The Conversion of the Soul, Discourse 2

The Conversion of the Soul · Discourse 2

p. 1ROM. XIV. 10. latter part. We ſhall all ſtand before the Judgment Seat of Chriſt.

I Have been lately Diſcourſing concerning Converſion: The Digreſſion I make this day, is ſubſervient to my great Deſign, which is the Converſion and Salvation of this Aſſembly: It infinitely concerns yo… all to turn to God, for quickly you will have a Summons to come unto his Bar, and how ſoon that Summons may be given, who can tell? Thoſe that leaſt think on't, and leaſt care to be provided and ready for it, perhaps may have it ſooneſt; and if the Converts themſelves, as the Scripture tells us, are ſcarcely ſaved; Oh where ſhall the Unconverted and the Sinner appear▪ I wiſh that I may Preach and you may Hear▪ as thoſe who do really believe we ſhall all ſtand before the Judgment ſeat of Chriſt.

The Apoſtle in theſe words ſpeaks enough, one would think, to ſtartle the moſt ſtupid Conſcience, to make the moſt▪ ſecure, like Felix to tremble; to awaken even thoſe that are dead in Sins and Treſpaſſes. Let me tell you, the De… themſelves are none of them Atheiſts and Infidels, p. 2they all believe this Text, and the thoughts of Judgment make them tre…ble; therefore if …ny Sinner remains fearleſs and unſen…, he … this reſpect out ſin the very Apoſta… …g….

There are three things obſervable in the Words.

1. Here is a Judgment Seat, the moſt glorious that ever was, the laſt that ever will be; from this Tribunal there can be no Appeal unto any other, the Sentence whether of Abſolution or Condemnation that will here be paſs'…, will …ever be revers'd, but ſtand firm unto Eternity.

2. You are told who is to be the Judge, he is the Lord Jeſus Chriſt. We read of … Appearing of Chriſt, his firſt and … … pearing: He came at firſt in the … o… a … vant, he was to be made Sin, and … … Sin and a Curſe for us: He gave … for … that he might redeem us from all In…ty; and if he had given other and leſs than himſelf, it would not have ſatisfied. The Churches Sins could be done away by no lower a Prieſt, than Chriſt the greateſt and higheſt of all; and the Prieſt was fain himſelf to be, and that a moſt voluntary Sacrifice. He appear'd at firſt to put away ſin by the Sacrifice of himſelf; but when he comes the ſecond time, to Judge the World, he will appear after another kind of manner: From the beginning of the World, there hath not been ſuch a ſight as there will be at the end of it. The Lord Jeſus will come with a Power which none can withſtand, with great Glory, which will …ll the Saints with Joy; for they ſhall appear in glory with hi…, but will be exceedingly amazing and confounding to all thoſe who were the Enemies of his Kingdom.

p. 33. Her… are the … that are to ſtand before this …dg…; if you …, Who are they? I Anſwer by another Queſtion, What … where are the Perſons that ſhall be exempted? All from the begi…ing of the World to the end of it, All from the firſt Man that was made, unto the last of his …oſterity that ſhall be born, muſt ſtand before Chriſt the Lord, that from his Mouth they may receive their final and eternal Doom. There is a great difference between ſtanding before the Judgment Seat, and standing in Judgment; the for… implies being made to appear at the …ribunal, the la…ter implies being Acquitted there. The Pſalmiſt tells us, That …e ungodly ſhall not ſtand in the Judgment, nor Sinners in the Congregation of the Righ… …, Pſ…l. 1. …. yet all of theſe ſhall be forced to appear at the Bar of God▪ there they … …tand trembling, expecting the terrible Sentence of Condemnation: And Oh what a …ideous O… … …ll the whole multitude of Wicked and Reprobate …es make, when without hope of Mercy they are adjudged to endle… Miſery!

…. The Doctrine I raiſe from the Words is this, All ſhall be Judged by Chriſt at the great Day: As certainly as you are all here, ſo certainly, at that day you ſhall appear at his Judgment Seat: …ath is not more certain, nay, 'tis not ſo certain as Judgment. The Apoſtle tells us that all ſhall not …ye, for ſome ſhall be Changed; but even theſe that are changed, though they ſcap…. the Grave, they ſhall ſtand at the Tribunal, and give account of themſelves unto God. This Doctrine concerning Judgment, was Preached early in the p. 4World▪ we find 'twas Publiſhed before the Flood of Noah, as you may ſee, Jude v. 14, 15. where you have the ſumme of a Sermon, but a very terrible one, Preached by Enoch the ſeventh … Adam▪ Behold the Lord cometh with ten thouſands of his Saints, to execute Judgment upon all; … to convince all that are ungodly among them, of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed▪ and of all the hard ſpeeches which ungodly Sinners have ſpoken againſt him. Under the Moſaical Diſpenſation, the Children of Iſrael heard the ſame Doctrine: That great Prince and Preacher Solomon, thus concludes his Book of Eccleſiaſtes, having diſplayed the Creatures Vanity, having taught Man his Intereſt and Duty, To fear God, and to keep his Commandments; he cloſes with theſe words, Chap. 12. ult. God will bring every wor… into Judgment, with every ſecret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil: And how plainly does the Apoſtle Paul ſpeak to the ſame purpoſe, 2 Cor. 5. 10, 11. For we muſt all appear before the Judgment-ſeat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad▪ knowing therefore the terrour of the Lord, we perſwade Men.

In the handling of this Doctrine, this is the Method I ſhall obſerve.

Firſt, I ſhall Diſcourſe concerning Him that is to be the Judge.

Secondly, I ſhall ſpeak concerning the Perſons that are to be judged.

Thirdly, Concerning the things that ſhall be brought into Judgment.

Fourthly, I ſhall demonſtrate the Certainty. of this Judgment.

p. 5And then in the leſt Place make Application.

In the firſt Place I am to Diſcourſe concerning the Judge, and the Text plainly tells us, that the Judge is Chriſt: The Father I grant, is ſaid to judge, 1 Pe…. 1. 17. If ye call on the Father, who without reſpect of perſons judgeth according to every mans work, paſs the time of your ſ…journing here in fear: Yet it is ſaid in another place, The Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment to the Son, Joh. 5. 22. How ſhall theſe Scriptures …e reconciled? The reconciliation is eaſie, thus; the Father judges, becauſe the Authority of Judging belongs to him, becauſe he does Conſent unto the Sons Judgment, and has ordained him to Judge the World in Righteouſneſs; the truth is, the Father Judges all, but 'tis mediately by Jeſus Chriſt: And yet in another ſenſe the Father judges not, becauſe Chriſt the Son, the ſecond Perſon in the Godhead alone, was incar…ate and manifeſted in the Fleſh, and He alone will viſibly Judge the World at the great approaching Day.

Theſe four things may be obſerved concerning Chriſt the Judge.

He is a Saviour to the uttermoſt.

He is the Only Saviour.

He is Lord of all.

And as ſuch a Lord, he will come with a …ſt glorious Attendance.

1. Chriſt the Judge is a Saviour to the uttermoſt, and really at the Judgment-day he will compleat the Churches Salvation; he began it here in this World, and ſtill is carrying it on; but p. 6the laſt day will be the day, in which he will put his laſt Hand to this Work, and make it perfect, Heb. …. 28. Chriſt w… … offered … t… …ear the ſins of many, and unto them that l…k … him ſhall he appear the ſecond time, without ſin … Salvation; then Salvation ſhall be conſ… the whole of it ſhall be wrought, nothing o… Sin or the ſad effects of it ſhall remain, nothing that ſhall cauſe the leaſt frown in the Face … God to eternity: Death will be ſwallowed … in Victory, the whole Man will be glorious an… immortal; Chriſt will then have compleated his whole Deſign upon all his Saints and Members▪ he will have made them as holy and happy a… he did intend to make them, he will indeed pr… ſent his Church a glorious Church, not having ſ… or wrinkle, or any ſuch thing; but it ſhall be all holy, and its Beauty without the leaſt … Eph. 5. 27.

2. Chriſt the Judge is the Only Saviour, therefore thoſe that are Condemn'd by Him, … vain for them to expect Salvation from any … Chriſt is the only Foundation-ſtone on which all that build ſhall ſtand; other Builders are fooliſh, and build upon the ſand, and what they build will fall, and great will be the fall of it. They that are not intereſted in the Lord Jeſus by Faith that are not Juſtified by his Blood, who beſides can ſave them from Wrath? thoſe whoſe Iniquities are not done away by his offering up o… himſelf without ſpot to God, there can be found no other Sacrifice for their ſins, but a certain fearful looking for of Judgment, and fiery indignatio… that ſhall devour the Adverſaries: And how dreadful p. 7will it be to be Sentenced to Death and …, by the only Author of Salvation and Life! they that by his Mouth ſhall be doom'd …o eternal Deſtruction, that Deſtruction will be made ten thouſand times the ſorer by eternal Deſperation▪ Alas, what Hope can be left, when the Lamb of God, who alone can take away Sin, ſhall …e ſo full of Wrath, as for ever to reject and caſt away the Sinner?

3. Chriſt the Judge is Lord of all; this is a truth that the Tongue of an Angel did Proclaim, Luk. 2. 11. a truth that every Tongue ſhould confeſs, Phil. 2. 11. that every Heart ought to believe, and which the moſt unbelieving and obſti…a… at laſt ſhall be made to know. Chriſt hath on his Veſture, and on his Thigh, this Name written, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, Rev. 19. 1…. He has all Power in his hand, things in Heaven, and Earth, and under the Earth are ſub…ect to him: Thoſe that are wiſe do willingly …ow before him, and they who will not bow, …e can eaſily break and daſh them to pieces. A mighty Lord Chriſt is, at whoſe Command Death ſhall deliver again all that for ſo many years he had impriſoned in the Grave; he has indeed the Key of Death and Hell too, Rev. 1. 1…. both are under his Power; at his Command alſo the Heavens ſhall paſs away with a great noiſe, the Elements ſhall melt with fervent heat, the Eart… …lſo and the works therein ſhall be burnt up: There is no dealing with this Judge by way of reſiſtance; it concerns us all to be diligent, that …e may be ſound of him in peace, without ſpot and blameleſs, … Pet. 3. 10, 14.

p. 84. Chriſt the Judge will come with a … glorious Attendance: How awakening to the Wor… will the Voice of the Arch-Angel and the Tr…mp of God be! Chriſt will appear with a light ſ… above the brightneſs of the Sun, not a Member of his but ſhall ſhine like that glorious Luminary, Mat. 13. 43. Then ſhall the righteous ſh… as the Sun in the Kingdom of their Father; And what a ſpectacle will all the Saints together be, as ſo many millions of Suns ſhining at Once, and their Lord in the heighth of Glory at the head of them! He will be revealed alſo with his mighty Angels; theſe excellent Spirits at his Command, ministred unto his Members on Earth, and they will wait upon the Head at the day of his appearing and his Kingdom. There is much Work for the Angels to do at the Worlds end, they are compared to Reapers that are ſafely to gather the Wheat, and to bind the Tares in bundles for the fire, Mat. 13. 41, 42. The Son of Ma… ſhall ſend forth his Angels, and they ſhall gather ou… of his Kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity, and ſhall caſt them into a furnace of fire; there ſhall be weeping and gnaſhing of teeth. The greateſt Train of Nobility and Courtiers that attend at the Coronation of the higheſt Emperour on Earth, are but a poor ſhew to an … merable Company of Angels; for all in Heaven will be with Chriſt at Judgment, to do him honour who is indoed the Head of all Principality and Power. Thus of the Judge.

In the ſecond Place I am to ſpeak of the Perſons that are to be judged: The Text takes in All, p. 9therefore none ſhall be exempted, and none in a vain and fooliſh imagination ſhould exempt themſelves: It will be a general Aſſize, at which all the Sons and Daughters of Adam ſhall appear.

1. The higheſt and greateſt of Men will be brought to Judgment: Death makes bold with them as well as others, and enters the ſtatelieſt Palaces, the ſtrongeſt Forts, as well as the Cottages of the meaneſt. The Rulers and Conquerors of the World, that cauſed Terror in the land of the living, yet they are made to bear the ſhame of their Weakneſs and Mortality; they are brought down to the Pit, their Swords are laid under their Heads, their Hands being able to hold them no longer, Ezek. 32. 27. And if Death is not afraid to ſeize them, ſurely Christ will not be afraid to Judge them. This mighty Lord regards not the perſons of Princes, nor the rich more than the poor; Job 34. 19. I have ſaid ye are Gods, ſpeaking to the great Ones of the World, but ye ſhall dye like Men, Pſal. 82. 7. Princes are greater Worms, other Men are leſſer, but all muſt call Corruption Father; and when they come to ſtand before Chriſt… …ar, foregoing earthly Dignity will be inſignificant, all muſt ſtand upon even ground: And truly thoſe great Ones of the World that have abuſed their Power, and by a bad example drawn many to Sin and to Hell after them, their greatneſs will but Increaſe their Account and Miſery.

2. As the greateſt, ſo the Meaneſt muſt be brought … Judgment, though there is never ſo vaſt a mul…tude; God takes notice of them all now, and …on… of them muſt think to eſcape in a crowd p. 10then: The Apoſtle ſpeaks plainly of Individual… Rom. 14. 12. So then every one of us ſhall give … count of himſelf to God: Thoſe that live moſt private and retired, are under Gods continual Inſpection; they that are of the loweſt rank and quality, whom, there are that diſdain ſo much as to look upon, yet God ſees them. The S… ſhines upon a Mole-hill as well as upon a Mountain, upon a Shrub as well as upon a Cedar, upon a Fly as well as upon an Emperor; and truly the All-ſeeing Eye of God beholds the …o… … well as the high, and there is not any one of them all, but ſhall be made to render an account … all his doings.

3. Righteous Ones muſt ſtand before Chriſts Judgment-ſeat: All his Members muſt appear before Him their Head, but ſhall be dealt with after different manner from others; Grace and L… makes a difference now, but how highly magnified will the Grace of Chriſt be in the differen… it makes at that Day? to ſind Mercy of the L… in that day, which the Apoſtle Prays Oneſiph… might find, 2 Tim. 1. 18. when the greateſt … of the World ſhall with a ſtrong hand, the … being deaf to all their cryes, be turned into everlaſting fire; this is great Mercy indeed, great: the Heaven is high above the Earth. The Righteous ſhall appear, but they ſhall be ſet at th… Lords right hand, to ſhew his peculiar Favour… them, and they ſhall joyfully own what … Hand has done for them. Chriſts Appearing … be glorious, and ſo will be the appearing of … Saints; then 'twill be underſtood what 't… … be a Saint, Col. 3. 4. When Chriſt who is our … p. 11ſhall appear, than ſhall ye alſo appear with him i… Glory.

A Queſtion is here ſtarted by ſome, Whether the Sins of the Righteous ſhall be then made known? The Scripture plainly tells us, That when the Sins of ſuch come to be ſought for, there ſhall be none, and that they ſhall not be found; none of them ſhall be imputed or laid to their charge, none ſhall be ſo diſcover'd in Judgment, as to riſe up in Judgment againſt them, to Condemn them: But ſince there will ſuch a light ſhine at that day that will make all things manifeſt, both good and evil, ſuppoſe the Iniquities of the Righteous ſhould be made known to the whole Creation, ſuch will be their Purity, ſuch will be their Bleſſedneſs and Joy, that there will not be the leaſt room for ſhame or ſorrow at the diſcovery: But when all the Sins that have been Forgiven and Purged, ſhall be revealed, others as well as themſelves will be filled with Wonder at the Blood of Jeſus, and the powerful Grace of God.

4 As the Righteous, ſo the Wicked muſt stand before Christs Bar; they would fain not come …ither, but there is an irreſiſtible Power to force them. The Malefactor who is Condemned for Murther, Rape, or Treaſon, would fain decline …he Judges View, he is Self-condemn'd, and therefore fears the Judges Sentence; but the …aoler, the Officers compel him to the Bar, where …udgment is given againſt him to take away his …ife. Wicked Men will be horribly afraid to …ake their Appearance before the Lord Jeſus, …hoſe Salvation they have ſlighted, whoſe Kingdom and Government they would by no means p. 12ſubmit unto; they will wiſh that their Bodies might ſleep eternally in their Graves, and never have ſuch a Reſurrection which will be only to Damnation; they will wiſh rather to be turned into Nothing, than to be turned into Hell; they will call to the Rocks and the Mountains to fall upon them, to hide them from the Face of him that ſits upon the Throne, and from the Wrath of the Lamb, Rev. 6. 16. But will they, nill they, they muſt appear at his Seat, and ſee him Eye to Eye, though his Eye will be as a flame of Fire to terrifie them: That juſt Indignation that ſparkles from Chriſts looks, how will it amaze them! Rev. 1. 7. Behold he cometh with Clouds, and every eye ſhall ſee him, and all the kindreds of the earth ſhall wail becauſe of him, even ſo Amen; the thing is certain.

5. They that never heard Christs Goſpel ſhall be brought to Judgment: He is to Judge the Church, and the whole World in Righteouſneſs. The State of thoſe that are without the Goſpel, is ſet forth as very ſad in Scripture; they are ſaid to be without Christ, being aliens from the Commonwealth of Iſrael, and ſtrangers to the Covenants of Promiſe, having no hope, and without God in the World, Eph. 2. 12. Yet it ſeems to me an unwarrantable boldneſs, to pronounce them all loſt ſince for ought we know, God may help ſome of them to be faithful in that little he has given them; but however, be it, or be it not ſo; their Caſe is ſo dangerous, that we ſhould be concerned very much for them at preſent, and Pray that God would make known his ſaving health among them. The Apoſtle tells us, what will … p. 13the Rule of Chriſt's proceedings with the Heathen, that never heard of the glad-tydings of Salvation; they ſhall be judged according to the Law and Light of Nature, Rom. 2. 12. As many as have ſinned without Law, ſhall alſo periſh without Law, and as many as have ſinned in the Law, ſhall be judged by the Law; for not the hearers of the Law are juſt before God, but the doers of the Law ſhall be juſtified.

6. They that have enjoyed the Goſpel, and the means of Grace, ſhall be brought to Judgment; and of all perſons that are to be judged, theſe have largest account to give; and the most Talents to anſwer for. A poor Heathen, he has but one Talent, the dim Light of nature; but thou that enjoyeſt the Goſpel, haſt two, if not five Talents to improve: And where much is given, will not much alſo be required; you that hear Chriſt Preached; had need to look to it, that you ſincerely obey him now; and that you may ſtand before him at laſt; for if you fall in Judgment, you will fall very low. Damnation will be great and extraordinary, where great Salvation has been neglected, Heb. 2. 3. Our Lord Jeſus plainly intimates, that there are degrees of Torment in the place of future puniſhment; there is a blacker Darkneſs, and a Darkneſs not quite ſo dimal: there is a cooler and an hotter Hell. Who are thoſe that ſhall be thrown into the hotteſt Hell of all? Truly thoſe who heard the Goſpel, and were called to repent and believe, but would do neither, Mat. 11. 21, …2, 23, 24. Woe unto thee Chorazin, woe unto thee …ethſaida, for if the mighty works that were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have Repented long ago in Sack-cloath and Aſhes: but I ſay p. 14to you, it ſhall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of Judgment, than for you. And thou Capernaum, that art exalted unto Heaven, ſhalt be caſt down to Hell; for if the mighty works which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I ſay to you, it ſhall be more tolerable for the Land of Sodom in the Day of Judgment, than for Thee.

In the third place, I am to ſpeak of the things which will be brought into Judgment, and that both with reſpect to the Righteous, and with reſpect to the Wicked.

I begin with the Righteous; and concerning theſe you muſt know,

1. Their Sincerity at the day of Judgment, will be made apparent. All the Sincerity that has been on Earth, will then be own'd and approved; every one ſhall have an Euge, a Commendation, that has been a good and faithful Servant, Mat. 25. 21, 23. The Apoſtle prays for the Philippians, Ch… 1. 10. that they might be Sincere, and without offenc… till the day of Chriſt. Sincerity will ſignifie much in that Day: None will paſs for ſincere, but thoſe that are ſo. Not one that has been ſincere, but ſhall be accepted and rewarded. Faithful ones may now poſſibly he loaded with Reproaches from without; and with Cenſures from within th… Church; but at the great Day, all will be wipe… off, 1 Cor. 4. 5. Judge nothing before the time, unt… the Lord do come, who both will bring to light t… hidden things of darkneſs, and make manifeſt the Counſels of the Hearts, and then ſhall every Man ha… praiſe of God. How many that have been high… p. 15esteemed among Men, will be diſcovered then to have been unſound at Heart; and that the World and Self did act and rule them; tho their Tongues did ſpeak for God, and tho they made a Splendid Profeſſion, that they were his Servants. And how many that have been hardly thought of by Men, will Chriſt at that day confeſs before his Father and the Angels? their Cenſurers at the ſame time being aſhamed and confounded.

2. There will Cognizance be taken of all the good works of the Righteous. Theſe will follow them into another World, Rev. 14. 13. The Apoſtle, that he might encourage Believers unto diligence, tells them, Heb. 6. 10. God is not unrighteous to forget your Work and Labour of love, which ye have ſhewed towards his Name. Good works are rewardable, tho they are not Meritorious: there is no proportion between the work and the reward, but the reward infinitely exceeds, for God himſelf is the reward of the Saints, and All in all that are in Heaven. There is no intrinſick worth in good works to deſerve Heaven; but God has promiſed Heaven and eternal Life, and is Righteous in beſtowing it; but ſtill it muſt be acknowledged his free Gift, and given through Jeſus Chriſt. Indeed, Mat. 25. 35, 40. mention is made only of works of Charity and Mercy. I was an Hungred, and ye gave me Meat, Thirſty and ye gave me Drink, I was a Stranger, and ye took me in. I was Naked, and ye cloathed me; Sick, and ye viſited me. I was in Priſon, and ye came to me. From hence you are to learn how acceptable ſuch works as theſe are; and you ſhould be ſtirr'd up to abound in them; but other works are not excluded; for afterwards our Lord p. 16does only mention the mercileſneſs, and uncharitable Omiſſions of the wicked; and yet 'tis plain from other Scriptures, that their other Sins will be puniſhed; their not knowing God, their diſobedience to the Goſpel of Chriſt, 2 Theſſ. 1. 8.

3. The Sentence which will be paſt upon them, will be a Sentence of Abſolution: they ſhall be abſolved and acquitted openly before Men and Angels. All their Sins will be forgotten, and buried; there will be an eternal deliverance from the Curſe. With what Admiration, Joy and Triumph will they hear, Come ye bleſſed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you, from the Foundation of the World! Mat. 25. 34. What a Kingdom is that, that never ſhall be moved! What a Crown is that, that is incorruptible! What gladneſs will fill their Hearts, when the Crown of Life is put upon their Heads! The Sentence being pronounced, preſently 'twill be done according to this Sentence; poſſeſſion will be taken of the glorious Inheritance, they ſhall enter into life Eternal, Mat. 25. 46. Thus of the Righteous.

I am to ſpeak alſo concerning the Wicked; and as to theſe, you muſt underſtand,

1. All the works of wicked men will be brought into Judgment. All their ſinful Deeds will follow them to the Bar of God! they will riſe with them, and againſt them at that Day: when a Sinner ſhall appear, and all his Drunkenneſs, his Whoredoms, his unjuſt and cheating Actions, all his evil Deeds of every fort, ſhall ſurround and appear with him, before the Holy and Righteous Judge! How will he be amazed at the ſight of all his Tranſgreſſions! How will he tremble to hear how loud they cry p. 17for Vengeance upon him! Not á deed of Darkneſs, but then will be brought to light, to his greater confuſion!

2. Not only the Works of the Wicked, but their very Words ſhall all be accounted for. The Judge himſelf ſpeaks this very plainly, Mat. 12. 36. But I ſay unto you, that every idle word that men ſhall ſpeak, they ſhall give an account thereof in the day of Judgment. By idle words may be meant words uſeleſs and unprofitable to the Speakers and to the Hearers; or idle and vain, according to the Hebrew uſe, may ſignifie, falſe, deceitful, lying. God does hear all words at preſent, Pſal. 139. 4. There is not a word in my Tongue, but lo, O Lord, thou knoweſt it altogether. And words which very much declare what moſt abounds in the Heart, muſt be anſwered for at laſt. And if unprofitable talk will then be condemned, how ſad will be the Caſe of all obſcene and filthy Speakers! of all egregious Lyars! of all injurious Slanderers and Back-biters! of all Blaſphemers, curſing curſed Swearers! of all whoſe impious Tongues have made bold with the Blood and Wounds of God their Judge, and inſtead of ſerious praying, have moſt preſumptuouſly called upon, and dared God to Damn them!

3. As the works and words, ſo the Thoughts of wicked men ſhall be brought into Judgment. Thoughts are Sins, and need forgiveneſs; and ought to be repented of. Memorable is that which Simon Peter ſays to Simon Magus, Act. 8. 22. Repent therefore of this thy wickedneſs, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thy Heart may be forgiven thee. If theſe are not repented of and pardon'd, alas, theſe alſo muſt be charged upon Sinners; vaſtly to the increaſing of p. 18their puniſhment. How innumerable are the Thouſands of thouſands, the Millions of Millions of vain and wicked thoughts, deſires and luſtings that have lodged in the Hearts of the ungodly! The heart ſearcher ſees every one of them; and will make them know at the laſt day, that he remembers all. Proud and Self-conceited Thoughts, and touring imaginations; impure and laſcivious Thoughts, and inward boyling of Concupiſcence; inſatiable Covetouſneſs, and eager projects for filthy gain; the ſtirrings of Envy, Malice, Anger and Revenge; the Judge will take notice of all; for he knows what is in Man, Joh. 2. 25. It will be a large Bill of Inditement, where Deeds, Words and Thoughts are all written down from firſt to laſt, and not ſo much as …ne forgotten. The opening of the Book of Gods remembrance where all are recorded, will be very amazing.

4. The Sentence that will be paſt upon the wicked, will be unconceivably full of horrour, Mat. 25. 41. Then ſhall he ſay to them on the Left-hand, Depart from me ye Curſed into everlaſting Fire, prepared for the Dev… and his Angels. For Him, who is the way to come to God, to ſay Depart! to depart from Chriſt, the Sinners only Hope and Saviour! to depart with a Curſe! to depart into Fire, the Extremity of Torment! to depart into everlaſting Fire! to be tormented without any intermiſſion or end! to be for ever in ſuch evil and hateful Company, as Devils and damned Angels! this is woful beyond all utterance! And this Sentence as ſoon as paſs'd, will be put in Execution. Now indeed, ſuch is the patience of God, Sentence againſt an evil work is not ſpeedily Executed; and therefore ſuch is their Malignity p. 19and Ingratitude, the Heart of the Sons of men is fully ſet in them to do Evil, Eccleſ. 8. 11. But at the great day, as ſoon as the wicked are Sentenced, they will be ſent, and forced to go away into everlaſting Puniſhment, Mat. 25. ult. the words foreign, everlaſting Puniſhment or Torment, are remarkable; for here it is neceſſarily imply'd, that the wicked ſhall certainly be to Eternity, that they may be Puniſhed and Tormented to Eternity; and they ſhall be ſenſible (elſe it would not be Torment) of the Puniſhment they undergo. By eternal Deſtruction, you are not to underſtand eternal Annihilation, or being turned for ever into Nothing: for if a wicked Man ſhould altogether ceaſe to be, he muſt needs alſo ceaſe to be puniſhed. For 'tis no more a Puniſhment to be nothing to Eternity, than it can be called a Puniſhment to have been nothing from Eternity. Wicked men muſt be for ever, and alas they muſt bear for ever the Lord's Vengeance and Indignation. I ſpeak thus terribly, not without bowels of Compaſſion towards you. I would fain fright you by telling you of Wrath, and the Vengeance of eternal Fire, that you may never, never feel it.

In the Fourth place, I am to demonſtrate the certainty of this Judgment. If Faith concerning it were but more ſtrong; what an Influence would it have upon the Hearts and Lives of them that do believe it! The Arguments to prove a future Judgment are theſe.

1. Are there not fears of this Judgment impreſs't even upon natural Conſcience? What's the reaſon, that when Men commit the moſt ſecret wickedneſs, that is very unlikely to be known; there is notwithſtanding p. 20a dread upon their Spirits? The true reaſon is, Conſcience tells them there is a God, that ſees what Man does not ſee, and that he will judge and puniſh the wickedneſs of which Man takes no notice. This Doctrine of a Judgment to come, of future Rewards and Puniſhments, is written in the Heart of Man by Nature, and he is fain to offer great violence to his own Soul, before he can wear off what is written there; and tho a Sinner become ordinarily very Stupid and Atheiſtical; yet the thoughts and fears of Judgment, will ſometimes, in ſpight of him return upon him. The Apoſtle ſpeaks of Conſcience bearing witneſs, and Thoughts accuſing and excuſing; and then preſently ſpeaks of the Day when God ſhall judge the Secrets of Men by Jeſus Chriſt, Rom. 2. 15, 16. Conſcience judges at preſent, and hints a future judgment.

2. There is not ſuch a Diſcrimination made in this World, between the Righteous and the Wicked, as is ſuitable to the difference that Grace has made between them: Therefore there is a Day coming, when there will be ſuch a Diſcrimination. Solomon tells us, that in the courſe of Divine Providence at preſent, no Man can know either Love or Hatred by all that is before him. All things fall alike to all; there is one Event to the Righteous and to the Wicked, to the good, to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that Sacrificeth, and him that Sacrificeth not; as is the good, ſo is the ſinner; and he that Sweareth, as he that feareth an Oath, Eccleſ. 9. 1, 2. Nay, often times the worſt of men have in this preſent Life the beſt on 't. We read, Luke 16. of a wicked Rich Man receiving his good things, cloathed in Purple and fine Linnen, and faring Sumptuouſly every day. A poor Man ready p. 21to ſtarve for Hunger, was laid at this Rich Man's Gate, his Body was full of ſores, and yet this Mans Soul was ſanctified with Grace; a good Man he was, though here he received evil things; ſince thus it is now, there is a day coming when 'twill be otherwiſe. Job having ſpoken of the Proſperity of the Wicked in this World, ſtrongly argues that in the next World there will be a dreadful after-reckoning, Job. 21. 30. The Wicked is reſerved to the day of Deſtruction, they ſhall be brought forth to the day of Wrath: This is the day I am ſpeaking of, a day of the revelation of the righteous Judgment of God, Rom. 2. 5. Who then will render to every man according to his works; to them that by patient continuance in well doing ſeek for glory, and honour, and immortality, eternal life; but to them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteouſneſs, indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguiſh upon every ſoul of man that doth evil, of the Jew firſt, and alſo of the Gentile, v. 6, 7, 8, 9.

3. Chriſt hath Promiſed his Church that he will come again to Judgment, and hath raiſed her hopes and expectations of his coming, Rev. 3. 11. Behold I come quickly, hold that faſt which thou haſt, that no man take thy Crown: Heb. 10. 36. For yet a little while, and he that ſhall come, will come, and will not tarry. He thus ſpeaks to his Diſciples, Let not your hearts be troubled, ye believe in God, believe alſo in me; I am indeed about to leave you, but I go to prepare a place for you; and aſſure your ſelves, I will come again, and receive you to my ſelf, that where I am, there ye may be alſo, Joh. 14. 1,—5. Chriſt is the Amen, the true and faithful Witneſs, he will certainly be the Judge. The p. 22Church will aſſuredly ſee him at laſt upon the great White Throne, and her ſelf ſafe and triumphant at his right hand. When he comes, how will he be glorified in his Saints, and how will he be admired by all Believers in that Day! 2 Theſ. 1. 10.

4. There are ſeveral things that are haſtening Chriſts coming to Judgment: The World grows old in Wickedneſs, and all the Sins of the World have tongues to cry for the appearing of a Judge, to pay their deſerved Wages; the World grows riper and riper for Vengeance, dryer and dryer for that Fire that is to burn it. The Church of Chriſt is alſo haſtning Chriſts Appearing, with their inceſſant Cryes, Come Lord Jeſus, Come quickly, Rev. 22. 20. The Spirit and the Bride ſay, Come; not only unto Sinners to come to Chriſt, but unto Christ himſelf to appear, that he may put an end both to Sin and Suffering: That's the longing and language of the Spouſe, Cant. 8. 14. Make haſte, my Beloved, and be like a Roe, or a young Hart upon the mountains of ſpices: And this is not the Voice only of the Church on Earth, but they in Heaven wiſh for, and intreat the ſame thing; How long, Lord, holy and true! is heard from the Souls under the Altar, Rev. 6. 10.

In the laſt Place I come to the Application: I begin with Inferences from the Doctrine.

1. If there will be a Day of Judgment, hence I inferr, that there is a preſent Providence: Will the Lord judge all at laſt? ſurely he obſerves all now. The Lord Jeſus would have all the Churches, to know as well, that he ſearches the Reins and Heart, as that he will render to every p. 23man according to his Works, Rev. 2. 23. Whether thy Eye be upon God or no, his Eye is never off from thee; 'tis indeed in every place, beholding the evil and the good: What a fooliſh Creature haſt thou reaſon to call thy ſelf? who conſidereſt not in thy heart that God remembers all thy Wickedneſs, Hoſ. 7. 2. and Gods remembrance at laſt will rub up thine; and what thou now forgetteſt, will ſadly be recalled to thy Mind.

2. Shall all be Judged? hence I inſerr the Love of God to the Righteous, and his hatred of Iniquity: Not one righteous Man, but ſhall be acquitted and received by the Judge; not a righteous action, or ſincere intention, but ſhall be rewarded: It will be found at the laſt day, that a Widdows Mite given with a Charitable ſpirit, and according to the ability, was a great deal in Gods Treaſury; and that a Cup of cold Water given to a Diſciple, in the Name of a Diſciple, was well taken, and ſhall not go unrewarded, Mat. 10. 42. And there has not been, there is not a Wicked Man on Earth, but his Sin that has been hunting and purſuing to overthrow him, will then find him out, Pſal. 11. 5, 6. becauſe the Lords Soul hates the workers of Iniquity; therefore upon the wicked he will rain ſnares, fire and brimſtone, and an horrible tempeſt, this ſhall be the portion of their Cup: By fire, and brimſtone, and tempeſt, underſtand a ſuddain, grievous, ſurprizing and intolerable Puniſhment; and by ſnares underſtand, that they in Hell ſhall never be able to extricate themſelves out of that Miſery into which their Wickedneſs has brought them.

3. If all ſhall be Judged, hence I inſerr the p. 24truth of the Doctrine of the Reſurrection: The whole Man has ſinn'd, the whole Man ſhall be judg'd and puniſhed for ſin: Believers are ſanctified both in Soul and Body, therefore in Body and Soul they ſhall be gloryfied. The Dead ſhall riſe again, all that are in the Graves ſhall hear the Voice of Chriſt, and ſhall come forth; they that have done good to the reſurrection of Life, they that have done evil to the reſurrection of Damnation, Joh. 5. 28, 29. The Grave is only a Priſon for a time, not a Body that is there that ſhall lye there always; the ſame Body that was employed in the unfruitful works of darkneſs, ſhall be raiſed by the Power of the righteous Judge, to ſhare in the demerited Puniſhment: And the ſame Body of the Saints, the Members of which were uſed as Inſtruments of Righteouſneſs unto Holineſs, by Vertue of its Union with Chriſt, ſhall riſe again, and be made like unto Chriſts glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able to ſubdue all things to himſelf, Phil. 3. 21. It is not another Body: I grant that qualities are alter'd, but the ſubſtance is the ſame, therefore the Apoſtle does not ſtick to ſay foreign; This corruptible ſhall put on incorruption, this mortal ſhall put on immortality; ſo when this corruptible ſhall have put on incorruption, and this mortal ſhall have put on immortality, then ſhall be brought to paſs the ſaying that is written, Death is ſwallowed up in Victory, 1 Cor. 15. 53, 54.

4. Will there be a Judgment, 'tis wonderful there ſhould be ſo much ſecurity in them that hear of it … Really the very mentioning of Chriſts Tribunal, before which all muſt ſtand, ſhould make all Criminals p. 25to tremble. If a Man were ſeized for a Crime that's capital, deſerving Death by the Law of God and Man, and being in Bolts and Fetters in Newgate, he ſhould be ſecure and unconcerned, though the Seſſious were at hand, you would conclude him to be very ſtupid and inconſiderate. What, Sinner, ſecure! and ſhortly to be Judged! O Drunkard! Whoremonger! Swearer! Sabbath-breaker! Covetous Worldling! what, ſecure! and ſpeedily to appear at the Judgment-ſeat of Chriſt, who has ſaid, That they that do ſuch things, ſhall not inherit the Kingdom of God! Sin is folly, ſecurity in Sin is the folly of that folly: Take heed of Security, 'tis not I only, but Chriſt himſelf alſo that gives you this neceſſary caution, Luk. 21. 34, 35, 36. And take heed to your ſelves, leſt at any time your hearts be overcharged with ſurfeiting and drunkenneſs, and the cares of this life, and ſo that day come upon you unawares; for as a ſnare ſhall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth: Watch ye therefore, and Pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to eſcape all thoſe things that ſhall come to paſs, and to ſtand before the Son of Man.

ƲSE II. By way of Counſel. Two words of Counſel I would give this Congregation.

The one is, more firmly to believe a Judgment, and more frequently to think of it.

The other is, Be ſure in time to prepare for eternal Judgment.

1. More firmly believe, more frequently think of Judgment: You have reaſon to believe it, for the Judge is ordained, and though neither Men p. 26nor Angels know the day, yet the day is appointed, Act. 17. 30, 31. The time of this ignorance God winked at, but now commands all men every where to repent, becauſe he hath appointed a day in which he will judge the World in righteouſneſs, by that Man whom he hath ordained, whereof he hath given aſſurance unto all, in that he hath raiſed him from the dead. The ſtronger your aſſent is unto this, the more ſerious and often will be your Conſideration of it.

To think of Judgment is proper for a Saint, that he may be encouraged to fight the good fight of Faith, and perſevere in well doing to the end.

To think of Judgment is proper for a Wicked Man, to awaken him, and to make him with fear and trembling to work out his Salvation.

It's proper for an Hypocrite to think of Judgment, becauſe then all Masks and Vizours will be pull'd off, all ſhews will be at an end, and naked Truth will appear at that day: The Graves will be open'd, and do ye think the whited painted Sepulchers will remain ſhut? Oh! then all the concealed Pride, and Filthineſs, and Selfiſhneſs, and Senſuality, and Injuſtice, and earthlineſs of Profeſſors, will with all their aggravations be brought to light before Men and Angels: Oh, how many demure and ſerious Countenances, that have been a covering to naughty Hearts, will then be filled with Confuſion!

'Tis proper for the Old to think of Judgment; they have one foot in the Grave already, and quickly the whole body muſt drop into it, and the Spirit muſt return to God who gave it. You alſo that p. 27are Young ſhould think of Judgment; have the youngeſt of you any aſſurance of your Lives? Infants, Children, Youths, do not many of them dye and ſtep into Eternity? and as you ſee them leave the World, ſo certainly they appear before God, and one way or other have their Doom. Solomon tells you, that Childhood and Youth are Vanity: Would you that are Young be ſerious? the Meditation of Judgment would conduce much to it, Eccleſ. 11. 9. Rejoyce, O young Man, in thy Youth, and let thy heart chear thee in the days of thy Youth, and walk in the wayes of thy heart, and in the ſight of thine eyes: He ſays, Rejoyce, but ſpeaks Ironically, and means the quite contrary; thou haſt no reaſon at all to rejoyce, whilſt taken with things that are ſeen, and whilſt thou walkeſt in thoſe evil ways which thy Heart naturally does like: Then the Wiſe man ſpeaks ſeriouſly, But know thou, that for all theſe things God will bring thee to Judgment.

If you ask me, What are the Benefits that will accrue by a firm Belief, and frequent Meditation of Judgment? I thus Anſwer to this momentous Queſtion.

1. This will be a great Preſervative againſt Temptation: Look beyond the preſent advantage and delight that Sin boaſts of, and ſee as far as the Judgment-ſeat, this is the way to ſilence the Tempter, and to avoid his ſnare: Would the Lyar dare to ſpeak falſly, if he conſidered, that all Lyars ſhall be adjudged to the lake that burns with fire and brimſtone, which is the ſecond death? Rev. 21. 8. Would the Unclean Perſon dare to defile himſelf, and run to the Harlots houſe, if he did but believe and conſider that Whoremongers p. 28and Adulterers God will judge? Improve Chriſts Croſs, and think of Chriſts Tribunal, and this will cool and kill Corruptions, and take away the force of your Temptations.

2. The Belief and Meditation of Judgment will cauſe you to uſe this World as not abuſing it, to make a good improvement of it. You that have this World in great abundance, and have the cleareſt and largeſt Eſtates; do you think you are Proprietors of what you have? Do you think 'tis given or only lent you for a time? You are only Stewards intruſted with that which is Gods and not yours, and are accountable at the laſt day for all you have received. What ſad accounts will moſt give up of their Stewardſhip; when they muſt be no longer Stewards! Imprimis, So much daily for Eating and Drinking to Self, and not to the Glory of God. Item, So much for brave Apparel, that Pride might be maintained and gratified. Item, So much for making proviſion for the Fleſh, to fulfil the Luſts thereof. Item, So much for coſtly and vaſt Paſt-times; a great deal of Wealth, and much more precious Time being waſted together. But unto good uſes, to maintain a Godly and laborious Miniſtry of the Goſpel, to the poor and needy, given very little or nothing. With what an Eye do you think that the Judge will look upon ſuch accounts as theſe? Think of Judgment, that you may holily improve the unrighteous Mammon, and Chriſt may ſay you have been Faithful Stewards, even of worldly things.

3. The Belief and Meditation of Judgment, will make you exceeding diligent, that you may be found of your Judge in peace, without ſpot and blameleſs. With what Seriouſneſs and Fervency will he come to the p. 29Throne of Grace, that has the Judgment-ſeat alſo in his Eye? How will he hear and practiſe, that remembers he muſt be called to an account, how he has done both? He will take care to be ready whenſoever his Lord calls, and that whenſoever his Lord comes, he may find him doing the Work he ſet him about, and ſo doing it as He commands.

2. The other word of Counſel is this, Be ſure in time to prepare for Eternal Judgment: Do this ſeriouſly, do it preſently, and as your main buſineſs. That you may prepare indeed,

1. Be Accuſers and Judges of your ſelves; take notice of your Sins, with Grief, with Hatred, and holy Indignation! accuſe your ſelves of them before God, with ſelf-loathing and ſelf-abhorrency. Look down by Faith into the loweſt Hell, and ſee the terrible but righteous Severity, that is ſhewn there againſt obſtinate workers of Iniquity; then look up to God, and judge your ſelves in his ſight, acknowledging that you have deſerved one of the hotteſt places in that Lake of Fire. Acknowledge he would be clear in the foreſt judgment he ſhould pronounce upon you, and that He would be juſtified, tho you ſhould be damn'd eternally, Pſal. 51. 4. This judging of your ſelves, is the way to prevent Condemnation with the World, 1 Cor. 11. 31, 32.

2. If you would be prepared for Judgment, believe in Jeſus, that you may be juſtified before God at preſent. Receive Chriſt, who is offer'd in the Goſpel; rely upon his Obedience and Sufferings for juſtifi…ation of life. And being juſtified by Faith, you ſhall …ave Peace with God through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, Rom. 15. 1. Being juſtified by his Bloud, you ſhall …e Saved from wrath through him, Rom. 5. 9. p. 30What does ponere obicem, put a Bar before Hell Gate, and hinder us from falling into that place of Woe? The Croſs of Chriſt, that's the Bar; you are to place your Confidence in Chriſt Crucified: If juſtified by him now, he will ratifie the juſtification at the laſt day, and you ſhall not be condemned then, Rom. 8. 33, 34. Who ſhall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect? It is God that juſtifieth. Who is he that Condemneth? It is Chriſt that dyed, yea, rather that is riſen again; who is at the Right Hand of God, and maketh Interceſſion for us.

3. Would you be prepared for Judgment; Repent and be converted; let your minds be changed, and turn to God with your whole Heart. This is the way indeed to ſtand before him, Acts 3. 19. Repent and be converted, that your Sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreſhing ſhall come from the preſence of the Lord. The Apoſtle looks as far as the laſt day. Blotting out of Sins, is Chriſt's abſolving and acquitting them from all Treſpaſſes. The time of refreſhing, is that great day of compleat and glorious Redemption, when all that are Chriſts ſhall lift up their Heads with Joy: Repent and be converts in Truth, if you would have that a day of refreſhing, and not of confuſion. Walk after the Fleſh no longer, but after the Spirit; then you need not be afraid of Condemnation, your being guided by his Spirit, will ſhew you are in Chriſt, and ſafe in Him, Rom. 8. 1. There is therefore now no Condemnation to them that are in Christ Jeſus, who walk not after the Fleſh, but after the Spirit; to be carnally minded is Death, but to be Spiritually minded, is life and peace.

USE III. Of Terrour to the ungodly, the Hypocrite p. 31and the Ʋnbelievers; Chriſt will judge them all, and they may tremble to think what kind of judgment they ſhall have: what ſharp and piercing words are thoſe, which declare before-hand what will be their Doom, Mat. 23. 33. Ye Serpents, ye Generation of Vipers, how can ye eſcape the Damnation of Hell? That I may, if it be poſſible, awaken ſuch, I would lay before them theſe terrifying conſiderations.

1. When they appear at Chriſt's Bar, all their ſecret wickedneſs will be made known. How many will then be found what they were not in the leaſt ſuſpected! Thy ſecret wantonneſs, and Self-pollutions; thy ſecret injuſtice and defrauding; thy ſecret abominations, of all kinds, will then be as viſible to every Eye, as if written in Capital Letters with the brighteſt Sun-beam. And what ſname and confuſion will cover the wicked Mans Face! they that are impudent, and cannot bluſh now; how will they be confounded then! The truth is, as the Prophet Daniel ſpeaks; They will riſe to ſhame and everlaſting contempt, Dan. 12. 2.

2. At the day of Judgment it will be too late, and in vain for the wicked to pray and cry for Mercy; they will find the Lord eternally removed from the Throne of Grace, and to their Terrour behold him on the Judgment Seat. If the Ungodly roar out, then, Lord pity! Lord pardon! Lord, ſend us not away into that flaming Furnace that we ſee before us! it will be altogether in vain: But 'tis not in vain to cry thus now. Oh, ſeek the Lord while he may be found, and call ye upon him whilſt he is near, Iſa. 55. 6.

3. It will add to the Terrour of the Wicked, That the Sentence of Condemnation is pronounced by the Only Saviour: The merciful and faithful High Prieſt, p. 32that now is ſo forward to make Reconciliation for Si… that is ſo ready to give reſt to them that labour … are heavy laden. The Man Chriſt Jeſus will have no pity at all, no compaſſion towards the Reprobate Children of Men; but deal with them as with the Apoſtate Angels, whoſe Nature he never took upon him. The only Peace-maker will himſelf be ſo incenſed, and full of Wrath, as not to be intreated not to be appeaſed. The Sentence of Eternal Death, and enduring everlaſting Burnings, will be confounding; but 'twill add to the Confuſion, that a Redeemer does pronounce it.

4. After the Judge has paſs'd the Sentence, Conſcience will pronounce it over again, and will be a Judge to the Wicked, always condemning them. Conſcience will be filled with unſpeakable remorſe; it will continually be upbraiding them with their madneſs and folly in keeping their Sins, and loſing their Souls; and will ever be telling them, that the Lords ways towards them are equal, but their own ways according to which they are judged, have been unequal, and full of Iniquity, Ezek. 18. 29, 30. The Conſcience of Sinners will ſide with their Judge againſt them. It will tell the moſt wretched among the Damned, that they cannot complain of God, or of the leaſt injury he has done them; all that they ſuffer, they ſuffer juſtly; and what they ſuffer, they have brought upon themſelves. The horrible and perpetual remorſe of Conſcience, will prove that the Worm never dies, that does torment them.

5. When Sinners come to be condemn'd at the laſt day, how many things will riſe up in judgment againſt them? (pray mind this, and minding tremble, p. 33and trembling turn to God this very inſtant.) Thouſands of Mercies will come, and as it were plead thus: Lord! we have been all abuſed, we never met with any thing but abuſes, and never could lead theſe men to Repentance! The Rods of Affliction will have a Voice againſt them too. Lord! we have ſtricken theſe Sinners often, we have made them Bleed and Groan, and ſmart exceedingly for their Iniquities; but could never make them leave off Sinning againſt Thee, and againſt their own Souls! How many Sermons will riſe up in judgment againſt them; becauſe they either ſlept them away; or if they were awake, they ſuffer'd them to ſlip out of their Memories, and never applyed them to their Hearts! And as for us, the Ministers of the Goſpel, our Teſtimony againſt them will be true and terrible. Lord! we lifted up our Voices like Trumpets; we gave them the Watchmans Warning, we told them of the Sword that was coming, and that if they turned not from Sin, it would ſurely ſlay them: we wooed them to come to Jeſus, that under his Wing they might be ſecure; but nothing would prevail; their Ears were deaf, their Hearts they hardened, they would not be converted and made clean, they would ruſh on in Sin ſtill, they would needs Dye, and there was no helping it! The Condemnation muſt needs be dreadful, when ſo many things riſe up againſt them that are condemned!

ƲSE IV. Oſ Conſolation to the Saints. I muſt ſpeak to them in another ſtrain. Lift up your Heads, and let your Hearts be filled with Joy; all ye believing, repenting, humble, holy, heavenly-minded Ones! for the Day of your Redemption draws nigh, p. 34with an earneſt expectation wait for it, and Triumph at the Thoughts of your great and everlaſting Jubilee. You will indeed behold the greateſt part of mankind turned into Hell; but what Joy will it be to find your ſelves for ever ſafe and fully bleſſed! A dark Shadow ſets off a beautiful Picture. The ſight of the Rich man in Hell Flames, muſt needs make Lazarus to find a greater ſweetneſs in Abrahams Boſome!

Two Grounds of Conſolation I ſhall propound to you, and ſo conclude.

1. He is to be your Judge, that is your Husband and your Head. The very ſame whom you now find interceding for you in Prayer; whom you ſee walking in the midſt of the Golden Candleſticks, and bleſſing his Ordinances to you. The very ſame whom you have found pitying, and healing your Wounds with his own Blood; ſuccouring you in your Temptations, and telling you that you are the Beloved of his Soul! And ſince he is to Judge you, be comforted. He will behold you with an aſpect, that is highly favourable! His own Spouſe, whom he has ranſomed with his own Life, Chriſt will not turn into devouring Fire! He will not take the Members of his own Body, and throw them into everlaſting Burnings! Having Redeemed them by his Blood, having renewed and Sanctified them by his Spirit; having raiſed them up at the great day; certainly he will receive them to himſelf, and they ſhall be ever with the Lord, 1 Theſ. 4. 17, 18. wherefore be comforted with theſe words.

2. You that are true Believers, whoſe Faith purifies your Hearts and works by Love; know p. 35that there is a Crown deſigned for you. The Diadems that Monarchs have upon their Heads; the Triple Crown of Him at Rome, is but a Trifle to the Crown of life. This Crown is purchaſed, 'tis promiſed, 'tis prepared; and ſhortly you ſhall put it on, and never put it off more. How Splendid, how Bright, how Sparkling, will that Crown be! 'Tis called a Crown of Life, for Death ſhall be no more. A Crown of Glory, for the Saints ſhall be more than Conquerours, and Triumphant over all Enemies, and be advanced to the higheſt Honour and State, whereof they are capable. Finally, 'tis called a Crown of Righteouſneſs; 'tis a Righteous thing with God, to beſtow it through Chriſt Jeſus, and perfect Righteouſneſs and Purity will be a great part of the happineſs of Saints in Glory. This Crown the Apoſtle ſaw to his great encouragement, and he would have all other Believers comforted with the ſame ſight, 2 Tim. 4. 7, 8. I have fought a good Fight, I have finiſhed my Courſe, I have kept the Faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteouſneſs, which the Lord the Righteous Judge ſhall give me at that Day, and not to me only, but unto all them alſo that love his appearing.