"Heaven and earth are a kin": Restoration and Revolution era All Saints' Day sermons
This is a time of uniting; this day's Solemnity calls for it: the Church now commemorating that grand Union betwixt Heaven and Earth, in the Unity and Community of All-Saints ...
Angels themselves, though we know not of what Original Extraction, before, or above us; yet, as the same Author elsewhere saith, acknowledge ... there is Consanguinity betwixt them and us. And Origen affirms, Heaven and Earth are a Kin (as it were) and the Kindred this day commemorated ...
Which several Openings in Heaven (as aforesaid) to receive and take in Earth: and holy combinations on Earth, Earth (as it were) mixing with Heaven, me thinks should much encourage us to the ready embracement of those uniting Motions, which this Text affords us, especially at such a time as this; concerning which (beside what hath been already spoken in that regard) I shall only add that of the Psalmist (which hints both the day, and its duty,) Sing unto the Lord all ye Saints of his, and give thanks, &c. All Saints, except some new ones, who (they say) care not much for any Singing, and so how they may share in the Day I know not, but doubt they will not join in the Duty.
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The Communion of Saints is a Tenet of our Faith. Now as we ought not to Pray To them or For them, so we may and must Praise them. This is the least we can do in Return for those great Offices they did the Church Militant, while they were with Us, and now do, they are with God ...
Whither She is gone Bless Soul, to increase the number of Saints, whom the Church this day Commemorates ... And may the Echo of her Praises tend to the setting forth of the Praise of God, the Father of Spirits, and the Father of Lights, from whom cometh every good and perfect Gift. To whom, the Immortal and Ever-blessed, Three Persons and One God, We, together with the whole Company of All his Saints, ascribe, as is most due, all Honour, Praise and Glory, Now and for Ever. Amen.
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It signifieth that Communication of himself face to face in Glory, whereby God for ever maketh Blessed the Holy Angels and Saints in Heaven; which is call'd by Divines, the Beatifical Vision; and by St. Jude, the Presence of Glory ... This the Blessed Saints and Martyrs, whom we this Day commemorate, have long since experienced ...
Let us therefore walk Uprightly both with God and Man, that we may in some measure feel the Presence of God here in Divine Comforts and Consolations, as Tastes and Assurances of the Full Joys of Heaven that await us. When our Blessed Lord shall come with this Euge [i.e. expression of approval], Well done thou true and faithful servant, receive the Kingdom prepared for you. That this may be the happy Condition of all here; Let us humbly beseech God to give us Grace so to follow thy Blessed Saints in all Virtuous and Godly Living, that we may come to those Unspeakable Joys which thou hast prepared for them that love Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord: To whom with the Father and Holy Ghost, be ascribed all Power, Praise, and Thanksgiving, now and for evermore. Amen.
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