'sperformancestirsthemupstilltowaitforhimandrejoiceinhissalvation.Experiencestirsuphope.ThebeginningofaChristianandmidst,istohopefortheend,andsurelyourbeginningshouldhelpthelatterend.AllaChristian'slife shouldhelp the end, all former things should come in andhelphislatter.

Beloved, we are too backward that way to treasure up the benefit ofexperience. There be few of year, but might make stories of God'sgraciousdealingswith them, if allwerekept, the comfortspast and fortime to come, and all little enough. ItwasDavid's course,ThouartmyGodfrommymother'swomb,andupontheehaveIhangedeversinceIwasborn,failmenotwhenIamold(Psalm71:6-9).GoalongwithGod'sfavours and use them as arguments of future blessings. As formervictoriesarehelpstogetthesecondvictory.Everyformerfavourhelpstostrengthenourfaith.

Godaninexhaustedfountain

In thenext,God is an inexhausted fountain, andwhenwehave todealwithaninfiniteGod,themorewetakeofhim,themoreweofferhim.Itisnogoodpleatosay,youhavedonecourtesies,thereforedothemstill.Butwe cannot honour God more than from former experience to look forgreatthingsfromthegreatGod.

Wehavewaitedforhim,hewillsaveus,wehavewaitedforhim,andwewill rejoice inhis salvation.Thatwhich a child ofGod gives thanks forand rejoices in, and labors for, is more and more experience of hissalvation.Wewillrejoiceinhissalvation.Thereisnotastrongerwordinall theScripture,nor innature,hedothnotsayrejoicing in thisor that

benefit,but inhis salvation.That is indeliverance fromallevil,wewillrejoiceinhispreservation.Whenhehathdeliveredus,wewillrejoiceinhisadvancementofus,andwewillrejoiceinhissalvation.Andthereforewhen thewisdomofheavenwould includeall inoneword,heuses theword Jesus, all happiness in that word, that pregnant full word, aSaviour.

God'scarriagetowardshischildrenissalvation

SothatGod'scarriagetowardshischildrenissalvation.HeistheGodofSalvation,orasavingGod.AndGodsenthisnamefromheavenandtheangelsbroughtit,thenameofJESUS.Thereforelooktothefullsenseofit.WehaveaSaviourthatwillanswerhisnameasheisJesus,sohewillsave his people from their sins; and therefore we will rejoice in hissalvation. God dealt with us like a God, when he delivered us from allmisery, from all sins, and advanced us to all happiness that nature iscapableof.Ashesaidbefore,Hewillwipeawayall tears fromall faces,andtakeawaytherebukesofallpeople.Hewillpunishthewickedwitheternaldestruction.Andifheadvancesapeoplehewillbesalvation,thenwhichhecansaynomore.

OurjoyandhappinessisintheenjoymentofGod

And this shows that the children ofGod rejoicemore than in anythingelse in salvation,because it is the salvationofGod,andbecauseGod issalvationitself.Heavenwerenotheaven,ifJesus,andGodinournaturewerenotthere.AndthereforetheApostlesaith,Idesiretodepart,nottobedissolved, and tobewithChrist for that is better (Philippians 1:23).ThesightofGod,specially inournature,Godthesecondpersontakingournaturethatwemightbehappy,willmakeushappyforever.InlovingGod,andjoyinginGod,andenjoyingGod,makesfullhappiness;butthatisnot thecauseof joy inheaven,but thecauseofall isGod's influenceinto us. Here in the world happiness is mediate, in God's revealing ofhimselftousbyhisHolySpirit intheuseofmeans, inhisdealingsanddeliverances, letting us see him by his grace, to see him and joy anddelightinhimforever.ItisnogoodlovethatrestsinanyblessingsofGodfor themselves. It is a harlotry affection, to love the giftmore then the

giver.SotheSaintsofGodtheydoalldesiretoseehimastheymayandtojoyinGod,andenjoyGodhimself,andtoseeGodinournature,andtobewithhimforever.BeforehespakeofaFeastandiftheFeast-makerbenot there, what is all? In a funeral Feast there ismuch cheer, but theFeast-maker isgone. Inheaven there is joy,butwhere isGod,where isChrist, he that hath done so much suffered so much for us, that hathtaken possession of heaven, and keeps a place for us there? What isheavenwithouthim?Salvationseveredfromhimisnothing.

Weshallsaywhenwearethere,"LohereisDavid,Abraham,SaintJohn,heretheMartyrs."Yes,buthereisChrist,hereisGod,hereisourSaviourthecauseofall.AndtheseeingofhiminthemthathewillbegloriousinhisSaints,thatmakesusrejoice.Weshallseeallourfriendsinheaven,thereweshallseetheexcellencyofthehappinessofChrist,hislove,hisgrace,hismercy.

ThejoyofaChristianendsinglorying

Thewordsareexpressedwithakindofglorying,Lo,thisisourGod.SothatthejoyofaChristianendsingloryandinthehighestdegreeofglory.As you have it,We glory also in tribulation, we glory in hope of glory(Romans5:2-3),naywegloryinGodasoursreconciled.Andifwegloryin him now as a God reconciled, what shall we do in heaven? Can aworldlinggloryinhisriches,hisgreatness,hisfavourfromsuchamanasHaman did? And shall not a Christian glory in his God and make hisboastinhisGod?

BegintogloryinGodhere

Andthereforeinthisworldweshouldlearntoglory,beforewecometothatglory inheaven, speciallywhenwebe setuponbyanything that isapttodiscourageus,glorytheninourHead.PerhapsaChristianhathnowealth,nogreatrents toglory inbuthehathaGodtoglory in, lethimgloryinhim.Theworldmaytakeallelsefromhim,butnothisGod.Asthe Church in (Song of Solomon 5:9-10) the virgins put the Church todescribeherbeloved,whatisthybelovedmorethenanotherbeloved?Mybelovediswhiteandruddy,thechiefestoftenthousand.

Thenshegoesoninparticulars,mybelovedisthusandthus,andifyouwouldknowwhatmybeloved is, this ismybeloved.SoaChristianthathathaspiritoffaith,shouldgloryinGodhere,forheavenisbegunhere,andheshouldgloryinChristhisSaviour,andshouldsetChristagainstalldiscouragements,andoppositions.Ifyouwillknowwhatismybeloved,this is my beloved, the chief among ten thousands (Song of Solomon5:10).OurGodis inheaven,anddothwhatsoeverhepleases inheaven,and earth, and the deeps, yeawemake our boast ofGod (Psalm 115:3;Psalm135:6),saiththePsalmistwhenthereisoccasion.ThisistheLord,thisisourGod,wehavewaitedforhim;speciallyintimesofafflictions,andwhatisthereason?Thiswillholdouttoeternity.ThisisourGod.Asin the Revelations, it is a plea and a glory forever, for God is ourhappiness.Astheschoolmensay,"Heisourobjectivehappiness,andourformalhappiness,he isourhappiness,ashe isours."Andhe isours inlife,anddeath,andforever,sothereisalwaysgroundofglory;onlyGoddothdiscoverhimselftobeours,bylittleandlittle,asweareabletobearhim. He is ours in our worst times, My God, my God, why hast thouforsakenme?(Matthew27:46),yetmyGodstill.

HeisourGodtodeath,andheisoursinheaven.ThisisourGod,wewillrejoiceinhimandthereforewellmayweboastofGod,becauseinGodiseverlastingSalvation.Ifweboastedinanythingelse,ourboastingwoulddeterminewiththethingitself,butifwerejoiceinGod,werejoiceinthatwhichisofequalcontinuancewithoursouls,andgoesalongwiththesoultoalleternity.

Interest in God and Christ is the ground of all rejoicing;thereforewearetomakegoodthatinterestwhilewearehere

AndthereforeweshouldlearntorejoiceinGod,andthenweshallneverbe ashamed. It is spoken here with a kind of exalting, a kind oftriumphing over all oppositions, Lo, this is ourGod. Beloved this, thatGodisourGod,andChrist isours, isthegroundofrejoicing,andofallhappiness.Alljoy,allcomfortisfoundeduponthis,ourinterestinGod;andthereforewemustmakethisgood,whilewelivehere,thatGodisourGod,andthatwemaydoso.Observethis:ChristiscalledEmanuel,Godwithus.GodinthesecondpersonisGod-man,andsoGodwithus,and

the Father in Emanuel isGodwith us too. Sowe areGod the Father'sbecausewearehis.AllthingsareyourssaiththeApostle,whetherPaul,or Apollo, things present, things to come (1 Corinthians 3:22). Why?BecauseyouareChrist's.Yes,butwhatifIbeChrist's,ChristisGod's.SowemustbeChrist's,andthenweshallbeGod's;ifChristbeours,Godisours, forGod isEmanuel inChrist. Emanuel,God iswith us inChrist,whoiswithus.GodisreconciledtousinGodandmaninournature.AndthereforegetbyfaithintoChrist,andgetunionandgetcommunion.Byprayeropenoursoulstohim,entertainhisspeechestousbyhisWord,and Spirit, and blessed motions, and open our spirits to him, and somaintainablessedintercourse.

Byacquaintancewithhim

MakeitgoodthatGodisourGod,bydailyacquaintance.Thesespeechesatthelatterendarefoundeduponacquaintancebefore.ThisisourGod.Graceandgloryareknittogetherindissolubly.IfGodbeourGodhere,hewillbeoursalsoinglory,ifnothere,notinglory.ThereisacommunionwithGodhere,beforecommunionwithhiminglory,andthereforemakeit good that God be our God here, first by union with him. And thenmaintaindailyacquaintancewithhim,byseeinghimwiththeeyeoffaith,byspeakingtohim,andhearinghimspeaktousbyhisSpirit,joininginhisordinances.Andthenhewillownus,andbeacquaintedwithus. Inheavenweshallsay,Lo,thisisourGod.Wehavehadsweetacquaintanceonewithanother,HebyhisSpiritwithmeandbymyprayerswithhim.OurSaviourChristwill notbewithoutus inheaven,wearepart ofhismystical body, andheavenwerenotheaven toChrist,withoutus.Withreverencebeitspoken,wearethefullnessofChrist,asheisthefullnessofhisChurch.

TheChurch cannot bewithout Christ, norChristwithout theChurch

And if he should want us, in some sort, he weremiserable, he havingfixeduponus,asobjectsofhiseternal love. Inwhatcasewerehe, ifheshouldlosethatobject?Andthereforeaswegloryinhim,hegloriesinus.Who is this that comes out of the wilderness? who? his beloved. And,

woman is this thy faith? He admires the graces of the Church, as theChurchadmireshim,ThisistheLord.

TheChurchcannotbewithouthim,norhewithouttheChurch.

Inheavennothinginitisbutadmirable

Thesewordsarespokenwithakindofadmiration.Lo, this is theLord,wewill rejoice in him. So I say, as there is thanks and joy, so there isadmiration, lo, behold. This is a God worthy beholding, and so hewonders at the graces of his children. Beloved there is nothing in theworldworthyofadmiration.Sapientesnonestadmirare.ItwasaspeechoftheproudPhilosopher,Awisemanwillnotadmire,forheknowstheground.Butinheaventhepartsareliftedupsohighthatthereisnothingbutmatter of admiration, things that eyehathnot seen,nor earheard,norhathenteredintotheheartofmantoconceiveof(1Corinthians2:9).They be things beyond expression and nothing is fit for them, butadmirationatthegreatthingsvouchsafedtotheChurch.

And as with admiration so with invitation that is the nature of truethankfullness;thereisnoenvyinspiritualthings.NomanenviesanotherthelightoftheScriptures,butlo,beholdwithadmirationandinvitationofallothers,ThisistheLord.

Letusthereforerejoicebeforehandattheglorioustimestocome,bothtoourselvesandtoothers,bestirringandexcitingoneanothertoglory,andrejoiceinGodoursalvation.

Be not offended at the meanness of the church nor withreligion,forthere'saglorytocome

And therefore learn all to be stirredup fromhence, not to be offendedwithChrist,orwith religion.Benotoffended, saithAugustine,with thepovertyofreligion.Everythingtotheeyesoftheworldislittleinreligion.AChristianisadespisedperson,andtheChurch,themeanestpartoftheworld, in regard of outward glory.But considerwith the littleness, andbaseness, anddespisednessof theChurch, theglory to come.Timewill

comewhenweshallrejoice,andnotonlysee,butboastwithadmirationto thestirringupofothers,Lo, this is theLord.And thereforesaywithour SaviourChrist, happy is he that is not offendedwithme (Matthew11:6),norwithreligion.

Thereisatimecomingthatwillmakeamendsforall.Whointheworldcansayatthehourofdeath,anddayofjudgment,"Lo,thisismyriches,thismy honours?" Alas the greatest personsmust stand naked to giveaccount, all must stand on even ground to hold up their hands at thegreatbar.Wemay say to the carnalpresumptuousman, "Lo this is theman that put his confidence in his riches." And none but reconciledChristians can say, Lo this is our God. Therefore take heed of beingoffendedwithanythinginreligion.

Benotafraidtodie,forheavenisourrestandcenter

Againiftimetocomebesotranscendentlyglorious,letusnotbeafraidtodie,letusnotbeovermuchcastdown,foritshallendinglory.Andletusbe inexpectationstillofgoodtimes,wait for thisblessedtimetocome,andneverbecontentwithanycondition,soastosetupourresthere.Wemaywriteuponeverything,Hicnonestrequiesvestra;Ourrestisbehind,thesethingsareinpassage.Andthereforerestcontentwithnothinghere.Heaven is our center, our element, our happiness, and everything iscontentedly happy, and thrives in its element. The birds in the air, thefishinthesea,beastsontheearth,theyrestthereasintheircenter.Andthatisourplaceforever,itisheaven,itisGod.TheimmediateenjoyingofGodinheaven,that isourrest,ourelement,andweshallneverresttillwebethere.AndthereforeheisbefooledforitintheGospel,thatsetsuphis rest here. Whosoever saith I have enough, and will now takecontentmentinthem,heisafool.ThereisarestforGod'speople,butitisnothere.

Neitherrestinanymeasureofgraceorcomforthere

Neitherrest inanymeasureofgrace,orcomfort.Whatisfaithtosight?Wehavehope,anAnchor,andHelmet,thatkeepsupmanyasoul,asthecork keeps from sinking.What is this hope to the fruition of what we

hopefor?Herewehavelove,manylovetokensfromGod.Yes,butwhatislovetounion?Oursisbutaloveofdesire,wearebutinmotionhere;welieinmotiononlyandourdesiresarenotaccomplished.Whatisthisloveto theaccomplishingof theunionwith the thingbeloved forever?HerewehavecommunionofSaints;butwhatisthiscommunionofSaints,tocommunionwithGodforever?Wehaveinfirmitieshereasothers,whichbreedsjealousiesandsuspicion;butweshallhavecommunioninheaven,and there shall be nothing in us to distaste others, but everlastingfriendship. Yea our communion shall be with perfect souls. Ourcommunionofsaintshereisourheavenuponearth,butitiscommunionwithimperfectsouls.Peacewehave,yes,butitispeaceintermixed.Itispeace in the midst of enemies. There we shall have peace withoutenemies.Christdothnowruleinthemidstofenemies.Inheavenheshallruleinthemidstofhisfriends.Sothatwecanimaginenoconditionherethough never so good, but it is imperfect. And therefore rest not inanything in theworld, nonot in anymeasure of grace, anymeasure ofcomfort,tillwebeinheaven.Butwaitforthetimetocome,andrejoiceinhopebywhichwearesaved.Waitstill,andthoughwehavenotcontenthere,yetthisisnotourhome,thisisagoodrefreshmentbytheway.Aswhen the Children of Israel came fromBabylon, they hadwells by theway,asinMicah,theydiggedupwells.SofromBabylontoJerusalemwehavemanysweetrefreshments;buttheyberefreshmentsfarofftheway.

Goddigsmanywells,wehavebreastsof consolation tocomfortus,buttheyarebutfortheway.Andthereforeletusansweralltemptations,andnot take contentment with anything here. It is good, but it is not ourhome.Cuidulcisperegrinationonamatpatriam.Ifwehaveeternity,loveheaven,wecannotbeovermuchtakenwithanythingintheway.

BenotovermuchdejectedforthedesolationoftheChurch

AndsofortheChurch,letusnotbeovermuchdejectedforthedesolationoftheChurch,butprayforaSpiritoffaith,whichdothrealizethingstothe soul, andpresents themaspresent to the soul, seesBabylon fallen,presents things in the Scripture phrase and in the words, Babylon isfallen, for asmuch as all the enemies of the Church fall.Mighty is theLord thathathspoken,andwillperform it.Andas theangel saith, it is

down.Sotimewillcomeere long,whenitshallbesaid,It isdown.TheChurchshallbegathered,andthen,Lo,thisisourGod.

Itwas the comfort of the believing Jews that theGentileswould come.AndwhyshoulditnotbethecomfortoftheGentilesthattherebeblessedtimesfortheancientpeopleofGod,whentheyshallallcry,andsay,Lo,this is our God; We have waited for him long, and he will save us.Therefore be not over much discouraged, for whatsoever presentdesolation theChurch lies under. If itwere not for this,wewere of allmen most miserable (1 Corinthians 15:19), as Paul saith. But there betimestocomewhenweshallrejoice,andrejoiceforever,andmakeboastoftheLord.Ifitwerenot,wewereofallmenmostmiserable.Howsoeverhappinessistocome,yetofallpersonsheismosthappy,thathathChristandheaven.

Theforetasteofheavenisbetterthanallworldlyhappiness

Theveryforetasteofhappinessisworthalltheworld,theinwardpeaceofconscience, joy in theHolyGhost, thebeginnings of the ImageofGod,andofhappinesshereisworthalltheenjoymentsoftheworld.AskofanyChristianwhetherhewillhangwiththegreatandworldling,andbeinhiscondition;hewouldnotchangehisplace ingrace, forallhisglory.Andtherefore set heaven aside; the very first fruits is better, than all theharvestof theworld.Letus thereforeget thesoul raisedby faith toseeherhappiness,weneeditall.Fortillthesoulgetaframeraiseduptoseeitshappinesshere,speciallyintheworldtocome,itisnotinaframefitforanyservice.Itwillnotstooptoanybasesinwheretheaffectionsaresopossessedtheylookuponallbasecoursesasunworthyoftheirhope.What,IthathopetorejoiceforeverwithGodinheaven,thatamheirofheaven,thathavetheImageofGoduponme,thataminCovenantwithGod,totakeanybestialcourse,toplacemyhappinessinthingsmeanerthanmyself, that have God to delight in, a God in Covenant that hathtakenmeintoCovenant,withhimself.SoIsayinallsolicitationstosin,getourselvesintoaframethatmaystandfirmandimmovable.

InalltroublesletusknowwehaveaGodinCovenant,thatwemayjoyinhimhere,andrejoicewithhiminheavenforeverhereafter.

FINIS.

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