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Sermons Volume 4 · Thomas Manton

Sermons Volume 4, Sermons on Titus · Sermon 17

SERMON XVII.

TITUS II.13.

—And the glorious Appearing, &c.

I Proceed to the Manner of his Appearance, the glorious Appearing.

The Note is,

Doct. II. That Christ's second Coming to Iudgment will be very glorious.

Here I shall shew,

I. How glorious it will be.

II. Why it will be so glorious.

I. How glorious it will be. You may conceive of it, if you consider, the Preparation for his Approach, the Appearance it self, and the Consequences of it.

First; It will be glorious in regard of the Preparation for his Approach. The Scripture mentions two, the Trumpet of the Arch-Angel, and the Sign of the Son of Man.

1. There is that great Noise of the Voice of the Lord, that begets a Terror in the World, which is ministerially managed by an Arch-Angel, though the Power and Success be of God. That great Noise startles the Dead in their Graves, and summons all the World to appear before Christ's Tribunal. There's much spoken of this in Scripture; 1 Thess. 4.16. For the Lord himself shall descend from Heaven with a Shout, with the Voice of the Arch-Angel, and with the Trump of God. Matth. 24.31. He shall send his Angels with a great sound of a Trumpet, and they shall gather together his Elect, from the four Winds, from one end of Heaven to the other. Some expound this Trumpet Analogically, some Literally. Analogically; some think it only signifies the Power and Virtue of Christ, by which all the Dead are awakened out of their Sleep, and forced to appear before his Tribunal; and they say it is therefore exprest by a Trumpet, because the solemn Assemblies of Israel were wont to be summoned by the sound of a Trumpet. But why may we not take it Literally, for the audible sound of a Trumpet? Look as at the giving the Law, the Voice of the Trumpet was exceeding loud; so such an audible Voice, like the Voice of a Trumpet is there, when Christ comes to Judgment, to require an Account of the performance of the Law; which is, as it were, a terrible Summons to all the World, and a near Sign of his coming. Look as at his first coming, Christ had his Fore-runner and Harbinger, Iohn the Baptist, the Voice of one crying in the Wilderness, The Kingdom of God is at hand; so at his second coming Christ hath his Fore-runner, an Arch-Angel, that shall sound a Trumpet, which maketh his Coming glorious, because it shall awaken and startle all the World. This Sound shall be heard all the World over by the Dead; as the Prophet speaks, Ezek. 37.7, 8. of a noise and clattering among the Bones, and Bone ran to Bone, and then they were clothed with Flesh and Sinews: so such a noise shall there be among the Bones when Christ comes to Judgment. Here in the Church God speaks in a stiller Voice, but it is not regarded: He speaks by his Angels and Messengers, they sound the Trumpet to the Spiritual Battel; they pipe, but few dance, till by his mighty Power he raiseth Sinners from the Dead. So at the last Day God hath his Messengers; there is the Arch-Angel that is to manage the Ministerial Excitation, and the mighty Power of God accompanies it to make the Dead live and awaken out of Sleep.

2. There is a Sign of the Son of Man; that is spoken of Mat. 24.30. Then shall appear the Sign of the Son of Man in Heaven; and then shall all the Tribes of the Earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of Man coming in the Clouds of Heaven with Power and great Glory. What it is we cannot certainly tell, until Experience manifests; sure we are it must be such a Sign, as shall make the World sensible of his Approach. Some think it shall be some strange Star, such as there was at his first Coming, the wise Men were conducted to Christ by a Star: this is but a meer Conjecture. Others suppose it shall be the Sign of the Cross which shall appear in the Heavens, because that is Christ's Badg, by which he was known here in the World. The great Subject of the Gospel is Christ crucified, therefore it is called the Word of the Cross; and so they think the Sign of the Cross shall be imprest upon the Heavens in the sight of all the World. To confirm the Conjecture, they urge the Appearance that was made to Constantine in his War against Maxentius the Tyrant and Persecutor of the Church, he saw the Sign of the Cross, say they, with this Inscription, foreign, By this shalt thou Overcome. But Eusebius describes it otherwise, as an X, the first initial Letter of Christ's Name. But many of the ancient Writers went this way, they thought that this way the Scandal of Christ is best taken away; the Cross, which is now the Scandal and Offence the World takes at Christ, then shall be his Ensign and Royal Standard, which shall be imprest upon the Heavens. Look, as Kings when they make a triumphant Approach, have their Banner carried before them; so Jesus Christ shall have his Cross, which is the Sign of the Son of Man: but in such a Point I dare not thus peremptorily dogmatize. Others more probably (and to which I encline) interpret it of some forerunning Beams of Majesty and Glory, which shall darken the great Luminaries of the World, the Sun and Moon, and so strike Terror into the Hearts of Men. The Glory of Christ, which is described to pass through the Heavens like Lightning, shall be like those Morning-Beams and Streeks of Light, before the Body of the Sun be risen. As Paul was struck blind with the sight of Christ, he saw a Light from Heaven, above the brightness of the Sun, shining round about him, Acts 26.13. Certainly some Sign there shall be, that shall make the World fall a Mourning. And it is notable, that these Preparations and Beams of Majesty are sometimes exprest by Light, and sometimes by Fire; by Light, to note the comfortableness of it to the Godly; it is as the Light of the Sun, which doth not scorch, but refresh and revive, and chear the Heart: Light is comfortable. But then at other times it is represented by Fire; 2 Thess. 1.8. it is said, The Son of Man shall come in flaming Fire; or, as the Apostle's word is, foreign, in Fire all a flame, to shew the dreadfulness of his Appearance to the Wicked. Look, as Ioseph told the Butler and the Baker, what Pharaoh would do to them, hang the one, and exalt the other; therefore when the Messenger comes for them, the Butler's Heart leaps for joy he was to be preferred; but the Baker thought of nothing but dreadful Execution that was presignified: Just thus shall it be with the Wicked and the Godly; the Sign of the Son of Man shall be comfortable to the Godly, but it shall be as a flame of Fire, and devouring Burnings, dreadful and formidable to the Wicked, whose Execution and final Judgment now draws near. So much for the Preparation.

Secondly; The Appearance it self. And there you must consider, Christ's personal Glory, his Attendance, and his Work.

1. His personal Glory. Certainly that must be exceeding great, if you consider the Dignity both of his Person, and Employment.

(1.) The Dignity of his Person. Mat. 24.30. it is said, he shall come in great Glory; at other times in the Glory of his Father, Mat. 16.27. that is, he shall come as God's own natural Son, with such a Glory as cannot be communicated to any Creature. His first Coming is like the Carpenter's Son, mean and despicable; but his second Coming is like God's Son. Now that you may conceive of this Glory, you must guess at it by several hints. There shall be great Glory put upon the Saints; Then shall the Righteous shine forth like the Sun in the Kingdom of the Father, Matth. 13.43. And Christ will be glorified in his Saints, and admired in all them that believe, 2 Thess. 1.10. But we do not come in the Glory of the Father; when we are glorified, we are not deified; yet our Glory shall be so great, that Men and Angels shall stand wondring what God hath done to us. But now Christ is God-Man in one Person, and that Mystery is now to be discovered to the uttermost, the Union of the two Natures in his Person; and therefore he must have such a Glory as never Creature was capable of, nor can be. He doth not only appear (in the Text) as our Saviour, but as the Great God. Guess at it again we may by other Appearances of God: When Christ came to give the Law, his Voice shook Mount Sinai, that Moses trembled and quaked at the hearing of it; Heb. 12.21. So terrible was the Sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake. Guess at it by the Light at Christ's Birth, that came from Heaven, and shone round about the Shepherds, so that they were exceedingly afraid; Luke 2.9. The Glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. Guess at it by the Glimpse of his Divine Glory which Christ gave us in his Transfiguration, Mat. 17.2. His Face did shine as the Sun, and his Raiment was white as the Light, when his Disciples fell upon their Faces, and could not endure the shining of his Garments. So by the Appearance of Christ to Paul, that was struck blind for three days: Acts 9.3. And suddenly there joined round about him a Light from Heaven. And by the Terror the Prophet Isaiah felt when he saw God in Vision, Isa. 6.5. Wo is me, I am undone, because I am a Man of unclean Lips; and mine Eyes have seen the King the Lord of Hosts. Because of some reliques of Corruption, therefore was it terrible and formidable to him. But this Glory, though it shall be very great, yet it shall be comfortable to the Saints, for Sin and Weakness shall be done away.

(2.) Especially if you consider his Office. He is a Judg of all the World, and therefore he shall come with all things that are becoming such a Judg. He shall sit upon a visible Throne, where he may be seen and heard of all. You know, in earthly Judicatories, when great Malefactors are brought to Trial, the whole Majesty and Glory of the Nation is brought forth, the Judg comes in gorgeous Apparel, accompanied with the Flower of the Country, Nobles and Gentlemen, and a great Conflux of People, to make it the more magnificent. So here Christ, the Judg of all the World, comes becoming the Judg of the World that sits upon a Throne of Glory and Majesty: Mat. 25.31, 32. When the Son of Man shall come in his Glory, and all his holy Angels with them, then shall he sit upon the Throne of his Glory. And before him shall be gathered all Nations. All the World shall be summoned before him. Thus for his personal Glory.

2. In regard of his Attendants, who are Angels and Saints, this Appearance must needs be very glorious.

(1.) There are Angels, multitudes of them that come with Christ, and with such a Glory as cannot be conceived of; Matth. 25.31. When the Son of Man shall come in his Glory, and all the holy Angels with him. Mark the Emphasis of the Expression, All the holy Angels shall come with him. When a Prince removes, the whole Court removes with him; so when Christ removes out of Heaven, the whole Court of Heaven removes with him. As Chrysostom saith, Heaven now shall be left void; all the Angels shall come out with Christ, that they may be present at this great Act: Those blessed Mansions shall be forsaken for a while, that they may be present with the Judg of the World. Look, as the Angels were present at the giving of the Law; so also will they be present when the Sentence of the Law comes to be executed. Thrones, Principalities, Powers and Dominions, Angels, however distinguished, were all made by Christ; he is their Head, and they are given to Christ by his Father, as he is Mediator, to be his Servants in the Mediatory Office. And therefore Christ always useth Angels; in his Conception the Angel Gabriel came to Mary. At his Nativity, an Host of Angels came down to acquaint us with the glad Tidings of Salvation; in his Passion, he was comforted by an Angel; at his Resurrection, there were Angels at his Grave; at his Ascension, he was carried to Heaven by Angels; and in the Government of the Church, in the present Dispensation, Christ useth Angels more than we are aware of: these Principalities and Powers are conversant about and in the Church; and in the last Day's Act he shall come with his Holy Angels. Whether these Angels shall then visibly appear, I dispute not; certainly their Attendance upon Christ is, partly as a Train, to make his Appearance more full of Majesty; and partly, because Christ hath a Ministry and Service for them. Partly, as a Train to Christ, and to make his Appearance more full of Majesty: They that waited upon Christ at his Ascension, will now come to wait upon him at his coming to Judgment▪ Publick Ministers of Justice are made formidable by their Attendance and Officers. Christ will come like a Royal King in the midst of his Nobles; and partly, because they have also a Ministry and Service at that Day, they are to gather the Elect from the four Winds, Mat. 24.31. The Angels love to be conversant about the Saints. They that carried their Souls to Heaven, shall now be employed to bring their Bodies out of the Grave. The holy Angels shall conduct the Souls of those that die in the Lord, to Heaven: Luke 16.22. The Beggar died, and was carried by the Angels into Abraham's Bosom. So also those Angels shall now be employed in bringing their Bodies out of the Grave. They are still serviceable to the Saints, and this is the last Office of Love they can perform to them, therefore they do it chearfully. And to the Wicked, their Office is to force them into Christ's Presence, and to bind them up in Bundles, as Tares for the Fire, Mat. 13.40, 41. Also, the Angels have this Ministry and Service, to be employed as Witnesses; they attend now upon the Congregation, to observe your Behaviour: therefore the Apostle disputes concerning unseemly Gestures, 1 Cor. 11.10. For this cause ought the Woman to have Power on her Head, because of the Angels. They are privy to our Conversations, and able to give an Account of our Lives. In the Assemblies there are more meet than are visible, Devils meet, and good Angels likewise, to observe your Carriage, that they may give account to God. And no sooner shall the Sentence be pronounced, but it shall be executed. In a condescention to our Capacity, God is pleased to represent the Work as done by the Ministry of Angels. We can understand better the Operations of an Angel, than the Operations of Almighty God, because they are nearer to us in Being, and are of an Essence finite and limited.

(2.) The Saints, they are his Attendants too. Some shall come from Heaven with Christ, others shall be caught up in the Air to meet the Lord, 1 Thess. 4.17. Certainly the Wicked shall be left still to tread upon the Earth. And this contributes much to the Glory of the Day, because when Christ appears, we appear with him in Glory, we shall be like him, we shall suddenly attain to that Fulness of Glory that their Hearts could never conceive of. O what a glorious Day must that needs be, when so many Suns shall meet together! Every one of the Elect shall shine more than the Sun. Then our spiritual Empire and Dominion begins, we come to share with Christ in the Glory of his Kingdom, to be associated with him in judging of the World. Do not then please your Selves with Fancies of temporal Happiness. The Vpright shall have Dominion over them in the Morning, Psal. 49.14. When is that? After they have slept their Sleep of Death, then God's Saints and Servants that are now Scorned, Censured and Persecuted; but in the Morning of the Resurrection, when they awake to meet with Christ, then doth our Glory begin. We are all for a while to stand before the Judgment-Seat of Christ. But look upon all the Draughts of the last Judgment, and you shall find this Method; Sentence begins with the Godly, but Execution begins with the Wicked. The Books are opened, the Godly are called, and they are first acquitted, that afterwards they may join with Christ to judg the World: 1 Cor. 6.2. Do you not know that the Saints shall judg the World? The first Process is with the Godly, that their Faith may be found to Praise; but first the Wicked shall go into Everlasting Punishment; Mark 25.46. These shall go away into Everlasting Punishment, but the Righteous into Life Eternal; that by others Misery they may be more apprehensive of their own Felicity.

3. Another thing that makes the Day glorious, is his Work, and powerful executing the Work of the Day. Jesus Christ is to gather the Wicked together, dragging them out of their Graves with Horror: then to extend and enlarge their Consciences, that all their Doings may come to remembrance; and then to cast them into Eternal Darkness, to chase them with the Glory of his Presence into Hell, dragging them out of their Graves with Terror: Rev. 6.16. They said to the Mountains, and to the Rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the Face of him that sitteth on the Throne, and from the Wrath of the Lamb. They are ashamed to look Christ in the Face, whom they have slighted, despised, neglected in the World. Then they shall be ashamed to see the Godly preferred: As Haman did fret to see Mordecai put upon the King's Horse, and led through the City with Triumph; so they are envious to see the Preferment of God's Children. Then they are cursed out of Christ's Presence, and go away yelling and howling, and are led away to their final State; as Haman's Face was covered, and then led away to Execution. Now Christ hath the most glorious Conquest over his Enemies that ever he had; now he shews himself like a King, in punishing his Enemies, and rewarding his Friends. In punishing his Enemies, stubborn Knees shall bow to him, it is not done fully till now. Isa. 45.23. There is a Decree, I have sworn by my Self, the Word is gone out of my Mouth in Righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every Knee shall bow, and every Tongue shall swear. It is a Prediction of Christ's Sovereignty, and it is ratified with an Oath; all God's Holiness and Glory is laid at Stake, that it shall be accomplished. Now this Prophecy is twice alledged in the New-Testament; Phil. 2.10, 11. At the Name of Iesus every Knee shall bow, of things in Heaven, and things in Earth, and things under the Earth. And every Tongue shall confess. There it is made the Fruit of Christ's Ascension; what is swear in the Prophet, there is confess, they are both Acts of Worship, and given to Christ: Presently God gave him this Power upon his Ascension, for his Ascension was his solemn Inauguration into the Kingly Office. Christ was a chosen King, and anointed from all Eternity. While he was here in the World, he was a King; but when he ascended up on high, then he was a Crowned King, and God undertook to make good this Prophecy, That every Knee should bow to him: as David was anointed by Samuel, but crowned at Hebron. But some will say, we do not see that all things are put under him; there are damned Spirits that resist his Counsels, and there are wicked Men that rebel against his Laws, every Knee doth not bow, and every Tongue doth not call him Lord. But wait a little, the Work is a doing; Christ's Royal Office receiveth several Accessions of Glory, and Degrees of Perfection, till the Day of Judgment, and then it is discovered in a most Imperial manner. The Apostle quoteth this Place to prove the Day of Judgment, Rom. 14.10, 11. Why dost thou judg thy Brother? and why dost thou set at nought thy Brother? We must all stand before the Iudgment-Seat of Christ. How doth he prove that? For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every Knee shall bow to me, and every Tongue shall confess to God; implying, that at the Day of Judgment this Promise shall be fully made good. This is the consummate Act of his Regal Office; then Devils and wicked Men shall all be made to stoop to Christ. Christ's Kingdom is a growing Kingdom; Isa. 9.7. Of the Increase of his Government and Peace there shall be no end: Not only of his Government, but of the Increase of his Government; then it is at its full strength. Therefore it is called the Day of the Lord, 2 Pet. 3.10. The Day of the Lord cometh as a Thief in the Night. Then Christ discovereth himself as Lord in all his Royalties and Greatness, and makes his Enemies shake before him. Then also he shews himself to be a King to his People, Mat. 25.34. Then shall the King say unto them on his right Hand. Mark the special Title that is given to Christ when he invites the Saints into his Bosom: then we come to receive from Christ the most Royal Donative, and highest Fruit of his Kingly Office.

Thirdly; The Consequents of that Day. I shall name three; sending of Persons judged to their everlasting State; giving up the Kingdom to his Father; and burning the World.

1. The sending of Persons judged to their everlasting State, the Elect into Glory, and the Wicked into Torments. For the Elect, Matth. 25.34. Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the Foundation of the World. O you have been too long absent: Come, blessed Children! come into my Bosom; Come, possess that which was prepared for you before you had a Being in the World. And then for the Wicked, by a terrible Ban and Proscription they are excommunicated and cast out of the Presence of the Lord: Ver. 31. Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting Fire, prepared for the Devil and his Angels. A terrible Ban and Proscription! As Haman's Face was covered when the King was angry, and so he was led away to Execution; so the Wicked banished from Christ's Presence, are accursed to all Eternity, and so enter into their Eternal State. Now from this Sentence, either of Absolution or Condemnation, there's no Appeal; 'tis pronounced by Christ as God-Man. On Earth many times God's Sentence is repealed: God may speak of the Ruin of a Nation, but Free-Grace may interpose. Jer. 18.7, 8. At what instant I shall speak concerning a Nation, and concerning a Kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it: If that Nation against whom I have pronounced, turn from their Evil, I will repent of the Evil that I thought to do unto them. Deus mutat Sententiam, non Decretum. In the World, tho God doth not change his Decrees, yet he changeth his Sentence many times; the Sentence shews what might be, the Decree shews what shall be. But now this Sentence shall never be reversed. Now is the Day of Patience, then of Recompence: the Day of Patience is past. It is said, Luke 2.14. Peace upon Earth. God may proclaim War against a Soul or People, that he may awaken them to look after their Peace; but this is a Sentence that shall never be changed. The Execution is speedy: here many times the Sentence is past, but not speedily executed against an evil Work, Eccles. 8.11. But here Christ's Sentence presently begins, and the Wicked in the very sight of the Godly are thrust into Hell; Mat. 13.30. Gather ye together first the Tares, and bind them in Bundles to burn them; but gather the Wheat into my Barn: Which doth awaken the Grief and Envy of the Wicked, when they shall see others gathered into the Great Congregation, and themselves thrust out. And then the Godly have a deeper sense of their own Condition. When Contraries are put together, they do mutually illustrate one another; so when we see the Misery of the Wicked, this matures our Apprehensions, and makes us have larger Thoughts of our Deliverance by Christ. And then this Sentence to it is upon the whole Person, and that for ever: Upon the whole Man, Go ye cursed, and Come ye blessed; both Body and Soul share in the Reward and Punishment. And then the Sentence is Eternal, it remains for ever: Why? for the Reward is built upon an infinite Merit; the Lord Christ his Blood is of an infinite value, the Virtue of it lasts to all Eternity to secure Heaven to us. And the Punishment is Eternal, because an Infinite Majesty is offended. In short, God is never weary of blessing the Godly, and never weary of cursing the Wicked, and accomplishing his Judgment and Displeasure against them.

2. The next Consequent is the resigning and giving up of the Kingdom to the Father. You have it described, 1 Cor. 15.24, to 28. I suppose this giving up of the Kingdom, is not taken for a resigning of his Kingly Office; for Christ still holds the Government, and wears the Crown of Honour to be the Head of the Church. But Kingdom here is put for the Subjects of the Kingdom. He shall finish the present Manner of Dispensation, and present all the Elect to God, and give them up as a Prey snatched out of the Mouth of the Lion: and this is called presenting his Spouse to God, Ephes. 5.27. That he might present it to himself a glorious Church. Christ hath shed his Blood, and washed her clean, and decked her with all the Jewels of the Covenant; and then he shall present her to God: and the Form of Surrender you have, Heb. 2.13. Behold I, and the Children God hath given me. Behold, here I am, and all thou hast given me, there is not one wanting. O what a glorious Sight will this be to see the great Shepherd of the Sheep leading his Flock into their everlasting Folds, and all the Elect following Christ with their Crowns of Glory upon their Heads, singing to the Praise of the Lamb, O Death, where is thy Sting? O Grave, where is thy Victory? &c. To see them with Harps in their Hands, triumphing thus in the Salvation of God, all Enemies gone, and the Church lodged in everlasting Habitations! Besides, consider the Acclamation and Applause of the Angels. O how should we strive to be one of this Number!

3. The next Consequent is, the burning of the World; that's described at large, 2 Pet. 3.10, 11, 12. how that Fire shall come out from God, and burn and devour all things, and melt the very Firmament. Certainly that Fire is to be taken literally, for it is opposed to Water, the first Water by which the World was destroyed. Now by this Fire I conceive the World shall not be consumed, but renewed and purged, because in the everlasting State God will have all things new; he will not only have the Bodies and Souls of the Saints new, but will have new Heavens and new Earth: for it is a deliverance from the Bondage of Corruption, Rom. 8.21. If the World shall be no more the Habitation of the Saints, yet God will renew the World, that it may be a continual Monument of his Power. Now this burning of the World some place it in Preparation before the Day of Judgment; but I conceive it is a Consequent, for it seemeth to be an Instrument of Vengeance on the Wicked. I will not say with the Schoolmen, the feculent and drossy part of this Fire is reserved for the Torment of the Wicked in Hell: but in general, it shall be the Instrument of God's Vengeance upon them; so much is asserted, 2 Pet. 3.7. The Heavens and Earth that now are, by the same Word are kept in store, and reserved unto Fire against the Day of Iudgment, and the Perdition of ungodly Men. There are some that say this Fire shall begin the Day of Judgment: Et causam dicent in flammis, the Wicked shall plead their Cause in Flames; but this were to execute before the Sentence. Sodom's Fire was dreadful, but nothing to this Burning. It was a dreadful Sight, when God rained Hell out of Heaven, and the poor tormented Creatures ran screeching and yelling to and fro because of those Flakes of Fire and Brimstone; but this Fire shall come out of the Throne of the Lord; Dan. 7.10. A fiery Stream issued, and came out from before him, to consume his Adversaries, and to remain in Hell with them for evermore, which will be much more dreadful. God hath Diluvium Ignis, as well as Aquae, a Deluge of Fire as well as of Water. As one saith very wittily, As at the first he drowned the World, propter ardorem libidinis, because of the Heat of Lust; so in the end he will kindle a Fire to burn the World, propter teporem charitatis, because of the Coldness of Love. The Object of your Adulteries will be burnt; God will have nothing impure in the everlasting State, the World shall be purged with Fire. Thus you have seen how the Appearance of Christ will be glorious.

II. Why the Appearance of Christ will be so glorious.

1. To recompense his own Abasement. His first Coming was in Humility; he came riding upon the Fole of an Ass, but now on the Clouds, they are as it were his Royal Chariot. Then he came with Fishermen, a few Apostles to be his Messengers; but now he comes with Angels. Then he came in the form of a Servant to be judged; now he comes as the Son of God, to be the Judg of all the World. When the Day of Judgment is spoken of, Christ is called the Son of Man; Mat. 25.31. When the Son of Man shall come in his Glory, and all his holy Angels with him, then shall he sit upon the Throne of his Glory. Mat. 26.64. Hereafter ye shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right Hand of Power, and coming in the Clouds of Heaven. And Dan. 7.13. Behold one like the Son of Man—came with the Clouds of Heaven, and came to the Antient of Days, and they brought him near before him. Why so? He that was the Son of Man, that came in such a mean Condition at first, shall then be glorious; and so it taketh off the Scandal of his present Estate. He that appeared in so low a Condition, that was betrayed, crucified, spat upon, pierced, dead, buried, then shall be crowned with Glory and Honour. When he came to teach us Righteousness, he comes as the Son of Man; but when he comes to reward Righteousness, then he comes as the Son of God.

2. That he might shew himself to be fully discharged of Sin. The Glory bestowed upon his Humane Nature by God the Father, noteth his plenary Absolution as our Surety. We hear that he is taken up into Glory, that God hath acquitted him, that he was taken from Prison and from Iudgment, Isa. 53.8. but then we shall see it with our Eyes, when the Father sends him from Heaven with Power and great Glory. At the first Christ came like a Man, charged with Sin, in the Garb of a Sinner; therefore it is said, Rom. 8.3. God sent his own Son in the likeness of sinful Flesh. But then, Heb. 9.28. He shall appear the second time without Sin. The first time the World looked upon him as one that was forsaken, stricken, and smitten of God; but then he comes as one that is honoured of God: his second Coming shall make it evident, that he is discharged of the Debt which he took upon himself. The Apostle doth not say, Those that look for him shall be without Sin, but he shall be without Sin. The discharge of our Surety is enough, it is a sign the Debt is paid.

3. He comes in great Glory, that he may be as a Pledg, and Pattern, and Cause of our Glory. Christ's Coming is still suted to his Work: There is his first Coming, and that is in Humility, for we fell by Pride; he came to redeem us, therefore he comes humbly and lowly, in the form of a Servant, as one that came to suffer, not to ruffle it in the World, and tread upon the Necks of Kings. Then there is his spiritual coming into the Heart to sanctify it; this coming is invisible; it is with great Power, but hidden. But when he comes to glorify us, his Coming is sutable to his Work, that is visible in Power and great Glory; therefore it is said, Col. 3.3. When Christ who is our Life shall appear, then shall we also appear with him in Glory. Christ is to have all first, and we at second-hand, when he comes in Grace; Iohn 17.19. For their sakes I sanctify my self, that they also may be sanctified through the Truth. So we must be glorified at second-hand, first Christ, and then we.

4. Christ comes not simply to glorify us, but to bring the Saints to Heaven with the more State. O Christians! remember Christ thinks he can never do you Honour enough: Christ doth not send for us, but he will come in Person; Iohn 14.3. I will come again, and receive you unto my self, that where I am, there ye may be also. Look as the Bridegroom comes with the Youth and Flower of the City, to bring in his Bride in State; so Christ brings the Flower of Heaven, all his holy Angels to conduct us in State to our everlasting Mansions.

5. He comes in Glory, that all Creatures might see his Glory to the full. Men and Angels were made for this Spectacle, that they might behold the Glory of Christ. It was evidenced in part at the Resurrection; Rom. 1.4. And declared to be the Son of God with Power, according to the Spirit of Holiness, by the Resurrection from the Dead. But that was but a private and more covert Declaration to the Jews; and when it was published to the World in the Gospel, many believed not. We have the spiritual Evidences of it to Faith, but not to Sense and Sight. But now the Personal Union shall fully and undeniably appear, which before appeared but in part; he is now declared to be the Great God.

6. His Appearing shall be glorious, because then Christ shall have the full Conquest over all his Enemies. Some of his Enemies are still let alone for our Exercise, Satan is not destroyed. The infernal Spirits are held with the Chains of an irresistible Providence, and shall then be brought trembling into the Presence of Christ: Jude, v. 16. The Angels which kept not their first Estate, but left their own Habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting Chains under Darkness, to the Iudgment of the Great Day. They are now in expectation of greater Doom and Terror: Mat. 8.29. Art thou come hither to torment us before the time? The good Angels come forth as Christ's Companions, the evil Angels as his Prisoners. The Saints shall judg Angels as well as Men: 1 Cor. 6.3. Know ye not that we shall judg Angels? Christ will have his People come and set their Feet upon the Necks of their Enemies; for the present God hath a Ministry for them: But tho the Devils now tempt, trouble and molest the Saints for their Exercise; yet then the Saints shall triumph over them, when they shall be brought like Captives into Christ's Presence.

Vse 1. For Information in two things.

1. That Humility is the way to Glory. This Lesson we learn from the two Comings of Christ, first in an humble manner, and then in a glorious manner. The Devils aspired after Greatness, they would be great, and not good. The fallen Angels set us an ill Copy, but Christ came to set us a better: He came not from Heaven to teach us to make Worlds, and work Miracles, but to teach us to be humble and lowly; Mat. 11.29. Take my Yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in Heart. The way to spiritual Preferment is to be low and vile in our own Eyes: as the Ball that is beaten down, riseth the higher.

2. We learn what cause we have to be patient under present Abasement. Jesus Christ is contented for a while to lie hid, and not to shew himself in all his Glory till the End of the World. In the Days of his Flesh he was trampled upon by wicked Men; and now he is in Heaven, he is despised in his Gospel, in his Cause, and in his Servants, tho his Person be above Abuse: but he is content to tarry till the Day of Manifestation, when he will appear in all his Glory; so should we.

Vse 2.

1. Here is Comfort to the Godly. To you Christ's Appearance is glorious, but not terrible; it is as Light, but not as Fire: the Trumpet sounds, but it summons you to be crowned: The Sign of the Son of Man shews your Lord is come, it is as the Shadow of the Husband before his Person appeareth: this is your Jesus. Certainly they that have an Interest in him, will not be afraid of him; fo… his Angels are your Guardians, his Saints your Companions; his Appearance is to pronounce your Pardon; a Crown shall be set upon your Heads in the face of all the World. That which is so formidable and dreadful to our Thoughts in it self, is all comfortable to a Child of God. Christ came as God, but still in the Humane Nature as your Brother: if he be glorious, it is for your sakes, that you might be like him; he comes as a Pattern of your Glory.

2. Here is Terror to them that lie in their Sins. How can they hear of these things without Astonishment? You that despise the still-Voice when God speaks to you by the Angel of the Church, what will you do when you hear the Great Trump which will be an Alarm to Death and Execution? Your Avenger is come: Christ's Sign is not Light, but Terror to you. If you tremble not, you are worse than Felix an Heathen, for Felix's Heart trembled when he heard of Judgment to come, Acts 24.25. he had a more tender Conscience. Nay, such as do not, they are worse than Satan; for the Devils fear and tremble, Iames 2.19. Loose and carnal Persons scoff at that at which Devils tremble. It is storied of a King that wept when his Brother came to him: being asked the Reason; O, saith he, I that judg others, must be judged my self! Shall not I tremble at the great Trumpet that shall awaken the Dead! O take Sanctuary in Grace.

3. Here is Advice to All. It is a good check to Sin, it stays the boiling of the Pot. Remember, when thou art in the carreer and heat of thy Lusts, for all these things God will bring thee to Iudgment, Eccles. 11.9. Whenever thou sinnest, thou art entring into the Lists with Christ, as if thou wert stronger than he. But Man, canst thou grapple with him? then it is an Engagement to Repentance. When Iacob heard Esau was coming with a great Power and Force against him, he sends to make Peace with him. You have heard that Christ comes in a glorious manner, and will be terrible to his Enemies. Let us compromise all Difference between us and God. O go and make Peace with him: it is Christ's own Advice, Luke 14.32. Or else while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an Ambassador, and desireth Conditions of Peace. And repent, saith the Apostle, that your Sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the Presence of the Lord, Acts 3.19. Then it is of Use to make you constant in walking in the Fear of the Lord; Eccles. 12.13, 14. Fear God, and keep his Commandments: for this is the whole Duty of Man. For God shall bring every Work into Iudgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. Especially it is an Engagement to Faithfulness in your Calling, especially Ministers; 2 Cor. 5.9. Wherefore we labour, that whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. Again, it urgeth you to keep the Commandments, Christ will bear you out; Keep this Commandment without Spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Iesus Christ, 1 Tim. 6.14. And then it presseth to Diligence: He comes with Crowns in his Hands to reward all that are faithful to him; 1 Pet. 5.4. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a Crown of Glory, that fadeth not away. 2 Tim. 4.1. I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Iesus Christ, who shall judg the quick and the dead, at his Appearance, and his Kingdom. 1 Thess. 2.…9. For what is our Hope, or Ioy, or Crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the Presence of our Lord Iesus Christ at his Coming? The Day of Judgment respects our Callings, especially as Ministers, Christ's Officers must give an Account; and in whatever Condition God hath set us in, wherein he expects a Trial of our Faithfulness, we are to consider what we must do.