30 SERMONS UPON 2 CORINTHIANS V. [SeR. XI.
nothing, to use our powers and faculties than to lie in a senseless con- dition ; it would be far worse with Paul to have his body rotting in the grave, and his soul without all fruition of God, if this were true. What is that preponderating happiness which should sway his choice ? Is it to be eased of present labours and sufferings ? God's people, who have totally resigned themselves to God, are wont to prefer and value their present service and enjoyment of God, though accompanied with great labours and sufferings, before their own ease. Surely Paul would never be in a strait if he were to be reduced upon his dissolution into a condition of stupid sleep, without any capacity of glorifying or enjoy- ing God. The most afflicted condition with God's presence is sweeter to his people than the greatest contentments with his absence ; if thou art not with us, carry us not hence. Better tarry with God in the wilderness than live in Canaan without him. Surely it were absurd to long for a dissolution of that estate where we feel the love of God and Christ in our souls, which is unspeakable and glorious, for a con- dition wherein there is no taste nor sense.
[3.] The next place is, 1 Peter iii. 19, ' By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison, which sometimes were disobedient, when once the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah.' There are many souls of men and women who once slighted the Lord's grace, and are now in hell as in a prison. Their souls do not go to nothing, nor die as their bodies, but as soon as they are separated fi-om the body, go to their place and state of torment, iv ^vXaKfi, the place of their evei'lasting imprisonment. So Luke xvi. 23, 24, ' And in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. ^ God is not more prone to punish than to reward ; if the wicked be in their final estate as soon as they die, the saints are in their happiness presently upon their dissolution. On the other side, Heb. sii, 22, ' The spirits of just men made perfect.' The souls of men, unclothed, and divested of their bodies, to these come. How could these things be said if they did lie only in a dull sleep, without any life, sight, jd^, or any act of love to God ? Present sleep it is a burden to the saints, as it is an interruption to their service, though a necessary refreshment to their bodies.
[4.] That argument also proves it. Col. i. 20, ' That Christ by the blood of his cross hath reconciled all things to God, both in heaven and in earth.' He meaneth the universality of the elect, whether already glorified or yet upon the earth. It cannot be said of the elect angels, who never sinned, and therefore were never reconciled, Se nun- qiiamcum matre in gratiam rediisse, &c., but only confirmed in grace, and put beyond all reach and possibility of sinning ; and so the things in heaven which are reconciled are the souls of the godly, who departed in the faith.
[.5.] That place also proveth it, Luke xx. 37, 38, ' Now that the dead are raised, even Moses showed at the bush, when he called the Lorxl the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living ; for all live to him.' The Sadducees denied the immortality of the soul as well as the resurrection of the body, and said that there was no state of life after this. Christ disproveth both by a notable argument — ' I am the
VeE. 8.J SERMONS UPON 2 CORINTHIANS V. SI
God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. For he is not the God of the dead, but of the hviug ; for they all live to him.' The words were spoken by Moses after their deceasing ; not I was, but lam the God of Abraham. God said after their decease that he was still their God ; and therefore those that are departed out of the world live another life. The souls of the just are already in the hands of God, and then bodies are sure to be raised up and united to them by the power of God.
[6.] My next place shall be, Luke xvi. 9, 'And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the unrighteous Mammon, that when ye fail they may receive you into everlasting habitations.' What is that time of failing ? It is not meant of condemnation ia the judgment, for there is no escaping or reversing that sentence ; therefore it is meant of the hour of death : then are we received into everlasting habitations, and our everlasting habitation is heaven.
[7.] And lastly, from Luke xvi. 22, ' And it came to pass that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom.' By the bosom of Abraham is meant heaven, and hell is ojDposed to it ; and it is explained, ' he is comforted, but thou art tormented.' Lying in the bosom is a feast gesture, as Mat. viii. 11, a greater expression of love, for the most beloved disciple lay in the bosom of the principal person at the feast ; and Mat. xiii. 43, ' Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their father.' Basil telleth us of the forty martyrs exposed naked in a cold frosty night, and to be burned next day, that they comforted one another with this consideration : — Cold is the night, but the bosom of Abraham is warm and comfortable ; it is but a night's enduring, and we shall feel no more cold, but be happy for evermore. Well then, here is proof such as is fit in the case. In things future we are doubtful, and of the state of the soul we are in a great measure ignorant ; therefore God hath discovered these things to us in his word.