nexion between an external prosperity, and this internal flourishing of religion in the church, by the communication of the Holy Ghost in larger and fuller measures of it: the connexion of these with one another reciprocally, so as that there can never be an externally happy state unto the church without that communication of the Spirit; and that with it there cannot but be, if we speak of the freeing of it from intestine troubles, which will be the only things that it shall be liable to annoyance from in all likelihood in a further course and tract of time..

Take the former part of this connexion, that is, that without such a communication of the Spirit an external state of tranquillity and prosperity to the church can never be ;-we should design the fixing of this apprehension well: for certainly they are but vain expectations, fond wishes, to look for such prosperity without reference unto that large and general communication of the Spirit. Experience hath done very much in several parts of the world, if we had no prospect nearer us, to discover and refute the folly of any such hope, that any external good state of things can make the church happy. How apparent is it, that if there should be never so much a favourable aspect of time, yet if men are left to their own spirits, and acted only by them, all the business will presently be for one person to endeavour to lurch another, and to grasp and get power in their hands! And then they will presently run into sensuality, or make it their business to serve carnal and secular interests, grasping at this world, mingling with the spirit of it. Thus it cannot but be, it must be, if an effusion of the Spirit be not conjunct in time with any such external smiles of time. There can be no good time unto the church of God, without the giving of another Spirit, his own Spirit. That, or nothing, must make the church happy.

And that cannot but do it; which is the other side of the connexion. For let us but recount with ourselves, what it must needs be, when such a Spirit shall be poured forth, as by which all shall be disposed and inclined to love God, and to devote themselves to him, and to serve his interest, and to love one another as themselves, and each one to rejoice in another's welfare, so as that the good and advantage of one shall be the joy and delight of all! When men shall have no designs one upon another, no endeavours of tripping up one another's heels, nor of raising themselves upon one another's ruins! This cannot but infer a good state of things, excepting what may be from external enemies. It is true indeed, that when there was the largest communication of the Spirit that ever was in the church, yet it was molested by pagans: but

then it was not troublesome in itself, it did not contend part by part with itself. And if the communication of the Spirit, as we have reason to expect in the latter days, be very general, so as not only to improve and heighten the church in respect of interna! liveliness and vigour; but also to increase it in extent, as no doubt it will; then less of trouble is to be feared from without. But we shall still be miserable, and it cannot be avoided but we must be so, if with the smiles of the times a large communication of the Spirit be not conjunct. It is also to be designed in such a discourse,

3. To mind more what is substantial in that good state of things, whereof we speak, than the circumstances that belong thereto; and especially than the time and season, when it may be hoped any such good state of things shall commence. And that we may be taken off from too much busying ourselves about that, I shall shut up all with two or three considerations: As,

(1.) That to have our minds and hearts more set upon the best state of things that it is possible the church should ever arrive to on earth, than upon the state of perfect felicity above, is a very great distemper, and which we ought to reckon intolerable by any means to indulge ourselves in. We know, none of us can live in this world but a little while; and that there is a state of perfect rest and tranquillity and glory remaining for the people of God. We have therefore no pretence for being curious in our inquiries about what time such or such good things may fall out to the church of God in this world. It is a great piece of fondness to cast in our own thoughts, Is it possible that I may live to see it? For ought we know, there may be but a hand's breadth between us and glory, if we belong to God; to-morrow may be the time of our translation. We ought to live in the continual expectation of dying, and of coming to a better state than the church can ever be in here. It argues a great infirmity, a distemper in our spirits, that we should reflect upon with severity, if we should be more curious to see a good state of things in this world, than to see the best that can ever be, and infinitely better than we can think, in heaven. And,

(2.) That, as for that part of the good condition of the church, which consists in the communication of the Spirit; so much of it as is necessary for us we may have at any time, if we be not wanting to ourselves, and are of those that belong to God, any of that seed that by this Spirit have been raised up to Christ. It must be our fault, if we have not so much of the Spirit as is requisite for our comfortable walking with God in this world. And I add hereupon,

set.

(3.) That that which is common to all times, yea and common both to time and eternity, certainly ought to be the greatest thing with us, and upon which our hearts should be most Let us but be intent upon this, to get a large measure of the Spirit into our own souls; this may be had at any time, if we do not neglect ourselves and the rules that God hath set us: and this is a thing common to time and eternity. They that sow to the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting, Gal. 6. 8. And therefore look we upon things according to the proper importance of them, and what they carry in themselves. Sure I am, that without much of the Spirit all the best things, that this world can afford me, will never do me the least good: I may be a great deal the worse for them, but never a whit the better. But if I have much of this Spirit, things can never go ill with me; I shall be carried through whatever hardships shall fall to my share; and be within the compass of my lot, while I am in this world; and never regret the thought of them, when once I arrive to the other shore; but forget all these troubles, like the waters that pass away, as the expression is in Job 11. 16.

SERMON II.*

SUCH things having been forelaid, we may adventure to

enter upon the consideration of the former of the truths proposed, namely,That there is a state of tranquillity and prosperity appointed for the church of God, for some considerable tract of time here in this world.-And concerning that, there are two things that I shall labour to evince to you; namely, that it is a very happy and prosperous state, which these words do manifestly import and refer unto; and,-that that state is yet future; or that what is here predicted concerning it is not yet fulfilled.

I. That it is a very happy state of things that is here referred unto, is plain from the very import of the words of the text. "Neither will I hide my face any more from them." What can we conceive desirable, which these expressions may not be understood to signify? But if we understand them to signify only a state of external prosperity, (and because any farther meaning, which the words in themselves might admit of, is fully carried under the other expression of his pouring out his Spirit; and that is made causal of this, and nothing can be a cause to itself; therefore we do understand them only of outward prosperity;) yet surely that must be a very happy and prosperous state, which such an expression is chosen to signify; that God will shine upon them with most benign aspects of

*Preached May 15th, 1679.

providence. What can go amiss with a people, upon whom he doth so?

And if we consider the reference of these words unto what goes before, and the place which they have in that series of discourse, with which they stand connected, and wherein they make a part; it will be very evident upon review, that they have reference to a very happy state of things foretold. If you consider the whole book of these prophecies, you will find, that any thing consolatory unto this people, directly and properly said to them, except what is occasionally here and there let fall, doth but begin with the 36th chapter. The former chapters of this book are either full of reprehensions or comminations of the people; the first twenty-four chapters are generally taken up so: or else in predictions of judgment and vengeance upon their enemies; (which doth collaterally and on the by import favour to them ;) the Edomites, and the Egyptians, and the Amorites, the Moabites, the Philistines, the Tyrians, and the Sidonians. Sundry of the following chapters after the twenty-four first are taken up so. But these four lying here all connected together, (the 36th, 37th, 38th, 39th,) are wholly taken up in comfortable predictions unto this people, speaking of their happy state in themselves; though also the destruction of such enemies, as did most stand in the way of that promised felicity, is here and there interserted. And then all the following chapters, the 40th, and the rest to the end, are a continued prophetical and emblematical description of the settled happy state, wherein they should be, after they were restored; as in the description of the meaning and building of the city and temple you see at large. And if we should go to point out particulars to you, you will find, that such as these do properly and fully lie up and down in these chapters that I have mentioned, and which seem to be all of a piece. congenerous unto one another.

1. Their reduction from their captivity; that they shall all be brought back and gathered out of the several heathen nations of the world, where they were scattered and dispersed to and fro.

2. The reparation of all desolation, the great building of their wasted cities.

3. The great fruitfulness of their land. I will not direct you to the particular passages, where these things are mentioned; but you may at your leisure view over these chapters, and you will find them all.

4. The great multiplication and numerousness of their inhabitants.