Clarke - BV4500_C46_1659_v1

35 IÍ. II. QHeffionf,ancl Cifer ofConfience: Chap. ;4 and from the happy fellowfhip we (hall enjoy with him there, 2Cor.5.6. Hence, Phi4t.z3. Secondly, Wemuff frequently mediate of the bleffed el}ate óf the Saints in glory, r 3oh.3.2. Rev.zz.4.Matth.25.34. Thirdly, Thenwemull compare our prefent Elate in this life with that in hea- ven, wherebywe !hall find the one infinitely to excel! the other : and thiswill make us a weary of the world, and to long for heaven, a Cor.7. 31. Phil. 3. zo. and 1.23. weft. Howmay we difcern whether this joy of the Spirit be truly in tit or no ? Anfw. There are fundry properties wherein it differs from carnali joy : as 1. This joy fucceeds forrow for fin, Tab. 16.20. Matth. 5.4. whereas carnal joy fprings from carnal delights andobjets, Pray.' 4.13. It ends in mourning, Luke 6.2 5. 2. Its a fruit of righteoufnefs : It iffuesfrom Chrifl known, and believed to be made unto us of Lod, wifdr, e, righteoufnefs, fandification and redemption: whence flows peace ofconfcience,and joy in the Holy Ghoft,Rom.14 17.But car- nall joy arifeth from the fudden feelingoffome wordly delight. 3. Its founded in theholyufe of the Word Sacraments , and Prayer ; and iu the praelice of Iove, mercy, juflice, &c. the other is from no fuch thing, fob 21.13)14,15. 4. Its fo fixed , and rooted in the hearts that it cannot be removed from thence, f oh. 16.22. whence its able to fwallow up all grief,and heavinefs : where-. as theothers is mingled with birternefs, Prov.14.13. 5. Its eternal, not only continuing in this life, but in that to come , whereas the joy of the wicked is fhort, &c. job zo. 5. So in thefe examples , Luke la. zo. and 16.22. Quell. what are thehelps that are to be ufed in the time ofdeath ? Anfw. They may be reduced to two heads ; Meditations, and Pra&ifes. Quell. what meditation, are we to HP ? Anfw. Firft, Confider death in a double refpe& : 1. As it is in its (elf, and fo its a curfe, and the forerunner of condemnaton. z. As its qualified by the death of Chrift, and fo its aNetting, and the end ofall our miferies, a Ilion paffage to joy, &c. and thegrave a perfumed bed, &c. Secondly, Confider that therebe threedegrees ofeternal life, the firft,in this worldbefore we die,whiA: is begun whenwe repent,andbelieve in Chrifl,&c.Joh. 17. ;. The fecond indeath, which frees us from all fin , and mifery : preparing the body fort. e rn.a.'- happinefle with the foul which is already in heaven. The third is, whenboth foul and body being re-united¡ goe into everlafling glory. Con(áer that there is a myllical union , and conjun&ion between Chrifl and every believer , both in regard ofbody and foul, which being once knit, th..ë never be diffolved : So that thedead, and rotten body continues Hill to be a in tuber of Chrift, by vertue ofwhich union it ¡hall certainly be raifed up again zkk ..he talc day, and made like to Chrifls glorious body. Quell. what are the helps in praflice? AnJo . Firft, if thouwilt comfortably bear the pangs of death, thou mutt la- bour to dye in the Faith : which is done by laying hold of the promife of God , touching forgivenefs offin, and life everlafling byChrifl, Hob. 11.13. Gex.49.18. Joh.3.14,15. z Cara .9 Secondly, If thou wilt die withcomfort, thoumull die in obedience, t, e. wil- lingly, and readilywithout murmuring, fubmit to the ofGod, inbearing the pains ofdeath. So didChrifl, Not my will, but thywill be doue. Sowe arc taught to

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