And, 1st. From what has been said, we may learn the best way of preparing ourselves to live in those heavenly bodies, which is, by cleansing ourselves more and more from all earthly affections, and weaning ourselves from this body, and all the pleasures that are peculiar to it. We should begin in this life to loosen the knot between our souls and this mortal flesh; to refine our affections, and raise them from things below to things above; to take off our thoughts, and disengage them from present and sensible things, and accustom ourselves to think of and converse with things future and invisible; that so our souls, when they leave this earthly body, may be prepared for a spiritual one, as having beforehand tasted spiritual delights, and being in some degree acquainted with the things which we then shall meet with. A soul wholly taken up with this earthly body, is not fit for the glorious mansions above. A sensual mind is so wedded to bodily pleasures, that it cannot enjoy itself without them, and it is not able to relish any other, though infinitely to be preferred before them; nay, such as follow the inclinations of their fleshly appetites, are so far unfit for heavenly joys, that they would esteem it the greatest unhappiness to be clothed with a spiritual body: it would be like clothing a beggar in the robes of a king: such glorious bodies would be uneasy to them; they would not know what to do in them; they would be glad to retire, and put on their rags again. But when we are washed from the guilt of our sins, and cleansed from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, then we shall long to be dissolved, and to be with our exalted Saviour. We shall be always ready to take wing for the other world, where we shall at last have a body suited to our spiritual appetites. 2. From hence we may see how to account for the different degrees of glory in the heavenly world; for, although all the children of God shall have glorious bodies, yet the glory of them all shall not be equal. As one star differeth from another star in glory, so also is the resurrection of the dead. They shall all shine as stars; but those who, by a constant diligence in well-doing, have attained to a higher measure of purity than others, shall shine more bright than others; they shall appear as more glorious stars. It is certain that the most heavenly bodies will be given to the most heavénly souls, so that this is no little encouragement to us to make the greatest progress we possibly can in the knowledge and love of God, since the more we are weaned from the things of the earth now, the more glorious will our bodies be at the resurrection. 3. Let this consideration engage us patiently to bear whatever troubles we may be exercised with in the present life. The time of our eternal redemption draweth nigh; let us hold out a little longer, and all tears shall be wiped from our eyes, and we shall never sigh nor sorrow any more; and how soon shall we forget all we endured in this earthly tabernacle, when once we are clothed with that house which is from above? We are now but on our journey towards home, and so must expect to struggle with many difficulties; but it will not be long ere we come to our journey's end, and that will make amends for all. We shall then be in a quiet and safe harbour, out of the reach of all storms and dangers: we shall then be at home in our Father's house, no longer exposed to the inconveniences which, so long as we abide abroad in these tents, we are subject to; and let us not forfeit all this happiness for want of a little more patience. Only let us hold out to the end, and we shall receive an abundant recompense for all the trouble and uneasiness of our passage, which shall be endless rest and peace. Let this especially fortify us against the fear of death it is now disarmed, and can do us no hurt. It divides us, indeed, from this body awhile, but it is only that we may receive it again more glorious. As God, therefore, said once to Jacob, Fear not to go down into Egypt, for I will go down with thee, and will surely bring thee up again;' so I may say to all who are born of God, Fear not to go down into the grave; lay down your heads in the dust, for God will certainly bring you up again, and that in a much more glorious manner; only be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, and then let death prevail over and pull down this house of clay, since God hath undertaken to rear it up again, infinitely more beautiful, strong, and useful. |