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
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
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
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
up in the blessing Blessed are the dead that dye in the Lord from hence forth yea saith the spirit c. He that endureth to the end shall be saved Be thou faithfull unto death saith Christ and I will give thee the crowne of life Math. 24. 13. Rev. 2. 10. So James affirming the blessedness of the man that endureth temptation saith That when he is tryed namely to the end when that work of trying purging and making white through manifold temptations is finished he shall receive the crown of life Jam. 1. 12. Many that have been going right on their way yea runing wel suffered many things yet afterward wickedly drawing back and departing from the living God by an evill heart of unbeliefe have not been found among the righteous nor shall be found among them when he appeareth they so persisting till sin be finished Therefore let us not be weary of well doing In due season we shall reap if we faint not Thus we have done with the first branch of the point under consideration namely who they are that have done good And what we have said in it leads into the understanding of the next branch namely who they are that in a like scripture-sence according to the rule of the Gospell have done evill To that therefore we shall ad but a few words The doing evill that is imputed to men and which brings under condemnation the wrath of God is clearly expressed according to what is also shewed before to be mens being contentious against and not obeying the truth when it is manifested to them in their minds by the evidencâ— demonstration of the spirit and powerfully leading to repentance They then like not to retain it in their knowledge or so to receive the love of the truth as to save them but are incensed against Christ and his gospell because he reprooves their deeds by the light and power of it Rom. 2. 6 7 8 9. with ch 1. 18 19 21 28. 2. 1-4 5. 2 Thess 1. 8. 2. 10 11 12. Isa 45. 24. Their willfull refusing to come in his drawings to â—imselfe for he is drawing all in due time even to himselfe for life And this is the condemnation that when light comes men love and chuse darkness Hose 11. Job 6. 47 with ch 12 31. 32. Psal 2. Joh. 12. 47. 48. 25. 22. 24. nor is any man under a state of condemnation or wrath but for such seeing hateing hearing and rejecting for the Father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgment to the Son And so the time of their doing evill in this sence is in the very opportunity given them for doing good even when light comes when he is preaching peace and witnessing goodness to their spirits when his goodness is leading and drawing to repentance even when and as they are so called to the most high they goe back and willfully refuse to exalt or honour him in those discovery â—s and operations of his goodnesse and glory in and through him vouchsafed Hose 11. 1 Pet. 3. 19. Joh. 3. 19. Rom. 2 4 5. If light had not so come to them or he had not so spoken to them they had not known or been capable of sins of this nature as now charged upon them But yet mens evill or in quities of this nature though they are truly said to be Doers and workers of it while they continue in it yet are not in a full and proper sence said to be done or finished nor so reputed of God While yet the day of salvation lasteth to any man that is while God is yet calling his grace bringing salvation to them If yet they repent and seek him none of their former wickednesse shall be remembred to him that is joyned to all the living there is hope but when sin is finished it brings forth death In an utter separation of the person from Gods mercy and binding him over and sealing him up to the wrath to come They that have done evill to the resurrection of damnation 2. The next and last point to be considered in this last position propounded is where in the 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 of the other by the power of the same voyce to the resurrection of damnation there is a reall difference between the doers of good and the doers of evill now in this day before either of them have finished their course And a very great one too see 1 Ioh. 5. 19. 20. The whole world lies in wickednesse even in the wicked one for while they willfully remaine in the state and condition or in the darknesse of this world in ignorance of God in Christ strangers to the life of God loveing and chusing their darknesse when light comes they consequently remaine under the Power Bondage and Dominion of Satan holding in captivity to sin the mind conscience and whole man So that they are in their uncleannesse and not washed from it in the flesh and under the wrath of God for not believing on him that came to save and deliver them is bringing that salvation to them through the power and in the grace of his truth But saith the Apostle speaking of themselves and other Believers or doers of truth God hath given us an understanding to know him that is true and we are in him that is true namely as the fruit of the knowledge of him we are brought into him to have our hearts and mindes stayed there as a full object and foundation of rest and satisfaction to our soules a sure refuge and house of defence to save us from sin and Satan and hide us from the wrath of God we are in him that is true even in his Son Jesus Christ and so in God This is the true God this is eternall life Babes keep your selves from Idols They in whom the word of truth the things heard from the begining in the word of the truth of the Gospell remaines or abideth do continue in the Son and in the Father 1 Ioh. 2. 24 25. As the fruit of which knowledge of and union with God in Christ The righteous is more excellent or abundant then his neighbour But the way of the wicked seduceth them Prov. 12. 26. But this difference is not yet manifest or visible as to outward appearance or to be seen by the carnall mind nor otherwise then as faith is the evidence of things not seen while Christ doth not yet appear personally in his glory on the Earth and in his spirituall presence in through and according to the Gospell is hidden not discerned known or taken notice of by the World But under reproach his people also are in lâ—ke manner a hidden people and rendered as the filth and off-scouring of all things unto this day As he