Christs Certain and Sudden Appearance to Judgment, Chapter 4
CHAP. IV.
2. THe second thing is to speak of the end of Christs second appearance, and the transactions of that day.
The end of Christs second appearance will be to judge the world; the end of his first coming was not to judge, but to redeem and save, as he tells his disciples when they desired him to execute some judgment from Heaven upon those Samaritans which would not receive him, Luke 9. 55, 56. Ye know not what spirit ye are of, for the Son of man is not come to destroy mens lives, but to save them. And Iohn 7. 47. If any man hear my words and believe not, I judge him not, for I came not to judge, but to save; but when Christ doth appear the second time, he will come to judge the world, Iude 14. 15. Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousand of his Saints, to execute judgment upon all, &c. Matth. 26. 31, 32. When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy Angels with him, then shall he sit on the Throne of his glory, and before him shall be gathered all Nations; and so he goeth on in description of the last judgment. In speaking of Christs judging the world, and the transactions at that day, I shall show,
1. That Christ will raise up all the dead one of their graves.
2. That he will gather all Nations before his judgment Seat.
3. That he will separate the righteous from the wicked.
4. That he will open the Bo…ks out of which all must be judged.
5. I shall speak more particularly of the judgment of the Righteous, and the Wicked.
1. Christ at his second appearance will raise up all the dead out of their graves: there shall be a general resurrection, Iohn 5. 28, 29. The hour cometh in which all that are in their graves shall hear his voice and come forth, they that have done good to the resurrection of life, they that have done evil to the resurrection of damnation. Something hath been spoken already concerning Christs victory over death, and loosning all his prisoners, but give me leave to illustrate the resurrection a little further; and here I shall endeavour to set it forth by an allusion to that notable place, Ezek. 37. and the ten first verses. The hand of the Lord was upon me▪ and carried me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley, which was full of bones. And caused me to pass by them round about; there were very many in the open valley, and so they were very dry. And he said unto me, Son of man, Can these bones live? and I answered, O Lord thou knowest. Again he said unto me, Prophesie upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones hear the Word of the Lord, Thus saith the Lord unto these bones, Behold I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live. And I will lay sinews upon you, and bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and ye shall know that I am the Lord. So I prophesied as I was commanded, and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones camè together, bone to his bone. And when I beheld, …o the sinews and flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them above, but there was no breath in them. Then said he unto me, Prophesie unto the Winds, Prophesie Son of man, and say to the Winds, Thus saith the Lord God, come from the four Winds O breath, and breathe upon these slain that they may live. So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet an exceeding great Army. Something like this will the Resurrection be at the last day. Now the bones and bodies of all former generations are scattered up and down in the valley of the shadow of death: some are sunk into the deep, others are buried in the earth, the flesh is consumed, and resolved into its first elements, and the bones of some remain, of other are mouldred into earth; now when the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God shall come down from Mount Sion which is above, into the valley of this inferiour World, he will Prophesie over all the bodies and bones of all the children of men that are dead, and speak unto them to live; he will say unto them whilst they lie rotting in their graves, Live; he will say, Awake ye that sleep in the dust: and O what a noise and shaking will there be then in the ground? what a clattering of bones together in the coming of bone to his bone? If the body hath been quartered and buried, part in one place and part in another; (as the Levites concubine, who was divided into twelve parts, and sent to the twelve Tribes of Israel, and it is likely buried in twelve distinct places;) the bones will fly through the air out of all those places, and meet together in one body. O what a great part of the air, water, and earth will there run into conjunction, by the command of Christ, and be turned into those very bodies which were resolved into them by death, and the corruption of the Pit; but with the addition of such new qualities as shall sublimate, spiritualize, and refine them from all that dreggishness, and ill humour that shall be the foundation of any sickness or death for ever; then the bones will come together, and be made like stones for strength; then the sinews will be as it were Iron sinews, and the flesh brasse; such strength will be put into them, as I conceive is not to be found in the strongest creatures which hitherto God hath made; that they might be fitted, the bod…es of the righteous for an eternal life of happiness, and bearing the glory of Heaven: the bodies of the wicked for an eternal life of misery, and bearing the torments of Hell; either of which the body, now as it is, would sink under. Then the Sea will give up her dead, and the Earth will give up her dead, Rev. 20. 13. As the Whale cast Ionah upon the shore after he had lain three daies in his belly: so the Sea will cast up all the dead that for so many years have been buried in its bowels: but what a st…rring will there be in the earth! those which are alive will wonder to see such a strange metamorphosis of the ground; to feel men and women stirring and moving under their feet, arising and crouding for room amongst them. Then will the Lord bring down all the souls of the righteous which have been in Paradise with him many years, and they shall finde out their own bodies, and he will open the prison of Hell, and let out the souls of the wicked for a while, that they also may finde out their own bodies, which shall be prepared for both, that they might both be prepared for the last judgment; of which more when I come to the particular judgment of the righteous and wicked.
Thus Christ will raise up all the dead out of their graves.
2. Christ at his second appearance will gather all Nations before his Iudgment seat, Rev. 20. 11, 12. I saw a great white throne, and him that sate on it. And I saw the dead small and great stand before God, 2 Cor. 5. 10. We must all appear before the Iudgment seat of Christ. And Matth. 25. 31, 32. When the Son of man shall sit on his throne, all Nations shall be gathered before him. O what a vast number will there be when so many hundred generations of people shall be alive together, and gathered together into one place! if so be the multitude of the righteous will be so great when they are got together into one body, that no man can number them. Rev. 7. 9. After I beheld, and lo a great multitude, which no man could number, of all Nations and Kindreds, and People, and Tongues, stood before the Throne, and before the Lamb, cloathed with white Robes, and Palms in their hands. What then will the multitude of the wicked be, when they are gathered together; in comparison with whom, the righteous are but few? All Nations shall be gathered before Christs Judgment seat.
3. Christ at his second appearance will separate the righteous from the wicked, the Chaff shall be purged from the Wheat. Matth. 3. 12. the Tares shall be gathered from the good Corn. Matth. 13. 30. the bad Fish shall be divided from the good, v. 48. The Goats shall be separated from the Sheep, Matth. 25. 32. By the Chaff, Tares, bad Fish, Goats, we are to understand the wicked; by the good Corn, good Fish, Sheep, we are to understand the righteous: who will be separated one from another, however they are now in some places mingled and linked together; the elect shall be gathered together into one company from the four winds, Matth. 24. 31. and they shall stand on the right hand of Christ, and the reprobate wicked shall stand on the left, Mat. 25. 33. In which gathering and separation, there shall be no mistake, as there may be now. Many close hypocrites may in this world pass for true children of God; they may live together, and hear together, and pray together, and receive the Sacrament together, and make the same profession of Religion; yea, some hypocrites may, as to ourward appearance, seem to outgo some of Gods own children in zeal and forwardness; the lamps of the foolish Virgins may seem to shine with a greater blaze than some of the lamps of the wise; when they have not the least dram of the oyl of true grace in the vessel of their hearts, Matth. 25. at the beginning; yea, some of Gods own children may here be mistaken for hypocrites (their chiefest life being secret, and out of view) by them which are uncharitable; and they may also mistake themselves, through the temptations of the devil, and the doubtings of their mis-giving unbelieving hearts; but at the last day, there will be no mistake; not only the more openly profane and notoriously vile generation of the wicked, who were even professed enemies of Gods people, and shun their company, and separate themselves now, shall be separated from them by Jesus Christ at the last day; but also all those who were more …ober, and had some kind of love to them, but none unto Jesus Christ: Yea, all hypocrites, who seemed to be of their company, shall then be parted from them: Christ will look upon all with a pier…ing distinguishing eye, he will easily discern and discover all the hypocrites, however they may plead that they have eat and drunk in his presence, and some of them cast out devils in his …ame; he will not judge according to the outward appearance, but according to the truth which hath been in the heart; and they which …ave so much deceived men, shall not be able to …eceive him: None of them shall twine themselves …perceivably, and croud into Heaven amongst … righteous: Then the lamps of the foolish vir…ns will be gone out; then the vail and mask of … outward show, will be rent and torn to pie…s; then the sheeps-skin will be pluckt off, and …ey will appear unto the whole world to have …een but goats, and amongst the goats they must …; Christ will not leave one of the goats …mongst the sheep, and he will not leave one of … sheep amongst the goats; all that belong to his fold shall be gathered into one society; of their meeting, more in their particular judgment.
4 At the second appearance of Iesus Christ, the Books will be opened, out of which all must be judged, Rev. 20. 12. I saw the dead small and grea… stand before God, and the Books were opened, and another Bo…k was opened, which is the Bo…k of Life, and the dead were judged out of th…se things which were written in those Books, according to their works. There are five Books which will then be opened. 1. Th… Book of Gods remembrance. 2. The Book of Men… own consciences. 3. The Book of the Law. 4. Th… Book of the Gospel. 5. The Book of Life.
1. The Book of God's Remembrance will be opened This we are to understand in a spiritual sense, no as if there were a real Book, which God did mak… use of, for his remembrance of things, as men … who have frai…e and weak memories, which woul… let slip many things of note, without such a help but hereby we are to understand that God do… take an exact notice of things, and remembers the… as if he had them written in a Book by him. The Bo… of Gods remembrance will be opened, wherei… will be sound recorded,
1. The names of all the Sons and Daughters … Adam, what ever Age and Generation they ha… lived in, from the beginning of the Creation … the consummation of all things; as also the rel…tions they stood in, and the charge was commi…ted to them. Such and such were Magistrat… and had such and such subjects under them; … had the sword of justice put into their hands, … their charge was to rule under Christ; to enc…rage and reward them that did well; and to punish evil d…ers; such and such were Ministers, and they were entrusted with the care of souls, they were set by the Lord for Watch-men, to forewarn the people of judgments; as Stewards to dispence the food of the Word, and to give every one their portion; such and such were Governours of Families; whose work was to set up Religion, and the worship of God in their houses, and labour in their places after the salvation of the souls, as well as to set those under them about their civil work, and to provide for their bodies: such and such were Children and Servants, whose charge was to yield obedience to Parents and Governors, in the Lord, with meeknesse and fear, with readinesse and diligence.
2 There will be found recorded the places where such Persons lived; such indeed lived in the dark places of Heathenisme and Idolatry; but such and such lived in Israel, in a Goshen, in a Land of Light; such and such lived in England, in London, in such a religious Family: there will be recorded the means of grace, which they have enjoyed in those places; such lived under such a powerful Ministry, heard such heart-awakening and heart-warming Sermons, and had such sweet showers of the Word dropping upon them; they were planted in a fertile soile, and they had fat pastures to feed in.
3 There will be found recorded, the various dispensations of Gods providence towards them for their good; such and such had not only Gods Word, but also Gods Rod to teach them; they lived under the sound of awakning Judgments, they lived in London, when the Plague raged so sorely; and when the Fire brake forth and consumed the City; and such were preserved, when thousands fell into the Pit; they were brought down to the Doores of the Grave, and Eternity, and they were brought up again; they were preserved and provided for, and every day tasted of the Cup of Gods goodness, they were loaden with his mercies.
4 And especially there will be found recorded, all the actions of all the Children of men, and their carriage towards God, and towards one another, in those places, in those relations, under those ordinances and providences.
1 There will be found recorded all the good that hath been found in, or done by any from the day of their Child-hood, to their dying hour; such and such, they were obedient to Parents when they were young; they were diligent in learning their Catechisme, and ready to receive instructions in the Principles of Religion; such were acquainted with the Scriptures when they were but Children; such had tender hearts in their tender years; such loved God and followed God, when they were but youths; such and such, had their hearts opened in hearing of the Word, and enlarged hearts in prayer; such were awakned by such Sermons, and convinced and humbled for sin, and perswaded to repent and turn to the Lord: such opened the door to Jesus Christ, when he knocked, and set up his Throne in their hearts, and put their necks under his yoke. Such and such, were frequenters and lovers of the Ordinances and Ministers of Jesus Christ. Such made it their business to be religious; such walked with God in their Families, and were up…ight in their dealings in the World; such used to deny themselves, and took up their Cross and laboured to follow Jesus Christ where ever he led them; such mourned for the sins they could not reform; were thankful for the mercies they received; were faithful in the relations they were placed; were fruitful under the means they enjoyed; were merciful to their brethren in misery; were patient and chearful under the Rod, which was laid upon them▪ and all the good actions of men will be had in remembrance.
2 There will be found recorded, all the evil actions, all the sins of the Children of men. Such and such were disobedient and untoward children; slighted the commands of God and their Parents; were idle, and careless of instruction, and would not open their eare to discipline; such were old in sin, when young in years; were strong and skilful in wicked sinful practices, when their bodies were but weak, and minds sotishly ignorant in the things of God; such had good examples before them, but they would not follow them; they saw dreadful judgments, but were hardned under them; they received many mercies, but they abused them; they had seasons of grace, but they mis-spent them; they had calls, but they shut their eare against them; they had convictions of conscience, but they stifled them; they had motions of the spirit, but they quenched them; they had proffers of Christ, and pardon, and salvation, but they refused them, and turned Gods glory into shame, and his grace into wantonness. Such and such were Sabbath breakers. Such were Svvearers. Such vvere Drunkards. Such vvere unclean persons, and Adulterers. Such vvere Thieves. Such vvere covetous persons, and Idolaters. Such vvere unjust and unrighteous in their dealings; Such were bitter and reproachful in their speeches. Such vvere injurious in their actions. All the sins of Men and Women will be found in the Book of Gods remembrance. Deut. 32. 34. Is not this laid up in store with me, and sealed amongst my treasures? God stores and treasures up the sins of the wicked and ungodly, against the day of his vvrath, and their perdition; it is said, Iob 14. 16, 17. Thou numberest my steps, dest not thou watch over my sin, my transgressions are sealed up in a Bag, and thou sowest up mine iniquities. God numbereth the steps of sinners, one by one, sin by sin, as a man vvould number every step; and he vvatcheth that he may number aright, he takes exact notice of the foot-steps of every sin; vvhichwhich leave an impression in the Book of his remembrance, as the foot-steps of the body do, vvhen a man walketh in soft Clay. He putteth the transgressions in a bag, and soweth the Bag, and sealeth the bag; all which expressions denote Gods exactness in recording and laying up the sins of men. It is said, Ier. 17. 1. That the sin of Iudah is written with a Pen of Iron, and the point of a Diamond. All secret sins will be found there recorded, for nothing is secret to God, whose eyes are like a flame of fire, which gives light to every dark corner; darkness hideth not from him, but the night shineth as the day; he looks into every corner of the Earth, and into every corner of the heart, and hath set our secret sins in the light of his countenance: and all open sins will be found there recorded; no man hath taken so much notice of others sins, as God hath done; he doth as it were, book all down in his remembrance, and when Christ comes at the last day, the book of Gods remembrance will be opened.
2. The second Book which will be opened at Christs coming, will be the Book of Mens own Consciences: and this will be the counter-part to every Mans particular, of What is written in the book of Gods remembrance, they will finde the same thing there registred; indeed conscience now may seem to be asleep, and say nothing whilst men are eating, and drinking, and …inning; yet conscience is secretly awake, and busie in writing, and taking notes of every Mans actions, every day; conscience hath its day-book, which hath not an empty page; the mouth of conscience may be shut, and with much adoe, for the present, restrained from speaking, and biting; but the eye of conscience cannot be shut from seeing, nor the hand of conscience restrained from registring what it takes notice of: every one in the World hath as it were whole volumes of his own actions in his bosome, written down by conscience; and though the letters of some things done long agoe, may seem to be rased and worn out; so that a Man cannot read them now; yet when this Book shall be opened at the last day, they will appear; in very legible characters; like as when a Man writes with the juice of a Lemmon upon fair paper; the juice is white, and the paper is white, and he cannot read a word when it is written, nor while it is writing; but let him keep the paper many years by him, and after bring that paper close to the fire, the white letters will turn black, and become very legible: so the conscience of wicked persons is writing, whilst they are sinning, and they do not perceive it after it is written; they forget many of their old sins, yea they do not take notice of them as sins, whilst they are committing them; but when the last day is come, and Christ is come, who will be reveased from heaven in flaming fire, to take vengeance, upon them, and the Book of their Consciences shall be opened before the fire, then all the notes of conscience will be plain and easie to be read, and a ready confirmation conscience will give of all that is written in the Book of Gods remembrance: and O how sweet will the testimony of conscience be of good actions? how bitter will its records be of sins?
3. The Third Book which will be opened, will be the Book of the Law: which requiring perfect and perpetual obedience, will condemn all both righteous and wicked, because all have sinned, and by the Law are cursed, Gal. 3. 10. Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things, which are written in the Book of the Law, to do them; but then an appeal will be made.
4. The fourth Book which will be opened, is the book of the Gospel: and there the righeous will finde the merits of Christ, though they have had none of their own; they will finde exceeding great and precious promises of pardon, and salvation, and eternal happiness, which have been made to all them that did repent, and believe in Christ, and restifie the same by their sincere love to God, making choice of him for their chief good and happiness, and laying up their treasure in Heaven, and by their sincere obedience to his commands, and walking in heavens way; and then conscience will give in evidence, and Gods remembrance will confirm it, and the Spirit will witness it, and Christ himself will acknowledge it; that all his true disciples have had the qualifications, which have shown their interest in the promises; yea, the weakest of believers, whatever doubts and fears they have now, will then certainly know, and confidently plead these qualifications which they have had; they will be able to say, that they had true faith, though it were but weak; that they did truly lay hold on Christ, though it were with a trembling hand; that they had the faith of reliance and recumbance, though they had not the faith of assurance and strong confidence; that they did heartily repent and grieve for sin, though they had not that measure of godly sorrow, which they desired; that sin did not reign in them, though sometime it did rage and domineer: that they had chosen God for their chief good, above the whole world, and the byas of their wills was towards him; and that they had a sincere love to him, though they fell short in the fervency, which they desired to have; that they did walke and keep on in heavens way; & if sometimes they wandred, that they found their way again; if some times they stumbled, that they got up again; and this book of the Gospel, will give all true believers such acquittances as that they shall not come into condemnation, Iohn 3. 16. Whosoever believeth in the Son, shall not perish, but have everl…sting life. And Rom. 8. 1. There is no condemnation, to them which are in Christ Iesus, who walk not after the Flesh, but after the Spirit. And the like.
But the unbelievers will get no benefit by this book; they may finde great and sweet promises, but not one promise in the whole Book of the Gospel belonging to them, because they do not belong to Christ; they lived and died in impenitency and unbelief, and neglect of Christ and salvation, and now they cannot finde one favourable word for them; and therefore they will be sent back to be tried by the Book of the Law, only the Gospel will double the condemnation of such as have not yielded up themselves unto its obedience.
5. A Fifth Book which will be opened, will be the Book of Life: Where all the names of the Elect are enrolled, which when they read, how will they adore the riches of the free grace of God, in choosing them before the foundation of the world was laid; and all those whose names are not enrolled in this Book, shall be condemned and cast into the lake of Fire, Rev. 20. 12, 15.
5. The fifth thing proposed, and the chiefest, is to speak more particularly, of Christs judging both the righteous and the wicked, at his second appearance.
And here I shall speak, 1. of their particular judgment.
2. Of the execution of their sentence pronounced in judgement.
1. Concerning the judgment of the righteous and the wicked.