Sermons Volume 2, Matthew 25 · Sermon 19
SERMON XIX.
MATTH. XXV. v. 31.
When the Son of Man shall come in his Glory, and all the Holy Angels with him, then shall he sit upon the Throne of his Glory.
I Come now to the Second Point:
Doct. 2. That Christ's Appearance for the Iudgment of the World, shall be Glorious, and full of Majesty.
I shall prove it by opening the Circumstances of the Text. Three things are offered here:
1. His Personal Glory.
2. His Royal Attendance.
3. His Glorious Seat and Throne.
First, His Personal Glory: Let us see what it is, and why he will come in such an Appearance.
First, What it will be, we cannot fully know till we see it; but certain we are, this Glory must be exceeding great: If we consider,
(1.) The Dignity of his Person; he is God-Man: And now that Mystery is to be discovered to the utmost; therefore he must needs have such a Glory, as never Creature was capable of, nor can be; but at that Day the Creatures are capable of great Glory: For 'tis said, Matth. 13.43. The Righteous shall shine as the Sun in the Kingdom of the Father. And if it be thus with the Saints, how shall it be with Christ? The Saints are but Creatures; they are not Deified, when they are Glorified: But He is God-Man in one Person. The Saints are but Members of the Mystical Body; but Christ is the Head: and therefore, he must needs far excell the Glory of all the Creatures. Ours is but a derived Ray; the Body of Light is in himself. We read, 2 Thess. 1.10. that he will be admired in the Saints: That is, in the Glory he puts upon them. All the Spectators shall stand admiring at the Honour he puts upon them, that are but newly crept out of Dust and Rottenness: But how much more may He be admired for his own Personal Glory!
(2.) The Quality of his Office: He is the Judge of the World, who now cometh to appear upon the Throne, to be seen of all: Therefore, there must be a Glory suitable. We read, Acts 25.23. that Agrippa and Bernice came to the Judgment-Seat, foreign, with a great deal of Pomp and State. And we see in Earthly Judicatures, when great Malefactors are to be tryed, the whole Majesty, and Glory of a Nation is brought forth: The Judge in gorgeous Apparel, accompanied with Nobles, and Gentry, and Officers, and a great Conflux of People, to make it more Magnificent and Terrible. So here is a Conflux of the whole World, Angels, Devils, Men, from all Corners of the Earth; all the Men that ever were, and ever shall be: And Christ cometh forth in his greatest Glory.
(3.) Consider the Greatness of his Work, and that will shew that his Glory must needs be discovered. His Work is, on the one side, to gather together, to convince, to Judge, and punish Creatures opposite and Rebellious; and to honour, and reward his Servants, on the other. There is not such an Union and Confederation of Miracles in any one Point, and Article of Faith, so much as there is in this of the general Judgment. The mighty Power and Dominion of God is seen in dissolving the Elements, in raising the dead Bodies, and giving every Dust its own Flesh, and bringing them together that they may be Arraigned, and Judged: And then in separating them into their several Ranks, in which his Omnisciency and Wisdom is seen, that not one of the Reprobate shall lie hid among the Elect. In Judging them his Justice cannot be eluded; he that seeth all things in the Light of the Godhead, cannot want Evidence. Then one of the Books that is opened, is in the Parties Custody; and yet they cannot deface it, or blot it out. And then for Execution, the Majesty of his Person and Presence will be enough to confound a wicked Man. How will the Wolves tremble at the sight of the pure and unspotted Lamb! Revel. 6.16. Oh! 'twill be a piercing Sight to them, to see him whom they have despised, upon the Throne! That Jesus whose Word they have scorned, whose Ordinances they have neglected or corrupted, whose Servants they have molested! When Joseph, who was so great and high in Egypt, discovered himself to his Brethren, I am Joseph, they were abashed, and confounded, because of the Injury they had done him: Much more shall Sinners be confounded, when he shall tell them, I am Jesus; and that he is come on purpose to be Revenged on all the Abusers, and Despisers of his Grace, and the Troublers of his People. How can they then look him in the Face? We read, that when they came to attacque Christ, Joh. 18.6. as soon as he had told them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. He would convince his Enemies in the midst of his greatest Abasement, how full of Majesty and Terror his Presence is, if he should let out the Glory of it upon them. If the Lamb's Voice be so terrible, how dreadful will he be when he roareth as a Lyon? And if then, when he was taken and led to be Judged, you may guess how glorious his Presence will be, when he cometh in all his Glory to Judge others: And by this you may understand the Apostles Expression, 2 Thess. 1.9. That the Wicked shall be punished with everlasting Destruction from the Presence of the Lord, and from the Glory of his Power. From there is as much as By; it doth not signifie there, the kind of the Punishment, the poeni damni, but the Cause. The Majesty of Christ is the Cause of their Torments; and his Look and Face will be Terror enough to Sinners. And as he cometh in Glory, to shame and punish those that despised him; so to comfort and reward his People, who have trusted in him, and served him, and suffered for him: He shall come from Heaven in State, to lead them into those blessed Mansions with Honour. 1 Pet. 4.13. Rejoyce, in as much as ye are Partakers of Christ's Sufferings; that when his Glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding Joy. They have seen him in his worst, and now in his best also. The Glory of Christ's Appearing is sometimes expressed by Fire, and sometimes by Light: To the Saints 'tis as Light, and as a comfortable Sun-shine; but to the Wicked 'tis a dreadful Fire, foreign. 2 Thess. 2.8. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the Spirit of his Mouth, and shall destroy them with the Brightness of his Coming.
(4.) If you consider some foregoing Appearances of Christ. As for instance: At the giving of the Law, 'twas the Second Person that managed that Appearance: For 'tis said, Acts 7.38. that it was an Angel that appeared in Mount Sinai, and spoke to our Fathers. That is, the Angel of the Covenant, Jesus Christ: For 'tis clearly said▪ Heb. 12.26. That the Voice of Christ then shook the Earth. Now, what a dreadful Appearance was that! The Earth shook, the Mountain trembled; and out of the midst of the Thunderings, and Lightnings, and a thick Cloud, was the Sound of the Trumpet heard; so that the People trembled; yea, Moses himself, a meek Man, that had done great Service in the Church, did exceedingly quake and tremble; Heb. 12. from 18. to 21. When he gave the Law, he is represented as a terrible Judge, ready to overcome his Adversaries with the Tempest of his Wrath; much more when he cometh to execute the Sentence of the Law; as Execution is alwayes more terrible than Promulgation: Or you may guess at it by Prophet Isaiah's Terror, when he saw God in Vision, Isa. 6.5. Into what an Agony it drove that Holy Prophet? Wo is me, for I am undone; because I am a Man of unclean Lips, and I dwell in the midst of a People of unclean Lips: For mine Eyes have seen the King, the Lord of Hosts. Adam fled from the Presence of God walking in the Garden, though God came to him in no terrible Appearance; and though he had sinned, yet was not cut off from all Hope of Reconciliation. How will wicked Men abide the Presence of Christ, when he cometh to shew forth his Glory, and they are excluded by his final Sentence from all Hope of Pardon? Or you may set it forth by the Glory of Christ's Transfiguration; the Glory that was seen then: For that was a Glimpse of this Glory of the Father, in which he shall appear at that Day. Matth. 17.2. And he was Transfigured before them, and his Face did shine as the Sun, and his Rayment was white as the Light. And then arose a bright Cloud, and a Voice out of the bright Cloud: And when the Disciples heard it, they were sore afraid. There was a glorious shining Brightness, breaking through Skin and Garment; overwhelming the Disciples, that they were not able to stand before his Majesty, though it were in Mercy revealed to them. Or by that Appearance of the Angel, described Matth. 28.3, 4. His Countenance was like Lightning, and his Rayment as white as Snow; and for fear of him the Keepers did shake, and became as dead Men. Or by the Appearance of Christ to Paul, Act. 9. when he was blind for seven Dayes, when the Lord Jesus shewed himself to him from Heaven. These Instances will give us a Ghess, a Taste of it. But,
Secondly, Why he will come in this great Glory?
I Answer,
1. To take off the Scandal and Ignominy of the Cross, and to recompense him for his Humiliation; He that was once despised in the World for his outward and despicable Estate, will then be Glorious; when he shall declare his Power, in Raising the Dead by his Voice, and all the Elements burning about him, and all the Saints and Angels attending him, every one as bright as the Sun! A glorious high Throne set in the Air for him; and all the Creatures presented before him, and bowing to him! Ransacking the Consciences of Sinners, and bringing forth the Story of all his Administrations in the World! Then there will be a full Recompence for all his Sufferings. To make this eviden…, let us compare the Two Comings of Christ: Christ's First Coming was so obscure, that it was scarce observed and understood by the World. The Second will be so conspicuous and glorious, as to be seen of All. In the former he came in the Form of a Servant, and the contemptible Appearance of a mean Man: In the second he cometh as the Lord, and Heir of all things, cloathed with Splendour, and Glory, as with a Garment. At his First Coming he had a Forerunner, The Voice of one crying in the Wilderness: In the Second he hath a Forerunner also. There the Baptist: Here an Arch-angel with his Trumpet, 1 Thess. 4. 10. In his First Coming he was accompanied with a few poor Fisher-men, Twelve Disciples, Persons of mean Condition and Rank in the World: Now with Legions of Angels, and with his Holy ten thousands of his Saints, Jude 14. Heretofore he Raised Three to Life: Now all the Dead. Then he was scorned, buffeted, spit upon: Now crowned with Glory and Honour. In the former he was to act the Part of a Minister of the Circumcision, to Preach the Gospel to the People of Israel: In the latter he shall act as the Judge of all the World. In the former he invited Men to Repentance, and offered Remission to Sins to those that received him as a Redeemer: But in the latter he shall cut off all Hope of Pardon for evermore, from them that Received him not, and neglected their Day of Grace. At first he came to bear the Sins of many: But now He shall come without Sin, Heb. 9.28. not bearing a Burden, but bringing a Discharge; not as a Surety, but as a Pay master; not as a Sufferer, but as a Conqueror; triumphing over Death, and Hell, and the Devil: He cometh no more to go from us, but to take us from all Misery unto himself. In the former State he was God-Man; but he did as it were hide his Godhead under the Infirmities of his Flesh: Sometimes it peeped out through the Veil in a Miracle, but yet mostly obscuring himself: But in the latter he shall discover himself with an unspeakable Brightness and Majesty; and there will be no need of Miracles to prove the Divinity of his Person and Office: For then it shall be a matter of Sense; all shall see it, and feel it; some with Joy, others with Trembling. In the former State he presented himself to suffer Death: But then he shall tread Death under his Feet. In the former he was Judged, and Condemned by Men to an Ignominious Death, the Death of the Cross: But in the latter he will Judge, and with his own Mouth pronounce Sentence upon all Men; on all Kings, Emperours and Judges, as well as poor Peasants; sitting upon a Glorious Throne and Tribunal. Then he Judged no man, John 3.17. For God sent not his Son to Condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved: His work then was to hold out the way of life, or to open the way of Salvation to lost man, as a meek Saviour and Mediatour: So John 12.47. If any man hear my words, and believe them not, I Judge him not, for I came not to Judge the world, but to save the world; I Judge not, that is as yet: He laid aside the person of a Judge then, and took on him the Office of a Saviour, to offer and purchase Mercy; that was his proper Errand when he came first into the world: So Luk. 9.56. The Son of man is not come to destroy mens lives, but to save them: And to comply with that end, he cast a veil upon his Glory, and endured the enmity and contradiction of the world; but now 'tis otherwise; so that the scandal of his first estate is fully taken off.
2. He appeareth in this great Glory to beget a greater Reverence and Fear in the hearts of all those that shall be Judged by him: He telleth them aforehand, That the Son of man will come in great Glory and Majesty: To daunt and quell the haughty minds and proud conceits of the Potentates, Oppressors, and great ones of the Earth, who often abuse their Power to wrong and violence, Eccles. 5.8. If thou seest the Oppression of the poor, and the violent perverting of Judgement and Justice in a Province, marvel not at the matter, for he that is higher than the highest regardeth, and there be higher than they: Here is swaying and swaggering, and bearing high upon the thought of their Title and greatness; but there they and all their greatness and power shall meet with a Judge that is able by the breath of his mouth to consume them. What meaneth the Insolency of the Mighty, the Pride of the great Heroes of the Earth, that swell and grow haughty with their greatness, to look and speak so big? Nothing is so profitable to allay the excesses of Power, or to fortifie us against the fears of it, as the consideration of this mighty Judge, who will review all matters, and cause the great men of the Earth to tremble. Power is an unwieldy thing, apt to degenerate, and to put men upon unwarrantable practices; therefore, it needeth to be allayed and ballanced with the consideration of a greater power: Alas! all the Power and Glory of the world is but a Fancy, a vain Pageantry, if compared to Christs Power and Glory; what is their Authority to his? their Splendour to his? their Guard to his? Nothing can excuse them, this Judgment must and shall pass upon them.
3. For the Comfort of his People, for Christ is a pledge and pattern of what shall be done in them; in all things he must first it; Rom. 8.29. And we are made conformable to his Image and likeness: All Priviledges come to us, not only from Christ, but through Christ; He as Mediator is the first Possessor: Are we Elected? he was Elected first, My Elect Servant, Isa. 42.1. Are we Justified? so was he as our Surety, 1 Tim. 3.16. Justified in the Spirit: Are we Sanctified? First he received the Spirit of Holiness; are we Glorified? so was he, Col. 3.4. When Christ who is our life shall appear, we shall appear with him in Glory: 1 Joh. 3.2. We shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. There will be a manifestation of the Sons of God, Rom. 8.19. First, the first-born, then all the rest of the Brethren; yea, we participate of his Judicial Power: The Saints shall not only be judged, but be Judges, 1 Cor. 6.2, 3. The evil Spirits a long time ago had their Punishment, but then their solemn Doom: The Saints shall sit down with him as Justices upon the Bench; here the Saints judge the World by their Doctrine and Conversation, there by their Vote and Suffrage: There is the Relation between Christ and the Church of Wife and Husband; Vxor fulget Radiis Mariti; as the Husband riseth in honour, so doth the Wife: Of Head and Members, when the Head is Crowned, all the Members are cloathed with Honour: His Mystical Body shares with him, that there may be a proportion in the Body; He is the Captain of our Salvation, and he will dignifie and reward his Souldiers, Heb. 2.10. David when he was Crowned at Hebron, his followers were made Captains of thousands, Captains of hundreds, and Captains of fifties: Masters and Servants, my Servant shall be where I am, he will put marks of Honour and Favour upon all his Servants: here they were disgraced with him, suffered with him, sleighted with him; then they shall be glorified with him, for still there is a likeness; we must be contented to lye hid, 'till he be publickly manifested to the world, for we have all our Blessings at second hand. So much for the first thing, His Personal Glory.
Secondly, His Royal Attendance: And all the holy Angels with him: Chrysostom saith, The whole Court of Heaven removeth with him; surely there are many of them, Jude 14. The Lord cometh with ten thousand of his Saints to execute Judgment on all, to convince all that are ungodly: 'Tis likely these Angels will put on some visible shape, for the greater Glory and Majesty of Christs appearing: For as he will appear in a Body upon his glorious Throne, so will his Legions round about him; whose Order, Power and formidable Hosts, must some way or other be seen of the wicked, for their greater terrour: Their attendance upon Christ, seemeth to be for these Reasons.
(1.) Partly for a Train, to make his Appearance the more full of Majesty: We find Angels waiting upon Christ at his Ascension, and so at his return to Judgment: Publick Ministers of Justice are made formidable by their attendance, and Christ will come as a Royal King in the midst of his Nobles. And,
(2.) Partly that by their Ministry, the work of the day may be the more speedily and powerfully dispatched: They are to gather the Elect from the four winds, Math. 24.31. The Angels that carried their Souls to Heaven, shall be imployed in bringing their bodies out of the Graves, Luk. 16.22. Carried by Angels into Abrahams bosom: They are still serviceable about the Saints, this is the last Office they perform to them; they are as it were under Christ, Guardians of their Bones and Dust: Now to the wicked, they are to bind the Tares in bundles, Math. 13.41. that they may be burnt in the fire: They force and present wicked men before the Judge, be they never so obstinate; they are witnesses, they attend upon Congregations, 1 Cor. 11.10. In Assemblies there is more Company meets than is visible, Devils and Angels meet there; the Devils to divert your minds as soon as they begin to be serious, to catch the good word out of your Heart: and Angels observing you; here should be no indecency; so in your ordinary Conversations, they are conversant about you: and then for Execution, no sooner is Sentence pronounced but executed: As Haman's face was covered, and he led away to Execution as soon as the King had but said the word. Thus the Scripture in a condescention to our Capacity, representeth to us the Ministry of Angels in that great and terrible day: We can better understand the Operations of Angels than of God himself, they being nearer to us in Being, and of an Essence finite and limited, their acts are more comprehensible.
(3.) There may be a third Reason imagined why the Angels should come to this Judgment, which will give us an occasion for handling A Question, Whether they shall be judged yea or no?
I answer: For the good Angels, I think not. For the bad, the Scripture is express and plain.
1. For the good Angels, 'tis clear by what hath been said already, that they shall be present at this action, not to be judged, but to bring others to Judgment; as Officers, not as Parties. I suppose this, if men had continued in their Innocency, and Integrity of their Creation, such a day of universal Judgment had been needless, for then there had been none to be Condemned, because none had sinned; the Covenant of God would have been enough to have secured their Happiness: so the good Angels continuing in that state wherein they were Created, there is nothing doubtful about them, that needeth any judiciary Debate and discussion: and being already confirmed in the full fruition of God and Happiness, as to their whole nature, their estate is not to be put to any tryal: whereas good men, though their Souls be in Heaven, yet their Bodies are not admitted there, some part of them as yet lyeth under the effects of sin, and their glorification is private, and Gods goodness as yet hath not been manifested to them in the eyes of all the world, nor their uprightness sufficiently vindicated; therefore a Judgment needeth for them, but not for the Angels, who were never as yet censured and traduced in the world; and they in their whole nature and person enjoy most absolute felicity in Gods heavenly Sanctuary: No such great change will happen to them after the Judgment, as happeneth to the Saints when their whole persons are taken into glory. 'Tis true, they have a Charge and Ministry about the Saints, Heb. 1.14. But of that Ministry and Charge they give an account daily in the sight of God, to whom they do approve themselves in it: So that there is no cause for further inquisition concerning that thing, there being no necessity of Judgment concerning them; I think they shall not be Judged.
2. For the evil Angels, the Scripture is express, 1 Cor. 6.3. Know ye not that we shall Judge Angels: That is, as evil Men, so evil Angels: So 2 Pet. 2.4. Go… spared not the Angels that sinned, but cast them down to Hell, and delivered them into Chains of Darkness, to be reserved to the Judgment of the great Day. Though they are imprisoned in the Pit of Hell, yet reserved for further Judgments. God's irresistible Power, and terrible Justice over-ruleth, tormenteth and restraineth them for the present: These are the Chains of Darkness; yet there is a more high measure of Wrath, that shall light upon them at the Day of Judgment. Where any Accession, or considerable Increase shall be made, either to the Happiness or Punishment of any Creature, there that Creature shall be judged. Now, there is no such considerable Alteration, or increase of Happiness to good Angels, as to Men: And, on the other side, there is a considerable Alteration as to wicked Angels; Matth. 8.20. Art thou come to torment us before the time? They know there is a Time coming, when they shall be tormented more than they are yet: And besides, God's Justice was never publickly manifested, and by any solemn Act glorified, as to the Punishment of the evil Angels for their Rebellion against him; but was reserved for this Time. Besides, as God would now receive into Glory the Good and Holy among Men, and therefore would first begin with their Head, which is Christ, sending him in Power and great Glory; so on the other side, when God would punish the Disobedient, he would begin with condemning their Head, who is the Devil; and is first cast into Hell, as a Pledge of what should light upon all those that follow him, and are seduced by him. I could say more, but I forbear.
Thirdly, There remaineth one Circumstance in the Text; and that is, Christs Throne of Glory; which because it is wholly to come, and not elsewhere explained in Scripture, we must rest in the general Expression. The Cloud in which he cometh, possibly shall be his Throne: Or, if you will have it further explained, you may take that of the Prophesie of Daniel, Chap. 7.9, 10. I beheld all the Thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of Dayes did sit; whose Rayment was white as Snow, and the Hair of his Head like the pure Wooll: His Throne was like the fiery Flame, and his Wheels as burning Fire. A …iery Stream issued, and came forth from him: Thousands ministred unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: The Judgment was set, and the Books were opened. I cannot say, this Prophesie is intended of the Day of Judgment; but as they said of the Blind Man, Joh. 9.9. Either 'tis he, or it is very like him; so this is it, or very like it. And in the General you see, it describeth that which is very Glorious: Or you may conceive of it by the Description of Solomon's Throne: 1 King. 10.18, 19, 20. Moreover, the King made a great Throne of Ivory, and over-laid it with the best Gold: The Throne had six Steps, and the Top of the Throne was round behind; and there were Stayes on either side of the Place of the Seat, and two Lyons stood behind the Sta…es: And twelve Lyons stood on the one side, and on the other, upon the six Steps: There was not the like made in any Kingdom. It was high and dreadful; but not worthy to be a Foot-stool to this Tribunal.
The VSE of all is Exhortation: To press you to propound this Truth,
1. To your Faith,
2. To your Fear and Caution,
3. To your Love,
4. To your Patience,
5. To your Hope;
That all these Graces may be the more exercised upon this occasion, that you may believe it, and consider it.
(1.) Propound it to your Faith; be perswaded of it. We are so occupied in present things, that we forget, or do not mind the future: And Men that are in love with their Lusts and Errors, love to be ignorant of those Truths, the Knowledge whereof might disquiet them in following those Lusts: 2 Pet. 3.5. This they are willingly Ignorant of. But we had need to call upon you again and again, to believe these things; that the Lord Jesus shall come in his Glory, with his Angels. They that are Slaves to their Lusts, strongly desire an Eternal Enjoyment of the present World, and labour to banish out of their Hearts the Thoughts of the Day of Judgment: The sound Belief of it is not so much encountred with Doubts of the Understanding, as the Lusts and Inclinations of their carnal and perverse Hearts. But Beloved, I hope it will not be tedious to you to tell you again and again of these things; and to press you to rest your Hearts upon them: To you that have set your Hearts to love Christ, and to wait for his Coming: To you that know there is no such powerful Help to the Mortification of your Lusts, as to consid… the Day of Judgment; no such special Encouragement in your Difficulties, as the Comfort, Glory and Sweetness of it. Oh therefore! press your Hearts with this Truth: Hath not the Month of Truth averred it? Would Jesus Christ assure us of that which shall never be? He that hath been so punctual on his Word in lesser Truths, would he deceive us in this main Article? Sure it should be no hard thing to perswade you that are assured of his Fidelity and Love, that what he hath spoken will come to pass. If it were not so, he would never have told you so. You will find no less than he hath promised. If we did deceive you with sugar'd and golden Words, it were another matter. Expect not that I should bring Arguments from Nature, to prove it to you: God's Word is sufficient. Faith is built upon God's Testimony, and nothing else. Though other Arguments have their Use, and at other times I have produced them; now I shall forbear: Only, because there are Godless Mockers, who suspect all, and do not so much reason against this Article of our Christian Faith, as scoff at it, and you may meet with some of those; I think it not amiss to answer their Cavils. A Carnal and Devilish Wit will find out so many Reasons, plausible to themselves, and others like themselves; otherwise it were enough to reject them as Blasphemies, with detestation: But because they please themselves in their Atheistical Conceits, you shall see they make rather against them, that for them.
1. If they should urge that Reason in the Apostles Dayes, when Blasphemy was not grown so bold and witty; 2 Pet. 3.3, 4. All things continue as they were from the Beginning of the Creation; we might answer as the Apostle did, That 'tis fit that things should keep one constant Course, in the Day of the Lord's Patience and Mercy: But the Day of the Lord will come as a Thief. Shall there never be a Change, because the Preparations are not presently visible? This is a manifest Lie. Particular Judgments on some wicked Men, do prove that there shall be a general Judgment on All; for seeing some are justly punished, and others deserving no less, are spared, he who is immutably Good, and impartially Just, must have a Day for punishing these afterwards: And God hath Fire in store, as well as Water, to burn up, as well as to drown the Object of their Lusts and Pleasure.
2. Their great Argument is the blemish of Providence in their Eyes: The seeming Neglect of the Good, and Evil done amongst Men. I Answer, That will prove it, which they bring to disprove it: For the Apostle telleth us, This is a manifest Token of the Righteous Judgment of God, 2 Thess. 1.5. What? Even the Calamity of good Men. Solomon made another, the quite contrary Use of it; Eccles. 3.16, 17. Moreover, I saw the Place of Judgment, that Wickedness was there; and the Place of Righteousness, that Iniquity was there: I said in my Heart, God shall judge the Righteous, and the Wicked; for there is a Time for every Purpose, and for every Work. The Wicked prosper, and destroy the Just. You make it an Argument for your Infidelity: But 'tis an Argument against it. Stay till the Assizes come. It followeth not there is no Government, because the Thief and Murtherer is not hanged as soon as he hath done the Fact. God's Day will come, and then they go to Prison. When you see Malefactors drinking, dancing, frollicking in Prison, will you say, I see there is no Government in this Kingdom?
3. Many think this is a State-Engine, to keep the World in better Order and Government. But I—
Answer, Needeth there a Lie to establish so great a Benefit to Mankind? It cannot be. Doth Interest or Virtue govern the World? If meer interest, what a Confusion would there be of all things? Then Men might commit all Villany, take away Mens Lives and Goods at pleasure, when 'tis their Interest, when they could do it safely and secretly: Then Servants might poyson their Masters, if they could do it without discovery: And we might prey one upon another, if it were in the power of our Hands; and so live like wild and ravenous Beasts: And by this Rule, catch he that catch can here, would be the best, and Vice and Impiety would be the greatest Wisdom. But if Virtue govern the World, 'tis a clear case, Virtue cannot be supported without Thoughts of the World to come: And can we imagine, that God, would make a World that cannot be governed but by Falshood and Deceit, as you suppose the Opinion of Judgment of come is?
(2.) Propound it to your Fear and Caution. Great Ones, that are most powerful and unruly▪ there is a Power above them: Jer. 5.5. I went to the great Ones, that had altogether broken the Yoke. They should tremble now at this Glorious Coming, to prevent trembling then, Psal. 2.10, 11, 12. 'Tis your Wisdom to observe the Son; not to oppress his Truth, Interest and People. Take heed of living in opposition to Christ: He will come in great Power and great Glory. If you neglect, if you stumble upon the Rock you should build upon, and reject your own Mercies, perish for want of a little Care; you shall see the Excellency of Christ, but have no Benefit by it: See the Happiness of the Saints with your Eyes, but shall not taste thereof, 2 King. 7.19. As Haman was forced to be Mordecai's Lacquy, and cry before him, Thus shall it be done to the Man whom the King will honour.
(3.) Propound it to your Love; that you may long for it. The Saints are described to be those that love his Appearing, 2 Tim. 4.8. And the Apostle biddeth them hasten to the Coming of the Day of the Lord, 2 Pet. 3.12. These will be Dayes of refreshing to the Saints: Send forth your Wishes after it. The Spirit in the Bride saith, Come, Revel. 22.17. Nature saith not, Come, but, Tarry still. If it might go by Voices, whether Christ should come, yea or no, would carnal Men give their Voice this way? No: The Voice of corrupt Nature is, Depart, Job 22.14. They are of the Devils Mind; cannot endure to hear of it, Matth. 8.24. If Malefactors were to chuse whether there should be Assizes, yea or no; there would never be none. But you, my Beloved, should desire to see Him whom you have heard so much of. When Christ took his Leave of us, his Heart was upon Meeting and Fellowship again, Joh. 14.2. So should we be affected towards his Appearing.
(4.) Propound it to your Patience, Fortitude and Self-denyal. Have no cause to think shame of Christ's Service, though you suffer Disgrace for it; he will appear worthy of all the Respect you shew to his Person and Wayes. He is disgraced indeed, that is refused by Christ when he cometh in great Glory. The Judgment of the blind World is not to be regarded: The Lord will shew who are his Condemned in the World, on purpose to try you: Though now you are accounted the Scurff and Off-scouring of all things. I know 'tis a great Temptation to Persons of Honour and Quality; but Christ suffered greater Indignities: Therefore, let us resolve to be more vile for the Lord. Chiefly, consider the Glory reserved for us in the Life to come, 1 Joh. 3.2. Then is the Day of the Manifestation of the Sons of God. Christ is contented for a while to lie hid, and will not shew himself in his full Glory, till the End of the World. In the Dayes of his Flesh his Person was trampled upon by wicked Men; and now he is in Heaven he is despised in his Cause, and Servants: His Person is above Abuse and Contempt, but not his Members. Christ came in disguise to try the World. Sathan would not have had the boldness to encounter him, the Jews to reject him, carnal Christians to neglect him, nor the Faith of the Elect found to such Praise and Honour, if all were honourable, glorious, and safe here in the World. But the Day of Manifestation is hereafter: Let us be patient therefore, and bear all the harsh Usage we meet with. There will be Honour: When Christ, who is our Life, shall appear, we shall meet with him in Glory.
(5.) Propound it to your Hope, and stand ready to meet with him, and wait for him; and comfort your selves with the hopeful Expectation this will be when all things are ready: And you should look every Day, and long every Day for his Appearing. I have a Saviour in Heaven, that will come again, with all his Saints with him: Even so come, Lord Jesus, come quickly.