THE Prophet Isaiah be­ing in an Ecstasy, had a Vision of a glorious Conqueror. (1) He speaks of the Enemies that were subdued and destroyed by him [...]. The Edomites. Edom and [...] mentioned. Edom is [...] [...]ites the Posterity of [...] Edom. B [...]rah wa [...] [...] [Page 2] Capital City belonging to the Edo­mites: These are mentioned because they were next Neighbours to the Children of Israel, and the most inve­terate, and implacable, and are by a Synechdoche, put for all the implacable Enemies of the People of God. (2) The Prophet gives a description of the Conqueror which he had a Vi­sion of. He is described. [1.] From his Garments and Apparel: His Gar­ments were dyed, viz. dyed with the blood of his Enemies over whom he was Victorious, and therefore in the next Verse 'tis said, He was red in his Apparel: He is also described as Glori­ous in his Apparel; for so great Gene­rals and Conquerors are wont to be, especially when they have been Victo­rious. [2.] From the manner of his Marching along: He walked in State. Travelling in the greatness of his Strength. As a Lion that knows the greatness of his Strength, walks along in a state­ly manner. Thus is the Conqueror whom the Prophet had a Vision of described.

In this Verse, we have a Question, [Page 3] and the Answer to it. The Prophet propounds the Question, Who is this? This wonderful Conqueror that comes thus gloriously arayed, who is it? Christ Answers, It is I. In his Answer he gives a description of himself. (1.) From his Fidelity: I that speak in Righteousness: What he speaks, he does faithfully perform. He is always as good as his Word. He has promised Salvation to his People, and he does accomplish it: He has threatned Destruction to his implacable Enemies, and he does accomplish that also, and is Righteous therein. (2.) From his Power and Ability: He is Mighty to Save.

The Doctrine to be insisted on, is, ‘ DOCT. That the Lord Jesus Christ is a Mighty Saviour.’

For the Opening and Confirming the Truth before us, we shall.

1. Shew, How it does appear that Christ is a Mighty Saviour.

[Page 4]2. Who are the Subjects of that Salvation, which this Mighty Saviour is the Author of.

Quest. 1. How does it appear that Jesus Christ is a Mighty Saviour?

Answ. 1. The Scripture does abundant­ly declare this. The great design of the Book of God is to make known unto Men that there is a Saviour for them, and that Jesus Christ is He. We find in the Gospel, that Angels from Heaven have Preached this Doctrine. Luk. 2.10, 11. The Angel said, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all People, for unto you is born this day a Saviour which is Christ the Lord. And there was a great Mul­titude of the Heavenly Host, Praising God for it. The Names whereby Christ is called in the Scripture de­notes His being a Saviour. The Name of Shil [...] is given to Him, Gen. 49.10 Which imports His being a Saviour, and a Great Peace giver. The [Page 5] Latin Word Salus which signifies Sal­vation, is supposed to come from the Hebrew Shilo. And the Name of Jesus is given to Him. The Angel gave this Reason, why he should be called by that Name, Mat. 1.21. Thou shalt call His Name Jesus, for He shall Save His People from their Sins ▪ He is in the Scripture called Salvation it self, which imports his being a Sa­viour in the highest Degree. As soon as Simeon had seen the Lords Christ, he sayes, Mine eyes have seen Thy Salvation, Luk. 2.30. It was said, Salvation is of the Jews, because Christ w [...] of them, Joh. 4.22. The Scripture call [...] Him a Great Saviour, Isai. 19.20. Whoever might be Firstly and Typi­cally meant, Christ is the Saviour and the Great One there Chiefly intended. And not only in the Text before us, but in other Scriptures, He is said to be Mighty. Psa [...]. 24.8 Who is the King of Glory? The Lord Strong and Mighty, The Lord Mighty in Battel. 45.3. Gird thy Sword upon thy Thigh [...] O Mighty. And 89.19. I have laid [Page 6] help on One that is Mighty. It is meant of Christ Eminently.

2. Jesus Christ is the Mighty God. And therefore He is a Mighty Savi­our. Very often in the Scripture, He is said to be God; and we may not think that he is so in respect of His Office or Authority only, as Princes are said to be Gods, but in res­pect of Nature, He is called The Migh­ty God, Isai. 9.6. Unto us a Child is Born, a Son is given, His Name shall be called, that is he shall be, The Mighty God. And he is said to be The Great God. Tit. 2.13. The glorious appearing of the Great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. He then is not only a Migh­ty but an Almighty Saviour. We all need such Salvations as no Creature, yea, as all the Creatures in the World cannot help us unto. But Christ has a Mighty Arm able to Save us, Isai. 59.1. Behold, the Lords Hand is not shortened that it cannot save Christ is that God which made the World. All things were made by Him, and [Page 7] without Him was not any thing made that was made. [...]e that made the World is able to save the World.

3. If we [...] Sa­viours, we shall [...] [...]ra­bly Greater and Migh [...] [...] any of [...]m all. God raised up Sa [...]s for His People Israel Neh 9 [...] Thou gavest them Saviours, who saved them out of the hand of their Enemies These were Types and Shadows of Christ, the great Saviour which was to come into the World M [...]ses was an Instru­mental Saviour to the Children of Is­rael. By that Prophet God brought Israel out of Egypt, and by that Pro­phet he preserved them. In that he was a Figure of Christ. It was Pro­phesied of the M [...]s [...]ah that he should be like unto Moses [...]. 17.15. The Hebrew Doctors [...] well, That Christ shall be like unto Moses only greater than he, w [...] was [...] greatest Pro­phet that ever was in the W [...]ld, un­ [...] Christ came [...] speaks the Apostle, Heb. 3.3. [...] Man [...] [Page 8] counted worthy of more glory than Moses. Moses did by Divine Appointment introduce a new Religion into the World, so did Christ, and in that re­spect was like unto Moses. No Man was ever admitted to such familiarity with God, as was Moses, but Christ much more. The Law was given by Moses, Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ. No man hath seen God at any time, no not Moses himself so as Christ has, the only begotten Son which is in the Bosome of the Father He hath declared Him, Joh. 1.17, 18. Moses was a shadow of Christ. The shadow re­presents the Body whose shadow it is, so in Moses we see some Represen­tation of Christ shadowed to us. He was a Deliverer, but not comparable to Christ. The Judges in Israel were Saviours, and on that account Types of Christ. In a special manner Samp­son was so. Jacob in his dying Prophesy concerning the Tribe of Dan, breaks forth into this Expression, I have waited for thy Salvation, O Lord. Sampson was of that Tribe, he was a Type of Christ, [Page 9] whose Salvation was that which the holy Patriarch waited & longed for. Sampson signifies a Little Sun: Christ is a great Sun: He is the Sun of Righ­teousness, that has healing (Salvation) under his Wings: He is the Light of the World. Sampson saved his People with the loss of his own Life: At and by his Death he Conquered more E­nemies, than in all his Life. So has Christ by his Death Conquered the Enemies, and accomplished the Sal­vation of his People.

4. Jesus Christ is a Mighty Saviour in respect of the Multitude of Subjects which are saved by him. There are a World of them. Joh. 4.42. This is in­deed the Christ the Saviour of the World. No Saviour that ever was in the World, saved so many as Christ has done. Cyrus was an instrument in the hand of God, to accomplish a great Tem­poral Salvation for a whole Nation. He set at liberty Nine and forty thou­sand Captives at once, Ezra 2.64. But Jesus Christ has saved a far greater [Page 10] Number of the Captives of Hell; He is a Saviour not only of Jews, but of Gentiles dispersed throughout the World. Wherefore the Apostle says, 1 Joh. 2.2. He is a Propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only. Not for ours only who are Jews, but also of the whole World; meaning the Gentile World: Great Numbers among the Jews have been saved by Christ: In the Apostles days, there were Myriads of them. Act. 21.20. Many thousands of Jews believe: but far more thou­sands of that People shall ere long believe on Christ, and so become the Subjects of his Salvation. It is sup­posed by some Learned Men, that if the Jews which are scattered over the face of the whole Earth, were gathe­red together, they would be the most Numerous Nation in the World: but this Nation shall turn to the Lord, and then all Israel shall be Saved. But among the Gentiles Christ has had [...]r more Subjects than among the Jews. Many Millions of them have been Converted to Christ, and Saved [Page 11] by him. And among the Gentiles also, there are whole Nations that shall ere long become Christs Subjects. He will be their King, and he will Save them. All the Ends of the World shall turn to the Lord. The Lord shall be King over all the Earth; In that day shall there be One Lord and his Name One, Zech. 14.9. Then all the World will see and know and believe that Jesus Christ is a Mighty Saviour. His Elect, altho' they are but few com­pared with the Reprobate World, Ne­vertheless, in themselves considered they are a Mighty Number, and all Saved by Christ. Rev. 7.9. I beheld a great Multitude which no Man could Number, of all Nations, and Kindreds, and Tongues, clothed with white Robe [...]. They had never had those Robes of Salva­tion given to them, if it had not been for Jesus Christ. Well might the Angel say that Christs coming into World was matter of great Joy to all People, Luk. 2.10.

[Page 12]5. Jesus Christ is a Saviour of Souls, and therefore a Mighty Saviour. He is called the Shepherd of Souls, 1 Pet. 2.25. Sin has brought death not only on the Bodies of Men, but on their Souls. Ezek. 18.4. The soul that sinneth shall dy. And a woful death it is that Sin brings on the Souls of Men. In­deed the Soul does not dy a natural death as the Body does, but it may be a subject of great wo and misery, and that's death. Isal. 3.9. They declare their sin as Sodom, wo to their soul. But Jesus Christ saves both Soul & Body. Who is able to redeem a Body that is dead from the Power of the Grave? Jesus Christ the Son of God can do it, has done it, and will do it. Joh. 5.25. Verily, I say unto you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the Voice of the Son of God, and they that hear shall live. But to quicken and save a Soul that has been dead in Trespasses and Sins, is a Mightier work, than to raise all the dead Bodies in the World, yet this Jesus Christ has Power to do. [Page 13] Therefore he says, Isai. 55.3. Come unto me, hear, and your souls shall live. Christ has redeemed Souls as well as Bodies by a Mighty Price. 1 Cor. 6.20. You are bought with a price, therefore glo­rify God in your body, and in your spirit. And what it that price, which has bought both Body and Spirit? It is the price of blood, and the most pre­cious blood that ever was, or that pos­sibly can be, the blood of Christ which is the blood of God. And as Christ has saved the Souls of his People by Price, so likewise by Power. His All-powerful Arm has vanquished all the Powers of darkness. Col. 2.15. Having spoiled Principalities and Powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them. He has led Captivity Captive: He has dis-armed the Devil and all his Angels and as it were tied them to his triumphal Chariot, and exposed them openly in the sight of Heaven and Earth: So has he set the Souls that were the Captives of Hell at Li­berty. The Salvation of a Soul is a Mighty thing. It is so, considering [Page 14] the worth of the Soul: One Soul is more worth than all this World. Has not Christ said, What is a man profited, if he gain the whole World, and loose his own soul? or; what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Mat. 16.26. A Scripture which a Religious Man advised a King that he would think on it, a quarter of an hour every day, The Soul is of invaluable worth, con­sidering the Immortality of it. Every Man has a Mortal Body, and an Im­mortal Soul: A body that must dy, and shall dy, and a Soul that shall ne­ver dy. To Save such a Soul is a Mightier thing than to save all the Bodies in the World. To redeem one Soul is such a Mighty thing, as that all the Men on Earth, and all the An­gels in Heaven cannot do it. Psal. 49.8. The redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever. But what a Mighty Saviour then is Jesus Christ, who has Redeemed Thousands of Millions of Precious and Immortal Souls?

[Page 15]6. Christ Saves his People from the Mightiest Enemies, and from the greatest Evils, therefore he is Mighty to Save. The Miserable Captives of Hell were in woful slavery under Mighty Op­pressors. The Almighty Lord Jesus Christ has set th [...] at Liberty. Isai. 49.24, 25. Shall the prey be taken from the Mighty, or the lawful Captive be deli­vered? The Captives of the Mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible ones shall be delivered. Sinners are said to be lawful Captives, in that the Justice of God had delivered them in­to the hands of Satan, and his evil An­gels, who were terrible Ones. They had never been delivered from those terrible Ones, nor the prey taken out of the hands of the Mighty, if Christ had not done it. Satan is a powerful Enemy; the Scripture speaks of the power of that Enemy, Luk. 10.19. But this Conqueror whom the Text speaks of, has Conquered the Devil, and ta­ken his armour from him, in which he trusted. Heb. 2.14. He has destroyed [Page 16] him that had the power of death that is the Devil; not as to his Being, but as to his Dominion. We find in the Gos­pel, that Christ delivered many that were under bodily Possession by De­vils, thereby declaring that he would deliver Souls that were under Spiritual Possession by Evil Spirits. Spiritual Plagues are the greatest, therefore de­liverance from them is a Mighty Sal­vation. Blindness of Mind is a Spiri­tual Judgment. Sin and Satan has blinded the Minds of Men. 2 Cor. 4.4. The God of this World has blinded the Eyes of them that believe not. Jesus Christ saveth from this Spiritual Judg­ment. For one that is blind to have his sight restored to him is a Mighty thing especially if he was born blind. Joh. 9.32. Since the World began was it not heard, that any man opened the Eyes of one that was born blind: But Christ has opened the Eyes of many a one that was born blind; that came into the World with a dark Soul. To give sight to a dark Soul, is a greater thing than to restore sight to a dark Body: [Page 17] But to how many Thousands [...]s Christ done this? He was sent to Preach Deliverance to the Captives, and recovering of sight to the Blind, Luk. 4.18. Again, Hardness of Heart is a Spiritual Judgment; No Plague on Pharaoh was so great as that of the Hardness of his Heart. Who can deliver from this Evil? Who can turn an Heart of Stone into an Heart of Flesh? Can any Creature do it [...] No, but Jesus Christ can do it. Ma­ny a Rocky Heart, that has been as Hard as an Adamant Stone, He has broken it, and then healed it. He was sent to bind up the broken hearted, Isa. 61.1. Deliverance from the second Death is a mighty Salvation. There are some concerning whom it is said, Of such the second Death hath no power, Rev. 20.6. There is a first Death, which is a Death of the Body, no Man is exempted from that: What Man is there that lives, and shall not see Death. The second Death is that which follows upon the first, as to the Soul of the Sinner, immediately upon its [Page 18] separation from the [...]dy and of both Soul and Body in Hell after the day of Judgment, a part in that Lake which burns with fire and brimstone which is the second death. This is that which Sinners are condemned unto. If it had not been for Jesus Christ, no Sinner in the World had been delivered from that terrible death: But Jesus Christ the Son of God has saved a World of Perishing Souls from it. Joh. 3.17. God sent not his son into the World to condemn the World, but that the World through him might be saved. The most formidable Thing that can possibly be thought on, is the Wrath of the Infinite God. Who can save from it? It is too mighty for any Creature in Heaven or Earth to undertake. Who can quench that Devouring Fire? Christ has done it with his own Blood. Be­ing Justified by his Blood, we shall he sa­ved from Wrath through him, Rom 5.9. It is a Wrath to come, and will be Eter­nally coming. But Jesus has delivered us from the Wrath to come, 1 Thes. 1.10. [Page 19] And this He does by saving from Sin. Mat. 1.21. Thou shalt call his name Jesus, for he shall save his People from their sins. It is Sin that has caused the Displeasure of God against a sin­ful sinning World, and caused his Wrath to burn to the bottom of Hell. Christ by saving from Sin, has saved from Wrath, and from all the dread­ful direful Effects of that Wrath. Sin is the greatest Evil. He that saves from the greatest Evil is the greatest Saviour. Other Evils other Saviours may possibly deliver from, but Sin is that Evil which none but Christ can save from.

7. Jesus Christ is an Everlasting Sa­viour. No other Saviour is so. All others were but Temporal, Christ is an Eternal One. Heb. 13.8. Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and to day and for ever. He was a Saviour Yesterday, and is a Saviour to Day, and will be a Saviour for ever. He is the Savi­our of his People in all Ages of the World. They may for ever Trust in [Page 20] him. Isa 26 4. Trust ye in the Lord for ever, [...] Lord Jehovah is ever­lasting [...] There never was any Man [...] the World began, but [...] [...]ved by Jesus Christ. The Patri [...]hs under the Old Testament, were saved by Christ, as well as we in these Days of the New Testament. They did not obtain Heaven in one way, and we in another, but both by Christ. Heb. 11.40. That they without us should not be made perfect. The Redemption which he has ob­tained for us, is an Eternal Redempti­on, Heb. 9.12. The Life which he has purchased is not a Temporal, but an Eternal Life. He says concerning his Sheep, I give unto them Eternal Life, and they shall never perish, Joh. 10.28.

8. Jesus Christ is the only and alone Saviour of Men. As there is no God besides Christ; the Father and the Son are the same God, so there is no Saviour besides him, Isa. 43.11. I, e­ven I am the Lord, and beside me there is [Page 21] no Saviour. God has sent no other Sa­viour for Men but his Son Jesus Christ. Acts 4.12. There is none other Name un­der Heaven, given among Men, where­by we must be saved. They that will not own him shall Perish Eternally. Christ therefore said to the Jews, If you believe not that I am he, you shall die in your sins, Joh. 8.24. He is not on­ly a Saviour, but the Saviour, impor­ting that he only is so. Phil. 3.20. Our Conversation is in Heaven from whence we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. And as Christ, and no one else is the Saviour of the World, there is one God, and one Mediator between God and Man, the Man Christ Jesus, so he is such an one by himself alone, without the assistance of any Creature. Temporal Saviours have had many to assist them, or they could have done nothing. But Christ had no Man to assist him in the mighty Work of our Redemption. Isa. 9.16. He saw that there was no man, therefore His own arm brought Sal­vation to Him. In making satisfacti­on [Page 22] for the sins of his People, none joyned with him. The high Priest went alone into the Sanctuary, not with­out Blood, Heb. 9.7. By that signifying, that Christ alone by his Blood, has made Atonement for the sins of his People. No one else did in the least contribute towards that Salvation. Nor did any Man help him in con­quering the Enemies of our Salvation. He says in the Context before us, Isa. 63.3. I have troden the wine Press a­lone, and of the People there was none with me, I looked, and there was none to help. Hence it is said of Christ, that he saves to the uttermost, Heb. 7.25. For that he has not left any part of our Salvation to be accomplish'd by ano­ther, but he has done it all by himself alone. We see that Jesus Christ is a Mighty Saviour.

We proceed to the Second Enqui­ [...] viz.

Who are the Subjects of that Salvation which this Mighty Saviour is the Author of▪

[Page 23]Take the Answer in Three Parti­culars.

1. Fallen sinful Man is the Objects of Christ's Salvation. There is a World of Fallen Angels which kept ou [...] their first Estate; they are in Chain [...] of Everlasting Darkness. Christ is not a Saviour to them. The Son of God took not on him the Nature of Angels, but He assumed the Nature of Man, and is therefore a Saviour not of An­gels that have sinned, but of Men that have sinned. And His Salvation does extend to all sorts of sinful Men High and Low, Rich and Poor. Where­fore it is said, God our Saviour will have all Men, (meaning some of all sorts of Men) to be saved, [...] Tim. 2.4. There is not a Man in the World, but what needs a Saviour. For all Men are sinners. God in His holy Word de­clares that they are so. Gal 3.21. The Scripture has concluded all under sin. Now Christ came to save sinners. This is a saying worthy of all acceptation, that Jesus Christ came to save sinners. If Men were not sinners they would not [Page 24] need a Saviour. When the Pharisees said to the Disciples, [...]y Eateth your Master with Publicans and Sinners, Jesus said to them, The whole have no need of a Physician but the sick. I am not come to call the Righteous, but Sinners to Repentance, Mat. 9.12, 13. Men have gone astray in the way of sin. They are lost, their Souls are lost, in a woful Wilderness of sin & misery. But that Son of Man who is also the Son of God, came to seek and to save that which was lost, Luk. 19.10. The most wretched and forlorn sinners in the World, are not excluded from partaking in His Salvation. For unto such He does offer it, in the Gospel. To the Poor, the Maimed, the Halt, and the Blind, Luk. 14.21. There are some sinners which have a greater Load of Guilt upon their Souls than others have. Christ will be a Saviour to these, if they will come to Him for His Salvation, and He bids them all come. Mat. 11.28, 29. Come unto me all you that Labour and are Heavy Laden, and you shall find rest for your souls. Who can save from the [Page 25] heavy Burden of the Guilt of sin? That's a Burden intollerable to be born: a Burden that has broke the Backs of Million of Angels. Christ can deliver from it, though none but an Almighty Saviour can do it. He came to Save not only Sinners, but the Chief of Sinners. Nay, such as have been guilty of all sorts of sins. We read in the Gospel: Mat. 4 23. That he healed all manner of sickness, and all manner of diseases; thereby signify­ing that all sorts of sins, all manner of Soul-diseases should be healed by him. This notwithstanding, we may not suppose that all the Sinners in the World shall be Saved by Jesus Christ: Indeed he is able to Save them all. And there is Merit enough in his blood to make Atonement for the sins of the whole World, yea tho' there were a thousand Worlds Nevertheless, the greatest part of Men will not be Saved by him, because they will not obey him.

Wherefore,

[Page 26]2. Believing Sinners are they unto whom this Mighty Saviour will be the Author of their Eternal Salvation. Their Salvation is begun as soon as they believe. He that believes has Ev [...] ­lasting Life. It is not only true [...] he shall have Everlasting Life, but he hath it already in the beginnings [...]f it, and is in respect of the Promise of God as sure of Heaven [...]s if he were there already. Joh. 3.16. God gave his only begotten s [...]n that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting Life. All Believers shall be saved, whoever they be. By him all that be­lieve are Justified and none else No Unbeliever dying in his state of Un­belief can be Saved. God has not only said but Sworn that Unbelievers shall not be Saved. Heb. 3.19. To whom [...] he that [...]e [...] should not enter into his m [...]st, but to them that believe not.

3. [...] the Elect of God shall be Saved by [...] [...]viour. For they either do o [...] [...]ll believe. Hence the Scrip­ture [Page 27] speaks of the Faith of Gods Elect, Tit. 1.1. Many of the Elect of God are already in Heaven: They were Believers on Christ before they came there. Many of the Elect still abiding on the Earth are Believers, and many of them are not as yet Be­lievers, but they shall be such. Christ therefore said, O her Sheep I have which are not of this fold, them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice. Joh 10 16. They are the subjects of Christs Inter­cession, and therefore shall be the sub­jects of his Salvation. Joh. 17.20. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me. The Lords People Israel which he singled out from all the Nations of the World, did Typify Gods Elect, who are there­fore called, The Israel of God, Gal. 6.16. The Son of God, who is the King of Israel, is the Saviour of Israel. To thee be Glory, O thou Saviour of Israel, and the Hope thereof!

IN the beginning of this Chap­ter there is a Parable concerning a Housholder who being the Lord of a Vineyard, hi [...]ed Labourers to work therein. It was customary with the Jews for Men to go & stand in the Ma [...] Place [...] any would set them to w [...] which custom Writ [...] inform [...] is still [Page 66] practised in the Eastern Nations The Jews divided their dayes into twelve Hours, and th [...]se into four Stations, or Portions, containing each of them three Hours. First from Six to Nine, which was with them the third hour of the day, from that to Twelve was the Sixth Hour, from which to that which we call three a Clock in the afternoon, was by them called the Ninth Hour, from that to Five was the Eleventh or last Hour of the day. By the Vineyard in this Parable the Church of God is meant. By the Labourers in the Vineyard we may understand the Elect of God Called and Converted to him. By the seve­ral Parts of the day, the several Ages of the Life of Man, Youth, Middle Age, and Old Age are described.

The Text affords unto us this Doctrine.

[Page 67]As for the Reason why the Lord does so, it is sufficient to say, that in doing thus he shows his Sovereignty: He is not under any Obligation to give an account of his proceedings with men. Job 33.10, 13. God is greater then man▪ He gives not account of any of his matters. We may not find fault with him who may do what he pleaseth. We may justly find fault with Men, who de­serve to be faulted, but not with God, Isai. 45 9. Let the porsherds strive with the potsherds of the Earth, shall the cla [...] say to him that fashioned it what makest thou? Ther [...] are many who are ne­ver Called at all: They have not so much as the Out-ward Call of the Gospel, and many who have the Ex­ternal Call, have not that which is Internal, Effectual & Saving. Many are [...]lled & fe [...] chosen God declares his [...]overeignty in chusing some and refusing others He has mercy on whom be wi [...] have [...], and whom he will be ha [...]. His not the potter power over th [...] day, to make [...] to honour and a [...] [...] It is his Sovereign [Page 68] Will and Pleasure to Call some of his Elect at one hour, and others at ano­ther. And no one may say, Why did He call such an one at the Third hour, and another not until the Eleventh hour. When the Labourers had some of them a greater reward than others of them thought they should have had, the Lord silenced them by saying, May I not do with mine own what I will? Thus all Men are his own: They are his Creatures. Has not one God made us? Therefore he may call some and refuse others, and Call some sooner and others later, according to his Will and Sovereign Pleasure. Neverthe­less, the infinitely wise God has great and good Reason for what he does in this and in all the dispensations of his Providence.

We proceed then to clear the Truth before us by an Induction of particulars.

1. Some of the Elect of God are Con­verted in their Y [...]uth. Of this we have many Instances recorded in the Scrip­tures. Joseph was doubtless a Godly. [Page 69] Child before his Brethren Sold him into Aegypt, and yet then he was but Seventeen Years old. He was trou­bled at the Misdemenours of his Bre­thren, and informed his Father of them, that so he might use proper means for their Reformation, Gen 37.2. He was therefore a Pious Youth, Samuel also was a Godly Child: he had rare Communications from God in his [...]ender Years: Such as no one else had in those days when the Word of the Lord was precious: 1 Sam. 3.8 [...] that the Lord had called [...] Before he was come to his full [...]th there was a signal Presence of God with him, v. 19. Obadi [...]h could say, I [...] the [...] from my youth, [...] [...]ng 18.1 [...]. [...]sah in the Sixteenth Year of his age discove­red an extraordinary [...] and Zeal for God: While he was [...]ng he sought after G [...] [...] himself to make a [...] [...]gh Reformation throughout his [...]gd [...] thy is another Instance of Lu [...] Piety▪ He had Grace wrought in his Soul when [Page 70] he was a Child: 2 Tim. 3.15. From a Child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto sal­vation, through faith which is in Christ Je­sus. He had a godly Grand-mother, and a godly Mother, under whom he had a Religious Education; and the Apostle seems to intimate that his young Soul had Grace wrought in it, by the blessing of the Lord on their In­structions, which doubtless were atten­ded with continual Prayer for him, 2 Tim. 1.5. Two Reasons may be men­tioned, why some of the Elect of God are Converted in their Youth.

1. Because some of them dye in their Youth. Therefore they must either be Converted in their Youth, or not at all. For there is no Con­version after Death, since every Mans Eternal State is then determin'd. After Death comes Judgment, Heb. 9.27. The Immortal Soul then returns to God that gave it, and is accordingly adjudged to its Everlasting State. Some that dye in their Youth, go to Heaven when they leave this World. [Page 71] Now the Glory of Heaven is begun in Grace. Without holiness none shall see the Lord. Wherefore it is neces­sary that Regenerating Grace should be wrought in them, in their young Years. Jeroboam tho' a very wicked Man had a Son which was a godly Child: 2 King. 14.13. In him there was found some good thing towards the Lord God of Israel. In the 17th verse, 'tis said, The Child dyed: Since he was to dye when a Child, it was necessary that a Good Thing, that Grace should be found in him before Death took him out of the World.

2. Some of the Elect of God are in his Eternal Purpose designed to do great Service for his Name. Most of those mentioned in the Scripture as Converted in their Youth, were in their Generation singular Instruments of Gods Glory, and of doing Service for his Name. That so Men may do Service for God, it is ordinarily requi­site that they should have an unblemish­ed Youth. Otherwise it is like to be with them as was Prophesied concer­ning [Page 72] Reuben, when his Youth had been blemished with an Incestuous Adulte­ry: Gen. 49.4. Thou shalt not excell, be­cause, &c. Such Sinners upon their true Repentance shall have their Sins forgiven and their Souls Saved: but tho' they shall go to Heaven they sel­dom excell on Earth. Scandalous Mis­carriages will be a lasting wound to a Mans Reputation. Wherefore God ordinarily when he designs a Person for special Service, seizeth him for himself whilest he is Young. It is true, that Paul before his Conversion had been a great Sinner; and yet af­terwards the most Serviceable Man in the World. But altho' he was a great Unbeliever and Persecutor, he was not guilty of such Sins as blemish a Mans Reputation in the esteem of the World. He was a very blameless Person. It is a very great Mercy to have an unblemished Youth; for that Scandalous Miscarriages in Youth, will stick upon a Man all his days after. Now if a Man has Grace wrought in his Soul whilest it is Early dayes with [Page 73] him, that will be a blessed means to preserve him from an unblemished Youth. Again, That so a Man may do much Service for Christ he must have time allowed him [...]o do the Ser­vices appointed for [...] Therefore are some of the [...]ect called into the Vineyard betimes, [...] so they may have time to finish [...] the work de­creed for them [...]fore their going out of the W [...] [...]dinarily they that must [...] [...]l of work must have [...] of time to do it in.

2. Some [...] of God [...] Called and Conver [...]d [...] [...]deres of their Childhood and [...] They are called at the [...] of the Day of their Life [...] Middle Age. [...] (afterw [...]ds [...] so. Some writers affi [...] [...] & thirty Years Old at the [...] Conver­ [...]n. Notwithstanding [...] called a Young Man; he was [...] young, or then the High [...]iest would not have employed him in such work as [...] which he Commissioned him for. [Page 74] It is most probable that Zacbeus, and the Jaylor, and the Thief on the Cross were in their Middle Age when Con­verted. Such are the fittest and most capable to work in the Lords Vine­yard, and therefore such are most commonly Called into it. Children or decayed Old Men are not so fit to be Labourers as Young Men, because of their Strength. 1 Joh. 2.14. I have written unto you young men because you are strong. An Eminent Divine of our own observes that, That Men of such an Age are the fittest Materials for the Frame of Grace to be Erected on. Altho' God can work with any Tools, yet He manifests his wisdom in chu­sing such as have the greatest fitness for the work he designs them for in his Vineyard.

3. There are some of the Elect of God Called and Converted in Old Age. There were some called into the Lords Vine­yard at the Eleventh Hour: When the day of Life is just Expiring, and they ready to drop into the Grave, God has looked on them, and had Mercy [Page 75] on them. It was Charitably spoken by the Martyr Julius Palmer, when one tempted him to recant, but seeing there was no perswading him to that, said, One of us twain must be damned, for we be of two Faiths, and certain I am that there is but one Faith that Leads to Life and Salvation. I hope (said the Martyr) that we both shall be Saved, For as it has pleased our Mer­ciful Saviour, according to the Gospel Pa­rable, to Call me at the third hour of the day, at the Age of Four and twenty Years, so I trust that he will Call you at the E­leventh hour of this your Old Age, and give you Everlasting Life for your Portion. This indeed is not usual, nevertheless, this sometimes happens, tho' very rarely. One thus Paraphrases on the Text before us, Why stand you all the day idle, you have lost the season of your, Work, and hope of your Reward. The day is almost spent, you have no reason to Ex­pect that I should hire you, or reward you, yet for this once I will do it, though I do not use to do it. God is pleased to Call some at all hours, that Sinners in all [Page 76] Periods of their Lives, might have some grounds of Encouragement to Repent, and Return to him. When there was in the Second Chapter of the Acts, three thousand Converted in one Day by one Sermon, no doubt but that there were some Elderly Per­sons among them. Men must have an Outward Call from the Word of God, before they have the Inward Call, wrought by the holy Spirit. How shall they believe on him of whom they have not heard? Faith c [...]mes by hear­ing, and [...]earing by the w [...]rd of God. When as there are some of the Elect of God, who have not the Outward [...]l before Old Age has overtaken them Abraham was Seventy & five Years old, when God called him, G [...]. 12 4 Indeed if Men have lived un­der the Light of the Gospel all their [...]es for the most part either they are Converted before Old Age [...] ne­ver [...] And yet now and then there [...] been [...]n Example of such Converted to God. We [...] One Instance of i [...] [...] in the Scrip­ture, [Page 77] viz. that of Manasseh. He had a godly Father, who taught him in the wayes of God, when he was a Child, Isai. 38.19 And he lived under the Ministry of the Evangelical Prophet Isaiah, nevertheless, he continued in his Rebellion until old Age, and then was brought home to God a little be­fore his Death, when he was about the Six [...]eth Year of his Age. The Glory of the Divine Attributes does appear wonderfully, when an Old Sin­ner is Converted. Therefore some such are Called. For,

(1.) There is then a glorious discovery of the Mighty Power of God. To make Bones that have been a long time dead and dry to live, no Power but that which is Almighty, can do it, Ezek. 3 [...].2, 3. When Lazarus had been dead but Four dayes, the glori­ous Power of God was minifested in rest [...]g him to Life. Wherefore Christ said to Martha when she object­ed [...]t her Brother had been dead Four dayes, Sa [...]d I not unto thee, that if thou wouldst believe thou shouldst see the [Page 78] glory of God; Meaning his Power, Job. 11.40 It is a greater discovery of the Power & Glory of God, when a Soul that has been threescore Years dead and perishing in a Grave of Sin and Misery, shall be made to live. Its an easier matter to bend a young twig than an old tree: So is it an easier matter to Convert a Young Sin­ner than an Old Sinner, which has got incurable habits of Sin, incurable by any Power less than Miraculous. Jer. 13.23. Can the Ethiopian change his skin? or the Leopard his spots, then may ye do good that are accustomed to do evil. According to humane judgment it cannot be, but with God there is no­thing impossible.

(2.) The Mercy of God does appear glo­riously in the Conversion of such Sinners. Misery is the object of Mercy. When God relieves such as are extreamly Miserable his Mercy is great. Now the most miserable Creature, on the face of the whole Earth, is an Ungod­ly Old Man. Therefore if such an one shall be Converted, Divine Mercy [Page 79] will be glorified. It is from Infinite Mercy that any Sinner in the World is Converted. 1 Pet. 1. [...]. According to his abundant Mercy be has begotten [...] again: but 'tis more abundant Mercy if an Old Sinner is begotten again. When God forgives a Sinner He has Mercy on him. Wherefore David Praying for the Pardon of his sins, sayes, Have mercy upon me, O God, accor­ding to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions, Psal. 51.1. As for one that has continued many Years in his sins, what an Infinite Number of sins has he been guilty of? It may be said to him, Is not thy wick­edness great and thine iniquities infinite? Job. 22.5. How many Millions of times has an Old Sinner transgressed the Law of God? If th [...]n he is at last Converted, and al [...] his innumera­ble Sins forgiven, Men and Angels will see and say that the Lord is Gra­cious and Merciful, and abundant in Goodness, That's his Name.

(3) The Freen [...]ss & Riches of the Grace of God, is hereby declared, to the Ever­lasting [Page 80] Admiration of Saints & Angels. No great Service for the Lord of the Vineyard, can be Expected from an Old Man. He has not time to do much for God, if he would never so feign. He is come to his Eleventh hour. He has but one hour to work in, before his Sun is set, and his day is done: If the Lord shall call such an one into his Vineyard, he can expect little Work or Service from him. It must then proceed from free Grace and Goodness. When great Sinners are Converted, the Grace of God therein is illustrious. The Ephesians had been great Sinners: Idolaters, Magicians, and in other respects great Criminals. God Converted them, that so the riches of his Grace might be seen and admired in all succeeding Ages. Eph. 2.7. That in the Ages to come he might sh [...]w the exceeding riches of his Grace. The same is to be said, when an Old Sinner is Convered▪ for such are great Sinners. Altho some of them have not been guilty of such Sins as the World cries shame [Page 81] on, nevertheless, the multitude of ini­quities and guilt which they have in so many Years contracted, renders them great Sinners.

We proceed to the Improvment of the Doctrine before us.

THESE words were spoken by the Lord Jesus Christ. In the Ninth Verse of this Chapter He Exhorts to Charity and Liberality. The Cove­tous Pharisees received his Doctrine. with the greatest contempt & scorn. Whereupon he entertained his Hear­ers with an awful Parable concerning a Rich Man, and a Godly Poor Man, declaring the State of each of them in another World, after this Life is [Page 94] Ended. The rich Man is not named, but he is described to be one that was clothed in Purple, and fared sumptu­ously every day, verse 19. He shewed more kindness to his dogs, than to the Poor Man, and the dogs were more friendly to him, than was their Matter. The Poor Man has the Name of La­zarus given to him, which is a Con­tract from Eleazer. Hence is that Ex­pression common among us, a poor Lazar. This Poor and Pious Eleazer as described. (1.) From his miserable condition in this life: He was as poor as a begger, and besides that afflicted with sore bodily diseases. (2.) He is described from his happiness after this life. It is said, that when he dyed An­gels carried him into Abrahams bosom. When 'tis said Angels carried him, the meaning is that they carried his Soul. By a figure called Synechache. [...] the whole is put for a part. T [...] [...] gels did not carry his Body, [...] Soul. Christ spake to the [...] specially to the Ph [...]ris [...] [...] [...] [...]ed that the [...] [Page 95] with their Bodies. It is a celebrated saying among their Doctors, That when Righteous Men dy Angels carry their Souls to Paradise, and into Eden. They tell [...]s that when a famous Rabbi dyed, ano­ther said of him, He is this day in Abra­hams bosom. The happiness of Hea­ven is set forth by that of a joyful Feast. Among the Jews they sat at their Tables in a discumbent postute. He that was the most beloved guest, [...]aid his head in the bosom of the Master of the Feast: which gives light to that Scripture: Joh. 13.23. There was leaning on Jesus bosom, one of his Disciples whom Jesus Loved. Abraham [...]s mentioned rather than any other Saint, because he was the Father of [...]he Faithful, the Promise was made to him, and he was Eminent for his Hospitality, contrary to the Covetous rich Miser whom the Parable speaks of. Moreover, Abraham had a faith­ful Servant whose Name was Eleazer, or Lazarus: That Godly Servant does now Feast with his Master Abraham after a celestial manner in another [Page 96] World. Wherefore the Doctrine to be insisted on, is, ‘ DOCT. That when Godly Men dye, sup­pose them to be never so Poor in this World, their Souls do not dye, but are carried by holy Angels into another and a better World.’

The Doctrine may be Opened and Confirmed in several Propositions.

PROP. I. Every Man consists of a Body and a Soul in respect of the one of which he is subject to Death, but not in respect of the other. These are the two essential Parts of Man. It was so in the first Creation, and it is so still. The first Man consisted of a Body and a Soul: Gen 2.7. The Lord God formed Man of the dust of the Ground, & breathed into his Nostrils the breath of Life, & Man became a living soul. Thus does every Man consist of an humane Body, and a rational Soul. That Creature which does not so, is not one of Mankind. Math. 10, 28, Fear not them which kill [Page 97] the body, but are not able to kill the soul, but rather fear him, which is able to de­stroy both soul and body in hell. These two are of very differing nature and properties. The Body does incur the outward Senses, but the Soul does not so. The Body may be seen and felt, but the Soul cannot be so; for it is a Spiritual substance. Christ said to the Disciples when he appeared to them after his Resurrection, & they thought he had been a Spirit, Handle me and see for a spirit has not flesh & bones as you see me have, Luk. 24.39. The Soul is of­ten called a Spirit. In the Scripture, Man, is distributed into Body and Soul, (as was shewed) and sometimes into Body and Spirit, 1 Cor. 6.20. It is in respect of the Body that Men dye, which is therefore called your Mortal Body, Rom. 5.14. And that being an Essential Part of Man, he is called Mortal Man, Job 4.17. Its usual a­mong Writers to call Men by the Name of Mortals. To dye is the fate of all the Men on the Earth. Godly Men as well as others. Lazarus as well as [Page 98] Dives must see Death There's a Sta­tutum est, a Statute Law for it: Heb. 9.27. It is app [...]nted for men to dye. We may see the Original Statute: Gen. 3.19. D [...]st thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. But the Soul does not dye with the Body. Ecc [...] 12.7. The dust, that is the Body which was Original­ly dust shall return to the earth as it was, and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. Man is made for Eternity, and not like Inferiour Creatures, whose Sensitive Souls dye with hei [...] bodies. This is a truth which Me [...] [...]ag [...]t to know, yet but few know [...] as they should do. Wherefore Solomon sayes, Who knows the spirit of a man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goes downward to the earth, Eccl. [...].21. The Soul of Man neither shall not [...]an dye. All the Men in the World, are not able to kill a Soul. To deny the Immortality of the Soul, is to destroy all Religion at once. For [...] [...]ullifies all the Promises & Threatnings con­tained in the Scripture, which are not fulfilled in this Life, therefore if there [Page 99] is not a future State, and so an Immor­tal Soul they will never be fulfilled. To say that Man is wholly Mortal, is an assertion not only contrary to the Scrip­ture, but [...] the light of Natural Rea­son. For it is irrational, to think that a Vicious Man is happier that a Ver­tuous Man: yet so it would be, if there is no other Life but this, or if the Souls of M [...]n dye with their Bodies. 1 Cor. 15.19. If in his life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most mi­serable. If there is no life but this, the best Men would be the unhappiest Men. What reasonable Man can believe that to be so? Blessed Re­wards are Promised to the Righteous; But in this life they see them not. There is one event to the Righteous and to the Wicked. Yea, many times they are subject to greater Miseries than others, and that all their life long. The holy Penman of the Seventy third Psalm, says, All the day long have I been plagued and chastened every morn­ing. Severe punishment is threatned, for those that have been great Sinners. [Page 100] Whenas many times they are not pu­nished in this World. The ungodly prosper in the World, they have more than heart can wish. From these Con­derations the Philosophers and Wise Men among the Gentiles, did believe the Immortality of the Soul, and that there is another World in which Good Men shall be Happy, and the Wicked Miserable. Balaam was so far in­lightned as to believe this. Where­fore he said, Let me dye the Death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his, Numb. 23.10. He knew that when Righteous Men dye, their Souls do not dye, but that afterwards, (as the Original Hebrew imports,) after Death they are happy. And this has been the Faith of all Righteous Men. It is therefore said, The righteous has hope in his Death, Prov. 14.32. He has hope of being made happy at and by his Death. The Martyr Stephen did not think that his Soul dyed with his Body, for then he would not when dying have said, Lord Jesus receive my spirit. The Faith of this, comforted [Page 101] the Martyrs, when their Persecutors threatened them with Death, they would say, kill our Bodies you may, but you shall never kill our Souls.

PROP. II. When Godly Men dye, their Souls go to another and a better World. Their Souls go to that World where Abraham now is. When Lazarus died he was in Abrahams bosom. When Good Men die they are no sooner dead as to their Bodies, but they are blessed in respect of their Souls. Rev. 14.13. Blessed are the dead that dye in the Lord. When they are taken out of this World, they go to rest, they rest from their Labours, and their works follow them. This is implied by their lying in Abrahams bosom. When La­zarus was dead, he was no more afflicted with poverty and pains. Saints de­parted this Life, enjoy a perfect free­dom from all evils whatsoever. Then, and not till then, will that Promise be fulfilled, Jer. 31.12. They shall not sor­row any more at all. And which is a greater happiness, they are fully and [Page 102] forever freed from sin. Rom. 6.7. He that is dead is freed from sin. There­fore does the Scripture speak of the spirits of just men made perfect, Heb. 12.23. They go to a place where they have nothing but comfort. When Lazarus was dead, it was said of him, Now he is comforted. Altho' their Bo­dies are not glorified before the Re­surrection, their Souls are as soon as they leave their Bodies. When the Cloathing of Mortality is put off, a Cloathing of Glory is put on. 2 Cor. 5.2, 3, 4 For in this we groan earnestly, desiring to be cloathed upon with our house which is from heaven, if so be that being cloathed we shall not be found naked. We that are in this tabernacle groan being bur­dened, not for that we would be uncloathed, but cloathed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up [...]f life. Their Souls do not remain in a naked condition, but in­stead of a Cloathing of Flesh, they have a Cloathing of Glory. It is said concerning the Souls under the Altar, viz The Christians that were Mar­tyred in the Primitive times, that white [Page 103] robes were given to every one of them, Rev. 6.11. White Robes are an en­sign of Glory. When the Priests were admitted into the inner Courts, White Robes were given to them. Thus the departed Souls of Believers when they first enter into the Heavenly Sanctu­ary, Robes of Glory are given to them. They then go to a blessed place. To a place of which Paradise and the Gar­den of Eden was a figure. It was a usual Prayer with the Jews, for an Is­raelite, Let his soul be in the Garden of, Eden. They say, when Abraham dyed he went to Paradise, and that when Mo­ses dyed, he went to Paradise. This is true not only of Abraham and Moses, but of all penitent Believers on Jesus Christ. It was therefore said to the Penitent on the Cross, To day thou shalt be with me in Paradise, Luk. 23.43. When they leave this World, their Souls go to Heaven. The Scripture speaks of some who Blaspheme them that dwell in heaven, Rev. 13.6. Idolatry is called Blasphemy. Papists worship Saints departed. They Pray to St. [Page 104] Peter and St. Paul, and to the Virgin Mary; to make Gods of them is Blas­phemy. So do they Blaspheme them that dwell in Heaven. We read of thing, in Heaven reconciled to God, Col. 1.20. The Elect Angels are in­deed things in Heaven, they are cal­led the Angels of Heaven, that's their Native Country▪ But they never needed to be reconciled to God, as not having sinned, nor did the Son of God shed his Blood for them. But there are Souls in Heaven, namely the Immortal Spirits of Holy Men de­parted this life, and those are the things in Heaven, which Christ has recon­ciled to God, by the Blood of his Cross. Good Men at their departure out of this world, go where they have blessed Communion with those holy Souls, which are gone to Heaven be­fore them. They go to Abraham as we have shewed. It was said to A­braham, that at his Death he should go to his Fathers, Gen. 15.15. He went to that World where Shem and Noah and other of his Fathers were [Page 105] gone before him. That sort of Peo­ple which served God as he had done, at the hour of his Death he was ga­thered to them, Gen. 25.8. They go to be with Angels. God said to the Prophet, If thou wilt walk in my ways, and keep my charge, I will give thee pla­ces to walk among these that stand by, Zech. 3 7. Were they not Angels that stood by? When the faithful Servants of God, have finished their work in this world, they go to be with Angels, and to walk with them in the walks of Heaven. They go to be with Christ. Phil. 1.23. I desire to de­part, and to be with Christ. They go to God. As long as they are in the Bo­dy, they are absent from the Lord, but when absent from the body they are present with the Lord, 2 Cor. 5.8. All this we see in one blessed Scripture, viz. that in Heb. 12.22, 23. We are come to the heavenly Jerusalem, to an in­numerable company of Angels, to God the judge of all, to the Spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant.

[Page 106]PROP. III. When Godly Men dye, holy Angels carry their Souls to Heaven. They go to Abraham's Bosom, but who does Conduct them thither: Angels do it. Lazarus died, and Angels carried him to be with Abraham. As when Elijah was carried to Heaven Body and Soul, it was by the Ministry of Holy An­gels. There was seen a Chariot of Fire, and Horses of Fire, Holy Angels appear­ing in that Form, and Elijah went up to Heaven, 2 King. 2.11. And they shall carry the raised Bodies of the Saints to be with Christ at the Last Day, Mat. 24.31. He shall send his Angels with the sound of a Trum­pet, and they shall gather together his Elect from the four Winds, from one end of Heaven to the other. So do they do with the Souls of the Elect when their Bodies die. It was an Ancient Say­ing among the Jewish Writers, That none have right to Paradise, but the Just, whose Souls are carried thither by Angels. The Platonick Philosophers did not only believe, that the Souls of Men [Page 107] were Immortal, but that the Souls of Wicked Men at the Hour of Death, were by Evil Angels carried to a worse World than this, and the Souls of Good Men by Good Angels, to a better World. We may suppose that they had this Knowlege from the Jews, and that the Jews derived it from the holy Patriarchs and Prophets. To intimate this Truth, is a special scope and design of the Parable con­cerning Dives and Lazarus. And this has been the Faith of dying Saints. It is reported concerning the Famous Morney, that when dying he expres­sed himself after this manner. I am ta­king my flight to Heaven: there are An­gels standing, ready to carry my Soul into the Bosom of my Saviour. There was a Faithful Minister of Christ in New-England, (it was Mr. Newman, Pastor of the Church in Reho [...] he that wrote that excellent Concordance to the Bible, which commonly goes under the Name of the Cambridge Concor­dance) who perceiving the approaches of Death, he was not in the least [Page 108] concerned or afraid, but after he had spoke a few solemn Words to them about him, made an Apostrophe to the Angels; And now (said he) An­gels come and do your Office. Those Words were no sooner out of his Mouth but he dyed Angels were by, they heard what he said, and were ready to Conduct his Pious Soul to Heaven. Several Things may be mentioned which confirm the Doc­trine before us

1. Angels are by Divine appoint­ment, Guardians of such as belong to God. Psal 34 7. The Angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him. They are charged with them, Psal. 91.11, 12. He shall give his Angels charge over them. They shall bear them up in their h [...]nds. As tender Nur­ses do the Children which are com­mitted to their charge. An Heir of Salvation does no sooner come into the World, but Angels are charged to look after him. Nor does the great­est Angel in Heaven think it beneath him, to have such a Charge: Heb. 1. [Page 109] 14. Are they not all ministring Spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of Salvation. For the Devil stands ready to devour them as soon as they are born, as he would have done our Saviour Christ: Rev. 12.4. The Dragon stood before the Woman, which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her Child as soon as it was born: which Words altho' figurative, have respect to that which is really true. As soon as Christ was Born, the Devil stood ready to devour Him, by his Instru­ment Herod, but he was preserved from that Dragon, by the Ministry of an Angel, Mat. 2.13. So are the Elect of God under the Guardianship of Angels, whilest in a state of Infancy. The Scripture gives us to understand that [...] ones have their Angels, Mat. 18 10 And when they are arrived to Adult Age, still Angels have the charge of them. Wherever they are, whether by Sea or Land Angels are with them Thus from their Infancy, and to their Old Age, and to their dying Day. The Lord says of his [Page 110] People, They are born by me from the belly, and are carried from the womb, and even to your old age I am he, and even to hoar hairs will I carry you, even I will carry and deliver you, Isai. 46.3, 4. And how does God bear and carry them? He does it by the Ministry of holy Angels. Austin in his Meditati­ons, was affected with this thought, that from the time of his nativity to the end of his Life, Angels were appointed to be his Guardians. Can we think that Angels will take care of us all our life time, and then leave us at our Death.

2. Angels have a great love for godly Men. They rejoyce at their welfare. They sang when there was a Saviour born for Men. Luk. 2 13, 14. There was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men. When an Elect sinner is Converted it causes no little joy among the Angels of God in Heaven, Luk [...]0 10 They praise God for his everlasting mercies to [Page 111] Men that keep his Covenant. The Psalmist having spoken thus, calls up­on Angels to bless the Lord: Psal. 103.20, 21. Bless the Lord ye his An­gels, bless the Lord all ye his hosts, ye Mi­nisters of his that do his pleasure. God loves godly Men, and therefore An­gels do so, for it is natural for them to love what God loves. They love the Image of God wherever they see it. They are of the same Family with Believers on Christ, therefore they love them. Eph. 3.15. Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named. Angels in Heaven and Be­lievers on Earth belong to the same Family of God. They are fellow Ser­vants. The Angel said to John, I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus, Rev. 19.10. Their love to holy Men must needs be confirmed and encreased, by their having been their Companions and Guardians for so long a time. Kind Offices encrease love. We see that Nurses have a special affection for the Children that have been fostered [Page 112] by them. So have the Angels of Hea­ven for those Children of God who have been under their care, tuition, and education, and have been fostered by them from their Cradles to their Graves. Moreover, they know that godly Men shall live with them in Heaven forever, and therefore they must needs be willing to go with their Souls to Heaven when they leave this Earth.

3. The separated Souls of godly Men, stand in need of such Guardians to carry them to Heaven. For they pass through their Enemies Country. The Air is the Devils Territory. There is a power of those evil Spirits there. The Devil is called the prince of the power of the air, Eph 2 2. If Men are to pass through the midst of Pyrates, they need a strong Convoy to guard them. The Pyrates of Hell are waiting to seize upon the Souls of Men, as soon as they are out of their Bodies. Godly Souls need not fear them, because they have a Convoy of Angels to protect them, and to car­ry [Page 113] them safe to the blessed Country whether they are bound. And as they are carried thither by Angels, so when they a [...] there, Angels glad­ly receive them. They are in the Scripture represented as the Po [...]ters at the Gates of Heaven, Rev. 11.12. They will not keep those Gates shut, against any to whom Christ bids them open them.

PROP. IV. This Priviledge belongs to the poorest and meanest godly Men as well as to the richest and greatest. As the Psalmist speaks with respect to ano­ther dignity, [...] honour [...]ve all the Saints, Psal. 149.9. A poor beg­garly Lazarus having a godly Soul, is conducted to Heaven after this ho­nourable manner, with a glorious E­quipage. The greatest King on Earth, when he removes from one place to another, has not such a splendid Equi­page. Kings have Nobles to attend them, but poor Lazarus has Angels to accompany him, who are the Nobles of Heaven. The Soul of a poor Man, [Page 114] is as valuable as the Soul of a rich Man, more worth than the whole World. There are poor Men belonging to the Election of God, as well as rich Men. Nay, there are more poor than rich among those whom God has chosen. Jam. 2 5. Has not God chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to them that love him. The Redemption of the Soul of a poor Man, has cost as great a price as the Redemption of the Soul of a rich Man viz. the precious Blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God. It was a Statute in Israel, that the rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a sh [...]kel, when they give an offer­ing unto the Lord, to make a [...]o [...]ement for their souls, Exod. 3 [...].15 By which we are taught this truth, that an equal Price has been given for the Redemp­tion of Souls It cost as much to make an Atonement for the po [...] as for the rich Then Angel will not disdain, but be glad of the Office, to carry the god­ly Soul of a poor Lazarus, to be with A­braham in Paradise.

[Page 115]Thus for the clearing of the Doc­trine before us. We proceed to the Application.