IN the Parable of the Tares , Math. 13.24 our Sauiour Christ sheweth that it is Gods pleasure , that in this life the wicked shall not be rooted out from amongst the righteous : and yet at the haruest , that is at the later day , there shall be a difference made betwéen them . Now in this example of the generall Iudgement of that day , our Sauiour sheweth , that the difference then made shall bée foure-fold . First , of their Persons verse 23. Secondly , of their workes , verse 35.42 . Thirdly , of their condition , verse 34 , 41. Fourthly , of their reward , in this 46. verse , Of the peculiar of the righteous I make choyce at this time to speake , that it may be an incouragement to the euill to forsake their wicked waies , to liue the life of the righteous , that their latter end may be like vnto his : and to the good to perseuer in their righteous resolutions begun , that their labour may not be in vaine in the Lord . Curious deuision of the words I purposely omit , onely as they ly they yeald vs this instruction .

Doct. That the iust shall assuredly receiue the recompence of eternall happinesse in the life to come . This doctrine is further confirmed by these text of Scripture , Math. 13.43 . Dan. 12.2 . Ro. 2.7 . 1 Cor. 2 9. 2 Tim. 3.8 .

Reason 1 Because the members of that body whereof Christ is the head , who being entred into the glory before , his members must néedes follow and not be left behind : for hee accounteth himselfe not full without them , for which cause the Church is called his fulnesse , Ephes. 1.23 .

Reason 2 Because they are freed from the curse of the Law , whereunto they are naturally subiect for their corruptions and transgressions , and being deliuered from the curse , are made partakers of the blessing . Gal. 3.13.14 .

Reason 3 Because they are cloathed with the righteousnes of Christ , so althought they be by nature impure and vnholy , yet in the righteousnesse of Christ made theirs , they stand in Gods sight righteous and holy as he is , 1 Cor. 1.30 .

For our further instruction in this point foure things are to be considered .

First , why the happinesse of the blessed is called life .

Secondly , wherein their happinesse consisteth .

Thirdly , how many sorts of those that are to be partakers of this happinesse .

Fourthly , by what meanes wée shall attaine to it .

Consi . 1 For the first , the happines of the blessed is not therefore called life , because it hath ●●semblance of our temporall life , as some ●uppose : but on the contrary the course of ●ur pilgrimage is called life , because of ●hall resemblance it hath of the state of the glorified : for the happines of the blessed is the true life , who liue neuer to dye , and inioy that light that shall neuer be obserued : on the contrary our age is so far from being a true life , as that it is a very death , because euery moment of our life is a steppe to death : and as Seneca saith , quotidie morinum quotidie en demitur aliquo pars vitae : wée die daily , for euery day some part of our life is taken away : a mortall man from the first moment of his quickning is drawing on ( as wée say ) to death .

Consi . 2 For the second , wherein the happinesse of the glorified consisteth . As the punishment of the damned standeth generally in two things paena damni et paena sens●●e , the losse of happines , and the sense of torments . So doth the happinesse of the glorified consist in absolute fréedome from all euill , and a full possession of all good . Apo: 21.4.5 .

Their positiue goods the second part of their happines stand in 3. things . Prerogatiues Possessions . Properties .

Prerogatiue . 1 Their first prerogatiue is that which is giuen them . Apo. 1.6 . That they shall be made Kings and Priests to God the Father : Christians are Kings and Priests in this life Kings ; so far as they rule ouer their sinful affections , Priests , in offering vp sacrifices of prayer , praise , & sanctified liues to God : but in their estate of happinesse their regalitie and priest-hood shal be perfected , insomuch as they shall fully reigne ouer all sin and sinfull affections , and shall offer vp such sacrifices vnto God in prayses , as shall be frée from spot and imperfection .

Prero ▪ 2 Their second prerogatiue is giuen by our Sauiour Christ : Math: 19.28 . yee which followed mee in the regeneration , shall sit vpon the twelue thrones , and iudge the twelue tribes of Israel , and confirmed by the Apostle : The Saints shall iudge the world : the Saints shall iudge the Angels , 1 Cor. 6.2.3 . so that they shall haue the prerogatiue not onely of Kings and Priests , but also of Iudges , the first concerneth the whole continuance of their estate in happinesse , the second onely the beginning thereof .

Possesse . The things they possesse are of 2. sorts 1. Such as concerne the body only . 2. Such as concerne both body and soule .

First , that which concerneth the body is , that it shal be cloathed with immortalitie and incorruption , so that it shall be no longer subiect to death or changing , nor turne into a corruptible carcasse . 1 Cor. 15.53 .

Secondly , the body shall bée cloathed with great and excellent glory , Math. 13.43 . yet in that glory shall be differences , secundum magis & minus , according to their differences in measure of grace whilst they liued here . Dan. 12.3 . 1 Cor. 15.41.42 .

That which concerneth both soule and body , is that they both shall be filled with all true ioyes and delights for euer . Psal. 36.8 . Esay 51.11 . and how great these ioyes shall bee our Sauiour Christ doth shew , where he calleth it , our Masters ioy . Math. 25.12 . that is , that ioy which our Sauiour Christ our Lord and Master is entred into . Now if the peace of conscience being only a tast of these ioyes , be so great as that it passeth all vnderstanding . Phil. 4.7 . oh how vnspeakable shall these ioyes bee in the full fruition and possession of them . Furthermore , all these pleasures procéede from the vision and sight of God as the beames from the Sun , 1 Cor. 13.12 . 1 Ioh. 3.2 . and the reason is because true delights doe rest there , and are there to be found , as in the fountaine and well-spring of them . psal. 16.11 .

Their excellent properties although they be many , yet may bee reduced vnto two heads .

Propert. First , they shall haue absolute and perfect knowledge which so much shall excéed the greatest measure of knowledge in this life , as the whole excéeds the part , 1 Cor. 13.12 .

Quest. Whether shall wée know each other in the life to come .

Asw . Some hold yea ; and that our knowledge in that kinde shal be so much increased , as that we shall know not onely those whom wée haue knowne here , but also others whom wée neuer knew . Others deny it , because they say , all earthly knowledge shall bée taken away , but to know my father mother , &c. in the life to come is an earthly knowledge , and therfore passed amongst the first things . I reply if by an earthly knowledge they mean this knowledge ioyned with earthly respects ( as of obedince , as to an earthly father , &c. ) I grant there shall bée no such knowledge : If by an earthly knowledge , they meane the knowledge & remembrance of things done on the earth , and passed , I say it is false to say the glorified can haue no such knowledge : for why doe the glorified Martyrs cry out , how long Lord , how long , &c. Apoc. 6.10 . if they did not both know and remember their persecutions ? Thirdly , if by an earthly knowledge they meane a naturall knowledge , I answer , that in so much as the glorified Saints shall not be altogecher deliuered from the properties of a naturall man , but from such as perticipate of imperfection and corruption , I sée no reason why he should be debarred from a naturall knowledge not imperfect or corrupt , but to know this person to haue béene my father , mother , or the like , doth not more partake of imperfection or corruption , then to know and remember in that life , the persecutions and afflictions of the life passed .

Proper . 2 Their second excellent property shal be increase of their loue towards God , which as a flame shall rise vp to God : many waters gathered together into one , make a sea , so when all our self-loue , loue of wife , parents , children , earthly things , yea , of sinfull lustes is all turned into the loue of God , then doubtlesse great and glorious shall be our loue . And this great loue of God is the motiue that stirreth vp the glorified Saints to the praises of God without ceasing or wearinesse , Apoca. 4.8.10 . For as the sense of wants doe moue vs to prayer , so the loue of Gods mercies doe moue vs to praises .

Consi . 3 How many sorts are of those that shall be partakers of this happinesse , 1. Those that liue godly from their very first years of discretion , that are sanctified as Iohn the Baptist from their mothers wombe , Luke 1.15 . these are those that are called into Gods vineyard at the breake of day , Math. 20.1 . The fewer sort are conuerts who are called home to God after the course of a wicked and carnall life , these are those that are called into the vineyard at other houres of the day , some rather some later , as it pleaseth God to séeke them , neither is this priuiledge of this sort small , for Christ saith , there is ioy in heauen , and ioy in the presence of the Angels of God , for one sinner that conuerteth : Luke 15.7.11 . In this ranke wée haue for example . The publican , Luk. 18.13 . The prodigall sonne , Luk. 15.20 , 21. Zacheus . Luke 19.8 , 9. The théese on the Crosse called at the last houre , Luk. 23.42

Cons 4 The wayes wherein wée walke to this happinesse are thrée . 1. Faith in Iesus Christ , Math. 16.16 . Ioh. 3.14 , 15. 2. Good workes the fruits of faith , Rom. 2.7 . Apo. 14.13 . 3. Suffrings , Ro. 8.17 . where the Apostle teacheth that Christian perfection of this life is not fulfilled in all possible practice of pietie , whereby we are made conformable to Christ in holy obedience , vnlesse there be also a conformitie to Christ in his sufferings , & the reason is , because Christian integritie cannot goe scot-free from persecution , 2 Tim. 3.12 .

Vse . This doctrine may encourage vs to vndergoe and to suffer the difficultie and severity of a godly and Christian life for the great recompence sake that is set before vs : although the gate be straight , and the way narrow that leadeth to life , Math. 7.14 . yet life at the end of the passage is a sufficient motiue to cause vs to enter and passe through it , men labour here with sweat & care for the maintenance of this temporall life , although euer full of sorrowes and vexation , which also at length notwithstanding all their labours and cares will leaue them , oh how great labours then should we vndergoe , that wee may obtaine and enioy this eternall life , accompanied with all ioyes that neuer shall haue change or ending ! but men now adayes dare not labour for the foode which perisheth not , for feare of loosing that foode which perisheth , they say they cannot let their work to follow Sermons , to reade , to meditate , and pray ; they bée weary with their wéekes worke , they must lie abed on Sundayes , they cannot spare time for their seruants to learne the principles of religion , they haue other fish to seethe . But were not he a foole , that would neglect to prosecute the inheritance of a kingdome , which on conditions hée might obtaine , for feare of loosing a few moueables at home , which also he is not sure to keepe an houre : no lesse is the folly of these men that will refuse to seeke the kingdome of heauen and life eternall , which through Christ they may obtaine for euer , for feare of hinderance in their temporall estate which may bee taken from them in an houre .

Vse . 2 It may be a powerfull motiue to weane vs from the loue of the world and earthly pleasures , which are the maine meanes to kéepe vs from this happinesse , and to drowne vs in perditi●n and destruction , 1 Tim. 6.9 . He that might get a kingdome would he regard a cottage , hée that might haue gold would he regard a counter , and is it not a most vile folly that men will so much regard earthly riches , which either will forsake them , or else must be forsaken of them that for the loue of them they will loose those heauenly riches , which shall neuer perish , forsake vs , or be forsaken of vs . Math. 6.20 . What are all things in this life but vanitie and vexation of spirit ? as the wise-man teacheth , Eccle. 2.7 . what he gained then that gained a world , what hath he obtained that inioyeth all the pleasures of this life ? surely he hath gained vanity and lost eternity , he hath gotten vexation of spirit , and lost the fulnesse of ioy .

Vse . 3 It may stir vs vp patiently to suffer all the afflictions of this life yea , it may make them sweet vnto vs . The former apprehensions of the Assurance of a future ioy and preferment , make vs suffer our mean estate without sense of grieuance , & shall not the assurance of so vnspeakable ioy apprehended by saith , of such ioy I say as neither eye hath séene , eare hath heard , nor hath entred into the heart of man , 1. Cor. 2.9 . make vs suffer the sorrowes of this life with gladnesse ? True it is , many are the tribulations of the righteous , yea , they are great , Psalme 34.19 . they are of diuers sorts , as the rage and subtiltie of Satan , and his instruments can inuent , but if their greatnesse multitude and variety , be compared with the greatnesse multitude and varietie of the ioys of heauen , there is no comparison betwéene them , neither is the one worthy of the other . Rom. 8.18 .

Vse , 4 It may serue for the comfort of all the faithfull seruants of God , that after the time of their labours , they shall haue a time of rest , after their time of wéeping , they shall haue a time of reioycing . That although their wéeping for afflictions continue to the ending of their temporall life , yet ioy shall come in the morning of their resurrection . Ps. 30.5 . That although they sow to the spirit during this life in teares , yet they shall reape all happinesse in the life to come in eternall ioyes . Psal. 126.3 . that although now the world reioyce and triumph , and they mourne and lament , yet men , the men of this world shall wéep , waile , and gnash their téeth for euer : their sorrow shall be turned into eternall ioy , Ioh. 16.20 . Which hée that made vs giue vs , and to which hée that bought vs bring vs . Amen .

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