Eternity, Sermon
ETERNITY: OR, THE WEIGHTINESS OF THE UNSEEN CONCERNS Of the other World, from their Duration: Opened, proved, and applyed in a Sermon preached in WORCESTER-SHIRE.
By THO. BADLAND, Miniſter of the Goſpel.
Illi brevi huic vitae ſe totos implicent, qui aeterna neſciunt.
Hieron.
LONDON, Printed for Sampſon Evans, Book-ſeller in Worceſter, and are to be ſold by N. Simmons at the Prince's Arms in St. Paul's Church Yard, 1676.
Jan. 18. 1675.
IMprimatur haec Concio de Aeternitate
Gul. Jane S. T. B. Rev. in Chriſto Patri Dno Henrico Epiſc. Londin. agrave; Sac Domeſt.
TO THE READER.
Chriſtian Reader,
THis Sermon was never intended to peep out of the bounds of a popular auditory: The importunity of Friends, who would not otherwiſe be ſatisfied, hath brought it upon the publick Stage. The Diſcourſe is but ſhort and mean for ſo large and ponderous a ſubject; but the ſmalneſs of the Volume may bring it to more hands, and the plainneſs thereof is moſt apt and congruous for their uſe and benefit, for whom 'tis chiefly ſent abroad. The poor and unlearned, which are alwaies moſt numerous, and who are alſo no leſs concerned in the weighty affair of Eternity than others, cannot reach nor perhaps ſo well underſtand the bigger and more learned, or otherwiſe more uſeful Treatiſes of this ſubject that are written: And to ſuch, I hope, the Father of Mercies at leaſt will make this haſty ſcrible a Bleſſing; which is the great deſire, and ſhall be the earneſt prayer of the Author, who is
Thine in Chriſt T. B.
2 Cor. 4.18. the latter part.
But the things which are not ſeen are eternal.
TO paſs by the Analyſis of this Chapter; toward the latter end you have the Apoſtle acquainting us with the reaſon of his own, and other Apoſtles and Miniſters of the Goſpel's conſtancy, boldneſs, unwearied diligence, and faithfulneſs in the work of Chriſt, in the midſt of the great perils, diſtreſſes and hazards attending them in their courſe. The main of their encouragement is this, that their utmoſt ſufferings and ſorrows in their duty were their high advantage: They worked for them a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory: verſ. 17. This prize (he tells us) their hearts were on in the contempt of all things here. This they would not loſe, whatever they loſt, or ſuffer'd in purſuance of it. And that they were rational in this reſolution, he evidenceth from the Glory of the prize they had in their eye. This is the moſt excellent prize, and infinitely ſufficient to recompence them for all loſſes and afflictions befalling them in the due proſecution of it. There is no compariſon between things that are ſeen, and things that are not ſeen. The inviſible concerns of the other world do as much excell outward and viſible concerns, as Eternity is of more conſequence than time. The things that are ſeen (ſaith he) are temporal; but The things that are not ſeen are eternal.
So that the words are a reaſon why the Apoſtles had their hearts ſo fixed on the bleſſings of the unſeen world, as lightly to ſet by the moſt terrible diſcouragements attending them in purſuance of them. They were eternal; whereas their outward afflictions and miſeries were but temporal. In the words there is,
1. The things ſpoken of: Things which are not ſeen; that is, the inviſible concerns and enjoyments which yet are out of our view in the other world; The mercies of the Paradiſe of God, and the miſeries of the unquenchable fire, which will be the portion of the damned. The happy eſtate of the Bleſſed, and the wretched condition of the Curſed and condemned beyond the borders of time; Theſe are the things which in general the Apoſtle means by things unſeen.
2. Here is ſomething affirmed of theſe unſeen things: They are Eternal; that is, they are of everlaſting duration; they will never have an end, but continue for ever and for ever. When this world and all Sublunary things are burnt up and vaniſh, and all concerns of time have a period; the happineſs of the Saints, and the miſery of the wicked ſhall laſt and continue: they ſhall never vaniſh or have a period. The Godly ſhall triumph in God's Love, and the wicked weep and howl under God's fury, to the endleſs bounds of eternity. When the ſpace of million of millions of years, according to our poor and ſhallow reckoning, are over, the happineſs of the Pious, and the ſorrow and perplexity of the wicked is never the nearer a period: ſtill the Saints joy continues, and ſtill the wickeds ſufferings continue, and are no nearer ending than at the beginning; Night and day to eternity the Holy ſhall rejoyce and triumph; and night and day to eternity the impious ſhall have gnaſhing of teeth, and mourn. Unſeen things are eternal.
From the words thus explained, were raiſed theſe two Doctrines.
Doctr. 1. The weighty concerns attending us in the other world are unſeen. The entertainment that immortal Souls will meet with, when death comes, and hath done its work upon them, we cannot here behour. We perceive not the triumphant joys of the Glorified here: nor do we perceive the doleful howlings of the damned here. 'Tis true, we have ſomething of theſe weighty concerns revealed in the Word: but yet they are not within our view. We ſee not now the Saints Crowns or Glorious Robes, and we hear not now their melodious and tranſporting Songs of triumph and praiſe, wherewith they are priviledged in the Kingdom of their Father; and we ſee not now the wickeds horrour, torments and inſupportable ſufferings in the Helliſh Lake: we have only the report of theſe things, though it be an infallible report. And doubtleſs, this is the main cauſe why Heaven is no more prized, and no more vigorouſly purſued; and Hell is no more abhorred, and ſtrenuouſly and diligently avoided and ſhunned by Mortals; they believe not theſe things, becauſe they ſee them not, had they ſeen the happineſs of the Righteous in God's Eternal Kingdom, or the miſery of the impious, in the Infernal priſon; or had they believing apprehenſions of … equivalent to ſenſe; they could not neglect them, they could not chooſe but look upon them, as the Apoſtle here doth, as the moſt weighty affair and concerns.
Doctr. 2. The weighty concerns of the unſeen world are eternal. They are not fading or vaniſhing, but of never ending continuance and duration. The triumphant world's felicity ſhall never have a period, and the damned world's miſery ſhall never expire. When innumerable years are paſt and gone, the Saints triumph is as far from a period, as at the beginning; and the ſorrows and ſufferings of the wicked are no nearer expiring than at the beginning.
This laſt is the Doctrine we intend to handle; and in the proſecution thereof, we ſhall obſerve this Method.
1. We ſhall prove it.
2. We ſhall ſhew what is imply'd in this word Eternal, and ſo the weigh…ineſs of Unſeen concerns.
3. We ſhall make ſome application.
Firſt, we ſhall prove th… Doctrine, That the weighty concerns of the unſeen world are eternal. And that,
1. By Scripture plainly.
2. By induction from Scripture and Nature.
1. We ſhall prove the Doctrine by plain Scripture, Mat. 25. ult. Theſe ſhall go away into everlaſting puniſhment, but the Righteous into life eternal. Here you ſee the rewards of the other world, that all ſhall reap, are ſtyled everlaſting and eternal. Dan. 12.2. Many of them that ſleep in the duſt of the Earth ſhall awake, ſome to everlaſting life, and ſome to ſhame and everlaſting contempt. Both the reward of the Godly and the impious is here called Everlaſting in the unſeen world. So you have the Scripture ſpeaking of the Righteous and the wicked particularly, and proclaiming their reward to be eternal and everlaſting. Thus 'tis ſaid the Godly ſeek for Eternal life in the other world, Rom. 2.7. and, that They are heirs of Eternal life, Titus 3.7. and, that They have an Houſe not made with hands eternal in the Heavens, 2 Cor. 5.1. And the Apoſtle tells us, that he therefore endured all things for the Elects ſake, that they may alſo obtain the ſalvation, which is in Jeſus Chriſt, with eternal Glory, 2 Tim. 2.10. ſo, Heaven is called their Everlaſting Habitation, Luke 16.9. And as the enjoyments of the Saints are eternal; ſo likewiſe are the miſeries of the wicked. They are to be puniſhed with Everlaſting deſtruction from the preſence of the Lord, and the Glory of his power, 2 Theſ. 1.9. they are to be caſt into Everlaſting fire, Mat. 18.8. or into fire that ſhall never be quenched, and where the worm dieth not, Mark 9.44. So alſo 'tis ſaid, that they ſhall be tormented day and night for ever, and for ever, Rev. 20.10.15.
2. We ſhall prove the Doctrine by induction from Scripture and Nature.
1. The Soul is eternal and dies not, and therefore muſt be happy or miſerable for ever. This cannot be killed, Mat. 10.28. when it leaveth the Body, it doth not ſleep or die as the Body doth, Eccleſ. 12.7. and when 'tis again re-united to the Body at the Reſurrection, 'twill never be ſeparated from it; but Body and Soul are joyned together at the Reſurrection for Everlaſting life, or Everlaſting ſhame and contempt, Dan. 12.2. and therefore they will have an Eternal Exiſtence. At the Reſurrection the very Body it ſelf will be raiſed incorruptible; Our corruption muſt put on incorruption, 1 Cor. 15.53. Though at preſent our Bodies die and moulder to duſt, yet at the Reſurrection they will not be capable of corruption. We ſhall then die no more a Natural death, Luke 20.36. And if Body and Soul will live eternally after the Reſurrection-day, they muſt needs be either happy or miſerable to eternity; if they have for ever an Exiſtence, they muſt needs have a felicitous or infelicitous Exiſtence. If they do not vaniſh into nothing, or are not corrupted, killed, or ſeparated; then they will certainly for ever groan or triumph, rejoyce or mourn.
2. Eternal rewards are promiſed, or threatned: God doth not promiſe to magnify mercy and loving kindneſs to the Saints for a ſmall ſeaſon only, but to Eternity; nor doth he threaten momentany loſſes or ſufferings only to the wicked and impious, but everlaſting. The Righteous ſhall ſhine as the Stars for ever and ever, Dan. 12.3. And the wicked have darkneſs for ever reſerved for them, 2 Peter 2.17. Believers ſhall never periſh or die, John 11.26. And the Impenitent are to be caſt into fire that ſhall never be quenched, Mark 9.43. This is the encouragement that God doth give his People, they ſhall have everlaſting joy upon their heads ere long: and this is the diſcouragement he gives the wicked, they ſhall be puniſhed with eternal deſtruction, or tormented day and night for ever and for ever. Oh! Heaven will have Believers triumphing in it to the utmoſt limits and bounds of Eternity; for God hath promiſed it to them. And Hell will have ungodly Souls and the finally impenitent, weeping and gnaſhing their teeth in it for ever more: for God hath fore-told and threatned it; and he is a true, juſt, and Righteous GOD.
3. GOD, that is engaged to diſtribute theſe Rewards, is eternal; he liveth for ever to ſee the execution of what ever hath gone out of his mouth. As he was from everlaſting, ſo he will continue to everlaſting. He inhabits eternity, Iſa. 57.15. The Eternal God is the refuge, comfort and ſalvation of the Saints, Deut. 33.27. And the confuſion, diſcomfort and and terrour of the impious and wicked. If Jehovah himſelf could die, the Saints happineſs would expire, and have a period; and the wickeds and damneds miſery in Hell would be over: but he living, who hath promiſed and threatned, and is engaged to accompliſh the Saints hopes, and wicked's fears; we may be ſure they will laſt for ever. Oh! God hath no end of daies, Jehovah's age will never expire. He is Eternal that hath undertaken to priviledg the Pious with eternal Life, and reward the Impious with eternal Death; therefore unſeen concerns will be eternal.
4. As God is eternal, ſo he will be eternally Alſufficient to make good his word. As he was Almighty, and Infinite, and boundleſs in all perfections from eternity; ſo he will remain unto eternity. From everlaſting to everlaſting he is God, Pſ. 90.2. He will never deſcend from the Throne, or become frail, or unable to execute his promiſes or threatnings. He is the eternal and immortal King, 1 Tim. 1.17. He is independent for ever, and can perform his pleaſure to all eternity. And therefore his Decree and Law touching the endleſs condition of the Righteous and wicked will ſtand. Alas! God can as eaſily make the Righteous immortally happy, and the impious immortally miſerable, as uphold the world and all things therein upon the borders of time. He lives continually in the ſame Majeſty, Glory, and Perfections, that he is inveſted with to this day: And he will never have his Omnipotency impaired, diminiſhed, or weakned. If God were capable to be dethroned, or to become infirm or weak for the accompliſhment of his projects or revealed Will; the ungodly might hope for an expiration of their ſorrows, and the Righteous might fear a period of their Joy and Felicity: but God being unchangeable, and immutably the ſame to everlaſting; the hopes of the one, and the fears of the other will be vain.
5. God will eternally delight in the happineſs of the Saints, and miſeries of the wicked; and therefore both the one and the other will be eternal. Touching the Pious 'tis ſaid, that 'tis the Father's good pleaſure to give them a Kingdom, Luke 12.32. They are the Perſons, that Jehovah delights to honour: their Glory is God's Glory, Epheſ. 1.12. JESUS CHRIST will come to be glorified in them at the Reſurrection-day, when he ſhall ſet the Crown of Heavenly Felicity and magnificency upon their heads, 2 Theſ. 1.10. So that their happineſs and exaltation will be God's Glory, Delight and Rejoycing; and therefore will be eternal. 'Twill continue as long as God ſhall delight in it, and that will be for ever more. So likewiſe the miſery of the wicked in Hell will be to the glory of God's Juſtice and Righteouſneſs; and therefore will be eternal, even as long as God doth continue juſt and righteous, which will be for ever. So alſo God doth rejoyce in their perdition and deſtruction; he laughs at their calamity, and mocks at their diſtreſs, when they are remedileſs, Prov. 1.26. And therefore though they call upon him, he will not anſwer them; though they ſeek him early, they ſhall not find him, that is, not merciful or gracious to them. He that made them (ſaith the Prophet) will not have mercy on them; and he that formed them, will ſhew them no ſavour, Iſa. 27.11. So that you ſee, that both the happineſs of the Godly, and miſery of the wicked in the other world, will be God's delight and his Glory: and therefore they will be eternal.
6. The Saints cannot forfeit their happineſs, and the wicked cannot purchaſe or make ſatisfaction for their Redemptio… from their miſery in the other world▪ and therefore both will be eternal. 'Ti… apparent that in Heaven the Saints are as the confirmed Angels, and ſo not capable to be tempted to evill, or to fall from God. Their ſeparated Souls in Eternall Manſions are ſaid to be made perfect, Hebr. 12.23. And into God's Paradiſe, which is their glorious Abode and Habitation, there entreth nothing that defileth, Rev. 21.27. Whilſt they are in the Kingdom of their Father, they are under the fulleſt communications of ſanctifying, and preventing, and triumphing Grace. Holineſs is their element; duty love and praiſe to God is their very food and recreation; and ſin is as lothſom, as death and the moſt exquiſite miſeries and torments are to us. There alſo they have no tempter, and nothing to be a bait or allurement to draw them from God: which with the conſideration of their corrobating and confirming Grace doth proclaim, that they cannot ſin, or forfeit the mercies wherewith they are priviledg'd: And therefore they will not loſe their happineſs. God will not deprive them of their mercies without cauſe, he will not ſend them from his Triumphant Kingdom, to which they are Heirs, till they cut off the entail of eternal Bleſſings, and that will be never: So that their happineſs muſt needs be eternal. And then, the wicked will never make ſatisfaction in order to their redemption from Hell; and therefore their miſeries muſt be alſo eternal. They muſt ſtay there, till they have pay'd the utmoſt mite they are endebted unto Divine Juſtice, Matt. 5.26. and that will be for ever more: And therefore that expreſſion, Till thou haſt pay'd the laſt mite, thou ſhalt not depart thence, ſignifies as much as, Thou ſhalt never depart thence, Luke 12.59. Oh! all the ſufferings of the damned, even to an endleſs eternity will not ſatisfy for their ſin and diſobedience here. And 'tis apparent, they have none elſe to ſatisfy for them; CHRIST will die no more for them. There remains no more Sacrifice for ſin, when the price of CHRIST's Blood is neglected. Oh! the Godly will not loſe their happineſs, and the wicked will never get redemption from Hell; as 'tis in the Parable, There is an Unpaſſable Gulf between the Glorified and the damned, ſo that they cannot paſs the one to the other, Luke 16.26. and therefore their condition in the other world will be eternal.
7. If the Saints happineſs were not eternal, 'twould much diſcomfort them in the other world; and if the wicked's miſery were not eternal, 'twould much comfort them, and alleviate their miſeries and extremities in the Unſeen world: and therefore both are eternal. The Saints have fulneſs of joy in God's everlaſting Kingdom; and therefore have no expectation that 'twill have an end: And the damned have perfection of miſery in the Infernal priſon; and therefore have, no hope that their ſorrows will ever have a period. Reaſon will tell you, that if Triumphant Souls had any apprehenſions that their felicitous eſtate ſhould at length expire, it would much abate their glorious peace and tranquillity. And Reaſon will alſo tell you, that, if the wicked had any hopes that their ſorrows and exquiſite torments ſhould at length ceaſe, it would ſomething at leaſt mitigate their infelicity and grief; but this word Eternal added to the enjoyments of the Glorified filleth them with perfect Triumph, excluding all penſiveneſs fear and dolour. And the ſame word Eternal or Everlaſting added to the ſorrows and miſeries of the damned makes them moſt exquiſite, and ſets Hell a roaring moſt diſmally. Oh! that the pleaſures of the Saints are for ever more, Pſal. 16.11. this makes them pleaſures indeed: And that the anguiſh, perplexity and extremities of the damned are for ever more, this makes them perfectly dolefull indeed.
8. Nature doth ſeem to evidence this Truth, that things unſeen are eternal. The very Heathens are taught to believe in general that the Good ſhall be everlaſtingly happy, and the wicked everlaſtingly miſerable, in the other world. Not only the Chriſtians, but the Mahometans; yea, and the Pagans, that have not unman'd themſelves, do hold that after this life Men and Women ſhall live in a felicitous or dolefull condition for ever. The Soul's immortality is commonly believed, even where Chriſtianity is not known: Nature hath dictated this to thoſe that never heard the Scripture-revelation; and if the Soul dies not, it muſt needs be happy or miſerable for ever.
Now, lay all theſe allegations together, and how apparent and undoubted is this Doctrine, that the weighty concerns of the unſeen world are eternal.
2. We come to ſhew you what is implyed in this word (Eternal) and ſo the weightineſs of unſeen concerns: And there are three things implied in it.
1. That the Unſeen concerns of the other world have continuance or are laſting, they are not of ſhort or ſmall duration. Our lives here cannot be ſaid to be eternal, becauſe they are but of ſhort continuance; yea, they are ſaid to flee away as a Weaver's ſhuttle, Job 7.6. and are compar'd to a vapour that ſoon vaniſheth: but now the happineſs of Heaven, and the ſufferings of Hell are more laſting. They continue not a 100 or a 1000 Years only, but many millions of millions of Years: When many Ages and Generations of Years are paſt and gone, yet ſtill the Saints felicity and the wicked's miſery and ſorrow continueth. When the Saints have been in the Kingdom of their Father triumphing in his love, as long as this World ſhall laſt or endure; yet they have thouſands of Years of the ſame felicity ſtill behind. And when the wicked have been in Hell groaning, and hideouſly roaring under the moſt doleful ſufferings, as long as this World doth endure; yet they have millions of Years of the ſame miſery, ſorrow, and ſuffering; ſtill behind. Oh! Eternity doth note not a ſhort or tranſitory ſeaſon, but a ſpace … continuance beyond the limits of time: an… verily, this doth beſpeak unſeen things, or the happineſs or miſery of the other World, to be fearfully and dreadfully weighty; eſpecially in compariſon of our concerns here, that are all ſhut up in the narrow compaſs and bounds of a little time. Heaven is the Saints, and Hell is the wickeds long abode and habitation; whereas our ſtay here is comparatively very ſhort. The enjoyments of your other world are continuing, and not of a ſhort, fading, or tranſitory nature.
2. Eternity implies continuance alſo without intermiſſion, or any diſcontinuance. 'Tis not like the life of mortals that hath a mixture of joy and ſorrow, or a ſucceſſion of content and diſcontent: but the happineſs of the Saints continues without any intervening infelicity or ſorrow; And the miſery of the wicked continues in Hell without the intermixture of any joy or comfort whatſoever. Oh! ſo long as Eternity laſts, the Pious will be triumphing in the higheſt Heavens; and ſo long as Eternity laſts, the wicked will have weeping and gnaſhing of teeth in the Infernal priſon. The Saints ſhall not weep an hour or a moment; they ſhall not grieve or be ſadned the continuance of the twinkling of an eye during their abode in the other World: And the wicked ſhall not rejoyce an hour or a minute, they ſhall have no intermiſſion of their ſorrow or miſery in the other World. The Saints joy will continue or laſt without the leaſt mixture of grief to allay their happineſs; and the wickeds grief, perplexity and horror will continue and laſt without the leaſt mixture of joy or comfort to alleviate their infelicity. The Rich man in Hell is not allow'd a drop of water to eaſe or refreſh him for a moment's ſeaſon, Luke 16.24, &c. And how much more conſiderable are unſeen concerns in this reſpect than all our concerns here? Alas! who is there here that continues in a conſtant tenure of happineſs or miſery without change, during the daies of their vanity in this World? The moſt felicitous hath ſome ſorrow mixed with his joy here: and the moſt miſerable hath ſome intervening hours or minutes of refreſhment or eaſe here: but in Eternity there is no change at all. The Saints rejoyce ſtill, and are immutably triumphing; and the wicked mourn alwaies, and are unchangeably overwhelm'd with diſmal amazement and aſtoniſhment. The happineſs of the one is eternal, and the miſery of the other is eternal, and unchangeably ſo for the leaſt moment.
3. Eternity notes continuance without any period, or length of ſpace without any end: and this completes the Saints joy, and perfects the damneds miſery in the other world. 'Tis not only a laſting continuance, and a continuance without intermiſſion, but 'tis an everlaſting continuance without any final diſcontinuance▪ When the bounds of time, yea ten thouſand millions of millions of the bounds of time are paſſed over and gone; yet the Triumphs of the Glorified, and the roaring and ſorrows of the damned are no nearer ending than at the beginning. Eternity is a ſpace of continuance immeaſurable, and inexpreſſible, yea and inconceivable 'Tis pictured out by a ring or circle, which you may turn round, but cannot find any end in it. And though we might give you ſtrange meaſures of Eternity, yet we ſhall fall infinitely ſhort of fully meaſuring it: we ſhall only ſet before you one, which though common, will beſt help you to conceive of it, as indeed it is, to be inconceivable. Suppoſe God ſhould make a Decree, (which he hath not done, and never will do) that if an Angel would take a drop of water from the Sea once in a million of Years, till he had quite emptied it; that then the miſery of the wicked ſhould have a period, when the Sea is thus quite emptied, ſo that there remaineth not one drop of water there more: this would be an inconceivable term of time; and yet this would be nothing unto Eternity. Yea, if we ſhould add to the drops of water in the Sea, the innumerable piles of graſs in fields, the ſmall duſt of the Earth, the particular ſands on the Sea-ſhore, the atoms or motes in the Sun, the ſmall leaves of every tree, the hairs on Men and Women's heads, and the Stars in the ſpacious Firmament; that an Angel ſhould take but one of theſe away once in a milion of Years, and when they are all gone with every drop of water in the Sea, and in all Rivers, that then the damned ſhould be releaſed, and be delivered from their miſeries; this would be a much more inconceivable term of time, and yet all would be nothing unto Eternity. Nay further, Suppoſe the condition of their diſcharge from thoſe fearful miſeries they groan under were ſtraitned thus, that when an Angel had thus emptied all the Sea and every River, and carried away or removed every pile of graſs in the field, all the duſt in the Earth, the ſand on the Sea-ſhore, the atoms in the Sun, the ſmal leaves of every tree or flower, the hairs of Men and Women's heads, and all the Stars of the Firmament, by taking away only one once in a million of Years; that then at the expiration of this term of time, only one of the damned ſhould be redeemed and releaſed from their dreadful miſeries and ſorrows; and ſo allow them all one after another ſucceſſively the ſame priviledg, as ſoon as the Angel had performed this condition particularly for each of them: This would be an inconceivable term of time; and yet all would be delivered at laſt, Hell would be emptied of all its inhabitants at laſt: but now, when all this ſpace of time is over and gone, Eternity is no nearer ending, than it was at the very beginning of the Saints entrance into Heaven, or the wickeds entrance into Hell. When all theſe Years are paſt and expired, the Sints have as many more; yea, ten thouſand times as many more to rejoyce and triumph in. And the wicked have as many more; yea, ten thouſand times as many more to weep, and howl, and to be miſerable in. Oh, Eternity! who can conceive the length thereof? Finite Creatures cannot comprehend it: when you think the utmoſt you can, Eternity runs quite beyond your thoughts, and much more beyond your utmoſt expreſſions. Oh! this comforts the Saints to purpoſe in the Triumphant world, that their happineſs is everlaſting, and will never, never end, expire, or have a period: And this makes helliſh inhabitants roar to purpoſe, and ſills them with horror, unſpeakable confuſion and amazement, that their miſery will be everlaſting, even to the utmoſt bounds of Eternity, and never never end, expire, or have a period.
3. We come to make application of this Truth, That the unſeen things of the other world are eternal. Which will be
1. By way of Inference.
2. By way of Examination.
3. By way of Dehortation, and Caution.
4. By way of Exhortation.
1. To ſpeak by way of Inference, and ſo many things may be drawn from this Doctrine for our inſtruction: As,
1. Our concerns of time are certainly, but trifles and inconſiderable to unſeen things. Alas! what is time to Eternity? and what is 30, or 60, or a 100 Years, the common utmoſt bounds of our abode here, unto Eternity? 'tis but a flaſh, a vapour or a dream. Oh! whether we are miſerable or felicitous in this world, is nothing in compariſon of happineſs or miſery in the other. Mens utmoſt and longeſt day of happineſs here will be quickly at an end; and Mens utmoſt and longeſt day of miſery here will very ſpeedily expire: but Eternity, into which all muſt lanch, will never end. What a bubble is all ſublunary glory, and what a vanity is all ſublunary ignominy and diſgrace, to the more weighty unſeen concerns that are before us? what are tranſient, fading, periſhing Riches and wealth, and what is a ſhort ſeaſon of poverty or want, to the Riches of Heaven, or the neceſſities of indigent Souls in Eternity? Alas! Men put too high a price and value on Creaturecontents, and are dolefully too proud of their earthly felicity; and too much diſcontented with their temporal afflictions and miſeries: All concerns here, whether contenting or not contenting, are but things that are not. And therefore the Apoſtle tells us, It remains, that both they that have wives be as though they had none, and they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoyce, as though they rejoyced not; and they that buy, as though they poſſeſſed not; and they that uſe the world, as not abuſing it, for the faſhion of this worldpaſſeth away, 1 Cor. 7.29, 30, 31. Sorrow and joy here, if rightly conſidered with Eternity, are nothing, or at leaſt much leſs matters than mortals eſteem them; even the greateſt felicity and infelicity upon the borders of time are poor inconſiderable things, if ſeriouſly weighed and compar'd with the Unſeen things of the other world, which are eternal.
2. Of what conſequence and weighty import is the well or ill improvement of time here? as time is ſpent here, ſo will be our eternal portion. As our daies, hours and Years are husbanded here, will be our reward for ever and for ever. Heaven or Hell attend us, the enjoyments whereof are everlaſting, according as we ſow here. As happineſs or miſery in this world is light, trivial and inconſiderable to the weighty unſeen things that are before us: ſo our judgment of them is of eternal conſequence. Time well ſpent, though it be but a ſhort ſeaſon, will be our happy and everlaſting advantage; and time ill ſpent, though it be very ſhort, will be our detriment and dammage. Here the Seed of that harveſt of felicity or miſery that all reap in the other world is ſown: You have no more time or opportunity to provide for your eternal peace, but your preſent day of mercy and grace. And the neglect or abuſe of your preſent tranſitory daies or hours will everlaſtingly undo you. Oh! 'tis not to no purpoſe that you are called upon to redeem your time, and prize every inch of the Day of grace that is before you, and to work whilſt 'tis called (to day,) and not to harden your hearts whilſt opportunity laſteth: Alas! an eternity of joy or ſorrow and miſery depends on it. He that allures you to trifle away your precious time, allures you to make ſhipwrack of eternal mercies, and to adventure on eternal wrath, diſtreſs and perplexity. And how dreadful ſhould temptations to ſuch folly and madneſs be to us?
3. Sin is no light matter, for 'tis the ſeed of unſeen ſorrow in the other world, which is eternal: 'tis the ſeed of Hell, and the furious rebuke of the infinitely terrible and dreadful God for ever and for ever. This is little conſidered by the generality, who wallow in it like ſwine as in their element▪ little do they think, or at leaſt they have no… ſtrong convictions, that it prepares never ending exquiſite and perfect miſery for them. Materially ſome ſins are final matters▪ as Adam's eating the forbidden-fruit, or the ſpeaking of a vain word, &c. but formally▪ and in its curſed wages, nothing is a greater evill. If ſinners did but ſee the doleful… fruit that iniquity bears, they would dread and abhor it in publick and in private, a… they do extremity of miſery, or Hell it ſelf▪ Oh! how injurious is that which moſt take to be their profit and advantage? what doth the world more hurt finally than ſin? what brings the rational Creature under God's eternal diſpleaſure, but iniquity? whatever content at preſent any have in ſin or wickedneſs, be ſure they will have none in the everlaſting pernicious and curſed conſequents of it: they will not make light of it when it hath brought them under the miſeries, that are the portion of the damned for ever.
4. What a dreadful evill is unbelief▪ Alas! this is the cauſe of all other ſins: and Mens dreadful making light of the weighty …nſeen things that are before them. Men …ear that the happineſs and miſery of the …ther world is eternal; and that here we ſow …or our portion there: but they do not be…ieve it, or but ſuperficially believe it; that is …he reaſon why Heaven is neglected, and not …ecured, and why its eternal mercies and …oyes are ſlighted; and that is the reaſon …hy Hell and its everlaſting miſeries and …orrows are no more induſtriouſly ſhunned, …nd that ſin the ſeed thereof is no more ab…orred and lothed. Alas! who could for …hort periſhing concerns ſlight theſe inconceivably weighty concerns of eternity, …hat did to purpoſe believe their certainty, or had through convincing apprehenſions of their verity? Oh! unbelief is a more common malady than Mens profeſſion intimates; moſt are unbelievers, and the faith of thoſe …hat do ſincerely believe hath ſome unbelief mix'd with it; otherwiſe unſeen things would have more influence upon them. The great reaſon, why Believers themſelves are not more the world's wonders in their ſignal and remarkable ſelf-denyal, crucifixion & eſtrangedneſs to the vanities of time▪ is becauſe their faith is but imperfect and infirm. Alas! the weightineſs of the concerns of Heaven and Hell would certainly work the greateſt contempt in us of the things here below; if we were as ſenſible of it, as ere long we ſhall be. Oh! unbelie… is that which undoth the World, keeping them from knowing and firmly purſuing the things of their eternal peace.
5. What an unſpeakable price is Chriſt's Love and Blood? what a ſingular mercy and rich advantage to ſinners is the Redemption that Chriſt hath wrought for us? The mercies of eternity would never have been our portion, had it not been for Chriſt; and eternal miſery perdition and deſtruction would certainly have been our portion, had it not been for Chriſt's appearing for our ſalvation and deliverance. After a few daies ſpent upon the borders of time, we ſhould all have been the fire-brands of unquenchable fire, and the veſſels of God's furious rebukes to eternity without remedy, had it not been for Chriſt. But Chriſt being incarnated, and having ſatisfied juſtice, and purchaſed a Goſpel-Covenant, we are now …apable of eſcaping everlaſting ſorrow and …erplexity, and of triumphing eternally … God's Love and Mercy. And what a …ich and glorious priviledg is this? how …appy are we if we knew, and had wiſe…om to lay hold on the things of our peace …nd comfort? We may be happy for ever, …hrough Chriſt, if we will look about us. Eternal life through Chriſt's Blood is ob…ainable, if we are not wanting to our ſelves: …nd that everlaſting wrath, which we have deſerved will never be our portion, if we do but ark our ſelves in Chriſt. Oh! Chriſt …s the greateſt price that ever was put into …he hands of mortals; and they are the wiſeſt Men that know his worth, and prize him …ccordingly: And they are fools and madmen that lightly eſteem and neglect him.
6. The Word and Ordinances of the Goſpel are likewiſe an ineſtimable price in our hands: for theſe help us to acquaintance with, and ſecurity about theſe unſeen concerns. Alas! notwithſtanding all that Chriſt hath done for us, if we had not the Word among us, we ſhould eternally without queſtion periſh and be undone. How ſhould we ever know the way to Heaven, or an eſcape from the wrath to come without this? how eaſily would Hell beguile the beſt of us, & cauſe us to make ſhipwrack of our eternal hopes, and ſow the ſeed of eternal miſery, had it not been for this? Many poor Heathens are therefore in a lamentable condition, that have nothing but the dim light of Nature to help them in this weighty affair: though they know, or have have ſome imperfect or ſuperficial convitions of another life in the other world, where it ſhall go well with the Good, and ill with the Bad; yet they do not know the way to true Happineſs. The Book of Nature preacheth not Chriſt or his Redeeming Love to ſinners: multitudes are in darkneſs and blindneſs in compariſon of thoſe that are priviledged with the Scripture. Little do many that are only under the Tutorage of the Light of Nature, know of their duty, or of their ſin; and what wonder is it then that they walk not in the way of Life, or forſake not the way of eternal death? And thoſe that now enjoy the Word and Ordinances of the Goſpel, if they ſhould be deprived of them, will be in no ſmall danger of loſing their eternal hopes: In a little time they may forget thoſe precious truths they are acquainted with; or at leaſt the conſtant preaching of temptations, and the Spirit of ſeduction may in time wear off the impreſſion the Word had formerly made upon them. Experience tells us, that the frequent preſſing of the ſame truths is neceſſary to their effectual influence upon the hearts of mortals, and to the prevention of the frauds and cheats of their Spiritual enemies: Without the Word and Ordinances of Chriſt Men will not ſow for eternal Life; yea, they will certainly ſow the ſeed of eternal death. And what a mercy doth this beſpeak the Word and Ordinances to be? And what enemies are they to a people that deprive them of theſe mercies, conſidering the weightineſs of eternal concerns that are before us?
7. They are unworthy of unſeen mercies that ſlothfully careleſly and indifferently proſecute them: They bid too low a price for theſe ſtupendious Bleſſings, and judge themſelves unfit to enjoy them, that faintly or lukewarmly mind them. How righteouſly will they miſs of everlaſting Triumphs, that think it much all the daies of their vanity here to ſweat and labour to make them ſure? And how righteouſly will they be the Veſſels of eternal miſery, that think not ſalvation from it worth their utmoſt endeavours during their ſhort abode here? Alas! that there ſhould be any ſo diſmally unreaſonable thus to undervalue Everlaſting concerns; and yet what more common, general or epidemical malady in the world? though theſe are the moſt weighty affair; yet they are not at all, or inconſiderably minded by the moſt. Moſt ſeek after eternal life, as if it were a matter of ſmalleſt moment: Moſt prefer the trivial concerns of time before them. Men's greateſt care and moſt conſtant endeavours are about temporal enjoyments, what they ſhall eat, or drink, or wherewith they ſhall be clothed; or how they ſhall be Great, or felicitous or happy here; whereas Eternity is allow'd only thoſe ſcraps of time & care, that the world or their earthly concerns can ſpare. Oh! very few live like ſtrangers here in the exerciſe of ſelf-denyal and contempt of Creaturecomforts and enjoyments; 'tis but a little flock that to purpoſe maketh it the buſineſs of their daies to work out their ſalvation, and make ſure their everlaſting peace and comfort; and how deſervedly then is everlaſting Life entailed and confined only to a little flock? If never ending felicity be not worth the work and utmoſt diligence of a few daies and years, 'tis worth nothing: and if ſalvation, from Hell and the diſmal miſeries there attending the damned for ever more be not worth conſtancy in duty, and utmoſt faithfulneſs during the little ſeaſon of mortals abode here, 'tis worth nothing.
8. The Unholy and Ungodly are unmeet and unfit to dwell in Heaven: The enjoyments thereof are ſo much againſt their nature, that they will ſoon be weary of them; they cannot endure holy work, or ſuch a holy place a little while, and much leſs for ever. None but thoſe that have Godlineſs for their element are meet for the everlaſting mercies of the Paradiſe of God. None elſe will delight to be houſed in that eternal Dwelling. Thoſe that are enemies to holy love, and praiſe and duty to God; what ſhould they do there, where there is nothing elſe? All that dwell in God's triumphant Kingdom muſt make holineſs their delight; and this the wicked do not, and therefore are unmeet for theſe Eternal mercies.
9. Afflictions and ſharp providences that cauſe us to mind Unſeen concerns moſt intenſely and effectually are happy diſpenſations. Alas! 'tis better to weep and groan diſmally for a ſmall ſeaſon, than for ever: 'tis better to be in heavineſs and diſtreſs for a ſhort moment, than to eternity: and Heaven's joy being everlaſting will certainly fully make amends for all our temporal ſufferings how great ſoever: Though we ſhould lye in extremity of miſery during the age of Methuſalah; yet if all be ſanctified to our never ending comfort and triumph, we ſhall not (ere long) repent it, but call our miſeries happy miſeries, and our afflictions happy afflictions.
This was that which ſupported and cauſed our Apoſtle and the reſt of his Brethren to rejoyce under all the moſt terrible providenc…es attending them in the exerciſe of their duty and faithfulneſs, that they worked for them a far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory. Yea, all that are bound for Heaven are more or leſs the Sons and Daughters of ſorrow here: God eſtrangeth them from the world and its vanities by many ſharp and ſevere tryals here; and yet Eternity makes them glad of theſe wholeſom ſeverities, and cauſeth them to bleſs God for theſe medicinal and healthful corrections. Oh! 'tis happy for the Saints that God hedgeth up their way with thorns, that they may not ſin againſt him: 'Tis their high priviledg, that they have be times God's fatherly ſharp rebukes to preſerve them from making ſhipwrack of their eternal hopes: Alas! if they did not mourn & weep dolefully here, they would be in danger of weeping and mourning much more dolefully to all eternity in Hell; and that would be dreadful indeed, and beſpeak them miſerable indeed.
10. How happy a change will the Pious have, and how diſmal and doleful a change will the Impious have, when Death hath done its work upon them, or when they lanch into the other world? Oh! how the Righteous will rejoyce, when they are ſenſible of the alteration of their condition for the better to the utmoſt date of eternity! And oh! how the wicked will be horribly amazed, when they are ſenſible of the alteration of their condition for the worſe to the utmoſt limits and bounds of eternity! When the Godly find themſelves landed in the Kingdom of their Father, where joys and triumphs, glory and inconceivable felicity attend them world without end, what a rapture of grateful exhilaration will ſeize upon them? And when the wicked find themſelves thruſt or hurled into the infernal priſon, where ſorrow and miſery in perfection muſt be their everlaſting never ceaſing or ending portion; what an overwhelming and heart-ſinking flood of anguiſh horrour and dreadful amazement will ſeize upon them? Oh! how far will the Holy be from repenting of their duty and faithfulneſs to God and their Souls then, whatever hardſhips or extremities they here grapled with in purſuance of them? and how certainly and dolefully will the impious and finally impenitent repent of their wickedneſs, and neglects of CHRIST and their Souls then, how highly ſoever they were dignified or priviledged here by it? they will both find eternity preſenting them with ſuch weighty concerns as will beſpeak all creatures, and earthly concerns to be but trifles. The Godly will be perfectly ſelicitous for ever and for ever: and the wicked will be completely and perfectly miſerable, and eternally ſo.
11. What a vain conceit is the Doctrine of merit and works of Supererogation? Some Papiſts hold, that 'tis not only poſſible for the Religious to merit Heaven for themſelves, but alſo for others: but alas! who can believe it, that doth ſoberly conſider the weightines of thoſe mercies they ſay they merit? what proportion is there between their work and their wages? what is a few Years holineſs or ſervice to God to an eternity of Mercy and Glory? Surely 'tis amazing Grace that doth priviledg the moſt righteous, holy and pious with Heaven's Everlaſting Bleſſings. 'Tis Infinite Mercy that doth reward the ſhort, finite and tranſitory performances and endeavours of the Religious with never ending conſolation and felicity, Epheſ. 2.8, 9. The worth of Chriſt may indeed hence be gathered, who really did merit theſe eternal Mercies for us, and upon the account of whom the Saints are heirs of this ſtupendious Reward: But alas! the Saints themſelves are but finite Creatures, and their ſervice and duty but finite; and between finiteneſs and infiniteneſs there is no proportion. Oh! the beſt of Men cannot merit the joyes of Heaven, but muſt be beholden to an intereſt in amazing Grace for a participation of them, becauſe they are eternal. Perſons of this perſwaſion, that their works are meritorious of the inconceivably glorious Bleſſings of Eternity, do overvalue themſelves and duties, and undervalue the Saints Triumphant and Eternal Bleſſings.
12. God is the beſt Maſter, and the worſt enemy: God's love is moſt valuable, and his fury and frowns moſt diſmal. This is he that can priviledg us with never ending joy, or reward us with never ending miſery. None can ſo well requite their ſervants, as God can and will; and none can ſo dreadfully avenge themſelves on their enemies, as God can and will. In God's favour there is eternal life, and in his wrath there is nothing but eternal death. Happy are the people that have GOD for their God and Friend, for they ſhall be felicitous world without end: and curſed are the people that have GOD for their righteous adverſary; for they will be miſerable world without end. This is he that can ſave or deſtroy for ever, and will diſpoſe of us Body and Soul to eternity. Oh! there is none whoſe love can thus reward us; and there is none whoſe hatred can thus injure us, as Jehovah's will.
So much by way of inference from the Doctrine.
2. To ſpeak by way of Examination: Do you enquire whether you are bound for Eternal Life, or Eternal Death? Will the Unſeen things of Heaven or Hell be your never ending portion? have you ſow'd for everlaſting joy or ſorrow? for eternal comfort or diſcomfort? 'Tis certain you muſt have your portion of Unſeen things, which you hear are eternal: you are all marching toward an everlaſting eſtate, and you do here ſow the ſeed of an harveſt of never ending and never ſading happineſs or miſery: And are you not then concerned to conſider what is like to be your portion? Oh! Sirs, enquire whether you are the heirs of happineſs or miſery, which ſhall laſt for ever. Conſider whether you are like to triumph, or weep and howl to an endleſs eternity: Conſider whether God will be your Friend, or your enemy for ever. Really this is no light or contemptible affair; 'tis infinitely more conſiderable than all concerns here below. Be careful therefore to ſearch impartially for ſatisfaction in this. The uncertainty of your lives, and the weightineſs of this concern, ſhould prompt you to faithfulneſs, diligence and ſpeed in this enquiry. And indeed what greater concern have you to mind? what trifles, and how trivial are all concerns here to this? alas! 'tis nothing conſiderable whether you are high or low, rich or poor, in adverſity or proſperity here in compariſon of what ſhall be your eternal portion. You are inexpreſſibly fooliſh and mad in minding any thing here in the neglect of this weighty concern.
Enquire after theſe things following, if you would be ſatisfied, and not deceived in this Affair.
1. What have you made your bu…ſineſs? or what hath been the main bent and aim of your Souls during the daies of your vanity here? what is it that all your Undertakings and endeavours are ſubordinate to? Is it Heaven, the enjoyment of God in Glory; or the contents of time? can you ſay, that you are ſeekers for Glory and Immortality in the main courſe of our lives, yea, or no? The generality mind Soulconcerns, or what will or ſhall become of them for ever only by the by; whilſt worldly or periſhing concerns are moſt minded and chiefly purſued. Oh! enquire whether this be not your caſe.
2. Are you arrived beyond the attainments of hypocrites in Grace and Holineſs? can you ſay that you are got beyond the bounds of common Grace and Sanctification? have you not merely a common repentance, a common Faith, and a common love to God, and fear of him, and a common obedience to him? The generality among us are deceived in this weighty affair by common Grace, which cauſeth them to think they are the Veſſels and Heirs of Heaven, when they are not.
3. What delight have you in Holineſs and duty to God? is it your meat and drink? is it your Element? could you be contented with or take pleaſure in an eternal Exerciſe of holy love, duty and praiſe to the Infinite Jehovah? Alas! what ſhould you do for ever in Glory, if you delight not in theſe exerciſes, which will be the eternal work of Saints in the Kingdom of their Father? Heaven will be no Heaven to you, whilſt obedience to God and Spiritual enjoyments are your burden, and not your recreation and complacency. By this therefore do you enquire whether you are bound for Heaven and eternal Life; yea, or no.
3. We come to ſpeak ſomething by way …f Dehortation. And is it ſo, that Unſeen …hings are eternal? then
1. Take heed of ſowing the ſeed of ſor…ow, grief or miſery in the other world; …or you hear it will be eternal. Oh! take …eed at any rate of plunging your ſelves under the unſeen wrath, fury and vengeance of the Great Jehovah; for you ſee it will be of everlaſting duration. You read of ſome that treaſure up for themſelves wrath againſt the day of wrath, and revelation of the Righteous Judgment of God, Rom. 2.5. Oh! let not this be the caſe of any of you. Yea, the generality of Men, and moſt Profeſſours do walk in the broad way leading to everlaſting deſtruction, Matth. 7.13. do you take heed that you be not of their number. And for that end take heed of hypocriſy: for the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath, Job 36.13. Watch alſo againſt every ſin; for the wages or fruit of it is eternal death, Rom. 6.23. Get acquaintance with the things of your eternal peace; for you find God himſelf complaining ſometimes that for want of knowledg his people periſh, Hoſ. 4.6. Be careful to be delivered from an evill heart of unbelief for he that believeth not w… be damned Mark 16.16. Die not in impe…cy; for thoſe that repent not will certa… be deſtroyed, Luke 13.3. Live not af…er the fleſh; for he that liveth after the fleſh muſt die, Rom. 8,13. Take heed of pride; for this goeth before deſtruction, Prov. 16.18. Abhor unmercifulneſs and cruelty; for he ſhall have judgment without mercy, that ſheweth no mercy, James 2.13. Eſpecially neglect not the relief of Chriſt in his indigent Members; for you ſee this is given as the reaſon of that dreadful ſentence, that will paſs on the veſſels of perdition at the laſt day, Mat. 25.41, 42. &c. And laſtly dread diſ-obedience to the Goſpel of Chriſt; for Chriſt will come (ere long) to take everlaſting vengeance on thoſe that obey not his Goſpel, 2 Theſſ. 18. Oh Sirs, you are in fearful danger; be not in inſenſible of it, and do not further it. Live not in peril of eternal damnation: do not make ſure everlaſting burnings for your ſelves: if you would not groan for ever under inſupportable miſeries, take heed of being heirs of them. 'Tis here that ſinners prepare for their never ending horror in the other world; be not you guilty of this folly and madneſs.
And for that end conſider,
1. That moſt do ſow for Hell and deſtruction, and accordingly will reap the doleful harveſt thereof to all eternity; moſt are in the broad way leading to the chambers of everlaſting death; yea, multitudes of thoſe, that to others ſeem bound for Heaven, are certainly bound for perdition world without end. Oh! you have need to look about you, conſidering what abundance miſcarry in this affair; and eſpecially what abundance that ſeem to bid fair for Heaven, do yet eternally loſe their Souls. There are many that pray and faſt, and in ſome ſort mourn for and repent of their ſins, and live in the exerciſe of much holy duty; that yet remain in the gall of bitterneſs, and at length groan under the inſupportable wrath of God for evermore. 'Tis but a very little flock, even among Profeſſours, that effectually take heed of the ſeed of Hell, and eternal damnation. Therefore you are fearfully concerned to look about you.
2. You have a wicked nature within you addicted to this Soul-undoing courſe. The hearts of Men and Women are deſperately evill: The ſeed of Hell is in your breaſts already. 'Tis very difficult for you to eſcape the ſnares and entanglements of ſin & death through the doleful propenſity of your Souls to comply with them: 'Tis upon this account that the Righteous are ſcarcely ſaved; and that the beſt of Saints have ſo much ado to avoid the wrath to come. If you are not very watchful, the evill heart within you will be your eternal perdition without fail. The law in your members will certainly captivate you to your everlaſting doleful prejudice. Oh! how natural is pride, fleſh-pleaſing and worldlineſs to ſinful Man, which are the ſeed of Helliſh miſery? And how doth carnal intereſt covertly, ſecretly and inſenſibly ſway the Souls of multitudes to their utter deſtruction? you are in doleful peril of ſowing for eternal miſery. Therefore you are concerned to take heed.
3. Sorrow, and much leſs eternal ſorrow in the other world, is not deſirable; 'tis much leſs deſirable unſpeakably than a harveſt of miſery, and utmoſt extremities and calamities here: Yea, 'tis moſt abhorrent as the greateſt evill. Alas! what is more dreadful to mortals than ſevere puniſhments? and what greater ſeverity of miſery is there, than what is the curſed fruit of ſin in the eternal Ocean? The damneds roarings and heart-ſinking lamentation in Hell do evidence that their portion there is moſt diſmal. The ſtouteſt heart will tremble (as the ſinners in Sion are ſaid to do) when they are to purpoſe ſenſible what they adventure on by ſin in the other world; and cry, Who among us ſhall dwell with devouring fire? who among us ſhall dwell with everlaſting burnings? Iſa. 33.14. Deliberately none would chooſe deſtruction, and much leſs everlaſting deſtruction. Sinners know not what they do, when they treaſure up wrath for their Souls in the Unſeen world: They little dream that they ſtore up ſuch fearful and dreadful ſorrows, as they muſt reap when they have left the borders of time. Oh! Sirs, 'tis extremity of miſery, or perfection of calamity, that you are now cautioned againſt. 'Tis that infelicity, which will be the moſt eminent diſplay of God's hotteſt fury and indignation; and what can be imagined to be more dreadful? Be careful therefore at any rate to flie from the wrath to come, and not to make light of it, conſidering how diſmal it is, and not deſirable.
4. You have a better price in your hand; you may ſow for Heaven, and the Bleſſings of God's Paradiſe. You may lay a foundation for comfort, peace and glorious joy, inſtead of miſery and diſmal ſorrow in the other world, if you will look about you: working out your Salvation is not impoſſible. Oh! you may live with God to your triumphant conſolation, if not wanting to your ſelves. And ſhould rational Creatures neglect this Prize, and chooſe aſtoniſhing horrour? Is Happineſs contemptible, and miſery eligible and to be preferr'd before it? How dolefully mad are the wicked and hypocrites in neglecting the Bleſſings, and ſowing for the curſes and calamities of the other world? God forbid, that any of you ſhould be guilty of this folly and madneſs. Oh! Sirs, remember Life and Immortality is brought to light through the Goſpel, and Heaven's Mercies and amazing enjoyments are obtainable by ſinful duſt and worms. You are capable of becoming the Heirs of the matchleſs and unſpeakable triumphs of the Kingdom of God. And can you imagin that you ſhall not dolefully lament the loſs of this Price, if you loſe it, and ſow for Hell, and its inexpreſſible miſeries?
5. Conſider the weight of Unſeen things from this conſideration in the Doctrine, that they are eternal: And let that prompt you to take heed of ſowing for ſorrow in the other world. Alas! what ſad prejudice do you adventure Body and Soul upon by ſuch a doleful ſeedneſs? If miſery in perfection for a ſeaſon were tolerable; yet ſurely eternal exquiſite miſery, and unceſſant weeping and wailing for ever, will be intolerable: and believe it, if you look not about you, you will have an eternity of time horribly to lament your ſtupendious and amazing folly. Oh! you that are impatient and reſtleſs under God's light affliction for a ſeaſon here, and that cannot quietly bear the pain of the head-ach, Gout, or Stone for a little time; how will you be able to endure the utmoſt revelation of God's moſt terrible indignation in Hell? Oh! to be howling incredibly a whole eternity without intermiſſion, and without ending, how horrible and dreadful is it? If you do not therefore like eternal burnings and miſery, take heed of ſowing the ſeed of it, and become not the heirs thereof.
2. Take heed that the things of time do not joſtle out your care of Unſeen things. Let not this world's concerns cauſe you to neglect or be mindleſs of the Unſeen world's concerns. This is the folly that the generality are guilty of: They prefer temporal riches before eternal, and momentany pleaſures before everlaſting. Let not this be the caſe of any of you. Oh! learn to look on all things here as vanity and nothing in compariſon of the weighty affairs of Heaven and Hell. Remember you ſhall be here but a little while, and all enjoyments here will be of uſe to you but for a very ſhort ſeaſon; take heed that you be not gulled, as the Rich man in the Goſpel, by a fancied ſelicity in Creature-contents, Luke 12.19, &c. Alas! what is it that keeps perſons from the power of Religion, but things that are ſeen? what coſeneth the generality out of their everlaſting hope, but t… things of time? They cannot live in ſelf-den… ▪ or renunciation of viſible comforts; that is the reaſon why eternal Mercies are indiffe…ly and lukewarly purſued: Things that are ſeen have their hearts, that is the reaſon why Heaven and Eternal life is neglected. Oh! Sirs, take heed of this folly in doting upon things that are but temporal. Look upon them as they are, trample them under your ſeet in compariſon of the ſtupendiouſly more weighty concerns of Eternity. Live like ſtrangers here with weaned affections from all terrene enjoyments.
'Tis certain you will never ſow for Heaven elſe, you will never become the heirs of everlaſting Bleſſings; unleſs you are dead to the world and fleſhly delights. All the portion of comfort and peace you ſhall ever have will be only in this world, unleſs you diſengage your Souls from the vanities of time. What ever profeſſion you make, or how ever any may flatter you, you ſhall never win CHRIST or Eternal Life, unleſs you can looke upon all things here as droſs or dung in compariſon of Unſeen things, Phil. 3.8.
And certain it is, that the ſtronger your Faith is, the more you will deſpiſe, and the leſs you will be impeded in your Chriſtian courſe by, concerns here. The believing Soul will certainly be a ſelf-denying Soul. Can you believingly view the Glorious and weighty enjoyments of Heaven and Hell, and not have undervaluing thoughts and conceits of temporal enjoyments? Oh 'tis an argument that you …nbelievers, whilſt ordinarily you permit earthly contents to rule and ſway you. Alas! what trifles are all our ſublu…y affairs, to thoſe that are arrived to the element of Souls? and what fools do they account mortals in ſetting ſuch an eſtimation on them as they do? And if your Faith were ſtrong, it would be equivalent to ſenſe, and have the ſame impreſſion on you. Oh! if you would be accounted Believers, and conſequently Chriſtians, you muſt ſlight temporal concerns, and let Heaven have chiefly your heart and affection.
Remember alſo the cloud of Witneſſes that have gone before you, that have lived like ſtrangers here, and looked upon all the contents of this life as vanity and emptineſs, and trampled viſible enjoyments under their feet in purſuance of the more glorious hope before t…n. Alas! there would have been no Martyrs in the world, if there had not been ſelf-denying Men and Women abroad. Yea, there is not a perſon got to Glory, but what was mortiſied to the World and the Fleſh: All that ever entred GOD's eternal Kingdom, did march through the narrow gate of cruciſixion to the vanities here below. And as they were accounted fools and mad-Men by the worldly Wiſe; ſo muſt we expect to be cenſured, if ever we would ſow for everlaſting Mercies.
Add to this, that this is as plain a duty, as any the Scripture preſſeth, and its neceſſity is likewiſe as clear; they are ſtrangers to the Scripture, that are ſtangers to this neceſſary duty. 'Tis a wonder that any, that call themſelves Chriſtians, can over-look ſo plain a caution as this is. They are moſt palpably blinded by the god of this world, that enjoy the written Word, and are not convinced that they muſt live like ſtrangers here.
So, how deeply will you repent it, if your reſpect to Creatureconcerns cauſe you to loſe Eternal Mercies? When Eternity hath opened your eyes to ſee your loſs, and for what inconſiderable things you have loſt everlaſting joy and triumphs, you will dolefully lament it: Then you will know that Creature felicity was but a bubble, and that the higheſt and moſt valuable enjoyments here were but a ſhadow or dream to thoſe more ſubſtantial and neverfading contents you have made ſhipwrack of. And you cannot now imagine how Conſcience will then afflict you for ſuch groſs folly and madneſs: eſpecially when it appears that your loſs of Heaven is irrecoverable, and you muſt for ever be ſhut out of the Habitation of the Bleſſed: And eſpecially when you find that your temporal felicity is your eternal bane, and for your ſhort enjoyment of theſe fading comforts you muſt be miſerable, and roar under God's inſupportable wrath for ever more. The Rich man in the Goſpel that here enjoyed his good things to full content, when he had loſt Heaven and his Soul, and was tormented in theſe flames that were unquenchable, could not chuſe but dolefully repent of his madneſs in taking up with, and doting upon ſuch vanities as his portion. Yea, doubtleſs this doth fill Hell with roaring, to think for what trifles they loſt Eternal Life, and purchaſed to themſelves eternal death. Take heed therefore of this deſperate madneſs. Prefer not in your practical judgments or eſtimation temporal concerns, before eternal: and ſuffer not the things of time, to cauſe you to neglect, or be cold or indifferent in your purſuit after Everlaſting Mercies: rather live like ſtrangers here, and trample under your feet all earthly enjoyments; that you may be heirs of God's eternal Kingdom, and not be puniſhed everlaſtingly from his preſence, and the glory of his power.
3. You that are Godly, take heed of being diſcontented or diſcouraged with the portion of evill things here attending you, conſidering that your reward is eternal. Be not offended with the ſorrows or miſeſeries way-laying you in your paſſage to Glory, conſidering the weightineſs of the Prize before you, that will make amends for all. This was the great encouragement the Apoſtles had to bear all afflictions and ſufferings patiently; even becauſe their light afflictions, which were but for a moment, did work for them a far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory. Oh! think it not much to groan a few daies or years, that you may eternally rejoyce; be content to weep for a ſeaſon, that you may triumph for ever: Yea, think it no marvel, if a Prize ſo glorious and weighty, as Everlaſting Life, be attended with difficulties, and coſt you ſome ſharp, though very ſhort, afflictions, Alas! what is worth your toil and utmoſt ſuffering here, if Heaven and its never fading conſolations are not? and what will uphold, ſupport and keep you from ſinking under the preſſures and afflicting ſorrows of this life, if the eternal weight of Glory, which you have or ſhould have in your eye, will not? Nay, will you not judge your ſelves unworthy of this Glorious Prize, whilſt you cannot patiently bear ſmall affliction in purſuance of it? The Mariner and worlding will reſolutely paſs through many a diſmal and perillous ſtorme for the poor prize of temporal riches, which they may loſe as ſoon as they enjoy; and they will ſuffer much contentedly in order to the obtainment of them: And ſhould not Chriſtians much more willingly, cheerfully and patiently endure all con…cts in order to the enjoyment of a Prize …itely more weighty? What ſhould not … hope of Everlaſting Life be encourage… …ough to undergo and adventure on? … (you find) in all Ages could … rejoyce under utmoſt ſuffer… … of Eternal Life; and why …? Oh! you that are Chriſtians, learn of the Apoſtles, learn of the Martyr… and Saints in all Ages patiently to bear th… croſſes of this life, which are but temporal; and to glory and triumph in ſuffering… for CHRIST, conſidering the end o… them, which is Eternal Life.
4. We come to ſpeak ſomething by way of Exhortation. And is it ſo, tha… Unſeen things are eternal? Then
1. Be exhorted to get ſound convictions and believing apprehenſions of the truth▪ and weightineſs of theſe Unſeen things. See that your judgment be fully ſatisfied about the verity, and that you are to purpoſe ſenſible of the Unſpeakable ponderouſneſs of theſe great concerns. Alas! there are but very few that do really believe that an eternity of ſorrow or joy will be their portion in the other world: And there are but few that in any tolerable meaſure are ſenſible; of the importance or conſequence of eternity. Theſe things would otherwiſe influence their hearts and lives, and be more viſible in all their carriage and deportment. How could they careleſly purſue theſe great concerns, if they had ſound and convincing apprehenſions of their truth and weighti…eſs? how could they chooſe but live like …trangers here, and in the contempt of all …errene enjoments in compariſon of theſe …hings, if they did indeed look for the re…elation of them? Could Men endure to …pend their time for trifles, or vaniſhing …nd fading contents, that knew that ever…aſting life or death would be their portion (ere long) according to their deportment …ere? ſurely no. Oh! time would be more precious, and the word and ordinances of the Goſpel would be more precious, and better husbanded, if theſe things were ſoundly believed and to purpoſe conſidered. Be careful therefore to get your Faith in theſe affairs ſtrengthned; labour to be ſoundly convinced, that you ſhall be in Heaven or Hell for ever; and be ſure to underſtand and be ſenſible of the weightineſs of theſe things. This is the foundation of all Religion and practical Godlineſs, You'l never to purpoſe work out your ſalvation, or lay hold on Eternal Life, without this: therefore ſee to it.
2. Be exhorted to lament your hitherto ſlight care & doleful lukewarmneſs in theſe weighty affairs. Lament your heartleſs purſuit after Eternal Life, and your lifeleſs endeavours to eſcape eternal death. Lament your miſpent time, which might have been improved for your everlaſting comfort. Mourn over eſpecially your miſimproved Sabboths, and golden opportunities and advantages for never ending felicity, which you have been fruitleſs or unprofitable under. Oh! let your ſad neglects of the things of your eternal peace be your ſhame, & penitent confuſion, and heart-afflicting grief. Alas! what have you more reaſon to lament, than your regardleſneſs of eternity? wherein did you ever ſhew greater folly or madneſs, than in your ſlighting this weighty concern? Oh! what a mercy is it that you are not forced to lament with deſperation by the convincing light of eternity, what now you are called upon to lament in a day of Grace before hope is gone? You do not know how ſoon you may be compelled to mourn over your folly in this affair in Hell, if you mourn not over it now in order to your future advantage and comfort. And alas! who is there that hath not cauſe enough to be covered with confuſion for their mindleſneſs of eternity in the daies of their preſent vanity; & the inconſiderable preparation they have made for their comfort in that Ocean? We have too much reaſon to be aſhamed for our dull proſecution of theſe weighty concerns.
3. Be exhorted to make ſure work for Eternal Life; and to give diligence to lay hold on the everlaſting Bleſſings of the Unſeen world. Oh! build firmly for your peace and triumph in that Kingdom, which will laſt for ever: ſpare no expenſe of time, ſtrength or coſt in this weighty affair. Wherever you are ſlothful, unfaithful or careleſs, ſee that utmoſt unwearied diligence and faithfulneſs be uſed here. Make this the buiſineſs of your daies to ſow for Everlaſting joy & comfort when time is gone. Yea, ſee that you have no Imployment or affair, but what is undertaken and managed in a due ſubſerviency to this weighty affair. Alas! Sirs, what greater buiſineſs have you to mind? what an infinitely glorious prize doth the Unſeen world ſet before you? and how poor and inconſiderable are all concerns of time to it? You ſpend your time and ſtrength for trifles, whatever you purſue, if you neglect Heaven & Eternal Life. Earthly Kingdoms and Crowns are but ſhadows and vanity to the everlaſting ſubſtantial enjoyments of the Paradiſe of GOD, which you are invited to ſecure for your Souls. 'Tis a wonder that the World ſhould have in it a rational creature, that can find himſelf employment without reference to his comfort in the Eternal Ocean; the concerns thereof are ſo infinitely weighty above all the things of time. Oh; be not you ſo unreaſonable, do not you thus neglect your own greateſt, moſt neceſſary and moſt glorious mercies. For periſhing fading contents let not never ending and everlaſting triumphing Bleſſings be loſt and jeoparded. Seriouſly conſider the weightineſs of theſe concerns, and ſurely they will influence you to utmoſt faithfulneſs for the aſſuring of them. Everlaſting joy or ſorrow what is there here that is any thing like it? Triumphs or howlings for evermore what on Earth bears any compariſon to them? If any thing here be worth your care or minding, ſurely eternity and its concerns are infinitely more conſiderable, and ſhould be infinitely more influencing.
The Joyes of Heaven are Mercies indeed; they are the moſt inconceivable glorious Bleſſings. There's happineſs in perfection, fulneſs of joy, peace, content and comfort, without a dram of ſorrow, in glory. There God is to be enjoy'd, who is All in all. There are Rivers of pleaſure, and an Ocean of the moſt Soul-ſatisfying goodneſs. So glorious are the Bleſſings of eternity, that eye never ſaw, ear never heard, and it never entred into the heart of Man to conceive their glory, 1 Cor. 2.
9. Theſe are mercies that quite ſurpaſs and exceed the very thoughts and imaginations of finite Men; ſo unſpeakably do they excel all contents here, and infinitely more, if you were capable to ſet your ear at Heaven's door, and could hear the Souls raviſhing Songs of the glorified quire in God's Paradiſe: If there were but a hole or a little chink, through which you might view their triumphant Robes, or if by any means you could get a glimpſe of that overflowing conſolation wherewith they do abound unto eternity; no temptation will ever be ſtrong enough to make you neglect or ſlight the purſuit of their enjoyments; yea, you would certainly reach after an intereſt in them, whatever they coſt you, and would not endure a diverſion from a faithful proſecution of them.
Add to this, that Eternal Life contains in it an eternal ſalvation from Helliſh miſery; if you make ſure of Heaven, you ſhall not ſip of the Lake of fire and brim-ſtone, wherein the wicked will be tormented for ever. This you are at preſent in danger of; and this you will eſcape if you become the Heirs of eternal Bleſſings. And what a rich Price is this, which yet Infinite Mercy entruſteth you with? How would the damned in Hell prize and improve it, now they have taſted helliſh ſorrows, if the priviledg of hope of deliverance were yet before them? what would they not do or give for their redemption from thoſe miſeries? 'Tis not unlike but you have, or may have, all of you, ſome troubles, afflictions, croſſes, pains or miſeries to groan under here, redemption from which you would be willing to purchaſe at the deareſt rate: And is not redemption and deliverance from Hell much more deſirable and neceſſary? Oh! how will you value this mercy, when the Eternal Ocean hath effectually acquainted you with the worth of it? to be ſaved from theſe ſorrows that are unſpeakable and never ending is a prize ineſtimable: therefore ſpare no diligence or endeavour in purſuit of it.
Moreover, remember you muſt and will be houſed in Heaven or Hell for ever: you will unqueſtionably have your portion in everlaſting joy or ſorrow: there is no avoiding it, but you will be the veſſels of amazing mercy in God's triumphant Kingdom; or the veſſels of amazing wrath and indignation in unquenchable flames: And which of you can think of dwelling with devouring fire, or of being the fuell of everlaſting burnings, without horrour? how ſhould the thoughts of your dreadful peril cauſe you to mend you pace in your Chriſtian courſe; and double your diligence, watchfulneſs and faithfulneſs, that you may inherit eternal mercies? eſpecially if you conſider the qualitie and nature of that miſery, that otherwiſe will certainly overwhelm you with the eternity of its duration? Remember, miſery in perfection will be your inheritance for evermore, if you loſe Heaven's Mercies and Bleſſings; extremity of ſorrow you will endure world without end, if you have no part nor lot in the triumphs of God's Paradiſe. Once have the gate of Heaven ſhut againſt you, and it will be ſhut againſt you for ever: and once be plunged into the Infernal Lake where is weeping, and wailing, and gnaſhing of teeth without intermiſſion, and you will be hopeleſs of redemption from it forever. Chriſt's love and blood will be inſignificant to you, and all the promiſes of the Goſpel will be in vain to you; and your day of Grace will be utterly unprofitable to you, and have an everlaſting period. And oh! Sirs, ſoberly conſider the weight of this adjunct eternal and everlaſting, and ſurely 'twill effectually render unſeen things moſt incomparable to you, and make them chiefly influential in heart and life. Upon ſerious conſideration you will find eternity weighty beyond your conceptions. Remember, it notes not only laſting joyes and ſorrows beyond the account of time inconceivably, and not only a continuance of happineſs and miſery without any intermiſſion; but alſo an everlaſting or never ceaſing permanency of felicity and calamity without any period or ending. When ſinners have been groaning and roaring in Hell under unſpeakable torments as many millions of millions of Years as there be drops of water in the Sea, piles of graſs in the field, ſmall duſt in the Earth, ſand on the Sea ſhore, hairs on Men and Women's heads in the world, and Stars in the Firmament; yet their miſeries, ſorrows, & calamities are no nearer ending than at the beginning. And when the Saints have been triumphing in the Paradiſe of God as many more millions of millions of Years, yet ſtill their joyes, happineſs, and triumphs are no nearer expiring than at the firſt entrance into Glory. As long as God is juſt, holy and righteous, that is as long as God is God the damned muſt howl and roar under inexpreſſible miſeries: and the Glorified Saints muſt be ſwimming and rejoycing in triumphant Bleſſings. And how few to purpoſe conſider the weightineſs of theſe things? If your danger were only to ſuffer God's hotteſt wrath, and loſe his ſpecial love for a million of years; yea, for a year or a month, 'twere yet ſo conſiderable as that you would forfeit your reaſon to ſlight this concern upon the account of any earthly happineſs whatever; and how much more unſpeakably fooliſh will you be to make light of this concern which is eternal, not only of inexpreſſible but inconceivable length of duration? Oh Sirs, pauſe more frequently on the meaning and weightineſs of Eternity, that the Goſpel-promiſes and threatnings of the Word may more influence you, and render temptations from worldly enjoyments and fleſhly delights to byaſs you from holineſs not only ſucceſleſs, but contemptible, and whatever you do, be careful to make ſure of eternal Life, and an eſcape from eternal miſery.
4. Be exhorted to perform every duty as for eternity. Faſt and pray, and humble your Souls for ſin as for eternal Life, and an eſcape from eternal death. Hear the Word, labour to profit by it, as perſons that know eternity depends upon it; love and ſerve God as for eternity. As Solomon adviſeth, Whatſoever thy hand ſ…ndeth to do, do it with thy might, for there is no work, n…r device, nor knowledg, nor wiſedom in the grave whither thou goeſt, Eccleſ. 9.10. Set all the powers of your Souls on work in every duty: for in Eternity you can't amend what is amiſs, you muſt then reap the curſed fruit of your negligence, ſloth and unfaithfulneſs in duty; but you will not have opportunity or ability to reform your miſcarriages in order to one dram of comfort or conſolation for your Souls. As Zeuxes therefore of old was uſed to draw his Pictures with ſingular exacteneſs, becauſe (as he ſaid) he painted for eternity: even ſo ſhould we be induſtrious and exact in what we do, becauſe all is for eternity. Oh! ask your Souls in all your undertakings and endeavours, Is this to work for eternity? do I now improve my ſelf like a perſon ſenſible that an eternity of joy or ſorrow, happineſs or miſery depends upon my preſent carriage and deportment? Shall I reflect back with heart-ſinking remorſe and regret, or with heart-raviſhing content and ſatisfaction upon my preſent work in the Ocean of eternity? Say and think of every action, what if this ſhould be my laſt? what if eternity ſhould ſwallow me preſently, and bring me to God's impartial and eternal Judgment? and accordingly with utmoſt vigour and faithfulneſs be found in your duty, and the exerciſe of your integrity in purſuit of everlaſting Bleſſings.
FINIS.
End of the text · Thomas Badland, Eternity (1676)