Chapter 19: Enjoyment of communion with God's people, is worth the enduring much affliction

WE are now come to the sixth doctrinal Point that we have here in this part of Moses choice, That the enioyment of communion with Gods people, is worth the enduring of a great deal of affliction. Moses chooses to suffer affliction with the people of God; he saw they were Gods people, and that it was a good thing to be with them, and therefore rather then he would not be with them, he was content to lose all the honors of Pharaohs Court, and put himself under the sorest affliction that he could meet withal, nothing should hinder him from joining with them.

In the worst times of the Church, in which the hardest things were to be suffered in joining with Gods people, yet even then would those who had gracious hearts choose to be with them upon the hardest terms, rather then to be from them with all outward ease, and carnal delight. It was a very ill time when there was a separation between the ten Tribes, and the rest, when the ten Tribes left the Temple, left the Ordinances of God, and followed after Jeroboam; this was a very hard time, and the rather because Jeroboam set watchers, to observe who would go from him unto Judah to join with Gods people there, for there remained the true Church. And this is the meaning of that place, Hos. 5:1 Hear ye this O Priests, and hearken ye house of Israel, and give ye ear O house of the king, for judgement is towards you, because you have been a snare on Mizpah, and a net spread upon Tabor: Now these two places, were places that were between Samaria, the ten Tribes, and Jerusalem; whoever should go from them to Ierusalem, to join with Gods people there in the true worship of God, those that were set at Mizpah and Tabor, would spy them, and so they were ready to be taken: This was the hard condition of Gods people then, and they did mightily scorn at those that would go to Jerusalem to worship, and to join with them in that way of worship.

And therefore Amaziah said to Amos, (Chap. 7. ver. 12.) O you Seer, go, flee you away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesie there: as if Amaziah should say, Judah is a fitter place for you then this, you are so precise, and strict, you had need be gone to Judah, we are Idolaters here, and no true Church but in Judah, such as you are, had better be gone to Judah: And so it is usual for those that are carnal and prophane, to scorn at those that are godly. Yet though things were so hard in these times, that there were watches and spies set to watch over them, and they did contemn those that did look towards Judah, yet those that were godly would not be discouraged, but would go, and join with Gods people notwithstanding all this: and therefore you have it in 2 Chron. 11:16 what was the way of Gods servants in that time, when it was such a difficult thing to join with Gods people: All such as set their hearts to seek the Lord God of Israel: there were a company of them that would stay in Samaria, that might have good wishes, that times were better, and things were better, but would not suffer any thing, to go and join with Gods people, where they might have the Ordinances in a pure manner; but all such as set their hearts to seek the Lord, and resolved whatever came of it, they would have God in the purity of his Ordinances, they went up to Jerusalem: And

So it was in the Primitive times, they were very hard times for Gods people, and the people of God, and Christians were discovered by their meetings together; if so be all of them would have separated one from another, and kept their Religion to themselves, they might not have been discovered, but though it were with hazard of their lives, they would join together, and meet together; and therefore when any was converted, it is said, they were added to the Church. And S. Paul, Heb. 10:25 lays a charge upon them, though it were at such a time as they hazarded their lives, Not to forsake the assembly of the Saints, as the manner of some is. And Mr. Calvin in a Sermon upon that Text, Seek ye my face, interpreting it thus, The face of God is Gods Ordinances; as a man is known by his face, so God makes himself known in his Ordinances; and so he urges that place, Seek my face, that all Christians in conscience are bound to go where Gods Ordinances may be enjoyed, if possibly they can: And he says further, It is better they should scrape the ground with their nails, then to be any where else, where they should not ioyn with Gods people in the ways of his Ordinances. Certainly, it is a great blessing to be with them, though upon never such hard terms in regard of afflictions.

That is observable that we read of Jacob blessing his sons, Gen. 49:28 it is said, He blessed every one of them; How was that? for you shall finde he rather seemed to curse three of them, Reuben, Simeon, and Levi; he speaks only of evil to them; but because they were not rejected, from being amongst Gods people, although they were to be under great and sore afflictions, yet they are said to be blessed.

Well, but why should we suffer much affliction for the joining with Gods people? What is there in them, or amongst them, that makes joining with them to be so desireable?

First, that point we handled before, might be enough to show the reason of this: they are the excellent of the earth, Isaiah 43:4 I do not now speak of them particularly, though every Saint is honorable, but especially they are honorable in a way of Church communion: Now we know it is a credit, and priviledge to have society with those that are honorable; Gods people are so, they are the glory of the world: as for others, God speaks of them as dirt and dross, Psalm 119. 118, 119. but now Gods people are called the glory of God himself, Isaiah 4:5 now it is good being with such as those are. Peter, when he saw but two of Gods servants together with Christ, Moses and Elias, says, It is good being here, let us make three Tabernacles, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elias; he never thought of himself, it is good being here, though he should lye in the field, and in the rain: and so says a gracious heart, It is good being here with Gods people, for they are precious, whatever hardship we suffer amongst them.

Secondly, there is no such comfortable communion in the world, as with Gods people. It is comfortable,

First, in the very beholding of the shining of the graces of Gods Spirit in them; says Heathen Seneca, The very look of a good man delights me: What is the glory of God himself, but to see his own glory shining in the world, in the works of creation, and providence? If God delights so much to see the resplendency of that glory that shines in his works, surely it must be a great delight to those that have any work of grace, to see grace shining in others.

Besides, there is a blessed fragrancy of graces in Gods people: as the eye is satisfied in beholding the beauty of them, so the heart is satisfied in the sweetness of them; Cant. 6:2 My beloved is gone down into his garden, to the beds of spices; the Catholike Church is as the garden, and every particular Church, if it be as it should be, is as a bed of spices, that gives forth a very fragrant smell. It is reported of Alexander, his body was of such an exact constitution, that it gave a sweet scent where it went: and so a Church is of so good a constitution, that it gives forth a wonderful sweet fragrant smell to those that have their right senses.

Again, no such comfort as in communion with Gods people, in regard of the nearness of their union one with another, their hearts join, and are one if they be truly spiritual: other societies are but as the iron and the clay in the toes of Nebuchadnezzars Image, they may cleave together, but they will not incorporate one into another: The more spiritual any thing is, the more it does unite with that which is spiritual; spiritual things are more unitive then such things as are bodily; as if you have a heap of stones, they do not join so close together, but now a thousand beams of the Sun will unite together in one point, because they are spiritual things in comparison: and this is the reason why there is such a full union between God, and a spiritual heart, because God is so spiritual, and the more spiritual the heart is, the more union; and so Christians having grace, and grace being spiritual, the more grace, the more spiritual, and the more spiritual, the more union: and the reason why in Church-fellowship there is so little union, is because they are so carnal, and therefore the Apostle says, the contentions that were in the Church of Corinth, were because they were carnal. If you were more spiritual, there would not be such division between you.

As it is in wicked communion, those who are more spiritually wicked, (for there is a kinde of spiritual wickedness) they do more unite together, those that are more fleshly wicked, do not so closely unite, as your drunkards, and prophane fellows, though they call good fellows, yet upon every cross word, they are ready to fall out: but others that are wicked in a malicious way against the godly, and wicked in a way of policy, to work to undermine the way of godliness, such as those join together a great deal more strongly, then those that join together in an outward fleshly way; Now because Gods people are spiritual in a gracious way, therefore they have such near union, and union causes abundance of comfort. We read Exodus 26. of two sorts of Curtains for the Tabernacle, the one, verse 1. of fine twined linen, blew, purple and scarlet, and the tatches were of gold to couple them; the other were of goats hair, ver. 7. and the tatches to couple them were of brass, ver. 11. Which may set forth the several sorts of people in the Church; some are of a finer make then others, more spiritual, and the bonds of their union are golden, others are more course, and the bonds of their union are not so glorious; but this is a truth for ever, the more spiritual, the more union, the more pure the souls of men are, and of the more excellent temper, the more close, sweet, excellent in their union.

Again, no such comfort as with Gods people, because of the suitableness of that disposition that is in their spirits, one with another, having but one spirit, and but one divine nature, led by the same principles, and rules, and have the same ends, and affections, hopes, and desires, and joys: and where there is such a suitableness, surely there must needs be a great deal of comfort, for all comforts come from a suitableness between the heart and the object; if the thing be never so good, if there be not a suitableness between the heart and it, there is no comfort; but no such suitableness as between Gods people, and therefore no such comfort.

Fifthly, no such joy as is to be had in communion with them, because of their entireness of love, entireness of love is a lovely sight. Dionisius seeing two entire friends together, wished himself the third. Cant. 6:9 My Dove is but one, and it follows, thedaughters saw her, and blessed her; an oneness of heart is a blessed thing, no such entireness, such oneness any where as amongst the Saints: their love is spiritual, and not upon base grounds, as the love of others is, there is not that base aiming at self as in others: a carnal heart cannot love another, but in some base respect to himself; but now it is not self that is the the ground of the love between those that are truly gracious and godly, but God that is between them, and with them, the ground of their love is more spiritual, and therefore it is a kinde of divine love, and not so drossie as others.

Sixthly, no communion so comfortable in regard of their faithfulness, they dare trust one another. They call themselves brethren, and they will dye for another, says Tertullian: the men of the world cry out, Of all men I would not trust those that are so precise: Indeed, if you do take all refuse that make profession, you may say so, but a gracious heart can savor who is godly, and will not trust every one that talks of Religion, but such as are truly godly, they dare trust them, and venture their lives with them: no communion in which we can ease ourselves of our burthens, as where there are a company of true gracious humble Saints in communion one with another. So that put these together, and you see the second reason why it is worth the enduring so much affliction to have communion with the people of God.

Thirdly, it is worth the enduring a great deal of affliction, to have communion with them; because it is in their communion, in which the solemn worship of God is set up; now it is worth the enduring of a great deal, to be where that is. In Judah is God known, and his name is great in Israel: he has honor by others, but his name is great in Israel, in his Church; What a comfortable thing is it, and blessed, and worth the enduring of much, to have multitudes of Gods people join with one heart, in setting out the praises of God, sitting at his Table, sitting before him, lifting up the name of the great God, making his praise glorious: When the Saints are gathered together for this end, in this work, Christ is there present with them, praising God, he joins with them in this work, Heb. 2:12 In the midst of the Church will I praise you; this is spoken of Christ, it is quoted out of Psalm 22:22 which is prophetical of Christ: who would not be in such acts of worship, to join with such as Christ joins with? If God be our God, and dear to our souls, his worship is dear to us; and if there be any people in the world, among whom God is truly worshipped, it is a great affliction not to be with them.

It is the observation of one Interpreter upon that place in Isa. 6. where the Cherubims cryed, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts, the earth is full of your glory: the Prophet cryes out, Wo unto me, I am undone, because I am a man of unclean lips, unfit to join with those that are praising of God: howsoever the meaning of that place be, yet thus we may make use of it, to be a great affliction, and cause there is to cry out, Wo to ourselves, when we hear of Gods people crying out, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts; if we be not amongst them, though it be in the wilderness, yet if Gods worship be set up, the people of God have a feast: When the Israelites were to go from Egypt, into the wilderness, Moses says, they must go thither to keep a feast unto the Lord; What was that feast in the wilderness, but the setting up the worship of God?

Fourthly, no communion, no society in which there is so much profit and benefit, as to be amongst these. As Abigail said to David, The Lord shall binde up the soul of my Lord in the bundle of life: to be amongst Gods people, is to be bound up in the bundle of life; much good we enjoy in them, and the more communion we have, the more interest we have in all their gifts, and graces, and prayers: and therefore we read of Daniel, when he had a great work to do, how he makes use of that interest he had in the prayers of the godly, Daniel 2. 17, 18. It is a great blessing to have an interest in the prayers of the Saints, and so in all their gifts, 1 Cor. 3. 22, 23. Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, &c. all are yours, and you are Christs: as if he should say, there need no such envying one at another, to say, I am of Paul, and another of Apollos, and another of Cephas, for all are yours; all the gifts, and graces of all the worthies of the Lord, are all yours, they are all for your good, and you have interest in them all: in communion with the Saints, there is watching over one another, and quickning one another, and admonishings, and wholesome counsels, and stirring up the graces of God that are in one another: Have you not felt yourselves, when you have come away from a spiritual communion, to come away with hearts raised, and spirits inflamed for God, and so strengthened, that your resolutions have been up, to do or suffer any thing for the Lord; as in Mal. 3:16 Those that feared the Lord, spoke often to one another, quickned the hearts of one another; and so in Acts 18:5 And when Silus, and Timotheus, was come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in spirit, and testified to the Iews, that Jesus was Christ: Certainly in their converse together, S. Paul found his spirit wrought upon, and refreshed, so that the Text says, when Timotheus was come, Paul was pressed in spirit.

Fifthly, it is good being with Gods servants, though it be in suffering affliction, because God takes so much delight in them; if God takes delight in being with them, certainly there is great cause we should take delight in them: there are admirable expressions of Gods taking delight in them, Zeph. 3:17 The Lord your God in the midst of you is mighty; he will save you, he will rejoice over you with joy, he will rest in his love, he will joy over you with singing: One word is heaped upon another, to set out the abundance of delight that God takes in his people: Hence the Church has that name given her, Hephzibah, because God delighteth in her, Isaiah 62:4 And in Deut. 33:3 it is said, He loved his people, there is a general love: All his Saints are in his hand, and they sate down at his feet, that is more particular: and in Cant. 4:9 You hast ravished my heart, my sister, my Spouse, &c. One would think by the reading of the words, they were rather the speech of the Spouse to Christ; but it is the speech of Christ to his Spouse: And so again in Cantic. 5:2 Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: these are the expressions of the delight that God has in his people; The Lord loves the gates of Zion, more then all theling places of Jacob, that is, God delights in the publike communion of his people, more then in all their private dwellings: If we be of Gods mind, and have Gods Spirit, our hearts must be where God is, Gods bowels yern towards them, I am afflicted with you in all your afflictions, and how shall I give you up?

There is a notable expression in Hosea 9:10 where God sets out much of his delight in his Church, I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; as a traveller, wearied, parched in the wilderness, if he findes bunches of grapes, O how sweet and refreshing are they to him! so, says God, was Israel to me: and further, I saw your fathers, as the first ripe in the fig-tree at her first time: Fruit when it comes at the first, and is dainty, how is it prized? some will give an incredible price for some kinde of timely fruit, when it is rare at the first; Thus God sets out his delight, never Longer did delight more in some timely rare fruit, then God does in his Saints. God takes delight (you see) in his people, above all others, and therefore it is good to be with them.

Sixthly, Consider the glorious titles that in Scripture are put upon the Saints in a way of Church communion: as,

1. They are Gods portion, Deut. 32:9 The Lordsportion is his people.

2. His pleasant portion, Jer. 12:10 They have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.

3. His inheritance, Isaiah 19:25 other people are the work of Gods hands, but Israel is his inheritance.

4. The dearly beloved of his soul, Jer. 12:7 Hegave the dearly beloved of his soul into the hands of their enemies.

5. His treasure, his peculiar treasure, Exod. 19:5 Ye shall be a peculiar treasure to me above all people, for all the earth is mine: that is called peculium, which the son and heir of the house has of his own, besides the right of his fathers inheritance, which he may dispose of as he thinks good: so though the earth be the Lord Christs by inheritance, by right of creation, yet he has a special interest in his Church, above all other. God has treasure in the works of nature, and it is called his good treasure, Deut. 28:12 The Lord shall open to you his good treasure; but this is his peculiar treasure.

6. His glory, Isaiah 46:13 I will place salvation in Zion, for Israel my glory.

7. The house of Gods glory, Isa. 60:7

8. A crown of glory, Isa. 62:3

9. The throne of God, Exod. 17:16 The words may be read thus, because the hand upon the throne of the Lord, and so by many they are translated, and then the sense is, because Amaleks hand was upon the Church, the throne, therefore God threatens war against them: vea,

10. The Throne of glory, Jer. 4:21

11. The Ornament of God, Ezek. 7:20

12. The beauty of his ornament, Ezek. 7:20

13. The beauty of his ornament set in majesty, Ezek. 7:20

14. A royal Diadem, Isaiah 62:3 Many other such expressions you may meet with in Scripture, but put these together, and you see it is desireable to be with the Saints in their communion.

Seventhly, There is a special presence of God amongst them; and to be there, where God is in his especial presence, it is worth the enduring of a great deal of affliction: God is there in a special manner, as in the last words of the prophesie of Ezekiel, the Church is called by that name, Iehova Shammah, the Lord is there. And the Lord filled his Tabernacle with his presence: the Tabernacle was a type of the Church, and did typifie his especial presence with his people in Church-communion.

And as God is there present, so observe the expressions of his especial presence; he is said to dwell there, Psalm 76:2 In Salem is his Tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion: Now it is good keeping house with God. You are his house, says the Apostle; the Church of God is his house, and it is good to be in Gods house. But though it be his dwelling, Is it a dwelling that is lovely to him? Yes, for it is that his soul desires to be in; as if so be God counted it a kinde of honor (as we may speak with holy reverence) to have such a habitation; Psalm 132:14 Here will I dwell, for I have desired it: as if he should say, If I might have but a dwelling among my people, I desire no better habitation in the world. Now you that are fain to be put into mean holes for your dwellings, if you may be with Gods people, do not think it much, for God dwells there, and desires no better habitation: It is strange that God that has Heaven to be his habitation, should desire to dwell with his people, yet says he, I desire to dwell there, and I will dwell there.

If a man make a house to do some mean business in, he does not take much delight there, but in that house where the Kings Majesty is manifested, that is the greatest place in the Kingdom: now in Psalm 26:8 it is, Lord, I have loved the habitation of your house, where your honor dwelleth: as if this were the chief house that God had, that God delighteth in this above all other dwellings; his honor dwells here. But will God stay here? Yea, it is the place that he will dwell in for ever, Psalm 132. 13, 14. Surely our hearts may rest where God rests, and we should not be weary where God is not weary. And he does not only dwell here, but he has his delightful walks here: the walks of God are amongst his people, 2 Cor. 6:16 If a man have a house that he rejoyces in, he will have his garden as near his house as he can, that he may have some walks to delight in: and so the Church of God is such a house, as has not only room for God to rest in, and set his honor in, but he walks there, and walks in them, says the Apostle. Thus the Lord is pleased to condescend to our weakness, to express his especial presence with his Church, and therefore it is good to be with them; these are the expressions of it.

But in which does the presence of God with his people appear more then with other people?

In these two things especially.

First, because there God makes himself known, reveals himself there, and makes his beauty to appear. Psalm 27:4 One thing have I desired of the Lord,that I will seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his Temple: It is the glory of Heaven to see God in his beauty, and this is one of the greatest promises of God to his Church,. that they shall see the King in his majesty: We may see some glimmering light of God in the Heavens; Sun, Moon, and Stars; but in the Church, there God shows his beauty, there we may see the face of God; and this is that which Moses did desire; Lord-show me your glory: It is much granted to us in the Church, in enjoying his Ordinances; and there is no way to see Gods face so clearly, as this way: Every childe of God that is in the Temple, shall speak of Gods glory, for they see God in his glory in a special manner.

Secondly, the especial presence of God with his people, is especially manifested, in that he communicates to his people; as namely,

First, the choice mercies of God are communicated to his people: If you would have any share in Gods choice mercies, his peculiar mercies, come amongst Gods people, join with them: as that place is observable in Psalm 134:3 The Lord that made Heaven and earth, bless you out of Sion: He does not say, the Lord that made Heaven and Earth, bless you out of Heaven and Earth; but the Lord that made Heaven and Earth, bless you out of Sion: as if he should say, The blessings that come out of Sion, are the choice blessings, and the peculiar mercies of God, even above any that come out of Heaven and Earth.

Secondly, God communicates his mercies more fully then any where else: Isa. 25:6 And in this mountain, that is, in the Church, I will make a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, &c. and Psalm 36:8 They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of your house, and you shall make them drink of the river of your pleasures: In a private way there may be some drops of pleasure from God, but there is not that full communication from God, as with his people in his Ordinances: there is in the world, in the creature drops, in private communion there are ponds, but in a pulique Churchcommunion, there are rivers of pleasure, and that is the height of all.

Thirdly, God communicates his mercies more powerfully in the Church then any where else: Psalm 133:3 For there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore. God did not only speak, and said there should be a blessing, but spoke in a commanding way; There: Where is that? There in the Church, amongst his people, there God commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

Lastly, God blesseth more universally with all kinde of blessing, and therefore he is more present there: and in that respect the Psalmist says, Psalm 87:7 All my springs are in you. This whole Psalm is to set out the excellent condition of the Church, and he concludes the Psalm with this, All my springs are in you: Now this expression is very emphatical; Spring is taken two or three ways in Scripture: The Law of God, the Doctrine of Gods Law is compared to a spring, and heavenly knowledge is compared to a spring; and then it is thus, All my springs: All the truths I have, all the knowledge I come to be made partaker of, are all in the Church. Again, All my springs; all the comforts of my heart, and that good and joy my spirit receives, and all the graces of the Spirit that I have, and all the quickning and strengthning I have, is communicated to me this way. And upon this ground, the Church is called the very perfection of all beauty, Psalm 50:2 Out of Zion the perfection of all beauty, God has shined: Out of Zion, there is his glory wonderfully apparent; The word that is translated, the perfection of beauty, is translated by some, the universality of beauty; all kinde of beauty, all kinde of excellency: as if the Psalmist should say, Put all excellencies together that possibly you can imagine, to make a thing comely and lovely, they are all in the Church. Thus you see it is good being with Gods people, when as God is thus present with them, in a special manner.

Eighthly, it is good being with Gods people, because there is Gods special protection; others are but as the wilderness, the Church is as a garden enclosed, Cant. 4:12 A man regards his garden that he has enclosed, and bestowed cost about, more then a wilde field; the fields have hedges to keep out the beasts, but gardens have brick wals, or wood walls. Isa. 27:3 I the Lord do keep it, I will water it every moment, lest any hurt it; I will keep it night and day: How full is this? his care over it is such, as he threatens those which shall but touch it, Jer. 12:14 to pluck them out of their land. Zach. 2:5 God promiseth he will be a wall of fire round about his people; alluding to the custom of travellers in the wilderness, who used to make fires round about them in the night for their safety, because then none of the wilde beasts durst come near them; such a defense is God to his people.

There is nothing in the Book of God, in which God is so full in his expression, as when he comes to this argument, to manifest his affection to his Church. Christ is the Shepherd, and when sheep are together, they are under the protection of the Shepherd, when the sheep are scattered, the Shepherds eye is not so over them; And therefore in Hosea 4:16 God threatens his people, he would feed them as a Lamb in a large place; as a Lamb getting from the fold, goes up and down bleating; so when Gods people are scattered, they are as a Lamb in a large place: and when God would threaten the sorest judgement against his people, Ezekiel 34. he says, He will scatter them, and they shall become to be meat to the beasts of the field. And hence it is, that the condition of the Church is so stable a condition: and therefore in Isaiah 60:15 the Church is called an eternal excellency, because it is under the Lords protection, and is it not good being there, to be under the wing of God?

Ninthly, to be amongst Gods people is a blessed thing, because they have so many priviledges from God: every one desires to join with such societies as have great priviledges; now Gods people have such as are very great, Psalm 87:3 Glorious things are spoken of you, O City of God! What glorious things? They have glorious priviledges; What are they? To them are committed the Oracles of God, as the Apostle reasons for the Church of the Jews; So to every Church of God, is committed the Oracles and the Ordinances of God, and those Offices for the dispensation of the mysteries of God; which were the great gift, that Christ triumphingly ascending to Heaven gave, and surely that gift must needs be great. The benefit but of one Ordinance, the Ministery of the Word, dispensed rightly, is made an argument by God himself, for the comfort of his people, in all their adversities, Isaiah 30. 20, 21. And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not your Teachers be removed any more into a corner, but your eyes shall see your Teachers. The word in the Ministery of it, in the the right way, is a great blessing: When Chrysostom was banished, many godly people were so grieved, that they professed it were more sufferable for the Sun to withdraw his beams, and so be darkned, then for the mouth of Chrysostom to be stopped. If this one Ordinance be so blessed, what a blessing then is the enjoyment of all, and that in a right way?

Every Church-fellowship is as the pillar, to hold forth the truth to the world, as a light set upon a hill, to hold forth the glory of God. And they have amongst them the broad seal of Heaven; To Gods people that are together in a Church-fellowship, the seals are committed; now this is a mighty priviledge. And besides, they have the power of Christ with them, 1 Cor. 5:4 the power of Christ is committed to them. And amongst other priviledges, this is one of great worth, that all the promises of God made to his Church in former ages, is the heritage of every present Church, Isaiah 54:17 These are great and high priviledges, and worth the enduring of a great deal of hardship, to be made partakers of the good of them.

Tenthly, it is a blessed thing to be with them, though with some hardship, because God is working more and more good for his people every day: Now he is about fulfilling the glorious promises that we have in the Prophets, to make an end of all the glory that he does intend in the world: Now if God be working great things for his people, as we hope he is, To set up Jerusalem, as the praise of the whole earth; Is it not good to be with them, that we may be partakers of the glory that God intends to them? Isa. 58:14 There is a promise that the Church shall ride upon the high places of the earth: There is a time a coming, that the society of Gods people in this world, shall be set above all societies in the world; and Isa. 2. that The mountain of the Lord shall be raised above all mountains: we cannot see how this has been fulfilled. Isaiah 60:19 The Sun shall be no more your light by day, neither for brightness shall the Moon give light unto you, but the Lord shall be unto you an everlasting light, and your God your glory. This prophesie is spoken of the estate of the Church of God; when was this fulfilled, that there should be so much glory in the Church, that there need not be any Sun, or Moon, but God should be in stead of Sun and Moon, and all the glory of his people? and to be with Gods people, when God does such great things for them, is worth the enduring much hardship

In the former part of Isaiah 60. v. 7. God says, He will glorifie the house of his glory; and mark what follows, ver. 8. Who are those that fly as a cloud, and as the Doves to their windows? Seeing God will glorifie the house of his glory, his people should fly to it as a cloud; Those who are of heavenly, not of drossie sensual spirits, will do so, and as Doves to their windows; those who are of Dove-like spirits, loving society, and purity, they will do so. And it was the reason why some desired to live, because in a few years, they hoped to see some great things for his people. And so the 102 Psalm is a prophetical Psalm, into what a happy condition the Lord will bring his people; and in the latter part of the Psalm, the Psalmist brings in a gracious heart living in those times, bemoaning the condition of it, that it has a sickly body, and weak, and like to dye, before God would make good those promises made to the Church: as if he should say, Lord, you art bringing glorious things to pass for your Church, and you art gathering the Kingdoms to serve you, Lord, then take not me away in the midst of my days; O God let me live to see all fulfilled.

Eleventhly, It is good to be with Gods people, because they are those people we shal live withal in Heaven: If there were a company travelling together in a strange country, and knew when they came to their own country they should live together, in some great preferment in the Court, how would they delight in one another? So the godly should look upon one another; here we have communion one with another, and these are they we must join in communion withal hereafter, to praise God eternally in the highest Heavens.

Lastly, it is Heaven already to join with the people of God in communion: The Scripture calls the Church of God, and Church communion, Heaven. And therefore where there is a promise of God to restore his Church, and recover it from thraldom and misery, Isaiah 65:17 Behold, says God, I create new heavens, and new earth; and so in Rev. 12. where the vision of the restoring of the Church was shown to John, it was shown that way; there was a new heaven, and a new earth: so that the Church of God is heaven, it is not only a company we shall live withal in Heaven hereafter, but it is Heaven now; and therefore our Savior says, The least in the kingdom of Heaven, shall be greater then John; the least that lived after John in the Christian Church, could speak more of Christ then John could: The Kingdom of Heaven is like a man sowing his field with wheat, that is, the estate of the Church is a field sown with wheat, and after the adversary sows tares in it. The Church, says Chrysostom in one of his Sermons upon the Corinthians, is the place of Angels, the Palace of Heaven, yea Heaven it self. And if it be so, that communion with Gods people is Heaven already, surely it is worth enduring of much affliction to be with them.