Subjectively body 153 to 157 soul 158 to 160 2. Objectively 161 3. Formally 162 to 166 2. Of their entring into eternal life p. 167 chapter 11 2. Concerning the certainty of Christs appearance proved by 3. Arguments where concerning the Divine Authority of the Scriptures and the Resurrection c. from p. 168. to 206 chapter 12 3. Concerning the speediness and suddenness of Christs coming where is a Description of the Old Worlds drowning and Sodom's burning applied c. from p. 207. to 224 chapter 13 4. The Application 1. More generall from 225 to 229 2. More particularly 1. To sinners 1. To discover them from p. 230 to 234 2. To awaken them from p. 235 to 246 3. To exhort them from p. 247 to 263 chapter 14 2. To believers 1 For the trial of them from p. 264 to 269 2. For the comforting of them from p. 270 to 28◠chapter 15 3. To both sinners and believers to perswade them 1. To believe 2. To consider 3. To prepare where twelv◠Duties requisite in order 〈◊〉 preparation From 283. 〈◊〉 the end Christ's certain and sudden Appearance to Judgment Revel 22. 20. Surely I come quickly Amen Even so come Lord Iesus CHAP. I. THe last words of a Dear friend are usually most remarked and best remembred especially when they speak great affection these are the last words of Jesus Christ the best friend that the children of men ever had which he sends his Angel from Heaven after he had been some yeers in glory with the Father to speak in his Name unto his Churches upon the earth v. 16. I Iesus have sent mine Angel to testifie these things in the Churches and of all the things which he testifieth by his Angel this is the last and the sweetest in the Text Surely I come quickly Which words of Promise comming down from Heaven and expressing so much Love to the Church are followed with 〈◊〉 Eccho and resound of the Churches earnest desire Amen Even so come Lord Iesus c. Hence observe Doct. 1. That the Lord Iesus Christ will certainly and quickly appear Doct. 2. That there is an earnest desire and longing in the Church after Christs appearance D. 1. That the Lord Iesus Christ will certainly and quickly appear Here I shall speak 1. Concerning Christ's appearance 2. Show that he will certainly appear 3. Show that he will quickly appear 4. And lastly Apply 1. Concerning Christs appearance There is a twofold appearance of Christ which the Scripture makes mention of 1. In the Flesh. 2. In Glory CHAP. II. 1. THe first appearance of Christ was in the flesh above sixteen hundred years ago in the Land of Iudea unto the people of the Jews the only-then-visible-Church upon the Earth There it was that the Word was made Flesh and amongst that people he dwelt for a while some of whom beheld his Glory the glory as of the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth There it was that the eternal Son of God was made man being conceived miraculously by the power of the Holy Ghost in the womb of the Virgin Mary without the contamination of original sin which all ordinary conceptions do introduce His real Mother and supposed Father were both of the Tribe of Iudah and of the lineage of David and he was born in the Town of Bethlem according to the Scripture predictions who after he had lived thirty years in obscurity was baptized by Iohn Baptist his Fore-runner and Harbinger in whose Baptism when Iohn saw the Heavens opened and the Spirit of God descending like a Dove and lighting upon him and heard the voice from the excellent Glory saying This is my Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased He gave his testimony concerning him that he was the Son of God and the Lamb of God who taketh way the sins of the world Who after his own baptism and temptation and Iohns imprisonment made his appearance more openly unto Israel shewing forth his glory not in outward pomp and splendour but in a more high eminent and wonderful manner altogether Divine exceeding the imitation of any Earthly Monarch in the World He shewed forth the glory of his power in the Miracles which he did work namely in opening the eyes of the blind and ears of the deaf in loosning the tongue of the dumb and the bonds of other infirmities in cleansing the Lepers and healing other diseases with a word in casting out Devils after long profession in calming the Sea and Winds when boisterous and stormy in raising up the dead before and after burial for some daies and the like He shewed forth the glory of his Knowledge in looking into the hearts of those which came unto him being able to perceive their most secret thoughts and imaginations and needed not that any should restifie of man for he knew what was in man He shewed forth the glory of his Wisdom in his most wise answer to the ensnaring questions of the Pharisees and others in the most excellent and heavenly doctrine which he preached wherein he did not teach his Disciples subtile and empty speculations which the greatest wits in the world have busied themselves about but great soul-saving truths indeed he revealed some great and deep mysteries above the reach of the highest wit of the greatest Schollar without the teachings of his Spirit which were momentous and needful in order unto practice but the greatest part of his doctrine was plain and easie He shewed forth the glory of his Holiness in his exact walking and perfect obedience unto the Law of God without the least deviation or sin He shewed forth the glory of his Goodness and tenderness towards the children of men in going about to do them good and give succour to them which were in misery casting out none which came unto him Especially he shewed forth the glory of his Mercy and infinite Love to his own people in submitting to so low a condition as he liv'd in for their sakes in humbling himself and becomming obedient unto death even the cursed disgraceful painful death of the Cross besides the soul miseries which he endured through sense of Gods wrath due for their sins that he might satisfie Gods justice and deliver them from eternal death and wrath to come and purchase Life and Glory for them Thus Christ lived and thus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures and being dead the bonds of death could not hold him neither did the holy one see corruption but the third day rose again from the dead according to the Scriptures and after his resurrection was seen of Mary Magdalen of Peter Iames all the Apostles of five hundred brethren at once according to the Scriptures After forty daies was taken up into Heaven and is there in his humane nature at the right hand of the Throne of the Majesty in the heavens making intercession for his people where he will abide untill the second appearance Thus concerning Christs appearance
patience in our steads that he might redeem us from sin and death and wrath to come that we might not perish but have overlasting life O wonderful unconâ—eivable love What so glorious a Person to be made man to be made sin to be made a curse to do such things to suffer such things for such mean vile cursed â—inners as we that we might be blessed and happy with him O surpassing superlative kindness Is this he who made choice of us when he chose so few that called us when the most were passed by that pitcht his love upon us when there was no attractive in us nothing to move him but his own bowels that revealed his secrets to us when he hid them from the wise and prudent that brought us nigh when we were afar off and made us fellow-Citizens and fellow-heirs with the Saints and of the houshold of God who were by nature children of wrath even as others O astonishing free grace Is this he who cloathed us when we were naked even with the robes of his own righteousness that washed us when we were defiled even in the fountain of his own blood that cheared us when we were troubled even with the comforts of his own Spirit that strengthned us when we were weak even with his might and glorious power in our inner man was it from this Person that we received our pardon our peace our supports our graces our encouragements and all the sweet refreshments we have found in Ordinances Is this the Advocate whom we made choice of relied and trusted upon fâ—r life and salvation Is this the Master whom we followed and whose work we were imployed about Is this the Captain whose colours we wore and under whose banner we fought Is this the Lord whom we obeyed the friend the husband whom we loved and is he so glorious O how will the Saints be wrapt up with admiration and joy how will they be all in a flame of burning love and affection when they come to behold the Lord Jesus Christ himself and view him in such glory as then he will be decked withall when they come to see him face to face who hath such loveliness in his face and such love in his heart unto them It is said 1 Pet. 1. 8. whom having not seen ye love in whom though now ye see him yet believing ye rejoyce with joy unspeakabâ—e and full of glory If so be that the Saints do now love Christ whom they never saw only have heard of and belâ—eved the report of the word how will they love him when they have this sight of him and see a thousandfold more beauty in him than was reported or could be imagined if so be that now sometimes they rejoyce with glorious and unspeakable joy in believing what will they do when they come to see him in his glory If they can now rejoyce in tribulations and take pleasure in the cross and reproach of Christ what will they finde in their masters joy and the Crown which he now comes to put upon their heads O how glad will they be that they have been counted worthy to suffer any thing for such a Saviour It will be a joyful time indeed unto the Saints when they are caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air And the joy of Christ will be no less to meet with them O with what an eye will he view them when they are arising and ascending with so much of his beauty and lustre upon them none can conceive the love and delight which the Lord Jesus will take in them at that day he will look upon them as those who were beloved by the Father and himself from all eternity as those who fetcht him out of heaven before to redeem them and now to glorifie them he will look upon them as the travel of his soul as the price of his blood he will look upon them as his Jewels as spoils taken out of the hands of his enemies he will look upon them as plants grown up unto perfection as servants who have done their work as those who have kept up his honour in the world he will look upon them as members of his body he will look upon them as his dearest spouse and most beautiful bride who now cometh to be joyned to him more neerly and to live with him for ever O the love and joy of Christ at this meeting If so be that Christ so dearly loved his Spouse and could delight in her too when she was black and sooty when her clothes were spotted and stained when her affections were weak low and inconstant how will he love and rejoyce in her when she is made perfectly like to himself and so beautiful with his comeliness when her stains are all washed off and she is presented before him without spot wrinkle blemish or any such thing when she shall be arrayed in white and hath put on her shining garments and appear so lovely and her love shall be so high and full and strong and flaming Never did Lovers meet with such delight joy on their wedding-day as Christ and his Spouse will meet at the day of his second appearance O the sweet smiles the Saints will see in the face of Christ Smiles upon them such glances of love will sparkle forth from his eyes as will ravish their hearts O the sweet words they will hear the welcome he will give them when they first meet when they are come he will place them at his right hand So much concerning the more immediate Antecedents of the judgment of the righteous CHAP. VI. 2. THe second thing is to speak concerning the Judgment it self of the righteous Anâ— there are two things the Scripture speaks of which Christ will do at his second appearance in the judgment of the righteous 1. He will take an account of them 2. He will pronounce the sentence upon them 1. Christ will take an account of the righteous Rom. 4. 10 12. We shall all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ and every one of us shall give an account of himself unto God though the righteous shall not be brought to condemnation yet they shall be brought into judgment which will be for their masters honour and their own especially of those who can give a good account of the Talents their Lord hath intrusted them withall I know it is a question amongst Divines whether the sins of Gods people will be mentioned and made manifest at the last day of judgment I shall not determine the question since the Scripture is not so plain Possibly the Lord having pardoned them covered them blotted them out of the book of his remembrance he will not mention them on that day but sure I am if they should be mentioned it will not be to their disgrace and grief but to their more abundant joâ— in the Lord who hath forgiven them If they should read their sins in the book of Gods remembrance
upon thy Embassage unto them but they regarded neither Messenger nor Message we preached often in thy Name but either they would not hear when they might or they would not believe and yield obedience when they heard we often told them of their sins and foretold them of their danger if they did not repent and reform but they would not receive conviction nor be perswaded to repentance and reformation if we spake of sin more generally they did not look upon themselves as concerned and made no Application except it were to others if we came more home and close they shrouded their sins as close as they could under the Vaile of some thin excuses they shut their eyes and would not see and if the beames of light brake in upon them and in a start they opened their eies a little they were either offended that we should disturb them in their sleep or they quicklie shut their eies again and dropt asleep faster than before and soon wore off the convictions and troubles of minde which sometimes they have had under the light and allarme of thy word We often shewed them their face in the Glass but they have gone away and forgotten what manner of Men and Women they were we have told them of the workes of the flesh which would certainly exclude them the kingdome of Heaven Gal. 5. 19 20 21. That no unrighteous Person nor unclean Person nor Drunkard nor covetous Person nor Reviler nor Extortioner could be saved without Repentance and Sanctification I Cor. 6. 9 10 11. And yet they would not leave their sins they would be unjust and unclean still they would be covetous and revilers still they would wallow still in their filthiness and hold fast their sin whatever we could speak against it We preached unto them of the day of Iudgment and foretold them out of thy Word of these very things which are now come to pâ—ss but they did not believe it nor consider it nor take any care to prepare for this day they thrust the thoughts of judgment out of their minde and put the evil day far from them We preached unto them the Gospel opened the rich treasures thereof before them made known the exceeding great and precious promises of the Covenant of Grace the inestimable priviledges and unspeakable benefits which belong to those that belong to Christ and prâ—ffered all unto them in thy name if they would accept of them and yield obedience unto thee but all these things were slighted and undervalued by them We called and cryed we beseeched and entreated them that they would be reconciled unto God but they would not give ear unto us We held thee forth Lord to them and studied to set thee forth in the best words we could think of told them of thy beauty and love and desirableness above all Persons and things in the World told them of their need and that they were undone without thee tendered to them thy blood and the purchase thereof pardon and peace and happinesse for ever but they were like the deaf Adder which will not hear they were like Rocks unmoved they refused thee and thy treasures trampled upon thy blood and put both us and thee to shame by their refusal we invited them unto the marriage Feast but they would not come all excus'd themselves with one consent one had bought a Farm and he must see it another was engaged in a great Trade and he must follow it another had married a Wife and he could not and none of them would come and taste of thy Banquet the cares of the World the deceitfulness of riches the pleasures of this life and the lusts of other things did so overcharge their thoughts and hearts that the Gospel and rich provisiens thereof lay by disregarded Such will be the accusations of some Ministers such witness must they give at the last day against those of their Flock who shall be found in the number of the wicked and disobedient to the Gospel then their Sermons now forgotten will be remembred and be so many evidences against them O that our People would remember them now O that they would now consider and believe and turn and live and avoid the accusations and witness which otherwise we must be forced to give in then against them 2. The godly friends of the wicked will be their accusers and witness against them some of them are linked in neer Relations to the godly who now are endeavouring to be instrumental for their salvation but if they do not prevail they will hereafter be their accusers and witnesses for their condemnation I. The believing Husband will then accuse and witness against his unbelieving Wife Lord she lay in my bosome and was beloved by me as my self I cherished her and was as tender of her as my own flesh according to thy command but all my love and kindeness to her could not win her heart for thee I told her often of thy beauty and thy love which was a thousand fold â—eyond what I or any Man alive could possibly express but she was stupid and unbelieving and whâ—lly disregarded both thy Person and thy love I covered her faults with love as much as I could from others and used many entreaties and loving perswasions to draw her to amendment telling her the danger and destructive issue of a sinfull course but she would not hearken to amend her heart was set upon sin and vanity she was proud and foolish she was wanton and froward and would not be reclaimed she did see my grief and sorrow for sin she was a witness to my teares and mournful complaints and yet she could bear up under greater guilt without any sense she did see me often retire into my Closet and knew that I spent time daily between me and thee alone and yet though her need was as great she would not be perswaded to an imitation I have often in the secret silent night when sleep hath fled from both our eyes taken advantage of such oppâ—rtunities to discourse with her about her souâ—-affaires told her of the sleep of death which â—re long would seize upon us the night we must stend in the Grave of the morning of the Resurrection of thy second coming and our appearing before thy Tribunal Seat but nothing would quicken her to make preparation for Death and Iudgment she heard as if she were asleep as indeed she was asleep whilst awake and dead whiâ—st she was alive asleep and dead in sin and security 2. The believing Wife will then accuse her unbelieving Husband Lord thou knowest how I loved and honoured and reverenced and obeyed him in lawful things and was faithful to him according to my duty â—ut he would not love and honour thee he was â—nfaithfuâ— and would not obey thy mâ—re reasonable commands unto whom he owed a greater subjection I have often sate alone like a widdow at home when he hath been revelling abroad with his companions I have been
not enough to persecute them with the tongue but you must persecute them with the hand What could you betray them like Judas for a piece of money or out of malice which was worse Could you disturb them in their service and worship of me when they were praying for your conversion and salvation Could you hale and drag them to Prison who endeavoured to keep you out of the Prison of Hell Could you seek the ruine of such as were the best Friends of your souls when you never received injury from them could you be so injurious to them Do you know whom yee persecuted It was mâ— it was me whom you persecuted when you persecuted my Disciples it was me whom yee wounded thorow their sides it was me you betrayed in betraying them it was me yee imprisoned in imprisoning them it was me you spurned at when yee lifted up the heel against them and did you ever think to prosper in this way You you have been above all other Persons upon the Earth my professed Enemies and most like your Father the Devil Come yee Wretches gird up your loines like Men gather your forces together put on strength and courage if you have any and life up your hand if you dare against me do you finde strength to faile you now and your forces too weak to niake resistance and were you so foolish as to engage in battel where you might have known you should certainlie be conquered at the last doth your courage faile you upon the sight of the Captain and should you not have been afraid to touch my anointed ones my lifted Souldiers You served the Devil and fought under his banner against me and mine and can be deliver you now out of mine hand can be defend you against my rage and fury or would he do it if it lay in his power had you ever more spight and malice against my people than the Devil had against you in setting you about persecution worke did not he design your ruine herby did not he think of this day and on purpose drew you to this sin that you might be the more horriblie tormented and doth not be with his Angels wait now for you that they may drag you unto torments Take them Devils binde them hand and foot 8. Come forth all yee intemperate and licentious Persons who have indulged your slesh and laid no restraint upon your sensual appetite who have made provision for your flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof but made no provision for my glorie and took no câ—re to fulfill my commands did you never hear of such a dutie as self-denial which I required of all my Disciples and followers Were you never told that if you followed the inclinations and obeyed the commands of carnal self it would be to your ruine and destruction that bitterness and sorrow would be the issue of flesh-pleasing that lust if it conceived would bring forth sin and sin when perfected would bring forth death did you never read that if yee lived after the flesh yee should die and that you must through the spirit mortifie the deeds of the bodie otherwise life and happiness could not be obtained and yet would you lay the reines on the neck of your lusts if you had no faith had you no reason neither to keep you from intemperance if you did not live like Christians would you not live like Men would you needs be bruits and live as if you were all body and had no soules of such high capacity were you so blinde as not to see afar off before this day of Iudgment when I should call you to an account or to see a little before you to the day of your death which would put a conclusion to all your sensual pleasures Could you bribe and muzzle conscience and lay it asleep whilst you took your pleasures Could you tread reason under foot and resolve you would not be controuled by any light or law or government from your eager prosecution of your carnal delights Come forth all ye Gluttons who have pampered your flesh with delicious food but never had the least regard to seed your souls which had more need who have sâ—eâ— many hours and dayes in feasting your bodies nourishing your selves against the day of slaughter but when you were invited by my Messengers to the marriage feâ—st to the feast I had prepared for you of the richest and most câ—stly spiritual dainties you had no stomack no appetite and could not would not come what did you indeed make your belly your God and can such a God save and make you happy did you think that food which perisheth could give happiness to a never-dying soul did you not know that both meat and belly would be destroyed and that your bodies would become food for worms and yet could you make it the chief business of your lives to feed your bodies you were allowed food convenient and something for delight that your bodies might serve your souls with strength and vigour and both their Lord and Master but excess you were forbidden which did distemper both body and minde and unfit you for the service of the Lord and yet would you overcharge your selves now reap the fruit of this intemperance and taste the Gall and Wâ—rmâ—ood which your sweet bits are turn'd into Come forth yee Drunkards who if you have not overcharged your bellies with excessive eating yet have often entoxicuted your brains with the fumes of excessive drinking who have drowned your understanding wit and fancy your natural parts and ingenuity which might have rendered you useful in the Church or Common-wealth where you lived and made your selves meer sots by your drunkenness and what account can you now give of the talents you were entrusted withall what excuse can you finde for this sin were you entited to it And overtaken before you were aware but who could entice you to drink a potion which would kill your bodies and was not the death and damnation of your souls more to be avoided would you be enticed to that unto which a very Beast will not be forced but were you not forward of your selves to the sin did you not like the company well that joyn'd with you therein did not you overtake the sin by your desires did not the liquor please your appetite did not you sâ—â—ill it in without perswasion if you had cen overtaken would you have been so often guilty would you have come so often into the places and company where you fell into it was not your chiefest mirth amongst your Cups and drunken Companions were not you melancholick and troubled when your meetings of good-fellowship were disappointed you would have your Cups and drink Wine in Bowles and strong Drink without measure and now also you shall have a Cup to drink of even the Cup of the Wine of the wrath of the angry Allmighty God now yee shall drink of the dregs of this Cup which hath ten thousand times more
fastned the guilt of all your other sins upon your selves which I was willing to take off from you would any sin against the Law have condemned you had you turned from it and yielded obedience to the Gospel were you not foretold of the wrath to come and yet would you not flie from it were you not prâ—ffered a Saviour and yet would you not accept of him had you not treasures opened before you end would you not look after them were you not shown the way to Heaven and would not you walk in it how can you escape that have been guilty of disobedience to the Gospel Take them Devils binde them hand and foot Christ at the day of Judgment will convict the whole ungodly World especially those who have lived under the sound of the Gospel their crimes will be made manifest and evident and every mouth will be stopped when they are found guilty before him and they cannot deny it then the wicked will be speechless and stand after their full conviction like so many Rogues in Chains before the Judge And think now with your selves what the behaviour of the wicked will be when they are thus convicted of their sins and are ready to receive their sentence I believe some of you have seen Malefactors at the Bar when the Jury hath found them guilty and the Judge hath been proceeding to give the sentence of Death how their countenances have changed and their joynts trembled and unexpressible horrour seized upon them but O the dread and terrour that will be upon the spirits of the wicked when they are convicted of sin by this Judge and with what trembling expectations will they wait for their sentence 7. And this is the seventh particular to speaâ— concerning the Sentence which the Lord Jesus Christ will pass upon the wicked in Judgment see Matth. 25. 41. Then shall he say unto them on his left hand Depart from me yee cursed into everlasting Fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels Deparâ— from me yee that have formerly said in your hearts unto me Depart we will not have thee 〈◊〉 reign over us that have said to my Ministerâ— Depart we wil not hearken to your words that have said to my Spirit depart we will not yield to thy motions Now depart depart from me yee that would not come unto me yee have often been called and invited to come but yee refused now depart yee shall not have one Call more you shall not have one proffer of grace more foâ— ever Depart never shall yee hear my voice any more never shall yee see my face any more Depart be gone out of my sight Depart from mâ— yee cursed as yee cared not for blessing so shaâ—â— it be far from you as ye loved cursing so shal it be unto you Depart with the curse of the Law with the curse of the great God upon you let the curse of God cloathe you like a garment and bind you like a chain let it enter into your flesh and bones like Oile to enrage so much the more the flames of Hell about you and let it pierce into your soul and fill you with horrible anguish Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire Ye shall not depart into your old habitation to spend an eternity in sinful sensual pleasures no Depart into torments Depart into Fire into the fire of Hell into the burning Lake into Tophet ordained of old for you into a stream of Fire and Brimstone enkindled by the breath of God Depart into everlasting Fire Go dwell with devouring Fire and inhabit everlasting burnings Depart into everlasting Fire prepared for the Devil and his angels ye served the devil and divers lusts whilst you lived in the world now go and live with the Devil and his angels in Hell fire for ever partake of the torments primarily prepared for him and belonging also to you because ye belonged to his Kingdom And when the sentence is irreversibly pronounced by the Judge upon the wicked O what direful shreeks will they give forth With what horrour will they cry out How shall we be able to endure the devouring flames and everlasting burnings of Hell Thus have I done with the Judgment it self both of the righteous and the wicked at the appearance of Jesus Christ. CHAP. IX 2. THe second thing is to speak of the execution of the Sentence pronounced upon both in Judgment which you have spoken of together Matth. 25. 46. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment but the righteous into life eternall 1. Concerning the execution of the Sentence on the wicked These shall go away into everlasting punishment Here I shall speak 1. Of the wickeds going away 2. Of their going into punishment The former doth imply the punishment of loss the latter their punishment of sense 1. The wicked when the Sentence is pronouned shall go away and here I shall show 1. From whom they shall go away 2. From what they shall go away 3. The aggravations or vexing considerations which Gospel-sinners will have in their going away 1. From whom the wicked shall go away 1. They shall go away from Iesus Christ the righteous are at his side and shall remain with him but the wicked shall go away from him the righteous shall go with him and abide with him where he is there they shall be also they shall be for ever with the Lord but the wicked must go away and be eternally separated from his presence The righteous shall behold his glory and share in it they shall see the smiles of his face and be entertained by him with unexpressible love but the wicked shall be thrust out of his presence with frowns and indignation it will be one great part of the misery of the wicked that they shall go away from so glorious a person as the Lord Jesus Christ. 2. They shall go away from the Saints now some of them are mingled with Gods people the Tares and the Wheat grow up together the sheep and the goats feed in the same pasture and though it was bitter to the wicked to dwell with the righteous because of the contradiction which was in their lives to their lusts yet then it will be more bitter to them to be excluded their society because then they will perceive their excellency with admiration when they see them shine with such beauty and rejoyce with Songs of triumph and they must be gone away from them this will fill their hearts with racking envy and torment them unspeakably 2. From what the wicked shall go away they shall go away from happiness from the happiness of heaven the doors of heaven shall be shut upon them they shall see Abraham and Isaac and Iacob and many come from the East and the West and the North and the South even an innumerable multitude of all kindreds and Nations and Tongues and enter in and sit down in the Kingdom of God and themselves thrust out and thrust down to
That they had as soul natures as the vilest that they had as leprous poisonous odious hearts until they were renewed and sanctified as those which they shall see condemned and tormented that they were sometimes foolish and disobedient serving divers lusts and pleasures hateful and hating one another until the kindness and free love of God was manifested in the regeneration and renovation of them by the holy Ghost Tit. 3. 3 4 5. That they were dead in sin with others and walked according to the course of the World according to the Prince of the power of the Aire who wrought in them as in other Children of disobedience so that they were as forward as others to fulfill the desires of the flesh and of the minde and ran with others to the same excess of riot until God who is rich in mercy for his great love wherewith he loved them had quickned them and saved them by his grace and hereby put a difference between them and the wicked who went on to the end of the sinful course in which sometimes they were running with them in company Eph. 2. 1 2 3 4 c. yea some of them will remember how they out-stripped others in sin and were guilty of more gross breaches of the Law than many millions of the wicked whom they will see condemned and that they should escape and be awakened to repent and enabled to believe and reform and that they should obtain pardon and salvation thorow Christ when others were passed by and let alone to perish under smaller sins this will fill them with astonishing admiration and wondering joy when they see some of their neer Relations going to Hel their Fathers their Mothers their Children their Husbands their Wives their Brethren their Sisters their intimate Friends and Companions however they are grieved now to see them take such courses and walk in the way to Hell and they labour to pull them out of that way and would fain perswade them to walk with them in Heavens way and are troubled to forethink of the torment which they must endure if they go on yet hereafter relative tyes and those affections which now they have to relations out of Christ wil cease and they wil not have the least trouble to see them sentenced to hel and thrust into the fiery furnace but rejoyce in the glory of God which wil be manifested upon them in their destruction and O the joy that they wil be filled withal to think that they were not passed by with the rest of their relations that they are not under the same deserved-condemnation with them that God should chuse but one or two in many families and they should be in the number of the chosen ones that when his chosen were comparatively so few and the reprobates so many that they should be elected when there was no motive in them to encline God to the choice of them that he should chuse them freely if he had not chosen them if they were now to change places with some of their wicked relations going to Hel this would be dreadful but that they are going from Hel when their relations are going into it this wil fil them with joy unspeakable Especially 3. When they consider in their going away that they were sometime so neer to Hell that whilst they were in a state of nature and under the guilt of sin that some of them were neer to death that they were brought to the sides of the pit to the doors of the grave to the very brink of Hell before they had repented and accepted of Jesus Christ some of them will remember how neer they were to death when they were young how neer they were to death by some casualties how neer by some diseases some of them will remember the great Plague in London which swept away so many thousands how ill they were provided for death at the beginning thereof how neerly they escaped the disease and some which had the disease how neerly they escaped death by it and if they had died then that they should certainly have gone to Hell O how will they admire the Providence of God in keeping them alive notwithstanding the many dangers they were in of death all the daies of their unregeneracy and when they moreover consider how they tried Gods patience and trampled upon it by their hainous provocations how they abused his goodness and turned his grace into wantonness how they did hasten in the waies of sin towards hell and were come even to the end of the line that some of them were Drunkards and Sabbath-breakers and profane persons and swearers and unclean persons and persecutors of the people of God and were arrived even to the heighth of wickedness and wanâ—ed but a step or two of falling into Hell and yet that the Lord should meet with them with a flaming sword in the way of sin they were driving on so fast and furiously in and stop them and turn them and change them and bring them home to himself yea when they had deafned their ears against many calls and stifled many convictions and often quenched the motions of his spirit and were so unwilling to leave their sins and to come out of the way of destruction were so desperately bent upon their ruine that yet he should knock and call again and again and follow them still by his Spirit that he should lay hold on them as the Angels did on Lot and bring them out of Sodom even by force and over-power the contranitency of their stubborn wills and break open the door of their hearts and overturn the strong holds of sin and sathan and set up the throne of his Son within them that he should snatch them like fire-brands out of the fire and pluck them out of the snare of the devil that had almost drag'd them into Hell O how will they be astonished to remember Gods infinite pitty and love and the power of his rich grace that did work salvation for them especially when they perceive how dreadful the misery is which they were hastning unto I have heard of a man who in the night galloped over a high bridge which was broken down all but a narrow plank which Gods providence directed his horses feet upon which if they had slipt never so little on the one side or the other horse and man had fallen into the deep stream and been drowned which the man did not know till the next morning but then viewing the place and considering the danger he had so narrowly escaped was struck with such astonishment at it that he fell down dead in the place When some of Gods people shall go away from Hell at the last day and look behind them into the bottomless-pit and take a view of the streams of fire and brimstone which are running in the burning lake and remember how they have galloped over those streams when they were in the carreer of their sins and by how narroâ—
clog to the spirit I conceive that hereafter they shall be like Angels for quick and nimble motion they may be so qualified as in a moment to move many thousand miles why may not they move so quick then as well as the Sun and other Stars in the Firmament do so now which are bodies of many thousand times greater magnitude 6. The bodies of the righteous will be incorruptible and immortal 1 Cor. 15. 43. It is sown in corruption it is raised in incorruption And v. 52 53. In a moment in the twinkling of an eye at the last trump the dead shall be raised incorruptible for this corruptible must put on incorruption and this mortall must put on immortality And v. 54. Then shall come to pass the saying which is written Death is swallowed up in victory Now death is unavoidable and unto some is very terrible death hath all the children of men in the chase and shoceâ— his arrows at the righteous as well as the wicked and though they be delivered from the sting of death which is sin yet they are not delivered from the stroke of death but however death play the tyrant here on the earth and spare none yet he will have no footing in Heaven the bodies of the righteous when raised up again will be impassible and immortal immortality will be swallowed up of life and the life of the body as well as of the soul will be everlasting 2. The souls of the righteous will be the subjects and the chief subjects of the glory and happiness of Heaven if their bodies shall be glorious their souls shall be much more glorious as being their more excellent part and capable of more glory than their bodies will be we read Rom. 8. 18. Of the glory which shall be revealed in us that is in the soul and the Apostle tells us that The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with this glory the greatest sufferings and calamities in this World have not that evil and misery in the least shaddow of comparison with the happiness of the glory which shall be put into the souls of the Saints indeed the Apostle doth compare them and see how he makes this future glory to out-ballance 2 Cor. 4. 17. These light offlictions which are but for a moment do work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory The afflictions are light but the glory will be weighty the afflictions are but for a moment but the glory will be eternal the weight of glory will be exceeding more exceeding far more exceeding here the Apostle layes one high expression upon the back of another and another upon that like so many great Mountains upon the back one of another and when he hath got upon the top of the highest of them yet he is too low to look into the glory of Heaven and his expressions and apprehensions fall short of the glory which shall be revealed in the soul when it shall be received into the new Ierusalem for it is yet to be revealed and therefore as the Apostle Iohn saith I Ioh. 3 2. It doth not yet appear what we shall be but when Christ shall appear we shall be made like him not only the body shall be made like his glorious body but also the soul shall be made like his glorious soul for we shall see him as he is as the eye doth receive the image of the object which it looks upon so the soul in its vision of Christ shall receive the Image of Christ and have a perfect similitude and likeness unto him the soul will be made most beautiful the perfect lineaments of Christ will be drawn upon it if grace makes the soul to shine here how much more will glory which is grace in the perfection of it make the soul to shine in Heaven and therefore grace is called glory it is glory begun 2 Cor. 3. 18. We all with open face beholding as in a Glass the Glory of the Lord are changed into the same Image from glory to glory as by the spirit of the Lord. The Vail which was under the Law is now taken away and with open face we behold the glory of the Lord that is I conceive the Lord Jesus Christ who is the glory of the Father the brightness of the Fathers glory which glory was more dark to our view under the Law represented by the cloud which filled the Temple but now there is more clear revelation of Christ without the Vail and clouds of types and figures whom we now see in the Glass of the Word and Ordinances and hereby are changed into his Image and receive froâ— him impressions of grace which is glory begun through the operation of his spirit in his Ordinances upon us yet stil we see him in a Glass and therefore there is a darkness through this interposition and the eye of our faith which looks thorow this Glass upon Christ is weak and therefore our Graces are imperfect and our similitude to him is imperfect but when the Glasse shall be removed and instead of the sight of faith we shall have an immediate Vision then our souls will be changed into a perfect conformity unto his Image and it will not be from glory to glory from one degree unto another but glory will be arrived unto its heighth and the souls of the righteous will be made perfectly glorious their souls will then have perfection of holiness without the least remainders of sin which in this World the most holy Persons are not wholly free from 1. Their thoughts shall be holy no blaâ—phemous thoughts shall then arise in their minde no filthy thoughts no eâ—vious and malicious thoughts yea they shall not have the least vanity or impertinency in their thoughts all their thoughts shall then be brought into pâ—rfect obedience unto Jesus Christ. 2. Their understandings shall be holy there shall not be the least Cloud or mist of ignorance or errour to darken and â—ully them when they appear before the glorious Sun of righteousness the brightness which will issue forth from his face will dispel all clouds and they will have a clear understanding of all things which will be needful foâ— them to know to make them happy God will then unlock his treasures open his Books which â—â—w are sealed and open their understandings too that they may conceive those mysteries of his word and that manifold wisdome of God which now do exceed their comprehensions 3. Their memories shall be holy they shall be strengthnâ—d to retain and bring forth continually out of their treasures whatever things new or old shall tend to feed them with love and joy and elevate their souls in the praiâ—es of God 4. Their wills shall be perfectly holy there shall be a sweet harmony between their wills and â—he will of God a perfect compliance with the sweet Law which they shall be under without the least contranitency or contradiction they shall not
make such an impression as to raise their hearts to an unconceivable heighth of love 3. The righteous will have a higher capacity for love in Heaven than here they have and they shall be filled with love unto the heighth of their capacity they will be able to love a thousand times more than now they can do and they shall love unto their utmost ability they will see perfection of loveliness in God and all that are about him and they shall have perfection of love here their love is sincere and growing but it is weak and imperfect hereafter it will be grown up to the full heighth of it and perfect love will cast out all tormenâ— here their love is mixed the stream is divided â—t runs and wasts it self in many small rivulets which empty themselves upon the creatures but then the whole stream will run forth unto God individedly not a drop of their love shall be â—pâ—lt on the ground God will be the sole object â—f their love here their love is uneven and incoâ—stant to God sometimes it ebbs and someâ—imes it slows sometimes they have a high and â—pring-tiâ—e of love to God but at other times it 〈◊〉 low water hereafter their love to God will be â—ven and constant and alwaies at the greatest â—eighth 3. And O what joy will there be in their hearts through the union which the righteous shall have unto God the chief good when their minds shall be joyned to him in immediate vision and their hearts in perfect love O how sweet a fruition of God will this be what delights will spring from hence if the Saints can now rejoyce exceedingly in God when they see him so little and their love is so imperfect what will they do when they see and love him perfectly and fully if they are now exceeding glad sometimes with the light of his countenance though they have but a glimpse thereof what will they be when they shall have a constant view thereof and live eternally under the beams of that light their love to God is sweet now though it be weak but what will it be in Heaven when the conjunction of their hearts to God by love shall be so neeâ— and close if the Saints can now rejoyce in hope of the glory of God what will they do in the possession thereof when faith shall be changed for vision and hope turned into fruition O how will the Saints rejoyce and triumph when they are sailed quite thorow the tempestuous Sea oâ— this world and are landed safely in Heaven where there is rest and peace without any windy stormâ— when they have got the victory over the devil and sin and are now placed out of the gun-shoâ— of temptation and have conquered througâ— Christ the grave and death and are out of feâ—â— of his arrows when they see that they have escaped the terrible wrath of God and finde them selves in the arms of his love when theâ— perceive that they are in Heaven now inâ—deed notwithstanding all their sins and doubts and fears and now they have that blessed vision of God which they so much desired and the full fruition of God in love which they hoped for when they shall look about them and see so much glory about them and shall look within them and see so much glory there revealed beyond whatever they could imagine O how will they be transported with joy then they will have fulness of joy in the presence of God and their pleasure and happiness wil be perfect without interruption or possibility of a conclusion And the eternity of their happiness will be the Heaven of Heaven as eternity of misery will be the Hell of Hell Thus concerning the happiness of the Saints or the eternal life of glory which they shall enter into 2. Concerning the righteous going or entring into eternal life The righteous after the pronouncing of their sentence and their seeing the execution of the sentence of the wicked shall pass away from them and go with Christ into eternal life they shall go with singing to the Zion which is above and everlasting joy on their heads they shall obtain joy and gladness and sorrow and sighing shall flee away Isa. 51. 11. It wil be a most glorious train such as eye never hath seen which will go together unto Heaven The Lord Jesus Christ will be in the head in shining glory all the holy Angels will be with him and the whole company of the righteous will be together that ever lived in all generations and O with what mirth and gladness will they move towards Heaven together with what shoutings and Hosannah's will they attend upon the glorious triumph of our Saviour unto the new Ierusalem but when they are come to the gates of Heaven and the everlasting doors shall be lifted up to them and they look into the place prepared for their eternal abode when the Lord Iesus shall bring them into the glorious presence of the Father and they shall have the beatifical vision of his face and see the smiles of his countenance and are received into the imbracements of his love Then Then they will finde themselves to be happy indeed then their heart will be filled with joy and their tongues with singing then they will sing the new Song the Song of the Lamb which now cannot be learned then they will sound forth the prayses of God and cry with a loud voice as Rev. 7. 10 11. Salvatiâ—n to our God 〈…〉 upâ—n the Throne and to the Lâ—mb And worshipping God they will say Amen Blessing and Glory and Wisdom and Thanâ—sgiving and Honour and Power and Might be untâ— our God for ever and ever Amen And there shall they live and reign for evermore Thus concerning the execution of the sentenceâ— on the righteous and concerning the second appearance of Christ and end thereof CHAP. XI 2. COneâ—rning the Certainty of Christs second appearance I'shall prove this by several Arguments 1. Aâ—g If the Scriptures have clearly revealed an◠〈◊〉 Christ's second appearance to judgment an◠〈◊〉 the Scriptures are certainly true then this second appearance of Christ is certain But the Scriptures have clearly revealed and foretold this second appearance of Christ to judgement and the Scriptures are certainly true Therefore the second appearance of Christ is certain 1. The Scriptures have clearly revealed and foretold Christ's second appearance to judgment It is not a truth written in the book of nature it is not to be found in the writings of the Philosophers and those who have had the highest speculations of natural causes and effects and products this is a mysterie which the world by wisdom could never finde out it is a secret which hath been hid in God and is revealed by his Spirit in his Word this coming of Christ was foretold by Enoch Iude 14. 15. And Enoch also the seventh from Adam prâ—phesied Behold the Lord â—â—meth with ten thousand of his Saints to execute judgement upon all
doctrine of the resurrection whereby he stopped the mouths of the Sadduces his answer made the people astonished and the Sadduces confounded they came with their mouths open but they went away with their mouths shut they came with full cry but they went away in silence he put the Sadduces to silence 2. The second Scripture to prove the Resurrection is in 1 Cor. chap. 15. thorowout It seemeth that some amongst the Corinthians who called themselves Christians did deny the Resurrection now the scope of the chapter is to refuâ—e this dangerous errour and to prove the truth which the Apostle doth by several arguments 1. The first argument is drawn from the Resurrection of Christ If Christ be risen from the dead then believers which are his members shall be raised also he will not suffer his members to lie for ever rotting in the grave because his mystical body then would never be grown up â—nto perfection Christ is the first fruits of them that sleep v. 10. As certainly as he was awakened out of his sleep in the grave on the third day to certainly shall all those that do or shall sleep in Jesus be awakened out of their grave at the last day But Christ is certainly risen from the dead which the Apostle proves 1. From the Prediction thereof in the Scriptures as his death was foretold so also his resurrection was foretold in the type of Ionah's being â—ast out of the belly of the whale on the third day 2. From the testimony of those persons to whom the Lord Jesus Christ did appear after his resurrection namely of Cephas all the Apostles above five hundred brethren at once who saw him before his ascension and last of all in that he was seen by himself upon the way to Damascus after his ascension all which witnesses did with one mouth confirm the truth of Christs Resurrection 3. From the absurdities which would follow if Christ were not risen 1. The Apostles would then be found false witnesses and the Spirit of God which spake in them would be a false spirit which is impossible 2. Then their preaching would be in vain and the whole doctrine of Christianity which was built partly upon this foundation would fall to the ground 3. Then their faith would be in vain because if Christ were still dead he would not be a meet object for their faith for then he could not be the Son of God nor a Mediatour between God and man 4. Then Believers would be yet in their sins their sins would remain unpardoned because satisfaction to Gods justice would not have been compleated had the bonds of death still held ouâ— Saviour 5. Then they which were fallen asleep in Christ would be perished in regard of their bodies liâ—â— the beasts when they die because if Christ were not risen it would be impossible that they should ever rise any more 6. Then believers should have hope only iâ— this life because if Christ were not risen anâ— ascended into Heaven to prepare room for theâ— there they could not have any good-grounde 〈◊〉 hope of ever being received into that place anâ— by consequence it would follow that believeâ— the best of men upon the earth would be the mâ—â— miserable men of all others because they aâ— exposed to so many sufferings for the sake of Jesus Christ If they had hope only in this life theâ— would be most miserable in regard of sorrow though not in regard of sin for their hopes 〈◊〉 future glory do support and comfort them undâ—â— all their afflictions if they should loose their hopeâ— they would loose their comforts and be of all â—thers the most forlorn and sorrowful it would break their hearts and bring them to despaâ—â— Certainly then Christ is reisen and as certainly shâ—â— the dead be raised 2. The second argument whereby the Apostlâ— proves the resurrection is drawn from the Paâ—â—lel between the first Adam and Christ the seconâ— Adam v. 21 c. Since by man came death 〈◊〉 man also shall come the resurrection for as in Adâ—â— all die so in Christ shall all be made alive 〈◊〉 Adam sin came into the world and death by sin and death passed upon all his posterity because all have sinned at least in him By Christ came righteousness into the world and by righteousness life and all his posterity shall be raised by him unto eternal life at the last day because all are partakers of his righteousness 3. The third Argument is drawn from the reign of Christ at the right hand of the Father until all his enemies be put under his feet and the last enemy which shall be destroyed is death and death is no waies perfectly destroyed but by the resurrection of the dead out of their graves and the putting immortality upon the body then when this corruptible shal put on incorruption and this mortal shall put on immortality death shall be swallowed up in victory therefore since death with other enemies shall be put under Christ's feet it is necessity that there should be a resurrection 4. The fourth Argument is in v. 29. Else what shall they do that are baptized for the dead if the dead rise not why are they baptized for the dead The words are difficult various are the interpretations which are given I like Calvins best if it will hold with the words Why are they baptized for the dead or for dead that is why are they that are dying and given over for dead baptized if the dead rise not why will any when they are going out of the world be baptized in the name of Chriâ—t if they did not hope for a resurrection at the last that as they are buried with him by baptism unto death so they should rise with him not only unto newness of life here but also unto everlasting life and glory hereafter 5. The fifth argument is drawn from the jeopardie and sufferings of Christians which they would not undergoe unless they had hopes of the resurrection 6. The denial of this Doctrine opens a door to licenciousness People would eat and drink and let lâ—oâ—e the reigns to sensual delights and commit sin with greediness if they must die and there were no hopes of a resurrection to glory and happiness and no fears of a resurrection to torment and misery Besides Scripture testimony and argument which is the only firm proof of the resurrection I might add for illustration some Emblems of the resurrection in nature Naturalists tell us of a Phaenix which riseth out of the ashes into which she had burned her self before but it is more certain that some birds lie in holes dead all the winter and get life again in the Summer we see Plants Herbs Flowers and the like wither in the Winter and spring forth again when the cold weather is gone we see the Sun sets at night and arise again in the morning and we our selves as we have an Emblem of death upon us when we are asleep so our
Earth Lâ—ke 21. 34 35. And sudden destruction will then come upon the wicked as pains on a Woman with Childe 1 Thess. 5. 3. The Lord will come in a moment in the twinkling of an eye 1 Cor. 15. 52. As lightning cometh out of the East and shineth unto the West so shall the coming of the Son of Man be Matth. 24. 27. Further this coming of the Lord Jesus is set forth in Scripture 1. By the coming of a Thief in the night Rev. 16. 15. Behold I come as a Thief 1 Thess. 5. 2. For your selves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a Thief in the night 2 Pet. 3. 10. The day of the Lord cometh as a Thief in the night in which the Heavens shall pass away with a great noise c. The Lord will not come like a Thief in regard of any wicked purpose and design but he will come like a Thief in regard of the suddenness and unexpectedness of his coming Men do not think of they do not know of they are not aware of they do not desire the coming of Thieves so the Lord will come at a time which Men do not know of when they do not think of it wheâ— they are not aware of it and he will be more unwelcome at his second appearance to the greatest part of the World than a Thief who comes suddenly in the night and breaks in upon their Houses to steal their goods and take away their lives when the Lord Jesus shall suddenly unfold the Doors of Heaven and come down in his glory and summon the wicked to Judgment how will they start and be affrighted out of their deep sleep of security and be filled with horrour and amazement 2. Christs coming is set forth by the coming of a Bridegroom at midnight in the Parable of the ten Virgins Matth. 25. 6. At midnight there was a cry made Behold the Bridegroom cometh go yee forth to meet him The Virgins were all asleep the wise as well as the foolish they did not expect the Bridegroom at that time the coming of Christ will be sudden and unexpected as to the particular time unto his own Disciples yet they will quickly arise and trim their Lamps and receive him with joy when the Lamps of the foolish Virgins for want of Oile will go out and they shall be shut out of the Bride-chamber of Heaven for ever 3. Christs coming is set forth by the coming of the Flood upon the old World and Noah's entering into the Ark Luke 17. 26 27. And as it was in the dayes of Noah so shall it be in the dayes of the Son of Man They did eat they drank they married Wives they were given in marriage until the day that Noah entered into the Ark and the Flood came and destroyed them all The old World was very licentious and secure in the dayes of Noah though universal ruines and destruction were so neer yet it being a thing which was unseen they did not expect it nor take any care to prevent it It is said of Noah Heb. 11. 7. That by faith being warned of God of things not seen as yet moved with fear he prepared an Ark to the saving of his house By faith he knew that the Flood would come when there was no appearance of it nor possibility in regard of the ordinary way of the working of second causes he believed it because God who could effect it and who cannot lie had foretold it and therefore he prepared according to Gods direction this great Vessel to defend himself and Family and some living Creatures of every kinde against the Waters which he foresaw were coming upon the Earth but the ungodly World having no eye of faith could not discern this unseen thing it is most likely they heard often of it by Noah who was a Preacher of righteousness but they did not believe it therefore they did not expect it nor fear it nor prepare for it they are and drank and slept and sin'd as if no such thing had been coming upon them It is likely when they saw Noah build the Ark such a large and capacious Vessel on the dry Land that they scoffed at him and accounted him no better than a mad-man as we should do a Man that should build a Ship on the top of a Mountain and expect that Waters should come up thither and waft it away But when the dayes of a hundred and twenty years which the Lord had appointed the old World to continue after his threatning of their destruction were expired when the decree had brought forth and the year of Gods recompence was come and the day of his fierce anger wherein he sent the Flood upon the Earth O the terrour and amazement which did surprize the secure sinners of the World at that time when the Windows of Heaven were opened from above out of which God looked forth upon sinners with such a furious countenance and poured forth his anger in such streames of water and the Fountains of the great deep were opened from beneath and the Flood began to arise and lift up the head and swell about them when the Valleys were filled with running Waters and the Plains were covered as if they had been a Sea when this enemy did combine so many Forces together having a Commission from God to destroy and strengthned it self on every side and environed these rebellious sinners round about and assailed them in every quarter when not only smaller Cortages were overturned but also the streames brake in with irresiftible force upon the strongest and greatest edifices when great Doors were lifted off of their hinges or broken to pieces and the Water like a Thief climbed in at the Windows and roaring all about with a hideous noise pursued those which fled from it following them up stairs even to the highest room until it had overtaken them and devoured them without mercy think what a hurry and affright the World was in at that time how every one shifted for himself if possible to preserve himself from the fury of this Conqueror how they forsook the lower grounds and flocked together to the Hill-Countreys in great haste leaving their substance behinde them with a sad heart how they were drenched with the Rain from Heaven and wet to the skin as they went along and scarcely were able to take breath the stormes was so impetuous about them and when they perceived the Flood to beset the highest Mountains whither some of them were fled and upon the top of which some of them had climbed hoping it may be that they had got unto an inaccessible place that the billows were mounting towards them now the whole World seeth their death and ruine to be inevitable that there was no contending with no resisting or flying from these armed Waters which God had sent to execute his vengeance upon them for their sins we may imagine something of the horrible perplexitie of their
and secretly tell any of you that you are in the number of those persons whom the Lord will condemn at the last day and sentence unto Hell methinks it should make you startle and look about you methinks it should make your hair stand an end and every joynt to tremble methinks it should fill you with fear and imprint such trouble upon your spirits as would damp all your earthly comforts and delights to confider the danger which ye are in by reason of sinâ— the guilt of which doth still lie upon you Every word of this Doctrine is awakening 1 Awake sinners awake Christ will appear to judgment Christ will appear whom you have read of and heard of and have had frequent proffers of but could never be prevailed to accept of Christ will appear in his glory in whom you could see no beauty or desirableness Christ will appear as a Iudge whom you might have had for your Saviour Sinners the Judge of the whole world will appear and can you sleep under the guilt of sin He will be a most glorious powerful wise holy righteous strict furious inexorable Judge as hath been shown from p. 65. to p. 73. and yet are you secure and fearless you have heard God's terrible voice in the City and that hath not awakened you and will not Christ's appearance to Judgment awaken you neither You have been asleep under the sound of temporal judgments and can you sleep under the thoughts of the last judgment when the punishment which shall then be inflicted will be eternal 2. Awake sinners awake Christ will certainly appear to Judgment if there were only a peradventure of Christs coming to Judgment methinks it should awaken the guilty but when there is a certainty of it how should it awaken you as certainly as God is true as certainly as the Scriptures are his Word as certainly as you are creatures and sinners so certainly will the Lord Jesus Christ appear to judge the ungodly World for sin at the last day England hath of late been under the stroke of several temporal Judgments and England is in danger of further and greater calamities God may put a more bitter Cup into our hands to drink than yet we have tasted of the danger of which should awaken secure sinners because they cannot promise to themselves any shelter at such a time yet there is a possibility that the Lord may be entreated to spare and put up his Sword and prevent our ruine which we have deserved but the day of Judgment is most certain God who cannot change hath decreed it God who cannot lie hath revealed it the iniquities of the World which are great do call for it therefore it must be the day will certainly come and yet can you sleep in sin If a Thief knew after he had robbed his neighbour that he should certainly be taken and judged and condemned and punâ—shed it would affright him you may know that Christ will certainly come to judgment and that all guilty sinners shall be brought forth and condemned and should not this awaken you especially since if you sleep on your damnation and eternal punishment will be certain 3. Awake sinners awake Christ will quickly appear to Judgment The coming of the Lord draweth nigh the Judge standeth at the Door the Lord will suddenly come down when you least expect it the Lord may be here and can you sleep when the appearance of Christ is so sure and so neer too can you slumber when your judgment lingreth not and your damnation slumbreth not If the day of general Judgment should be protracted for some time longer until all the Elect be gathered and the things foretold in the â—ord be fulfilled yet your time for preparation may be almost spent you may suddenly go down into your Graves where there is no operation and can you sleep in sin when you are liable every day to the stroke of death which will cut you off from all opportunities of making your peace with God for ever and deliver you up at the last day into the hands of the Judge under the same guilt as it found you when it first laid its arrest upon you 4. Awake sinners awake when Christ doth appear yee also shall appear when Christ is descended from Heaven yee shall be raised from the Earth you shall be awakened out of the sleep of death and will not you be awakened out of the sleep of sin If there were any hopes that by getting into your Graves before this day you could hide your selves and lie buried there for ever you might be the more secure but when your death is not more certain than your resurrection will be when the appearing of Christ to judgment is not more certain than your appearance on that day to be judged you have reason to shake off sleep and bethink your selves how you are provided Death will be terrible to you if it come with the sting of sin in its mouth if it shoot its poisoned arrowes into you but your resurrection will be a thousand fold more dreadful if you awake at the last day with the guilt of sin in your consciences Sinners think what terrours will invade you when you are raised out of your Graves when you first lift up your heads and eyes to Heaven and see the Lord Jesus Christ the glorious Judge of the World come down with millions of mighty Angels cloathed with vengeance like flames of Fire and look down with a furious countenance upon you when in your rising you hear the sound of the Trumper and such a shout given in the aire as will make a louder noise than if twenty thousand great pieces of Ordnance were shot off together just before you when you have a summons given you and you are dragged with the rest of the damned crew which have lived in all ages of the World to the Tribunal Seat of Jesus Christ O how will you quiver and tremble and be filled with confusion then and yet can you sleep securely now as if you were not at all concerned 5. Awake sinners awake when Christ doth appear you shall be judged by him Then the Books will be opened where all your actions are recorded then your sins now it may be forgotten and slighted will be called to remembrance and your secret sins which now you are ashamed of will then be made manifest before the whole World your old sins will be reviewed your old uncleanness your old drunkenness your old unrighteousness and you will be made to hear of all your sins past and gone many years before in such a manner as shall make your eares to tingle your hearts to quake and tremble and when Gods justice shall arraign you and the Devil accuse you and your conscience shall bear witness against you and the Lord Jesus Christ shall pronounce the Sentence upon you Depart from me yee cursed into everlasting Fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels and the Saints it may
you into Hell into the Ocean of Gods wrath and can you secure your selves a moment from the stroke of death when you are most secure may not death be most neer when you think you shall live many years to eat and drink and take your pleasure like the rich fool in the Gospel may not deatâ— knock at your door that night and break in upon you and fetch away your bodies to the grave and Devils drag your souls to Hell Awake then before you sleep the sleep of death awake out of the sleep of sin think with yoâ— selves this night we may be in Hell and free â— rather bound in Chains of Darkness and horroâ— amongst the damned or to morrow we may bâ— in torments with Cain and Iudas with the Devâ—â— and his Angels and therefore give not sleep 〈◊〉 your eyes nor slumber to your eye-lids until yoâ— have redeemed your selves out of the snare of thâ— Devil and sin as a Bird out of the snare of thâ— Fowler or a Roe out of the hand of the hunter 4. Sinners consider the everlastingness of yoâ— punishment in Hell when your Souls are onâ— in they shall never come forth until they 〈◊〉 brought forth unto the last Judgment at Christs aâ—pearance and when soul and body are joyneâ— and sentenced to this place of torment and thruâ— into it the Door will be shut upon you and yoâ— will be locked in so that it will be impossible sâ— you to get forth for ever your bodies as well 〈◊〉 souls will be immortal and the Fire of Hell wiâ— be everlasting those flames will never be quencâ—ed and your torments will never be ended whâ—â— you have been ten thousand times ten thousaâ—â— millions of years in Hell it will not bear the pâ—â—â—portion of a moment of time to the unmeasuâ—rable space of Eternity in which you must be tormented for sin your punishment will alwayes be in the beginning of it never never never will it come to a conclusion nor your to any hopes of it as long as God lives and Heaven continues which will be for evermore so long will Hell continue and you abide in extremity of torments without any possibility of release and deliverance Awake sinners awake think how horrible the thoughts of Eternity in Hell will be Extremity and Eternity will be the great aggravation of your misery methinks the danger of such torment should fill you with such fear and terrour that nothing should be able to remove until you had secured your selves by an interest in him who alone can deliver from the wrath to come and yet can you be secure when you are in the greatest danger Awake think whether the pleasures of sin for a season are to be compared with the eternal torâ—ments of Hell or the uncertain treasures of Earth with the eternal store of Gods wrath or the empty vanishing wordly honour with the exceeding and everlasting weight of misery which the damned shall sink under in Hell If any sleepy sinners begin to startle with such thunder-claps of Judgment and being unwilling to part with their sins feel their hearts to rise within them against the message and Messengers for thrusting such harsh things into their eares for molesting their spirits and disturbing the peace which they have hitherto had in their sinful way cannot Ministers let us alone will they be called to an account for us will they suffer for us and why do they thus affright us with Peales of Judgment Beloved we Ministers are set as Watchmen to sound the Trumpet and warn you of Judgment which if we should neglect to do your blood would be required at our hands Ezek. 33. from the 1. vers to theâ—â— 1. And we shall be called to an account for the Souls committed to our charge Heb. 13. 17. And therefore having notice given us by God in his Word of the coming of Christ to judge and punish the ungodly World at the last day and knowing the terrour of the Lord how terrible the day of Judgment will be unto you if you be found amongst the ungodly and how terrible the day will be unto us if we be sound unfaithful to your souls we warn you and perswade you to flee from the wrath to come and can you blame us then for using harsh language when we cannot omit it without danger to our selves and your souls when otherwise we cannot be faithful to you nor to our Master who hath sent us to declare these things we might indeed like some slaâ—ter you and sooth you up in a way of sin we might speak smooth things unto you and prophesie deceits but what advantage would it be unto you to be deceived if you were pleased with us and did commend us here I am sure you would curse us for our unfaithfulness hereafter Sinners it is not cruelty but pitty and mercy to shoot the sharp arrows of Gods threatnings into your consciences it is not out of hatred but tender love to your souls that we endeavour to thrust the sword of the spirit into your bosomes that if possible we might wound sin to the heart and fetch forth the blood thereof as it were which if it still live in you will be your ruine Christ will certainly and quickly be here and when he doth appear we shall appear to be judged and is it not good you should know it before hand that you might be prepared If any be so awakened by this Doctrine concerning Christs coming to Judgment that they begin to feel a sting and wound in their spirits and are so perplexed with fear of being condemned for their sins which their consciences do accuse them of that they know not what to do yet are willing to take any course to prevent their ruine and those dreadful miserics which they are in danger of at that day I shall speak unto such by way of Counsel and Exhortation 3. For the Exhortation of Sinners Will the Lord Jesus Christ certainly and quickly appear to Judgment there are two things I would exhort sinners unto that they may escape the wrath of God which on that day will be revealed and inflicted upon all the wicked of the Earth 1. Flee from Sin 2. Flee unto Christ If you would flee from wrath and Hell Or 1. Repent of Sin 2. Get an interest in Christ. And then you may be able to stand with confidence before the Son of Man at his appearance yea whatever your sins be now do these two things effectually and when Christ doth appear you also shall appear with him in glory 1. Sinners repent of sin Acts 17. 30 31. God commandeth all Men every where to repent this is a duty which God requires of all Because he hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the World in righteousness c. This is the Argument to enforce the duty It is your duty to repent because you have sinned and God commandeth you to do it and it is your interest and
extream but also you will have no eye to pittie you God will not pittie you in the least but laugh at your calamitie his bowels will be shut against you your grief then will not be pleasing in the least and your cries and complaints of sin then will be like the howling of a Dog in his eares He will then instead of meeting you to embrace you he will meet you to destroy you instead of speaking kindly to you he will speak to you in his wrath and vexe you in his hot displeasure Angels and Saints will then turn from you and Devils will drag you with them into torments 3. If you repent of sin now you may obtain thâ— pardon of sin I will surely have mercy on him saith the Lord concerning repenting Ephraim Jer. 31 20. He that confesseth his sins that is with repentance so as not only to grieve for them but also to leave and for sake them shall finde mercy Prov. 28. 13. Yea God hath promised abundantly 〈◊〉 pardon such as forsake their evil wayes and by repentance turn to him Isa. 55. 7. and if sinners ceasâ— to do evil and learn to do well that though their sinâ— be as scarlet they shall be white as snox though they be red like Crimson they shall be as wool Isa. 1. 16 17 18. And not only his mercy but also his justice and faithfulnesse is engaged to pardon such as acknowledge their sins with repentance and apply themselves to him by faith 1 Ioh. 1. 9. If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness The Door of mercy is now open to all true penitents and the golden Scepter of Grace and Reconciliation is helâ— forth unto them the Lord Jesus Christ is now interceding at the right hand of God ready to make their peace with God but if you do not repent until hereafter a pardon will be unattainable there will remain no sacrifice for sin then the day of grace will be quite spent and the Door of mercy will be fast shut then Jesus Christ will have finished his interceding work and it will be impossible to obtain remission 4. If you repent of sin now you may get strength against sin you shall be delivered from the reigning power of sin presently and you shall be freed from the rage and tyranny of sin by degrees and at the last you shall obtain a perfect freedome from the being of sin and be wholly delivered from the bondage of corruption But if you do not repent until hereafter you will for ever abide under the power of sin you will not only be tormented in Hell but also be for ever sinning in Hell 5. If you repent of sin now you will escape the panishment of sin I do not speak of some temporal calamities which God may exercise his people withall in this World but you shall assuredly be kept from the eternal punishment of Hell which shall be inflicted upon the ungodly World but if you do not repent of sin until hereafter your punishment will be unavoidable no cries nor teares will then save you from the torments of Hell which you will be condemned unto now you are condemned for sin whilst unbelievers but in this World the sentence is reversible you may fly from the Bar of justice to the Throne of Grace and if with repentance and faith you apply your selves unto Jesus Christ he will deliver you from the wrath to come and free you from condemnation but hereafter when the Lord Jesus Christ shall appear unto Judgment and summon you and examine you and finde you guilty and pass sentence upon you to depart into everlasting Fire this sentence will be irreversible and your repentance will be too late to procure freedome from or the least mitigation of your punishment 6. If you repent of sin now your grief will be but for a time for a season a short time a few dayes a night a moment a short moment 1 Pet 1. 6. Rev. 2. 10. Psal. 30. 5. Isa. 54. 6 7. Weeping may endure for a night â—ut joy cometh in the morning God will not permit you to weep and grieve for sin long it is not a life of grief which he calleth you unto but a life of faith and love it is not grief for it self which he requireth but in order unto your comfort and therefore it shall not be of long continuance your grief for sin doth make way for spiritual comforts for the joyes of the holy Ghost which after sorrowing times the Lord doth often give in abundantly unto his Children in this World in which they finde incomparably more sweetness than ever they could finde sweetness in sin or bitterness in sorrow they have pleasures of a higher and more transcendenâ— nature be sure your grief for sin will make way for your everlasting joyes in Heaven where all teares shall be wiped away from your eyes and all sorrow and sighing shall be removed from your hearts and you shall obtain gladnesse unspeakable and everlasting But if you do not repent until hereafter as the pleasures which you finde in sin will be but for a season and your tryumphing but short Death be sure will put a conclusion unto all so your grief for sin then will be long the daies of darknesse and sorrow will be many yea your grief will be eternal Repent then sinners repent Christ will come certainly to judgment therefore repent truly and Christ will come quickly to judgment therefore repent speedily Protract not the time endeavour presently without any further delay Considering 1. Your particular judgment may be suddenly and the time of your preparation may be spent quickly You may be within a few moneths or weeks or daies yea it may be within a few houres smitten by Deaths arrows and there will be no place for repentance and preparation in the other world 2. If you defer your repentance it is a thousand to one that you never repent as long as you live If your life should continue many yeares because not one in a thousand that defer their repentance do afterwards repent there are millions in hell that lived under the light of the Gospel who intended to repent but were prevented by death before they were aware and it is a thousand to one if you defer any longer but ere long you will be received into their number have not you deferred your repentance before this till such a time and such a time and yet when such times have come again and again have you not deferred it still and will not your deceitful hearts still finde as plausible excuses till it be too late Remember this sinners that it is a thousand to one but you will be damned if you any longer defer your repentance 3. The longer you defer your repentance the more difficult will you finde the work to be because you will be the faster bound in Sathans chains and not so
easily loosned because you will be the faster asleep in sin and not so easily awakened because your hearts will grow the harder by the Jong practice of sin and not so easily broken because your sins will be the more encreased which you must repent of because your time will be the more decreased which you are to repent in so that if it should come to passe which is a thousand to one that you should repent after procrstination or deferring repentance yet you will finde the work to be very difficult 4. Think what glory you may bring to God what service you may do if you repent and reform presently all which time whilest you defer repentance is spent in the service of the Devil and your own lusts unto the dishonour of God 5. Think what measures of grace and comfort you may attain here and what degrees of glory you may attain hereafter if you repent without delay which by deferring the work you are like to lose 6. If you defer Repentance it is a question whether your last repentance will be true and if it should be true it is a question whether ever you shall obtain the evidence of the truth thereof 7. And lastly If you defer your repentance God may never call you to repentance Yea he may give you up to a judiciary hardnesse and seal you up unto condemnation swearing in his wrath that you shall never enter into his Rest. Thus much for the exhortation of Sinners to repent 2. Sinners will the Lord Iesus Christ certainly and quickly appear to judgment be perswaded then to flee to him and get an interest in him before his appearance I am sure that there is none of you but would be glad of an interest in Christ when he cometh in his glorie to judge the world the vilest persons upon the earth those who despise and reject Christ now those who hate and scorn the wayes of godlinesse as being too mean a way for their high spirits would give ten thousand worlds if they had them for the room of the meanest Believers who have an interest in Christ at that day But let me tell you sinners that this world is the onely place and this time while the day of Grace doth last is the onely time of obtaining such a priviledge as this is if you have not an interest in Christ whilst you live it will be impossible to obtain it after death or at the resurrection If you are none of Christs now he will not know you nor own you at the day of his glorious Appearance 1. Get an interest in Christ as your high Priest and Advocate Be sensible of your sins be assured of his death for sin and satisfaction to Gods justice Be perswaded of his intercession at the right hand of God and that he is able and willing to save you apply your selves to him that through him you may obtain remission of sins and an inheritance amongst the Saints and if through the mediation of Christ now you obtain a pardon of all your sins here how welcome will your Redeemer be unto you and with what joy will you lift up your heads out of your graves when the day of your Redemption and perfect Salvation is come and your Saviour doth appear to take vengeance upon unpardoned sinners but shall own and acquit you before the whole world 2. Get Christ to be your Master Enter your selves amongst his Servants and Disciples submit to his Teachings learn his Lessons believe and obey his Commands follow his Example promote his honour and interest in the world be readie to do or suffer any thing for him and when your Lord and Master cometh in his glorie you will finde that it was not in vain to serve him though in wayes harsh and grating to flesh and blood O what a Reward will be give then to his Servants What a crown of glorie will he put upon their heads It is a sweet encouraging Promise which Christ hath made now and will make good to all his faithfull servants at that day Iohn 12. 26. If any man serve me let him follow me and where I am there shall my servant be if any man serve me him will my Father honour 3. Get Christ to be your Husband Sinners We Ministers are sent to invite and wooe you to enter into this most near and sweet Relation unto Jesus Christ we are to tell you of the beautie and excellencie of his Person of his Love and tender affection to poor sinners of his willingness to be yours and to make you sharers in his riches O accept of him it is the best motion that ever was made to you and it may be the laft motion accept of Christ to be your husband lay off your filthy Garments put on the white Robes of his righteousness joyn your hearts to him divorse your selves from sin and dedicate your selves unto Christ alone and if Christ be your husband O how joyful will his appearance be unto you when you shall see his glorious face and sweet smiles and be received into his embracements and be carried by him into his Fathers house where you shall live with and delight in his loves for evermore 4. Get Christ to be your Captain list your selves under his banner wear his Colours arme your selves with his Weapons follow his conduct fight against his Enemies endure hardness as good Souldiers and do not shrink when you are put upon the tryal and if you have an interest in this Captain and be victorious here over your spiritual enemies when your Captain doth ride in Triumph at the last day you shall be caught up into the Clouds and Triumph with him and receive a Crown of Glory from him which fadeth not away Sinners get an interest in Christ in all his Offices in all his Relations it is he only can save you from sin and wrath and eternal death It would be too large a subject here to treat of salvation by Christ and the way of attaining it I may God giving leave hereafter treat purposely on some words whereby we may be saved from Acts 11. 14. He shall tell thee words whereby thou and thy House shall be saved which I thought to have added to the end of this with some words of advice unto young Men from 1 Ioh. 2. part of the 14. vers I have written unto you young Men because yee are strong and the Word of god abideth in you and yee have overcome the wicked one All which I did indeed at the first inteâ—a to have joyned together in one small Volume with God's terrible voice in the City but thoughts have so multiplyed in putting them into writing that I am even forced to separate them into three parts which I thought at first the room of one would hold CHAP. XIV HAving spoken to Sinners I come now to speak 2. To Believers and that in two words 1. For the Tryal of them 2. For the comforting of them 1. For
ravished with transporting joy which no heart now can conceive 5. Rejoyce believers rejoyce when Christ dâ—â— appear yee shall be judged by him yee shall not be condemned by him but yee shall be judged by him your advocate will be your judge Who shall then lay any thing to your charge God will then justify you who then shall condemn you Christ will acquit and absolve you You will openly be declared righteous on that day through the righteousness of Jesus Christ which here hath been imputed to you Christ will own you then for his redeemed people whom he hath purchased with his own blood then all your works of mercy will be made mention of all your services of Christ in the World will be had in remembrance all your graces will be taken notice of and the Lord will kindly accept of the improvement of the smallest talents which he hath intrusted you withall Well done good and faithfull Servants yee have been faithful in a few things enter into the joy of your Lord Matth. 25. 21. And if you have been persecuted for righteousness sake if you have been imprisoned banished reproached and greatly afflicted for Christs sake if you have left Father Mother Wife Children Houses Lands yea and have laid down your lives for the testimony of Jesus and that you might keep a good conscience think what entertainment the Lord Jesus will give to you at that time and O how will you rejoyce that the Lord should confer so great honour and dignity upon you as to call you forth and enable you to suffer for his name and think how sweetly the sentence which Christ shall pronounce upon you will sound in your eares Come yee blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the World 6. Rejoyce Believers rejoyce when Christ doth appear he will reward you he will give you a crown of glory which fadeth not away he will not only judge and sentence you to inherit the Kingdome of Heaven but he will receive you into the Kingdome he will give you possession thereof he will carry you along with him unto glory he will lead you and bring you into the new Ierusalem he will show you the Father unto your full satisfaction and you shall behold his glory and share in it he will put you into those mansions which he hath prepared for you Then and never till then shall you be perfectly happy and the fore-thoughts of this is matter of exceeding great comfort especially if you consider these four properties of Heavens happiness 1. Believers consider the greatness of the happiness of Heaven it will be full and you will be filled therewith unto your utmost capacity yea beyond what here you are capable of consider these particulars in your happiness of Heaven 1. Think what bodies you will have they will be most beautiful and glorious bodies they will be most healthful strong and immortal bodies you will then bear the image of the Heavenly Adam in regard of your bodies as well as in regard of your souls Rejoyce then believers rejoyce what though some of you have crooked and deformed bodies now what though some of you are blinde or lame or maimed or have your bodies filled with irksome pains and weakned with long sickness what though you live in expectation of death and these bodies whatever their mold and shape be must ere long be carried to the cold stinking grave and be turned into putrefaction yet rejoice you that are believers because your bodies will be made so glorious in the resurrection when all blemishes of nature will be healed and all sickness and pain will be removed because they will be raised in incorruption and freed from any more dominion of death for ever 2. Think what Souls you shall have you will be glorious without your bodies will shine but you will be far more glorious within your souls will shine much more then your souls shall be washed clean from all remainders of sin so that they shall not have the least spot or stain then you shall be cleansed from all filthiness of flesh and spirit and arrive unto perfection of holiness then the feeds of grace will be grown up into the flowers of glory and O what a fragrant garden will your souls be when the rude draught as it were of Christ here in your hearts shall be finished and perfected by Gods Pensil and your spirits shall be made perfectly like unto your glorious Lord O how beautiful will they be in the eyes of God! Rejoice then believers rejoice it grieveth you when you look within you and perceive so much remaining defilement when you feel such strong opposition of the flesh against the spirit and you finde your selves sometimes foiled thereby your weaknesses and infirmities trouble you but rejoyce believers because in Heaven you will be perfectly freed from sin you will never be foiled nor defiled with it any more but you will be made perfectly holy and perfectly happy 3. Think what habitations ye shall have you shall have Mansions in the Fathers house Joh. 14. 2. A building of God a house not made with hands eternal in the Heavens 2 Cor. 5. 1. your persons will be glorious and your habitations will be glorious Rejoyce then believers rejoyce what though some of you live in poor and mean cottages then you shall live in the glorious Pallace of the King of Kings what though your houses have been burned with fire and some of you have not where to lay your head and none of you have a certain dwelling place which you can secure to your selves yet rejoyce because there are Mansions provided for you out of which it will be impossible for you to be burned or turned out for ever The City which is above hath foundations which cannot be over turned and the building of God which is not made with hands cannot be destroyed by hands neither is exposed to flames of fire which may demolish the fairest City in the world 4. Think what Company you shall have you shall have the presence of the Father you shall dwell with the Lord Jesus Christ and the Spirit of God will dwell in you for ever you shall have the company of holy Angels and all the glorified Saints all your companions will be most lovely and glorious Rejoyce then believers rejoyce what though wicked men separate you from their company and think you unworthy of their fellowship God will not think you unworthy of his fellowship nor separate you from his presence what though some of you are forced to dwell in Meseck and are linked in neer relations to some ungodly persons and are every day vexed with their ungodly conversation Rejoyce for in Heaven you will be freed from such company no wicked person will be permitted to come into that place 5. Think what Treasures you shall have you shall have Treasures which cannot be corrupted by moth nor stoln by thief your riches