Discourses of William Alleine, Discourse 6
THE SIXTH DISCOURSE. Of Chriſt's Judging all the World.
ROMANS xiv.x.
But why doſt thou judge thy Brother? or why doſt thou ſet at nought thy Brother? We ſhall all ſtand before the Judgment Seat of Chriſt.
THe words are a ſtrong and forcible argument to hold Men back from doing that which they are very prone to, that is, to judge one another. There was a great deal of diſſention amongſt the Believers that Paul wrote to, about the uſe of things in themſelves indifferent; as Meats, and obſervation of Days; the occaſion was the inequality of Believers; ſome converted from Gentiliſm, Strangers from the Commonwealth of Iſrael, did live in a freer uſe of time and meats, not obſerving the Jewiſh Feaſts; not tying themſelves to the uſe of meats that the Jews were ſtinted to under the Law. Others that were Jews, and were called, and embraced the Faith of Chriſt, being weak in Faith, did not underſtand that the Legal Ceremonies were abrogated by the coming of Christ; ſo out of reverence and reſpect to the Law, did abſtain from meats therein prohibited, and did obſerve Faſts and Feaſts therein enjoyned. The believing Jew now contemned the believing Gentile as a contemner of the Law: on the other ſide, the believing Gentiles did condemn the Jews for their Judaizing, and walking contrary to the liberty of the Goſpel: and the difference grew to ſuch a height as that each ſide ſeems to condemn the other, as not having a part in Christ. Now this proud contempt of each other the Apoſtle ſtrikes at, and labours to bring them down to a more charitable opinion and loving carriage one towards another. We ſhall all ſtand before the Judgment Seat of Chriſt. For us to Judge, is to place our ſelves in Chriſt's Throne, to which we ſhall be all cited by ſound of the Trumpet and voice of the Arch-angel, and there appear to receive a Sentence ſuitable to what we were in the body. We are to be all Judged by Christ, ſo be not Judges of one another.
The words hold forth the laſt and moſt glorious part of the Adminiſtration of Chriſt's Kingdom: Hitherto you have heard only of Chriſt's ruling in the midſt of his Enemies, over his Church in the midſt of Enemies, or mingled with wicked; i. e. Enemies not at all ſubdued and made his Footſtool: but at the laſt day he ſhall ſit in a Seat and Throne above his Enemies, which are at his left hand to be curſed; and his Church come out from the midſt of Enemies ſtanding on his right hand to be bleſſed.
Doct. 1. There is a Judgment-ſeat prepared for Christ, on which he ſhall ſit at the laſt day.
2. All Men ſhall ſtand and appear before his Judgment Seat, to receive a Sentence out of his Mouth.
1. Chriſt hath a Judgment Seat prepared. Jude. 14. Math. 25.31. He ſhall ſit on the Throne of his Glory; that is, he ſhall not appear in the form of a Servant, as when he came firſt in the Fleſh, and was deſpiſed; but ln the form of the Son of God, made Judge, Act. 17.31. He will Judge the World by the Man Chriſt Jeſus: he ſhall be Judge not only as God, but as Man, 2 Cor. 5.10. We muſt till appear before the Judgment Seat of Chriſt. After Death comes Judgment, Heb. 9.27. Judgment ſhall come, that is by Chriſt's coming to Judgment.
Quest. What is meant by Judgment Seat? whether to be underſtood properly of a material Throne, that Chriſt as Man ſhall ſit on, as Earthly Judges uſe to ſit?
Anſw. That which may make for the clearing of this, conſider in theſe particulars.
1. Chriſt ſhall deſcend from Heaven: in that nature which aſcended, he ſhall deſcend: He was in the World, and ſhall come into the World again, as ſaid the Angel, Act. 1.11. This ſame Jeſus which was taken up from you into Heaven, ſhall ſo come, &c. that is, locally and in the ſame body; thus ſaid Chriſt himſelf, I will come again, and receive you to my ſelf, Joh. 14.3. And Paul, 1 Theſſ. 4.16. The Lord himſelf ſhall deſcend, and Saints ſhall meet him in the Air: as he that aſcended is the ſame that deſcended into the lower parts, that is, the Grave, ſo the ſame ſhall deſcend again. He deſcended firſt by vertue of a Sentence pronounced againſt him; next he ſhall deſcend to give Sentence againſt thoſe that were againſt him.
2. Chriſt ſhall viſibly appear in the World, he ſhall not hide himſelf as he did many times at his firſt coming, but to be ſeen, Men ſhall ſee their Judge, Zach 12.10. They ſhall look upon me. Rev. 1.7. Every Eye ſhall ſee him; Saints ſhall ſee him in whom they have believed, Sinners ſhall ſee him whom they pe…ſecuted and deſpiſed. It was Job's Comfort and Confidence; I ſhall ſee my Redeemer, he ſhall ſtand the latter day on Earth: It ſeems he then comes further than the Air: not only Saints ſee, but Sinners. Numb. 24.17. Balaam ſaid, I ſhall ſee him, but not nigh.
3. He ſhall appear gloriouſly. A Judgment ſeat is an honourable Place. Judges ſit in their Robes in the Seat of Juſtice: So Chriſt ſhall be ſeen in his Glory. Math. 24.30. with Power and Glory: that is a viſible brightneſs and fulgor, Math. 25.31. in his Glory; the Glory of the only begotten Son of God, i. e. that becomes ſuch a Perſon: what this Glory is, we can't yet know, but ſhall when we ſee him. Math. 24.30. The Sign of the Son of Man ſhall appear in Heaven, that is, as ſome exceeding Glory and Majeſty in Heaven, which ſhall bear witneſs, that Chriſt the Lord of Heaven and Earth draweth near to Judge the World.
1. In the Glory of the Father, Math. 16.27. that is, ſuch Glory as declares him to be God equal with the Father, which the Jews denied; and then ſhall ſee it ſhall declare him to be an Infinite Perſon. Heb. 1.2. He is the Expreſs Image of his Father's Perſon and brightneſs of his Glory. And as he is, ſo he ſhall be ſeen at that day. God ſhall be ſeen in Chriſt as he is in Chriſt, the fulneſs of the Godhead in Chriſt's humane nature ſhall ſhine forth.
2. With innumerable companies of Angels, who ſhall be his Miniſters in gathering the Elect. He hath glorious Attendants, Math. 25.31. He ſhall come, and all the Holy Angels. Now he hath but a few Poor Men of the World to attend him: his followers are eſteem'd as himſelf in the days of his humiliation, Rejected of Men, deſpiſed of the People: Chriſt chuſes now the weak things of the World, but then all his Angels ſhall come with him, Jude 14. Ten Thouſand of his Saints, according to Enoch's Prophecy: that is, as 'tis expounded Zech. 14.5. The Lord thy God ſhall come, and all his Saints with thee, and Chriſt ſhall be glorified in his Saints and admired in them that believe, in making them of Sinners, Holy: of Corruptible, Incorruptible; changing vile bodies, &c.
4. At this time he ſhall have ſubdued all his Enemies, he ſhall appear in the Glory of a Conqueror. This is hinted in that word Seat; he ſhall ſit down in his Seat: He appeared to Stephen as ſtanding at the Right-Hand of God, Acts. 7.56. ready for Action, taking his Power, riſing up to ſcatter his Enemies. And to John as Riding on a White Horſe, going on Conquering and to Conquer, which work he is now about. Then he ſhall ſit on a Seat, having Conquered by his Power, and taken his Enemies, as Rev. 19.21. The Beaſt and falſe Prophet were taken; he ſhall judicially proceed againſt them for oppoſing him. As God Creating the World in Six Days, reſted the Seventh, ſo Chriſt having Conquered the World, ſhall ſit down and reſt from fighting, and ſhall proceed to Judge: for that he ſhall appear in the Glory of a Conqueror.
1. Of Sin; by having ſatisfied for it, removing the guilt and condemning power as to the Saints, Heb. 9.28. he ſhall appear the ſecond time without Sin: the meaning is, the firſt time of his appearing in the Fleſh, he came with the guilt and burden of Sins, the Sins of the Elect imputed to him, then made Sin; the Lord hath layed on him the iniquities of us all: as Aaron confeſſed the Sins of the Iſraelites over the head of the Goat, and ſent him into a Land not inhabited. But the ſecond time he ſhall come without Sin, without guilt … Sin's no longer imputed; he being ſent away with Sin imputed, to the Grave, he returns without them, having left them in the Land of forgetfulneſs, i. e. the Grave, never to be brought in remembrance againſt Saints, becauſe of the full ſatisfaction he made: ſo that he ſhall appear without Sin: that is, to the Saints a Conqueror of Sin.
2. Of the Law. He was made under the Law, being Lord of the Law, he ſuffered that to try its ſtrength upon him, and the Law wrought wrath, and brought death on him; but by the merit of his obedience overcame: for he being Lord of the Law that ſuffered the Curſe of it, God was more honoured hereby than diſhonoured by the tranſgreſſion of the Law, for which he ſuffered and ſo Conquered the Law.
3. Of Death. O Death where is thy ſting? O Grave where is thy victory? And Chriſt ſhall appear as Conqueror of Death, Rev. 1.18. I am he that liveth, and was dead, and am alive for evermore. He hath the Keys of Death and Hell; he that was dead and layed in the Sepulchre, with a Stone rolled on the mouth of it, and Sepulchre ſealed, he hath Conquered Death, and gotten the Keys: that is, Power to deliver over to, or keep from Hell.
4. He ſhall appear as Conqueror of wicked Men and evil Angels; Againſt ſuch Men he ſhall pronounce Sentence of everlaſting Condemnation, for their oppoſing and not believing in him. As for evil Angels, Jude 6. he hath reſerved the Angels in chains of darkneſs to the Judgment of great day. As Priſoners are kept in Priſon bound till the Aſſizes come, ſo are they by God's Power, that they cannot eſcape.
Doct. 2. All Men ſhall ſtand and appear before the Judgment-ſeat of Christ, to receive a Sentence out of his Mouth ſuitable to what they were, and had done in the Body. Chriſt ſhall be Judge of all, Heb. 12.23. Abraham called him the Judge of all the Earth, Gen. 18.25. in which negative queſtion is implied an affirmative poſition, that God above all others muſt and will do right, becauſe from his Judgment there is no appeal. Acts 10.42. Judge of Quick and Dead: of thoſe who being found alive at his coming ſhall be changed, and and of thoſe which ſhall be raiſed from the dead to come to Judgment, 2 Tim. 4.1. Chriſt ſhall Judge the Quick and Dead at his appearing and Kingdom: when his Kingdom ſhall be manifeſt to all the World, as well as over all the World. Yea the Man Chriſt Jeſus ſhall be Judge of evil Angels, they are not in full torment. Why art thou come to torment us before the time? Math. 8.29. All their eaſe and mitigation of torments is that they have a power over the wicked, and rule in them, tempting to Sin; thus revenging themſelves on God, and revenge is ſweet. Luk. 8.31. They beſought him much that he would not command them to go out into the deep, into Hell.
For Explication ſhall be ſhewn after what form and manner Christ ſhall proceed in Judgment.
1. All ſhall be cited and called to appear before the Judgment-ſeat of Chriſt. None ſhall hide himſelf then: the wicked ſhall ſeek to hide in holes of the Rocks, and call on the Mountains to hide them, &c. but thence ſhall they be taken, Math. 24.31. He ſhall ſend his Angels with a great ſound of a Trumpet and they ſhall gather his Elect, 1 Cor. 15.52 1. Theſſ. 4.16. As the people of God were Aſſembled in their Solemn Feaſts and Faſts by the ſound of a Trumpet; and as an Mount Sinai the Law was given with a moſt loud and dreadful ſound; ſo the Summons of all to Judgment ſhall be ſome ſuch ſound, which is here call…d the laſt trump. When it ſhall be, all ſhall know what this ſound means. And thoſe that would not hear the ſound of the Goſpel, nor underſtand what that meant, and called Men to, ſhall know the meaning of the Voice of the Archangel, and ſhall hear the ſound of the laſt Trump.
2. As all, ſo in this order: That is, firſt the Elect ſhall be Summoned and Judged, and then the wicked; this may be gathered from divers places. Math. 24.31. he ſhall ſend his Angels, and they ſhall gather the Elect, &c. and 25.34. the King firſt ſpeaks to them on his Right Hand, 1 Cor. 15.23. every Man in his order: firſt Chriſt, then they that are Chriſt's; then ſhall he put down all rule, &c. 1 Theſ. 4.16. the dead in Chriſt ſhall riſe firſt.
You may take this Argument for a further declaration of it. The Godly ſhall be Judges of the wicked. 1 Cor. 6.2. Do ye not know that the Saints ſhall Judge the World? &c. Chriſt is primary Judge that hath authority to give Sentence; Saints by way of aſtipulation, applauding the equity and righteouſneſs of his Judgment, and in and through Chriſt triumphing over the World. Now this dignity affirmed of Saints, argues their being firſt judged, that they have received their Bleſſing. Ye ſhall ſit on twelve Thrones, Judging the twelve Tribes of Iſrael. Math. 19.
3. Thoſe that are called to Chriſt's Judgment-Seat ſhall be examined, and give account of the things done in the Body, that is, of thoughts, words and works. 2 Cor. 5.10. that every one may receive the things done in the body; that is, reward agreeable to their actions whether good or bad.
1. The Godly muſt be brought to an account, Rom. 14.12. every one of us ſhall give account of himſelf to God, how he hath behaved himſelf; we muſt anſwer the Judge concerning our Perſons, Converſations, &c. our Thoughts, Faith, all ſhall be enquired into.
2. Chriſt ſhall take notice of the ſincere and holy works of Saints: whatever proceeds from a pure Heart, good Conſcience and Faith unfeigned, out of a deſire to ſerve the Lord Jeſus. Math. 25.35. I was hungry and ye gave me Meat, &c. God is not unrighteous to forget your works of Faith and labour of Love, Heb. 6.10. which ye have ſhewed towards his name. Shew reſpect and reverence to the name of Chriſt, &c. 1 Cor. 3.13. every Man's work ſhall be made manifeſt, for the day ſhall declare it, becauſe it ſhall be revealed by fire; which is in part made good in this Life, by the work of the Holy Ghoſt through the Preaching of the Goſpel; cauſing a diſcerning Light to ſhine, to put a difference betwixt Truth and Error: and this work ſhall be perfected at the day of Judgment, when all Truths ſhall be made manifeſt by the revealing brightneſs of Chriſt, and all errors diſcovered thereby.
Queſt. Whether the Sins of the Godly ſhall be at all mentioned, or taken notice of in that great day?
Anſw. 1. The Sins of the Godly ſhall not appear againſt them for Condemnation, for then they muſt appear againſt the Judge, who took the guilt and puniſhment of their Sins upon himſelf: but the Godly ſhall triumph over their Sins, becauſe they ſtand before him that died for them; therefore no fear of Death.
2. Nor to their ſhame; all ſorrow and ſo ſhame done away; therefore if the Sins of the Godly be mentioned, yet this ſhall not make them hang down their Heads with ſhame; they ſhall not do as Adam, hide themſelves from their Judge; theſe things are clear. Now ſome hold that they ſhall not be at all brought to light, becauſe by Sentence of Juſtification they are covered and taken away. To this may be anſwered, that in the time of this Life, Believers are abſolved in God's gracious ſentence towards them, and in their own conſcience, more privately and ſecretly by the witneſs of the Spirit; but at the day of Judgment they ſhall be abſolved and acquitted of all Sins more publickly, even in the ſight of Angels, and the whole World: Now the Spirit ſpeaks to the Heart and Conſcience, then Chriſt ſhall openly pronounce Sentence, Come ye Bleſſed of my Father, &c. therefore it ſeems not contrary to the analogy of Faith, to hold that the Sins of the Godly ſhall be brought to light. Nay it ſeems very ſuitable to the great deſign of the Goſpel, which is to illuſtrate and commend in the higheſt manner the free Grace of God, the great love of Chriſt, the power of his Death, and Infinite Vertue of his Sacrifice. As that day is a day of Wrath to the Wicked, &c. ſo a day of Love to the Saints, wherein the Love of Chriſt ſhall in the fulneſs of it be diſplay'd; and to commend it the more, it ſeems not incongruous to affirm that the Sins of the Godly ſhall be brought to light; even their ſecret Sins. He ſhall come to be glorified in his Saints, and admired in them that believe; his great love to Saints ſhall cauſe great admiration; that is, they ſhall admire the love of Chriſt, not only to themſelves, but other Saints; and Angels ſhall admire Chriſt in the Saints: now the knowledge of Sin, and of free Grace rejoycing over it, or of the love of Chriſt, &c. this ſhall be a meanes to heighten much their admiration, and ſe… of the great love of Chriſt with the more luſtre.
3. If the Sins of the Godly be recorded and to be read, 'tis in the Book of Life, 'tis that they may have ſome advantage thereby, &c. and they are all ſo recorded. Rev. 20. Ergo.
2. For the Sins of the wicked, that is moſt clear, they ſhall be all laid open to the view of Men and Angels at that great day: there is a Book in which all Sins are written, from an idle word to the higheſt Blaſphemy. Math. 12.36. all ſecret Sins are ſet in the ſight of the Sun. Rom. 2.16. He ſhall judge the Secrets of Men; there's nothing hid that ſhall not be manifeſted, this day ſhall declare it. Rev. 2.23 All the Churches ſhall know that I am he that ſearcheth the Hearts and Reins. Rev. 20.12. the dead are judged out of thoſe things that are written therein. Whatever you now go about to conceal and hide, ſhall not be ever hid; all wickedneſs that lay hid under a form of godlineſs, &c. then the Vail ſhall be removed, &c. Eccleſ. 12.14. God ſhall bring every work to Judgment, with every ſecret thing. Eccleſ. 11.19. Rejoyce, &c. yet know that for all this God ſhall bring thee to Judgment. Take notice of ſome particular Sins, becauſe the Scripture doth particularize them, as Whoredom and Adultery; Whoremongers and Adulterers God will judge. Heb. 13.4. Neglect and abuſe of the means of Grace; this is one of the greateſt Sins, that Men ſhall be brought to Judgment for; it ſhall bring a very heavy Puniſhment: It ſhall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for this People, if you live under the light of the Goſpel and walk in darkneſs; ſit and hear the word, yet are ſetled on the lees of Sin: then at the laſt day this ſhall be brought in upon your account, ſo many Sermons you have heard and never benefitted by them; ſo many times Chriſt came to gather you, and you would not; ſo many times the Goſpel came knocking at the door of your Hearts, and you refuſed to open: know that all is Recorded: likewiſe hard ſpeeches, Jude 15. ſpoken againſt God, or his People, or the Commands, ways and Adminiſtrations of God, as to ſay, his ſayings, his dealings are hard: Chriſt endured, and his Members endure the Contradiction of Sinners, but you muſt look to be called to the Judgment-ſeat of Chriſt for Contradiction. Chriſt ſhall give Sentence againſt thoſe that did ſpeak againſt him. Yea not only hard ſpeeches, but Idle words, the leaſt Sins: if you were guilty of no Sin but one idle word, Chriſt might very juſtly caſt you into Hell for it. Some are mentioned to ſhew that all ſhall be remembred againſt you. And there is no deluding or deceiving the Judge by your colourable pretences and excuſes; for he is moſt Wiſe, and knoweth all things, So there's no covering your Sins, for he is moſt Juſt, and ſo no corrupting him with Gifts; no overcoming with entreaties, for then wicked Men ſhall try and call hard, but he is moſt ſevere: no appealing from this Bar, for he is the Supreme Judge: there ſhall be Verity in his Inquiſition, Impartiality in Sentencing, Severity in Execution.
4 Godly ſhall ſtand apart from the wicked; the Juſt by themſelves, Unjuſt by themſelves, Sheep by themſelves, and the Goates by themſelves: in this life the Wicked and Godly are mingled together, Chaff with Wheat, therefore 'tis that in this life all things happen alike to all, Eccleſ. 9.2. There are calamities that are common to the Godly and Wicked. The evil deſpiſe and perſecute the good, and Godly as well as the Wicked dye, and riſe again; but great difference appears when brought to the Judgment-ſeat of Chriſt; then the precious are perfectly ſeperated from the vile. Then the Righteous ſhall have the upper hand, Pſ. 49.14. The upright ſhall have dominion over them in the morning.
5. Christ ſhall publ…ckly and ſolemnely pronounce Sentence to the Godly and wicked according to the word, and their own Conſciences, which ſhall ſet a Seal of approbation to the juſtneſs of Christ's Sentence, Math. 25.34. The King ſhall ſay to them on his Right hand, Come ye bleſſed, &c. to them on his Left-hand, Depart from me ye curſed into everlaſting fire, prepared for the Devil and his Angels.
For the time when Chriſt ſhall come to Judgment, nothing can be ſaid, but that 'tis moſt certain, yet moſt uncertain. Moſt certain that he ſhall come, but moſt uncertain when he ſhall come to Judgment. The Lord ſhall come, but he ſo cometh as a Thief in the night. And the time is of purpoſe on weighty reaſons concealed: that one day is concealed that it might be looked for every day: As the Lightening cometh out of the Eaſt and ſhineth unto the Weſt, ſo ſhall the coming of the Son of Man be, Math. 24.27. that is, ſudden and at an inſtant appear to all the World, that all ſhall at once know that he he is coming, as the Lightening in a moment ſhineth from the Eaſt to the Weſt.
For the time how long, 'tis called a Day, but longer ſpace than artificial or natural day contains, as the great and manifold work of that univerſal Judgment day will require.
Uſe 1. For exceeding terrour to the Wicked, who now with Dives enjoy their good things, who are not in troubles, nor plagued as other Men, that live in pleaſure, ſerving divers luſts, going whither they would; doing what is right in their own eyes, running to exceſs of Riot; know, that for all this, God will bring thee to Judgment, Eccl. 11.9. The wickedneſs that is now ſweet in thy Mouth ſhall be bitter in thy Belly. Sin is now a wicked Man's pleaſure, than it ſhall be his pain. A Wicked Man would not have his ſins remembred and diſcovered, he hates the Light of the word that reproves him; when the Book of the Law is now opened to convince him of ſin, he ſhuts his Eyes and ſtops his Ears, and hardens his Heart, and will not ſuffer himſelf to be convinced of ſin; he fears his Conſcience: but then the Book wherein all is Recorded that you have done, ſhall be opened, and by him that openeth and no Man ſhutteth, Rev. 3.7. and Conſcience ſhall be opened. And out of that Book not only Chriſt ſhall Judge you worthy of death, the ſecond death, but your ſelves ſhall Judge your ſelves: Chriſt and Saints ſhall Judge the Wicked, yea their convinced Conſciences ſhall be Judges too: all …oſe ſhall bear Record againſt you. Judgment … and t…ere is no eſcaping of it. Sudden … ſh…ll come as travel on a Woman with …, ſhall not eſcape: Then ſhall you … Mountains, &c. Rev. 6.16. As when … was deſtroyed by the Flood, and the … ariſing, the People did get up to the tops of Mountains, hoping that the Waters would not … …b…ve the Mountains; in alluſion hereto 'tis ſ…d the Wicked ſhall cry to the Mountains, &c. Put a… Amos 9.1. He that fleeth of them ſhall not flee away; and he that eſcapeth of them ſhall not be deliver…d; though they dig to Hell, thence ſhall my hand t…ke th…m: that is, if they hide in Holes and C…res of the Earth; as the Grave is called Hell. Your Judge ſhall be Omniſcient or all ſeeing: all …hings are naked to him, &c. the Wicked ſhall know as well as the Churches, Rev. 2.23. That he is the ſearcher of the H…art and Reins. And an Omnipotent Judge. His Hand ſhall execute the Sentence he paſſes. Now let this dreadful day poſſeſs your thoughts, and be not ſo overcome with the pleaſures of ſin ard delights of the World, as to baniſh all ſerious thoughts of Judgment: know that it is appointed to all to dye, and after Death the Judgment. After Life comes Death, and after living and rejoycing in ſin, comes Judgment for ſin. Now let this Doctrine be to all Wicked Men as the Hand-writing to Belſhazzar, Dan. 5. 'twas ſaid to him, Thou haſt brought the Veſſels of the Temple of God, drunk Wine in them, and praiſed the Gods of Silver and Gold, and the God in whoſe hand thy breath is, and whoſe are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified, and then this Writing was written, Mene, Mene, &c. God hath numbred thy Kingdom, and it is finiſhed; Tekel, thou art weighed in the ballance and found too light; Peres, thy Kingdom is divided, even ſo for you that drink wine, &c. and praiſe the Gods of Gold and Silver, Braſs, Iron, Wood and Stone; that love theſe earthly things, delight more in them than in God, and ſo praiſe them, and glorify not God in whoſe hands your breath is; that is, who is Lord of your Life, whoſe are all your ways, that is, without whoſe Providence you cannot move a ſtep, yet that God you glorify not; know that there is a hand writing againſt you, for all this God will bring you to Judgment.
To ſtrike greater terror, Conſider, 1. That day ſhall be the day of Chriſt's wrath: now is the day of Chriſt's love, now is the accepted time, and the day of Salvation, a time for Sinners to make their peace, to make ſupplication to your Judge; but then, if this day of Grace be ſlighted by you, and you make it a day of ſinning, of ſecurity, Impenitency, then ſhall that day be to you a day of Christ's wrath, wherein he ſhall in as great degree, declare his wrath to the Wicked, as ever he did love to his Saints. Rev. 6.17. The great day of the Lambs wrath is come; Now you hear of wrath in a day of Grace, when yet is a time and opportunity left you to make peace, and to eſcape wrath; but then you ſhall hear of wrath in a day of wrath, when the day of Grace is ended: as for the wrath of the Father, that may be eſcaped by flying to Chriſt for refuge; being in Chriſt, wrath cannot break out againſt us, becauſe in Chriſt the Father is well pleaſed, and he is a propitiation for ſin; but if the day of Chriſt's wrath come on you before you have made your peace, there is none to deliver from Chriſt's wrath, for this is dreadful wrath: The time of this Life is the day of wicked Men's wrath, of Satan's wrath againſt the Godly, now they breath out threatnings; but the comfort is, their wrath ſhall turn to the praiſe of God, becauſe wicked Men's wrath ſhall work for the good of Saints, therein the power and wiſdom of God hath praiſe; but the laſt day is a day of Chriſt's wrath againſt the wicked; and 'tis true this wrath ſhall turn to the praiſe of God, but who is there to reſtrain his wrath? To be under the wrath of Man or Satan is a moſt miſerable conditon, if there be none to reſtrain it; but worſe under Christ's wrath.
2. All ſinful works ſhall be remembred, and brought in upon an inditement againſt them, bleſſed is he at that day, whoſe iniquity is forgiven, and ſin covered; that hath Chriſt for his Righteouſneſs, and Faith to put him on. But the wicked ſhall have nothing to do with this bleſſedneſs; now they ſeek it not, now 'tis not eſteemed by them, ſo great a bleſſedneſs as it is; now Men eſtabliſh their own righteouſneſs, and will not ſubmit to the Righteouſneſs of God; but at the laſt day when Wicked Men ſhall know the worth and want of Chriſt's Righteouſneſs, then there ſhall be no poſſibility of having it; then the Books are opened and the ſins of the ungodly diſcovered; and as the Spirit Promiſed to the Godly, to bring to remembrance what Chriſt ſaid; to open the myſteries of the Goſpel, &c. So on the other ſide, then the Spirit ſhall bring to remembrance all that the Wicked have done; all idle words, all oaths, filthy communication, all vain thoughts, ſinful affections; ſo many times eating and drinking to exceſs, &c. All their ſins ſhall dog them to the Judgment-ſeat of Chriſt, Chriſt ſhall take notice of all the unkindneſs ſhewn to him; thoſe only are mention'd Math. 25.44. to ſhew they are great and moſt provoking ſins: but as under one great duty commanded, all are implyed, ſo under one great ſin forbidden, all others are forbidden. And ſo under theſe great ſins and injuries done to Chriſt, all others are included: I was hungry, &c. and theſe ſhall go away into everlaſting puniſhment: and in the upſhot theſe were injuries done to the Members of Chriſt, which he makes his own injuries by Compaſſion, as the Head ſuffers when the Members ſuffer: this you reckon a ſmall matter, to paſs by a Member of Christ, and not ſupply his wants; and if ſo for not feeding Christ in his Members how much more for going about to ſtarve Christ in his Members, by taking away the Bread of Life from them; if for not viſiting when ſick and in priſon, how much more for wounding of Saints in Name, Body, Eſtates, and for caſting of Saints into priſon.
3. No works of theirs which for matter are good, ſhall be remembred and accepted of in that day; every work being weighed in the Ballance, like Belſhazzar being found too light: whatever proceeds not from Faith in Chriſt, nor is done out of zeal to the Glory of God, ſhall be found too light: and for wicked Men's works, as hearing the Word, doing Juſtice, giving Almes, they ſhall not plead any thing for you; your Holy things ſhall not plead againſt iniquity, becauſe there is iniquity in your holy things: ſelf-love; ſeeking Men's praiſe; no ſincere love to the Lord Jeſus, no judging Christ worthy of obedience. If you do a good turn to a Man for your own ends, what thanks do you deſerve? For know, whatever good you do, if it proceed not from a pure heart, a good Conſcience towards God, Faith in the Lord Jeſus, &c. it ſhall be reckoned but among your ſins, Math. 7.21. Not every one that ſaith, Lord, Lord, that in words will call Chriſt Lord, but deny it in works, ſhall enter into Heaven; ſhall be judged meet for that Kingdom: But he that doth the will of my Father. 'Tis not enough to do what is good, but to do it as the will of the Father, out of obedience to his command, with an aim at his honour: yet that's not all; but he that doth the will of my Father, that obeys the will of the Father as he is Chriſt's Father, knowing the Son as the Father, doing the will of the Father for Chriſt's ſake, coming to the Father through the Son, moved with love to Christ, he ſhall enter Heaven.
Objection. But is this neceſſary, will ſome plead at the laſt day, that the will of the Father, of thy Father, as thy Father muſt be done? Is it for thy ſake? &c. Why, that we can plead, Lord▪ Lord, have we not Prophecied in thy Name? &c. Then Chriſt ſhall ſay, Depart from me, I never knew you, I never knew you Born again, Converted, made new Creatures. I never ſaw you deny your ſelves out of ſincere love to me, and zeal of my honour, I never ſaw you in my Kingdom of Grace, ſo I will not now admit you to any fellowſhip or acquaintance with me: Depart, ye workers of Iniquity, whatever you have done, I look on you but as workers of iniquity; your good works that you plead, I reckon but amongſt your ſins. How ſad a time will it be then with Wicked Men, who ſhall ſay, is our Religion vain? Shall none of our works and doings proffit? Have we prayed and taken ſo much pains from time to time, Sabbath after Sabbath, and all in vain? will God forget all? what a miſerable caſe are we then in? Even ſo it ſhall be, nothing remembred, if you are not regenerated, if not a new Creature, if you have not true Faith in the Lord Jeſus, reſting in him alone for Salvation.
4. When their ſinful works ſhall be ſet before them, in order and imperfection of their good works ſhewn, then the wicked ſhall be convinced of both in their own Conſciences: now Wicked Men will not be convinced of ſin, nor judge aright of their performances, they are paſt feeling, Eph. 4.19. The Greek word ſignifies, them that having done any thing amiſs can't grieve, or take ſhame to themſelves, as Drunkards paſt feeling, Swearers paſt feeling, 1 Tim. 4.2. Having the Conſcience ſeared with a hot Iron: That is, either profeſſing themſelves to be the people of God, their Conſciences are ſtigmatized with the works of many foul and enormous crimes; a metaphor taken from Rogues who are burnt in the Hand, or ſome other part of the body: or Conſcience ſo inſenſible of ſin and their dangerous eſtate by it, and of the fearful Judgments of God, as dead and hard Fleſh feared with a hot Iron. Thus 'tis for the moſt part with wicked Men here, but when they are called to Judgment, then their Conſcience ſhall recover feeling, then it ſhall do its office in accuſing, judging: here wicked Men make God a liar, they have be…ied the Lord and ſaid, no evil ſhall come on us; then they ſhall ſet to their ſeal; that God is true, his word is true, his threatnings are true: then as Joſhua ſaid, ye know that not one thing hath fail'd, Chap 23.14. ſo on the other ſide ſhall the wicked ſay at the laſt day, they ſhall know that not one thing fails of the word of God ſpoken concerning the ungodly: they ſhall ſet to their ſeal, that God is moſt juſt. Math. 22.12. that Parable of a marriage of the King's Son moſt probably is to be underſtood of the day of Judgment: There one was obſerved that had not a Wedding Garment, and when the King askes, How cameſt thou in hither? is it fit that thou ſhouldſt be admitted to this Feaſt, &c. he was ſpeechleſs, he had not a word to ſay for himſelf, he was muzled, as 1 Cor. 9.9. he could no more ſpeak for himſelf then a muzled Ox can eat of the Corn he treads out: his Conſcience ſpeakes againſt him, ſo how ſhall he ſpeak for himſelf when it ſhall be ſaid, that thou wert a Drunkard, and never didſt repent of this ſin, and is it fit that having drunk of the Cup of Devils in thy life-time, and delighting in nothing elſe, that thou ſhouldeſt be admitted to my Feaſt, to partake in Eternal Life? Thou that madeſt nothing of prophaning my Name, is it fit thou ſhouldeſt dwell in my preſence? Thou that hadſt a form, but an Enemy to the power of Godlineſs; when Christ ſhall thus accuſe, Wicked Men ſhall be muzled: the Goſpel is Preached for a witneſs. Here when the Spirit of God in the word ſtrives with Sinners to convince of ſin, and would diſcover their damnable eſtate. They have ſomewhat to ſay, that as they ſin, ſo they do ſomewhat that is good or will repent hereafter, or will repent before they dye, &c. but then they are all ſpeechleſs and paſt excuſes.
5. Wicked Mens cries and prayers ſhall not be heard in that day: they ſhall cry, Lord, Lord, they that deſpiſed Mercy ſhall cry, they that made light of an invitation to Chriſt ſhall earneſtly ſeek to him; they that Chriſt came oft to gather as a Hen her Chickens, and they would not, then ſhall cry unto Chriſt to ſave them from wrath, as the Devils. I beſeech thee torment me not, caſt me not into the great deep. But refuſing to cry in the day of Grace, and to hear Christ crying to them, their cries ſhall not be heard in the day of wrath. Prov. 1.24. Becauſe I have called, (that is Christ terming himſelf Wiſdom) and ye refuſed. Iſa. 51.1, 2. I have ſtretched out my hand, a geſture of ſuch as made Proclamation, to get attention, as Acts 21.40. Paul beckened with the hand and there was ſilence, intimating, there was no means left untried to perſwade them to hearken unto him: but what was the Fruit? Ye have ſet at naught my Councel, and would none of my reproof. But Christ will deal with you as you with him; I will laugh at your calamity: that is, the wicked which make a jeſt at God's word, and mock, ſhall have the juſt reward of their working; they ſhall be requited in the ſame kind: then ſhall they call, but I will not anſwer, Math. 25.11. The fooliſh Virgins cry Lord, Lord, open to us: but he anſwered, I know you not. Wicked Men would go to Heaven at the laſt day, although now they never think of taking the right way thither.
6. Wicked Men ſhall be rewarded according to their works: and what reward ſee Rom. 2.6, 8. he will render to every Man according to his deeds, unto them that are contentious, and obey not the truth, but obey unrighteouſneſs, indignation, wrath, tribulation, anguiſh upon every Soul that doth evil: So many expreſſions are heaped together, to ſet forth the great heap of Judgments prepared for the wicked: on the Jew first, &c. all tranſgreſſors without diſtinction or reſpect to Perſons, ſhall meet with tribulation; yet Judgment ſhall begin at the Houſe of God, and thoſe that have better means and more knowledge, and do not accordingly, ſhall receive the heavier: He that knows his Maſters will and doth it not, ſhall be beaten with many ſtripes. Amos 3.2. You only have I known of all the Families of the Earth, therefore will I puniſh you for all your iniquities. That is, I have choſen, accepted, priviledged you, and you only have known me, therefore thoſe ſins of ignorance which are not ſo great in others, are in you more inexcuſable, proceeding from pure malice: according hereto at the laſt day their doom muſt be ſorer. Aall Sinners at that day ſhall be full of wrath. All the damned are called Veſſels of wrath. Now all are not of the ſame quantity and capaciy, one is capable of more, another of leſs, but every Veſſel full of wrath. As throw many veſſels into the Sea, one is bigger then another and can receive more, but every Veſſel will be full, ſo the wicked ſhall be all turned into Hell, and to the great deep, and all ſhall be full of wrath, though ſome may have more and ſome leſs. See the reward of the wicked, Math. 25.41. Depart from me, from me who am the Way, Truth, and Life, the Light of the World, who am that only name given whereby ſinners might be ſaved, who am the expreſs image of the Father, by whoſe Blood ſins are waſht. Ye Curſed by the Sentence of the Law, into everlaſting Fire, that is, torments prepared for the Devil; as Wicked Men are Servants to Satan in ſinning, ſo ſhall they be companions of Satan in ſuffering.
Uſe 2. Exhort. Let it be the great buſineſs of every day of your life to prepare for that one day of Chriſt's coming to Judgment; that which was Paul's Prayer for Oneſiphorus, let it be your deſire, The Lord grant that he may find Mercy of the Lord in that day, 2 Tim. 1.18.
1. Labour after the knowledge of Chriſt. He ſhall come in flaming fire to render vengeance on all that know not God, 2 Theſſ. 1.18. That is, with fiery indignation, his anger ſhall ſparkle out in a moſt dreadful manner againſt them. Know God in his Allſufficiency, Faithfulneſs, Majeſty, Goodneſs, or you ſhall know him in his wrath. Know Chriſt in his Sweetneſs, fulneſs of Love, Grace, &c. or elſe you ſhall know him in fulneſs of wrath. Take heed that you hate not knowledge now in the time of knowledge: if you are in darkneſs, that day ſhall overtake you as a Thief, that is, ſuddenly, and that day ſhall ſtrip and ſpoil you of all your Joys and Comforts that you delighted moſt in: If you know the Lord aright then will Chriſt ſay, I know you. If you know, you ſhall be known; now hear and ſo hear as that you may learn the Knowledge of Chriſt.
2. Obey the Goſpel. 1. Believe what Chriſt commands you to believe this is the firſt and great command of the Goſpel, Believe in the Son as God-Man, as Mediator and Saviour, one that is able to ſave you to the utmoſt. Then you ſhall be prepared for that day, 2 Tim. 1.12. do as Paul He is able to keep that which I have committed to him againſt that day: That is, my precious Soul, which I have committed to his care and cuſtody, to bring it forth a glorious So…at that day, and my vile Body that he may make it a glorious Body like his own: This I have committed, by Faith, and Hope depoſited with him. This is the great Command of the Goſpel that you give up your ſelves to Christ, that you depoſite your Souls and Bodies with him, and truſt him for the ſaving of both, that he is able and willing to do it.
2. Do what Chriſt would have you to do, deny your ſelves to do Chriſt's will: Let not his Commands be grievous to you. Let your converſation be as becometh the Goſpel, in Holineſs, Meekneſs, &c. This ſome do conceive to be meant by the Wedding Garment, a converſation becoming the Goſpel. The Goſpel calls to a Feaſt, it contains fulneſs of Bleſſings, as Rom. 15.29. I ſhall come in fulneſs of the Bleſſing of the Goſpel of Chriſt: Bleſſings for Soul, Body, enough for both, Eternity of both: He that believeth on the Son hath everlaſting Life. He ſhall live and reign with Christ. This is the Feaſt that believers are called to. Now 'tis required in all that would be meet Gueſts, that they be Holy, Obedient in carriage. As you know 'tis an unſeemly thing for a Man to come to the Marriage-Feaſt of a King's Son, only to enjoy the pleaſures of that ſolemn meeting, without reſpect of decent apparel befitting ſuch ſolemnity. So you that would eat of the Feaſt of fat things contained in the Goſpel, muſt have decent apparel, a Converſation beſeeming a Chriſtian Calling, becoming the Goſpel, ſuitable to it in all holy converſation and godlineſs: as you would lay hold on the promiſes and bleſſings of the Goſpel, ſo you muſt have a Goſpel-garment, a Goſpel-frame of life: herein many come ſhort, they do profeſs to believe in Chriſt, and hope for Pardon, and Mercy at that day, but have no Wedding Garment, no Goſpel Garment, no Converſation becoming the Goſpel: and to ſuch Chriſt ſhall ſay How comeſt thou in hither? out with him, here's one that lays claim to Promiſes, and would not regard the Precepts; he comes in his filthy Garments of ſin; now this is to be ſo doing, Mat. 24.46. Bleſſed, &c. that ſo doing; truſting in Chriſt, and walking in Goſpel ways; endeavouring to honour the Lord Jeſus as Lord and King: this is Oyl in your Lamps, a heart believing the Goſpel, ſubdued to Chriſt, eſtabliſh'd with Grace; Oyl in the Lamp is Faith and Love; a Lamp without it is an empty Profeſſion, and form of Godlineſs: your hearing, praying, profeſſing to believe in Chriſt, that is your Lamp, your Eaith, Love, Zeal for the Honour of Chriſt is your Oyl in the Lamp; have not this to ſeek when you ſhould come to meet Chriſt.
3. Look for this day; looking for the bleſſed hope, Tit. 2.13. all the hope of a Chriſtian is in that day of Chriſt. If in this Life only they had hope, then they were moſt miſerable; then more miſerable than wicked Men; they have pleaſure and enjoy their good things; and Saints for the moſt part in regard of their outward Condition, have torments: So look for that day and long after it, be not overcharged wlth the cares of the World, ſay not, this is your reſt; look for reſt, for your portion and inheritance at the day of Chriſt's appearing: to them that look for him, he ſhall appear without Sin, &c. Chriſt hath ſo foretold it: and before his coming, he ſhall give evident ſigns that he may be looked for; ſo look beyond Friends, Eſtates, beyond the end of the World; beyond Life, Death, even to Chriſt's day; be frequent and ſerious in your thoughts of it, 'twill diſengage your thoughts from the World. Enoch the ſeventh from Adam that lived in the beginning of the World, his thoughts did reach to the end of it, to Chriſt's appearing; though the Viſion be far of, and a great while to come, Judg. 14 Enoch prophecy'd. The Lord ſhall come with ten thouſands of his Saints: how much more ſhould we look after it upon whom the ends of the World are come? now the time is ſo near, that Chriſt is as it were at the door: ſo watch and wait for him. 2 Pet. 2.12. Looking for, and haſting to the coming of the day of God. or haſting the coming: going forth to meet Chriſt; let your thoughts and deſires be ſent out to meet him.
Ʋſe 3. Comfort for Saints; here they find trouble, &c. but they ſhall find mercy at that day: there ſhall ſure right be done them, and be avenged of the wicked, as the Jews are wont to comfort themſelves when they meet with any knotty place of Scripture in the old Teſtament that cannot underſtand, Elias veniet, et euodabit omnia. So Chriſt will come, and then wo to the wicked, it ſhall be ill with them: ſay to the Righteous, it ſhall be well with him. Iſa. 3.10. 'tis the day of the Saints Redemption and Adoption, when they receive Inheritance, as well as have right to it. As Rom. 8.23. we wait for the Adoption, even the Redemption of our Bodies.
FINIS.
End of the text · William Alleine, Discourses of William Alleine (1697)