doctrine of the resurrection whereby he stopped the mouths of the Sadduces his answer made the people astonished and the Sadduces confounded they came with their mouths open but they went away with their mouths shut they came with full cry but they went away in silence he put the Sadduces to silence 2. The second Scripture to prove the Resurrection is in 1 Cor. chap. 15. thorowout It seemeth that some amongst the Corinthians who called themselves Christians did deny the Resurrection now the scope of the chapter is to refuâ—e this dangerous errour and to prove the truth which the Apostle doth by several arguments 1. The first argument is drawn from the Resurrection of Christ If Christ be risen from the dead then believers which are his members shall be raised also he will not suffer his members to lie for ever rotting in the grave because his mystical body then would never be grown up â—nto perfection Christ is the first fruits of them that sleep v. 10. As certainly as he was awakened out of his sleep in the grave on the third day to certainly shall all those that do or shall sleep in Jesus be awakened out of their grave at the last day But Christ is certainly risen from the dead which the Apostle proves 1. From the Prediction thereof in the Scriptures as his death was foretold so also his resurrection was foretold in the type of Ionah's being â—ast out of the belly of the whale on the third day 2. From the testimony of those persons to whom the Lord Jesus Christ did appear after his resurrection namely of Cephas all the Apostles above five hundred brethren at once who saw him before his ascension and last of all in that he was seen by himself upon the way to Damascus after his ascension all which witnesses did with one mouth confirm the truth of Christs Resurrection 3. From the absurdities which would follow if Christ were not risen 1. The Apostles would then be found false witnesses and the Spirit of God which spake in them would be a false spirit which is impossible 2. Then their preaching would be in vain and the whole doctrine of Christianity which was built partly upon this foundation would fall to the ground 3. Then their faith would be in vain because if Christ were still dead he would not be a meet object for their faith for then he could not be the Son of God nor a Mediatour between God and man 4. Then Believers would be yet in their sins their sins would remain unpardoned because satisfaction to Gods justice would not have been compleated had the bonds of death still held ouâ— Saviour 5. Then they which were fallen asleep in Christ would be perished in regard of their bodies liâ—â— the beasts when they die because if Christ were not risen it would be impossible that they should ever rise any more 6. Then believers should have hope only iâ— this life because if Christ were not risen anâ— ascended into Heaven to prepare room for theâ— there they could not have any good-grounde 〈◊〉 hope of ever being received into that place anâ— by consequence it would follow that believeâ— the best of men upon the earth would be the mâ—â— miserable men of all others because they aâ— exposed to so many sufferings for the sake of Jesus Christ If they had hope only in this life theâ— would be most miserable in regard of sorrow though not in regard of sin for their hopes 〈◊〉 future glory do support and comfort them undâ—â— all their afflictions if they should loose their hopeâ— they would loose their comforts and be of all â—thers the most forlorn and sorrowful it would break their hearts and bring them to despaâ—â— Certainly then Christ is reisen and as certainly shâ—â— the dead be raised 2. The second argument whereby the Apostlâ— proves the resurrection is drawn from the Paâ—â—lel between the first Adam and Christ the seconâ— Adam v. 21 c. Since by man came death 〈◊〉 man also shall come the resurrection for as in Adâ—â— all die so in Christ shall all be made alive 〈◊〉 Adam sin came into the world and death by sin and death passed upon all his posterity because all have sinned at least in him By Christ came righteousness into the world and by righteousness life and all his posterity shall be raised by him unto eternal life at the last day because all are partakers of his righteousness 3. The third Argument is drawn from the reign of Christ at the right hand of the Father until all his enemies be put under his feet and the last enemy which shall be destroyed is death and death is no waies perfectly destroyed but by the resurrection of the dead out of their graves and the putting immortality upon the body then when this corruptible shal put on incorruption and this mortal shall put on immortality death shall be swallowed up in victory therefore since death with other enemies shall be put under Christ's feet it is necessity that there should be a resurrection 4. The fourth Argument is in v. 29. Else what shall they do that are baptized for the dead if the dead rise not why are they baptized for the dead The words are difficult various are the interpretations which are given I like Calvins best if it will hold with the words Why are they baptized for the dead or for dead that is why are they that are dying and given over for dead baptized if the dead rise not why will any when they are going out of the world be baptized in the name of Chriâ—t if they did not hope for a resurrection at the last that as they are buried with him by baptism unto death so they should rise with him not only unto newness of life here but also unto everlasting life and glory hereafter 5. The fifth argument is drawn from the jeopardie and sufferings of Christians which they would not undergoe unless they had hopes of the resurrection 6. The denial of this Doctrine opens a door to licenciousness People would eat and drink and let lâ—oâ—e the reigns to sensual delights and commit sin with greediness if they must die and there were no hopes of a resurrection to glory and happiness and no fears of a resurrection to torment and misery Besides Scripture testimony and argument which is the only firm proof of the resurrection I might add for illustration some Emblems of the resurrection in nature Naturalists tell us of a Phaenix which riseth out of the ashes into which she had burned her self before but it is more certain that some birds lie in holes dead all the winter and get life again in the Summer we see Plants Herbs Flowers and the like wither in the Winter and spring forth again when the cold weather is gone we see the Sun sets at night and arise again in the morning and we our selves as we have an Emblem of death upon us when we are asleep so our
Subjectively body 153 to 157 soul 158 to 160 2. Objectively 161 3. Formally 162 to 166 2. Of their entring into eternal life p. 167 chapter 11 2. Concerning the certainty of Christs appearance proved by 3. Arguments where concerning the Divine Authority of the Scriptures and the Resurrection c. from p. 168. to 206 chapter 12 3. Concerning the speediness and suddenness of Christs coming where is a Description of the Old Worlds drowning and Sodom's burning applied c. from p. 207. to 224 chapter 13 4. The Application 1. More generall from 225 to 229 2. More particularly 1. To sinners 1. To discover them from p. 230 to 234 2. To awaken them from p. 235 to 246 3. To exhort them from p. 247 to 263 chapter 14 2. To believers 1 For the trial of them from p. 264 to 269 2. For the comforting of them from p. 270 to 28◠chapter 15 3. To both sinners and believers to perswade them 1. To believe 2. To consider 3. To prepare where twelv◠Duties requisite in order 〈◊〉 preparation From 283. 〈◊〉 the end Christ's certain and sudden Appearance to Judgment Revel 22. 20. Surely I come quickly Amen Even so come Lord Iesus CHAP. I. THe last words of a Dear friend are usually most remarked and best remembred especially when they speak great affection these are the last words of Jesus Christ the best friend that the children of men ever had which he sends his Angel from Heaven after he had been some yeers in glory with the Father to speak in his Name unto his Churches upon the earth v. 16. I Iesus have sent mine Angel to testifie these things in the Churches and of all the things which he testifieth by his Angel this is the last and the sweetest in the Text Surely I come quickly Which words of Promise comming down from Heaven and expressing so much Love to the Church are followed with 〈◊〉 Eccho and resound of the Churches earnest desire Amen Even so come Lord Iesus c. Hence observe Doct. 1. That the Lord Iesus Christ will certainly and quickly appear Doct. 2. That there is an earnest desire and longing in the Church after Christs appearance D. 1. That the Lord Iesus Christ will certainly and quickly appear Here I shall speak 1. Concerning Christ's appearance 2. Show that he will certainly appear 3. Show that he will quickly appear 4. And lastly Apply 1. Concerning Christs appearance There is a twofold appearance of Christ which the Scripture makes mention of 1. In the Flesh. 2. In Glory CHAP. II. 1. THe first appearance of Christ was in the flesh above sixteen hundred years ago in the Land of Iudea unto the people of the Jews the only-then-visible-Church upon the Earth There it was that the Word was made Flesh and amongst that people he dwelt for a while some of whom beheld his Glory the glory as of the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth There it was that the eternal Son of God was made man being conceived miraculously by the power of the Holy Ghost in the womb of the Virgin Mary without the contamination of original sin which all ordinary conceptions do introduce His real Mother and supposed Father were both of the Tribe of Iudah and of the lineage of David and he was born in the Town of Bethlem according to the Scripture predictions who after he had lived thirty years in obscurity was baptized by Iohn Baptist his Fore-runner and Harbinger in whose Baptism when Iohn saw the Heavens opened and the Spirit of God descending like a Dove and lighting upon him and heard the voice from the excellent Glory saying This is my Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased He gave his testimony concerning him that he was the Son of God and the Lamb of God who taketh way the sins of the world Who after his own baptism and temptation and Iohns imprisonment made his appearance more openly unto Israel shewing forth his glory not in outward pomp and splendour but in a more high eminent and wonderful manner altogether Divine exceeding the imitation of any Earthly Monarch in the World He shewed forth the glory of his power in the Miracles which he did work namely in opening the eyes of the blind and ears of the deaf in loosning the tongue of the dumb and the bonds of other infirmities in cleansing the Lepers and healing other diseases with a word in casting out Devils after long profession in calming the Sea and Winds when boisterous and stormy in raising up the dead before and after burial for some daies and the like He shewed forth the glory of his Knowledge in looking into the hearts of those which came unto him being able to perceive their most secret thoughts and imaginations and needed not that any should restifie of man for he knew what was in man He shewed forth the glory of his Wisdom in his most wise answer to the ensnaring questions of the Pharisees and others in the most excellent and heavenly doctrine which he preached wherein he did not teach his Disciples subtile and empty speculations which the greatest wits in the world have busied themselves about but great soul-saving truths indeed he revealed some great and deep mysteries above the reach of the highest wit of the greatest Schollar without the teachings of his Spirit which were momentous and needful in order unto practice but the greatest part of his doctrine was plain and easie He shewed forth the glory of his Holiness in his exact walking and perfect obedience unto the Law of God without the least deviation or sin He shewed forth the glory of his Goodness and tenderness towards the children of men in going about to do them good and give succour to them which were in misery casting out none which came unto him Especially he shewed forth the glory of his Mercy and infinite Love to his own people in submitting to so low a condition as he liv'd in for their sakes in humbling himself and becomming obedient unto death even the cursed disgraceful painful death of the Cross besides the soul miseries which he endured through sense of Gods wrath due for their sins that he might satisfie Gods justice and deliver them from eternal death and wrath to come and purchase Life and Glory for them Thus Christ lived and thus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures and being dead the bonds of death could not hold him neither did the holy one see corruption but the third day rose again from the dead according to the Scriptures and after his resurrection was seen of Mary Magdalen of Peter Iames all the Apostles of five hundred brethren at once according to the Scriptures After forty daies was taken up into Heaven and is there in his humane nature at the right hand of the Throne of the Majesty in the heavens making intercession for his people where he will abide untill the second appearance Thus concerning Christs appearance
patience in our steads that he might redeem us from sin and death and wrath to come that we might not perish but have overlasting life O wonderful unconâ—eivable love What so glorious a Person to be made man to be made sin to be made a curse to do such things to suffer such things for such mean vile cursed â—inners as we that we might be blessed and happy with him O surpassing superlative kindness Is this he who made choice of us when he chose so few that called us when the most were passed by that pitcht his love upon us when there was no attractive in us nothing to move him but his own bowels that revealed his secrets to us when he hid them from the wise and prudent that brought us nigh when we were afar off and made us fellow-Citizens and fellow-heirs with the Saints and of the houshold of God who were by nature children of wrath even as others O astonishing free grace Is this he who cloathed us when we were naked even with the robes of his own righteousness that washed us when we were defiled even in the fountain of his own blood that cheared us when we were troubled even with the comforts of his own Spirit that strengthned us when we were weak even with his might and glorious power in our inner man was it from this Person that we received our pardon our peace our supports our graces our encouragements and all the sweet refreshments we have found in Ordinances Is this the Advocate whom we made choice of relied and trusted upon fâ—r life and salvation Is this the Master whom we followed and whose work we were imployed about Is this the Captain whose colours we wore and under whose banner we fought Is this the Lord whom we obeyed the friend the husband whom we loved and is he so glorious O how will the Saints be wrapt up with admiration and joy how will they be all in a flame of burning love and affection when they come to behold the Lord Jesus Christ himself and view him in such glory as then he will be decked withall when they come to see him face to face who hath such loveliness in his face and such love in his heart unto them It is said 1 Pet. 1. 8. whom having not seen ye love in whom though now ye see him yet believing ye rejoyce with joy unspeakabâ—e and full of glory If so be that the Saints do now love Christ whom they never saw only have heard of and belâ—eved the report of the word how will they love him when they have this sight of him and see a thousandfold more beauty in him than was reported or could be imagined if so be that now sometimes they rejoyce with glorious and unspeakable joy in believing what will they do when they come to see him in his glory If they can now rejoyce in tribulations and take pleasure in the cross and reproach of Christ what will they finde in their masters joy and the Crown which he now comes to put upon their heads O how glad will they be that they have been counted worthy to suffer any thing for such a Saviour It will be a joyful time indeed unto the Saints when they are caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air And the joy of Christ will be no less to meet with them O with what an eye will he view them when they are arising and ascending with so much of his beauty and lustre upon them none can conceive the love and delight which the Lord Jesus will take in them at that day he will look upon them as those who were beloved by the Father and himself from all eternity as those who fetcht him out of heaven before to redeem them and now to glorifie them he will look upon them as the travel of his soul as the price of his blood he will look upon them as his Jewels as spoils taken out of the hands of his enemies he will look upon them as plants grown up unto perfection as servants who have done their work as those who have kept up his honour in the world he will look upon them as members of his body he will look upon them as his dearest spouse and most beautiful bride who now cometh to be joyned to him more neerly and to live with him for ever O the love and joy of Christ at this meeting If so be that Christ so dearly loved his Spouse and could delight in her too when she was black and sooty when her clothes were spotted and stained when her affections were weak low and inconstant how will he love and rejoyce in her when she is made perfectly like to himself and so beautiful with his comeliness when her stains are all washed off and she is presented before him without spot wrinkle blemish or any such thing when she shall be arrayed in white and hath put on her shining garments and appear so lovely and her love shall be so high and full and strong and flaming Never did Lovers meet with such delight joy on their wedding-day as Christ and his Spouse will meet at the day of his second appearance O the sweet smiles the Saints will see in the face of Christ Smiles upon them such glances of love will sparkle forth from his eyes as will ravish their hearts O the sweet words they will hear the welcome he will give them when they first meet when they are come he will place them at his right hand So much concerning the more immediate Antecedents of the judgment of the righteous CHAP. VI. 2. THe second thing is to speak concerning the Judgment it self of the righteous Anâ— there are two things the Scripture speaks of which Christ will do at his second appearance in the judgment of the righteous 1. He will take an account of them 2. He will pronounce the sentence upon them 1. Christ will take an account of the righteous Rom. 4. 10 12. We shall all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ and every one of us shall give an account of himself unto God though the righteous shall not be brought to condemnation yet they shall be brought into judgment which will be for their masters honour and their own especially of those who can give a good account of the Talents their Lord hath intrusted them withall I know it is a question amongst Divines whether the sins of Gods people will be mentioned and made manifest at the last day of judgment I shall not determine the question since the Scripture is not so plain Possibly the Lord having pardoned them covered them blotted them out of the book of his remembrance he will not mention them on that day but sure I am if they should be mentioned it will not be to their disgrace and grief but to their more abundant joâ— in the Lord who hath forgiven them If they should read their sins in the book of Gods remembrance
not enough to persecute them with the tongue but you must persecute them with the hand What could you betray them like Judas for a piece of money or out of malice which was worse Could you disturb them in their service and worship of me when they were praying for your conversion and salvation Could you hale and drag them to Prison who endeavoured to keep you out of the Prison of Hell Could you seek the ruine of such as were the best Friends of your souls when you never received injury from them could you be so injurious to them Do you know whom yee persecuted It was mâ— it was me whom you persecuted when you persecuted my Disciples it was me whom yee wounded thorow their sides it was me you betrayed in betraying them it was me yee imprisoned in imprisoning them it was me you spurned at when yee lifted up the heel against them and did you ever think to prosper in this way You you have been above all other Persons upon the Earth my professed Enemies and most like your Father the Devil Come yee Wretches gird up your loines like Men gather your forces together put on strength and courage if you have any and life up your hand if you dare against me do you finde strength to faile you now and your forces too weak to niake resistance and were you so foolish as to engage in battel where you might have known you should certainlie be conquered at the last doth your courage faile you upon the sight of the Captain and should you not have been afraid to touch my anointed ones my lifted Souldiers You served the Devil and fought under his banner against me and mine and can be deliver you now out of mine hand can be defend you against my rage and fury or would he do it if it lay in his power had you ever more spight and malice against my people than the Devil had against you in setting you about persecution worke did not he design your ruine herby did not he think of this day and on purpose drew you to this sin that you might be the more horriblie tormented and doth not be with his Angels wait now for you that they may drag you unto torments Take them Devils binde them hand and foot 8. Come forth all yee intemperate and licentious Persons who have indulged your slesh and laid no restraint upon your sensual appetite who have made provision for your flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof but made no provision for my glorie and took no câ—re to fulfill my commands did you never hear of such a dutie as self-denial which I required of all my Disciples and followers Were you never told that if you followed the inclinations and obeyed the commands of carnal self it would be to your ruine and destruction that bitterness and sorrow would be the issue of flesh-pleasing that lust if it conceived would bring forth sin and sin when perfected would bring forth death did you never read that if yee lived after the flesh yee should die and that you must through the spirit mortifie the deeds of the bodie otherwise life and happiness could not be obtained and yet would you lay the reines on the neck of your lusts if you had no faith had you no reason neither to keep you from intemperance if you did not live like Christians would you not live like Men would you needs be bruits and live as if you were all body and had no soules of such high capacity were you so blinde as not to see afar off before this day of Iudgment when I should call you to an account or to see a little before you to the day of your death which would put a conclusion to all your sensual pleasures Could you bribe and muzzle conscience and lay it asleep whilst you took your pleasures Could you tread reason under foot and resolve you would not be controuled by any light or law or government from your eager prosecution of your carnal delights Come forth all ye Gluttons who have pampered your flesh with delicious food but never had the least regard to seed your souls which had more need who have sâ—eâ— many hours and dayes in feasting your bodies nourishing your selves against the day of slaughter but when you were invited by my Messengers to the marriage feâ—st to the feast I had prepared for you of the richest and most câ—stly spiritual dainties you had no stomack no appetite and could not would not come what did you indeed make your belly your God and can such a God save and make you happy did you think that food which perisheth could give happiness to a never-dying soul did you not know that both meat and belly would be destroyed and that your bodies would become food for worms and yet could you make it the chief business of your lives to feed your bodies you were allowed food convenient and something for delight that your bodies might serve your souls with strength and vigour and both their Lord and Master but excess you were forbidden which did distemper both body and minde and unfit you for the service of the Lord and yet would you overcharge your selves now reap the fruit of this intemperance and taste the Gall and Wâ—rmâ—ood which your sweet bits are turn'd into Come forth yee Drunkards who if you have not overcharged your bellies with excessive eating yet have often entoxicuted your brains with the fumes of excessive drinking who have drowned your understanding wit and fancy your natural parts and ingenuity which might have rendered you useful in the Church or Common-wealth where you lived and made your selves meer sots by your drunkenness and what account can you now give of the talents you were entrusted withall what excuse can you finde for this sin were you entited to it And overtaken before you were aware but who could entice you to drink a potion which would kill your bodies and was not the death and damnation of your souls more to be avoided would you be enticed to that unto which a very Beast will not be forced but were you not forward of your selves to the sin did you not like the company well that joyn'd with you therein did not you overtake the sin by your desires did not the liquor please your appetite did not you sâ—â—ill it in without perswasion if you had cen overtaken would you have been so often guilty would you have come so often into the places and company where you fell into it was not your chiefest mirth amongst your Cups and drunken Companions were not you melancholick and troubled when your meetings of good-fellowship were disappointed you would have your Cups and drink Wine in Bowles and strong Drink without measure and now also you shall have a Cup to drink of even the Cup of the Wine of the wrath of the angry Allmighty God now yee shall drink of the dregs of this Cup which hath ten thousand times more
clog to the spirit I conceive that hereafter they shall be like Angels for quick and nimble motion they may be so qualified as in a moment to move many thousand miles why may not they move so quick then as well as the Sun and other Stars in the Firmament do so now which are bodies of many thousand times greater magnitude 6. The bodies of the righteous will be incorruptible and immortal 1 Cor. 15. 43. It is sown in corruption it is raised in incorruption And v. 52 53. In a moment in the twinkling of an eye at the last trump the dead shall be raised incorruptible for this corruptible must put on incorruption and this mortall must put on immortality And v. 54. Then shall come to pass the saying which is written Death is swallowed up in victory Now death is unavoidable and unto some is very terrible death hath all the children of men in the chase and shoceâ— his arrows at the righteous as well as the wicked and though they be delivered from the sting of death which is sin yet they are not delivered from the stroke of death but however death play the tyrant here on the earth and spare none yet he will have no footing in Heaven the bodies of the righteous when raised up again will be impassible and immortal immortality will be swallowed up of life and the life of the body as well as of the soul will be everlasting 2. The souls of the righteous will be the subjects and the chief subjects of the glory and happiness of Heaven if their bodies shall be glorious their souls shall be much more glorious as being their more excellent part and capable of more glory than their bodies will be we read Rom. 8. 18. Of the glory which shall be revealed in us that is in the soul and the Apostle tells us that The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with this glory the greatest sufferings and calamities in this World have not that evil and misery in the least shaddow of comparison with the happiness of the glory which shall be put into the souls of the Saints indeed the Apostle doth compare them and see how he makes this future glory to out-ballance 2 Cor. 4. 17. These light offlictions which are but for a moment do work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory The afflictions are light but the glory will be weighty the afflictions are but for a moment but the glory will be eternal the weight of glory will be exceeding more exceeding far more exceeding here the Apostle layes one high expression upon the back of another and another upon that like so many great Mountains upon the back one of another and when he hath got upon the top of the highest of them yet he is too low to look into the glory of Heaven and his expressions and apprehensions fall short of the glory which shall be revealed in the soul when it shall be received into the new Ierusalem for it is yet to be revealed and therefore as the Apostle Iohn saith I Ioh. 3 2. It doth not yet appear what we shall be but when Christ shall appear we shall be made like him not only the body shall be made like his glorious body but also the soul shall be made like his glorious soul for we shall see him as he is as the eye doth receive the image of the object which it looks upon so the soul in its vision of Christ shall receive the Image of Christ and have a perfect similitude and likeness unto him the soul will be made most beautiful the perfect lineaments of Christ will be drawn upon it if grace makes the soul to shine here how much more will glory which is grace in the perfection of it make the soul to shine in Heaven and therefore grace is called glory it is glory begun 2 Cor. 3. 18. We all with open face beholding as in a Glass the Glory of the Lord are changed into the same Image from glory to glory as by the spirit of the Lord. The Vail which was under the Law is now taken away and with open face we behold the glory of the Lord that is I conceive the Lord Jesus Christ who is the glory of the Father the brightness of the Fathers glory which glory was more dark to our view under the Law represented by the cloud which filled the Temple but now there is more clear revelation of Christ without the Vail and clouds of types and figures whom we now see in the Glass of the Word and Ordinances and hereby are changed into his Image and receive froâ— him impressions of grace which is glory begun through the operation of his spirit in his Ordinances upon us yet stil we see him in a Glass and therefore there is a darkness through this interposition and the eye of our faith which looks thorow this Glass upon Christ is weak and therefore our Graces are imperfect and our similitude to him is imperfect but when the Glasse shall be removed and instead of the sight of faith we shall have an immediate Vision then our souls will be changed into a perfect conformity unto his Image and it will not be from glory to glory from one degree unto another but glory will be arrived unto its heighth and the souls of the righteous will be made perfectly glorious their souls will then have perfection of holiness without the least remainders of sin which in this World the most holy Persons are not wholly free from 1. Their thoughts shall be holy no blaâ—phemous thoughts shall then arise in their minde no filthy thoughts no eâ—vious and malicious thoughts yea they shall not have the least vanity or impertinency in their thoughts all their thoughts shall then be brought into pâ—rfect obedience unto Jesus Christ. 2. Their understandings shall be holy there shall not be the least Cloud or mist of ignorance or errour to darken and â—ully them when they appear before the glorious Sun of righteousness the brightness which will issue forth from his face will dispel all clouds and they will have a clear understanding of all things which will be needful foâ— them to know to make them happy God will then unlock his treasures open his Books which â—â—w are sealed and open their understandings too that they may conceive those mysteries of his word and that manifold wisdome of God which now do exceed their comprehensions 3. Their memories shall be holy they shall be strengthnâ—d to retain and bring forth continually out of their treasures whatever things new or old shall tend to feed them with love and joy and elevate their souls in the praiâ—es of God 4. Their wills shall be perfectly holy there shall be a sweet harmony between their wills and â—he will of God a perfect compliance with the sweet Law which they shall be under without the least contranitency or contradiction they shall not
in the flesh CHAP. III. 2. THe second appearance of Christ will be in Glory at the last day when the world shall come to an end this is the appearance we are treating of and therefore I shall speak of it more largely and show 1. The manner of this appearance 2. The end and transactions at this appearance 1. Concerning the manner of Christs second appearance what tongue of Men or Angels is able to set it forth what heart can conceive the splendour thereof Something the Scripture doth reveale and taking the Scripture for my guide I shall assay to speak something of it See Luke 21. 27. Then shall they see the Son of man coming in a Cloud with Power and great Glory 1. Christ at his second appearance will come with Power with great power he hath all power put into his hands in Heaven and in Earth now and doth exercise it more secretly then he will exercise it more visibly and apparently in the sight of the whole world To give instance 1. He will come with power over Death Death hath had great power since the Fall and is the greatest Conquerour in the world Death hath made an universal Conquest over all the sons and daughters of Adam Enoch and Elias only excepted which lived in former generations and hath led them captive binding their faces in secret chaining their hands and their feet and clapping them up close prisoners in the grave and none have been able to make resistance yea Death did assail the Lord of Life himself and got the victory for a while and shut him up in prison but he got loose before three daies were at an end broke open the doors and gave Death a deep wound as it were and an abolishing stroke in his Resurrection 2 Tim. 1. 10. presaging the compleat victory which afterward he would obtain over this enemy of man-kind Now when Christ makes his second appearance in the world at the last day he will exercise his power over death he will lead captivity captive he will lay his first Hands on Death and tread this Conquerour under his feet and strip him of all his force and spoils which he hath been treasuring up for so many years he will snatch the keys of the grave out of the hand of Death and open the prison doors and let forth all his captives he will loosen all the bonds of Death and knock off his chains and bring out all his prisoners into freedom and enlargment as it is said Hos. 13. 14. I will ransom them from the power of the grave I will redeem them from Death O Death I will be thy Plagues O Grave I will be thy destruction And it is said 1 Cor. 15. 25 26. that all enemies shall be put under the feet of Jesus Christ and the last enemy which he shall destray is Death And v. 54. When this mortall shall put on immortality then Death shall be swallowed up in victory And surely Christ must needs come with great power to get victory over such a potent enemy 2. He will come with power over Men and Devils he will have power over all his enemies which have rebelled against him over all the Principalities and Powers on the Earth that exercise Lordship and dominion in the World he will bring the Kings of the Earth down from their seats and pluck off the robes of Princes he will take the staff and the sword out of their hand and divest them of all their royalty and greatness and they who have employed their borrowed power against him how will they quake and tremble before him See Rev. 11. 15 16 17 18. When the seventh Angel sounded there were great voices in Heaven saying the Kingdomes of the World are become the Kingdomes of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall reign for ever and ever And the four and twenty Angels fell on their faces saying we give thee thanks O Lord God all-mighty which art and wast and art to come because thou hast taken to thee thy great power and hast reigned And the Nations were angry and thy wrath is come and the time of the dead that they should be judged and that thou shouldst give reward unto thy servants the Prophets and to thy Saints and them that fear thy name small and great and shouldst destroy them which destroy the Earth The Kings of the Earth and great Potentates will be angry when they are dis-throned and the wicked of the Earth will be troubled when the Lord Jesus shall come down from Heaven to call them to Judgment If all the Powers of wicked Men and Devils too who are greater in power than Men could they would make head and resist the Lord Jesus Christ and pull him from his Throne and put him to death as the Iewes did at his first appearance if they had but any hopes of making their party good against him how would they call their forces and gather their Armies and wage War with this great King especially when all the wicked shall be raised up and the ancient Rebels the Giants of the old World shall come forth of their dust and the Prison of Hell where some of them have been tormented by him many years O how would they combine their strength and so many millions of them together rush upon him with rage and violence and endeavour to avenge themselves upon him at least defend themselves against him when he comes to torment them but Christ will come with so great power that he will be able to deale with the whole wicked world of men together when they are raised and united in one body and have obtained more strength of body and are filled with more rage and spight of minde than here they had and are out of all hopes of making any peace with him and have the whole flock of all the Devils in Hell to joyn in to their company I say Christ will come with sufficiency of strength to binde them all in Chains and so to hold them all down that they shall not be able to make the least resistance he that hath power to raise the wicked from the dead will have power to keep all his Enemies from Rebellion he will come with Power 2. Christ will come at his second appearance with great glory At his first appearance he came like a Servant yea like a Servant of Servants at his second appearance he will come like a Lord yea like a Lord of Lords like the great Lord of glory at his first appearance he was â—loathed with dishonour and a chain of contempt was put about him but at his second appearance he will be cloathed with glory and honour and most excellent Majesty will be put upon him at his first appearance his Deity was vailed his beauty was masked with infirm flesh his brightness was under a Cloud though sometimes some beams did break forth with such a dazling lustre as made Peter fall at his feet saying Depart
with me into Heaven and ye shall live and reign with me for ever and ever Come along and enter now into your Masters joy come and I will shew you the Father and bring you into his house and presence where there is fulness of joy and pleasures for evermore And now Beloved think with your selves what joyes what exultations what clapping of hands what shouâ—ings what Hallelujahs what Hosannahs what triumphing acclamations the Saints will make upon the hearing of these words But here words fail conceptions fall short who can utter what the affections and behaviour of the righteous will be when they have their sentence and hear such sweet and gracious words from the mouth of their Judge and Redeemer Thus concerning the Judgment of the righteous CHAP. VII 2. COncerning the judgment of the wicked at the second appearance of Jesus Christ in treating hereon I shall as in the judgment of the righteous speak 1. Of the immediate antecedents 2. Of the Iudgment it self 1. The immediate Antecedents of the judgment of the wicked will be 1. The Resurrection of their Bodies from the grave all the wicked that are dead shall be raised though not so soon yet as certainly as the righteous Ioh. 5. 28 29. The hour cometh that all that are in their graves shall hear his voice not only they that have done good shall come forth to the Resurrection of life but also they that have done evil to the resurrection of demnation When the wicked die their bodies are clapt up in the Prison of the Grave where they rot and putrifie under the chains of death which are laid upon them and their souls are shut down into the Prison of Hell where they are bound up in chains of darkness and wo and reserved unto the judgment of the great day when the Lord Jesus shal appear to judge the World he will bring the keys of death and hell along with him and open both these Prison doors not to give liberty and releasâ— to the Prisoners but as Prisons are opened at Assizes to bring them forth unto Judgment he will open the Prison of Hell and all the souls of the wicked shall come forth like so many Locusts out of the bottomless Pit and he will open the Prison of the Grave and all their bodies shall creep like so many ugly â—oades out of the Earth and then soul and body shall be joyned together again and this meeting will be sad beyond expression the meeting of the souls and bodies of the righteouâ— will not be more joyful than the meeting of the souls and bodies of the wicked will be doleful possibly some of the wicked had no bands in their death and their souls went forth of their bodies without much pain or fear but their entrance into their bodies again will be with unexpressible horrâ—ur and if some of the wicked had their consciences awakened at death and they lay down with terrour when they awake and rise again from the dead it will be with far greater terrour The old World dyed in a fright with the deluge of Water which over-whelmed them Corah Dathan and Aliram with their Company died in a fright at the cleaving and opening of the Earths mouth which swallowed them up Iudas and other despairing souls died in a fright at the apprehensions of the open mouth of Hell ready to receive their guilty spirits but none of the wicked could go forth of their bodies in such a fright as they will enter into them again at the last day the damned souls have been lying in Hell many years full of anguish in their separation and they know that their anguish will be encreased by the torment of their bodies in their union and no wonder if they be exceedingly unwilling and fearful to enter into their old lodging their bodies have been sleeping all this while in the dust and have felt no pain at all and O how unwelcome a guest will their souls then be never was death so terrible unto them as life will be at that day they had rather sleep still in their grave and continue in their rottenness and corruption they had rather lie hid for ever in the dust of oblivion or be quite annihilated like beasts than to arise again unto such torments as now they must undergo but they must arise willing or unwilling It is said that the vile bodies of the righteous shall at the last day be fashioned like unto Christs most glorious body Phil. 3. 21. They shall be made like unto Christs body in beauty and glory but the bodies of the wicked will have another hue and fashion if it were possible to fashion bodies like Devils those impure and foul spirits such spiritual bodies the wicked should have be sure their bodies shall have no glory put upon them but as they lay down vile bodies they shall rise up far more vile they lay down in dishonour and they shall be raised in far greater dishonour indeed they will be raised incorruptible and immortal but this will not be for their glory but that they may be capable of the greater and longer torment and misery their bodies will be so far from being made beautiful like unto Christ that I believe they will not regain that natural beauty which they had here upon the Earth now some of them ouâ—-shine Gods own Children whose chief beauty lies inward in external comeliness then none but the bodies of Gods children will shine the bodies of the wicked most probable will be swarthy black ugly monstrous bodies if there be a ghastliness upon the bodies of the most beautifull when they are dead what a ghastliness will there be upon the bodies of all the wicked when the second death shall seize upon them were their bodies never so beautiful in themselves yet their features would quickly be altered by the horrible passions of their minde the blackness and dread of the soul would quickly appear in their countenance besides the impressions which the Fire of Hell will have upon them The soul will finde nothing in the body which will give it any delight or ease or in the least contribute unto the asswagement of its anguish it will return into the body as into a Prison or Dungeon where there is no pleasure to be found and if the body be black how black will the soul be after so long abode with foul Devils in the lower Regions of darknesse And when such foul souls and such vile bodies meet what a meeting what a greeting will there be we may fancy a kinde of language to be between them at that day The soul to the body Come out of thy hole thou filthy dunghil flesh for the pampering and pleasing of whom I have lost my self for ever who hast stollen away my time and thoughts and heart from God and Christ and Heavenly things to feed and cloath and cherish thee and make provision to satisfy thy base deceitful lusts when I should have
â—icked on the earth will behold them and great â—â—ar will fall upon them But O the fear and â—â—ouble which will be upon the spirits of those â—nbelieving Christ-less grace-less sinners whose 〈◊〉 de shall at that day be amongst the believers â—nd some of them linked in the nearest relations 〈◊〉 them when their believing relations shall be â—aught away from them and carried up into the air with the rest of the glorious train of Saints when themselves shall remain below upon the earth It is said that at the time of Christ coming Luke 17. 34 35 36. Two men shall be in one bed the one shall be taken the other left two women shall be grinding together the one shall be taken and the other left two men shall be together in the field the one shall be taken the other left Friends will be together at that day as at other times not expecting Christs comming and it may be less expecting it than before they did some will be in fields together some in houses together some will be in beds together some will be in Churches together it may be Ministers preaching and people hearing as you are hearing me this day Suppose that the heavens should just now open and you should hear the sound of the last Trumpet and Jesus Christ should descend with a glorious train of Angels into the air then all yoâ— that are believers and have got an interest iâ— Christ would immediately be caught up in thâ— clouds to meet with the Lord but all you thaâ— are impenitent and unbelievers would be left behind and think what terrour would fall upon you to see us caught away from you it may be somâ— of you might come hanging about me and otherâ— when you see us arrayed in shining garments anâ— suddenly changed into the glorious likeness 〈◊〉 our Lord and called by the Angels to go up 〈◊〉 him O take us up along with you what wiâ—â— you leave us behind Alas what can I do for 〈◊〉 then I must say I told you of this time and this before but you did not seriously regard it so as to prâ—pare I called you often to repentance and preachâ—â— Iesus Christ to you and shewed you the way of saâ—â—vation but you would not accept of him ye refused him and lived in the neglect of your own salvation I told you if you did not forsake such and such sins they would be your ruine and yet you would not be perswaded to leave them I forewarned you of the miseries which would come upon you at Christs coming but you would not take warning Fain would I have had you all up along with me to meet my Lord and if I could have been instrumental to convert and turn you unto him my joy and crown would have been the greater O how glad should I have been of your companie in this Triâ—mph some did hearken and believe some did awaken when they were called and repent and reform their lives some were wise and did fore-think and make provision for this day and now see how they shine see the mirth and joy in their countenances see the issue and fruit of their tears and self-denial of their faith and love and holy walking Now now we are going together to our Lord whom we have sought and served and trusted for our happiness and O that you would have hearkned and been perswaded to have joined your selves to our number that we might have gone together O that you would have joined your selves to our Lord and have had fellowship with them who hed fellowship with the Father and his Son Iesus Christ and broken â—ff your fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness and workers of iniquity but you would go on in the broad way because it was more easie the way to heaven was too narrow and difficult for you if profession would have been enough and external joyning you selves to Gods people would have brought you to heaven this some of you could do with readiness sufficient but when you must have a power as well as a form and when you must mourn for sin crucifie the flesh mortifie the deeds of the body deny your selves take up the cross be so strict in your lives make conscience of thoughts words and all your actions this you could not away with you could brook to be religious sometimes by the by and when you had nothing else to do but to make it your business to be religious you could not endure you could put on a forme and outward vizard of godliness on the Sabbath daies but to be religious on the week daies and every day to be holy in all manner of conversation this was too much and a hard saying which you could not bear and if you did not like the terms of the Gospel and would be the servants of the Devil whilst you seemed to be the servants of Christ and go on covertly in the way to Hell whilst you seemed to be going in the way to Heaven what can I do for you now I thought you would have shined and gone with us when you shined so much in profession and is your Lamp now gone cut when the Bridegroom is come â—las who can supply you now with Oyle I have little enough for my self and none to spare for you and do you ask me for Oyle alas if I had enough I could not part with it and put any into your vessels â—t Now now it is too late I came with Oyle often to sell from my Lord and Master and you might have had it for nothing you might have bought it without money and without price but then you slighted and refused all prâ—ffers of grace which were made you valued your lusts which you must have parted withall 〈◊〉 it at a higher rate you refused the Oile altogether or at leâ—st took no more than would light your Lamps you would not receive any into the vessels of your hearts and do you think I can supply you with Oyle now Sâ—me of you had convictions once in the time of the Plague when death raged amongst you and â—â—me good worke was beginning then in you and is 〈…〉 off and come to nothing and dwindled into an empty profession Alas what shall I do for you now You know I ventured my life for you to preach to you when the arrows were flying so thick about you I ventured my liberty for you my health for you and was often spent for you and amongst you that I might be instrumentall to call and save you but when the thunder of Iudgments was a little over and out of hearing you quickly dropt asleep and the voice of preaching could not enter your ears and awaken you Alas why do you look upon me now with such rufull countenances and stand with such trembling joints and speak so earnestly unto me as if something might yet be done for you and are loath to let me go from your company Alas what can I do for
they were hid from their eyes they slept in the harvest they loitered away and sinned away their time and wasted their day in which they should have made provision for their souls O how will they be then ready to tear themselves in pieces that they should neglect so great salvation in the day when salvation was attainable yea that they should refuse the proffers of grace and pardon and peace and life and happiness which in that day were so frequently and earnestly made unto them then they will wish that they had opened their ear and heart that they had regarded and accepted such gracious proffers whatever they had neglected or parted withall then they will wish they had imbraced and improved the opportunities which once they had for prayer and hearing and attendance upon Gods Ordinances that they had been in the Church when they were in the Ale-house that they had associated themselves with Gods people when they frequented the company of the leud and ungodly that they had been upon their knees with grief confessing sin when they took so much delight in the commission of it that they had taken time from their sports to make their peace with God that they had worshipped God in their Closets and worshipped God in their Families and laid up for themselves treasures in Heaven and horrible will their vexation be that they did not so 4. In going away they will remember for what it was that they refused this happiness that it was only for the satisfaction of some foolish and unprofitable lust If two Kingdomes of equal worth and glory were proposed to a Mans choice it would not trouble him that he had refused the one to obtain the other but if a Man were to chuse whether he would be a King or a slave if he should refuse the former and chuse the later when he came to feel the misery of his bondage this would trouble him more than the bondage that he might have avoided it that he hath chose this thraldome and parted with a Kingdome for it they will then perceive that they have chosen to be slavesunto sin and Sathan rather than to be Heires unto the Kingdome of Glory I know that though now they are slaves and serve divers lusts and though their bondage is a thousand fold worse than if they were Vassals to the cruellest Tirant upon Earth yet they are not sensible neither are they weary of their bondage because their wills are in thraldome and their affections are captivated and though heirdome to the glory of Heaven be the choicest priviledge upon Earth and most desirable yet they do not desire it but prefer their slavery before it because they are blinde unbelieving besorted sinners and judge of things according to sense yet on the day of Christs appearance all things will appear with a new face and they will look upon things with a new eye they will then perceive that they were slaves all their dayes and that there was no such drudgery as that which they were employed in and that there was no such glory and happiness as that which they refused and foolishly cast away then it will sting them indeed to remember that they have chosen rather to do the work of the Devil and yield obedience to the basest lusts for which they must now be repayed with the wages of death and eternal misery than to do the work of the Lord who would have rewarded them with eternal life and a Crown of glory and immortality Then they will say What profit have we got by those things whereof we are now ashamed What fruit doth all our labour and toile in the World now yield unto us What are we the better for our riches and great estate on Earth for our honour and high esteem amongst men for our luscious pleasures and delights now vanished and gone which we bought at so dear a rate as the loss of our precious and immortal souls and the forfeiture of an Inheritance in the kingdome of Heaven Then they will cry out O bewitching World O deluding Devil O deceitfull hearts and lusts O what fools and mad-men have we been that we should trample Iewels under our feet like Swine and in stead of them put dross and dung into our Cabinet that we should so greedily drink the sweet poison of sin to the bane and ruine of our souls and refuse to taste of the Cup of salvation which all our dayes was held forth unto us Then they will cry out of their voluptuousness their covetousness their pride and haughtiness and the like lusts which have kept Christ out of their hearts and kept them out of the Kingdome of Heaven 5. In going away some of them shall remember how neerly they missed of this happiness that they were almost perswaded to be Christians in deed as well as in name and to accept of Christ upon his own termes that they were not far from the Kingdome of Heaven that they were come even within fight of the Heavenly Canaan and yet died in the Wilderness that they were come even to the Gate of the new Ierusalem but finding it too strait for them and the luggish of their sins together there they stuck and could not enter in that they climbed up a great way of the Hill to Zion but did not reach the top and tumbling down their fall was the greater they will remember the means of grace which they enjoyed the Ordinances which they sate under and the treaties which the Lord did make with them by his word and spirit about their life and salvation and the carriage of their hearts towards the Lord in those treaties some of them will remember what convictions the Lord wrought in them of sin and what tremblings of conscience for fear of Hell and wrath to come and if they had followed that preparative work they might have quickly been acquainted with Christ and escaped the misery which they feared but they â—tifled convictions and shook off their troubles they shut their eies against the light and stilled the noise of their consciences and calmed their spirits with the delights and pleasures of the World and so grew more hardned in sin than before and gave such repulses to the spirit that the spirit quite departed from them Others will remember that they were perswaded to ascend some steps higher under the Ministry of the Word when they were reproved for such and such gross sins which they lived in the practise of that they could have no ease in their consciences until they had broken off that wicked course that they left off their drunkenness and their swearing their uncleanness and unrighteous dealing and were in a great measure reformed in their lives but there were some lusts in their hearts which they hugged secretly and delighted in and could not be perswaded to leave which were their undoing pride revenge uncharitableness covetousness or the like remained in their reigning power which were inconsistent with
extream but also you will have no eye to pittie you God will not pittie you in the least but laugh at your calamitie his bowels will be shut against you your grief then will not be pleasing in the least and your cries and complaints of sin then will be like the howling of a Dog in his eares He will then instead of meeting you to embrace you he will meet you to destroy you instead of speaking kindly to you he will speak to you in his wrath and vexe you in his hot displeasure Angels and Saints will then turn from you and Devils will drag you with them into torments 3. If you repent of sin now you may obtain thâ— pardon of sin I will surely have mercy on him saith the Lord concerning repenting Ephraim Jer. 31 20. He that confesseth his sins that is with repentance so as not only to grieve for them but also to leave and for sake them shall finde mercy Prov. 28. 13. Yea God hath promised abundantly 〈◊〉 pardon such as forsake their evil wayes and by repentance turn to him Isa. 55. 7. and if sinners ceasâ— to do evil and learn to do well that though their sinâ— be as scarlet they shall be white as snox though they be red like Crimson they shall be as wool Isa. 1. 16 17 18. And not only his mercy but also his justice and faithfulnesse is engaged to pardon such as acknowledge their sins with repentance and apply themselves to him by faith 1 Ioh. 1. 9. If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness The Door of mercy is now open to all true penitents and the golden Scepter of Grace and Reconciliation is helâ— forth unto them the Lord Jesus Christ is now interceding at the right hand of God ready to make their peace with God but if you do not repent until hereafter a pardon will be unattainable there will remain no sacrifice for sin then the day of grace will be quite spent and the Door of mercy will be fast shut then Jesus Christ will have finished his interceding work and it will be impossible to obtain remission 4. If you repent of sin now you may get strength against sin you shall be delivered from the reigning power of sin presently and you shall be freed from the rage and tyranny of sin by degrees and at the last you shall obtain a perfect freedome from the being of sin and be wholly delivered from the bondage of corruption But if you do not repent until hereafter you will for ever abide under the power of sin you will not only be tormented in Hell but also be for ever sinning in Hell 5. If you repent of sin now you will escape the panishment of sin I do not speak of some temporal calamities which God may exercise his people withall in this World but you shall assuredly be kept from the eternal punishment of Hell which shall be inflicted upon the ungodly World but if you do not repent of sin until hereafter your punishment will be unavoidable no cries nor teares will then save you from the torments of Hell which you will be condemned unto now you are condemned for sin whilst unbelievers but in this World the sentence is reversible you may fly from the Bar of justice to the Throne of Grace and if with repentance and faith you apply your selves unto Jesus Christ he will deliver you from the wrath to come and free you from condemnation but hereafter when the Lord Jesus Christ shall appear unto Judgment and summon you and examine you and finde you guilty and pass sentence upon you to depart into everlasting Fire this sentence will be irreversible and your repentance will be too late to procure freedome from or the least mitigation of your punishment 6. If you repent of sin now your grief will be but for a time for a season a short time a few dayes a night a moment a short moment 1 Pet 1. 6. Rev. 2. 10. Psal. 30. 5. Isa. 54. 6 7. Weeping may endure for a night â—ut joy cometh in the morning God will not permit you to weep and grieve for sin long it is not a life of grief which he calleth you unto but a life of faith and love it is not grief for it self which he requireth but in order unto your comfort and therefore it shall not be of long continuance your grief for sin doth make way for spiritual comforts for the joyes of the holy Ghost which after sorrowing times the Lord doth often give in abundantly unto his Children in this World in which they finde incomparably more sweetness than ever they could finde sweetness in sin or bitterness in sorrow they have pleasures of a higher and more transcendenâ— nature be sure your grief for sin will make way for your everlasting joyes in Heaven where all teares shall be wiped away from your eyes and all sorrow and sighing shall be removed from your hearts and you shall obtain gladnesse unspeakable and everlasting But if you do not repent until hereafter as the pleasures which you finde in sin will be but for a season and your tryumphing but short Death be sure will put a conclusion unto all so your grief for sin then will be long the daies of darknesse and sorrow will be many yea your grief will be eternal Repent then sinners repent Christ will come certainly to judgment therefore repent truly and Christ will come quickly to judgment therefore repent speedily Protract not the time endeavour presently without any further delay Considering 1. Your particular judgment may be suddenly and the time of your preparation may be spent quickly You may be within a few moneths or weeks or daies yea it may be within a few houres smitten by Deaths arrows and there will be no place for repentance and preparation in the other world 2. If you defer your repentance it is a thousand to one that you never repent as long as you live If your life should continue many yeares because not one in a thousand that defer their repentance do afterwards repent there are millions in hell that lived under the light of the Gospel who intended to repent but were prevented by death before they were aware and it is a thousand to one if you defer any longer but ere long you will be received into their number have not you deferred your repentance before this till such a time and such a time and yet when such times have come again and again have you not deferred it still and will not your deceitful hearts still finde as plausible excuses till it be too late Remember this sinners that it is a thousand to one but you will be damned if you any longer defer your repentance 3. The longer you defer your repentance the more difficult will you finde the work to be because you will be the faster bound in Sathans chains and not so