which leaving out that Clause here having added it to the former he fully signifies that it is not now and yet here he speaks of the whole and general Resurrection of the Dead in both the parts first and second in which all that are in the Graves or in the disappearing state of death shall hear the voyce of the Son of Man in an immediate wonderful and mighty putting forth of it and shall come forth they that have done good to the resurrection of life and they that have done evil to the resurrection of Damnation And of this Resurrection in both parts and at both times as in the other Scriptures Christ is in the Name of the Father the only foundation and Author even as the Son of Man for had he not dyed rose and revived for them all and therein by himself purged our sin in which we had all sinned and were become sinful and dead he could not have been our Lord and Judge according to the rule of the Gospel Rom. 14. 9. Joh. 5. 22 27. nor could any have been raised from the first Death and brought before his Judgement Seat by him if he had not by the grace of God tasted Death for them Therefore with respect to that general Resurrection at the last Day confessed by Martha Joh. 11. our Saviour saith I am the resurrection vers 25. The Foundation and Author of that general Resurrection in the last day both of just and unjust and so he is the life from the dead that eternal life which was with the Father for men and is now manifested that it may bee known and enjoyed he is the Author Fountain and in a sence the matter of it as delivered to Death for our offences and raised again for our Justification therefore whosoever beleeveth in him though he were dead yea though they dye in common with others yet shall he live and he that liveth and beleeveth on him shall never dye as before said in the full and proper sence of the word the first Death being abolished and they by him delivered from that wrath which in respect of the execution of it is yet to come on them that know not God nor obey to his Gospel they are not cut off from him or from their hope in death as others are yea he being the Resurrection they his peculiar Treasure must needs have the firstnesse and blessedness of that yea they in having him by faith in his name as Joh. 1. 12. Ephes 3. 17. 1 Joh. 5. 10-12 13. have part in the first resurrection in the knowledge faith and hope of it in him and the righteousnesse of God and our Saviour is ingaged for the making them partakers of it actually in themselves in the accomplishing it upon them together in his time for which they are all waiters till that Personal appearance of the Lord in his glory which hee now being raised from the dead actually possesseth and holdeth for them in Heaven with the Father and so is to and in them by faith the hope of it which hope they having in him it makes them confident and patient in waiting for the enjoyment of it Rom. 8. 23 24 25. 2 Cor. 4 13. 5. 1. 6 7. Heb. 6. 19 20. So that they perish not nor are at all cut off from their blessednesse by death but from henceforth more blessed and sealed up to the full enjoyment of that blessednesse and holinesse with him for ever even the periect blosting our and delivering them from all their transgressions and the fruits of them and the making them perfectly like him in holinesse and glory in soul and body for ever in that time and state of the first resurrection in which they shall be perfectly delivered from the first Death to the full enjoyment and possession of everlasting life in the knowledge faith and hope of which their spirits now are made alive or in part quickned from that Death in sins and trespasses which iâ— but a part of that first Death that passed on all men at first by Sin while yet their bodies are dead because of sin which also in that day of Christ shall be raised up together by him and the second Death shall have no power on them his testimony having been beleeved by them in their day and through it they being found in him shall not be found naked to the second Death and if not to that then to no following death or misery for ever for we read or hear of no third Death unless in some unlearned distinctions not found or known in the Scriptures which distinctions doe render the Natural and Bodily death in which it is appointed to men once to dye to be the second Death whereas indeed it is but the finishing of the first Death on the Body or its full seizure on it and that which the Holy Ghost calls the Second Death they call the Third in which rendering the Natural Death of the body to be the Second Death They intimately deny the Resurrection of the body from that Death for Scripture informeth us that out of the Second Death there is no resurrection or redemption and doe therein render that which they call the third Death to have no terrour torment or punishment in it to be felt and sustained by the body for that can be capable of no such thing if it never be raised but at most by the Spirit only without the Body in which the evil deeds were done and so this distinction renders that which Scripture knows by no other name but The Second Death though by them called the Third to be much easier than the First for that did seize not on the spirit or soul only but on the body also But the Scripture every where represents it infinitely worse and more dreadful in every consideration and to be suffered for ever in soul and body together when the body shall bee raised from the first death in that resurrection of Damnation in which it shall be rendered capable of suffering everlasting and unspeakable vengeance and torment according to the infinite grace now abused by them for according to his fear or grace and name in Christ that he might be feared by men now such his wrath and terrour then against his enemies Psal 90. 11. 2 Cor. 5. 10 11. 14 15. 20 21. Heb. 2. 1-4 and who then can comprehend the greatness and power of it when though they shall suffer the utmost horrour anguish and torment that an utter separation from God and wrath deserved by treading under foot his Son couâ—â—ing his Bloud an unholy thing and in all this offering despite to his Spirit being poured out to the utmost may occasion to them yet nothing shall make either soul or body cease to be or be separated any more as they were in the first Death that there should ever be any release abatement or intermission in the whole or in part of that weeping wayling and gnashing of teeth world without end
yea their worm dyeth not and their fire is not quenched nor is there any darkness or shadow of death in which the workers of iniquity may hide themselves O then it will appear that Blessed are all they that trust in him yea therefore from henceforth Blessed are the dead which dye in the Lord they having part in the first Resurrection this second Death shall have no power on them On the other hand they that in death which terminates the gathering time and space of repentance are found out of the Lord dying in their sins they are then and thence for ever blotted out of the Book of Life cut off from all hopes of ever attaining or having part in the first Resurrection though they shall be all of them raised and made alive from the first death and then and therein brought to the clear sight and acknowledgement of the truth of the grace of God in the Lordship of Christ through his death sometimes and while it was due time bringing Salvation to them that which here they wilfully rejected when light came to them and which if it had been now received in its own light and power bringing Salvation would have been to their everlasting comfort in the quickning them to a new and living hope through the resurrection of Christ they shall then confess to the glory of God and clearing his Justice in judging them for ever according to the rule of his Gospel to a second and never dying death infinitely worse than the first and in sealing them up in Prison from the time of their filling up the measure of their sin of that nature which is at the utmost at the time of the end of their Natural life when he hath done striving with them and waiting to be gracious I say in his sealing them up in prison from such time to that dreadful Judgement Isa 45. 23. Phil. 2. 10 11. Rom. 3. 4. From which time they are shut up under the sentence and condemnation of that second Death and so in respect of their state and condition are from thence Trees twice dead pluckt up by the roots though the wrath in respect of the full and most dreadful execution of it on soul and body for ever is yet to come so that in death they perish for ever from the presence of the Lord and from his favour in which is life the wicked is driven away in his wickedness but the righteous hath hope in his death So then they that are fallen asleep in Christ are not perished or cut off for their parts no not from their union with Christ by vertue of which even their bodies that sleep in the dust shall bee first raised even to the resurrection of life yea they are from henceforth and more then ever blessed the day of their death infinitely better to them than the day that they were born We come next to consider in what sence such persons may be said to perish and when they so doe and this we shall finde explicated to us in the other expressions of this chastisement in this verse as compared with other Scriptures they are said to perish from the earth to cease and fail from among men that yet survive when by Death they are taken away from them they having no more a portion in any thing done under the Sun nor capacity of being helpful to the survivers in any knowledge wisdome or work for in death there is no remembrance or commemoration of him among the survivers in the Grave who shall give him thanks or praise him to others yet living or shew forth their hoping in his truth The living the living he shall praise thee saith Hezekiah as I doe this day the Fathers to the Children shall make known thy truth which explicates in what sence the dead praise him not nor hope for his truth that is they celebrate not his praises among the survivors nor are capable of exercising or shewing forth their hoping in his truth to them-ward or among them they cannot make known his truth to them and so not praise him as he did then the Fathers to the Children Eccl. 9. 10. Psa 6. 5. Isa 38. 18 19. for otherwise in respect of themselves and to Godward the dead in Christ even in these respects doe live they retain their hope in death and joy in it yea they enter into a more full and peaceable enjoyment of it in spirit their spirits are made perfect each one walking in his uprightness and are still confidently expecting longing and waiting for that day of full Redemption even the redemption of their body and the judging and revenging their sufferings and wrongs on them that dwell on the earth crying Lord how long Prov. 14. 32. Isa 57. 2. Heb. 12. 23. Revel 6. 9 10 11. They are with Christ which to them is farre better as is shewed before but they are dead to us and can no longer in their persons be profitable to us which made the Apostles and Prophets in their longing desire of the good of all and for the furtherance of the Gospel among men and that the truth of it might remain with those that had received it so much desire to abide with them even to abide in the flesh in this body though so much to their own disadvantage preferring others good before their own in death they perish cease and depart from us and are out of capacity of being helpful to us And yet further These Scriptures The Righteous perisheth the good man is perished out of the Earth and so the cause of grief here lamented is not verified simply in the taking away one or diverse of the Righteous by death but when also they are taken away as such a time and in such manner as that there is none of like faithfulnesse to God and kindnesse to men left in the place or places where they lived to survive them or at least none in their room or stead But that if one or more of them be taken away there is so many the lesse of that Generation or Righteous Nation that keepeth the Truth left in the midst of the crooked and perverse Nation to shine as lights in the world Most sadly and fully is it verified when there is none left in the place or places whence they are taken and thus is this matter of lamentation explicated in the expressions of it in other Scriptures as Psal 12. 1. Help Lord for the godly man ceaseth the faithful fail from among the children of men so Micah 7. 1 2. Woe is mee for I am as when they have gathered the Summer fruits as the Grape gleanings of the Vintage no cluster c. The good man is perished out of the Earth and there is none upright among men Oh that the matter of this sad complaint were not too sadly verified amongst us and in this place at this time These things being thus opened wee shall briefly demonstrate and explicate the position That the
and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him Then the Lord shall cut off all flattering lips and the tongue that speaketh proud things c. for to him belongeth vengeance their foot shall slide in due time c. Deut. 32. 34 35 c. Jude 14 15. In the mean time therefore let us look to him for counsel and see what use hee instructs us to make of this consideration when we shall see the daies so evil and iniquity thus abounding and evil men and deceivers waxing worse and worse by every warning and judgement Truly then 1 Let them alone withdraw from them reprove not a scorner lest hee hate thee for hee that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot though still as grace instructs wee may yet mourn in secret for their pride as Jer. 13. 17. And not bee hasty in desiring the woful day but let our prayer bee for them if yet there may bee hope even when God appears to bee rising up as one that will no more be intreated See Jer. 14 15. 2 If there be any that will hear be diligent and earnest in season and out of season in instructing and admonishing them while it is to day not to harden their hearts rebuke a wife man and hee will love thee and be yet wiser and with meeknesse instruct them that ignorantly oppose themselves c. 3 And let us together be admonished 1 In the way of his judgements to wait for the Lord quietly to bear his indignation because we have sinned and reverently listening to him and standing in awe before him under such testimonies of displeasure knowing that he is righteous and faithful as well as infinite in wisdome and power as hee hath manifested himself in that faithful witnesse setled for ever in Heaven and in due time hee will bring us forth and wee shall behold his righteousnesse Then she that is mine enemy shall bee ashamed Micah 7. 6. 10. And fret not our selves because of evil doers wait patiently on the Lord commit our way to him and hee shall bring it to passe despise not his chastisement neither faint when rebuked of him seeing it is the Lord The helpers taken from us were no otherwise helpers but in the Lord and hee hath not taken himself from us in whom is our help 2 When wee see how the reproaches and blasphemies of men are increased against him and do set themselves against the heavena let the consideration of it make us more willing to bear them seeing they are the reproaches of them that reproach him that fall on us and commit vengeance to him 3 Bee wee stirred up to cry mightily to God for help Help Lord for the godly man ceaseth the faithful fail from among the children of men they speak vanity every one with his neighbour with a flattering lip and double heart do they speak cry therefore with more earnestnesse to God in Christ 1 For pardon of our iniquities and healing of our distempers Psal 41. 4 5 and 38. 12 16 17 19. 2 For wisdome in the knowledge of him and those great things of his Law that may guide us in a plain path because of our enemies that watch for our halting Psal 27. 8 11 c. And to this purpose also 4 Let us redeem the present time yet left us and bee admonished by his judgements to awake to righteousnesse and not sin against him for it is a shame for us that wee are yet found so much without the knowledge of him what the summer past the harvest ended and yet wee not saved Jer. 8. 20. Oh that at least in this day before it bee wholly past wee did wisely consider our latter end yea the rather because the dayes are evil redeem the time and be not unwise but understanding what the will of the Lord is and to that purpose take heed to our selves lest â—â— any time our hearts be overcharged with surfetting and drunkennesse or cares of this life and so the day of death and of judgement come on us unawares Be not drunk with Wine of earthly pleasures and cares wherein is excesse but be we filled with the Spirit speaking to our selves and one another in Psalms Hymns and spiritual songs c. not forsaking the assembling of our selves together as the manner of some it but exhorting one another and so much the more as wee see the day approaching and for our encouragement herein that we be not slothful but followers of them who through faith and patience do already in Spirit inherit the promises Mark the perfect man and behold the upright look upon him in the light of Gods testimonie there you shall see That the end of that man is peace And this brings us to the last instruction 3 That even in these sad judgements to the survivers there is special mercy and choice blessednesse to those so taken away and that to be considered also They are taken away from the evil or as we read it from the evil to come 1 They are then taken away from and do depart out of the flesh in its weak and corruptible state out of a vile or wretched body that had sin in it to be striven against as well as death upon it A law in the members warring against the law of the minde And shall not again return to it until it shall be renewed or given them in a new glorious and incorruptible state in the first resurrection 2 They are then taken from an evil generation that was continually vexing their righteous souls with their unlawful and ungodly doctrines and practises and so from all Satans temptations and batteries the accuser of our brethren is cast down from Heaven hee cannot reach the spirits of just men made perfect which are with Jesus and have finished their warfare their end is peace 3 They are taken from the evil and judgements to come as Lot was pluckt out of Sodome that they may bee out of danger of being defiled with the sins procuring such judgements that so they may not partake with them of their plagues yea that they may no longer plead for sparing and diverting such judgements Oh heavy judgement to the survivers yet therein the dead are blessed Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth yea saith the Spirit that they may rest from their labours combates and dangers and their works follow them Vse 1 This consideration instructs us that while they are in these mortal bodies they are not taken away from the evil though through grace delivered kept and daily getting escape from the pollutions and intanglements of it and victory in the continual combate yet they have sin in them as a Law in the members to strive against even unto blood to death and that continual leading them captive though they minding the things of the Spirit in the light and power of the grace vouchsafed are
not some way in which men may be made again the righteousness of God and made partaker of his holiness they must all bee shut out for ever from God under the curse of the Law but God hath made his Son that knew no sin to be sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in him and according to that rule the sixth verse of that Psalme gives us the next and fundamental description of the subjects of the glorious priviledge fore-mentioned or rather the description of those Persons in whom the truth of the former description is found and so an answer to the question Who are the righteous This is the generation of them that seek him that seek thy face O Jacob or O God of Jacob that seek the Lord for righteousnesse and strength that through his Name beleeving in him seek righteousnesse by faith in Jesus as Isa 55. 3 4 5 6. 45. 22 24 25. Rom. 9. 30. and as before is shewed by the Scriptures On them comes that blessednesse of Gods not imputing former iniquities but imputing righteousnesse without works Rom. 3. 25 26. 4. 3 6. yea they through the understanding and faith of Jesus have their hearts sprinkled from an evil Conscience and their whole man in all their actings and conversation therein continually washed with that pure water of the love of God through the blond of Christ shed abroad in their heart Heb. 10. 19-22 1 Pet. 1. 18-22 that in the issue they may be presented without spot or wrinckle or any such thing Ephes 5. 26 27. Col. 1. 21 22 23. And truly this large description and explication of the righteous and merciful men or men of kindness and godliness gives us a true character of him whose being taken from us occasioned this Discourse We come in the next place to consider 2 In what sence they may be said to perish and when they so doe Here give me leave for our instruction and encouragement First to propound to consideration in what sence they perish not in respect of themselves or as with reference to their hope towards God They perish not they for their parts are not driven away or cut off from God or from their hope in death the wicked dying in his sins even in his stubborn refusall of him that came to save him from his sins and so out of Christ he is therein driven away in his wickedness cut off and shut out from God and from the hope of a better life and from all opportunities of ever being made partaker of that hope doth not their excellency which is in them even their hope goe away and perish with them They dye without wisdome But the righteous hath hope in his death hee retaines or holds his hope and joy even in death yea then goes to a more full enjoyment of it Prov. 14. 32. Whence our Saviour saith If a man keep my sayings he shall never see death hee shall never dye in the full and proper sence of the word he shall not in or by death be separated or cut off from God or from his hope and portion in him Joh. 8. 51. 11. 26. but from thenceforth shall be more especially blessed in and with his presence and with more immediate and uninterrupted fellowship with him in spirit even while out of the body and while that sleeps in the dust whence the Apostle desired in respect of himself much rather to depart out of the body out of the flesh that he might enjoy that more immediate and free presence of fellowship with Christ which to him would be farre better 2 Cor. 5. 1-6-8 Phil. 1. 20. 23. neither are their bodies though resting in Death and so sleeping in the dust of the earth lost cut off or perished as indeed they should be if there were no Resurrection of the Dead as the Apostle reasons 1 Cor. 15. 18 c. If Christ be not raised and so If the dead rise not then those which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished If in this life only we had hope in Christ we were of all men most miserable then indeed there had been some ground for and truth in their saying Ezek. 37. 11. Beholdour bones are dryed our hope is lost and we are cut off for our parts for even those that having seen those great and precious promises afarre off which were before confirmed of God in Christ and were perswaded of them and embraced them yet dyed not having received them But what saith the answer of God to them vers 12. Behold O my people I will open your Graves and cause you to come up out of your Graves and bring you into the Land of Israel c. And now also for the confirmation of our faith the ground of it is actually come forth and manifested Christ is risen from the dead and become the first fruits of them that sleep for since by man even by the offence and disobedience of one man sin and so death by sin the first death reigneth on all men and so it is appointed to the whole kind once to dye though all shall not sleep or rest in death some of this Body of righteous ones shall survive at the Personal appearance of Christ in his glory and they shall immediately and on a sudden bee changed and passe through death yet so as therein they shall dye though not sleep or rest in death Death is passed on all in the ordinance and appointment of God by reason of the Sin entring by one man even so by man viz. by the obedience and righteousness of one man Jesus Christ in which the transgression of the first one man in which all have sinned and the sin and sinfulness thence entring into and over-spreading the whole Nature is so finished and made an end of in the Court of Heaven or purged and put away from before the Father that no man shall eternally perish or bee separated from God in it nor are they left under the power of that Judgement of Banishment the curse of the Law but all Judgement committed to the Son and he impowred to execute Judgement also because he is the Son of Man by him is the Assurance and certainty of the Resurrection of the dead For as in Adam all dye even in the influence demerit as the fruit of his transgression even so in Christ in the merit influence and vertue and as the fruit of his Righteousness shall all be made alive raised out of the first Death that they may all appear before his Judgement Seat to be judged according to the rule of his Gospel all shall bee raised by him but every man in his own order Christ the first fruits being already raised from the dead afterwards namely immediately at the time of his second Personal coming those that are his peculiar ones the righteous Nation that keepeth the truth those in whose heart the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the
dead in that evidence and demonstration of him in his testimony dwells to the quickning their spirits now or making them alive to God while yet the body is dead because of sin shall then have their mortal bodies quickned even raised from the dead by the same spirit that now dwells in them and shall then in their souls and bodies reunited in that blessed and glorious Resurrection of the Just enter together with him into the everlasting possession of the joy and glory of their Lord. And this is that which is called The first Resurrection Rev. 20. 4 6. Thess 4. 16. the test of the Dead John in that Vision of things to come saw lived not again till the thousand years of Christs Personal Reign on earth with the children of the first Resurrection were finished In which time there shall be new Heaven and new Earth and the new Jerusalem come down from God out of Heaven and all things made new and a perfectly righteous and glorious Kingdome and Government Revel 21. 1 7. Isa 65. 16 19. 66. 22. 11. 32. 1 5. Psal 72. And the Lord shall be one and his name one throughout all the earth Zach. 14. 9. And the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth as the waters cover the Sea Hab. 2. 14. And there shall be great and wonderful Conversions and daily flocking in with joy as Doves to their windows to the Name of the Lord in Jerusalem of the Nations of them that are saved from the former desolating Judgements and Consumptions among which also the natural Israelites then surviving shall be chief to fill the face of the world with fruit againe and to be Subjects of this glorious Kingdome for all the children of the first Resurrection of Jews and Gentiles shall be Reigners And to walk in the light of the new Jerusalem They shall flow together to the name of the Lord in Sion Isa 2. Mich. 4. Isa 9. 4 5 6 24. 13 14. 66. 19. c. Zach. 2. 11. 8. 22. 16. Rev. 21. 24. Psal 102. and though there shall bee no more Death nor fruits of Sin in the New Jerusalem or upon the Children of the Resurrection Revel 21. 3 4. no nor Night nor need of the Sun or Mâ—on to that City when yet the glory and brightness of them in that restitution of all things shall be seven fold to what it is and so useful in and so all the world besides the subjects of this glorious Kingdome Isa 30. 26. 60. 19 c. Rev. 21. 22 23 25. Neither shall there be any more wars or tumults among the Nations one against another in the time of that glorious Kingdom Isa 2 4. nor shall there be that heavie Bondage of corruption remaining on the Creature or enmity betweene them that is now Isa 11. Rom. 8. 19. 25. Acts 3. 20 21. and so none of those poysonous Infections or unnatural Diseases or untimely Deaths that now are common to man shall be then common to any or accidentally or casually befall them yet as there shall be extraordinary and immediate Judgements from God then falling on those Nations Families and Persons that will not voluntarily serve under this Government and come up to worship the Name of the Lord in Jerusalem even to the cutting them off Isa 60. 12. Zach. 14. 16 19. even so there may yea there must needs bee some remainders of mortality and the Natural death generally on the people the Subjects of this glorious Kingdome the people that shall then be left of the Nations and that shall then be created or born to praise the Lord who yet have not passed through that change According to Gods appointment All must once dye amongst which some will bee found even then dying in their sins not coming up to worship the Lord and his Name in Sion at Jerusalem in Christ and the children of the Resurrection as proclaimed and shining forth from that great City that shal be the glory of all Lands and others dying in the Lord as Isa 65. 16 17 20. of which happily some may immediately be changed and fashioned into the likenesse of his glorious Body but some even of them shall stay or rest in death until that great and general Resurrection that shall be after the finishing of that thousand years for in that Resurrection it is evidently signified that there shall be some found written in the Book of Life Revel 20 12 15. and they must needs be of them that lived and dyed in the time of that thousand years or were immediately changed in the finishing of the same for all that slept in Christ before that day of Christs appearing in his glory and the survivers of that body then were brought together with him to the inheriting reigning in that glorious Kingdome Then after that cometh the end when he shall have delivered up the Kingdome to God even the Father when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power for be must reign in this Mediatorial and Davidical Kingdom till he have put all his enemies under his feet the last enemy that shall be destroyed is Death which though perfectly destroyed in the children of the first Resurrection in the beginning of that glorious day even immediately on his descending or coming down from Heaven yet not wholly destroyed from being an enemy while it holds the wicked from their everlasting punishment and vengeance in which God shall be glorified and the righteous shall glory for ever and while also it detains some of those worshippers of him whose names as such are written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world even such of them as dyed in that time of his reign on the earth from the possession of their utmost happinesse Therefore in the conclusion of that day of his Reign or of that manner of Administration of the Kingdome for the Kingdome and the glory of it is everlasting and never shall have end all the rest of the dead small and great shall be raised by him out of their Graves and from the disappearing state of Death and shall appear before his Judgement Seat This is the second and last Resurrection Revel 20. So that there shall be a general Resurrection of the just and unjust which in both parts our Saviour distinguisheth from that first fruites of quickning of the spirit from that death in sins and trespasses which is now effected by the light and power of the Gospel in them that in hearing hear of which work of Spiritual quickning now having spoken in Job 5. 25. hee adds vers 28. Marvel not at this as who should say that which I shall now tell you of is not only another but a greater work and so a greater and more glorious evidence of the vertue and power of the voyce of the Son of Man for the hour is coming he saith not and now is as of the former work vers 25. in
not led captive by it yea hitherto they have not attained neither are they perfect they have not yet apprehended or laid hold of that for which they are apprehended of Christ Jesus but are pressing on to it expecting the full injoyment in soul and body in that blessed and first resurrection in the mean time in death they are taken away from the evil but not before though in a sense they are said to be perfect or upright ones that have their hearts fixed to seek righteousnesse in Jesus though much weaknesse and sinfulnesse be yet found in them they are perfect as opposed to waveringnesse or double-mindednesse and so in the way of righteousnesse in which is life and light increasing to the perfect day but in this day not arrived at their journies end not perfect as to attainment but still striving against sin in themselves as well as against it in others and so have fightings within and fightings without as also they are groaning under the burden of those weaknesses and that death that is yet upon them and in a sense raigning over them This should teach us not to be secure or sleep as do others but to be watchful and take heed to our selves lest at any time sin get advantage over us and we be hardened through the deceitfulnesse of it left at any time we be overcharged with surfetting and drunkennesse and cares of this life and so that day come on us unawates Put wee on the whole Armour of God that wee may be able to stand in this evil day Heb. 3. 12 13. Luk. 21. 34. Ephes 6. 10 c. 1 Joh 1. 8 10. with chap. 2. 1. 2 The dead that dye in the Lord being then taken away from the evil it mindes us That the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation and to reserve the unjust unto the day of Judgement to be punished that so we may now look to the Lord and wait for the God of our salvation as Micah 7. 7 9. In his hand are all our times and wayes and with him is wisdome strength and faithfulnesse to deliver us from the evil of temptations while yet we are left among them and if hee see them too heavie for us he will either deliver us out or command restraint to the remainder of them that might not tend to his praise in our profit Psal 76. 9 10. 1 Cor. 10. 13. 2 Cor. 1. 10. 2 Pet. 2. 9. 3 This consideration also is an Antidote against immoderate mourning for them that sleep in Jesus as those without hope it speaks to all the surviving Brethren of such in the faith and patience of Jesus that they have not lost but for the present parted with such their Brethren and helpers of their faith and joy that they may enjoy them in a farre better manner for ever when the Lord comes he will bring them againe with him in the meane time they are taken away from the evil for which we have cause to rejoyce on their behalf and for our owne parts that are left behind for a while we know not how little a while that may be it cannot be long and this also we know He that spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all he abides or dwells in him whom also he hath raised from the dead to support and help us through him we shall doe valiantly it is he that treadeth down our enemies yea he will with his Son give us all things he doth and will keep us by his power or powerful Gospel through faith to the Salvation now ready to be revealed in the last time that we may also finish our course with joy 2 Cor. 1. 10. Psal 60. 12. Rom. 1. 16 17. 8. 32. 1 Pet. 1. 5. 4 Let this last consideration be of this further and general use to us all seeing the righteous hath hope in his death and the end of that man is peace seek righteousness and seek it in the Lord seek it by faith in Christ Jesus Seek the Lord while he may be found and call upon him while he is near we pray you in Christs stead be yee reconciled to God and as motives to it consider 1. He hath made his Son that knew no sin to be sin and a curse for us that wee might be made the righteousness of God in him Consider how great things he hath done for you in and through the cutting off the Messiah as Dan. 9. 24. 16 that he might be feared by you 1 Therein by executing the Judgement of this world on him as Joh. 12. 31 he hath finished the transgression that one offence and disobedience that brought in Sin and death Rom. 5. 12 18. and made an end of the sins that came in meerly thereby the guilt of all the sin and filthiness of the nature thence naturally and necessarily derived Jesus Christ hath by himself purged or taken away from before the Father and so finished and made an end of it in the Court he being taken from the Prison and from the Judgement therefore laid on him so that the Father will require no more paiments of that Debt nor goe to Law or Judgement with men according to that rule of Judgement but hath committed all Judgement to the Son that all men should honour the Son as the Saviour and Redeemer the Abollisher of their death and Deliverer of them from the curse of the Law even with the Same honour as they honour the Father as the great Creator of them all acknowledging the Redemption wrought and his Power over them as Lord and Saviour by means of death to bee of the same latitude that so though sin be in them and death upon them at the fruit of that first Transgression yet the sting thereof which is the Wrath of God on that account due the Curse of the Law being suffered and taken out by Christ no man shall perish for ever in or by that simply neither remains it as an Iron barre between God and them no man is necessarily kept out from God by that sinfulness and death yet remaining on them but may come to God by Christ the Mediator in whom the enmity is slaine the peace made and so the door opened and way made clear and the grace of God bringing Salvation to them through it Rom. 3. 23 24. Heb. 1. 3. Joh. 5. 22 23. Gal. 3. 13. Psal 107. 15 16. Ephes 2. 16. Col. 1. 20. 2 Tim. 1. 10. Tit. 2. 11. 2 Yea therein by making his Soul an offering for our sin and causing him to bear our sins in his owne Body to the Tree and in the vertue there of he hath made reconciliation for iniquity a Propitiation Purgation or Sin-offering for the taking away the following sins of the people and brought in everlasting Righteousness the Works which the Father gave him to doe on earth being once actually finished in that person the Sacrifice of his owne Body perfected through sufferings
releeve Yet for our selves we have cause to lament Yea sure the Judgement is of large extent And larger than to them that lay 't to heart Nor is' t the less because few feele the smart Yet still our cause of lamentation's more To ses the Children of the Spiritual Whore Against the Heavens themselves with sport rejoyce Not doubting to prevail with their strange voyce Reproaching now the poor that trusts in God Because afflicted with their Fathers Rod But in due time God will arise and then No place will be for these proud wicked men In the great Judgement then they shall not stand But shall be broken with a mighty hand A little while and then he will not stay But come with all his Saints O come away Is it not yet the time to judge thy Flock When as to outward means their powers do slack Is there yet any left shut up or hid Cause them t' appear thy flock to help and rid Make them more wise and strong to doe exploits Through thy good name to shew the deep deceits So manifold of him whose name is Legion That with us may remaine the pure Religion And haste the coming of that blessed day In which thou wilt wipe all our tears away In mean time teach us to account and mind Thy patience is Salvation to th' unkind A pleasure in their death thou now hast none While yet thy grace brings them Salvation Of thy mind make us more as reading well i th' greatness of thy love thy terror sell Thence instantly with meekness praying them Now to be reconciled unto him That was made Sin and Curse for 's all that we The righteousness of God in him might be T. M. Junior A Lamentation over the dead in Christ with Instruction Admonition and encouragement to the Survivers in some explication of the words of the Prophet Isaiah Chap. 57. 1. as compared with other Scriptures Isaiah 57. 1. The Righteous perisheth and no man layeth it to heart merciful men are taken away none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come THe words present us with a Two-fold matter of Lamentation or cause of grief doubled in the expression of each part to note the greatness of the Judgement and to awake us to the more diligence to learn righteousness by it 1 That the Righteous perisheth merciful men or men of kindness and godliness are taken away 2 That no man laies it to heart none considers that the righteous is taken away from the evil We read to come but those two words being added by the Translators as appears by their different Character may be left out in our reading and the text without them not only as fully takes in the truth expressed by but is more signified viz. That he is taken away from the evil as well that present as that to come The Instructions fully signified and set before us in the words of this Lamentation are 1 That the perishing of the righteous the taking away of men of kindness and godliness is a sad correction to the survivers which God would have so laid to heart and considered by them 2 That when God so strikes and yet none lay to heart or consider it it is an evidence of wilful blindness and great hardness in such a people and a sign and fore-runner of greater Judgements 3 That even in these sad Judgements there is special mercy and choyse blessedness to those so taken away and that to be considered also they are taken away from the evil Blessed are the dead which dye in the Lord from henceforth yèa saith the Spirit that they may rest from their labours and their works follow them I That the perishing of the Righteous is a sad correction to the survivers which God would have so laid to heart and considered by them for our understanding and usefulness of this wee shall propound to consideration 1. Who are the Righteous 2. In what sence they may be said to perish and when they so doe and then shall further demonstrate and explicate the Position I Who are the Righteous and merciful men or men of kindness or godliness truly if men be considered as they are by Nature and first birth as descended from Adam or as they are in and of themselves or in what they may attain to by the will of flesh or will-wisdome and strength of man in whatever exercised There is none righteous or doth good no not one of all the naturall Children of Adam they have all sinned and are come short of the glory of God they are become wholly sinful weak and corrupt they are dead in sins and trespasses and children of wrath as so considered one as well as another Psal 14. Rom. 3. 19-23 Ephes 2. 1 2. By the Law is the knowledge of sin in the best as well as in the worst works of men yea it discovers his whole nature over-spread with it and therefore by the deeds of it shall no man be justified in the sight of God Rom. 3. 20. Gal. 3. 11. Psal 143. 2. There is only one man of all the Nature even the man Christ Jesus that is in a proper and strict sence Good or Righteous in and of himself and for us and he is none of the natural Children nor naturally of man but of God Mark 12. 18. who also prepared for him a Body in our Nature and of a Woman by the secret and wonderful efficacy of his holy Spirit and did in that Body deliver him to Death for our Offences and raise him again for our Justification and gave him glory that our faith and hope might be in God And he is expresly called the Righteous 1 Joh. 2. 1. the Just Jam. 5. 6. even the righteous or just one and justly too for 1 He is perfectly so in and of himself being the Natural and only begotten Son of God so that he is of the Father the same that the Father is Righteousness Justice Truth Holiness and Goodness it self yea in that Body prepared for him in mans Nature though he was made in the likeness of sinful flesh subject to all our infirmities that came by sin yet without sin He knew no sin And this rendred him a meet and worthy Person to undertake for Sinners to prepare and give a Ransome to God and bee a Mediator for them for Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean not one therefore no meer man can redeeme his Brother or give to God a ransome for him for such a High Priest became us who is holy harmless undefiled c. 2 He is perfectly so in what he hath undertaken and done for men in that Body prepared for him in mans Nature he hath perfectly and voluntarily fulfilled that will of the Father he came to doe as to the works to be finished in his own Body on the earth Psal 40. 6 9. Hebr. 10 5 12. Joh. 17. 4. He humbled himself and became obedient to death