Required reading
The Works (Vol 4) by William Bates (Available from Amazon or free here) - Commence 'A sermon on the death of Thomas Manton' by reading up to the paragraph commencing: From what has been discoursed we should, 1. Consider the woful folly of men'.
My summary
Today's sermon is for the funeral of Thomas Manton on 'And so we will be with the Lord forever.' (1Th 4:17)
We only read the first half of the sermon today, leaving the application for next week.
Bates proposition from the text is that 'the saints after the resurrection shall be completely and eternally happy in the presence of Christ.'
Firstly Bates teaches us that we will be happy in heaven because there is an exemption from all evils and the body shall be awaked out of its dead sleep and quickened into a glorious and immortal life.
Secondly Bates explains that we will be happy in heaven because the soul shall be made perfect in all its faculties. We shall:
(i) clearly see the most excellent objects;
(ii) know God's most amiable excellencies;
(iii) have complete satisfaction flowing from union with God by knowledge and love;
(iv) continue in the full joy of heaven without diminution or end.
Thirdly Bates addresses suspicions that the uniform perpetual vision of the same glory might lose its perfect delightfulness.
What grabbed me
It is always good to contemplate heaven.
I delight in the thought of loving God as I should: 'As we shall behold God's face, know his most amiable excellencies ; so they shall love him as perfectly as they know him. To the illustrations of the mind, there are correspondent impressions on the heart. In the present state our love is imperfect, and as fire out of its sphere, dies away, by our neglect to feed it with proper materials, enamouring considerations of God. But it is not so in heaven : there the divine sun attracts every eye with the light of its beauty, and inflames every heart with the heat of his love. The continual presence of God is in different respects the cause and effect of our love to him. For there is no more powerful attractive to love him, than to see him ; and love keeps the thoughts undivided from him. " God is love,'' and will kindle in us a pure affection that eternity shall never lessen.'
To love God perfectly will be wonderful indeed!
Next week's reading
Conclude 'A sermon on the death of Thomas Manton'.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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