THis Psalme of Dauid , The Argument of the Psalme . is a Psalme of doctrine : wherin the Kingly Prophet sheweth by what markes and notes a sound member of the Church militant , and a true citizen of the kingdome of heauen may bee discerned and knowne . And it is set downe in forme of a dialogue betwixt Dauid and the Lord , consisting on two parts ; Dauids question , Verse 1. and Gods answer , in the rest of the Psalme . The occasion of the question seemeth to haue beene the disguising and counterfeiting of many professors in all ages , who liuing in the Church , and not being of it , but as goats among the sheepe , and as tares among the corne , doe notwithstanding by an externall profession of religion , and false opinion of true pietie , deceiue not only others , but sometimes themselues also . For many there are , who place all religion in the performance of the outward worship . And therefore such persons , if they frequent the Church , heare the word , receiue the sacraments , call vpon God with the rest of the congregation , they imagine that they haue sufficiently discharged their dutie , though their life and conuersation be irreligious and vnrighteous . Yea and not a few seeme to repose such trust and affiance in the very name of the Church , that if they imagine themselues to bee in the true Church , and doe not gaine say the doctrine therein professed , they take no further care for their saluation , but liue securely , as though all the members of the visible Church , were also members of the inuisible ; and as though all which haue the externall Church to their mother , had also God to their spiritual father in Christ . Wherefore , to the end that men should no longer deceiue themselues with vaine opinions & fond conceits , the Prophet hauing first consulted as it were with the Oracle of God , setteth downe certaine marks or notes of a true Christian and citizen of heauen , wherby euery man may discerne himselfe . And withall he teacheth that in a sound and liuely member of the Church , an externall profession of the faith , and an outward communion with the Church of God , is not sufficient , vnlesse the vprightnesse of our life be answerable to our profession . And the same is confirmed by our Sauiour Christ : Mat 7. 21 , 22 , 23. Not euery one that saith vnto me Lord , Lord , shall enter into the kingdome of heauen , but he that doth the will of my father which is in heauen . Many shall say vnto me in that day , Lord , Lord , haue not wee prophecied in thy name , and cast out diuels in thy name , and done great wonders in thy name ? And then will I professe vnto them , saying , I know you not , depart from me you workers of iniquitie .

But now let vs search out the true sence and meaning of this question . The meaning of the words . Ver. 1. By the names of Tabernacle and Mountaine , we are to vnderstand the two parts of the Catholicke or vniuersall Church : For the Tabernacle signifieth the Church militant vpon earth ; the holy Mountaine , the Church triumphant in heauen . By sojourning in the Tabernacle , is vnderstood the short and transitorie abode of Christians , as it were pilgrims in the earth , as in a strange land : by dwelling in the Mountain of God , is signified their perpetuall & eternall rest in heauen , as in their owne countrey . Wherein the Prophet alludeth vnto that materiall Tabernacle , which was called the Tabernacle of the assembly or congregation ; and to the mount Moriah , where the Temple was placed : 2. Chro. 3. 1. the one whereof was a type of the Church militant vpon earth ; the other was a figure of the Church triumphant in heauen . I am not ignorant , that both members are by some expounded of the Church militant , and by others of the Church triumphant : but I follow that exposition which seemeth best to agree with the words and meaning of the holy ghost . For the varietie of phrase plainely argueth diuersitie of matter ; sojourning in Gods Tabernacle , being much different from dwelling in the Mountaine of his holinesse . And the conclusion of the answere in the last words of the Psalme , which without doubt doth render the true meaning of the question , belongeth both to this life and to that which is to come . He that doth these things , shall not beremooued for euer : that is , he shall neither fall away from the grace of God in this life , nor be excluded out of Gods glorious presence in the life to come . The sence therefore and meaning of the question is this , 2. Tim. 2. 19. Lord , thou searcher and trier of the hearts and reines of men , who art acquainted with all secrets , and best knowest who are thine , for as much as there is so much vnsoundnesse and hipocrisie among them that professe thy name , and frequent the places of thy worship , that many deceiue others with a counterfeit shew , and some beguile themselues with a false opinion of religion , declare , I beseech thee , vnto thy Church some tokens and cognisances of a true and sound Christian , whereby the sheepe may be discerned from the goats , and the wheat from tares : shew vs Lord who is a sound member of the Church militant here on earth , and shal be an inheritor of glorie in the Church triumphant in heauen : who is a true subject of thy kingdome of grace , and shall be an heire of the kingdome of glory .

And this was the meaning of the question . Now let vs come to the words of this text . Wherein wee are to consider two things : The diuision 〈◊〉 the text . Vers. 1. the parts of the question , and the partie to whom it is propounded . Of the parts wee are to speake , first , seuerally of either , and then joyntly of both together . Esay 40. 22. The former part : Lord who shall soiourne in thy Tabernacle ? By Tabernacle some ( as I said ) vnderstand heauen , which elsewhere in the Scriptures is called Gods Tabernacle : Psal. 104. 2. and not vnsitly , seeing the Lord stretcheth out the heauens as a curtaine , and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in . But howsoeuer the name Tabernacles is sometimes figuratiuely vsed to signifie heauenly and euerlasting habitations . Luke 16. 9. Notwithstanding , it more properly signifieth tents in warre , and the flitting habitations of warfaring men . And that by Tabernacle is here meant the Church militant , the other word of soiourning doth import . For heauenly Tabernacles are not tents to sojourne in , but mansions of perpetuall habitation , and euerlasting rest .

Basill by Tabernacle vnderstandeth our flesh , In Psal. 15. which the Apostle calleth the ●arthly house of our Tabernacle : 2. Cor. 5. 1. for our bodies are not onely Tabernacles , 2. Pet. 1. 13 , 14. but Temples also of God . 1. Cor. 3. 16. & 6. 19. As if this were the sence : Lord , who is he , who hauing sojourned as a stranger in this flesh of ours , 2. Cor. 6. 16. shal at the length rest with thee in thine heauenly kingdome ? And surely , the sence which he giueth is godly , for it teacheth , that those which shall for euer rest in the mountaine of Gods holinesse , do liue in this flesh as pilgrims and strangers , Col. 3. 5. mortifying their earthly members . Notwithstanding his exposition is not fit . For according to this interpretation , the former part of the question containeth the answere to the latter : for so hee sayth , He that hath soiourned as a pilgrim in the flesh , he shall dwell in the holy mountaine . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Most fitly therefore by Tabernacle we may vnderstand the Church militant , which elsewhere is called the Tabernacle of God , Psal. 61. 5. &c. Th● Church militant is the Tabernacle of God . and sometimes the house , sometimes the Temple of God . For a Tabernacle is a militarie mansion , and as it were a portable house which hath no fixed seat or setled place .

Now whereas the holy ghost calleth the Church of God a Tabernacle , The first vse . we learn first , that the life of a Christian is a warfare , Iob. 7. 1. as Iob saith , wherein we are to fight against the enemies of our saluation , which fight against our soules , namely , the flesh , the world , and the diuell : Whereupon , the Church of God vpon earth is called the Church militant . It behooueth therefore euery one of vs that would bee esteemed a true member of the Church , to behaue our selues as Christian souldiours , fighting vnder the banner of Christ . And for as much as our aduersarie the Diuell goeth about like a roaring Lion , 1. Pet. 5. 8. seeking whom he may deuour ; Iob. 1. and seeing the flesh lusteth against the spirit , Gal. 5. 17. sending out of the heart as it were a furnace , 1. Tim. 6. the sparkles of foolish and noisome lusts , which fight against our soules : 1. Pet. 2. 11. and the world likewise , partly by the desires thereof , partly by bad examples , carrieth vs away , 1. Cor. 7. 31. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . to embrace the world , to mind earthly things , to serue Mammon , and to place our paradise here on the earth : It behooueth vs therfore both to prepare our selues to this combat , and therefore not to bee secure or to sleepe , as others , but to stand vpon our guard , to be sober and vigilant , and to arme our selues with that complete armour of God described . 1. Pet. 58. Eph. 6. and also in the fight valiantly to encounter , Eph. 6. 14 , 15 , 16 , 17. and constantly to withstand our spirituall enemies , to resist the diuell , sam. 4. 7. and hee shall flie from vs , with the shield of faith to quench his fierie darts , and with the sword of the spirit , which is the word of God , to refell his assertions , and repell his assentations . So to vse the world , that we doe not ouer-vse it , 1. Cor. 7. 31. so to possesse worldly things , that we be not possessed of them : but rather renouncing worldly lusts , Tit. 2. 12. and being wained from worldly desires , to meditate and mind heauenly things . Psal. 131. 2. To crucifie the flesh with the lusts thereof , Col. 3. 2. and to mortifie our members which are on the earth , Gal. 5 ▪ 24. liuing not according to the flesh , Col. 3. 5. but according to the spirit .

This warfare is to be entertained , this warre is to be maintained of vs , if we would be esteemed sound members of the Church militant , who sojourning in the Tabernacle of God , doe fight in his campe against our spirituall enemies . But on the other side , if we execute the workes of the diuell , giuing our selues ouer vnto sinne and iniquitie ; if with Demas we embrace the world , following after pleasures , riches , honours ; if we conforme our selues to this present world and the examples therof ; Rom , 13. 14. if wee take thought for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof : then are we souldiors indeed , but in the diuels campe ; we fight , but vnder Sathans banner , against God , against the spirit , against our owne soules . So farre are we either from sojourning in Gods Tabernacle for the pre●●nt or from hope of resting in the mountaine of his holinesse for the time to come .

Secondly , The second vse . whereas the holy ghost calleth the Church of Christ vpon earth , a Tabernacle , we may learne , that neither the Church it selfe , nor the members of it , haue any firme or fixed seat of habitation on the earth : for Tabernacles and Tents are made to that end , that they may be remoued from place to place . Yea , the Tabernacle of God was a moueable temple , eftsoones changing his seat . 1. Cor. 10. And as those Israelits were types vnto vs , so was that Tabernacle a type of the militant Church . For euen as that Tabernacle , after it was once made , wandered vp and downe in the desert , and after sojourned for a while , now here , now there , sometimes in Shilo , sometimes among the Philistims , somtimes in Keriathjarim , &c. and neuer found any setled place , vntil it was transported into the mountaine of God : 2. Chron. 3. 1. & 5. 5. so the Church of God wandreth many times as a pilgrim in the desert of this world , Heb. 11. 37 , 38. forced oft times to change her seat , tossed too and fro , persecuted , molested , banished , and neuer findeth any assured place of constant rest , vntill it bee translated into the celestiall mountaine of Gods holinesse .

Thirdly , The third vse . whereas the Church is called the Tabernacle of God , 1. Tim. 3. 15. as elsewhere in the Scriptures the house and temple of God , 2. Cor. 6. 16. wherein God dwelleth and manifesteth his presence ; Eph. 2. 21. we may learn that the Lord dwelleth as it were in his Church , Apoc. 3. 12. and after a singular maner is present therein . 2. Thess. 2. 4. For to this end the Lord commaunded the Tabernacle to be made , Exod. 25. 8. that he might dwell among them : and againe , whereas he promiseth by Moses , To set his Tabernacle among them , Leuit. 26. 12. and walke among them . The Apostle expoundeth his setting his Tabernacle , to bee his dwelling among them . 2. Cor. 6. 16. You are ( saith he ) the temple of the liuing God . As God hath said , I will dwell among them , and I wil walke there . And to the same purpose elsewhere hee is said to be and to walke in the middest of his people , Esay 12. 6. to dwell in Sion , Deut. 13. 14. and to walke in the middest of the seuen golden candlesticks , Psal. 9. 12. & 132. 13. that is , of the seuen churches . Now the consideration of Gods presence in his Church , Apoc. 2. 1. ought to make vs warie and circumspect , that wee may so behaue our selues as in the presence of God , who searcheth the hearts and reines of men . For the Lord is not onely present to reward those which worship him in spirit and truth , but also to punish and afflict those which feare not to sinne in his presence . Wherefore the holy ghost , as he chargeth the Israelits not to feare their enemies , Deut. 20. 3. because God did walke with them , and was among them a consuming fire to destroy their enemies : Deu● . 9. 3. so hee commaundeth them to abstaine from sinne , because God was among them a consuming fire , Deut. 6. 15. & could not abide any filthinesse , especially spirituall vncleannesse among them . Deut. 23. 14. This therefore must teach vs to set God alwayes before our eyes , and to behaue our selues as in his presence : knowing that wee are more than shamelesse sinners , if wee feare not to sinne in the sight and presence of God .

But although the Lord bee present euery where in his Church after a speciall manner , God more especially present in the assemblies of the Church . yet more especially he is present in the assemblies of the Church and congregations of his people gathered together in the name of Christ , as Christ himselfe hath promised , Matt. 18. 20. Where two or three are gathered together in my name , Mat. 18. 20. there am I in the middest of them . Therefore in the old Testament , those who were excluded from the assembly of the Church , thought themselues banished from the face & presence of God . Gen. 4. 15. The consideration whereof as it must affect vs with an earnest desire and serious care of frequenting the Tabernacles of God , to visit his face and to behold his presence , so it must teach vs to behaue our selues in the assembly of Gods saints , as in the presence of God . Dauid when he was exiled , or otherwise excluded from the assemblies of the Church , he desired nothing more than that hee might haue libertie to come vnto the Tabernacle of God , and to appear in the presence of God . See Psal. 27. 4. Psal. 27. 4. One thing haue I desired of the Lord , that I will require , euen that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the daies of my life , to behold the beautie of the Lord , and to visit his temple . And Psal. 42. Psal. 42. 1. 2. 4. As the Hart brayeth for the riuers of waters , so panteth my soule after thee O God . My soule thirsteth for God , euen for the liuing God , when shall I come and appeare before the presence of God , Psal. 84. 1 ▪ 2. &c &c. Likewise Ps. 84. O Lord of hosts how amiable are thy Tabernacles : my soule longeth , yea fainteth , that I might come to the Courts of the Lord : my heart and my flesh crie out after the liuing God , &c. And when he had liberty to come to the Tabernacle , Psal. 122. 1. he rejoyced in nothing more . Psal. 122. Ireioyced when they said vnto me , we will go into the house of the Lord . And again Psal. 84. Psal. 84. 4. 10. he judgeth them blessed that dwell in the house of the Lord , and preferreth one day spent in the Courts of the Lord , before a thousand elswhere . But as I said , the presence of God must also moue vs to behaue our selues reuerently and religious●y , that before we come vnto the house of the Lord , Eccles. 4. 17. & 5. 1. we look vnto our feet , that is , examine with what affections wee come ; and not onely so , but also to put off the shoes of our feet , Exod. 3. 5. that is , our corrupt affections , that we may bee readie to heare rather than to offer the sacrifice of fooles , Ios. 5. 15. for the place of the assembly being sanctified by Gods presence , is holy ground . And that when we are entred into the assembly , we may after the example of Cornelius , Act. 10. 33. behaue our selues as in the presence of God . Those which come before an earthly prince , either to speake vnto him , or to heare him speake , how carefull are they to behaue themselues in all comely reuerence ! how much more ought wee in all reuerence and feare appeare before the glorious majestie of the great God , 1. Sam. 1● . 7. the King of kings , Why the holy ghost doth vse the phrase of soiourning . and Lord of lords , especially considering that the Lord doth not behold vs as man doth , but looketh especially vnto the heart . Our abode in the Church militant , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . is signified in the word soiourne . Hebr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Graec. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , who shall soiourne . Sojourning ( saith Basil ) is a temporarie abode , signifying not a setled life , but transitorie or passing on , in hope of trans●ation to a better estate . This word therefore the holy-ghost doth vse to signifie , that a citizen of heauen is a pilgrim on earth , and that his life here is a pilgrimage . True heires of heauen , and pilgrims on ea●th . And so Peter calleth the time of our life , the time of our pilgrimage . And Iacob professeth , that the daies of his pilgrimage ( meaning his life ) were few and euill . ● . Pet. 1. 17. And likewise Dauid , Gen. 47. 9. I am a stranger ( saith he ) before thee , ● Chro. 2● . 15. and a pilgrim , as all my forefathers were . In a word , it was the profession of all the faithfull , That they were strangers and pilgrims vpon the earth . Heb. 11. 13. Here therefore wee are taught so many as desire to be citisens of heauen , to behaue our selues as pilgrims on the earth . 1. Pet. 2. 11 , 12. Who being exiles in a forraine land , desire to come vnto our owne country . He that hath a good patrimonie in his owne countrey , great wealth , kind and able kinred and friends , and is forced for a time to sojourne in a strange land , where he is ill intreated , disturbed , molested , assailed by his enemies on euery side , hee will affect nothing in that strange countrey , neither will he set his heart vpon any thing there , but his mind is vpon his countrey , desiring nothing more than to returne thither . But our countrey is in heauen , where we haue an euerlasting inheritance , an incorruptible and inestimable treasure , where , is God our heauenly father , Christ our eldest brother , and the rest of our brothers and sisters , the Patriarchs , Prophets , Apostles , Martyrs , and all the quire of heauenly Saints and celestiall spirits : and wee are pilgrims for a time here vpon earth , where we are hated & ill intreated , assaulted with the temptations of Satan , the world , and the flesh , subject to many inward infirmities and outward troubles . And therefore it behooueth vs not to set our hearts on worldly things , or to place our paradise vpon the earth . For if our hearts be on the earth , how is our treasure in heauen ? if the earth be our countrey , how are we citizens of heauen ? Wherefore , if we bee pilgrims in the world , let vs not bee addicted to worldly desires , let vs not mind earthly things , but being wained from worldly cogitations , let vs mind those things which be aboue . Let vs vse the world , as though we vsed it not , and let vs be so affected towards earthly things as pilgrims and wayfaring men are toward such delights or commodities as they see in their journey , or at their inne . Which if they vse as meanes to further them in their journey : yet they set not their hearts vpon them . And yet assuredly ▪ our abode in this life , in respect of our continuance in the mountaine of Gods holinesse , is not so much as the time of our lodging or bait in an Inne . Therefore howsoeuer such as be but earth-wormes , doe crawle as it were vpon the earth , and mind earthly things . Yet must we remember , that we are citisens of heauen , Phil. 3. 19 , 20. and pilgrims on the earth . Are wee pilgrims , liuing ( as it were ) exiled from our celestiall countrey and heauenly father ? Phil. 1. 23. What ought wee then more feruently to desire than to be in our country , and that this earthly Tabernacle of our body being dissolued , 2. Cor. 5. 1. wee might dwell in that habitation made without hands , eternall in the heauens ? Are we such pilgrims as indeed desire to be in our countrey ? Let that then bee our chiefest care and indeuour to trauell into our countrey . Mat 6. 33. Let vs first seeke the kingdome of God , and his righteousnesse , and carefully vse the meanes of our saluation . And let vs thinke , that if wee bee pilgrims , wee must also be wayfaring men . Are we wayfaring men in this life ? then will wee vse hac vita vt via , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Basil. This life as a way ; and the things of this life as they may bee helpes vnto vs in this way . Let vs make choise of the high , and as it were the Kings way , which leadeth vnto heauen , the way of true faith and vnfained repentance . Let vs insist and persist therein , Mat. 7. 14. though it bee a narrow and an afflicted way . Let vs walke before God in the duties of our lawfull callings , and in those good workes which God hath prepared for vs . Eph. 2. 10. This is the way , let vs walke therin . Let vs not returne to our sinnes , Esay . 30. 21. let vs not de●●●ne from the way of Gods commaundements either to the right hand or to the left : let vs not stand at a stay , nor looke backward with Lots wife , and much lesse goe backward ; but with Paule , Phil. 3. 14. let vs doe one thing , forgetting that which is behind , and striuing to that which is before , let vs make on towards the marke , vnto the price of the high calling of God in Iesus Christ , knowing , Mat. 10. 22. that whosoeuer perseuereth to the end , he shall bee saued . And this was the former part of the question , concerning a true member of the Church militant , which the holy ghost hath expressed in these wordes : Who shall soiourne in thy Tabernacle ? calling the Church militant , the Tabernacle of God ; and teaching , that hee which is an heire of the kingdome of heauen , is a pilgrim on earth .

Now followeth the later part of the question , The second part of the question . which is concerning the member that shall bee of the Church triumphant , and inheritour of the kingdome of heauen , in these words , Who shall dwell in the mountaine of thy holinesse ? What is meant by the mountain of God . The kingdome of heauen by a metonymy of the signe , he calleth the mountaine of God . For the mountaine of God was a type of the kingdome of heauen . And this mountaine was either the land of Canaan , which was a type of the coelestiall Canaan , as it is said Exod. 15. Exod. 15. 17. Thou shalt plant them , O Lord , in the mountaine of thine inheritance , in the place which thou hast made for thine habitation : or else the mount Sion , which elsewhere is called the mountaine of Gods holinesse , Psal. 2. 6. and was a type of the heauenly Ierusalem : or lastly , Heb. 12. 22. the Mount Moriah , where the Temple was placed , which is somewhere called the mountaine of the congregation , Esay . 14. 13. standing on the North part of Sion ; and is therefore called the holy mountaine , Psal. 48. 2. because it was the place of the holy assemblies , which the Lord sanctified for his habitation and for his worship : and this al●● was a type of the temple of God , that is to say , of heauen . Psal. 11. 4. Whereas therefore heauen is called the mountaine of God , it is a metonymy , such as wee find elsewhere in the Psalmes , Psal. 3. 4. I cried vnto the Lord , and he heard me out of the mountaine of his holinesse , that is , heauen . And thus the most interpret this place : as namely , among the Greekes Basil saith this mountaine doth signifie , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . The supercelestiall religion , Heb. 12. which is euery way conspicuous and bright ( which some call Coelum Empyrium ) wherof the Apostle speaketh . Heb. 12. Among the Latines P. Lombard . in thy holy mountaine , that is , saith he , In euerlasting blisse , where is the vision of peace ( signified in the name Ierusalem ) and the supereminence or height of charitie , where none contendeth in fight , but resteth in euerlasting peace .

Now heauen is called the mountaine of God for these causes . Why heauen is called the mountaine of God . First , because it was figured by the mountaine of God , euen as Christ is called our Passeouer . Secondly , because of the height thereof , whereby it is eleuated farre aboue the earth . For albeit , in respect of vs who are now placed within the compasse of heauen , and behold Comavam coeli superficiem , 1. Cor. 5. as it were the inward roofe thereof , it cannot so fitly be called a mountaine : notwithstanding as it is the throne of God , who sitteth on the globe of heauen , as it were his throne , and as it is the seat of the blessed spirits , whose conuersation is in the highest heauen , as it were in the top of an hill , it is not vnfitly called the mountaine of God . Vnto this mountaine , if we should ascend but in thought , as Scipio once did in his dreame , and from thence should behold the earth ; we should easily contemne this inferiour world with the desires thereof . For the whole globe of the earth together with the water , which seemeth none so great vnto vs , if we could see it from the highest heauens , would appeare vnto vs like a mote in the sunne . But if withall we felt the vnspeakable joyes of heauen , and from thence should cast downe our eies vnto this valley of teares , there to behold the vanities of vanities , and nothing but vanitie in vexation of spirit , as Salomon saith , it cannot be expressed with how feruent a desire we should be inflamed to haue our habitation in heauen . Peter when as hee was present in the transfiguration of Christ in the mount Thabor , and had a tast of the heauenly glory , he was straightway rauished therewith , and desired greatly to remaine there . Lord ( saith he ) it is good being here , let vs make three Tabernacles , Mat. 17. 4. &c. Thirdly , heauen is called a Mountaine , because it is a safe place , free from all hazard or possibilitie of danger , where the blessed spirits dwell on high safe from all danger and feare of euill . Esay . 33. 16.

But heauen is not onely called the mountain of God , but also the holy Mountaine , H●ly mountain . or ( which is all one ) the Mountaine of his holinesse , because it is sanctified by the presence of God . For which cause , Sion also and the mount Moriah are called the holy mountaine of God : Exod. 3. 5. For where the Lord doth manifest his presence , that is a holy place , namely , because of Gods presence sanctifying it . But in the highest heauen the Lord doth principally manifest his presence , and reueale his glory . Wherefore , if mount Thabor after the transfiguration of Christ there wrought , and the presence and glory of God there manifested , 2. Pet. 1. 18. was for that cause called the holy mountaine ; how much more doth the highest heauen , where Christ sitteth at the right hand of his father in majesty and glory , deserue to be called the holy mountaine of God ? The Scriptures ascribe such holinesse to ●his mountaine of God , as nothing may enter therein which is not holy . Which must teach vs ( beloued ) to follow after holinesse ; Apoc 21. 27. without which we shall neuer see God . Verely verely I say vnto you ( saith Christ our Sauiour ) except a man be borne of water and of the spirit , Heb. 12. 14. he cannot enter into the kingdome of God . Iohn . 3. 5.

Our abode in the mountaine of God , The phrase of dwelling expounded . is expressed in the word dwelling : whereby two things are signified , Perpetuitie & Rest. Perpetuitie : for there the children of God remaine not as pilgrims for a time , but as citisens and heires for euer . Hebr. 9. 15. Whereupon the kingdome of heauen is also called an heauenly inheritance , Luke 16. 9. wherin are euerlasting habitations , 1. Pet. 1. 4. and an inheritance immortall , and vndefiled , & that fadeth not away , reserued in heauen for vs . I wil not stand to proue this point , being the last article of our Creed , confirmed by manifold testimonies of scripture , which often mentioneth eternall life , eternall saluation , Dan. 12. 2. 3. eternall kingdome : let vs rather labor by all good meanes to make sure our calling and election to this eternall kingdome , Mat. 25. 46. that the meditation therof may teach vs , Heb. 5. 9. first , 2. Pet. 1. 11. to contemne in respect thereof the momentarie vanities of this present world : 2. Pet. 1. 10. accounting it more than madnesse , if for the temporarie fruition of sinne wee shall depriue our selues of Gods presence , Psal. 16. 11. where there is fulnesse of ioy , and at whose right hand there are pleasures for euermore : 2. Cor. 4. 17. if for light and temporarie trifles we loose a superexcellent eternall weight of glorie in heauen . Secondly , with patience and comfort to run the race of afflictions set before vs , Heb. 12. 1. 2. looking vnto Iesus the author and finisher of our faith , who for the ioy that was set before him , endured the crosse , and despised the shame , Rom 8. 18. and is set at the right hand of the throne of God . For the and light afflictions of this life , 2. Cor. 4. 17. are not worthy the eternall weight of glorie that shall be reuealed , which notwithstanding they procure vnto vs , whiles we looke not on the things which are seene , but on the things which are not seene . For the things which are seene , are temporall : but the things which are not seene , are eternall . Againe the word dwelling , importeth rest . For there the children of God doe not wander as pilgrims , neither are subject to any molestations , but doe wholly rest from their labours . Apoc. 14. 13. And for that cause the kingdome of heauen is called the rest of God , Psal. 95. &c. and as it were an eternall Sabboth . In respect whereof , Heb. 4. the land of Canaan was a type of our heauenly countrey . For as to the Israelits , after they had for many yeares wandered as pilgrims through the desert , the land of Canaan was the mountaine of their perpetuall habitation and rest : euen so to vs , after wee haue finished our pilgrimage through the desert of this world , there remaineth an heauenly Canaan , that Sabbatisme or rest of God , which the Apostle testifieth , Heb. 4. 9. is left to the people of God . But as against those Israelites , which after they were brought out of Aegypt , and were in the way towards the land of promise , by their infidelitie and contumacie prouoked God , the Lord sware in his anger , that they should neuer enter into his rest : so shall it happen to so many of vs , as professing our selues to bee redeemed out of the bondage of the spirituall Pharao , shall notwithstanding neither truly beleeue in Christ , nor repent of our sinnes , but prouoke the Lord by our infidelitie and disobedience . Heb. 3. 7. &c. Wherefore , as the holy ghost sayth , To day if you shall heare his voice , harden not your hearts as in the prouocation , and as in the day of temptation in the wildernesse , where your fathers tempted me , &c. to whom I sware in my wrath , that they should not enter into my rest . Heb. 6. 11. Let vs studie therefore to enter into that rest , least any of vs fall after the same ensample of disobedience . And let vs take heed least at any time there be in vs an euill heart of infidelitie to depart from the liuing God . Heb. 3. 12. For the vnfaithfull shall be excluded , Apoc. 21. 8. but so many as beleeue , Heb. 4. 3. shall enter into that rest . And as Iosua ( who also is called Iesus ) brought the Israelites into that rest : Heb. 4. 8. so Christ , the true Iesus and Sauiour of his people , bringeth all those that beleeue in him into this eternall rest . For he not onely died , that hee might purchase by his bloud this rest for vs , and ascended into heauen , to prepare eternall mansions for vs : Iohn . 14. 2. but also , when wee are to leaue this earthly Tabernacle of our bodies , he sendeth his holy Angels to conuey our soules into the bosome of Abraham , Luke . 16. 22. and to place them in this mountaine of God .