up Christ to sit on his Throne He seeing this before spake of the Resurrection of Christ that his soul was not left in Hell neither did his flesh see corruption as Davids did David is not yet ascended or raised But Jesus that was made of the seed of David after the flesh in that one body so prepared for him in the womb of the Virgin in which he bore our sins to the Tree He is mightily declared to be the Son of God by the resurrection of him from the dead in that same body according to the Scriptures Rom. 1. 3 4. 2 Tim. 2. 8. 1 Cor. 15. And he being risen from the dead in that body in mans nature is become the first fruites of them that slept or that yet dye in Adam Therefore we conclude that the resurrection in the lump or harvest of it even of the just and unjust shall be so far of the same nature or kind that it shall be of the same bodies that dye in Adam and from him even that which is dead and sleepes in the dust of the earth of them that rest in death yea the same bodies of all the rest not another shall come up in the room but it shall be changed into another quality yea this our conclusion is likewise plainly and abundantly asserted by the Apostle in that 1 Cor. 15. in answer to that question which the Apostle supposes some ignorant and carnall minds would move viz. How are the dead raised up and with what body do they come In answer to that Question he all along abundantly asserts that even the same it the same body that is sown a naturall body and in corruption shall be raised again though in another quality And first in his similitude or comparison of the seed or grain sown in the Earth being quickened after it dyes in the Earth Though the comparison between that and the resurrection will not hold in every thing yet so far as the Apostle uses and applyes it it s of good use for illustration There he tells us that which thou sowest is not quickened except it dye he saith not that the same it he same seed or grain is not quickened but that it is not quickened except it dye so then it is the same seed or grain which is quickened after it dyes Then further he addes that which thou sowest thou sowest not that Body which shall be But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him and to every seed his own body He saith not that which thou sowest shall be no more or that there riseth or cometh forth some other thing or body in the stead of it But that which thou sowest thou sowest it not that which it shall be still it s the same it that shall be in the quickening of it Another body as to the quallity of it It s the same changed he gives to every seed it s own body So likewise he abundantly asserts in the following application of the comparison speaking therein chiefly or more directly of the Resurrection of the just So also is the resurrection of the dead It is sowne in corruption it is raised in incorruption It is sowne in dishonour it is raised in glory It is sowne in weaknesse it is raised in power It is sowne a naturall body it is raised a spirituall body Observe all along its the same it the same body that now is vile and dead and turnes to dust that is raised another body as to quality or in another quallity The same body that is now in its present state of flesh and bloud as corruptible uncapable of inheriting the kingdom even the same shall be changed and fashioned into the likenesse of his glorious body and then inherit with him Whence the resurrection is called the Redemption of the body and not the quickening or raising up some other thing Phill. 3. 21. Rom. 8. 17-23 2 The next thing we propounded as having occasion given us by the text to consider in this Doctrine of the resurrection of the Dead and eternall Judgment is The time of it Some discovery of which is hinted in the former consideration yet here we shall perticularly shew what is expressed and signified in the text concerning it And how that is confirmed in other Scriptures 1 It is expressed to be in an hour or time that is coming yea that so much is to be understood in the expression that it is not now not made or accomplished in or upon any in this present time that is already come appeares by compareing this with vers 25. To which that this relates we have already shewed In that with reference to it this declares a greater and more wonderfull manifestation of the excellency of the son of man and of the mighty power of his voyce then that there spoken off And here its relating to that further appeares in the expression of the time of the coming forth of this as compared with the time of the coming forth of that Consider and compare the severall expressions of the time of the coming forth of the distinct and severall workes There he saith the hour is coming and now is in which the dead shall hear his voyce and they that hear shall live Here he saith Marvell not at this For the hour is coming in the which all that are in the Graves shall hear his voyce and shall come forth c. Now in that he there saith the hour is coming and now is and here saith the hour is coming But leaves out that clause and now is which is there added I say in that he addes it there and leaves it out here he fully signifies so much to be understood that the hour or time for this here spoken of is not now and so his saying here that the hour is coming without the addition of that clause considering what relation it hath to that verse where it is added is as much as if he had said the hour is coming but is not now as the forementioned efficacy of his voyce is but in the time yet wholly to come they erred concerned the truth that said that the resurrection was past already or past to some and so already come or made and accomplished upon any in the time of this life For as it is appointed to men the whole kind once to dye so also after death to come forth to the Judgement 2 Tim. 2. 18. Hebr. 9. 27. 2 It is fully signified in the text still comparing it as before with that 25 verse that the hour or time of the resurrection and eternall Judgment is an hour or time by it selfe distinct from that hour or time spoken of in the 25 verse which was both coming and already begun And therefore no part of that nor can it be till that be finished for he saith not that in this hour or time coming which now was already begun or in any following part of that all that are in the Graves shall
our selves or others at any of those great and deep things of God contained in the testimony of Christ according to that Pro. 26. 4 5. Answer not a Fool according to his folly least thou also become like unto him Answer a Fool according to his folly least he be wise in his own conceite 1 Not to seek to answer them in their own way or so as we become like unto them in the use of such carnall weapons for confirming the truth as they use against it for that grants the way good that indeed is evill of measuring the truth of God by mans Imagination or endeavouring to bring it down to the comprehension of his blind and corrupted reason nor hath that any promise of Gods presence with it for reproving and convincing yea whatever faith is that way produced rests but in the wisdome and strength of man therefore the Apostles avoyded it 1 Cor. 1. 17 18 c. 2. tot 2 Cor. 10. 3 4. But 2. So to answer them with his words and in his way as the folly and vanity of their way of reasoning in which they desire by their carnall wisdome to finde out comprehend and be satisfied about the things of God in Christ may appear by opposing to them the greatnesse of God and the unsearchablenesse of his works and ways past finding out as well in that which he hath already done in the person of Christ as also in that which he doth in his dayly dispensations and providences And in that which he will doe and bring forth by him of which he hath given assurance in what he hath already done in all which his judgments are unsearchable He raiseth the dead why then should it be thought incredible that he should doe whatever he saith he doth or promiseth he will do though we cannot comprehend how such a thing should be If when God saith that he so teacheth man knowledge that that which may be known of God is manifest in them even in them that had not the records of the Scriptures among them yea in their hearts that liked not to retain it there And that his goodnesse doth lead those men to repentance that yet harden their hearts and are not led by it If then any reply against God and say how can this thing be this seemes absurd or will not stand with such traditions or apprehensions of God which we have taken up from our Fathers or with our reason seek not then to satisfie his reason in that way it desires satisfaction or to bring the great things of God down to it but to the Law to the Testimony what is written how readest thou and if God say it its meet for us to believe it for with him no word or work is unpossible no not to raise the dead and let that stop the mouth of further inquiry how such a thing can be as the Apostle when he would demonstrate that that which may be known of God is manifest in them he useth this onely as a sufficient demonstration that God hath showed it unto them Rom. 1. 19 20. For who teacheth like him or who hath enjoyned him his way c. Job 36. 22. 23-26 who then art thou oh vain man that replyest against God that raiseth the Dead We come now to the Doctrine mainly contained and spoken too in the text to wit the Doctrine of the Resurrection of the Dead and of eternall judgment by Christ In this Declaration of it by our Saviour we have set before us 1 What the Resurrection and Judgment spoken of is As to the subject of it that is to be raised and judged 2 The time of it 3 Some intimation of the order of it 4 The meanes or power by which it shall be effected 5 The different state of Persons in the Resurrection or ends to which they shall be raised 1 What the Resurrection and Judgment spoken of is As to the subject of it This is clearly intimated and fully expressed to be the quickening or raising up of the dead Bodies of men after death hath fully ceized on them a raising them up in a sensible being and capable of partaking off and possessing everlasting glory or everlasting shame and horror And so the making alive the dead Bodies of men by Christ in an answerable sence to that dying or death that passeth on them all by the one man Adam as 1 Cor. 15. 21 22. A totall redeeming them from the first death and the grave And bringing them forth in soul and body reunited to their eternall judgment 1 This is clearly intimated in his saying marvell not at this namely at his former declaration of the present power and efficacy of his voyce or word on the spirits of men while in this body making those dead in sins and trespasses to hear and spiritually quickening and making alive such as in hearing hear and then adding as a reason why they should not marvell at that this further Declaration of the mighty power of his voyce as it shall be after manifested in raising and bringing forth all that are in the Graves which being added as a farther declaration of the mighty power of and in it to take them off from their sinfull marvelling at the former signifies that the Resurrection and bringing forth of the Graves here spoken of as the efficacy of his voyce is not the same efficacy of it with that forementioned But another thing distinct from it yea a greater and more wonderfull efficacy of the same voyce of the son of man And is as much as to say Marvell not that I said unto you that those dead in sins and trespasses shall hear the voyce of the Son of God And they that hear in that hearing given them shall have their spirits quickened and made alive for righteousnesse sake while yet the body is dead because of sin for loe a greater and more marveilous work then this shall be effected by it even all that are in the Graves shall hear it and shall come forth some to the resurrection of life and some to the resurrection of damnation so that in this our Saviour signifies the resurrection of the dead or bringing them forth of their Graves to Judgment to be another work and distinct from the work of spirituall vivification yea a greater and more wonderfull work then any work that is now working or wrought by his voyce on the spirits of men while yet the body is dead in the first death or that reignes on it as the fruit of sin which distinct and greater work can be no other but the quickening or raising up of the mortall body yea the totall redemption from the first death for those spirituall quickening efficacies of his word on mens spirits now are expresly mentioned in the foregoing verses as greater works then those of healing any bodily Infirmities verses 20 21 25. yea those are the greater works that our Saviour promises they that believe on him should do
mighty voyce 1 It shall be by vertue of or because of his being the son of man his being made so and his continuing ever to be so by and in the vertue of the works finished in that his own body which the Father gave him to do on Earth So much is plain in the foregoing verses compared with this The Father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgment to the Son For as the Father hath life in himselfe so he hath given to the Son to have life in himselfe and hath given Him authority to execute Judgment also because he is the son of man yea on that this which followes in the Text doth also depend being part of that exccution of judgment to which the Father hath given him authority Because he is the Son of man therefore it is that all that are in the Graves shall hear his voyce and shall come forth c. If he had not suffered the judgment of this World which the Father had against them under which they were fallen by the transgression and disobedience of the first man in which all have sinned and by that sin and sinfullnesse which thereby entred into and overspread the whole nature which judgment he could not have suffered if he had not had a body prepared for him in mans nature subject to all our infirmities yet without sin And if also in suffering that judgment he had not so satisfied as to discharge and overcome it If he had not compleated righteousnesse in riseing up from the Dead in the name power and glory of the Father that delivered him to it And in the same body in which our sins were imputed to him and in which he bore them to the Tree a Conquerour over all that Curse and Death inflicted on him for us And offered up that body an acceptable and effectuall ransome or price of Redemption to God for all mankind so as to be therein and as such a ransome received and accepted for ever with the Father now no more to return to coâruption Then that first judgment could not have been remitted nor mankind released from under it to him And the whole judgment of them committed to him nor could he have received authority and power to raise them all out of the first death And bring them to his judgment seat But this power authority and glory is given him because he is the Son of Man according to that Joh. 12. 31 32 33. Now is the Judgment of this World namely then when his soul was in trouble as vers 27. in that Agony in which it was made an offering for our sin Then was the Judgment of this World executed on him and suffered by him now shall the Prince of this World be cast out That is this suffering work being over and finished By vertue of it and of the well-pleasednesse God hath taken in it The power of death should be and was before vertually taken from Satan And he cast out of that dominion and principallity he had gotten over mankind by the receite and prevailency of his temptation Bringing sin weaknesse and death into the World and upon the whole nature And so bringing whole man under the Judgment of banishment and separation from God in the first death which was such as left them as so shut out from God necessarily under the power and dominion of Satan subject to his bondage all their life time And so for ever to be left under the power and dominion of the first death This plot and snare of Satan he hath broken That no man is necessarily holden out from God by sin death or the Curse of the Law as so brought in nor shall any be for ever holden in that death Christ hath abollished death by his appearing and therein spoyled Principallities and Powers The Prince of this World is judged And see what followes And I says he if I be lifted up from the Earth will draw all men to me which he spake saith the Text signifying by what death he should dye yet doubtlesse 't is a direct expression of his exaltation with the right hand of God in that Body in which he bore our sins to the Tree But that so expressed as therein was signified the manner of his death by being lifted up upon the Cross through which and by meanes of which he was so exalted And so in both it answers to this Text Because he is the son of man Because of his taking mans nature in that one body prepared for him and in that his own body humbling himselfe to death even the death of the Cross as the Son or Heyre of man even his Heyre at Law of all his sin misery death and curse that came in meerly through the offence of one man Adam Therefore he being raised from the dead by the glory of the Father in that his own body in which he bore our sins to the Tree now no more to return to corruption and exalted with the right hand of God to appear in his presence in Heaven it selfe for us is therein glorified with the Fathers own selfe so as to bring all men under his power dispose and Government in their severall Ages that through him they may be saved yea therefore because of his sufferings and giving himselfe as raised from the dead and being accepted for ever a ransome for them all he will redeem them all wholly from the first death ransome them from the power of the Grave and bring them to his Judgment seat Hose 13. 14. with 1 Tim. 2. 6. For to this end Christ both dyed rose and revived that he might be Lord of all both dead and living Rom. 14. 9 11 12. Phill. 2. 6-11 For as by man came death so by man also the resurrection of the dead for as in Adam all dye and that is no otherwise but in the demerit and influence of his transgression Rom. 5. 12. even so in Christ That is in the merit or vertue and influence of his perfect sacrifice and righteousnesse shall all be made alive Hence the Apostle gives this as the ground of that Doctrine that we must all appear before the Judgment seate of Christ that every one may receive according to the things done in the body whether good or bad namely that one dyed for all and rose again so effecatiously as it was accepted with the Father as if all had dyed and to such a gracious end that they which live every man in his severall Age and life time should not hence forth after this grace comes to him bringing salvation live to themselves but to him that dyed for them and rose again If he had not dyed for them their death and suffered their curse and that so effectually as to become himselfe a ransome for them a price of redemption from that death and curse They must necessarily have perished for ever in and under it If also this had not been by the grace of God and so reall
had been holden of Death or the Grave and not been taken from the prison and from the judgment If he after the same consideration of him in which he was delivered for our offences even Jesus of the seed of David after the flesh be not raised again and so mightily declared to be the Son of God by the Resurrection from the Dead we are yet in our sins and must needs perish in them we can have no justification from them by him if he himselfe in that his own personall Body in which he bore our sins to the tree and gave himselfe for our sins be not raised and exalted in the name and Glory of the Father by the power of the eternall Spirit now no more to returne to corruption If there were any truth in such Imaginations as that there is some quickening or translateing work that is or may be effected upon the soule or spirit as Distinct from and without its body that may properly be called the Resurrection of that person on whom it passeth from the Dead yet that truth would doe us no good as to a word of saith Such a Resurrection here would not help us nor any thing lesse or besides the resurrection and exaltation of the same Body in which he was delivered if the same flesh or body be not raised exalted and glorified with God we can have no faith or hope in him For this also we finde that that Body was prepared for him as absolutely necessary to doe the whole will of God in for mans salvation and that through him they might be saved as well as also that by him they might be judged in Righteousnesse according to the Gospell And so not only that he might therein suffer our Death and Curse But also that he might have it as through sufferings made perfect to offer up in Sacrifice to God as the Ransome or price of redemption in which God might smell a savour of Rest for fallen mankind and likewise to appear in in the presence of God as the Mediator between God and men and as the Great Apostle and High Priest of our profession that all fullnesse dwelling in him bodily we also of his fullnesse might receive c. yea that it is through the offering up of the Body of Christ once for all that we are sanctified 'T is through this man and because God hath raised him from the Dead that repentance and remission of sins is preached to us and by him all that believe are justified c. Yea because this man continueth ever therefore he is able to save to the utmost them that come to God by him and therefore also all judgement committed to him see Hebr. 10. 5-10-12 with ch 9. 11. 12. 14. 23. 24. 25. 26. 28. and ch 8. 1-3 4. and 7. 23. 24. 25. c. 1 Tim. 2. 5. 6. Joh. 1. 14. 16. with Coll. 2. 9. Act. 13. 37. 38. 39. Ioh. 5. 27. Act. 17. 31. This therefore is mainly considerable in that testimony of Christ delivered as the Ground of all our faith and hope that God hath raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead who was delivered for our offences even the same Jesus of Nazareth and in that his own personall Body in which he was to delivered Jesus Christ of the seed of David after the flesh Rom. 1. 3. 4. 2 Tim. 2. 8. This truth we have before sufficiently proved for confirmation of the hope of the Resurrection of our Bodies that dye in Adam Here we shall only farther shâw of how great weight and importance our Saviour and the holy Ghost by the Apostles signify it to be and the asserting and acknowledgement of it as one of the first and greatest things in the Word of faith on which the other things in it depend and in which they are included and therefore not to be passed over as a lighter matter or bieopinion to be so discoursed of or only to be of some lesser use To this it is very observable That our Saviour after his Resurrection In all those his appearances and instructions to his Apostles before his being taken up in which he was confirming and preparing them for that great work of giving forth the full preaching and revelation of the Word of faith to all Nations for the obedience of faith he then chiefly insisted on this to shew himselfe to them alive after his passion and that it was he himselfe the same that suffered and was hung on a Tree And that he had the selfe same body flesh and bones hands and feet really as a spirit without a body hath nor though it may sometimes assume such shapes that it was the same in which he sometime conversed with them in weaknesse that was nailed to the Crosse pierced with a speare c. And withall he instructed them that all this was necessary these things must needs be so fulfilled that repentance and remission of sins might be preached in his name Luk. 24. 36 48. Ioh. 20. 24. 27. with Act. 1. 3. Likewise the Apostle Iohn summing up the Word of faith The testimony of God concerning Christ they had received of him to declare unto us cals it a declaration of that which they had looked upon with their eyes and their hands had handled of the Word of life which being with such apt alusion to those words of our Saviour handle me and see for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as yee see me to have Luk. 24. 39. with Ioh. 20. 24. 27. Must needs meane the Lords body raised from the dead The man Christ Jesus alive after his passion in the same body in which he bore our sins to the tree which other believers are said not so to have seen Ioh. 20. 29. 1 Pet. 1. 8. yet to believe and in the beliefe of it to rejoyce and be blessed 1 Ioh. 1. 12. Hence also we read in that whole story of the Acts of the Apostles as in all their Epistles that they in giving forth the Gospell of Christ the Word of faith after the holy Ghost was poured out upon them from on high doc chiefly insist on this as the first and fundamentall things of all Orracles of God as now come forth The foundation of all our faith hope as now declared and of the resurrection of the dead and eternall judgment that God had raised up and exalted the same Jesus of Nazareth of the fruit of David's loynes according to the flesh that was crucified that his soul was not left in Hell neither did his flesh see corruption that God had given him glory in that Body in which he bore our sins to the Tree that our faith and hope might be in God And from hence do evidence repentance and remission of sins to be therefore preached to us through this man and in his name as Act. 2. 22-36 3. 14-21 4. 10-12 5. 30-32 13. 23-37 38. 39. Rom. 1. 1-5 4. 24. 24. 10. 9. 1 Cor. 15.
Instruction to the Living FROM THE Consideration of the future State OF THE DEAD OR The Doctrine of the Resurrection of the DEAD and of Eternal Judgment by CHRIST as the sum of it was delivered at the Funerall of Mrs. Elizabeth Harrison in Boston Jan. 1657 8 By Tho. Moore Junior If any man will come after me saith Christ let him denie himselfe and take up his Cross and follow me For whosoever will save his life shall loose it And whosever will loose his life for my sake shall find it and keep it unto life eternall Joh. 12. 25. for what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole World loose his own soule or what shall a man give in exchange for his soule For the Son of Man shall come in the Glory of his Father with his holy Angells And then shall he reward every man according to his works Math. 16. 24-27 Wherefore saith the Apostle we labour that whether present namely in the body or absent from it we may be accepted with him knowing that we must all appeare before the Judgment-seate of Christ that every one may receive the things done in his Body according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad 2 Cor. 5. 9 10. For to this end Christ both Dyed Rose and Revived that he might be Lord Both of the Dead and Living Rom. 14. 9-11 To him therefore shall men come And all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed Isa 45. 24. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord we perswade men LONDON Printed by E. Brudenell for John Allen at the Sun-Rising in St. Pauls Church-yard 1659. To The READER AT the importunity of the late Husband of the Deceased I promised some notes of what was delivered at his said Wives Funerall Intending only a Breviary of the heads of that But when I set on the performance of my promise not knowing how publique it might be made I thought it expedient to speak more fully and explicatively to many of the things herein discoursed then I could have done in such a Breviary or had opportunity to doe at the first Delivery of it which work requiring more time then I could redeeme to it for a good while by reason of many unexpected occasions It hath lyen the longer by me I hope also God might order it so that it might come forth to thy greater advantage I shall here add but this word That the things chiefly treated of are of the great things of the Law or Doctrine of God very needfull to be well knowne and earnestly heeded by us The good Lord graciously pardoning my weaknesse and brokennesse in putting them to remembrance give us all a more clear understanding of them then is made over in my rude expressions and so direct us to a hearty reception and profitable usefullnesse of the things themselves as contained in the Scriptures is the desire of the most unworthy of all that have received mercy From my house at LYNN Novemb. 4. 1658. Tho. Moore Junior THE Doctrine of the Resurrection of the Dead And of Eternall Judgment by CHRIST as Evidenced in the Testimony of Christ spoken too in some explication of those words of our Saviour Job 5. 28 29. as considered with the foregoing Verses and compared with other Scriptures Joh. 5. 28 29. Marvel not at this for the hour is coming in the which all that are in the Graves shall hear his voice And shall come forth they that have done good unto the resurrection of life and they that have done evill unto the resurrection of damnation OUR Saviour having healed an impotent man that had an Infirmity 38 yeares by his word in which also he bad him rise take up his bed and walk and done these things on the Sabbath day as we read in the beginning of the chapter The Jewes as soon as they heard it did the efore persecute and seek to slay him because he had done these things on the Sabbath day vers 15 16. Our Saviour that he might also heal their minds and so allay the heat of their ignorant zeale and sury graciously instructs them My Father saith he worketh hitherto and I work his Father did work in this work by his word to the making the man whole shewing that to be a good Sabbath days work as also the like Mark 3. 1 5. And therefore he ought not to be blamed seeing he therein did not nor doth he any thing at any time but the works of the Father and in the Counsell Name Power and Authority of the Father that did work by him all that he did having also made him Lord of the Sabbath as Mark 2. 27 28. At this the Iewes conceived yet further displeasure and sought the more to kill him not only because he had broken the Sabbath as they still imagined not minding his gracious instruction But also because he said that God was his Father Immediatly and in such wise as therein to their apprehension he made himselfe equall with God which indeed to him was no. robbery Phil. 2. 6. Our Saviour takes occasion still from their ignorant fury and malicious opposition farther to instruct them into the excellency of his person and works and the glory the Father had given him to possesse in that body in mans nature and for mans good as also that glory that should after be more gloriously actually conferred on him and he cloathed with it in that body and it manifested in and through him That in and by him men might know honour and beleive in God This instruction he carryes on in all the following discourse to the verses we have pitcht on shewing in all that to him it was no robbery to be equall with God Instructing and admonishing them by all to reverence him and seek to know and worship God in and by him So infinite are his Compassions and gentlenesse towards even such rebellious sinners he was not yet provoked by all their malicious forwardnesse to rise up in fury against them or hide himselfe and with hold his gracious instructions from them But as one that hath received gifts even for the rebellious also that the Lord God might dwell among them is still ladeing them with heavenly instructions teaching sinners in the way blessing them that curse him doing good to them that despitefully use him and persecute him giving us herein an example that we should follow his steps according to that instruction The Servant of the Lord must not strive but be gentle to all men apt to teach in meeknesse instructing them that are ignorant and oppose themselves c. 2 Tim. 2. 24 25 26. not frowardly or unfaithfully withholding from them for fear or shame or revenge any of those things that may tend to commend Christ as the Son of God and Saviour of the World and render him precious nor being selfe-willed or soon angry but speaking the truth in love while we have opportunity This discovery of the
had sent divers servants before last of all he sent the Son himself Math. 21. 37. 2 We come next to enquire what is that hour or time immediately succeeding or coming next after that time of the ministeriall preaching of Jesus Christ forementioned After the finishing of which there shall be no more meanes used nor time afforded to the World that now is nor shall there ever be any more need of such gifts or such exercise of them as is now appointed for the work of the ministry by the Saints in this time of their imperfection though the matter of the voyce preached shall then be the matter of their song and gloriously commemorated by them among all the Nations in the World to come The hour or time then coming after and immediately succeeding that hour or time mentioned in vers 25. Cannot be in any time or ages of the World that now is nor untill the second personall appearing of Jesus Christ from Heaven For till then this time forementioned lasts And is therefore called the last time or age of the World that now is as we have already shewed The time therefore under consideration must needs be the time of the World to come which immediately followes at the heeles of this and upon that second and glorious appearance of the mighty God our Saviour as 2 Pet. 3. So that it is the World to come of which we speak and of which our Saviour speakes in this 28 verse The hour is coming in the which all that are in the Graves shall hear his voyce and shall come forth some to the Resurrection of life and others to the Resurrection of damnation It is the time of his glorious personall appearing from Heaven upon earth to put an end to the World that now is And create new Heaven and new earth and restore the whole Creation And the time of his glorious Kingdom on the earth in the World to come in which all things shall be visibly and gloriously subdued to him 2 Tim. 4. 1. After which time shall be no more Now then that there shall be such a time after the ministeriall preaching of peace by Jesus Christ hath been continued its time for a witnesse to all Nations such a time I say as in which the Son of man shall personally appear from Heaven on the Earth in that glory he now possesseth for us in Heaven in that body in which he bore our sins to the Tree And shall then put an end to the World that now is and make new Heavens and new Earth and take to him his great power and reigne on the Earth till all his enemies be subdued And that all that whole time of his appearing and Kingdom is called one time or day of the son of man the great day of Christ the hour or time that is coming and not yet come And that that time or day of his appearing and Kingdom is the time of the dead that they shall be raised and judged See a little of the Scriptures Testimony to each of these 1 That there shall be such a time after the ministeriall preaching of peace by Jesus Christ as aforesaid see Peters Testimony Act. 3. 19 20 21. of the times of refreshing which saith he shall come from the presence of the Lord when he shall send us Jesus Christ who before saith he was presence unto you namely before that time of Gods sending him again viz. in this present hour or time that now is after the finishing of which God shall send us the same Jesus whom they crucified in the glory which he now possesseth for us whom the Heaven must receive till the Restitution of all things which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy Prophets since the World began To which agrees the testimony of the Angels this same Jesus which is taken up from you into Heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him goe into Heaven Act. 1. 11. As he appeared once in the last Ages of the World in that one body which the Father prepared for him in our nature to put away sin by the sacrifice of himselfe and so was once offered to beare the sins of many So he shall appear the second time in the same body but without sin or any imputation or fruites of it upon him even in the glory he now possesseth for us to the utmost salvation of those that now look for him Hebr. 9. 26 28. Those that have their conversation in Heaven do look for the Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ from Heaven as Phil. 3. 20. Coll. 3. 4. Tit. 2. 13. And though others scoffe at the promise of his coming yet that day of the Lord will come to them as a Theife in the night In the which the Heavens shall pasle away with a great noise and the Elements shall melt with servent heate the Earth also and the works therein shall be burnt up And so it shall be as the dayes of Noah and of Lot to the dissolving all these things and putting an end to this corruptible state of the World Luk. 17. 25 30. Neverthelesse we according to his promise look for new Heavens and a new Earth in which dwelleth righteousnesse 2 Pet. 3. 4 14. yea in that his coming he shall still sit on the right hand of power Math. 26. 64. and reigne on the earth ministring judgment to the people in righteousnesse Psal 9. 7 8. 96. 13. 2 Tim. 2. 12. Rev. 5. 10. 20. 4 6. And then when he takes to him his great power and reignes as Rev. 11. 17. all things shall be visibly and gloriously subject to him for he shall put down all rule power and authority and reigne till all his enemies be put under his feet and then deliver up the Kingdom to the Father and God shall be all in all when time shall be no more 1 Cor. 15. 23 28. with Hebr. 2. 5 8. 2 That all that whole time of his glorious personall appearing and Kingdome is together and by it selfe as distinguished from the first day of the son of man In which he once personally appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himselfe and hath abollished death And in which also he personally began and mediately continues a gracious and spirituall ministration bringing life and immortallity to light through the Gospell I say as distinguished from that whole day or time of the son of man All this time of his glorious appearing and Kingdome is called one of the dayes of the son of man Luk. 17. 22. Where after he hath told the Pharisees that the Kingdome of God cometh not with observation ourward shew of glory or worldly pomp as they expected But that the Kingdome of God was now amongst them brought to them in the ministration and preaching of it by him he then further tells his Disciples that they should desire to see one of the dayes of the son of man namely that of his
that the Father is by whom and for whom all things were made that were made yea all Thrones Dominions Principallities and Powers and so he the proper Lord and Heyre of all the Kingdome and Glory and of all things and Persons that were made by his Divine and eternall Generation Joh. 1. 1 2 3. Coll 1. 15 16. Prov 8. 22 c. which shewes the excellency of his person and so his abillity for all he undertook by the appointment of the Father for our help and escape And argues the vilenesse of our sin and the wretchedness of our condition by reason of sin seeing righteousnesse help and escape for us could not be had or found in any lesse price or ransome or by any other meanes or way attained But by the so deep abasement and suffering of so excellent a Person Gods only begotten Son The Lord from Heaven As likewise it infinitely commends the unspeakable love of God of the Father and of Christ In the Fathers free devizeing appointing and not sparing but sending forth his own and only Son and Heire to be so abased and delivering Him to such a death And in the Sons so willing and ready giving Himselfe in and through such abasement and sufferings to be a ransome or price of redemption for our sins Notwithstanding he was in the form of God and we wholly sinfull weake ungodly and enemies Further in this acknowledgment and profession of Jesus to be the Lord that is in this word of faith is contained That he is now actually made and become the same in that body prepared for him in mans nature in which he suffered and bore our sins to the Tree the same that he was as the eternall and only begotten Son of God before being through sufferings entred into his glory And glorified with the Fathers own selfe even with the same glory he had with him before the World was Phill. 2. 6 9. 10 11. Luk. 24. 26. Joh. 17. 4 5. Hebr. 2. 9 10. The Man Christ Jesus even that Jesus of Nazareth whom they crucified not an other thing or person God hath made him the Lord and Christ Act. 2. 36. He is the Son of God the Saviour of the World exalted with Gods right hand a Prince and Saviour for to give repentance and forgivenesse of sins 1 Joh. 4. 14. Act. 5. 31. yea he is the Lord and Judge of all by purchase and that in the name of the Father Rom. 14. 9 10 11 12. Act. 10. 36 42. The word was made flesh and the glory with which God hath cloathed him in that flesh or body which he prepared for him is the glory of the only begotten Son of God full of grace and truth Joh. 1. 14. He it is by whom the Father judgeth all men and executeth judgment also because he is the Son of Man Joh. 5. 22 27. And so he by in and through whom he justifieth the ungodly Act. 10. 43 with ch 5. 31. 13. 38 39. yea he will judge the World in righteousnesse by that Man whom he hath ordained whereof he hath given assurance to all men in that he hath raised him from the dead of which in the next place Act. 17 31. Nor is there any other name given under Heaven whereby we may be saved or shall be judged But the name of that Jesus of Nazareth This is the stone c. Act. 4. 10 11 12. Every spirit therefore what ever they may seem to speak of Gods love to manward or of his justifying the ungodly or judging the World That confesseth not that same Jesus of Nazareth That is already comed in the flesh and hath finished the works the Father gave him to do on Earth and is raised from the dead for our justification That confesseth him not as so to be the Lord by whom the Father judgeth all men and doth and will execute judgment because he is the son of man And so the Fountain and Well-spring of all justification and of all grace to Manward that through him they might be saved That spirit is not of God But of that spirit of Antichrist whereof we have heard that it should come into the World and even now already is it in the World For in this word of faith which is of the holy Ghost the true spirit The Son of Man even that Jesus of Nazareth is acknowledged and lifted up As the Lord of all Grace and Glory the Author and finisher of our Faith 1 Cor. 12. 3. 1 Joh. 4. 2. 5. 1. 5 Hebr. 12. 2. Ioh. 16. 14. with ch 5. 14. Iam. 2. 1. 2 There is likewise in it a testification of him That God hath raised him up from the dead who was delivered and dyed for our sins 1 Cor. 15. 3 4. 12-15 with Rom. 4. 24 25. 10. 9. That God hath raised up from the dead Jesus Christ our Lord who is the same Person that was delivered for our offences That God hath raised and exalted him after a like consideration of his Person after which he was delivered for our offences which renders his resurrection to be in an answerable sence for our justification as his being delivered was for our offences Now then for our understanding what is contained in this testimony It s considerable 1. Who it is That was Delivered and after what Consideration of him he was delivered for our offences 2. For whose offences he was delivered And 3. For what offences or for what severall sorts or kinds of offences and on what termes or how for them of each sort or kind In the understanding of which we shall also perceive what the Resurrection of Christ is that is testifyed off in this voyce of the Son of man the Word of faith And how that Resurrection is for our justification 1. It is Jesus the Lord The word that was made flesh even that only begotten Son of God whom he sent forth in the fulnesse of time made of a woman of the seed of David after the flesh That Jesus of Nazareth that was borne of the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem of Judeah in the Dayes of Cesar Augustus He it is that was delivered for our offences and in that his own personall Body which the Father prepared for him by the Immediate and wonderfull work of the holy Ghost in the womb of the Virgin For though the Father did make his soul an offering for our sin yet that was in that his owne body in which also he bore them to the tree and gave himselfe for our sins and when he gave up the Ghost The suffering work was finished Compare Isa 53. 4 -10. with 1 Pet. 2. 24. and Joh. 19. 30. He suffered the just for the unjust being put to death in or after the flesh 1 Pet. 3. 18. If then the flesh or Body of Christ for as much as therein he bore our sins to the tree and was delivered to the Judgment and to the prison for our offences if therefore I say that