gold is in it it should only then purge and refine the world and the substance thereof should remain yet the Scripture sheweth plainly That by the fire of that great Day the Heavens shall pass away with a great noise and the Elements shall melt with fervent heat the Earth also and the works that are therein whether works of the first Creation or works of nature or works of mans art and industry shall be burnt up 2 Pet. 3. 10. Now when any substance is consumed and burnt up it is more then purged â—â—om its corruption but this present world shall â—e one day consumed and burnt up in respect of its â—â—esent substance and so it shall be more then purged â—â—d refined by fire Much more I might say against this opinion if 〈◊〉 had the Books of such as have asserted it â—ut I have them not yea I am a plundered man one â—â—at hath but few Books left therefore I will say â—o more now touching this opinion The fourth opinion is of those who think that the â—â—me of this worlds dissolution is yet one thousand â—ears off at least as some of the Millenaries of these â—imes think in favor of which opinion they bring â—hat of Saint Peter A thousand years with the Lord â—s as one day and one day as a thousand years â— Pet. 3. 8. And that of Saint John The Souls of â—hem which were beheaded for the witness of Jesus â—ived and raigned with him a thousand years Rev. â—0 4. From which places they infer That the time of this worlds dissolution must needs be yet one â—housand years off at least but these places rightly weighed will never prove their opinion For suppose that those passages as they lie have reference to the end of this world and suppose that those two Apostles Peter and John by vertue of those passages in their time thought the end of the world to be a thousand years off yet we should consider that a thousand years and more are by gone and past since those words were spoken by them and consequently though they in their times might conceive the end of the world to be then a thousand years off yet we in these times have no reason to think it so far off Nay I have shewed before That we have good reason to think that the time of this world dissolution is near at hand Again That which hath been said touching thâ— worlds dissolution should admonish us to moderatâ— our minds and affections in the use of all worldlâ— things though never so lawful in themselves according to that of Saint Paul The time is short It remaineth that both they that have wives be â—â— though they had none and they that weep as thougâ— they wept not and they that rejoyce as though theâ— rejoyced not and they that buy as though theâ— possessed not and they that use this world as not â— busing it For the fashion of this world passeth away 1 Cor. 7. 29 30 31. Lastly It should exhort us to all holiness of liâ— and conversation according to that of Saint Peterâ— Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolveâ— what manner of persons ought ye to be in all hoâ—â— conversation and godliness 2 Pet. 3. 11. where wâ— may not think that the Apostle teacheth us to distinguish between an holy conversation and godlinesâ— because these two agree in one an holy conversatioâ— is a godly conversation and a godly conversation as holy conversation But in that place he teachetâ— two things First That the certainty of this worlds dissolution should perswade us to be universal in our obedience that is in the practise of holy and godly duties which universal obedience is that which Goâ— commandeth at our hands Let not the Book of thâ— Law depart out of thy mouth but meditate thereiâ— day and night that thou mayst observe to do according to all that is written therein Josh 1. 8. It is thaâ— which God wisheth for on our behalf Oh thaâ— there were such an heart in them that they would â—ear me and keep all my Commandments always Deut. 5. 29. It is that which he hath promised to â—eward with many blessings Psal 19. 11. Josh 1. 8 c. It is that which is and will be dangerous for us â—o neglect For he that breaketh the least of Gods Commandments and teacheth men so without reâ—entance shall be the least in the Kingdom of God Mat. 5. 19. Yea it is that which all men will either wish for or rejoyce in at the time of the worlds â—issolution Therefore I say That the certainty of â—his worlds dissolution should perswade all men to be universal in their obedience in the practise of holy â—nd godly duties Let us not then my Brethren content our selves with the bare and naked professiâ—â—â—f godliness nor with some good words in prayer â—nd conference nor with the doing of many things commanded with Herod while we allow our selves in the omission and neglect of many other But let us strive to practise every known duty prescribed in Gods Word after the example of Zachariâ—as Elizabeth his wife who walked in all the Commandments of God blameless Luk. 1. 6. remembering what David saith Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy Commandments Psal 119. 6. Secondly In that next fore-quoted place of Saint Peter he teacheth That all Christians should be eximious and exemplary before others in their obedience and that in all holy conversation and godliness which exemplary obedience also is that which God commands at our hands thus Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works Mat. 5. 16. It is that which will cause the observers of it to glorifie God * Mat. 5. 16 It is that which is commended in the converted Corinthians for their zeal provoked many 2 Cor. 9. 2. and in the converted Thessalonians for they were ensamples to all that believed in Macedonia and Achaia 1 Thes 1. 7. And it is that which shall not be forgotten another day for they that exceed others here in the practise of holiness and vertue shall exceed them also hereafter in glory 1 Cor. 15. Yea it is that which many wil wish for and many will rejoyce in at the time of this worlds dissolution Therefore the certainty and nearness of this worlds dissolution should perswade all Christians to be exemplary before their brethren in all holy conversation and godliness Let us not then be altogether careless of a good conversation with Gallio and many others neither let us be of a loose and dissolute conversation with the Gentiles Rom. 1. Neither let us be of a scandalous conversation with those Jews through whom the Name of God was blasphemed among the Gentiles Rom. 2. Neither let us be exemplary for wickedness as Cain Balaam and Jeroboam were Neither let us be lukewarm in the practise of godliness as the Laodiceans were But let us strive to excel in vertue and to
Enemies of Gods people and so all tears shall be wiped from their eyes and their hearts shall be filled with joy unspeakable But all this is against the Word of God point-blank For 1. the Word shews That the latter times shall be perillous times for Gods faithful people 2 Tim. 3. 1. And if they shall be perillous times for them how can they be such joyful times for them as these men speak of 2. Our Saviour speaking of the wars and tumults of the latter times saith That all these are the beginning of sorrows Mat. 24. 8. And if the wars of the latter times shall be the beginning of sorrows how can they be occasions of so much joy as these speak of 3. The Word shews That the wars of the latter times shall be increased about the time of Christs second Coming Rev. 20. 9. And if so how can or shall they produce such joyful times in this world as these men expect 4. I have shewed before That that fulness of joy and gladness which is promised in the Word of God appertains not to this world but to that which is to come Wherefore we should not harken to these filthy Dreamers because we finde by experience that their Dreams are deceitful For while they dream of much light behold much darkness that may be felt and while they dream of much joy behold much sorrow and vexation of spirit Secondly It may inform us That Gods Elect shall be well rewarded at the last for all their godly sorrow in this life Indeed whiles they live here they are wont to be in heaviness through manifold temptations Whiles they live here they are wont to mourn much after a godly sort for their own sins for the sins of others for the afflictions and sufferings of Christ for the afflictions of their brethren and for all the fruits and effects of Gods displeasure But in the World to come all this sorrow of theirs shall be turned into gladness They shall have beauty for ashes the oyl of joy for mourning the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness Isaiah 61. 3. And as this sorrow of theirs shall more or less abound in this world so shall their godly Joy more or less abound in that which is to come which will be a sufficient recompence for all their good sorrow and is still promised as a recompence thereof in divers places before mentioned Wherefore if we desire to abound with joy in that world which is to come we must be contented whiles we live here to sow in tears of godly sorrow and if we sow plentifully in this way we shall reap plentifully according to Gods promise as the Prophet saith He that goeth forth and weepeth bearing precious seed shall doubtless come again with rejoycing bringing his sheaves with him Psal 126. 6. The other Proposition is That Reprobates shall 2 Proposit abound with sorow in the world to come Which sorrow of theirs though it shall be such as no mortal man can fully conceive and express yet others have expressed what they have conceived touching the same And why may not I do the like I conceive then First That the sorrow of Reprobates in the World to come shall be not onely a privation of all those joys which belong to Gods Elect in that world but also shall be a positive and real passion of grief and vexation Secondly I conceive That in the next world they shall mourn not onely for the guilt of all those sins which shall be then and there layd to their charge but also for all those pains torments and punishments which shall be then and there inflicted on them And thirdly I conceive That this mourning of theirs shall be expressed by sighs and groans by sobs and tears by weeping and howling by grinding and gnashing of teeth Now that Reprobates shall abound with Sorrow in the WORLD to come may be thus proved 1. They that shal express their grief in the world to come by weeping and gnashing of teeth shall abound with sorrow in that world Now Reprobates shall express their grief in the next world by weeping and gnashing of teeth as the Scripture witnesseth in many places Mat. 8. 12. 22. 13. 25. 30. Ergo. 2. They that shall cry for sorrow of heart and howl for vexation of spirit in the world to come shall abound with sorrow in that world But Reprobates shall cry for sorrow of heart and howl for vexation of spirit in the world to come Isai 75. 14. Ergo. 3. They that will still contemn the spirit and practise of godly sorrow whiles they live in this world and choose rather to spend their time in carnal mirth and jollity shall abound with sorrow in that which is to come according to that of our Saviour Wo unto you that laugh now for ye shall mourn and weep Luk. 6. 25. Now Reprobates will still contemn the spirit and practise of godly sorrow whiles they live in this world Ergo. 4. They that will never repent effectually of their evil doings in this life shall abound with sorrow and anguish in the world to come according to that of the Apostle Anguish shall be upon the Soul of every man that doth evil of the Jew first and also of the Gentile Rō 2. 9. Now Reprobates will never repent effectually of their evil doings in this life Ergo. 5. They that have received or shall receive their full portion of consolation and pleasure in this world shall abound with sorrow in that which is to come as we may gather from what was said to Dives in the Parable Son remember that thou in thy life time receivedst thy good things and likewise Lazarus evil things but now he is comforted and thou art tormented Luk. 16. 25. Now Reprobates are such as either have received or shal receive their full portion of consolation and pleasure in this world Ergo. 6. They that shall be still vexed with the worm of conscience in the world to come shall abound with sorrow in that world because the worm of conscience as some Divines say is a continual remorse and furious Mr Bolton reflection of the soul upon its own wilful folly and thereby the woful misery it hath brought upon it self Now reprobates shall still be vexed with the worm of conscience in the world to come as the Scripture witnesseth Ergo. 7. They that shall be everlastingly tormented in the world to come both in soul body shal abound with sorrow in that world Now reprobates shal be everlastingly tormented in the next world both in Soul and body Their soul-torments shal be such as have not bin felt nor experienced in this life and their bodily-torments shal be such as have never bin experienced in this life Therefore doubtless they shal abound with sorrow and grief in the world to come And this latter Proposition may inform us That Vse such wicked persons as shal be found Reprobates at the last shal gain nothing
in the issue by all their mirth and jollity in this world Here indeed they may seem to be the onely merry companions here they are wont to spend much of their time in pleasure they call for the vial the harp and the merry lute in their feasts and say To morrow shall be as this day and much more vile and in their merry meetings they are wont to cry down the spirit of mourning and to say Hang up sorrow for what serves it let us eat drink and be merry let us rejoyce in our youth let our hearts chear us in the days of our youth let us walk in the ways of our hearts c. But suppose any of these mirth-mongers shal happen to dye in the guilt of their sins without repentance and without a pardon and so shall be found Reprobates at the last What then shall all their mirth profit them Surely nothing at all But then they shall finde That it had been good for them if they had never been born Then they shall finde That all their mirth and jollity shall be turned into sorrow and heaviness into weeping and gnashing of teeth Wherefore my beloved that we may not mourn and howl with Reprobates in the world to come let us still pray that God will pour upon us the spirit of godly mourning and contrition that we may walk heavily and grieve heartily for our own sins and for the sins of others here in this life That we may mourn with those that mourn and weep with those that weep now in a good sence And if God shall vouchsafe us this spirit then we shal not mourn with Reprobates but shall rejoyce with Gods chosen for ever in the world to come SECT XXI Touching the Security of Gods Elect and the Fear of Reprobates in the World to Come HEre followeth an eleventh special difference which shall be betwixt the parties before named in the next world Which may be thus expressed Gods Elect shall dwell securely in the World to come Reprobates shall be afraid in the World to come The former Proposition that Gods Elect shall 1. Propo. dwell securely in the World to come And here I speak not of security as it is sometimes taken in evil part for sinfull security for doubtlesse there shal be none such in the World to come but I speak of it as it is taken in good part for holy security and when I say that Gods Elect shall dwell securely in the World to come my meaning is that they shall enjoy abundance of holy security in that World that is to say though they shall have a reverentiall fear of God in that VVorld Psa 67. 7. yet they shal be safe and free from all slavish fear of God and of Christ and from al fear of evil they shal not feare the evil of sin nor the evil of punishment they shal not fear the power of Men nor Devils they shal not fear the power of any creature in that VVorld And that in this sense they shal dwel securely in the VVorld to come may be proved by divers passages of Scripture in which this security is either promised or asserted as 1. They that shal dwell in the house of the Lord for ever shal dwel securely and enjoy abundance of holy security in the VVorld to come Now Gods Elect shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever according to that of David surely goodnesse and mercy shall follow me all the dayes of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever Psal 23. 6. Ergo They shal enjoy abundance of holy security in that VVorld 2. The Lord who is wisdome it self saith he that hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely and shall be quiet from fear of evill Pro. 1. 33. which promise may be in part fulfilled in this VVorld but it shal perfectly be fulfilled only in that which is to come and from hence I may reason thus they that shal perfectly enjoy this promise in the world to come shall abound with holy security in that world Now Gods Elect shal perfectly enjoy this promise in the world to come Ergo. 3. It is said who so putteth his trust in the Lord shal be safe Prov. 29. 25. that is shal be safe from the fear of evil as that Text seems to import which promise also may be in part fulfilled in this world but it shal perfectly be fulfilled only in that which is to come and so from hence I may argue thus they that shall perfectly enjoy this promise in the world to come shall abound with holy security in that world Now God Elect shal perfectly enjoy this promise in the world to come Ergo. 4. The Propher Ieremiah sheweth that in the dayes of Christs Raign Judah shall be saved and Israel shall dwell safely Ier. 23. 6. VVhereby Iudah and Israel I understand al Gods Elect and by the Salvation and Safety there promised them I understand chiefly their Eternall Salvation in the VVorld to come together with that safety from fear of evil which shal follow thereupon and so from hence I may reason thus They that shall be Eternally saved in the World to come shall be safe from the feare of evill in that World and so shall abound with holy security in it Now Gods Elect shal be Eternaly saved in the world to come Ergo. 5. It is Gods Promise to his Elect that he will gather them out of all Countries whether he hath driven them and will place them in their own Countrie and will cause them to dwell safely in it Ierem. 32. 37. VVhich promise hath never been perfectly fulfilled as yet but shal be perfectly fulfilled in the VVorld to come From whence I may argue thus they that shal dwel safely in the World to come shal abound with holy security in that world Now Gods Elect shal dwel safely in the world to come Ergo. 6. The like promise is to be found elsewhere for the Lord saith of his chosen People they shal no more be a prey to the heathen neither shal the beasts of the Land devour them but they shal dwel safely and none shal make them afraid Ezek. 34. 28. which promise hath never been perfectly fulfilled as yet but shal be perfectly fulfilled in the world to come Ergo. In the world to come Gods Elect shal dwel securely and shal abound with holy security 7. It is said that perfect love casteth out fear because fear hath torment 1 Joh. 4. 18. and what fear shal perfect love cast out but slavish fear and fear of evil from whence also I may thus reason They that shall be perfect in love in the World to come shall be safe from the fear of evill in that world Now Gods Elect shal be perfect in love in the VVorld to come Ergo. 8. They that shal have perfect rest in the world to come shal dwel securely therin shal be at rest from the fear of evil Now Gods elect
us and to our children for to know them Deut. 29. 29. and we are commanded to search the Scriptures that we may understand what is revealed in them Joh. 5. 39. And he that shall still continue stubbornly ignorant of his masters revealed will shall be beaten with stripes that is he shall have his portion of torments in the world to come Now the world to come is revealed in the Word of God and much therein is revealed concerning it Therefore it cannot be safe for any to continue grosly or perversly ignorant thereof nor of what is meant thereby Thirdly They that understand not the world to come nor the nature of it cannot so ardently desire and affect the fruition of it as those that do because good things are most desired of such as know them best And as none do so earnestly desire the blessed enjoyment of God and of Christ as those that have most acquaintance with God in Christ so none do so strongly desire the world to come and the enjoyment of it as those that have most undersâ—â—â—â—ing concerning it Fourthly The doctrine of the wâ—rld to come is very useful and comfortable yea I know no doctrine in the whole Bible more proâ—â—â—able for instruction reproof and comfort then 〈◊〉 if rightly understood and applyed But how can it prove useful to such as understand it not Fifthly All Gods elect with Abraham their â—ather are heirâ— of the world to come Rom. 4. for which cause â—hey would be not only willing to understand and know whatsoever the Scripture teacheth concerning the same but also should take great delight to read hear and confer of such matters as concern the same As they that are heirs apparent to the Kingdoms of this present world are not only willing to understand the nature of them but also find great content to discourse of such things as concern them And so for these Reasons I infer that it cannot be safe for any to be grofly and perversly ignorant of the World to come Now if ignorance of the World to come be so dangerous Vse and the knowledg of it so needful as hatâ— been shewed then for my part I shall the less fear and the less regard any rash censures or aspersionâ— that shall be cast upon this poor endeavor of mine For I am perswaded in my Soul of the truth of sucâ— grounds as are here delivered I am convinced in mâ— Conscience of the necessity and usefulness of them I have found in my experience the comfort of them Why then should I regard such censures or aspersions Rather I shall still hope for Gods blessing upon these Meditations knowing that he can mak◠〈◊〉 as beneficial to others as they have been untâ— me 〈◊〉 if this discovery shall by his divine providence invite â—â— occasion but some one Divine of better parts then â—â— self to write a better Discoursâ— concerning the samâ— Subject how shall I rejoyce But to conclude this â—â—rst Section I profess that esteem the right knowledg of the World to come aâ— a choice piece of saving knâ—wledg and I esteeâ— them all happy that shall attain â—nto it Whereforâ— let us be bold in the fear of God to search and enquire farther what the Scripture meanâ— by the Worlâ— to come which for my part I intend if God shaâ— permit And in the following Sections I shall consider the World to come two ways first I shall consider it as a Country or Continent next I shall consider it in reference to the principal matters and things which shall be contained in it SECT II. Shewing That the World to come considered as a Continent is to be distinguished from the third Heaven I Acknowledg that there shall be some of the same things in the World to come which are now in the third Heaven As the humane nature of Christ the person of Enoch the person of Elijah which are now in the third Heaven and shall be in the World to come and as the two latter persons do now raign with Christ in the third Heaven so they shall raign with him in the World to come and as they now enjoy abundance of holiness righteousness love joy and peace c. so they shall enjoy as much if not much more in the World to come Yet I affirm That the World to come considered as a Continent is to be distinguished from the third Heaven For 1. Our Saviour Christ once came from the third Heaven into this world for to take our nature upon him but he came not then from the World to come into this world for to take our nature upon him 2. After his Resurrection he ascended into the third Heaven but he did not ascend into the World to come which had then no being 3. Saint Paul by his life time was caught up into the third Heaven 2 Cor. 12. 2 4. but we cannot say he was taken up or caught up into the World to come 4. The Souls of the faithful after their separation from the body as we conceive are in the third Heaven but we cannot say they are in the world to come 5. The third Heaven both is for the present and hath been of old but the world to come neither is for the present nor hath been of old but is altogether yet to come From all which premises I infer That the world to come considered as a Continent is to be distinguished from the third Heaven Yea that I may not dissemble my whole meaning is this point I must needs add this above all That I conceive as much difference betwixt the world to come and the third Heaven as betwixt a created and Ens creatum increatum an uncreated Substance And as I shall prove in its proper place That the world to come shall be created by God himself so in this place I dare affirm That the third Heaven was never created and if this shall appear to be so then there must needs be a vast difference betwixt the world to come and the third Heaven But some one it may be will say unto me I wonder Object you should say the third Heaven was never created surely this will seem as a paradox to many and unless you can substantially prove it there are few that will believe it What I have said I have said and I hope I shall clearly evidence this last passage viz. That the Answ third Heaven was never created by these ensuing Arguments First I take this for a ground That which was 1 Argument not made with hands was never created which proposition as I suppose none will deny For what is it to be created but to be made with hands and what is it to be uncreated but to be not made with hands And the Scripture acknowledgeth that all created things were made with hands and were the work of Gods hands as Psal 8. 3. I consider the Heavens the work of thy fingers the Moon and the Stars which thou hast ordained
spoken to Martha concerning this subject he said unto her Beleevest thou this intimating that we should beleeve what the Scripture faith of the Resurrection And when Saint Paul had spoken of the same point he said to the Corinthians So we preach and so ye have beleeved 1. Cor. 15. 2. To hope for the last Resurrection as we are taught by the example of Saint Paul and others Act. 23. 6â— â—â— 1â— because it will be a joyful day for all Gods Elect. 3. To be patient in the mean time under all afflictions and perfecutions as the Martyrs in the primitive times were willing to suffer and refused to accept of deliverance that they might obtain a better Resurrection Hebr. 11. 35. 4. To do good in every kinde seeing we know that our labor shall not be in vain in the Lord but that we shall be recompenced for every good act at the Resurrection of the just Luk. 14. 14. Lastly This Doctrine touching the last Resurrection should comfort all good Christians greatly against all the evils of this life seeing we are charged to comfort one another with these words which concern the Resurrection 1 Thess 4. 18. More particularly it should comfort such against all their bodily infirmities and defects as blindness deafness lameness sickness c. knowing that in the Resurrection all these shall be done away and our bodies shall be restored unto us safe and sound in all parts and in all respectâ— And against the fear of a corporal death as Iob did comfort himself against it when he said If a man dye shall he live again Aâ— the days of mine appointed time will I wait till my change shall come Iob 14. 14. And as David also comforted himself in the like case when he said My flesh was glad and my glory rejoyced because thou wilt not leave my Soul in Hell nor suffer thy holy One to see corruption Psal 16. SECT VII Touching the last Iudgment THree of the first things which shall be made visible in the World to come are the second Coming of Christ in the Flesh the last Resurrection and the last Iudgment And having spoken of two of these before I am now to speak of the third in this Section And here for the better information of our judgments I shall affirm divers things also touching the last Judgment As First I affirm That the last Iudgment it to be 1 Inform. distinguished from all other judgments whether of God or of men It is to be distinguished from all other Judgments of God 1. Because all other Judgments of God are but some National or some particular ones such as concern some whole Nations or such as concern some particular persons But the last Judgment shall be more then some National or particular one because it shall be universal such as shall concern all particulars of Mankinde of all Nations 2. Because all other Judgments of God are passed upon men at several times for some mens sins are open before-hand going before to judgment and some mens follow after 1 Tim. 5. 24. But the last Judgment shall be passed upon men all at once 3. Because all other Judgments of God are but partial and gradual not according the full measure of their works but the last Judgment shall be full and compleat 4. Because all other Judgments of God are but temporal whereas the last shall be eternal in respect of the execution thereof 5. Because all other Judgments of God have in them something that is secret and hid from men but the last Judgment with the cause of it shall be fully and clearly revealed to men It is also to be distinguished from all judgments of men that are given and passed by men in this life 1. Because such judgments of men are in some things commonly peccant and faulty like themselves but the last Judgment shall not be peccant or faulty in any thing 2. Because such Judgments of men may be appealed from unto the Judgment of God at least but the last Judgment will admit of no appeal and so the last Judgment is to be distinguished from all other Judgments whether of God or of men Secondly I affirm That the last Iudgment 2 Inform. shall certainly be and come to pass in due season And we should not doubt of it because God hath made the last Judgment sure unto us by three things As 1. By the Resurrection of Christ from the dead And one end for which God raised him from the dead was that thereby he might assure us of the last Judgment Act. 17. 31. 2. By his Decree and Appointment For it is appointed unto men once to dye but after this the Iudgment Hebr. 9. 27. And God hath appointed a day in which he will judg the world Act. 17. 31. Now matters decreed and appointed by God shall certainly be and come to pass in due season But the last Judgment is a matter decreed and appointed by God therefore it shall certainly be and come to pass in due season 3. By plain Testimonies of Scripture such as cannot be evaded For David speaketh plainly of the last Judgment when he saith The ungodly shall not stand in the Iudgment Psal 1. 5. God shall administer Iudgment unto the people in uprightness Psal 9. 8. He shall call to the Heavens from above and to the Earth that he may judg his people Psal 50. 4. So doth Solomon when he saith God shall judg the righteous and the wicked Eccles 3. 17. For all these things God shall bring thee to judgment Eccles 11. 9. And God shall bring every work to judgment with every secret thing whether it be good or evil Eccles 12. 14. So doth our Saviour when he saith That he shall execute judgment as the Son of man Ioh. 5. 27. So doth Saint Paul when he saith We know the judgment of God shall be according to truth against them that do such things Rom. 2. 2. So doth Saint Iames when he saith There shall be judgment merciless unto them that shew no mercy and mercy rejoyceth against judgment Iames 2. 13. And so doth Saint Peter when he speaketh of the Iudgment of the great day 2 Pet. 3. 7. Wherefore seeing the last Judgment is thus made sure unto us by these things we should not doubt thereof but should beleeve that it shall certainly be and come to pass in due season Thirdly I affirm That the last Iudgment shall 3 Informat be visibly administred onely by Christ as Mediator as God and Man in one person Indeed I grant that this Judgment shall be efficiently caused by the whole Trinity Father Son and Holy Ghost because it is said That God shall judg the world Psa 50. 6. 75. 7. Act. 17. 31. And the outward acts of the Godhead are common to all three persons in the Godhead I grant also that this Judgment shall be instrumentally caused by the holy Angels because they shall go forth and gather
Truth it self Therefore beware of them Secondly This Doctrine should humble all such as are enemies to Christs spiritual personal Kingdom in this world and will not submit unto it nor suffer him to reign over them by his Word and Spirit Surely such persons without repentance and without a pardon shall suffer for it when Christ shall come into his personal humane Kingdom And so much we may gather from the Prophets commination in Psal 2. For there he tells us of some that did rage and imagine a vain thing and band themselves together not onely against the Lord and against his Christ but also against the Laws of his spiritual Kingdom saying Let us break their bands in sunder and cast away their cords from us Vers 1 2 3. And shews withall how Christ shall deal with such unless they repent in his personal humane Kingdom viz. how he shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in peeces like a Potters vessel Vers 9. Yea our Saviour himself sheweth us how he will punish men in his personal humane Kingdom if they will not submit unto him in his personal spiritual Kingdom when he saith But those mine Enemies which would not that I should reign over them bring hither and slay them before me Luk. 19. 27. Be humbled therefore for this offence which is a great offence Thirdly This Doctrine should exhort and perswade all that are called Christians unto sundry duties As 1. To talk and confer much about this Kingdom of Christ that so they may rightly understand the doctrine nature and state hereof for it is said of Gods Saints That they shall speak of the glory of his Kingdom and talk of his power to make known to the sons of men his mighty acts and the glorious majesty of his Kingdom Psal 145. 11 12. And we should be like unto such in doing the like 2. To honor Christ as our everlasting King For God would have all men to honour the Son as they honor the Father And seeing he is and shall be our King for ever we can do no less then honor him and we should honor him so as 1. To harken to the Doctrine of his Kingdom Harken O Daughter and consider and incline thine ear Psal 45. 10. 2. To prefer him in our esteem before all the sons of men as the Prophet saith to the Church in reference to this Kingdom of his Forget also thine own people and thy fathers house so shall the King greatly desire thy beauty Psal 45. 10 11. 3. To repent of our sins and offences For the Prophet having spoken of his Kingdom doth thereupon exhort to repentance saying Be wise now therefore O ye Kings be learned ye that are Judges of the Earth Psal 2. 10. As if he had said Be wise to eschew evil and be learned to do good In which two things consisteth the practice of true repentance 4. To worship him with Fear As it is said in relation to Christ He is thy Lord God worship thou him Psal 45. 11. Serve the Lord with fear and rejoyce with trembling Psal 2. 11. Who shall not fear thee O Lord Rev. 15. 4. 5. To submit to his Government in this life And this is in the Prophets phrase To kiss the Son lest he be angry and we perish Psal 2. 12. 6. To beleeve and trust in him for all good things promised And upon this occasion the Prophet saith Blessed are all they that trust in him Psal 2. 12. 7. To be diligent in our general and particular Callings that we may become profitable servants in them For when Christ shall come into this Kingdom of his he shall plentifully reward his diligent and profitable servants and shall say unto one Be thou Ruler over ten Cities and to another Be thou Ruler over five Cities Luk. 19. 17 19. 8. To be patient in our Tribulations especially in such as we shall suffer for Christs sake For if we suffer with him we shall also reign with him in his Kingdom 2 Tim. 2. 12. 9. To make our Calling and Election sure unto our selves For so an enterance shall be ministred unto you abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Cheist 2 Pet. 1. 10 11. Lastly All good Christians should rejoyce and be glad when they hear and read of this Kingdom of Christ Yea we should never think that we have well meditated and throughly considered of this subject until the meditation thereof shall rejoyce our spirirs And for this end and purpose we shall finde in many places of Scripture where this Kingdom is spoken of that we are called upon to rejoyce As Rejoyce with trembling Psal 2. 11. Let the Heavens rejoyce and let the Earth be glad Let the field be joyful before the Lord for he cometh for he cometh to judg the world in righteousness Psal 96. 11 12 13. Let Israel rejoyce in him that made him Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King let them praise his name in the dance let them sing praises unto him with the Timbrel and Harp Psa 149. 2 3. The Lord God omnipotent reigneth let us rejoyce and be glad and give honor to him for the marriage of the Lamb is come and his wife hath made her self ready Rev. 19. 6 7. SECT IX Touching the different condition of good and evil Angels in the World to come HAving spoken of the Kingdom of Christ in the World to come I shall here in the next place say somewhat of the different condition of good and evil Angels in the World to come Yet I desire not to say much of this subject I had rather leave it to others who have better learn'd the art of amplification And some can better lay a foundation then build thereupon as others can better build then lay the foundation Onely I shall express briâ—fly what I have warrant from the Word of God to beleeve concerning the condition of both sorts of Angels As Concerning good Angels I beleeve 1. That they shall all attend upon Christ at his Coming from Heaven into the World to come For it is aid plainly The Son of man shall come in his glory and aâ—â— the holy Angels with him Matt. 25. 30. And again The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels 2 Thess 1. vers 7. 2. That they shall be serviceable to Christ about the last Judgment For it is said That he shall send his Angels that is his good Angels with a great sound of a trumpet and they shall gather together his Elect from the four winds from one end of Heaven to the other Matt. 24. 31. And that his Angels viz. his good Angels shall come forth and sever the wicked from among the just and shall cast them into a furnace of fire c. Matth. 13. 49 50. 3. That they shall have a constant intercourse or passage between the third Heaven and the World to come as royal Messengers or Embassadors
from the Father to the Son of man and from the Son of man to the Father or from the personal Kingdom of the Father to the personal Kingdom of the Son and from the personal humane Kingdom of the Son unto the personal Kingdom of the Father And so much I learn from those words of our Saviour himself Hereafter ye shall see Heaven open and the Angels of God viz. his good Angels ascending and descending upon the Son of man John 1. vers 51. 4. That as they are now blessed so shall they be for ever blessed in the World to come And by so much the more shall they be blessed in the World to come by how much their Ministry and Service shall be more visible to the Saints and better understood of them in the World to come then now it is Which condition of the good Angels may inform Vse us First That the Humane Nature in Christ shall in dignity far excel the good Angels in the World to come For we are sure that these Angels shall serve Christ and administer unto him but we are not sure that Christ shall serve them in the World to come And we know that Christ is now for the present above these Angels in his Humane Nature at his Fathers right hand and that he took not upon him the nature of Angels but the seed of Abraham and the nature of Mankinde and therefore he shall still be above the Angels in his Humane Nature And albeit during the time of his Humiliation he was made a little lower then the Angels that he might suffer in the flesh Yet now he is exalted above them and shall be crowned with glory and dignity above them in the World to come for ever Again This condition of the good Angels in the World to come may inform us That the adopted Children of God have great cause to be thankful for the perseverance of these Angels in the state of grace for that God hath kept them hitherto in their holy station that so they might be helpful to us by their Ministry both in this world and in the World to come And though our fleshly nature be not sensible of the Ministry of these Angels yet we should beleeve according to the Scriptures That God doth make their Ministry beneficial to his adopted ones in this life divers ways Sometimes for Instruction as he sent a good Angel to instruct the Shepherds concerning the birth of Christ Luk. 2. Another to instruct the women concerning his Resurrection Another to instruct his Disciples touching his Ascension Act. 1. 11. Sometimes for Direction as he sent a good Angel to direct Lot what course to take for his own and his families safety Sometimes for Protection as it is written The Angel of the Lord encampeth about them that fear him Sometimes for Deliverance as he sent a good Angel to deliver Peter out of prison Act. 12. Sometimes for Consolation as when the Devil had ended his temptation against Christ he sent good Angels to administer comfort unto him Mat. 4. Now if we consider what excellent Creatures these good Angels are and how glorious they shall be in the World to come we shall finde it a great mercy of God that he hath made them ministring spirits and hath sent them to minister for the good of those who are heirs of Salvation Hebr. 1. 14. And consequently that the adopted ones have great cause to be thankful for their Perseverance Concerning evil Angels I beleeve 1. That they shall be subject not onely unto Christ himself but also unto the Saints in the World to come And to assure us hereof it is said That the Saints shall judg the Angels that is the evil Angels 1 Cor. 6. 3. And that the God of peace shall bruise Satan under their feet shortly Rom. 16. 20. And so much God said unto Satan in the beginning shortly after his Fall I will put enmity between thee and the woman and between thy seed and her seed it shall bruise thy head and thou shalt bruise his heel Gen. 3. 15. 2. That they shall be everlastingly punished in the World to come and to assure us hereof it is said That everlasting fire is prepared for the Devil and his Angels Mat. 25. 41. 3. That this everlasting punishment of theirs shall be full of torment as they themselves well know and therefore they cryed unto Christ saying What have we to do with thee Jesus thou Son of God Art thou come hither to torment us before the time Mat. 8. 29. And again I beseech thee torment me not Luk. 8. 28. 4. That this everlasting punishment of theirs shall be full of darkness For if now they be punished with everlasting chains under Darkness Jude 6. much more shall this punishment be upon them in the World to come And if Reprobate men shall be cast into outer darkness for their sins Mat. 22. 13. how shall Reprobate Angels escape this punishment Which condition of evil Angels in the World to Vse come may inform us That the Kingdom of Satan shall one day have an end and then all his opposition against God Christ and the Saints shall cease and determine SECT X. Touching the blessed condition of Gods Elect and the cursed condition of Reprobates in the World to come more generally considered HAving spoken of the different condition of good and evil Angels in the World to come I am in the next place to speak of the different condition of mankinde viz. of the godly and the wicked of the Elect and Reprobates in the world to come And this different condition of theirs may be considered more generally and more specially The general difference that shall be betwixt them may be expressed in these two Propositions Gods Elect shall be blessed in the World to come Reprobates shall be cursed in the World to come Gods Elect shall all be blessed in the World to 1 Proposit come As we may well conceive for these Reasons 1. Because Gods Elect are all known of God with the knowledg of approbation as it is written The foundation of God standeth sure having this seal The Lord knoweth them that are his 2 Tim. 2. 19. And the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous Psal 1. 6. Now all that are thus known of God shall be blessed in the World to come But Gods Elect are all thus known of him therefore they shall all be blessed in the World to come 2. Because Gods Elect have their names all written in Heaven Luk. 10. 20. And they that have their names there written shall be blessed in the World to come why else should they be bid to rejoyce in this But this is true of all Gods Elect therefore they shall be blessed in the World to come 3. Because Gods Elect shall all be pronounced blessed at the general Judgment and our Saviour shall then say unto them Come ye blessed Children of my Father c. Matth. 25. 34. Now they that shall
glory but also rejoyce in hope thereof Rom. 5. 2. And this hope is that which will support the Soul in the hour of temptation and distress whereas without it the Soul is in danger of sinking into the gulf of despair Wherefore let Israel still hope in the Lord and that for this glory which is to be revealed in the world to come 4. To glorifie God in this world and to give as much glory to him as we can How else can we expect to be glorified of him in the world to come And we should here consider First That we are often commanded to glorifie God Glorifie him ye sons of Jacob Psal 22. 23. Ye are bought with a price therefore glorifie him both in your Souls and bodies which are his 1 Cor. 6. 20. Secondly That glory doth most rightly belong unto God because his glory is above Heaven and Earth Psal 148. 13. Thirdly That Gods glory is most dear unto him because he will not give his glory to another Isai 42. 8. Fourthly That God doth seek his own glory in all his actions for to teach us to do the like Fifthly That Herod was punished with sudden death because he gave not glory to God but to himself Acts 12. 23. Wherefore we should be careful to give all possible glory to God in this life How may we glorifie him in this life Quest. We may do it divers ways As Answ 1. By beleeving Gods statutes and promises effectually As Abraham being strong in the faith gave glory to God Rom. 4. 20. so may we if we be strong in the faith Yea hereby we shall give him the glory of his truth and faithfulness For as he that beleeveth not hath made him a lyar so he that beleeveth hath put to his seal That God is true 2. By being thankful unto God for favors and benefits received for he that offereth praise glorifieth him Psal 50. 23. 3. By being fruitful in grace For herein is my Father glorified saith Christ if ye bring forth much fruit Joh. 15. 8. 4. By being exemplary to others in a good way for hereby we shall not onely glorifie our selves but shall occasion others to do the like according to that of our Saviour Let your light so shine before men that they may see you good works and may glorifie your Father which is in Heaven Mat. 5. 16. 5. By being patient under the reproaches that are or shall be put upon us for Christs sake according to that of the Apostle If ye be reproached for the Name of Christ happy are ye On their part he is evil spoken of but on your part he is glorified 1 Pet. 4. 14. 6. By intending Gods glory in all our lawful actions according to the Apostles rule Whatsoever ye do in word or deed do all to the glory of God 1 Cor. 10. 31. The next Proposition is That Reprobates shall 2. Proposit be rewarded with Shame in the WORLD to come Touching which Shame of theirs we are to consider The Nature of it The Certainty of it The Degrees of it The Causes of it The Continuance of it First Touching the nature of it I conceive That their shame in the World to come shall be a total privation of glory because they shall have nothing to glory of in the World to come no Innocency no Righteousness no Holiness no Faith no Repentance no Love no Obedience c. but they shall have much to be ashamed of 1. Because their sins in this world shall all be remembred and set before them as the Lord saith by the Prophet Thou thoughtest that I was altogether such a one as thy selfe but I will reprove thee and set them in order before thine eyes Psal 50. 21. and they that shall have all their sins remembred and set before them in the World to come shall have much to be ashamed of in that world 2. Because they shall have their consciences awakened to accuse and condemne them in the World to come Rom. 2. 15. and if so then they shall have much to be ashamed of in that world 3. Because they shall bear the guilt and punishment of all their sins in the VVorld to come as it is written God shall bring upon them their own iniquity Psal 94. 23. they shall bear their iniquity Ezek. 44. 12. and every man without a pardon shall bear his own burthen Gal 6. 5. and they that shall bear the guilt and punishment of all their sins in the World to come shall have much to be ashamed of in that world and so I understand the nature of their shame Secondly touching the certainty of it I say that reprobates shall most certainly be rewarded with shame in the World to come as may be good by these Arguments 1. They that will still be wicked in this world shall be rewarded with shame in the world to come according to the Prayer of David Let not me be ashamed but let the wicked be ashamed Psal 31. 17. but reprobates will still be wicked in this world Ergo. 2. They that will still forsake God in this world shall be rewarded with shame in the world to come according to that of the Prophet O Lord all that forsake thee shall be ashamed Jer. 17. 13. but reprobates will still forsake God and go on whoring from him in this world Ergo. 3. They that will finally be ashamed of Christ and his Gospell in this world shall be rewarded with shame in the world to come according to that of our Saviour Whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinfull generation of him also shall the Son of Man be ashamed when he shall come in the glory of his Father with the holy Angells But reprobates will finally be ashamed of Christ and his Gospell in this world Ergo. 4. They that will still hate the righteous in this world shall be rewarded with shame in the world to come as it was said to Job They that hate thee shall be clothed with shame Job 8. 22. but Reprobates will still hate the righteous in this world Ergo. 5. They that will still be the servants of sin and Satan in this world shall be rewarded with shame in the world to come according as God saith by the Prophet My servants shall rejoyce but ye shall be ashamed Esa 65. 13. but reprobates will still be the servants of sin and Satan in this world Ergo. 6. They that will still be foolish in this world in a spirituall sense shall be rewarded with shame in the world to come according to that of Solomon Shame shall be the promotion of fools Prov. 3. 35. but reprobates will still be foolish in a spirituall sense Ergo. 7. They that will still be proud in this world and live under the dominion of this sin shall be rewarded with shame in the world to come according to the Prayer of David Let the proud be ashamed Psal 119. 78. And as Solomon intimates
shall 2 Proposit have a poor estate in the World to come which may be thus confirmed 1. They that have no riches purchased for them to be enjoyed in the World to come shall have a poor estate in that world but Reprobates have no riches purchased for them to be enjoyed in the world to come Ergo They shall have a poor estate in that world 2. They that shall have no inheritance with the Saints in the world to come shall have a poor estate in the world now Reprobates shall have no inheritance with the Saints in the world to come as appeareth 1 Cor. 6. 9. Gal. 5. 21. Ephes 5 5. which threats shall be executed only on Reprobates who shall finally be found to be such unrighteous and wicked livers Ergo. 3. They that shall inherit nothing in the World to come but the reward of their folly shall have a poor estate in that world But Reprobates shall inherit nothing in the World to come but the reward of their folly as appeareth Prov. 14. 18. Ergo. 4. They that shall have no portion of wealth but in this world shall have but a poor estate in the World to come Now Reprobates shall have a portion of wealth but in this world as I gather from that of the Prophet where he prayeth to be delivered from the men of the world which have their portion in this life whose belly God filleth with his hid treasure Psal 17. 14. Ergo. 5. They that shall have their wealth perish with them shall have but a poor estate in the World to come Now Reprobates shall have their wealth perish with them as it was said to Simon Magus Thy money perish with thee Acts 8. 20. Ergo. 6. They that shall have their part and portion hereafter in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone shall have a poor estate in the World to come But Reprobates shall have their part and portion hereafter in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone Rev. 21. 8. Ergo. 7. They that shall be filled with want in the World to come shall have a poor estate in that world But Reprobates shall be filled with want in the world to come Prov. 13. 25. Ergo. 8. They whose portion in the world to come shall be to drink still of the cup of Gods wrath shall have a poor estate in that world But it shall be the portion of Reprobates in the world to come to drink still of the cup of Gods wrath Psal 11. 6. Erg. And this latter Proposition thus confirmed may be Vse useful too As First It may inform us That none should envy the prosperity of wicked men in this world so as to grudg and be grieved at it And that for these Reasons 1. It is no new thing to hear of worldly wealth and riches conferred on the wicked sort in this world For scoffing Ishmael prophane Esau churlish Nabal had a large portion of worldly wealth conferred on them and our Saviour speaks of a foolish man who had such an increase of worldly wealth that he knew not what to do with it Luk. 12. 17. and cursed Dives was so rich in worldly substance that he was clothed in purple and fine linnen and fared sumptuously every day Luk. 16. 19. Yea it is ordinary at this day to find the wicked sort amongst the richer sort of this world And if this be no new thing we have the less cause to grudg and murmur at it 2. It is by the hand of divine Providence that the wicked sort are made rich in this world For the Lord maketh poor and maketh rich he bringeth low and lifteth up 1 Sam. 2. 7. He it is that filleth their bellies with his hid treasure Psal 17. 14. Now the Lord is a free Dispensator and may do with his own as pleaseth him And why should our eye be evil because his is good 3. The worldly wealth of the wicked is sometimes at least a Judgment of God upon them according to that of Solomon There is a sore evil which I have seen under the Sun namely riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt Eccl. 5. 13. And why should we envy the Judgment of God upon them 4. The worldly wealth of the wicked is sometimes at least cursed unto them For God doth curse them in their basket and in their store in the fruit of their land in the increase of their kine and the flocks of their sheep Deut. 28. 17 18. And why should we envy the Curse of God upon them 5. The worldly wealth of the wicked may be of short continuance and be soon taken from them according to that of the Prophet I have seen the wicked in great power and spreading himself like a green bay-tree Yet he passed away and lo he was not yea I sought him but he could not be found Psal 37. 35 36. Though they have swallowed down riches yet they shall vomit them up again God shall cast them out of their belly Job 20. 15. Or their riches may perish by evil travel Eccles 5. 14. And why should we envy their short prosperity 6. The worldly wealth of the wicked may fall by inheritance unto the godly and to such as shall make a good use thereof according to that of Solomon The wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just Prov. 13. 22. And he that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance he shall gather it for him that will pitty the poor Prov. 28. 8. And if so we have the less cause to grudg at their wealth 7. It is possible that some yea many wicked rich persons may be brought to repentance before their death and so may honour the Lord with their substance as well as others And if so then we shall have more cause to rejoyce then to grieve for that they are or have been so rich in this world 8. But suppose the worst that many or any wicked rich persons shal never be brought to repentance but shall dye out of Gods favour and so be found Reprobates in the world to come what then Surely then wo shall be unto them according to that of our Saviour Wo unto you that are rich for you have received your consolation Luk. 6. 24. Then they shall wish that they had never been rich in this world then they shall be brought into a very poor estate and condition yea then they shall not only be countable to God for their riches according to that in the Parable Give account of thy stewardship but also shall be punished for the abuse of them according to that of S. James Go too now ye rich men weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you Your riches are corrupted and your garments moth-eaten Your gold and silver is cankered and the rust of them shall be a witness against you and shall eat your flesh as it were fire ye have heaped treasure together for the last days Jam. 5. 1 2
safe for any to remain still in the state of nature and unregeneracy because all unregenerate persons as long as they remain such are in a state of spiritual darkness being alienated from the life of God through the darkness that is in them because of the blindness of their hearts Ephes 4 18. being destitute of all saving knowledg of God of Christ and divine Mysteries and being destitute of all real holiness and godly experience And if they shall remain such until their death without doubt they shall be punished with everlasting darkness spiritual in the World to come as hath been proved Wherefore it cannot be safe for any to remain still in the state of nature and unregeneracy But there is a necessity of Regeneration on their part who are not regenerated because without this grace they cannot escape the judgment of spiritual darkness temporal nor eternal but if they can obtain this grace of Regeneration they shal be sure to obtain the blessing of spiritual light here in this life and the fulness of it in the life to come according to that of the Apostle Awake thou that sleepest and stand up from the dead and Christ shall give thee light that is the light of saving grace here and the light of glory hereafter And for the better obtaining of this grace they that want it 1. Must diligently attend unto the outward Ministry of the Word this being the instrumental Cause or Means of Regeneration as S. Peter saith We are born again not of corruptible but of incorruptible seed by the Word of God 1 Pet. 1. 23. 2. They must diligently pray for the inward Ministry of the Spirit this being the efficient Cause of Regeneration as our Saviour saith That which is horn of the Spirit is Spirit Joh. 3. 6. SECT XX. Touching the Joy of Gods Elect and the Sorrow of Reprobates in the World to come HEre followeth a tenth special Difference which shall be betwixt the parties before-named in the next world and it may be thus expressed in two Propositions Gods Elect shall abound with Joy in the next World Reprobates shall abound with Soroow in the next World The former Proposition is That Gods Elect shall abound with Joy and Gladness in the World to come VVhich Joy of theirs shall be such as none in this life can â—ully conceive nor express For doubtless it shall be exceeding wonderful and glorious and that 1. In regard of the manner of it for it shall be suitable to their new natures which they shall reâ—eivâ— 2. In regard of the measure of it for it shall exceedingly abound beyond all their former joys 3. In regard of the several objects and occasions of it for in that world they shall joy and rejoyce in God in Christ in the Nature of God the Mercies of God the Judgments of God in their inward peace and glorious condition and in all that they shall see or hear or speak or do yea the several objects and occasions of their Joy in that world shall be such and so many that they cannot now be numbered by any But that Gods Elect shall abound with Joy in the world to come may be thus proved 1. They that have such Joy and gladness already sown for them as shall be reaped in the world to come shall abound with Joy in that world Now Gods Elect have such joy and gladness already sown for them as shall be reaped in the world to come as we may gather from that of the Prophet Gladness is sown for the upright in heart Psal 97. 11. And if it be sown for the upright in heart then it is sown for all the Elect who are or shall be upright in heart and consequently they shall abundantly reap it in that world 2. They that have or shall have the beginnings of spiritual joy in this world shall abound with joy in that which is to come Now Gods Elect have or shall have the beginnings of spiritual joy in this world for so many of them as are or have been effectually called have already rejoyced in God in Christ in the works of God in the word and Promises of God in the testimony of a good conscience yea they have already rejoyced in tribulation and in hope of the glory of God and the rest of them shall one day be effectually called too so shall have the same beginnings of spiritual joy with the former sort Erg. they shall abound with joy in the world to come 3. They that have or shall have the spirit of godly sorrow in this world shall abound with joy in that which is to come according to these Promises Heaviness may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning Psa 30. 5. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy Psal 126. 5. Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted Mat. 5. 4. Blessed are ye that weep now for ye shall laugh Luk. 6. 21. Now Gods Elect are such as have or shal have the spirit of godly sorrow and contrition here in this world Erg. 4. They that shall have no cause of sorrow in the world to come shall abound with joy in that world Now Gods Elect shall have no cause of sorrow in the world to come For God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes and there shall be no more death neither sorrow nor crying neither shall there be any more pain for the former things are passed away Rev. 21. 4. Ergo. 5. They that shall sing for joy of heart in the world to come shall abound with joy in that world But Gods Elect shal sing for joy of heart in the world to come Isai 65. 14. Ergo. 6. They that shall be created a rejoycing and a joy in the world to come shall abound with joy in that world But Gods Elect shall be created a rejoycing and a joy in that world Isai 65. 18. Ergo. 7. They that shall enter into their Masters Joy in the world to come shall abound with joy in that world Now Gods Elect shall enter into their Masters Joy in that world Mat. 25. 21. Ergo. 8. They that shall have fulness of joy in the world to come shall abound with joy in that world Now Gods Elect shall have fulness of joy in the world to come as it is written In thy presence is the fulness of joy and at thy right haend are pleasures for evermore Psal 16. 11. Ergo. 9. They that shall have everlasting joy upon their heads in the world to come shall abound with joy in that world Now Gods Elect shall have everlasting joy upon their heads in the world to come Isai 35. 10. 61. 7. Ergo. Which Proposition thus proved may be useful Vse thus First It makes for the confutation of such as expect a time of much joy if not perfect joy for Gods faithful people here in this world before the end and say That the Sword which is now drawn shall subdue all the open