A DISCOVERIE OF THE VVorld to Come According to the SCRIPTURES The first Part thereof being Didactical or such as contains a Form of Positive Doctrine WHEREIN 1. The Doctrine of the World to come is propounded explicated confirmed and applyed in a more familiar method then formerly hath been observed 2. The Doctrine of Millenaries touching a New Reformed Church in the latter Times which they call A New World is confuted 3. Sundry passages of holy Writ are interpreted in reference to the World to come which have been formerly wrested and forced in a wrong sense Written by J. SEAGER M. A. and Minister of Broadclist in the County of Devon LONDON Printed by J. Macock for Luke Fawne and are to be sold at his shop at the sign of the Parrot in Pauls Church-yard 1650. TO The Parishoners of Broadclist Grace and Peace be Multiplyed BEloved in the Lord It is now full eighteen years since that I was placed by the hand of Providâ—nce as a Spirituall Pastor amongst you upon the death of Mr. Robert Stennings three years of which time I was forced by the violence of Souldiers to absent my self from you these three years only excepted I have been constantly with you and as the Lord hath given me much health and strength of nature amongst you so I have spent much of that strength in my private studdies and publick imployments for you In witness whereof I can yet produce diverse volumes of Sermons written by me and published amongst you but I account this needless seeing you your selves can witnesse enough as touching this matter I will not compare my self with other Spirituall Labourers in Gods Vineyard for I know that they have received some of them ten talents some five some two yet this I may safely say that I have not hid my Masters one talent in a napkin but have improved it with diligence for the advancement of his glory and truth amongst you Wherefore after so long a time it concerns you all to enquire how ye have profited by my Ministry for be ye well assured that after so much spirituall husbandry as hath been used amongst you in plowing sowing planting and wattering the Lord will expect a plentiful crop of saving knowledge and obedience from you For my part I am prone to think the best of you as indulgent fathers are wont to think of their children I acknowledge that diverse of your friends and allies have dyed in my time whose life was precious and whose death was comfortable unto me and I hope to be better acquainted with them in the world to come then ever I was in this world I ac-acknowledge also that there are diverse now living amongst you of whom I am perswaded such things as accompany Salvation that they do sincerely love God and his truth and have not received the Grace of God nor the word of his grace in vain and my prayer for such is That they may persevere in grace unto the end holding fast the pattern of wholsome words which they have received and may never suffer themselves to be drawn away with the error of the wicked and so fal from their own stedfastness And I must needs acknowledge a third sort amongst you whom I have hitherto apprehended as proud contemners of the Word of God in my Ministery I pray God to give them Repentance unto life that they may recover themselves out of the snare oâ— the devil and may obtain pardon for this sin before their death otherwise I tremble to think how hard it wil be with them in the great day of the Lord Christ when they shall be accountable for every good Sermon and for every wholesome truth which they have thus contemned and trampled under their feet And now my beloved being desirous before my death to leave among you some token and testimonie of my love towards you I have published this Treatise which I call A Discovery of the VVorld to come some matters herein contained have been delivered in the open Congregation and here your eyes may see what your eares have heard yea here your eyes may see more then yet your eares have heard from me or from any other as I suppose touching this subject I am perswaded in my conscience of the truth of such grounds as are here delivered and my own soul hath felt the comfort of them for which cause I am the more hopefull that the same grounds may proove usefull and beneficiall unto others You may perceive with your eyes that I have not studdied strong lines and lofty expressions in this work but have endeavoured in plain and familiar termes to unfold a great Mystery unto you I do not herein perswade you to seek and search after the knowledge of this present world and the things hereof neither do I herein perswade you to love this present world and the things hereof you are by nature prone enough unto these things but hereby I do perswade and intreate you to study the knowledge of the world to come and to be better acquainted with the Doctrine hereof then yet you are because I apprehend this as a choyce part and high degree of saving knowledge and that which will profit you more at the last then all earthly treasures whatsoever and I am perswaded it is for want of this part of saving knowledge that many errours in these latter times are so readily entertained an assented unto In brief you have here a price put into your hands by Gods providence the Lord give you hearts to make a good use of it and if at any time I shall perceive this first part of my Discovery to be acceptable and useful to the Church of God I shal forthwith if the Lord shal permit studdy to conceive a Second Part and as soon as I shall have conceived it I shall be in travel to bring it forth to publick view In the interim I commend you to God and the Word of Grace which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance amongst all them that are sanctified Your Servant in such matters as concerns your eternal good John Seager The Contents AN Introduction Sect. I. Shewing That none should be grosly ignorant of the World to come as touching the Nature of it Sect. II. Shewing That the World to come considered as a Country or a Continent is to be distinguished from the third Heaven Sect. III. Shewing That the World to come shall have no Being before this present evil world shall be dissolved but shall begin immediately thereupon Sect. IV. Touching the Nature of the World to come considered as a Continent Sect. V. Touching the second Coming of Christ in the Flesh Sect. VI. Touching the last Resurrection Sect. VII Touching the last Judgment Sect. VIII Touching the Personal-Humane Kingdom of Christ in the World to come Sect. IX Touching the different Conditions of good and evil Angels in the World to come Sect. X. Touching the blessed Condition of Gods Elect
illustrated in the Gospel by the separation of goats from sheep Mat. 25. 32. as also by the severing of the bad fish from the good Mat. 13. 49. Now by reason of this everlasting separation of theirs from all Union and Communion with God with Christ and the Saints they shall never have any experience of Gods Goodness Mercy and Love towards them in Christ Neither shall they ever have any experience of the Saints favour and fellowship but shall still abide under the wrath of God And so this everlasting separation of theirs will be unto them an everlasting Death and this Death is called in Scripture the second Death Rev. 20. 6 14. because it shall follow immediately upon the destruction of the first death For the natural death of mankind which is the first death shall be destroyed at the general Resurrection and thereupon shall begin this the second Death It is called everlasting punishment Mat. 25. 46. because it shall be such a punishment to those that shall suffer it And it is called a lake of fire Rev. 20. 14 everlasting fire Mat. 25. 41. everlasting burnings Isai 33. 14. because all that shall suffer it shall be everlastingly tormented with it as it were with fire Thus we may understand the Nature of thiâ— Death Secondly Touching the Certainty of it I affirm That Reprobates shall most certainly suffer this everlasting Death in the World to come As may be made good by these Arguments 1. They who shall not have their names found in the Book of Life shall suffer everlasting Death in the World to come Rev. 20. 15. But Reprobates shall not have their names found in the Book of Life Ergo. 2. They that are appointed unto wrath shall suffer everlasting Death in the World to come But Reprobates are appointed unto wrath 1 Thes 5. 9. Ergo. 3. They that are vessels of wrath shall suffer everlasting Death in the World to come But Reprobates are vessels of wrath Rom. 9. 22. Ergo. 4. They that will never beleeve effectually shall dye in the guilt of their sins and so suffer everlasting Death in the World to come John 8. vers 24. But Reprobates will never beleeve effectually Ergo. 5. They that will never unfeignedly repent and so turn from their evil ways shall suffer everlasting Death in the World to come as may appear Ezek. 3. 19. 18. 20. But Reprobates will never unfeignedly repent and so turn from their evil ways Ergo. 6. They that will Apostatize and grow worse and worse shall suffer everlasting Death in the World to come as may appear Ezek. 3. 20. 18. 24. But Reprobates will still Apostatize and grow worse and worse 2 Tim. 3. 13. Ergo. 7. They that will still hate wholesom reproof shall suffer eternal Death in the World to come according to that of Solomon He that hateth reproof shall dye Prov. 15. 10. But Rebrobates will still hate reproof while they shall remain here Ergo. 8. They that will still and finally be wicked persons shall suffer eternal Death in the World to come according to that of the Lord O wicked man thou shalt surely dye Ezek. 33. 8. But Reprobates will still and finally be wicked persons Ergo. 9. They that will still despise Gods Ways and Commandments shall be sure to suffer everlasting Death in the World to come as Solomon saith He that despiseth his Ways shall dye Prov. 19. 16. But Reprobates will still thus do while they shall remain in this world Ergo. Thirdly Touching the Causes of it I affirm 1. That the Efficient Cause of this their Death shall be the whole Trinity God Father Son and Holy Ghost For it is said concerning wicked Reprobates That God hath prepared for them the instruments of death Psal 7. 13. And that he will kill their children with death Rev. 2 23. And if the whole Trinity will do this then it is the whole Trinity that shall inflict eternal Death upon Reprobates in the World to come 2. That the Meritorious Cause hereof is and shall be sin for sin only and every sin in its own nature deserves death both temporal and eternal as it is written Death entred by sin Rom. 5. 12. The wages of sin is death Rom. 6. 23. The Soul that sinneth shall dye Ezek. 18. 20. And though it be true that all such as have or shall have their sins pardoned through Christ shall escape eternal Death notwithstanding the desert of their sin yet it is most certain that Reprobates shall suffer this Death in the World to come even for their sin as the Meritorious Cause thereof and then they shall acknowledg that every sin of theirs hath brought this Death upon them 3. That the Final Cause of it shall be the Glory of Gods Justice for he shall punish them with everlasting Death that he may manifest the Glory of his Justice upon them and that all men may see his Righteousness This latter Proposition may inform us as before 1. That it had been good for Reprobates if they Vse had never been born for if they had never been born they could never have suffered everlasting Death But now seeing they have been are or shall be al born this death shall seize upon them 2. That it will be worse with such in the World to come then it can be with them in this world for here they can suffer no other then a temporal death but hereafter they shall suffer eternal death not without cause but for their sins 3. That all men living in the body should take some speedy course for their own safety that they be preserved from eternal death for I know that none of us are willing to suffer this death with Reprobates in the World to come and the Word of God prescribes a way for the avoyding of it And therefore all should take this way or this course for their own safety and preservation Object But what course must we take for to preserve our selves from this eternal death Sol. First We must earnestly pray to have our sins pardoned as our Saviour hath taught us in his Prayer and this pardon of sin will preserve us from eternal death as may appear by that speech of Nathan to David God hath put away thy sin thou shalt not dye 2 Sam. 12. as if he had said Though thou mayst and must dye a temporal death yet thou shalt not dye an eternal death because God hath pardoned thy sin Secondly Because this pardon of sin cannot be obtained without a lively faith in Christ we must in the next place labour and pray for this faith and such a faith as this will preserve us from eternal death as may appear by that saying of Christ to Martha Whosoever liveth and beleeveth in me he shall not dye Joh. 11. 26. that is though he dye a temporal death yet he shall not an eternal death because he beleeveth in me Thirdly Because our faith cannot be good without repentance we must also labour for a
and the cursed Condition of Reprobates in the World to come more generally considered Sect. XI Touching the Salvation of Gods Elect and the Destruction of Reprobates in the World to come Sect. XII Touching the Life of Gods Elect and the Death of Reprobates in the World to come Sect. XIII Touching the Glory of Gods Elect and the Shame of Reprobates in the World to come Sect. XIV Touching the Honor of Gods Elect and the Contempt of Reprobates in the World to come Sect. XV. Touching the Liberty of Gods Elect and the Bondage of Reprobates in the World to come Sect. XVI Touching the Dominion of Gods Elect and the Slavery of Reprobates in the World to come Sect. XVII Touching the Riches of Gods Elect and the Poverty of Reprobates in the World to come Sect. XVIII Touching the Peace of Gods Elect and the Tribulation of Reprobates in the World to come Sect. XIX Touching the Light of Gods Elect and the Darkness of Reprobates in the World to come Sect. XX. Touching the Joy of Gods Elect and the Sorrow of Reprobates in the World to come Sect. XXI Touching the Security of Gods Elect and the Fear of Reprobates in the World to come A DISCOVERY OF THE World to Come An Introduction IT is well known of some That many learned men have written many learned Tractates concerning this corrupt World wherein we live In which they have discovered not only the whole Continent thereof which they call the Globe of Heaven and Earth but also severall Parts Countries and Occurrences belonging to the same who by this industry of theirs have deserved well of all Students and lovers of learning Wherefore it should not be thought presumption for me being a Minister of the Gospel though the least of many to discover in this Tractate such as it is my thoughts concerning the World to Come In as much as the world to come is a subject of transcent worth and excellencie far surpassing al that can be thought or spoken concerning this polluted world And it was wont to be thought as a vertue in any to have their minds much taken up about this Subject which being esteemed as a vertue in others should not be imputed as a vice unto me Now in this Treatise I intend to take the Sacred Scripture for my guide and to say no more herein then I shall conceive to be warranted thereby And seeing I have not as yet so much as heard or read of any writer that hath professedly made a Discovery of the World to come though many have written of the Heaven that now is it may not be expected that I should observe so exact a Method in this discourse as doubtless some after Writers may yet I intend to lay down my Meditations touching this subject in the same Order in which they have been represented to me and conceived by me SECTION I. Shewing That none should be grosty ignorant of the World to come as touching the nature of it THere be some things which a Christian may safely be ignorant of without any prejudice to his soul as on my part it is freely confessed That I know not God perfectly 1 Cor. 13. 9. I know not the minde of the Lord perfectly Rom. 11. 34. I know not the times and seasons which the father hath put in his own power Act. 1. 7. I know not the numericall day and hour of Christs second comming Mat. 25. 13. I know not the certain definite number of my particular sins Psal 19. 12. I know not the full power of Gods anger Psal 90. 11 Which ignorance being inavoydable on my part anâ— so no sin in me cannot be any way prejudiciall to my soul yet I do not think it safe for any to be grosly or perversly ignorant of the World to come as touching the nature of it Howbeit I conceive this ignorance to be too common amongst many Christian professors in these our days for do but ask many of them what the Scripture means by the World to come and either they will say We cannot tell or else they will say It means nothing else thereby but the third heaven or the highest heaven which now is and so they conceive no difference betwixt the world to come and the highest heaven And do but observe the discourses of many both in publike and in private when they speak of the World to come and you shall finde that they will never expresse distinctly what they mean by this subject from which answers and practises of theirs I thus infer within my self Surely these people have had some good thoughts in their minds concerning the World to come and they can speak much of divers things and occurrences which shall be in it but are still ignorant thereof as touching the nature of it And doubtlesse this ignorance hath been occasioâ—ed and is still continued and fomented by a misâ—â—ision or mis-understanding of divers such Scripture â—assages as do plainly describe unto us the nature of â—â—e World to come and as long as such passages are â—is-understood how can it be but that people â—â—ould be grosly ignorant of this subject Whereâ—ore I shal endeavour in the following Sections to gâ—ve a true interpretation of those forenamed scripâ—ure-passages as occasion shall be offered that so all â—ay be rightly informed touching the nature of this â—â—bject Mean while I affirm That none should be grossely A Position ignorant of the world to come as touching the nature of it but all should understand in some competent measure what the Scripture means by this subject and that for these Reasons First It cannot be denyed that the world to comâ— Reasons is often mentioned in the New Testament as in thesâ— passages Mat. 12. 32. Whosoever speaketh against the holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven him neitheâ— in this world neither in the world to come Mark 10. 30. He shall receive an hundred folâ— now in this time and in the world to comâ— eternall life Luk. 20. 34 35. The children of this world maâ—ry and are given in marriage but thâ— which shal be accounted worthy to obtain thâ— world and the resurrection from the deaâ—â— neither marry nor are given in marrage Eph. 1. 1. 21. Christ is far above every naâ—â— that is named not only in this world but aâ—â— in that which is to come Heb. 2. 5. Vnto the Angels hath he not put â— subjection the world to come Heb. 6. 5. They have tasted the good Word God and the powers of the world to come In all which places the world to come is not oâ— mentioned but also plainly asserted yea distinguiâ—â—ed from this polluted world And wherefore shoâ— it be so often mentioned in the New Testameâ—â— but for this end that all should rightly understâ—â—â— the nature of it Whatsoever things are thus wrâ—â—ten are written for our learning Rom. 15. 4. â— if so then none should be grosly or perversly ignorâ—â—â— of the nature of it Secondly Things revealed belong to
ears and turning their â—ars from the truth are turned unto fables There 2 Pet. 2. 2. â—re many that follow the pernicious ways of Seducers by reason of whom the way of truth is evil spoken of And there are many that are lovers of 2 Tim. 3. 2 3 4 5. their own selves covetous boasters proud blasphemers disobedient to parents unthankeful unholy without natural affection truce-breachers false accusers incontinent fierce despisers of those that are good traytors heady high-minded lovers of pleasures more then lovers of God having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof And as it is an evil world at this day by reason of sin so we may well expect that it shall grow worse and worse towards its end and dissolution because our Saviour hath said That towards the end iniquity shall abound and the love of many shall wax cold Mat. 24. 12. wherefore we may well acknowledg this present world to be evil in respect of sin The second thing which proves this present world to be evil is pain or punishment whereof also there is much to be found and as long as a man lives in this world his flesh upon him shall have pain and his soul within him shall mourn Job 14. 22. Sin and punishment are as the cause and the effect as the mother and the daughter the one leads the way the other drags after the one makes men merry for the present the other makes them mourn afterward and as all men living have sinned so they do all suffer for their sin more or less in one kind or other only with this difference those pains which are suffered by Gods Elect in this world are truly said to be castigatory and such as do prepare them for eternal Salvation but those which are suffered by the rest are truly said to be vindicatory and such as do prepare them for eternal wrath And the pains of this life are either inward such as are inflicted upon the Soul or inward man or else outward such as are inflicted upon the body or outward estate of man But if any desire to have a particular accompt of the pains of this life he must hear and observe the several plaints and cries of all particular persons and so you shall have one to cry out Oh my head another Oh my eye another Oh my tooth another Oh my heart another Oh my back another Oh my bones another Oh my bowels another Oh my thigh another Oh my foot You shall have one to complain of the Fever another of the Plurisie another of the Dropsie another of the Palsie another of the Stone another of the Strangury another of the Gout You shall hear one bewail his corporal blindness another his deafness another his lameness another his poverty another his oppression another his losses another his imprisonment another his banishment And perchance you shall have another say The graves are ready for me and the pains of death or the pains of Hell are upon me Thus lust when it hath conceived bringeth forth sin and sin when it is finished bringeth forth death Jam. 1. 15. Yea not only man himself doth thus suffer for his sin in this world but also other creatures do suffer pain for mans sake and the whole Creation is in pain and groans to be delivered from that bondage of corruption which the sin of man hath brought upon it Rom. 8. Now all pain or punishment is evil in its own nature Mat. 6. 13. That which helps to make the days of our pilgrimage to be few and evil Gen. 47. 9. And all the days of the afflicted are evil Prov. 15. 15. And consequently this present world that hath so much pain or punishment in it must needs be evil in this respect And if here it should be asked Whether the latter days of this world shall not be better then the former and more free from pain and punishment My Answer should be I think they shall not because our Savior hath foretold us of many painful evils that shall happen towards the end of this world as of Wars and rumours of Mat. 24. 6 7 10 30. Wars of Famines Pestilences and Earthquakes in divers places of the rising of Nation against Nation and Kingdom against Kingdom of the rising of parents against their children and children against their parents of hating and betraying one another and sheweth That at the very time of his second appearing all the Tribes of the Earth shall mourn and doubtless they shall then mourn not only by reason of sin but also by reason of pain and punishment that shall be then upon them Wherefore I infer from what hath been said That this present world is evil and is likely to beget worse both in respect of sin and also in respect of pain or punishment Yet I find in some Books printed of late years Vse that some men have dreamed of a great change in this world before the end not for the worse but for the better they say That this old world in its latter age and towards its end shall grow better and be more free from sin and pain then ever it was for say they Upon the fall of Antichrist there shall be a National Conversion of the Jews and thereupon shall follow a great Conversion of the Gentiles and such a golden age for holiness and happiness as never hath been Yea some of them have said That there shall be a Reformation-change all the world over at least in Discipline before its end But I would tell such Dreamers Surely a deep sleep is fallen upon you you sleep in the day of spiritual light and not in the night of spiritual darkness as others do you are more swayed by the letter then by the proper sence and scope of those Scriptures which you bring for the proof of that phantastical New-World of which you speak you balk the New-Testament and hide your selves under the dark Prophecies of the Old whereas you should consider that Christ and his Apostles have so clearly interpreted the Prophets as touching the latter times and have so fully stated the evil and perillous condition of them that we need not appeal from them to the Prophets in this Argument And whereas in your printed pages you quote divers passages out of the 11 Chapter to the Romans as if they were pat and sure for your opinion I would tell you also That you much mistake the proper occasion and scope of that Chapter for you should know that the Apostle in the said Chapter doth speak of the Jews of his present time and not of a latter off-spring of them as may appear vers 5. and that the Jews of his then present time were some of them of Gods Election and others not vers 7. and that those of the Election were some of them converted and others were not vers 14. but as for such as were unconverted among them he was willing to convert and save them and had
be seen to begin or to be established in the earth And whereas they tell us of the Saints living and raigning with Christ a thousand years Rev. 20. 4. as if that place made much for them I would have them know that that place is not to be understood of Saints on earth as if they should live and raign with Christ in their bodies upon this corrupt earth a thousand years by vertue of a Reformation-change in this world but it is to be understood of Saints departed this life now in the third Heaven in respect of their Souls where they were to live and raign with Christ for a thousand years or more from the time when those words were spoken a certain time being there put for an uncertain even until his coming again from thence 3. It is an Error in these men to think that by the World to come the Scripture means a Reformation-change in this world seeing by the World to come we are to understand a new created world properly so called that shall consist of new Heavens and a new Earth properly so called and of new Creatures and occurrences in them as I hope to shew more fully in my next Section Yea the World to come shall be such a world wherein the righteous shall inherit everlasting life Luk. 18. 30. but supposing there should be such a Reformation-change in this world as they dream of yet we cannot therein inherit everlasting life therefore we may not understand by the World to come such a Reformation-change 4. It is an Error in these men to confound the World to come with this present world seeing the Scripture hath plainly distinguished them in many places Mat. 12. 32. Luk. 18. 30. Ephes 1. 21 c. And as the time to come cannot be all one with the time present nor the time present with the time to come so neither can the World to come be all one or at one time with this present world nor this present world all one or at one time with the World to come But leaving this phansie of theirs I proceed And I acknowledg in the fourth place That the 4 Posit World to come shall begin immediately or suddenly upon the dissolution of this present world that is to say as soon as this present world shall have an end the World to come shall begin as soon as these visible Heavens shall be dissolved there shall be other Heavens in their stead as soon as this visible Earth shall be dissolved there shall be another Earth instead thereof with other creatures in it and so the World to come shall begin immediately or suddenly upon the dissolution of this present world For confirmation whereof though I cannot produce any plain place of Scripture so clear as to convince all gain-sayers yet I can produce some probable grounds such as have satisfied my self as touching the truth of this Position As 1. The Scripture speaks not of any space of time much less of any considerable space of time that shall be betwixt the dissolution of this present world and the Creation of the World to come therefore it is probable that there shall be no considerable space of time betwixt them and consequently that the World to come shall begin immediately or suddenly upon the dissolution of this present world 2. The Scripture speaks of divers things that shall happen in and upon one and the same day viz. the great Day of the Lord. As 1. The dissolution of this present world 2. The Creation of the World to come 3. The subduing of all Christs Enemies 4. The Resignation of the Kingdom to God even the Father 5. The glorious Appearing of Christ 6. The Resurrection of the dead 7. The Sentence of the last Judgment And if all these things shall happen upon one and the same day viz. the great Day of the Lord then it is probable that there shall be no considerable space of time betwixt them and consequently that the World to come shall begin immediately or suddenly upon the dissolution of this present world 3. I have seriously thought upon that of the Apostle Paul Then shall we which live and remain be caught up together with them in the Clouds to meet the Lord in the ayr 1 Thes 4. 17. where he intimates as I conceive That the World to come shall be created after the same order in which this present world shall be dissolved And as this present world shall be dissolved first in its upper part viz. the visible Heavens Clouds and Ayr which now are so the World to come shall be created first in its upper part viz. the new Heavens Clouds and Ayr c. and so the Saints which shall be found living upon this corrupt earth when the fire beginneth to seize upon it shall be caught up together with the Saints that shall come with Christ to meet him and them in the new Clouds and Ayr for I cannot imagine that either the Saints which shall come from Heaven or those that shall come from the Earth shall meet in these corrupt Clouds and Ayr which now are and so I may well gather from this place That the World to come shall begin immediately or suddenly upon the dissolution of this present world Which Position thus cleared crosseth a certain Vse opinion of Mr Mede * In his Book on the Revelation for though he grants That the World to come shall not begin before this present world shall be dissolved yet he thinks that the Day of Judgment shall continue for a thousand years and thereupon shall follow the World to come But I would fain know what he means by the Day of Judgment in that place whether the Day of Sentence or the Day of Execution If he mean the Day of Execution he might as well have said the Day of Judgment shall continue for ever for doubtless the Execution of the last Judgment shall continue for ever and ever But if he mean the Day of Sentence I wonder he should say the Day of Judgment shall continue a thousand years seeing no good reason can be given why the Lord should so long deliberate about the Sentence of Judgment Notwithstanding then this opinion of his I am still of the opinion That the World to come shall begin immediately or suddenly upon the dissolution of this present world And if so there is no reason why good Christians should mourn grieve or be discouraged to hear of the dissolution of this present world seeing the World to come shall begin immediately hereupon It is a comfort against the death of these corrupt bodies of ours to hear that we shall have other and better bodies after the death of these so it should be a comfort against the dissolution of this world to hear that there shall be another and a better world after the dissolution of this SECT IV. Shewing The nature of the World to come considered as a Continent ANd that we may rightly understand
Yea the brother shall betray the broâ—her to death the father the son and the children â—hall rise up against their parents and shall cause â—hem to be put to death Mark 13. 12. And hath not â—his sign been already observed in the world Yes â—t sundry times and at this day we find it an hard â—atter to find a faithful friend whom we may safeâ—â— trust mens hearts for the most part are so full of â—uile and deceit of treachery and falshood 7. The trouble of War for our Saviour hath â—urther told us That before his second Coming in the â—lesh we shall hear of Wars and rumors of Wars â—nd Nation shall rise against Nation and Kingdom â—gainst Kingdom Mat. 24. 6 7. And surely there â—ath been woful experience of this sign in former â—ges and of latter years amongst our selves and at â—his day we see that the Sword is drawn and doth â—â—ge devour and tyrannize in divers parts of the â—orld yea we know not when it shall be sheathâ—d up again neither is it probable that it shall cease â—nd be quiet before the Roman Antichrist shall be â—estroyed nor yet then in all places because Christ â—t his second Appearing shall find some Nations in â—posture of War Rev. 20. 8 9. 8. The trouble of Famines Pestilences and Earthâ—uakes for our Saviour hath told us That before â—s second Coming there shall be these judgments in divers places Mat. 24. 7. Mark 13. Luk. 21. Now how many of these Pestilences Famines and Earthquakes have been already observed in the world the Chronicles of several Nations may inform us and how many more of such judgments may yet be observed before the end cometh after times may declare 9. The swarming of false Christs false Prophets and false Teachers in the visible Church for our Saviour hath foretold us That before his second Coming in the Flesh many of this generation shaâ—â— arise in the visible Churches and shall swarm anâ— creep into houses like the Locusts of Egypt anâ— shall deceive many Mat. 24. Mark 13. Luk. 21 2 Tim. 3. 6 7. Now the Churches of Christ havâ— many sad stories upon record concerning such Locusts since the Ascention of Christ especially in the Arrian times and since the raign of Antichrist began and the number of such is much increased of late iâ— the Church of England and doth rather increasâ— then decrease in other Countries yea and is likely so to do still towards the end of the world 10. The prevailing of Errors and Heresies in thâ— visible Church by the spirit of delusion for thâ— Scripture testifieth That before the second Coming of Christ in the Flesh God shall send men strong delusions to believe a lye because they received noâ— the love of the truth 2 Thes 2. 10 11. And as somâ— shall bring in damnable Heresies so many shaâ—â— follow their pernicious ways 2 Pet. 2. 1 2. and many shall be deceived by them Mat. 24. Now how long the Churches of Christ have had experience oâ— this sign their Ecclesiastical stories can witness anâ— how such Errors and Heresies have prevailed latelâ— â—â— the Church of England many can witness with â—â—eat regreet and how long this spirit of delusion â—â—all prevail with men before the mouth of all â—ickedness shall be stopt onely GOD himself â—â—ows 11. A great growth of iniquity causing a decay â—â— decrease of love for our Saviour hath shewed â—hat before his second Coming in the Flesh iniquity â—all abound and because it shall abound the love â—â— many shall wax cold Mat. 24. 12. where as it Vide Dickson in his Commentaries on this place â—â—ems to me the abounding of iniquity is to be reâ—â—â—ained to the unregenerate sort whether prophane â—â— formal in whom the practise of iniquity was to â—ound and doth abound in these latter times 2 Tim. â— 2 3 4. and the frigescence or waxing cold of love â—â— to be restrained to the regenerate of the same â—â—mes who perceiving many of their supposed breâ—â—ren to revolt to the practise of iniquity and to reâ—â—rn back with the dog to his vomit shall be jealous â—â—d suspicious one of another and so shall wax cold â—â— love one towards another not knowing whom â—â— trust not as if the habit of love or the truth of â—hristian love should decay in them but they shall â—ot be so servent in the exercise and manifestation of â—â—eir love to each other by reason of the abounding â—f iniquity in others as so merly they were And â—oubtless this sign also hath been already observed â—â— many in the world and is that which may easily â—e perceived in these days by such as have eyes to â—â—scern it For do we not see how shy the godly â—e and how fearful of trusting one another at this â—y And all this because iniquity doth so much â—ound in many professors whom they have lately â—â—â—ken for their beloved brethren Moreover as these before mentioned are suâ—â— signs presaging his second Coming as have been â—â— ready observed in the world So there are othâ—â— signs presaging it which have not yet been nor câ—â— be yet observed in the world because they are noâ— but shall be hereafter As 1. The Ruine of the Roman Antichrist is menâ—â—oned as a sign presaging his second Coming in tâ—â— Flesh for it is said That Christ shall destroy hiâ— with the brightness of his Coming 2 Thes 2. 8. nâ— with his Coming but with the brightness of â—â— Coming and here by the brightness of his Coâ—ing I understand the last temporal Judgment thâ— God shall bring upon the Roman Antichrist whiâ—â— shall be a Judgment of the Sword accompaniâ—â— with hailstones from Heaven Rev. 16. 19 21. Aâ— as this Judgment shall destroy him so it shall be clear and bright evidence of Christs second Approaâ—â— to be near at hand and for this cause may be caâ—â—ed the brightness of his Coming and thougâ— this sign be not yet apparent yet it shall be herâ—after 2. The warlike preparations of Gog and Magoâ— for a battel with the Saints and against the holy Citâ— is mentioned as a sign presaging his second Cominâ— in the Flesh for it is said That Satan being loosâ— out of his prison shall go forth to deceive the Nâ—tions which are in the four quarters of the eartâ— Gog and Magog to gather them together to battel Rev. 20. 8. And though it be true that Christ shaâ— come again and shall with fire from Heaven devouâ— these adversaries before this battel shall be fought yet this warlike preparation of Gog and Magog is to be esteemed as a near and close presage of his seconâ— Coming and albeit this is not yet visible yet it â—â—all be in due season 3. A great security of Nations is mentioned as a â—n presaging the second Coming of Christ in the â—â—esh for we read That Christ at this Coming of â—â— shall find the most part of the world in a secure â—â—sture neither mourning for their sins nor fearing
the same day with the second Coming of Christ as appears 1 Thes 4. 16. and for this cause it is said That the dead shall rise and be raised at the last day Joh. 6. 39 40 54. and 11. 24. where the day of Christs second Coming is called the last day not absolutely but respectively as I conceive because it shall be the first and last day of that nature and kind And though Zach. 14. we know not this day as we know other days by way of computation from the beginning yet we must know it to be the last day in the former sence Eighthly It informeth us That the last Resurrection 8 Informat shall produce a great change in or upon the bodies of men women and children For though in this Resurrection of which I speak our bodies shall be the same with these 1. For Essence because whatsoever is essential to these shall be essential to them as head and ears eyes hands and feet c. 2. For Propriety because every one shall receive his own body again 1 Cor. 15. as God shall give unto every dead seed it s own body and so we shall see Christ not with other but with these same eyes Job 19. 27. Yet in the last Resurrection our bodies shall not be the same with these either 1. For Substance because the substance of these shall perish and be brought to dust Gen. 3. and the substance of those shall be formed and raised as is probable out of the dust of these not out of the substance of them Indeed those bodies of men which have been translated without death and those bodies of men which shall be changed without death probably shall have the same substance in the World to come which now they have But I speak here of the dead bodies of men and do not think that they shall be the same for substance with these which now we have for the Reason before alledged 2. Neither shall our bodies in the last Resurrection be the same with these for Qualities because they shall be changed in this respect For whereas 1. These bodies are corruptible those shall be incorruptible 2. These bodies are mortal those shall be imâ—ortal 1 Cor. 15. 42 43 44. Phil. 3. 21. 3. These bodies are weak and frail those shall â—e strong and able 4. These bodies are deformed and vile those â—hall be well formed 5. These bodies are natural those shall be spiâ—itual 6. These are it may be imperfect for stature or â—imbs those shall be perfect in both respects And thus the last Resurrection shall produce a great change in or upon the bodies of dead men and women Being thus informed touching the last Resurrection we should be admonished from hence to beware of all erroneous opinions in reference to this Subject As 1. If any think there shall be no such Resurrection Vse as the Sadduces thought Mat. 22. 23. as some Philosophers Epicureans and Stoicks thought Acts 17. 18. and as some amongst the Corinthians thought 1 Cor. 15. 12. This is an erroneous opinion contrary to the Informations before given and we should beware of it because they who thus think are not much better then Atheists but are much worse then some Pagans in former times who acknowledged the Resurrection of the dead and an everlasting life after death 2. If any think this Resurrection is past already with Hyminetus and Philetus 2 Tim. 2. 18. This is an erroneous opinion too and we should beware of it because they who thus think conceive that either the Scripture speaks of no other Resurrection but a spiritual Resurrection or of no other Resurrection but such corporal resurrections as haâ—â— been heretofore whereas it hath been shewed bâ—fore That the Scripture doth plainly distinguish thâ— last Resurrection from both these 3. If any think that the reasonable soul of maâ— is mortal and shall dye with the body it is an erroâ—â— not only against those plain places of Scriptuâ—â— Psal 16. Luke 23. Luke 16. which teaches That the Souls of Christ of the penitent Thief of Dives and Lazarus were living while their bodies were dead but also against thâ— doctrine of the last Resurrection For if these soulâ— of men should dye with their bodies what betteâ— reason can there be given for the resurrection oâ— dead men then may be given for the resurrection oâ— dead beasts birds and fishes wherefore beware oâ— this opinion 4. If any think that dead beasts as well as dead men shall rise again at the last day they are much deceived also as may appear by what hath been said before in this Section and this brutish conceit is a plain denyal of that difference which Solomon puts betwixt a man and a beast in their death Eccl. 3. 21. and shews themselves to be ignorant of it therefore beware of it 5. If any think that the dead in Christ shall rise a thousand years before those men which are dead out of Christ we must take this for an error too though it hath many friends because the Word of God teacheth us to allow but one day for the last Resurrection called the last day Joh. 6. 39 40 54. and 11. 24. in which this great Work shall be finished How then can the dead in Christ rise a thousand years before the rest of the dead unless this one last day shall contain a thousand years from the morning to the evening of it which I suppose none of them will acknowledg for a truth Wherefore when it is said The dead in Christ shall rise first 1 Thess 4. 16. we must understand that they shall rise first in â—rder of dignity if not first in time as we said before And suppose they shall rise some moment of time â—efore the rest of the dead yet we have no reason â—o think that they shall rise a thousand years before â—hem And whereas it is said The rest of the dead â—ived not again until the thousand years were exâ—ired Revel 20. we are to understand that Saint â—ohn in this place and in the Context doth acquaint â—s with two sorts of dead men viz. some are dead â—n Christ and these are yet alive in him and shall â—ive with him in Heaven by virtue of their spiritual Resurrection until the thousand years there spoken â—f shall be expired And others are dead out of Christ and these shall never live by virtue of a spiâ—itual Resurrection neither shall they live again by â—irtue of a corporal Resurrection until the thouâ—and years before mentioned shall be expired And â—f this be the true meaning of the place as I conceive â—â— is it makes nothing at all for this last Opinion â—ut proves it rather to be erroneous and therefore we should take heed of it Again This Doctrine touching the last Resurâ—ection should exhort and stir us up to divers duâ—ies As 1. To beleeve the last Resurrection seeing we have so many Scriptures to confirm it for when our Saviour had
Dominion Psal 7. With everlasting Riches 1 Pet. 1. 8. With everlasting Peace Isai 26. 9. With everlasting Light 10. With everlasting Joy 11. VVith everlasting Security But my purpose is to speak of these particulars more fully in the following Sections It may suffice in this place to mention them onely because all that I intended in this Section touching this blessed condition of Gods Elect was to speak of it in a general way which I have done accordingly in this Proposition If so be that Gods Elect shall be blessed in the Vse world to come then we may here inform our selves That it is in vain and will be in vain for any in this world to curse them First Because God hath not doth not will not curse them And how shall we curse whom the Lord hath not cursed Num. 23. 8. Secondly Because God will bless them though men curse them never so much as the Prophet saith Let them curse but bless thou Lord Psal 109. 28. And God shall bless us Psal 67. 7. Thirdly Because God will curse them that curse his people Gen. 12. 2 3. Fourthly Because the curse causless shall not come Prov. 26. 2. Fifthly Because we cannot curse them so secretly as that the Lord shall not know it For which cause Solomon saith Curse not the King no not in thy thought and curse not the rich in thy bed-chamber for a bird of the ayr shall carry the voyce and that which hath wings shall tell the matter Eccles 10. 20. For these causes it is in vain for any to curse Gods Elect in this life VVherefore my brethren let us not curse one another as the manner of some is let not Parents curse their Children nor Children their Parents Masters their Servants nor Servants their Masters Husbands their VVives nor VVives their Husbands the Rich the Poor nor the Poor the Rich c. foâ— in so doing we may curse Gods Elect unawares and it will be in vain to curse them Nay those curses which we shoot as arrows against them may recoyl upon our selves as Balak and Balaam desired to curse the Israelites but this became a curse to themselves at last So Shimei cursed David the Lords anointed but this became a curse upon himself at the last Object Though it be not lawful to curse Gods Elect yet I hope it may be lawful to curse wicked Reprobates Sol. If we certainly knew Reprobates from others in this life we might lawfully curse them as God doth and will curse them But this knowledg is too high for us we cannot without extraordinary revelation know in particular who are Reprobates in this life therefore we ought not to curse any as such Object Noah cursed his son Cam Genes 9. 25. and Elisha cursed the two and fourty children that mocked him 2 King 2. 24. and why may not we do the like Sol. These examples of Noah and Elisha are extraordinary and are not recorded for our imitation But concerning them I thus judg and conceive That either Noah knew by extraordinary revelation his son Cam to be a Reprobate and thereupon cursed him or else that he sinned in this act And so that Elisha either knew by extraordinary Revelation those two and fourty children to be Reprobates and thereupon cursed them or else that he sinned in this act Now in these days we have no such extraordinary Revelations but must walk by that ordinary rule which our Saviour hath given us viz. Bless them that curse you Bless I say and curse not Mat. 5. 44. Again If eternal blessedness in the world to come shall be the reward and portion of Gods Elect then we should learn from hence too That Christians must live in this world as becometh Gods Elect that so they may receive the portion of such in the world to come Now it becometh Gods Elect in this life to know God to fear him to love him to beleeve in him to hope in him to be zealous for him and willing to keep his Commandments It becometh them to live soberly righteously and godly in this present world yea it becometh them to live virtuously in every kinde as Saint Paul adviseth us Put on as the Elect of God holy and beloved bowels of mercies kindness humbleness of minde meekness long-suffering Forbearing one another and forgiving one another as Christ forgave you And above all these things put on charity which is the bond of perfectness Col. 3. 12 13. 14 c. And if we thus live here the life of Gods Elect we shalâ— undoubtedly receive the portion of Gods Elect in the world to come viz. eternal bliss and happiness Reprobates shal all be cursed in the World to come 2 Proposit As we we may well conceive for these Reasons 1. Because they shall not be known of God and of Christ in the world to come with the knowledg of approbation as may appear by our Saviours speech to the foolish Virgins Verily I say unto you I know you not Mat. 25. 12. and to the Hypocrites at the latter day I tell you I know not whence ye are depart from me ye workers of iniquity Luk. 13. 25 27. And they that shall not be known of God and of Christ with the knowledg of Approbation shall be cursed in the World to come 2. Because they shall not have their names found written in Heaven And such as shall not have their names found written in Heaven shall be cursed in the world to come 3. Because they shall be pronounced cursed at the general Judgment and Christ shall then say unto them Matth. 25. 41. And they that shall be pronounced cursed at the general Judgment shall be cursed in the world to come 4. Because Christ was not made a curse for them as he was for the Elect Gal. 3. 13. And seeing Christ did not suffer the cursed death of the cross for them they must suffer the curse for themselves and in their own persons both in this world and in the world to come Deut. 27 15 to 26. 28. 15 16 17 5. Because men are still under the curse of God until they repent effectually and beleeve in the Lord Jesus Christ Now we know that Reprobates shall never have grace to repent effectually and to beleeve effectually in the Lord Jesus Christ therefore they shall be cursed in the world to come 1. And if it be here demanded Of whom they shall be cursed in the World to come I answer They shall be cursed of the whole Trinity Father Son and Holy Ghost He that made them shall curse And as the curse of the Lord Father Son and Holy Ghost is now upon the house of the wicked Prov. 3. 33. So the curse of the Lord Father Son and Holy Ghost shall be upon the heads of wicked Reprobates in the world to come 2. If it be demanded again For what causes they shall be cursed in the World to come I answer They shall be cursed for all their
saved in the world to come 2. Because they are or shall be all regenerated And they that are or shall be regenerated shall be saved in the world to come Mat. 19. 28. 3. Because they are or shall be all justified by the blood of Christ And they that are or shall be justified by his blood shall be saved from wrath by him Rom. 5. 9. 4. Because they are or shall be all reconciled to God by the death of his Son And they that shall be reconciled to God by the death of his Son shall be saved by his life Rom. 5. 10. 5. Because they are or shall be all the adopted children of God by grace And all that are or shall be the adopted children of God by grace shall be saved in the world to come because they are heirs of Salvation Hebr. 1. 14. 6. Because they do or shall beleeve in the Lord Jesus Christ effectually And they that do or shall beleeve in the Lord Jesus Christ effectually shall be saved in the world to come according to the Promise Act. 16. 31. Mark 16. 16. 7. Because they do or shall repent unfainedly And they that do or shall repent unfainedly shall be saved in the world to come seeing this is called Repentance unto Salvation 2 Cor. 7. 10. 8. Because they do or shall all hope in God with a lively hope And they that do or shall hope in God with a lively hope shall be saved in the world to come Rom. 8. 24. 9. Because they do or shall all fear the Lord with a godly fear And they that do or shall fear the Lord with a godly fear shall be saved not onely in this world but also in the world to come Psal 85. 9. 10. Because they do or shall all walk sincerely and uprightly before the Lord And they that do or shall walk sincerely and uprightly before the Lord shall be saved in the world to come Prov. 28. 18. 11. Because they do or shall all call upon the name of the Lord in sincerity And they that so do or shall do shall be saved in the world to come Rom. 10. 13. 12. Because they have endured or shall endure constantly in the state of grace to the end And they that shall so endure to the end shall be saved in the world to come Mat. 10. 22. 13. Because they have an inward right to all the Promises of Salvation as to these amongst the rest Salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks Isai 26. 1. But Israel shall be saved Isai 45. 17. In mount Sion shall be Deliverance Joel 2. 32. Obadi 17. Israel shall be saved as it is written There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer and shal turn away ungodliness from Jacob Rom. 11. 26. In which promises I understand by mount Sion the triumphant Church of Gods Elect in the World to come not excluding the Militant And by Israel and Jacob the whole body of Gods Elect who are fully to enjoy these Promises in the world to come and not before And thus may we understand the certainty of their Salvation Thirdly As concerning the causes of their Salvation I affirm 1. That the efficient cause of their Salvation in the world to come shall be the Lord Jehovah Father Son and Holy Ghost For Salvation belongeth to the Lord Psal 3. 8. And the Salvation of the righteous is of him Psal 37. 39. And the full Salvation of Israel shall come from him out of the heavenly Sion Psal 14. 6. And Israel shall be saved in the Lord Isai 45. 17. that is by the Lord Jehovah Father Son and Holy Ghost 2. That the principal moving cause of their Salvation in the world to come is and shall be the Grace of God I mean the gracious good will and pleasure of God from everlasting And for this cause it is said We are saved by Grace Ephes 2. 8. And it is the grace of God that bringeth Salvation Tit. 2. 11. 3. That the principal final cause of this their Salvation shall be the glory of Gods mercy He shall save them that he may glorifie his mercy upon them which the Prophet knew well and therefore prayed That God would save him for his mercies sake Psal 6. 4. and according to his mercy Psal 109. vers 26. 4. The meritorious cause of this their Salvation is and shall be onely Christ And there is no Salvation in any other Act. 4. 12. as in the meritorious cause But he is the Author of eternal Salvation as God equal with the Father in an efficient way as Mediator and as God and man in one person in a meritorious way Hebr. 5. 9. And he it is by whom this Salvation is to be obtained 1 Thess 5. vers 9. 5. The instrumental cause of this their Salvation is and shall be the Word of God read and preached For this Word hath an instrumental power to save Souls Jam. 1. 21. The Gospel is the power of God to Salvation Rom. 1. 16. By it a man may be made wise unto Salvation 2 Tim. 3. 15. And it pleaseth God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that beleeve 1 Cor. 1. 21. 6. The dispositive or helping causes of this their Salvation are and shall be all spiritual blessings or saving graces in this life as Justification Sanctification Faith Hope Love c. For these are the things that accompany Salvation Hebr. 6. 9. And these are the things that do fit and prepare men for Salvation in the world to come Fourthly As concerning the extent of this their Salvation I affirm 1. That it shall extend to all the particular persons of Gods Elect whether Jews or Gentiles by nature for it is said plainly All Israel shall be saved Rom. 11. 26. that is all the Elect God will have all men to be saved that is all his Elect 1 Tim. 2. 4. The promise shall be sure to all the seed that is to all the Elect Rom. 4. 16. God preserveth all them that love him Psa 145. 20. He preserveth them not onely from temporal dangers but he will also preserve them unto Salvation in the world to come Yea we find That the whole house of Israel that is the whole Family of Gods Elect shall be saved Ezek. 37. 11. 39. 25. And 2. as this Salvation shall extend to all their persons so it shall extend to them in all respects both in respect of their Souls and bodies for their Souls shall be saved in the Day of the Lord and they shall receive the end of their Faith the Salvation of their Souls 1 Pet. 1. 9. And if their Souls after they are united to glorified bodies shall be saved doubtless their glorified bodies shall be saved too Fifthly As concerning the continuance of this â—heir Salvation I affirm That it shall continue â—or ever For which cause it is called Eternal Salâ—ation Heb. 5. 9. And it is said That Israel shall â—e saved in the Lord with an everlasting Salvatiâ—n
their Salvation but suggestions of this nature do usually and for the most part come from Satan the father of lyes God perswades all afflicted sinners to beleeve in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation But Satan perswades an afflicted sinner to despair of salvatiō with such suggestions as these Thou art a Reprobate Thou art none of Gods Elect none of those for whom Christ dyed thou hast no part in Christ therefore it is in vain for thee to hope for Salvation in the World to come In all which suggestions Satan acts the part of a lyar because he doth not certainly know any of these things to be true of this or that particular person whiles he is yet alive in the body Wherefore an afflicted sinner should not listen to these suggestions of Satan but he should attend to the counsel of Gods Word and labor to beleeve in the Lord Jesus Christ effectually as we are all bound to do especially in difficult cases that we may be saved Fourthly It may inform us That Gods Elect should be constantly willing to dye and to leave this world because it is most certain that they shall all be saved in the World to come with a full perfect and everlasting Salvation as hath been proved whereas they cannot expect any such Salvation in this world And amongst other considerations these three especially should make them willing to dye and leave this world viz. 1. Death will put an end to the practice of sin As long as we live here we shall still be in a posture of sinning but after death we shall sin no more And should we not be willing that these days of sin may be finished Yes Then we should be willing to dye 2. Death will put an end to all the afflictions of this life which are caused by sin as wants necessities losses crosses sicknesses diseases vexations and perturbations of what kinde soever And should we not be willing to be delivered from all such afflictions Yes Then we should be willing to dye 3. Death is that which will put Gods Elect into the possession of good things promised as glory honor immortality peace joy tranquillity c. And should we not be willing to be put in the possession of such things Yes Then we should be willing to dye Wherefore let not any of Gods Elect say We could be well contented to abide in this world still it is good for us to be here and to build Tabernacles here For if it be good for them to be here it will be much better for them to be elsewhere either in Heaven or in the World to come and the greater good is more to be desired then the lesser And if our hearts hanker never so much after this world we must leave it of necessity sooner or later But it will be more acceptable and praise-worthy if we shall leave it willingly whensoever the Messengers of death shall be sent unto us Fifthly It should inform us That such as desire to be saved with Gods Elect in the World to come should neither neglect nor contemn the ordinary means of Salvation which God hath prepared and assigned for them whether they be inward as Faith Repentance Hope Love Fear c. or outward as the administration of the Word and Sacraments reading singing prayer thanksgiving in publique or private c. For how shall we escape the judgments of God if we neglect or contemn so great Salvation as God tenders unto us by these ordinary means Hebr. 2. 3. And surely it will be in vam for any to say If I be elected I shall be saved though I neglect or contemn the ordinary means because all such as are elected to be saved in an ordinary way are also elected to the conscionable use of such ordinary means as are or shall be assigned for them in way to Salvation Moreover it should be remembred that we are commanded to work out our own Salvation with fear and trembling Phil. 2. 12. Now to work out our own Salvation is all one as to endevor our own Salvation in and by the use of ordinary means that so we may save our selves as the phrase is Act. 2. 40. And to work out our own Salvation with fear and trembling is to endevor it in a reverential way so as to stand in awe of Gods displeasure and of Gods temporal Judgments For as long as we live here we are still in danger of displeasing him by our sins and of suffering for our sins For which cause we should fear both the Offence of God and the Judgments of God and so work out our own Salvation with fear and trembling And surely it is not so easie a matter as some think it to be for he that will be saved in an ordinary way must be contented to do much and to suffer much in obedience to Gods Will before he shall come to inherit the promises For which cause Saint Peter saith That the righteous shall scarcely be saved 1 Pet. 4. 18. And Saint Paul saith A man shall be saved yet so as by fire 1 Cor. 3. 15. Wherefore we should be careful to work out our own Salvation with fear and trembling The next Proposition is That Reprobates shall 2 Proposit be destroyed in the world to come And touching this destruction of theirs we are likewise to understand The Nature of it The Certainty of it The Causes of it The Extent of it The Continuance of it First As touching the Nature of it I affirm That they shall be destroyed in the World to come not in a natural sence so as to be brought to nothing for Reprobates shall have a Being in the world to come to their great grief but they shall be destroyed in a spiritual or mystical sence so as to be brought into a very evil condition and so as to be put to endure all sorts of evils which shall be incidental to the world to come whether they shall be evils of loss or evils of sence Soul evils or bodily evils internal or external evils Yea it shall be evil for them to have any Being it shall be evil for them to see what they shall see to hear what they shall hear to speak what they shall speak and do what they shall do in the World to come So their last day shall be an evil day or a day of evil Prov. 16. 4. and their last end shall be worse then their begining And as in this world so in the world to come evil shall bunt and pursue them to overthrow them Psal 140. 11. Prov. 13. 21. Which evil condition of theirs shall be their destruction their full and final destruction Secondly As concerning the certainty of it I say That Reprobates shall most certainly be destroyed in the world to come As may be proved by these Arguments 1. They whose last end shall be destruction shall be destroyed in the world to come But the last end of Reprobates shall be destruction
Phil. 3. 19. Ergo. 2. They that are vessels fitted for destruction shall be destroyed in the world to come But Reprobates are vessels fited for destruction RoÌ„ 9. 22. Ergo. 3. They that are made to be destroyed shall be destroyed in the world to come Reprobates are made to be destroyed Prov. 16. 4. 2 Pet. 2. 12. I do not say they are made to be destroyed for nought but for sin Ergo. 4. They that will never beleeve effectually shall be destroyed in the world to come as was prefigured and fore-shewed by the destruction of the Egyptians at the red Sea God having saved the Israelites from them afterward destroyed them that beleeved not Jude 5. Now Reprobates will never beleeve effectually Ergo. 5. They that will never repent of their transgressions unfainedly shall be destroyed in the world to comâ— Psal 37. 38. But Reprobates will never repent unfainedly of their transgressions Ergo. 6. They that will still be workers of iniquity shall be destroyed in the world to come according to that of Solomon Destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity Prov. 10. 29. 21. 15. But Reprobates will still be workers of iniquity Ergo. 7. They that will still be despisers of Gods Word shall be destroyed in the world to come Prov. 13. 13. But Reprobates will still be Despisers of the Word Ergo. 8. They that will still harden their necks against reproof shall be destroyed in the World to come Prov. 29. 1 without remedy But Reprobates will still harden their necks against reproof Ergo. 9. They that will still go in the broad way that leadeth to destruction shal be destroyed in the world to come Mat. 7. 13. But Reprobates will still go in the broad way that leadeth to destruction Ergo. Thirdly As concerning the causes of their Destruction in the World to come I affirm 1. That the efficient cause thereof shall be the whole Trinity Father Son and Holy Ghost For which cause it is said That Hâ—ll and Destruction are before the Lord Prov. 15. 11. That Destruction shall come from the Almighty Joel 1. 15. The Lord will destroy the house of the proud Pro. 15. 25. 2. That the meritorious cause of their Destruction shall be their own sin in this world committed For which cause it is said That evil shall slay the wicked Psa 34. 21. Thy destruction is of thy self Hosea 13. 9. And more particularly it is said The prosperity of fools shall destroy them Pro. 1. 32. The perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them Prov. 11 3. Pride goeth before destruction Prov. 16. 18. The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them Prov. 21. 7. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledg Hosea 4. 6. 3. That the final cause of their Destruction shall be the glory of Gods Justice God shall destroy them that he may glorifie his Justice upon them Pro. 16. 4. 4. The ministring or dispensing cause of their destruction shall be both Christ and his Saints in the world to come For as Christ shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in peeces like a Potters vessel Ps 2. 9. so the saints shal do the like Rev. 2. 27. Fourthly As concerning the extent of their destruction I affirm That it shall extend to all of them in general and particular For because they will not repent they shall all perish Luk. 13. 1 2. and shall all be destroyed Psa 145. 20. 62. 3. and that in all respects Fifthly As touching the continuance of their Destruction I say That it shall continue for ever For it is written concerning wicked Reprobates That they shall be destroyed for ever Psa 52. 5. And if they grow green as the grass and flourish it is that they may be destroyed for ever Psa 92. 7. And again That they shall be punished with everlasting Destruction 2 Thess 1. 9. Now this Proposition may inform us Vse 1. That it had been good for Reprobates if they had never been born for if they had never been born they could not have been destroyed in this world nor in the world to come But now seeing they have been are or shall be all born it will follow necessarily That they shall be all destroyed both in this world and in the world to come for their sins 2. That it will be worse with them in the world to come then it can be with them in this world For the worst destruction that can befall them in this world is but a temporal Destruction but in the world to come they shall have everlasting Destruction 3. That seeing none are willing to be destroyed with Reprobates in the world to come we should all be careful 1. To avoyd the way that leadeth to destruction which is a broad way Mat. 7. 13. the way of the multitude and of the major part and we should not follow a multitude to do evil lest we suffer with them But if we avoyd this way we shall never be destroyed with Reprobates in the world to come 2. To shun the most proper sins of Reprobates as final impenitency final unbelief and final apostacy the two former of which may be without the latter but the latter can never be without the former all three are deadly sins And if we be careful to shun these most proper sins of theirs we shall never be destroyed with them in the world to come 3. To harken unto those which teach us the way of Salvation that so we may be acquainted with this way and walk in it and continue in it and if we do so we shall never be destroyed with Reprobates in the world to come 4. To give diligence that we may make our calling and Election sure unto our selves by our faith repentance love and obedience and other such graces And of we do so we shall never fall 2 Pet 1. 10. neither shall we ever be destroyed with Reprobates in the world to come SECT XII Touching the Life of Gods Elect and the Death of Reprobates in the World to Come I Am now to speak of a second special difference which shall be betwixt Gods Elect and Reprobates in the World to come and this difference may be thus expressed in two Propositions viz. Gods Elect shall enjoy everlasting Life in the world to come Reprobates shall suffer everlasting Death in the world to come The first Proposition is That Gods Elect shall 1 Proposit enjoy everlasting Life in the World to come And touching this Life of theirs we are to consider The Nature of it The Certainty of it The Causes of it First Touching the nature of it I say that everlasting Life is not here to be taken in a natural sence but in a spiritual and mystical sence for if we should take it in a natural sence it can be nothing else but an everlasting conjunction of the Soul of man with his body which Life shall be common to good and bad to Elect and Reprobates in the World to come
useful Vse sundrâ— ways As First By what hath been said we may discern some difference betwixt eternal Salvation and eternal Life because eternal Salvation in a proper sence shall be an eternal Preservation from the evils of the World to come but eternal Life in a proper sence shall be an eternal Conjunction Union or Communion with God and with Christ Indeed this difference hath not been observed by all Writers but many have spoken confusedly of the World to come and of the things which shall be contained in it And though the same men when they speak of temporal salvation temporal life glory liberty peace c. can distinguish them yet when they speak of eternal Salvation eternal Life Glory Liberty Peace c. they will not distinguish as if eternal things needed not to be distinguished as well as temporal Secondly It may inform us That Gods Elect shall be no losers in the World to come by any thing they shall do or suffer in obedience to Gods Will in this world For suppose they shall do much here in obedience to his Will as pray much hear much read much meditate much beleeve much repent much love much c. and suppose they shall suffer much here in obedience to Gods Will as the hatred and contempt of the world the reproaches lyes and slanders of wicked men the spoyling of their goods imprisonment banâ—shment c. indeed they may seem to be losers by it in this world but they can be no losers by these things in the World to come because in that World they shall enjoy everlasting Life and this everlasting Life will be a sufficâ—ent recompence for all that they shall thus do and suffer in this world Wherefore we shâ—uld be rich in the work of the Lord forasmuch as we know that our labour shall not be in vain in the Lord 1 Cor. 15. Thirdly It may inform us That Gods Elect can lose nothing by a temporal death in respect of the consequent thereof Because the day of death shall be better unto them then the day of their birth Eccles 7. 1. And this temporal death shall be seconded with everlasting Life in the World to come Wherefore when God calls us to suffer a temporal death whether natural or violent especially for Christs sake and the Gospels we should even hate our own lives seeing our Saviour hath said He that loveth his life shall lose it and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal Joh. 12. 25. And whosoever will save his life shall lose it but whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it Mat. 16. 25. Fourthly It may inform us That Gods Elect should not doubt of everlasting Life in the World to come because the Word makes it sure unto them by many promises And yet if any of them are not satisfied in their consciences concerning this matter they must be diligent to make their Calling and Election sure 2 Pet. 1. 10. and to be sure of a lively faith And being assured of these things must know that they shall have life eternal 1 Joh. 5. 13. Fifthly It may inform us That Gods Elect should constantly hope for eternal life and live in expectation thereof because this hope is commended Tit. 3. 7. and it is that whereby we may lay hold of eternal life 1 Tim. 6. 12. and that without which the best Christians are in this life of all men most miserable 1 Cor. 15. 19. being most of all exposed to the hatred and contempt and violence of this world Sixthly It may inform us That such as desire to enjoy everlasting life with Gods Elect must chuse the way that leadeth thereunto and walk in it For there is but one way that leadeth unto eternal life and unless we find it chuse it and walk in it we shall never obtain our desire in this respect Now the way that leadeth unto eternal life is so described in the Scriptures that we may know it from other ways for it is called the strait way the narrow way the old way and the good way It is called the strait way Mat. 7. 14. because it is the way of Gods Commandments which way allows of no turning to the right hand or to the left but leads straight on and as long as we are in it we go straight on but if we deviate or swerve from it we turn either to the right hand or to the left It is called the narrow way Mat. 7. 14. because it is frequented but by few passangers and travellers and a way may be said to be broad or narrow according to the number of travellers in it a multitude of travellers make a broad way a paucity of travellers makes a narrow way It is called the old way because the faithful of old time walked in it as Abraham Isaac Jacob Joseph Moses Joshua Samuel David c. And it is called a good way because such good things as are evidences and pledges of eternal life may be found in it As in it we may find 1. The effectual knowledg of God one Evidence of eternal life Joh. 17. 3. 2. A competent knowledg of the Scriptures which is another Evidence of eternal life John 5. 39. 3. An endeavor to eschew evil and do good another Evidence of eternal life Psal 34. 14. 4. The practise of Righteousness another Evidence of life Prov. 12. 28. 5. The practise of godly fear another Evidence of this life Prov. 14. 7. 6. The exercise of Mercy another Evidence of this life Prov. 21. 21. 7. The exercise of Humility another Evidence of it Prov. 22. 4. 8. The exercise of godliness another Evidence of it 1 Tim. 4. 8. 9. Sincere obedience to Gods Commandments which is another Evidence of life eternal Matth. 19. 17. And as many as shall chuse this way this strait narrow old and good way and shall walk in it shall be sure at the last to arrive at the Land of Everlasting Life with the rest of Gods Elect. The next Proposition is That Reprobates shall 2 Proposit suffer everlasting Death in the World to come And touching this Death of theirs we are to consider The Nature of it The Certainty of it The Causes of it First Touching the Nature of it I do not conceive that Reprobates shall suffer everlasting Death in a natural sence for then their souls should be everlastingly separated from their bodies in the World to come which may not be granted But they shall suffer everlasting Death in a spiritual or mystical sence that is to say they shall suffer an everlasting separation of their whole man from God from Christ and the Saints from all Union and Communion with them Which separation of theirs from God and from Christ may be gathered from that one saying which Christ shall pronounce against them at the Day of Judgment Depart from me ye workers of iniquity Luk. 13. 27. And their separation from the Saints is
true and lively repentance and such a kind of repentance will preserve us from everlasting Death according to that of the Prophet If the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed and keep all my Statutes and do that which is lawful and right he shall surely live he shall not dye Ezek. 18. 21. that is he shall not dye eternally Fourthly Because our repentance cannot be effectual without sincere obedience which includes an hearty desire to keep the Commandments of God and of Christ we must in the last place be willing and obedient to his Commandments and this obedience will preserve us from eternal death according to that of our Saviour Verily verily I say unto you If a man keep my sayings he shall not see death Joh. 8. 51. that is he shall never see eternal death so as to suffer it SECT XIII Touching the Glory of Gods Elect and the Shame of Reprobates in the World to come HEre followeth a third special Difference which shall be betwixt the fore-named parties in the World to come which may be thus expressed in two Propositions Gods Elect shall be rewarded with Glory in the World to come Reprobates shall be rewarded with Shame in the World to come First Gods Elect shall be rewarded with Glory 1 Proposit in the World to come Touching which Glory of theirs we are to consider The Nature of it The Certainty of it The Degrees of it The Causes of it The Continuance of it 1. As concerning the Nature of it By the Glory of Gods Elect in the World to come I understand that they shall have nothing to be ashamed of but shall have much to glory of in that world They shall have nothing to be ashamed of in that world because their sins shall be all forgiven Psal 32. 1. Acts 3. 19. and they that shall have all their sins forgiven in that world and declared to be forgiven shall have nothing to be ashamed of And as they shall have all their sins forgiven so they shall have all their sins forgotten in that world for where God forgives any sin there will he also forget it so as never to impute it Isai 43. 25. And they that shall have all their sins forgotten shall have nothing to be ashamed of in that world Again As they shall have their sins all forgotten so shall they have their consciences cleared from the guilt of sin in the World to come for they shall have boldness at the Day of Judgment 1 Joh. 4. 17. which boldness shall arise from a conscience cleared and clensed from the guilt of sin and shall continue for ever and they that shall have their consciences thus cleared shall have nothing to be ashamed of in that world Yea they shall have none to lay any thing to their charge in the World to come as I gather from that Interrogation of the Apostle Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Chosen Rom. 8. 33. Seeing God in and by Christ hath or shall fully justifie all his Elect he might well say Who shall lay any thing to their charge for doubless neither God nor Christ nor Angels nor Men nor Devils shall lay any thing to their charge in the World to come and consequently they shall have nothing to be ashamed of in that world But on the contrary they shall have much to glory of because all their graces and vertues with their several operations in this world shall be remembred in the World to come as the Prophet saith A Book of Remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord and thought upon his name Mal. 3. 16. And they that shall have all their graces and vertues with their several operations in the World to come remembred shall have much to glory of that world Beside this they shall have all their graces and vertues illustrated and made to shine before Angels and men in the World to come For God shall bring forth their righteousness as the light and their judgment as the noon day Psal 37. 6. They that are wise shall shine as the firmament and they that turn many unto righteousness as the stars for evermore Dan. 12. 3. And the righteous shall shine as the Sun in the Kingdom of their Father Mat. 13. 43. And they that shall have their graces and vertues thus illustrated shall have much to glory of in that world And which is more they shall have all their graces and vertues perfected in the World to come When that which is perfect is come that which is imperfect shall be done away 1 Cor. 13. 10. Though it be hard to shew what use there shall be of some graces in the World to come as of Repentance Patience c. yet because all graces are imperfect in this life doubtless they shall be all perfected hereafter in Gods Elect And they that shall have all their graces and vertues perfected shall have much to glory of in that world Yea they shall have all their graces and vertues with their several acts and operations recompenced in the world to come as Moses expected when he chose rather to suffer affliction with the People of God then to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season Hebr. 11. vers â—6 And they that shall have such a recompence shall have much to glory of in the world to come And thus we may understand the Nature of this Glory 2. As concerning the certainty of it I affirm That Gods Elect shall most certainly be rewarded with glory in the world to come As may be made good by these Arguments 1. They that are predestinated unto glory shall be rewarded with glory in the world to come But Gods Elect are predestinated unto glory Rom. 8. 30. Ergo. 2. They that are vessels prepared unto glory shall be rewarded with glory in the world to come But Gods Elect are vessels prepared unto glory Rom. 9. 23. Ergo. 3. They that are or shall be effectually called unto glory shall be rewarded with glory in that world But Gods Elect are or shall be all called effectually unto glory 1 Thess 2. 12. 2 Pet. 1. 3. Ergo. 4. They that are or shall be heirs of glory shall be rewarded with glory in that world But Gods Elect are or shall be all heirs of glory RoÌ„ 8. 17. Ergo. 5. They that shall never be ashamed in the world to come shall be rewarded with glory in that world But Gods Elect though they have much to be ashamed of in this world shall never be ashamed in the world to come as may appear by that of the Prophet They shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end Isai 45. 17. My people shall never be ashamed Joel 2. 26 27. Ergo. 6. They that shall be a glorious Church in the world to come shall be rewarded with glory in that world But Gods Elect shall be a glorious Church in that world without spot or wrinkle Eph. 5. 27. Ergo.
cast-awayes cursed children children of the devill children of wrath and heirs of perdition They shall be lightly esteemed of on Christs part for he shall have the same esteem of them which his Father shall have in the world to come They shall be lightly esteemed of amongst the good Angells who have no good esteem of impenitent sinners in this world such as think they need no repentance Luk. 15. and if so we may wel think that they shall have a very light esteem of reprobates in the world to come They shall have a light esteem amongst evill Angells who have no great esteem of impenitent sinners in this world as may appear by that speech of Satan to those Conjurers Iesus I know and Paul I know but who are ye Acts 19. 15. and if so then we may vvell think that they shall have a very light esteem of Reprobates in the world to come They shall be lightly esteemed of amongst the Saints for the Saints in this world contemn a vile person Psal 15. 4. and if so then vve may vvell think that they shall have a very light esteem of Reprobates in the world to come They shall be lightly esteemed of amongst themselves for though wicked men may seem to honour one another in this vvorld very much in time of prosperity yet in time of distresse they seem to be regardlesse one of another as may appear by that speech of the chief Priests and Elders unto Judas vvhen he vvas distresse and said I have sinned in betraying the innocent blood for they said unto him what is that to us see thou to that Mat. 27. 4. and if vvicked men do no more regard one another here in time of distresse vve may vvell think that Reprobates shall have a very light esteem one of another in the world to come thus may we understand the nature of this their contempt Secondly touching the certainty of it I affirm that reprobates shall most certainly be contemned and despised in the world to come as may appear by these arguments 1. They that are vessells of dishonor shall be contemned and despised in the world to come but reprobates are vessells of dishonor for which cause they are compared unto such vessells of a potter as are made for dishonor Rom. 9. 21. and unto such vessels in a great house as are made for dishonor and contempt 2 Tim. 2. 20. Ergo. 2. They that will still despise and contemne God in this world shall be contemned and despised in the world to come as the Lord said Eli They that despise me shall be lightly esteemed 1 Sam. 2. 30. but reprobates will still despise and contemn God in this world Ergo. They that shall have their names left for a curse in the world to come shall be contemned and despised in that world but reprobates shall have their names left for a curse to Gods chosen in that world Isai 65. 15. Ergo. 4. They that will still be wicked in this world shall be contemned and despised in the world to come according to that of Solomon When the wicked cometh then cometh contempt Prov. 18. 3. but reprobates will still be wicked in this world Ergo. 5. They that will still be proud and live under the dominion of this sin without repentance shall be contemned and despised in the world to come as the Prophet intimates when he saith God beholded the proud afar off Psal 138. 6. a sign of present future contempt but reprobates wil will still be proud and live under the dominion of this sin without repentance Ergo. 6. They that will still be of a perverse heart in this world shall be contemned and despised in the world to come according to that of Solomon He that is of a perverse heart shall be despised Pro. 12. 8. viz. not only in this world but also in the world to come if he continue such an one Now reprobates will still be of a perverse heart in this world Ergo. 7. They that shall rise again to contempt at the generall Resurrection shall be contemned and despised in the world to come but reprobates shall rise again to contempt at the generall Resurrection Ergo. 8. They that shall be put to everlasting reproach in the world to come shall be contemned and despised in that world but reprobates shall be put to everlasting reproach in that world Jer. 23. 40. Ergo. Now this latter Proposition doth not only Vse confirm what hath been formerly said viz. that it had been good for reprobates if they had never been born and that it will be worse with them in the world to come then it can be with them in this even in respect of contempt but also it makes for the reproof of all wicked impenitent sinners at this day who for the present are contemners and despisers of God Psal 10. 13. contemners and despisers of his counsell Psal 107. 11. contemners and despisers of his word Prov. 13. 13. contemners and despisers of his reproof Prov. 1. 30. contemners despisers of good men 2 Tim. 3. 3. contemners and despisers of Gods judgments Ezek. 20. 13. contemners and despisers of his Ministers and messengers sent unto them Luk. 10. 16. and in all this contemners and despisers of God himself as it is written he that despiseth despiseth not man but God 1 Thes 4. 8. and what think we shall be the reward of such persons in the world to come doubtlesse unlesse they repent effectually of this sinne before their death they shall be contemned and despised in the world to come as the Lord hath said They that despise me shall be lightly esteemed 1 Sam. 2. 30. Wherefore it concerns such contemners to repent speedily of their sin and to live for the time to come as becometh good Christians and then they shall not be despised but honoured in the world to come that is to say 1. They should be of broken and contrite hearts then shall they not be despised but honoured in the world to come A broken and contrite heart O God thou wilt not despise Psal 51. 17. 2. They should know God effectually then they shall not be despised but honoured in the World to come Psal 91. 14. 3. They should feare God effectually then they shall not be despised but honoured in that world Prov. 22. 4. 4. They should humble themselves effectually before God then they shall not be despised but honoured in that world Prov. 15. 33. 5. They should be willing to do Gods will then they shall not be despised but honoured in that world Rom. 2. 10. 6. They should be willing to suffer any earthly evill for Gods sake then they shall not be despised but honoured in that world for the Lord despiseth not his prisoners Psal 69. 33. SECT XV. Touching the liberty of Gods Elect and the bondage of Reprobates in the world to come HEre followeth a fifth speciall difference which shall be betwixt the parties before-named in the world to come
which may be thus expressed in two Propositions Gods Elect shall be at liberty in the world to come Reprobates shall be in bondage in the world to come The former Proposition is That Gods Elect 1 Proposition shall be at liberty in the world to come that is to say they shall be at liberty from the wrath of God and from all the effects and fruits thereof in that world and so much may be made good by sundry Arguments As 1. S. Pauls Prophecie or propheticall promise is pregnant for it where he saith The creature it self also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God Rom. 8. 21. Where by the children of God I understand his elect children as Joh. 11. 52. who for the present are not all his adopted children but shall be in due time and by the liberty of these I understand a liberty from the wrath of God and from all the effects and fruits of it because it is such a liberty as the creature it selfe shall partake of and I know no liberty but this that the creature here mentioned shall partake of and it is called glorious liberty for to distinguish it from the liberty which the children of God injoy in this world which is not glorious liberty as that in the world to come shall be yea it may be called glorious liberty because it shall be perfect and compleat and perfect things shall be glorious as perfect peace shall be glorious peace perfect holinesse glorious holinesse so perfect liberty shall be glorious liberty And whereas it 's said that the creature it self shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into this liberty I understand by the creature it selfe this present fabrick of heaven and earth this present body or globe of heaven and earth which is a creature and may be distinguished from all mankind as here it is because it is a creature void of reason and though it be now in bondage to corruption by reason of mans sin yet it shall one day be delivered from this bondage by means of its dissolution and thereupon shall be new created Esa 65. 17. and so set at liberty from the wrath of God and from all the fruits and effects thereof as well as the children of God In this Text then this liberty of Gods Elect in the world to come from the wrath of God is so plainly asserted that we need not doubt thereof 2. They that shall never be afflicted in the world to come in soul body name or estate shall be at liberty from the wrath of God in that world Now Gods Elect shall never be afflicted in that world any manner of way in soul body name or estate as I gather from that Promise which saith God shall wipe all tears from their eyes and there shall be no more death neither sorrow nor crying neither shall there be any more paine Rev. 21. 4. Ergo. 3. They that shall never tast of Gods anger wrath or displeasure in the world to come shall be at liberty from his wrath in that world Now Gods Elect shall never taste of Gods anger and displeasure in the world to come as may appear by these promises I will not keep mine anger for ever Jer. 3. 12. I will not retain mine anger for ever Mic. 7. 18. He will not alwayes chide neither will he keep his anger for ever Psal 103. 9. which promises are to be understood only in reference to Gods Elect Ergo. 4. They that shall be perfectly justified in the world to come and declared so to be shall be at liberty from the wrath of God in that world Now Gods Elect shall be perfectly justified in the world to come from their sins as it is written Repent and be converted and your sins shall be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of God Acts 3. 19. Yea they shall be declared so to be Psal 37. 6. Mat. 13. 43. viz. to be just and righteous Ergo. 5. They that shall be perfectly sanctified in the world to come and shall be declared so to be shall be at liberty from the wrath of God in that world Now Gods Elect shall be perfectly sanctified in the world to come seeing the deliverer shall come out of Sion and shall turn away ungodlinesse from Jacob Rom. 11. 26. and shall subdue their iniquities altogether Mic. 7. 19. yea they shall be declared so to be in that they shall be presented before God blamelesse and undefiled without spot or blemish Ephes 5. 27. Ergo. 6. They that shall be found to be the children of God and manifested so to be in the world to come shall be at liberty from the wrath of God and from all the fruits and effects thereof in that world Now Gods Elect shall be found to be the Children of God and shall be manifested so to be for Christ shall say unto them Come ye blessed children of my Father Mat. 25. 34. and there shal be a manifestation of the sons of God Rom. 8. 19. Ergo 7. They that shall perfectly please God in the world to come in all their thoughts words and actions shall be at liberty from his wrath and from the fruits and effects thereof in that world Now Gods Elect shall perfectly please God in the world to come in all their thoughts words and actions for which cause it is said that they shall walk in the light of his countenance Psal 89. 15. and shall walk in the name of the Lord for ever Mic. 4. 5. and God shall make them perfect that they may do what shall be pleasing in his sight Heb. 13. 21. Ergo. 8. They that are vessells of mercy and shall have mercy kept for them for ever shall be at liberty from Gods wrath and from the fruits and effects of it in the world to come Now Gods Elect are vessels of mercy Rom. 9. 23. and shall have mercy kept for them for ever Psal 89. 2. 28. Ergo. 9. They that are delivered from the wrath to come in a meritorious way shall be at liberty from the wrath to come and from the fruits and effects thereof but Gods Elect are delivered from the wrath to come in a meritorious way 1 Thes 1. 10. Joh. 8. 36. Ergo. 16. They that shall injoy the everlasting kindnesse of God in the world to come shall be at liberty from his wrath and from the fruits and effects of it in that world but Gods Elect shall injoy the everlasting kindnesse of God in the world to come according to his promise In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment but with everlasting kindnesse will I have mercy on thee Esa 54. 8. Ergo. Which Proposition thus confirmed may be usefull thus First it makes for the confutation of such as promise themselves and others a state of perfect liberty in this world as some seducers in their Pamphlets have lately done
shall be in bondage under the wrath of God in that world now reprobates shall seek to hide themselves from the wrath of God and of Christ and shall say unto the mountaines and rocks Fall on us and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the Throne and from the wrath of the Lamb Rev. 6. 16. Ergo. Which latter Proposition doth not only confirm Vse what hath been formerly said viz. that it had been good for reprobates if they had never been born and that it shall be worse with them in the world to come in respect of bondage then it can with them in this world But also should admonish all men living to take some effectuall course for their own safety that they may escape the vvrath to come and for this end 1. We must sue out a pardon for our sins from the Throne of Grace in the name of Christ and if we can obtain this pardon we shall be safe from the wrath to come Psa 32. 1. 2. We must repent of our sins heartily and effectually and if so we shall be safe from the wrath to come 3. VVe must believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and be united unto him by a lively Faith and then we shall be safe from the wrath to come For there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Iesus Rom. 8. 1. 4. VVe must accustom our selves to do the will of God and to keep his Commandements in sincerity whilest we live and if so we shall escape the wrath to come and shall still be accepted of him in his beloved and though we can please him but in part here yet we shal perfectly please him in all things hereafter in the world to come SECT XVI Touching the dominion of Gods Elect and the slavery of reprobates in the world to come HEre followeth a sixth speciall difference which shall be betwixt the parties before-named in the world to come which may be thus expressed in two Propositions Gods Elect shall have dominion over reprobates in the world to come Rebrobates shall be very slaves to Gods Elect in the world to come The former Proposition is That Gods Elect shal 1 Proposition have dominion over reprobates in the world to come touching which dominion of theirs I shall endeavour to shew two things viz. The certainty of it The nature of it First touching the certainty of it Iaver it for a most certain truth that Gods Elect shall have dominion over reprobates in the world to come as may be made good by these arguments and considerations 1. It is said of such wicked rich men as shall not truly repent and be converted before their death That the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning Psal 49. 14. where by the upright I understand Gods Elect who are or shal be all upright and sincere before God and knowne by that name another day and by the Morning I understand the day of the last Resurrection which shall be as a morning both in respect of such as shall then arise from the sleep of death and in respect of that everlasting day which shal have no evening and so from this place I may argue thus They that shall begin to have dominion over reprobates at the last Resurrection here called the Morning shal have dominion over them in the world to come Now Gods Elect here called the upright shall begin to have dominion over reprobates at the last Resurrection here called the Morning Ergo. they shall have dominion over them in that world 2. It should be considered that Gods Elect shal be Kings in the world to come not only in a spiritual mystical sense as now they are but in a more genuine proper sense because Christ hath made them Kings unto God Rev. 1. 6. Rev. 5. 10. that is in subordination unto God to serve him in a Kingly way their Kingship shal never be abolished From whence I may argue thus they that shall be Kings in the world to come shall have dominion in that world either over themselves or over their fellow brethren and Saints or over reprobates now Gods Elect shal be Kings in that world yet shall not have dominion over themselves in that world because they shal have no vicious qualities or corruptions in themselves there to be subdued neither shal they have dominion over their fellow brethren and Saints who shal be as truly Kings as themselves Ergo They shal have dominion over reprobates in that world 3. It should be considered that Gods Elect shal be Princes in the world to come properly so called as I gather from that prophecy concerning Christ Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children whom thou mayest make Princes in all the earth Psal 45. 17. VVhere by all the earth I understand not this corrupt earth as if Gods Elect should be all Princes in it but the new earth or the habitable part of that new vvorld vvhich shal be created instead of this wherein they shal be Princes indeed and so from hence I may reason thus if Gods Elect shal be Princes in the world to come then they they shall have dominion in that vvorld either over themselves or over their fellow brethren and Saints or over reprobates but they shal be Princes in that world and shall not have dominion over themselves nor over their fellow brethren and Saints for the reasons before given Ergo they shall have dominion over reprobates in that world 4. It is promised that Gods Elect shall reigne with Christ in the world to come If we suffer with him we shall also reign with him 2 Tim. 2. 12. And we shall reign on the earth Rev. 5. 10. that is on the new earth the habitable part of the world to come From whence I may reason thus also if they shal reign with Christ in the world to come then they shal reign either over themselves or over their fellow brethren and Saints or over reprobates but they shall reign with Christ in that world and they shall not reign over themselves nor over their fellow brethren and Saints Ergo They shall reign over reprobates in that world 5. It should be considered that Gods Elect in the world to come shall have power over Nations as it is written He that overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end to him will I give power over the Nations Rev. 2. 26. where by Nations I understand such at the later day as shal be found to have been the reprobate sort of all Nations in this world And if in this sense Gods Elect in the world to come shal have power over Nations then doubtlesse they should have dominion over Reprobates in that world But in this sense they shal have power over Nations in that world Ergo. 6. It should be considered that Gods Elect in the world to come shal have authority over divers cities For our Saviour shall say unto one faithful servant Have thou authority
shall 2 Proposit have a poor estate in the World to come which may be thus confirmed 1. They that have no riches purchased for them to be enjoyed in the World to come shall have a poor estate in that world but Reprobates have no riches purchased for them to be enjoyed in the world to come Ergo They shall have a poor estate in that world 2. They that shall have no inheritance with the Saints in the world to come shall have a poor estate in the world now Reprobates shall have no inheritance with the Saints in the world to come as appeareth 1 Cor. 6. 9. Gal. 5. 21. Ephes 5 5. which threats shall be executed only on Reprobates who shall finally be found to be such unrighteous and wicked livers Ergo. 3. They that shall inherit nothing in the World to come but the reward of their folly shall have a poor estate in that world But Reprobates shall inherit nothing in the World to come but the reward of their folly as appeareth Prov. 14. 18. Ergo. 4. They that shall have no portion of wealth but in this world shall have but a poor estate in the World to come Now Reprobates shall have a portion of wealth but in this world as I gather from that of the Prophet where he prayeth to be delivered from the men of the world which have their portion in this life whose belly God filleth with his hid treasure Psal 17. 14. Ergo. 5. They that shall have their wealth perish with them shall have but a poor estate in the World to come Now Reprobates shall have their wealth perish with them as it was said to Simon Magus Thy money perish with thee Acts 8. 20. Ergo. 6. They that shall have their part and portion hereafter in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone shall have a poor estate in the World to come But Reprobates shall have their part and portion hereafter in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone Rev. 21. 8. Ergo. 7. They that shall be filled with want in the World to come shall have a poor estate in that world But Reprobates shall be filled with want in the world to come Prov. 13. 25. Ergo. 8. They whose portion in the world to come shall be to drink still of the cup of Gods wrath shall have a poor estate in that world But it shall be the portion of Reprobates in the world to come to drink still of the cup of Gods wrath Psal 11. 6. Erg. And this latter Proposition thus confirmed may be Vse useful too As First It may inform us That none should envy the prosperity of wicked men in this world so as to grudg and be grieved at it And that for these Reasons 1. It is no new thing to hear of worldly wealth and riches conferred on the wicked sort in this world For scoffing Ishmael prophane Esau churlish Nabal had a large portion of worldly wealth conferred on them and our Saviour speaks of a foolish man who had such an increase of worldly wealth that he knew not what to do with it Luk. 12. 17. and cursed Dives was so rich in worldly substance that he was clothed in purple and fine linnen and fared sumptuously every day Luk. 16. 19. Yea it is ordinary at this day to find the wicked sort amongst the richer sort of this world And if this be no new thing we have the less cause to grudg and murmur at it 2. It is by the hand of divine Providence that the wicked sort are made rich in this world For the Lord maketh poor and maketh rich he bringeth low and lifteth up 1 Sam. 2. 7. He it is that filleth their bellies with his hid treasure Psal 17. 14. Now the Lord is a free Dispensator and may do with his own as pleaseth him And why should our eye be evil because his is good 3. The worldly wealth of the wicked is sometimes at least a Judgment of God upon them according to that of Solomon There is a sore evil which I have seen under the Sun namely riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt Eccl. 5. 13. And why should we envy the Judgment of God upon them 4. The worldly wealth of the wicked is sometimes at least cursed unto them For God doth curse them in their basket and in their store in the fruit of their land in the increase of their kine and the flocks of their sheep Deut. 28. 17 18. And why should we envy the Curse of God upon them 5. The worldly wealth of the wicked may be of short continuance and be soon taken from them according to that of the Prophet I have seen the wicked in great power and spreading himself like a green bay-tree Yet he passed away and lo he was not yea I sought him but he could not be found Psal 37. 35 36. Though they have swallowed down riches yet they shall vomit them up again God shall cast them out of their belly Job 20. 15. Or their riches may perish by evil travel Eccles 5. 14. And why should we envy their short prosperity 6. The worldly wealth of the wicked may fall by inheritance unto the godly and to such as shall make a good use thereof according to that of Solomon The wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just Prov. 13. 22. And he that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance he shall gather it for him that will pitty the poor Prov. 28. 8. And if so we have the less cause to grudg at their wealth 7. It is possible that some yea many wicked rich persons may be brought to repentance before their death and so may honour the Lord with their substance as well as others And if so then we shall have more cause to rejoyce then to grieve for that they are or have been so rich in this world 8. But suppose the worst that many or any wicked rich persons shal never be brought to repentance but shall dye out of Gods favour and so be found Reprobates in the world to come what then Surely then wo shall be unto them according to that of our Saviour Wo unto you that are rich for you have received your consolation Luk. 6. 24. Then they shall wish that they had never been rich in this world then they shall be brought into a very poor estate and condition yea then they shall not only be countable to God for their riches according to that in the Parable Give account of thy stewardship but also shall be punished for the abuse of them according to that of S. James Go too now ye rich men weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you Your riches are corrupted and your garments moth-eaten Your gold and silver is cankered and the rust of them shall be a witness against you and shall eat your flesh as it were fire ye have heaped treasure together for the last days Jam. 5. 1 2
safe for any to remain still in the state of nature and unregeneracy because all unregenerate persons as long as they remain such are in a state of spiritual darkness being alienated from the life of God through the darkness that is in them because of the blindness of their hearts Ephes 4 18. being destitute of all saving knowledg of God of Christ and divine Mysteries and being destitute of all real holiness and godly experience And if they shall remain such until their death without doubt they shall be punished with everlasting darkness spiritual in the World to come as hath been proved Wherefore it cannot be safe for any to remain still in the state of nature and unregeneracy But there is a necessity of Regeneration on their part who are not regenerated because without this grace they cannot escape the judgment of spiritual darkness temporal nor eternal but if they can obtain this grace of Regeneration they shal be sure to obtain the blessing of spiritual light here in this life and the fulness of it in the life to come according to that of the Apostle Awake thou that sleepest and stand up from the dead and Christ shall give thee light that is the light of saving grace here and the light of glory hereafter And for the better obtaining of this grace they that want it 1. Must diligently attend unto the outward Ministry of the Word this being the instrumental Cause or Means of Regeneration as S. Peter saith We are born again not of corruptible but of incorruptible seed by the Word of God 1 Pet. 1. 23. 2. They must diligently pray for the inward Ministry of the Spirit this being the efficient Cause of Regeneration as our Saviour saith That which is horn of the Spirit is Spirit Joh. 3. 6. SECT XX. Touching the Joy of Gods Elect and the Sorrow of Reprobates in the World to come HEre followeth a tenth special Difference which shall be betwixt the parties before-named in the next world and it may be thus expressed in two Propositions Gods Elect shall abound with Joy in the next World Reprobates shall abound with Soroow in the next World The former Proposition is That Gods Elect shall abound with Joy and Gladness in the World to come VVhich Joy of theirs shall be such as none in this life can â—ully conceive nor express For doubtless it shall be exceeding wonderful and glorious and that 1. In regard of the manner of it for it shall be suitable to their new natures which they shall reâ—eivâ— 2. In regard of the measure of it for it shall exceedingly abound beyond all their former joys 3. In regard of the several objects and occasions of it for in that world they shall joy and rejoyce in God in Christ in the Nature of God the Mercies of God the Judgments of God in their inward peace and glorious condition and in all that they shall see or hear or speak or do yea the several objects and occasions of their Joy in that world shall be such and so many that they cannot now be numbered by any But that Gods Elect shall abound with Joy in the world to come may be thus proved 1. They that have such Joy and gladness already sown for them as shall be reaped in the world to come shall abound with Joy in that world Now Gods Elect have such joy and gladness already sown for them as shall be reaped in the world to come as we may gather from that of the Prophet Gladness is sown for the upright in heart Psal 97. 11. And if it be sown for the upright in heart then it is sown for all the Elect who are or shall be upright in heart and consequently they shall abundantly reap it in that world 2. They that have or shall have the beginnings of spiritual joy in this world shall abound with joy in that which is to come Now Gods Elect have or shall have the beginnings of spiritual joy in this world for so many of them as are or have been effectually called have already rejoyced in God in Christ in the works of God in the word and Promises of God in the testimony of a good conscience yea they have already rejoyced in tribulation and in hope of the glory of God and the rest of them shall one day be effectually called too so shall have the same beginnings of spiritual joy with the former sort Erg. they shall abound with joy in the world to come 3. They that have or shall have the spirit of godly sorrow in this world shall abound with joy in that which is to come according to these Promises Heaviness may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning Psa 30. 5. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy Psal 126. 5. Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted Mat. 5. 4. Blessed are ye that weep now for ye shall laugh Luk. 6. 21. Now Gods Elect are such as have or shal have the spirit of godly sorrow and contrition here in this world Erg. 4. They that shall have no cause of sorrow in the world to come shall abound with joy in that world Now Gods Elect shall have no cause of sorrow in the world to come For God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes and there shall be no more death neither sorrow nor crying neither shall there be any more pain for the former things are passed away Rev. 21. 4. Ergo. 5. They that shall sing for joy of heart in the world to come shall abound with joy in that world But Gods Elect shal sing for joy of heart in the world to come Isai 65. 14. Ergo. 6. They that shall be created a rejoycing and a joy in the world to come shall abound with joy in that world But Gods Elect shall be created a rejoycing and a joy in that world Isai 65. 18. Ergo. 7. They that shall enter into their Masters Joy in the world to come shall abound with joy in that world Now Gods Elect shall enter into their Masters Joy in that world Mat. 25. 21. Ergo. 8. They that shall have fulness of joy in the world to come shall abound with joy in that world Now Gods Elect shall have fulness of joy in the world to come as it is written In thy presence is the fulness of joy and at thy right haend are pleasures for evermore Psal 16. 11. Ergo. 9. They that shall have everlasting joy upon their heads in the world to come shall abound with joy in that world Now Gods Elect shall have everlasting joy upon their heads in the world to come Isai 35. 10. 61. 7. Ergo. Which Proposition thus proved may be useful Vse thus First It makes for the confutation of such as expect a time of much joy if not perfect joy for Gods faithful people here in this world before the end and say That the Sword which is now drawn shall subdue all the open
shal have perfect rest in the world to come as it is written there remaineth a rest for the people of God Heb. 4. 9. and again It is a righteous thing with God to recompence tribulation to them that trouble you and to you that are troubled rest with us when the Lord Iesus shal be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels Ergo. 2 Thess 1. 7 Which proposition thus proved may be applied first Vse for the confutation of such as are wont to promise themselves and others abundance of holy and happy security in this Life and say that the Saints in the latter times shall have so much rest and tranquillity that none shall be able to make them affraid neither shall they fear any evill present or to come But these are much mistaken for it hath been shewed before that the blessing of perfect security is not to be enjoyed in this world but only in that which is to come And how can we expect such a blessing in this World seeing it is well known that as long as we live here we are stil under a possibility of sinning and under a possibility of suffering for sin and can we be free or safe from the fear of evil as long as we are in such a condition surely no because every known act of sin begets in men the fear of punishment and every punishment for sin begets the fear of another punishment away then with this conceit Againe if Gods Elect shal dwel securely from al fear of evil in the VVorld to come then this may informe us that it is a great favour and mercy of God for any to be of the number of his Elect and no marvel that Saint Paul was thankful to God for the election of some amongst the Ephesians and for the election of some amongst the Thessalonians for he knew this election of theirs to be a great grace and favour of God wherefore they that have a share in this grace can never be sufficiently thankfull for it considering that by vertue of it they shal enjoy many priviledges in the VVorld to come and this of perfect and happy security amongst the rest And that we may be abundantly thankfull for it we must stiâ—l be exhorted to use all diligence that are many make our calling and election sure to our selves â— Pet. 1. 10. for as without this assurance we cannot so by vertue of it we shall be abundantly thankful for this grace Thirdly if we desire to partake of this blessing in the World to come we must endeavour whiles we live here to performe such conditions as have the promise of perfect and happy security annexed to them that is to say 1. We must hearken to Gods Counsell with obedient hearts Pro. 1. 33. 2. We must trust in God with all our hearts Pro. 29. 25. 3. We must approve our selves to be stil his covenant People Heb. 4. 9. And then without doubt we shal dwel securely in the VVorld to come according to Gods Promise The other Proposition is that Reprobates shal 2. Propo. be afraid in the World to come that is They shall be perplexed with the feare of evil in that World they shal stil fear the displeasure of God the displeasure of Christ the displeasure of the Saints with a slavish fear they shal stil fear the Paines Punishments and Torments which are to be suffered by them in that World and that with a perplexed feare And for proof hereof these Arguments may be produced 1. If the perplexed feare of evil be a spirituall punishment belonging unto Reprobates in this VVorld then they shall have much more experience of it in that which is to come Now the perplexed fear of evill is a spirituall punishment belonging unto such in this world as may appeare by these passages The strangers shall fade away and be afraid out of their close places Psal 18. 45. They shall be afraid pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them they shall be in paine as a Woman that travelleth they shall be amazed one at another their faces shall be as flames Isa 13. 8. in that day shall Egypt be like unto Women it shall be afraid and fear because of the shaking of the hand of the Lord of Hosts which he shaketh over it Esay 19. 16. The sinners in Zion are afraid fearfulnesse hath surprised the Hypocrites who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire Esay 33. 14. from all which places we may gather that the perplexed fear of evil is a spirituall punishment belonging unto Reprobates in this world and if so how can they escape the full measure of it in that which is to come seeing spiritual punishments in this life are but the first fruits of a full crop to be received hereafter 2. They that shall be afraid of the last judgement shal be perplexed with the fear of evill in the world to come Now Reprobates shall be afraid of the last judgement for they shall hide themselves in the dens and Rock of the Mountaines and shall say unto the Mountaines and Rocks fall on us and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the Throne and from the wrath of the Lamb for the great day of his wrath is come and who shall be able to stand Rev. 15. 16 17. Ergo. 3. They that shall have vexing and accusing consciences in the World to come shall be perplexed with the fear of evill in that World but Reprobates shall have vexing and accusing Consciences in the world to come Rom. 2. 15. Ergo. 4. They that shall suffer Hellish torments in the world to come shall be perplexed with the fear of evil in that world But Reprobates shall suffer hellish torments in the world to come Psa 9. 17. Ergo. And this latter Proposition may be applied thus Vse First It confirms that divine Maxim which hath been often repeated viz. That it had been good for Reprobates if they had never been born For if they had never been born they could never have had any experience of such perplexed fears neither in this world nor in that which is to come But now seeing they have been are or shall be born they cannot avoyd them Secondly It may inform us That it shall be worse with them in the world to come in respect of this fear then it can be with them in this life For though whiles they live here they may tremble fear and be much astonished by reason of Gods Judgments yet hereafter they shall be much more astonished in this respect Thirdly It should admonish all whiles we live here to provide for our own safety that we may dwell securely and may be free from fear of evil in the world to come And for this end 1. We must still pray for the blessing of pardon and reconcilion which blessing if we can obtain before our death we shall be safe from the fear of evil in the next world 2. We must still pray for the blessing of
inward peace and assurance of conscience which if we can obtain before our death we shall be safe from the of evil in the next world 3. We must still pray for the spirit of Adoption which if we can obtain before our death we shall be safe from the fear of evil in the next world and shall be able to say with the Apostle We have not received the spirit of bondage to fear again but we have received the spirit of Adoption whereby we cry Abba Father Rom. 8. 4. We must still pray for the spirit of Love that it may increase and abound more and more in us which if we can obtain before our death then we shall be perfect in love hereafter in the next world and this perfect love will cast out all slavish fear of evil and make us dwell securely for ever Finally By all that hath been said touching the different condition of Gods Elect and Reprobates in the world to come we may plainly perceive the error of such as plead for Vniversal Redemption and say That Christ by his Death hath purchased Eternal Redemption for all and every one of Mankinde none of them excepted Whâ—ch bold assertion must needs be erroneous because it crosseth all such Scripture passages as do by way of Antithesis describe a different condition of Mankinde in the world to come And if there shall be such and so many differences betwixt men and men in the world to come as have been before discovered how can all and every one of them agree or be equal in the grace of Redemption Or if all men agree and be equal in the grace of Redemption how can there be such differences betwixt them in the world to come Doubtless there shall be no oppositive differences betwixt the redeemed of the Lord in the next world But all such differences shal be betwixt the redeemed and the not redeemed Wherefore I may safely say That the grace of Eternal Redemption is the priviledg of Gods Elect and was purchased onely for them not for all and every one of Mankinde And our Saviour plainly intimated so much when he said I lay down my life for the sheep Joh. 10. 15. And lest any should think that by sheep in this place we are to understand all and every one of Mankinde he doth elsewhere distinguish between sheep and goats Matth. 25. that we may understand by sheep the whole company of Gods Elect and by goats the whole company of Reprobates And though the Scripture saith in some places That Christ dyed for all and tasted Death for all 2 Cor. 5. 15. Heb. 2. 9. yet we must know that in these and such like places the word All is not taken absolutely for all without exception but restrictively for all the Elect or for some of all Nations and all conditions And in this sence the word All doth but signifie many in the Doctrine of Mans Redemption for which cause it is often expounded in Scripture by the word many as when it is said Christ gave his life a ransom for many Mat. 20. 28. He shed his blood for many Matth. 26. 28. He was once offered to bear the sins of many Hebr. 9. 28. Away then with the Doctrine of Vniversal Redemption It hath been too long preached by some and by such as know not how to content themselves and the people longer then they are harping upon this string But methinks the different condition of Mankinde of Elect and Reprobates in the world to come should make them ashamed to own this Doctrine any longer because it is not possible for them to reconcile this Doctrine of Vniversal Redemption with the Doctrine of the World to come For the former Doctrine communicates the benefit of Christs Death unto all and every one of Mankinde but the latter denies it unto many yea unto all the Reprobate sort of Mankinde And so for the present I conclude this point The Lord give you understanding in all things needful for you to know Imprimatur Januar. 19. 1650. Joseph Caryl FINIS