In this state of things God will not call them hence unto their loss ; he "v\ill not put an end unto these privileges, without an abundant recompense and advantage. Whatever we enjoy here, yet still to depart hence and to be with Christ shall be far better, Phil. i. 23. For,—
15^, Although service here below shall cease, and be given over unto other hands who are to have their share herein ; yet, on the continu- ance of this state of things in heaven, there is also a continuation of service unto Christ, in a way inexpressibly more glorious than what we are in this life capable of Upon their admittance into this state of things above, they are before the throne of God, and serve him day
268 THE PERSON OF CHRIST.
and night in his temple ; and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them, Rev. vii. 15. The whole state of the glorious worship of God before described is here respected ; and herein is a continual service performed unto him that sits on the throne, and unto the Lamb. Wherefore it is so far from being loss, in being called off from service here below, as that, in point of service itself, it is an incon- ceivable advancement.
'^dly, The enjoyment of Christ in and by the ordinances of his worship, is the immediate fountain and spring of all our refreshments and consolations in this world, Ps. Ixxxvii. 7 ; but what is it unto the blessed immediate enjoyment of him in heaven ! Hence the blessed- ness of the state above is described, by heing with Christ, being ivith Christ for ever, — in the presence and immediate enjoyment of him. The light of the stars is useful and relieving in a dark night as we are on our way ; but what are they when the sun ariseth ! Will any man think it a loss, that, upon the rising of the sun, they shall not enjoy their light any more, though in the night they knew not what to have done without it ? It may be we cannot conceive how it will be best for us to forego the use of sacraments, ministry, and the Scripture itself. But all the virtue of the streams is in the fountain ; and the immediate enjoyment of Christ unspeakably exceeds what- ever by any means we can be made partakers of here below.
In this blessed state have the holy apostles, all the primitive mar- tyrs and believers, from the time of their dissolution, enjoyed fall satis- faction and solace, in the glorious assembly above. Rev. vii. 15-17, &c.
[2.] Hereby there is a continuation of communion between the church triumphant above and that yet militant here below. That there is such a communion between glorified saints and believers in this world, is an article of faith. Both societies are but one church, one mystical body, have one Head, and a mutual concernment in each other. Yea, the spring and means of this communion is no small part of the glory of the Gospel. For, — before the saints under the Old Testament had the mystery of the glory of God in Christ, with our redemption thereby, revealed unto them, in the way before de- clared,— this communion was very obscure ; but we are now taken into the light and glory of it, as the apostle declares, Heb. xii. 22-24.
I know some have perverted the notions of this communion unto idolatrous superstition; and so have all other truths of the Gospel been abused and wrested, unto the destruction of the souls of men ; — all the Scriptures have been so dealt withal, 2 Pet. iii. 1 6. But they deceived themselves in this matter, — the truth deceiveth none. Upon a supposition of communion, they gathered that there must of neces- sity be an immediate comnmnication between them above and us below. And if so, they knew no way for it, no means of it, but by
HIS MEDIATOEIAL OFFICE IN HEAVEN. 269
our praying unto them, and their praying for us. But they were under tlie power of their own deceivings. Communion doth not re- quire immediate mutual communication, unless it be among persons in the same state, and that in such acts as wherein they are mutually assisting and helpful unto one another. But our different states will admit of no such intercourse ; nor do we stand in need of any rehef from them, or can be helped by any acts of their love, as we may aid and help one another here below. Wherefore the centre of this com- munion is in Christ alonas and our exercise of it is upon him only, with respect unto them.
Yet hereon some deny that there is any such communion between the members of the church or the mystical body of Christ in these diverse states. And they suppose it is so declared in that of the pro- phet, Isa. Ixiii. 16, " Doubtless thou art our Father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not." But there is nothing of any such importance in these words. The church, under a deep sense of its present state, in its unworthy walking and multi- plied provocations, profess themselves to be such, as that then- fore- fathers in covenant could not own them as their children and posterity in the faith. Hereupon they appeal unto the infinite mercy and faithfulness of God, which extend themselves even unto that condition of unworthiness which was enough to render them utterly disowned by the best of men, however otherwise concerned in them. But to suppose the church above, which hath passed through its course of faith and obedience in afflictions, tribulations, and persecutions, to be ignorant of the state of the church here below in general, and uncon- cerned in it, — to be without desires of its success, deliverance, and prosperity, unto the glory of Christ, — is to lay them asleep in a sense- less state, Avithout the exercise of any grace, or any interest in the glory of God. And if they cry for vengeance on the obdurate per- secuting world. Rev. vi. 10, shall we suppose they have no considera- tion nor knowledge of the state of the church suffering the same things which they did themselves ? And, to put it out of question, they are minded of it in the next verse by Christ himself, verse 11.