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
because he went to his Father Joh. 14. 12. with Act. 26. 18. Greater works then those visible and sencible demonstrations of his power which they saw made by him on mens bodies amongst which also was his raising Lâzarus though that more singular and as a discovery of his mighty power for raising the dead as it should be more gloriously manifested in due time yet that was not a totall Redemption from death and the power of the grave and therefore might be rockoned among those works that are inferiour to the making alive the spirit for righteousnesse sake while yet the body is dead because of sin if then the quickening and saving operations of his word on the spirits of men now be greater then any of these works forementioned and yet the efficacy of the same voyce spoken of in the text as to come be another and distinct work and greater then that as t is clearly signified to be It s evident from thence it can be no Iesse nor other then that resurrection of the dead bodies of men in which they shall be wholly redeemed from the first death and from the power of the Grave And so the Apostle Paul speaking of the first Resurrection which is more properly then the other called a quickening of the mortall body or raising it unto life mentions it as another distinct and following work And such only as is greater then the making the spirit alive now while yet the body is dead Rom. 8. 10 11. And if Christ be in you the body is dead that is it is yet so because of sin though Christ be in you but the spirit is made alive for righteousnesse sake But if the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortall body or raise up that also in a state of life and unto life by the same spirit that now dwels in you quickening your spirit Yea our Saviour also otherwhere speakes of the generall resurrection at the last day as another distinct work and greater then any spirituall efficacy of his voyce or word now in drawing men or strengthening and quickening the commers which yet also are there signified to be so great and of such a nature that nothing short of that his raising them up at the last day is greater see Joh. 6. 40 44. The Father hath sent him now in the light and power of his word or doctrine to draw men to him that otherwise could not come And to give eternall life through his name to all comers even in the knowledge and faith of it in him and in some first fruits of spirituall enjoyment and in the hope of the harvest To each of these he addes and I will raise him up at the last day signifying nothing short of that is greater then these and clearly mentioning that as another work and greater then any of these which yet also he saith he will do both unto those that come in his drawings to see and believe on him and to those also that break his bands asunder and will not come to him for life And then shall be fulfilled that which is written all that the Father hath given him shall come to him even those that now will not come in his drawings see verse 37 39. with Isa 45. 23 24. Psal 2. 7 8 9. And so in this place The resurrection of the dead is distinguished from and mentioned as a far greater work then any spirituall efficacy of his word or voyce on Mens spirits now And therein signified to be a mighty and wonderfull efficacy of the same voyce on their dead bodies that sleep in the dust of the Earth even such as in which they shall be wholly redâ—emed from the first death and from the power of the Grave Yea 2 So much is plain and full in the expressions 1 In that it s called the resurrection of them 2 It s said to be such as in which all that are in the Graves shall come forth 1 In that it s called the resurrection of them both some to life and others to damnation now there is no work in Scripture called the resurrection of the dead But that in which the whole man is wholly redeemed ouâ— and brought forth of the first death that came in and passed on all men at first by sin nor can be properly so called no not that quickening of the spirit that is now effected in hearing the voyce of the Son of God by what meanes soever preached though that as we have shewed already in respect of the nature and greatnesse of it is the neerest to this yet that is but such a quickening or making alive of the spirit in part or in a first fruites as may and doth stand together with their body being still dead as the fruit of sin Rom. 8. 10 23. yea of those of whom the Apostle supposes they were risen with Christ yet he affirmes of them that they were still dead and their life hid with Christ in God And when he who is our life shall appear then not before shall they also appear with him in glory Coll. 3. 1-5 And of himselfe the same Apostle plainly affirmes that he had not yet attained the resurrection of the dead but was pressing on to it ayming at it even at the first resurrection in which is such blessednesse yet so as looking for it both after the changing this vile body and at the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ from Heaven when he shall bring with him all that sleep in Jesus and not before see Phill. 3. 11-14 20 21. True it is In that gracious or spirituall work in which the spirit is quickened or made alive for righteousnesse sake now through the beliefe of the truth as it is in Jesus Therein also the Believer is said to be risen with Christ Coll. 3. 1. with ch 2. 12. But that is explicated to be not in or by a like act wrought upon our Persons as was wrought upon his when he was raised from the dead But through faith of the operation of God and so effected in the doctrinall and spirituall baptisme as also they are said in the same baptisme in a like sence to be buried with him He is the Person that was dead and buried and was raised again for us and with reference to that his personall buryall and resurrection the Apostle speakes there as also in Rom. 6. 3 4 8 11. shewing that in the spirituall washing of that doctrine of his death and resurrection we are through faith washed from the errors and polutions of the World into the acknowledgment grace and consolation of that his death and resurrection And so in that Baptisme or washing of the spirit which is in the beliefe of the truth we are taught and strengthened to reckon our selves dead and buried in his death and buriall there dead indeed unto sin and so risen with him through
and effectuall with the Father as that through Christ in the name and grace of the Father they might have been saved in due time They could not be righteously judged for denying him that bought them and not receiving the love of the truth that they might be saved His judgment therefore from such demonstrations is and shall be evidenced to be according to truth against them that commit such things see Rom. 2. 2. 4. 5. 10-16 3. 3 4. Act. 17. 30 31. 2 Thess 2. 10. 11 12. Though the spirit that dwelleth in us as of us Justeth to envy and pride yet God giveth more grace and because he doth so therefore he saith He resisteth the proud that still persist in their pride and stubbornnesse notwithstanding his grace bringing salvation did abound and was more then their naturall filthinesse and corruption and would have overcome all for them and in them had it not been willfully again and again rejected by them This is the condemnation that light is come into the World and men loved darknesse Jam. 4. 5 6. Joh. 3. 19. Therefore also in the right understanding of the greatnesse and truth of this love of God in Christs dying for all and through it to manward the Apostles did discern and know the unspeakable greatnesse of his terror against Scorners in that Day of his judging all men by Jesus Christ according to their Gospell 2 Car. 5. 10. 11-14 15. Hebr. 2. 3. 10. 29. And the truth is whatever is said to the lessening or taking off from either the greatnesse or truth of Gods grace in and through Christ to manward tends every whit so much to the extenuating of their evill that sin against it and to the abating or taking off from the clear discoveries of the terror of the Lord and the greatnesse and equity of his severity that shall be against Scorners persisting such and so to the blunting the edge and taking away the force of all Gospell admonitions and warnings for according to his fear or grace and glory in Christ to manward that he might be feared by them now even such so infinite and unspeakable will be his wrath against Scorners then Psal 90. 10 11. 2 This Resurrection and Judgment shall be effected by his mighty power In the immediate and wonderfull putting forth of his voyce even the same powerfull voyce or spirit that now breathes in the Gospell to the awakening the dead or making them to hear and to the making partakers of life them that in hearing hear That it shall be by the same voyce is clear in the 25. and 28. verses compared This more wonderfull efficacy of his voyce in raising the dead and bringing them in judgment is here declared to correct and silence their sinfull marvelling at the 〈◊〉 power and efficacy of the same voyce on the spirits of men before 〈…〉 â—uch is asserted by the Apostle Rom. 8. 11. If the spirit of him that 〈…〉 the dead dwell in you he that raised up Christ from the dead 〈…〉 also quicken your mortall Bodies that is Raise them in the first Resurrection and to life by the same spirit that now dwels in you And in such wise also the generall Resurrection of all the rest of the dead shall be effected by him in the last day as is signified Joh. 6. 39-44 where he not only saith that he will raise them up at the last day But clearly signifies that he will doe it by the same power by which he was now sent to draw them and was drawing them even by that eternall spirit by which he was raised and with which he is filled and cloathed without measure in that Body in mans nature by vertue of his sufferings and by which he is now striving with and working on the spirits of men to the drawing and quickening them yea that word that he hath now spoken to them and preached by his spirit to their spirits shall judge them at the last Day Joh. 12. 48. By the power now graciously breathing in it to make them willing they shall then be brought to his judgment Seat whether they will or no And be judged by and according to it God hath appointed a Day in the which he will judge the World in righteousnesse by that man whom he hath ordained whereof he hath given assurance unto all men in that he hath raised Him from the dead by whom in the mighty putting forth of the same power and spirit he will judge discern discover and bring to light and judgment every secret thing whether it be good or bad And so judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to Paul's Gospell This Instruction is used in Scripture for consolation to those that now receive and retain this voyce of the Son of man This word and spirit in it by which he was raised to dwell in them He shall raise and judge them by the same word and spirit that now dwels in them speaking peace and giving healing to their spirits through his bloud and the love of God therein displayed so that it must needs be to them a resurrection to life and the compleating of that joy to which they are now quickened in their spirits by the first fruites of the same spirit while yet the body is dead because of sin as Rom. 8. 10-11 12. 24-25 so Job 11. 25 26. I am saith our Saviour the Resurrection and the life not only as the procuring Cause but also as the effecter and worker of it And that by the same spirit by which he was raised and with which he is immeasurably filled in mans nature And by which he now accompanies his word that through him men might believe and dwels in the hearts of the receivers in a first fruites of it as is shewed before Therefore says he because I am the resurrection and the life he that believeth on me though he were dead yet shall he live And he that liveth and believeth on me shall never dye he shall not dye or be separated from God or cut off from his hope in that first death or shadow of death which he must passe through And the second death shall have no power on him yea the first fruites of the spirit being to the quickening their spirits that now receive it what can the harvest or fullnesse of the same be to them when it shall be poured out upon them but still more even to fullnesse of efficacy of the same nature life from the dead The totall quickening of soul and body together So likewise the same Doctrine is used for admonition and warning to the rejectors while it s to day to take heed of murmuring against that power by which he is now striving with them drawing and working upon their hearts For by the same power spirit voyce or word of the Son of man they shall be raised and judged in the last day And therefore it must needs be a terrible resurrection and Judgment to those
that here have rejected the same power in its saving and healing oppaâ—ations have done despite to the spirit of grace And rejected that word and voyce in it which he brought to them by which they must be raised and judged Then by the same spirit which is the light and power of his voyce in the Gospell to them now shall every secret thing be brought to light How the same hath been formerly striving and working with them Discovering the thoughts and intents of the Heart And powerfully reproving and with discoveries of his goodnesse leading to repentance And how they have hardened their hearts And for what empty reasons and lying vanities they have offered despite and gâ—eivance to him The remembrance of which shall be ever with them as the worm that shall never dye evidencing the equity of his Judgment in the fire that never shall be quenched This therefore our Saviour useth as part of the Argument or motive with which he admonisheth them not to murmur now against the light and power of his Doctrine not only that they could not come nor any man without such drawing of the Father as was now vouchsafed them by him But also that he even the same that was now sent in the light and power of his spirit by his word to draw them whether they now come or no he shall raise them up at the last day even in the same power by the same spirit and judge them by the same word Joh 6 44. with ch 12. 48. This likewise evidenceth the voyce of the son of man the preaching of peace by Jesus Christ by what meanes soever he pleaseth to vouchsafe it to men now to be sufficiently powerfull and efficatious to the strengthening dead men to hear and receive it to the creating both light in the understanding and motion or inclination in the will where none was before that men might in its own light and power perceive and receive the great things of his love as discovered and brought unto them therein seeing its the same power and powerfull voyce by which Christ was raised by the glory of the Father And all the dead shall be raised by the man Christ in the glory of the Father obtained by him in Mans nature through and by meanes of his sufferings for men yea this instruction may here seasonably be noted by us as presented by our Saviour in the Text for correcting of their sinfull marvelling at the forementioned present power and efficacy of his voyce in the Gospell on the spirits of men viz. That it is the same voyce by which the dead Bodies shall be raised The light and power of his spirit sent out with his Gospell in the severall preachings of it now vouchsafed is of the same nature with that Power by which Christ was raised And the dead shall be raised It is according to the working of that mighty power which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead by which men spiritually dead as to the hearing of the voyce of the son of God are made to hear it in its coming to them whence he is said by the same spirit by which he was quickened or raised from the dead to have gone home to them And preached to their spirits that were disobedient in the dayes of Noah And are now in Prison for their disobedience then 1 Pet. 3. 18 19 20. And so also by which those that in hearing hear are strengthened to believe and quickened and preserved in life in believing Eph. 1. 18 19 20. with Joh. 5. 25. And so it s signified to be a new creating word or voyce answerable to that first creating word by which he created light where there was none before 2 Cor. 4. 6. The spirit and power of God by which all things increase and multiply in their severall kinds And by which all things were at first created and had their Beeings given them is the same but not in the same manner put forth to the first as to the last mentioned of these works And so the power or spirit by which men are preserved in their naturall life and do move and act in it And that by which the dead bodies shall be raised is the same but not in a like manner of working put forth to the first as to the latter To the first in an ordinary or naturall way or manner of working so as co-opperating with and strengthening naturall faculties and powers before given To the other in a supernaturall way or manner of working giving beeing and life where there was none before even so likewise we may say It s the same spirit and power of God by which men are instructed and strengthened to the attaining naturall and Worldly Sciences And by which they are instructed and strengthened to know Christ and Gods glory in him and to receive and entertain him in their hearts But it s put forth according to another manner of working to the latter then to the former To the former only in an ordinary and naturall manner of working according to the nature and some fore-capacity of the subject wrought upon strengthening the naturall powers and faculties to what is within their spheare To the latter in a supernaturall way or manner of opperation bringing not only new light revealing the object in Gods wisedome and way of demonstration but also therewith an opening the understanding that they may understand what is discovered new strength and motion to the will and affections that was not there before strengthening to receive what is given even such as were as to that wholly dead before It is such as is making wise the simple that have no understanding in its coming to them for in its revelation of the object it is opening the blind eyes of the mind moving and leading to repentance even such as are not made wise or led to repentance by it Psal 19. 7. Rom. 2. 4. Isa 48. 17 18. Math. 13. 9 12 13 15. such as makes the dead to hear that in hearing they might hear and those that hear to live and therefore shewed to be according to that working whereby he shall raise the dead Yet there are also these dissimilitudes between the manner of the putting forth of the same power for the quickening mens spirits now and for the raising their dead bodies after 1 To the first it s put forth mediately through outward meanes of preaching that voyce vouchsafed To the latter immediately from and by himselfe 2 To the first he works graciously on the mind and spirit enlightening perswading and so drawing by cords of love to make them willing in the day of his power And that they might be made so that through him they might be saved and graciously saving the willing ones Hose 11. Rom. 2. 4. 1. 16 17. but not irresistably forceing To the other he works irresistably without requiring any consent or complyance forcibly and powerfully of himselfe without any act of
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 shâ—w 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.
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
the same faith of the operation of God who hath raised him he saith not us but him from the dead still we are dead and our life is hid with Christ in God who also hath begotten us by and through the resurrection of Christ to a lively hope of an Inheritance incorruptible and that sadeth not away reserved in Heaven for us who are kept by the power of God through faith unto the salvation ready to be revealed in the last time unto which he that raised up Christ from the dead will also raise us up by Christ at his coming Till then the resurrection of the dead is not in a full or proper sence attained by any but the Head for us all Some there are I know that would not have us understand the Resurrection of the body to be meant in that first resurrection spoken of Revel 20. 5 6. But some spirituall quickening reviving or enlargement given to such Persons in this corruptible time and state of the World And the pretended ground of their cavill against the understanding the resurrection of the body to be there meant is from John's saying that he saw the soules of such and they lived and reigned with Christ The soules says John Not the bodies therefore say they For the clearing of that therefore consider 1 That sometime by the soul is meant the whole Person of the man or men spoken of both soul and body together as Gen. 12. 5. 46. 15 18 22 27. with Deut. 10. 12. Rev. 18. 13. with Ezek. 27. 13. 2 That the soul as well as the body may be said to be dead to us though not in it selfe or unto God All live to him Luk. 20. 38. And so the soul departing out of the body yet retaines a sensible being while the body is in dust But so as under the Altar in a disappearing state as to us having no fellowship or converse with us nor any more any reward oâ— portion of the things done under the Sun nor shall they appear again or be visible and so living to us untill in the body at the resurrection of the body And so in this vision John saw the soules not as chap. 6. 9 under the Altar as still remaining in a disappearing state of death as to us But coming forth and appearing That is soul and body together the whole persons of those spoken off And they lived c. Yea 3 That the resurrection of the Podies of those that sleep in Jusus is there meant by the living again of the soules of such which is there called the first resurrection is clear in that it s spoken of as a work passing upon them after death and not before Some of them had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus before they thus lived again and yet their very persons lived again in that first resurrection as seen in the vision yea the rest of that Company that have part in the first resurrection were dead before they so lived again or immediatly changed with such a change as is answerable to death as appeares by his saying of all the residue that have not part in that first resurrection The rest of the dead lived not again till the thousand years were finished Then it seemes these were all of the dead before they thus lived again Likewise 4 Its further evident in that this living again of those is called the first resurrection with relation to and as distinguished from the resurrection or living again of the rest of the dead after the thousand yeares of Christs personall reigne on the Earth shall be finished And as opposed to their not living again till that time be expired And that that Resurrection or living again of the rest of the dead that shall be at the end of that time is the Resurrection of their dead Bodies is clear in that explication that follows The Sea gave up the dead which were in it now it s their dead Bodies that were in the Sea And death the first death and Hell or the grave or disappearing state of death delivered up the dead which were in them By all which it appeares that by the first resurrection is meant that resurrection of all that are his peculiar people at his coming to take the Kingdome and reigne that is spoken of 1 Cor. 15. 23. 1 Thess 4. 14 16. In which their vile Bodies shall be wholly redeemed from death and fashioned into the likenesse of his glorious Body for which all true Believers are here waiters Rom. 8. 23. Phil. 3. 11 21. Yea the resurrection of the dead is here expressed to be such a work as shall be effected by the power of his mighty voyce on all both just and unjust And therefore though the just or those that sleep in Jesus now before his coming and those of them that survive at his appearing shall have their â—â—â—stnesse in it And all the righteous shall have the only blessednesse of it Yet the resurrection simply is not their peculiar priviledge or portion or a work only to be accomplished on them but on all the dead that dye in Adam 2 Such also it is here expressed to be as in which all that are in the Graves shall come forth a work exceeding or going beyond that in which some received their dead to life again Hebr. 11. 35. and that in which some dead Bodies of Saints arose and came forth of their Graves and lived again some time amongst men in this corruptible state of the World as Lazarus Joh. 11. and others Math. 27. 52 53. In which yet there was a glorious manifestation of the great power of God in and by Christ for raising all the dead wholly out of the first death in due time But in these it cannot be said that the persons so raised and brought forth were wholly redeemed from death and from the power of the Grave nor therein brought to the full enjoyment or possession of that eternall life and glory to which they were called by the Gospell and therefore neither is that called the resurrection of them from the dead yea they are still said to be expecting a better resurrection God having provided some better things for us that they without us should not be made perfect Hebr. 11. 35-40 But the resurrection of the dead that which is so called in Scripture and is so in a full and proper sence is such as in which all that are in the Graves which also may signifie generally the disappearing state of death because in that as in the Grave they are hidden from us though not from him that hides them there as Job 14. 13. with Psal 139. 12. even all that sleep in the dust of the Earth shall awake and shall come forth some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting contempt Dan. 12. 2. He will ransome them from the power of the Grave redeem them from death The first death and the Grave that now hides them shall be
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
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 coâ—ruption 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
complyance on the Creatures part and whether they will or no uniting soul and body and bringing them together to his judgment seat to receive the things done in the body c. And therefore in that putting forth of his mighty voyce and power All shall come to him even those that are increased against him But in this The manner of his working or putting forth his power in the Gospell or witnesses of his goodnesse for opening the blind eyes and turning sinners to God In this I say it answers to the working of that power by which he created all things by his word and shall raise the dead viz. in its supernaturall manner of working to what it comes for in and through the meanes for though it require some act of complyance on the creatures part yet finding him wholly dead as of himselfe unto that complyance It brings the light power and motion to all that complyance or consent it requireth and strength against all that might retard or hinder And that greater then the power of our naturall corruption or of Satan The spirit that dwels in us naturally as of us it lusteth enviously But he giveth more grace The weapons of the Gospell are not carnall but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds casting down Imaginations and every high thing that exalts it selfe against the knowledge of God And bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ Jam. 4. 5 6. 2 Cor. 10. 3 4 5. They are mighty to it they have all power and suitable opperation in them to the doing it even where yet they are not suffered to have their perfect work The power of God in the Gospell and witnesses of his goodnesse in and through Christ is all-mighty able to save from all enemies and hath suitable opperation in it to the effecting the whole work with power though not put forth irresistably but in such a way or manner of working as in which his wisedome holinesse and truth may be shewed forth and magnified for it is impossible for God to lye And such as is suitable to his end which is the saving man now the will is a principall part of the man If therefore that were forced or he forced out of or into any thing without its consent or complyance from some understanding of the ground and reasonablenesse of what is propounded and required I see not how he should be said to be therein saved for as much as he cannot be said therein to be willing and obedient a volluntary and free will offering This mighty power therefore comes forth in such a manner of working as by enlightening the understanding healing and opening the eyes of the mind to the making men willing in the Day of his power And so it works first to will and then to doe whence we are admonished to doe all things it works us to both in listening to hearing and receiving its instructions and reproofes and obeying its requirings without murmurings and disputings least so we faile and deprive our selves of its prevailency in carrying an end the whole work of faith with power and be found fighters against God whose allmighty power and in such supernaturall manner of working is in that testimony of the Lord or voyce of the Son of God in those meanes of preaching or witnessing it of his appointment Opening the blind eyes making the dead to hear making wise the simple leading to repentance even those that are not led by it as we shewed before There is not only tendancy in it but suitable opperation I have purged thee and thou wast not purged Ezek. 24. 13. Gospell obedience therefore exhorted too is to turn in the light and power of his reproofes while he is turning them thereby and not in any light and power of their own that were a vain exhortation To be willing and obedient not in their own but in the day of his power while he is making them willing to walk in the light while they have it with them That by it they may be made the children of the light not to murmur amongst themselves against his Doctrine or witnesses of kis goodnesse and so break his bands that are therein while he is drawing them because without them they cannot come And therefore he requires this Gospell obedience because he is working and giving all that pertaines to it in his gracious sweet and powerfull way in which his mercy and truth as met in Christ may be magnified Therefore he saith awake thou that sleepest and arise from the dead c. Because all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light in which he so calls Eph. 5. 13 14. Yea because his voyce hath a rousing quallity vertue or power in it as here the dead shall hear the voyce of the Son of God and they that hear shall live Marvell not at this for the hour is coming in which all that are in the Graves shall heare his voyce and shall come forth c. Yea therefore it is that God resisteth the proud in his present and eternall judgments Because he now in this day of his grace giveth more grace grace abounding and going beyond their naturall filthinesse and such as hath in it more argument and power more sweet and powerfull motive and motion to humble them Then is or can be in sin or Satan to keep them up in pride or to lift up their Imaginations works or Idols against the knowledge of God In which the equity of his judgements and severity against Scorners is brightly evidenced Let all admonish us to obedience to the voyce of the son of God now to fall down under the mighty power of it and more abundant grace that is in it Because it is such a mighty voyce and is so appointed that it hath also in a readinesse to revenge all disobedience when once the obedience of those that in hearing hear is fulfilled when once the day of grace and patience is past 2 Cor. 10. 6. with Joh. 12. 47-49 They shall all be raised and judged by the same voyce of the Son of Man As a farther motive therefore to such obedience Consider 2 The last position propounded viz. That in the resurrection there shall be this manifest difference between those that have done good and those that have done evill The first shall come forth to the resurrection of life The other to the resurrection of damnation Here we have these two things to speak to for opening this position 1 Who they are that have done good and who they are that have done evill in a Scripture sence and after the Gospell Rule according to which all must be judged 2 Wherein this manifest difference that shall be made between them in the Resurrection standeth or how it shall be made and made to appear in the coming forth of the one by the power of his voyce to the Resurrection of Life and in the coming forth of the other by the
according to the severall degrees of their indignities and evill works of this nature For we know him that hath said vengeance belongs to me and I will repay And againe the Lord shall judge his people in that judgement of eternall damnation he will remember and recompense on the heads of evill doers all the injuries reproaches hard speeches and unlawfull deeds which ungodly sinners have spoken and done against them for his name-sake as Math. 25. 43-46 Yea every idle word and rebellious practise with every secret thing as it hath been commited against the light and power of his grace bringing salvation and moving to repentance shall then be remembred and put on their account together with the many opportunities of mercy put into their hands with seasonable warnings and the manifold patience and long suffering of God towards them And how and for what lying vanities all have been willfully and wickedly rejected by them and their hearts more fully set in them to do evill And none of their former righteousnesse or good workes that they have done shall ever be remembred for them But in the sin which they have done and finished they shall be for ever separated into that fire of the wrath of God that shall never be quenched where their worme dyeth not and their fire is not quenched It will be a most fearfull thing to fall into the hands of the liveing God under that judgement for he that made them will have no mercy on them he that formed them will shew them no favour repentance shall be hid from his eyes yea who knoweth the power of his anger of that wrath to come it shall be according to his greatnesse and terriblenesse and answerable to the infinitenesse of his grace towards sinners now that he might be feared yea answerable to the exceeding riches and glory of the hope of his called Heb. 10. 26-31 Math. 12. 36 18. 34. Eccles 12. 14. Rom. 2. 16 14. 9-12 Ezek. 33. 13 Iude 14. 15. Yea that which will be a great felicity to the one and misery to the other in which also the righteous judgement of God shall wonderfull be manifest is this The righteous shall in all this see their desire on their enemies yea he shall rejoyce when he seeth the vengeance and the snfoake of their torment ascending up for ever and for ever and that they have no rest day nor night Psal 112. 8. 58. 10 11 Revel 14. 10. 11. with ch 19 2. 3. For they shall then have no more pitty or bowels of mercy and compassion towards these as sometimes they had while the compassions of God was towards them now to have pitty or compassion towards them would be a misery seeing there is no more in God towards them and so no hope for them but this shall be part of their glory and song Righteous art thou oh Lord that hast judged thus Likewise also the wicked shall see their horn exalted with honour and shall be greived and gnash his toeth in the perfect remembrance of the many fair oportunities he hath rejected once and many a time graciously put in his hand for escapeing that place of torment and for being made meete to partake of the inheritance with the Saints in light Psal 112. 10. Let all be of this use to us 1. To instruct us not to mourn immoderately as those that have no hope concerning them that are asleep for if we beleive that Jesus dyed and rose even so them also which sleepe in Jesus God shall bring with him 1 Thesse 4. 13. 14. c. 2. To encourage to patient continuance in well doing and to be stedfast and unmoveable therein allways abounding in the work of the Lord knowing that ouâ— labour shall not be in vain in the Lord. In due season we shall reap if we â—aint not Ro. 2. 6. 7. 1 Cor. 15. 58. Gal. 6. 9. 3. To exhort all to eschew evill depart from it in the light and power of Gods grace leading to repentance and doe good while they have oportunity and it is in power of their hand to doe Be not only hearers of the word of God but doers of it in what it is working in you both to will and to doe of good pleasure let us not deceive our own soules For what a man soweth that shall he also reap he that soweth to his flesh shall of it reap corruption but he that soweth to the spirit shall of it reap life everlasting for the son man shall come in the glory of his Father and with his holy Angels and then shall reward every man according to his works then it will appear an unvalluable losse if a man shall gain the whole world and loose his soule Psal 34 14. 37. 27. Iam. 1. 19-25 Gall. 6. 7 8. 4. To admonish evill doers to awake to righteousnesse to stand in aw and not to sin against him who is yet waiting to be gracious for he is a God of judgement If sin be once finished it brings forth death in an utter separation to the wrath to come and to him belongs vengeance and he will repay Nor will there be any oportunity in the grave or after for escaping that righteous judgment on them that know not God nor obey his Gospell Wherefore the holy Ghost saith to day while it s called to day if ye will hear his voyce harden not your hearts for behold the great day of the Lord is coming that shall burn as an Oven and all the proud and evill doers shall be as stubble They shall then be made to heare to their everlasting woe and horror The same voyce that now they rejected when it might have been to their everlasting comfort For the houre is comeing in which all that are in the graves shall hear the voyce of the son of man and shall come forth they that have done good to the resurrection of life and they that have done evill to the resurrection of damnation FINIS