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.
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
wholly destroyed so that there shall be no more darknesse or shadow of death in which the workers of iniquity may hide themselves Hose 13. 14. Revel 20. 13 14. Job 34. 22. All that are in the Graves shall hear his voyce and shall come forth now how or in what consideration of them they are in the Grave or dust of the Earth is evident that it is in the flesh or body as distinct from the spirit or soul which departs out of the body at death and returnes to God that gave it to be appointed to its proper place either of prison or liberty till the resurrection of the body At death the dust returnes to the Earth as it was and the spirit returnes to God that gave it Eccles 12. 7. In death there is no difference between a man and a Beast as to outward appearance But there is this great difference to be believed though no man can by sence perceive it or by Philosophy comprehend it That the spirit of a Man goeth upward whereas the spirit of a Beast goeth downward to the Earth Eccles 3. 20 21. Hence 't is said of Rachel that her soul departed when she dyed Gen. 35. 18. So David saw corruption his flesh or body did turn to dust when as notwithstanding his spirit was with other spirits of just men made perfect as far as the spirit without the body is capable Now then the resurrection of the dead is such as in which the flesh or body that sleepes in the dust of the Earth shall be wholly redeemed from death and the Grave from that death to which the Grave is annexed even that death which presently turns them to corruption and dust if they rest in it All that are in the Graves shall come forth even all the dead Bodies of men that sleep in the dust of the Earth And shall never more return to dust again or be hidden in the Grave or any such disappearing state of death which unspeakably addes to the happinesse of those that have done well And to the misery and terror of the other Furthermore That the resurrection shall be of the same bodyes of men that dye in and from Adam even of the same that returnes to dust and corruption in those that sleep or rest in death That the selfe same shall be raised by Christ and made alive from that death though it shall not be raised the same or in the same quality yet that it even the dead the same body that dyes and is dead shall be raised and not another thing or body in the stead of it is evident from the resurrection of Christ which is both as hath been hinted already The foundation of the resurrection of the dead and also the first fruites of the same As saith the Apostle 1 Cor. 15 20. But now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first fruites of them that slept whence also he calls him the first born from the dead Coll. 1. 18. Now as the Apostle in another case argues the lump or harvest must needs be such as is the first fruites of the like nature or kind as Rom. 11. 16. If therefore the resurrection of Christ was the raising up from the dead of the same body that dyed in which he bore our sins to the Tree even Jesus of the seed of David after the flesh Then it follows necessarily that the resurrection of the dead by him is the raising up and making alive from that death the same bodies that dye in Adam else his resurrection in the same body in which he dyed could not be the first fruites of theirs But that the resurrection of Christ was of the same body that was hung upon the Tree and dyed is most clear First from his own demonstration of it after his resurrection and before his being taken up In all which he shewed saith the text Act. 1. 3. himselfe to them alive after his passion or suffering by many infallible proofes himselfe alive after his passion himselfe that suffered and dyed the same himselfe alive again after that his passion himselfe the same man the same person the same Jesus of Nazareth And in the same body in which he suffered and dyed and that was laid in the Sepulchre as we may see more fully and particularly in the narrations as Luk. 24. 39 40. Behold my hands and my feet that it is I my selfe handle me and see for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as yee see me have And when he had thus spoken he shewed them his hands and his feet Again vers 46 47. It was necessary that the same Christ that suffered and dyed should rise again the third day And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name Likewise Joh. 20. After they had been at the Sepulchre and found not the body of Jesus there Jesus himselfe appeared to them and after some reasoning with them he shewed them his hands and his feet Then saith the Text were the Disciples glad when they saw the Lord vers 20. Again vers 27 Then saith he to Thomas reach hither thy finger and behold my hands and reach hither thy hand and thrust it into my side and be not faithlesse but believing Thomas having said before vers 25. That unlesse he should see in his hands the print of the nayles and put his finger into the print of the nayles namely by which he was nayled to the Cross And thrust his hand into his side namely that was pierced with a Spear Joh. 19. 34. he would not believe For which though he deserved reproofe and went not without it yet our Saviour graciously condiscended to his weaknesse for our further confirmation Secondly this is also most clear from the holy Ghosts Testimony of him after his ascension and being received up into Heaven That it was the same that the Jewes slew and hung on a Tree whom God had raised and exalted with his right hand a Prince and a Saviour And whom the Heaven must receive till the restitution of all things Act. 5. 30 31. 3. 13 21. He even the same that was dead is alive for evermore and hath the keyes of Hell and death Rev. 1. 18. This man continues for ever even the man Christ Jesus And therefore is a powerfull Mediator and high Priest Hebr. 7. 23 24 26. 1 Tim. 2. 5 6 See it very largely and expresly demonstrated Act. 2. 22-36 13. 23 38. That that man Jesus of Nazareth of the seed of David after the flesh who had been approved by God amongst his enemies by miracles and signes as they also knew Him whom they by wicked hands had crucified and slain Him God had raised up having loosed the paines of death because it was not possible that he should be holden of it That David being a Prophet and knowing that God had sworne with an oath to him That of the fruit of his loynes according to the flesh he would raise
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
in mans nature 2. By asserting to them and instructing them into the generall resurrection of the dead both just and unjust by the same voyce of the Son of Man and his rendering to every man according to his works then And this as an antidote against their sinfull marvelling Whence in generall we may note this instruction signified to us that the Doctrines of the Resurrection of the dead and of eternall judgment by the voyce of the Son of Man are very fit and powerfull to strengthen faith in Christ And so in God for all that he hath said or promised against all the corrupt reasonings of the carnall mind or of the wisdome of the flesh they are mighty weapons through God to the pulling down of strong holds casting down Imaginations and every thing that exalts it selfe against the knowledge of Christ and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ 2 Cor. 10. 4 5. Hence it is that the tasting of the powers of the World to come Hebr. 6. 5. is so placed as answering to the Doctrine of the Resurrection of the dead and of eternall judgment vers 2. signifying that those doctrines of the World to come are very powerfull to the correcting and silenceing carnall disputings and sinfull marvellings and so proved or tasted in the prevalency of them on the spirits of such as believingly consider them as 2 Cor. 4. 14 16 17 18 and 5. 1 10. Whence this apprehension of God as one that quickeneth the dead and calleth those things that be not as though they were yea he makes them to be in his so calling them as he commanded light to shine out of darknesse This is mentioned as that which strengthened Abraham against hope to believe in hope Rom. 4. 17. Yea that God raiseth the dead as the truth of that is evidenced in his having raised up Christ our Lord as the surety in man's nature from the dead In which he hath delivered us from so great a death and given assurance unto all men that he will raise them from the dead and judge them by that man whom he hath so ordained And also as it s manifested by and through Christ in his quickening all things and dayly delivering and saveing in deaths and from the evill of them as the Saviour of all men especially of them that believe This is declared as that which did strengthen the faith and hope of the Apostles and Believers in greatest tribulations and deaths and against all unlikelyhoods and impediments 2 Cor. 1. 9 10. 1 Tim. 4. 10. and 6. 13 For 1. Herein his infinite power for doing whatsoever he pleaseth is lively presented in the evidence and demonstration of the spirit that is in that Doctrine as contained and held forth in the testimony of Christ hence Abraham retaining such an apprehension of him as forementioned was fully perswaded that whatever he had promised he was able to performe And therefore when he was tryed offered up his onely begotten Son accounting that God was able to raise him up even from the dead from whence also he received him in a Figure Rom. 4. 20 21. Hebr. 11. 17 19. This great power of God in Christ as evidenced in his raising the dead would being believingly minded powerfully silence those sinfull marvellings in which men are vainly disputing against his words and unwisely inquiring concerning his works As how can it be that the works of Creation and providence should be witnesses of Gods goodnesse that is in and through Christ and so leading to repentance This consideration I say would correct and silence them that it is God that raiseth the dead and quickeneth all things and will bring all men out of their Graves to his judgment seat by Christ he it is that hath spoken it and of his own work to shew and manifest it in such wise Therefore our Saviour here propounds this Doctrine to correct their sinfull marvelling at that declaration of the present power of and in his voyce in the severall preachings of it in which it is by him sent forth to men vers 25. The hour is coming and now is when the dead shall hear the voyce of the son of God and they that hear shall live Marvell not at this says he for the hour is coming in the which all that are in the Graves shall hear his voyce and shall come forth c. And if it should not be thought a thing incredible that God should raise the dead and that by the man Christ and by the voyce and power of his word why should it be thought incredible that the same word as now witnessed and preached to men by any meanes of his appointment should be so powerfull as to open the blind eyes and make the dead to hear that in hearing they might hear and live why say some men this cannot be without power or free-will in man as of him to such hearing seeing the same voyce shall raise the dead bodies out of their Graves 2 In this Doctrine also is the discovery of a reward then to be rendered by him that is now preached to them and that according to every mans work after the Gospel rule of judgment And this Discovery being also with the evidence and demonstration of the spirit that accompanyes that whole Doctrine of Christ and especially in the plain and faithfull ministration of it puts an admonition upon mens spirits not to dally with him and with their own soules now while it is to day to beware of murmuring among themselves and lifting up Imaginations in opposition to the light and power of his testimonies to give more earnest heed to his words while they have opportunity that are able to beget and strengthen faith As perceiving in this Discovery of things to come that it is eternall life and eternall death that is set before them And the present opportunity is only theirs for chusing the one through the grace of God bringing salvation and for avoyding and fleeing from the other Therefore our Saviour uses this as a powerfull motive to warn men not to murmur among themselves now not only that no man can come to him except the Father which had sent him to draw them do draw him But also that whether they now come to him in his gracious drawings or no they shall come to him he will raise them up at the last day and bring them before his judgment seat Joh. 6. 43 44. with vers 36 37 39. And then those that now were incensed against him and would not come to him for life shall bow before him and acknowledge him Lord to the glory of God and justify him in their own everlasting destruction These and the like considerations in this Doctrine made it so powerfull on the spirits of the Apostles as we reade 2 Cor. 5. 9 10 11. 2 Tim. 4. 1 8. We may also here learn by our Saviours example how to answer correct and silence such sinfull marvellings in
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
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
1. 15. 2 Cor. 4. 14. with ch 5. 1-10 2 Tim. 2 8-19 Hebr. 1. 3. 4. 14. 7. 23 c. 8. 1 6. 9. 11 14. 13 28. 10. 1 12. 13. 20. 1 Pet. 1. 21. 2 The persons for whom or in whose stead and for whose offences he was delivered to death are every of them whose nature he took even every man Adam and all his naturall posterity for therefore he was made a little lower then the Angels even in the nature of fallen man-kind in a Body prepared for him of the seed of Abraham and David after the flesh that by the grace of God he might tast death for every man He was made of a Woman made under the Law to redeem them that were under the Law now we know that what ever things the Law saith it saith to them that are under the Law that every mouth may be stopt and all the World may appear guilty before God who hath therefore concluded all under sin that he may have mercy upon all Hebr. 2. 9 14 15 16. Gall. 4. 4. with Rom. 3. 19 22. ch 5. 20 21. 11. 32. This was the Apostles judgment and so the mind of the spirit of Christ that One dyed for all in their room or stead their death and for their good and commodity that through Him they might be saved and that then God was in Christ reconcileing the World unto Himself not imputing their trespasses to them For he laid or caused to meete on him the Iniquities of us all 2 Cor. 5. 14 15 19. Isa 53. 6. with Joh. 3. 17. The resurrection then of that Body from the dead that was so delivered up for us all must needes be for the justification of us all even of all man-kind for therefore was he made sin for us that we might be made the righteousnesse of God in him And as the offence of one was upon or unto all to condemnation So in an answerable and more abundant sence the righteousnesse of one the one man Christ Jesus which was compleated in his Resurrection and offering up that Body aâ—spoâ—lesle Sacrifice a ransome or price of redemption for all was upon or unto all men unto justification of life Rom. 5. 18. And he even Jesus Christ the righteous being in his resurrection taken from the Prison and from the judgment acquit of all our sins imputed to him and accepted to all the ends of his laying down his life He is the propitiation not only for the sins of Believers that have him also as their advocate with the Father but also for the sins of the whole World The Mediator between God and men who gave himself a ransome for all a testimony in due time 1 Joh. 2. 1 2. with 1 Tim. 2. 5 6. yea he is Lord of all even a Prince and Saviour for to give repentance and remission of sins and that it should be preached in his name for therefore he both dyed rose and revived that he might be Lord of all Act. 10. 36. 39. 43. ch 2. 36. 5. 31. Rom. 14. 9. And that this is also contained in that Doctrine of the resurrection of Christ Jesus from the dead as one of the great and maine things in that word of faith is evident in the Scriptures already mentioned where this is expressed as the sum of their ministry or of the word or reconciliation committed to them to be ministred by them And so also as the ground of all their exhortations reproofes warnings and encouragements As also of their praying for all men in due time and exhorting others to it Namely that Jesus Christ by the grace of God dyed for all and that so effectually that it is accepted with the Father as if all had dyed so that he hath raised him from the dead for their justification and given him glory that they that live should not hence forth live to themselves but to him that dyed for them and rose again That then in that work God was in Christ reconcileing the World c. 2 Cor. 5. 14. 15. 19. That God will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth For one God or God is one and there is one Mediator between God and men the Man Christ Jesus who gave himselfe a ransome for all a testimony in due time Unto this saith the Apostle I am appointed a Preacher and an Apostle a Teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity I will therefore that men pray c. See also 1 Joh. 4. 14. When after the Apostle hath admonished us not to believe every spirit but to try the spirits whether they be of God and given us this as the first part of his generall Rule for tryall Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is already come not coming in the flesh that so acknowledgeth and lifteth Him up as having already actually finished the works the Father gave Him to do on the Earth and so is risen from the dead and exalted in that body in Mans nature with the right hand of God is of God And then added this as a further part of that generall Rule for tryall of spirits vers 6. That they the Apostles in their Declaration of this word of life Christ raised from the dead were of God and therefore he that knoweth God heareth them assents and comes up to their words so acknowledgeth Christ come in the flesh and the extent ends and vertues of his Cross as they have seen and declared him And he that is not of God heareth them not In which addition of this further part of the Rule he signifies there may be some acknowledgment of Christ as come in the flesh which yet is not according to the Apostles word or Doctrine After this I say in the 14 verse he sums up their word or testimony concerning him which also they have left for the tryall of spirits We have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son the Saviour of the World That spirit therefore that in his confession of Christ doth not hear assent to and acknowledge him according to this their testimony of him is so far forth not of God As also is signified in those Declarations of the testimony of the true spirit concerning Christ by which he may be known and distinguished from other spirits 1 Joh. 5. 6 9. 11. 12. with Joh. 3. 14 15 16 17 c. And likewise in that discovery of the office and work of the true spirit which he executeth with this testimony in the World Joh. 16. 8-14 The further consideration of which we shall here wave for brevity sake 3 The offences he was delivered for are our offences He gave Himselfe for our sins Gall. 1. 4. He dyed for our sins according to the Scriptures 1 Cor. 15. 3. Even for all the sins and offences that are ours any mans that is yet joyned to or of the number of the living or not yet blotted
out of the Book of the living as Psal 69. 27 28. whence that Eccles 9. 4. with 2 Cor. 5. 15. Even for all those sins and offences found in and upon men or done by them before the day of Gods grace and patience be quite out with them or their sin be so finished as to have brought forth death in an utter separation from God sin when so finished is not to be prayed for because he is not the propitiation for it as appeares by comparing 1 Tim. 21 1-6 1 Joh. 2. 1 2. with ch 5. 16. But to him that is joyned to all the living there is hope and help in Christ there is yet pardon for all his sins and healing for all his diseases For he was delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification Now our sins and offences even the sins and trespasses of the World which the Lamb of God was sent to take away for which he was delivered and gave himselfe they are of two sorts and so distinctly spoken off in the Scripture And accordingly the termes on which he was delivered for them are distinct and different 1 The sins are of two sorts 1. That offence of one man called Adams transgression in which all have sinned and by which sin and so death by sin entred into the World and overspread the whole nature And so all that sin and sinfullnesse that is the naturall and necessary fruit thereof 2 Sins that are now committed by men after the similitude of Adam's transgression such as in which men sin voluntarily by a willfull complyance with Satan against light and power to withstand for though men since the fall of the whole nature in the first man Adam have not that light knowledge and power by which they may withstand Satan in them as a naturall habbit or as Adam in his first constitution yet God by Jesus Christ giveth more grace more abundant light or discoveries of more abundant grace and glory with supernaturall power answerably in and with those discoveries of his goodnesse leading to repentance and teaching and strengthening to resist sin and Satan And thus Christ is a testimony to men and the grace of God in and through him bringing salvation to them all in due time So that if when light thus comes to them they then love and choose darknesse wickedly resisting and departing from him that calleth them into the grace of Christ hardening their hearts against his melting and softening opperations refusing to be healed and so as children of disobedience to the grace of God walking after the course of this World after the Prince of the power of the ayre They then and therein sin of themselves after the similitude of Adam's transgression like men or like Adam Hose 6. 5 6 7. yea their sins being against more grace even against the light and power of the grace in Christ faithfully and seasonably given are greater and of a higher nature though resembled by his See both these sorts of sins distinctly mentioned Rom. 5. 14. Neverthelesse death raigned from Adam to Moses as well as since even over those that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression where he clearly implyes that some there were before as well as since that sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression And also that there were some that had not so sinned and yet that death reigned over them also which shewes that they had sinned and were uncleane and polluted by sin though they had not so sinned For death came in by sin as vers 12. By one man sin entred into the World and death by sin for as much as all have sinned so that sin was in the World before the Law given by Moses and was upon them as an overspreading Leprosie even upon them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression which also shewes that there was a Law and a Law broken and man fallen under the penalty of it before that more full and declarative giving of it by Moses for where there is no Law there is no transgression And after this distinct mention of sins he shewes in the next verses how the gift and grace in and through it by that one man Jesus Christ goes beyond the offence in that it is of many offences There is in it provision of pardon and healing for many other offences besides the first and the necessary branches of that even for such sins as are after the similitude of Adams transgression All sins of the first sort are mentioned as already entred into and overspreading the whole nature even from the first receite and consenting to the temptation of Satan by Adam And so found in the World before Christs undertaking to dye for them And alwayes considered as having being in men in order of nature before that gift and grace in and by it as Rom. 3. 23. All have sinned namely in that offence of one as Rom. 5. 12. And are come short of the glory of God deprived and bereft of that Image and glory of God in which they were created in the first man so that they come forth naturally unclean and altogether filthy the Imaginations of his heart evill from his youth and that enmity of the mind leading to all evill works Gen. 8. 21. Psal 14. 3. with Rom. 3. 9-19 Coll. 1. 21. All sins of the second sort that is hateing when they see rejecting when they hear sinning wilfully against the light and power of the grace of God in Christ bringing salvation are expresly mentioned as sins that could have had no being in the World nor had the World known them or been capable of committing them If there had not been such a gift at least vertually for so it was from the first of our need prepared and accepted and the grace of God through it bringing salvation If he had not made peace for them by his bloud and also preached peace to them even to their spirits by his spirit They had not known or been capable of committing sin as it is now charged upon them that is of seeing and hateing willfull sinning against light Joh. 15. 22-24 with ch 3. 19. 12. 46-48 2. The termes on which he was delivered for them are different The sins of the World of the first sort which are all that had or have beeing in the World in order of nature before the gift and the grace that is in and through it bringing salvation even that offence of one and the naturall uncleannesse from thence entring into and overspreading the whole nature and so remaining in us as a naturall heritage while we are in this body as a Law of sin in the members even in those in whom the spirit is made alive for righteousnesse sake yea in such as walk not after the flesh but after the spirit All these were imputed to Him He was so made under the Law that concluded us guilty And for us that they were legally charged on him
outword works and services after the oldnesse of the letter which yet happily he will attribute to Gods grace in Christ and say with the Pharisee God I thank thee c. But that they are not the productions of that grace believed nor have they their dependance on that for them is evident from the former consideration which shewes that they have no beliefe or perswasion of that or of the truth of it to them But what depends on and alwayes springs up from such frames and quallifications towards God and men first found in them or if they have some other ground together with them as some particular promise or assurance that they are children of God yet usually these are one main ground of their application of those and however these are of the ground of their perswasion of any grace or good will in God towards them as to eternall life and therefore not the fruites of it or begotten by it but of the wisedome and strength of the flesh The other the true Believer of Gods Testimony being in the light of that Testimony of Gods glorious grace in Christ to sinners therein made sensible of his own weaknesse and the emptinesse of all other wayes of attaining righteousnesse as also of the great obligations to love from Gods first loving us and sending his Son the propitiation for our sins that we might live through him In which likewise he is instructed into and perswaded of the certainty of the way of attaining righteousnesse even to have the righteousnesse of the Law fullfilled in him that it is by minding the things of and walking in the light and power of the spirit that is in that testimony he hath already given of Christ and of Gods glory in him and not in the flesh Rom. 8. 3 4 5 c. He therefore goes out of himself and from his own thoughts reasonings and works to mind and consider the things of the spirit that he hath testified of Gods grace in Christ there seeking and expecting in the standing still to behold that grace and through the light and power of its instructions to love to have his heart begotten and purified to unfeigned love of God of men of brethren such as in which is the fullfilling of the Law And so for mortifying the deeds of the body They waite through the spirit for the hope of Gods righteousnesse by faith as for example To subdue the riseings of envy revenge mallice or bitternesse They consult not with flesh and bloud nor expect help from humane prudentiall considerations nor seek to mortify it in any wisedome or strength of theirs exercised in the consideration or observance of their duty But running out of themselves and from all other reasonings and works they run into his name to consider and remember his graciousnesse in forbearing and so giving them for Christs sake and how they have heard and tasted of it in and througâ— the word of the truth of the Gospell and what instruction that affords to the purpose There seeking and expecting help Eph. 4. 31 32. 5. 1 2. 1 Pet. 2. 1 -3. So likewise for subduing the riseings of uncleannesse They sensible of their own weaknesse to get victory run out of themselves and from consulting with flesh and bloud unto this name of God in Christ trusting in and staying upon it expecting strength against the lust in the believing consideration of his right to the body by purchase yea by double purchase the excellency of the pâ—ice wherewith he hath redeemed them both of the Father and from under the curse of the Law and of themselves and from the World and their vain conversation to be his and at his dispose his present care of the body in his mediation for it and gracious providence and eye over it for the good of the whole man his righteous judgment according to the Gospell before which ye must all appear to receive in the body the things done in it whether they be good or bad so for subduing the inclinations to convetousnesse pride or any manner of uncleannesse see 1 Cor. 6. 13 14 15 19 20. with 1 Pet. 1. 13 18 19. 2 Cor. 5 9 10 14 15 19 20. with ch 6. 1 2 17 18 7 1. This is the doing good mentioned in the Text. The hearing the word or voyce of Christ and through and according to it believing on him that sent him and hath raised him from the dead and given him glory that our faith and hope might be in God And such are reckoned doers of good doers of truth 1. Because they herein cease from their own works and do the work of God even that work which he through the power of his truth is doing in them for it is God that workes in them through the discovery of his works and his salvation in Christ for them Both the will and the deed of all this faith in all the acts and fruites of it whence 't is called faith of the opperation of God who hath raised Christ from the dead Coll. 2. 12. 1 Pet. 1. 20. Joh. 6. 29. And they are said to be saved by grace through faith and that not of themselves it is the gift of God Eph. 2. He that doth good is of God Joh. 3. 11. And yet this also is counted to them for righteousnesse reckoned to them as their doing good because though all is of God yet he worketh in them both to will and to doe of good pleasure of him they are made willing and strong in the day of his power to doe what the goodnesse and truth of God is doing in them without murmuring and disputeings to cease from their own Imaginations and works that they may rejoyce in his works and seek righteousnesse and strength in the Lord by faith in him they come to him as to a living stone even in the vertue and force of his drawings allureing and strengthening them through the tasts of his graciousnesse And yet therein they are truly reckoned and indeed made comers they in the light and power of his drawings standing still from their own thoughts and works are made volluntary consenters and doe owne and close with him and as lively stones that are quickened by him to choose him for their foundation are built upon him 1 Pet. 2. 3 4 5. 2. Because herein they do that in the light and strength of the Lord which is in it selfe good righteous and just In acknowledging the emptinesse and lyingnesse of their own Imaginations and of every thought that exalteth it selfe against the obedience of Christ And God to be true in all his sayings as in that glorious testimony he hath given of Christ and by him so in all its discoveries and reproofes of instruction Themselves sinners and voyd of righteousnesse yea without strength And him righteous and faithfull according to that standing witnesse and glorious revelation of himselfe in his Son And his everlasting righteousnesse brought in in and by Christ
only perfect and worthy to be sought after and submitted too They honour the Son and so the Father in him they ascribe righteousnesse to their Maker as more largely we have shewed in our lamentation over the dead in Christ published on the death of Henry Rixe 3. Because they herein do that which is good and profitable as to the attaining righteousnesse And so is confirmed to be good in the good fruit of it all works of darknesse are unfruitfull the workers of them reap no profit or good fruit of them Eph. 5. 11. Rom. 6 21. Job 33. 27. Hence they are called dead works which have not profited those that have been occupyed in them Hebr 9. 14. 13. 9. But the work of righteousnesse shall be peace and the fruit of righteousnesse quietnesse and assurance for ever Isa 32. 17. Yea it is so now in a first fruites of the spirit The God of hope filles with all joy and peace in this believing that they may abound in hope through the power of the holy Ghost Rom. 15. 13. This faith is so counted to them for righteousnesse that they are therein made partakers in a first fruites of the spirit of what they believe on him for even the fruit of his righteousnesse with which faith closeth in the forgivenesse of their sins acceptance of their persons into favour and fellowship with God dayly washing sanctifying justifying and changing into his Image in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the spirit of our God Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsell of the ungodly nor standeth in the way of sinners nor sitteth in the seat of the scornfull But his delight is in the Law or Doctrine of the Lord and therein doth meditate or exercise himselfe day and night And so through and according to that Doctrine trusteth in the Lord and whose hope the Lord is He shall be as a Tree planted by the waters and that spreadeth forth her rootes by the River and shall not see when heat comes but be always fragrant and fruitfull The ungodly not so c. see and compare Psal 1. with Jer. 17. 7 8. He that abideth in him sinneth not misseth not his mark failes not of the end of his faith the saving of his soul attaines righteousnesse 1 Joh. 3. 6 1 Pet. 1. 8 9. Rom. 9. 30-32 1. In that they are made accepted with God in the beloved even in and according to that perfect righteousnesse that he hath compleated for them on which their parts and mindes are stayed In him they are compleat it being the office of the righteous one so to present them in himselfe so that as he is righteous and faithfull in his office And the Father righteous in his promise and covenant confirmed in him so he that doth righteousnesse believes in him for righteousnesse in which also he doth that which the righteousnesse of God discovered in Christ works in him both to will and to doe is righteous yea his righteousnesse that is imputed to him by him that imputes righteousnesse without works even the righteousnesse of God not of man made theirs through faith in Jesus and in which through saith in it he is accepted It is perfect and answerable to the holinesse of God such as in which his truth is fulfilled his justice satisfied so that they are made the righteousnesse of God in him that was made sin for them And in an answerable sence viz. by imputation as well as also by making them partakers of the fruit and blessednesse of it as he was made a curse for them of which more in the next considerations For as being accepted in Christ their iniquities are pardoned in Heaven not remembred or retained there against them So 2. They are made partakers of that forgivenesse of their sins in their mindes and consciences through his name and in the opening of it filling them with joy and peace in believing that also they may abound in the hope of his righteousnesse for further washing and saving to the utmost and perfecting what concernes them By him all that believe are justified from all things from which they could not be justified by the Law of Moses This blessednesse comes upon them in believing through his name Act. 10. 43. 13. 39 Rom. 8. 2 3. 3. 25 26. 4. tot Gal. 3. 9-14 Heb. 9. 14. 10. 22. The Law of the spirit of life in Christ even the Gospell of Christ declaring his righteousnesse in suffering and redeeming us from the curse of the Law is the power of God to save them that believe making them free from the Law of sin and death and quickening them to a new and living hope by the resurrection of Christ from the dead that truth believed in the opening of it makes free from sin from the guilt accusation and bondage that they may serve him without fear in righteousnesse and holinesse all the dayes of their life Yea 3. They are also created in Christ in the light and power of his grace believed and believed in unto good works which God hath before ordained that they believers should walk in them And so also as well as in the sence forementioned he that abideth in him sinneth not that is he doth not commit sin he saith not he hath no sin but he doth it not he is kept from committing or serving it There is sin in them still dwelling and more stirring and warring in the members then formerly But he that abideth in him is dayly strengthened through his name against it that he doth not consent to or serve it or let it reigne in his mortall body and so he that is boâ—n of God or that is led of the spirit of God which alwayes leedes or carryes out of a mans selfe into Christ for satisfaction righteousnesse and strength he doth not commit or serve sin nor can he for the seed of God the word of truth abides in him And wheresoever that is suffered to dwell in the heart it will preserve and deliver from every evill work The power of God which is in it to that purpose being greater then the power of sin and Satan Therefore sayes David thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee If therefore sin prevaile over any of us so as we are thereby brought into bondage it must needs be acknowledged we are not then or therein born of God not led of the spirit of God not carryed out or brought forth of our selves into Christ for teaching and strength but leaning to our own understanding and retaining in our heart some Worldly principle or inclination and secretly consulting with that minding the things of it walking in the flesh and not in the spirit we reape corruption For that grace of God that brings salvation to all men Teacheth us that denying ungodlinesse and Worldly lusts we shâ—uld live soberly righteously and godly in this present World looking for the blessed hope
is in this World so are they but when Christ who is their life shall appear then shall they also appear with him in glory Yea at the time of the naturall and bodily death The difference between them is wider and so fixed or firmely made that it can never more be altered The righteous hath hope in his death yea from thenceforth more then ever blessed for they rest from their labours their spirits with the Lord which is far better then to be in the flesh or body as in this its corruptible state yea their dead body sleepes in union with Jesus by reason of which it shall arise and come with him they are now wholly out of the reach of the enimies they have no more that they can doe and their works follow them But on the other hand the wicked is driven away in his wickednesse the hope of the hipocrite shall then perish Then and from thence they are shut up in prison to the judgement of the great day Yea from thence forth for ever shut out driven forth into outer darknesse where shall be weeping wailing and gnashing of teeth Pro. 14 32. Job 8. 13. 27. 8 1 Pet. 3. 19. 20. 2 Pet. 2. 9. Math. 22. 13. Yea from that time between these two there is a great gulfe fixed that he that would passe from the one to the other cannot Luk. 16. 26. But yet this difference is not visible nor otherwise to be seene but by faith Therefore here we walke by faith and not by sight But there shall be a visible and manâ—fest difference made and infinitly great between him that feareth God and him that feareth him not between the sheep and the Goats in that day Mall 3 16. 17. 18. Mat. 25. 31. c. The one shall come forth to the resurrection of life the other to the resuâ—rection of damnation First they that have done good to the resurrection of life 1. In the resurrection they shall come forth in a glorious state of life capable of enjoying and possessing in soule and body reunited that eternall life that is now in Christ with God These bodies that are now vile and mortall shall then put on immortality and be fashioned into the likenesse of his glorious body we waite for the adoption that is the redemption of the the body Phil. 3. 21. Rom. 8. 23. 2. They shall then come forth unto the full enjoyment and possession of that eternall life that is in the face and presence of God in the light of his countenance and glorious fellowship with him for they shall see him as he is and be glorified together with him and so be ever with the Lord in the glorious enjoyment of his joy and glory which eye hath no seen besides thee oh God nor hath it entred into the heart of man to perceive or comprehend how great and glorious things are contained in that hope and promise of eternall life which God hath laid up and reserved in heaven for them They shall then and from thence for ever fully and gloriously possesse all the glorious reward end and fruit of his sufferings and sacrifice for them yea as the fruit of that there shall then be a particular and everlasting remembrance of all their service of him and suffering for his name in their generation yea all the fruits of faith and love that have been brought forth by them shall then be remembred and recompensed at the resurrection of the just Isa 61. 3-6 7. 1 Cor. 15. 58. 2 Cor. 4. 10-17 Luk. 14. 14. Math. 25. 33-40 And none of their former iniquities transgressions or sins shall be retained or remembred against them for ever nor any of the fruit of them any more sustained or tasted by them Psal 130. 8. Isa 25. 8. Revel 7. 14-17 21. 4. 5. Then they shall be compleatly enriched and beautified with the perfection of that knowledge of him Peace and joy in him conformity to him and fellowship with him which now they enjoy through faith but in some first fruits or earnest of the spirit Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection on such the second death hath no power but they shall be Priests and Kings unto God and shall raigne with Christ on the earth 1000 yeares yea they shall be ever with the Lord partakeing off and possessing his glory Revel 20. 6. and 5. 10. 1 Joh. 3. 1 2. 1 Thess 4. 14-17 Secondly after that first resurrection and yet in that great day of the Lord in the time of that administration of his kingdome on the earth as is shewed before They that have done evil shall come forth to the resurrection of damnation Even of eternall damnation 1. In their resurrection they shall come forth not in such a quallity or state of mortalliy as they were now in from Adam But made alive from that death And so from the power of it and of the grave in such a state or quallity as they can never more cease to be and to retaine a sencible being from that time and for ever in the lake of fire where their worme dyeth not and their fire is not quenched Their raised bodies yea the being of soule and body in that state of the resurrection shall be such as no torments whatsoever no not the everlasting burnings that shall be kindled by the breath of the Lord shall ever put an end to the being of either or cause a separation between them as the first death did though far lesse terrible and grievous then this they being then in that weake and mortall state as from Adam And under the ordinance of that death But now in this state in which they shall come forth in the resurrection there shal be no darkness nor shadow of death in which the workers of iniquiry may hide themselves death and hell or the grave when they are raised out of it shall be cast into the lake of fire with them this is the second death Job 34. 22. Hose 13. 14. 1 Cor. 15. 22. 26. Revel 20. 14. 2. And so they shall come forth to the resurrection of Damnation even to receive by the righteous judgement of him that dyed for them as it shall be fully evidenced according to the Gospell to his glory in their condemnation that dreadfull sentence in the full and eternall execution of it depart from me yee workers of iniquity goe yee cursed into everlasting punishment even into everlasting fire prepared for the devill and his Angells Math. 25. 31. 32 41 46. Mark 3. 29. 9. 43 46. They shall be for ever utterly separated from his face and presence and without any mixture of mercy suffer in soule and body for ever the utmost vengeance and torment that is the proper wages of and belongs to him to repay for their treading under foote the son of God counting an unholy thing the bloud of the covenant wherewith they were sanctified and offering despite unto the spirit of grace
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