Christs Certain and Sudden Appearance to Judgment, Chapter 8

Christs Certain and Sudden Appearance to Judgment · Chapter 8

p. 64CHAP. VIII.

2. COncerning the Judgment of the wicked it self. I shall here

speak of

1. The Iudge.

2. The Assessors.

3. The Malefactors.

4. The Crime.

5. The Accusers and Winesses.

6. The Conviction.

7. The Sentence.

…. The Iudge of the wicked, as of the righteous, will be the Lord Iesus Christ. It is said, Rom. 3. 6. God shall judge the World; but it will be God p. 65in Christ, and God by Christ, Act. 17. 31. God was in Christ reconciling the world of the elect unto himself, 2 Cor. 5. 19. and God in Christ will judge and condemn the world of the Reprobates. The Father hath committed all judgment unto the Son, Joh. 5. 22. and he hath given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man, v. 27. The same Jesus whom the wicked would not submit unto, and take for their King, to rule over them; they must submit unto, and have for their Judge to examine and condemn them. The properties of this Judge are worthy here of our observation.

1. Christ will be a most glorious Judge: Never was there such a Judge seen on the earth: It will be the greatest Judgment; there will be a general Assize of the whole world; and Christ will be the greatest Judge; the greatest for dignity, and glory that ever eye did behold. Christ will be most glorious, in regard of his person; he will appear to be the Prince and Lord of glory; and be admired not only by the Saints, but also by the wicked, amongst whom, before they saw him, he was despised. The despisers shall behold the lustre of their Judge, and wonder, and perish, as it is said in another case, Act. 13. 41. Christ will be most glorious in regard of his retinue; all the holy Angels, those glorious Spirits who are about the Throne of God, shall attend upon him, Matth. 25. 31. When the Son of Man cometh in his glory, and all his holy Angels with him; yea, all the holy Saints also, shall attend upon him in the judgment of the wicked, Iude 14. 15. Behold the Lord will come with ten thousand of his Saints to execure judgment upon all the ungodly, &c. Yea, he will p. 66come with all his Saints, 1 Thes. 3. 13. The whole innumerable company of Saints shall attend upon Christ in white shining garments, with bodies like unto Christ, more beautiful and glorious, than the most splendid attire can make them; and Christ then will be admired in all the Saints and believers, by the wicked which shall behold them: And Christ will sit upon the Throne of his glory, Matth. 25. 31. I saw a great white Throne, and him that sate on it, from whose face the Earth and the Heaven fled away, Rev. 20. 11. We read of a glorious Throne which Solomon made, 1 King. 10. 18, 19, 20. But the Throne and Tribunal seat of Christ will be far more glorious than Solomons, or any Monarchs that ever lived upon the face of the earth.

2. Christ will be a most powerful Judge: He will have power to raise all the wicked out of their graves unto life again; which requires as much power to effect, as the giving them their being and life at the first: he will have power to bring all the wicked to his foot, to keep them in awe, that they shall not stir, nor lift up the hand in the least, in a way of rebellion; which is more than the most potent Prince that ever lived could do: He will have power to execute vengeance upon all the wicked together, and inflict an infinite punishment upon them; and he will put forth no less power in the destruction of the wicked at the last day, than was put forth in the first creation of the world; herein he will make his power known, Rom. 9. 22. When the wicked shall be punished with everlasting destruction, from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power, 2 Thes. 1. 9.

3. Christ will be a most knowing Judge: He p. 67will know all the persons of the wicked; not one shall scape his eye; he will not know them in any way of nearness, and familiar acquainting himself with them; but he will know them in a way of perfect cognizance of their persons; he knew them when they lived and rebelled against his Law; and he will know them again, when they are raised; he will not only have a general knowledge of them, but he will know them particularly: none of the ancient rebels shall be able to hide themselves, either under rocks and mountains, or in the crowd and throng of the wicked which shall be gathered together before him on that day; Christ will finde out all his enemies: and he will know all their crimes; he will read them all written in the book of Gods remembrance; and the book of their own consciences being then opened, will present all their sins to his view; the eye of the Judge will be a piercing, all-seeing eye, which cannot be blinded, and therefore there will be no mistake and errour in the judgment, through ignorance or false information, as there may be in the Courts of judicature upon the earth.

4. Christ will be a most holy Judge: He will be without any the least stain of sin; he was so when he lived amongst sinners on earth, and surely he will be so, when he descendeth from the Holy of Holies in Heaven: some earthly Judges are guilty in the same kind with the malefactors which are brought before them; so that whilst they judge others they condemn themselves: but there will not be the least more of sin in the eye of Christ; nor any tincture of defilement; and therefore as it will be impossible to blind him, because of his p. 68knowledge: so it will be impossible to bribe and corrupt him in judgment, because of his holiness; and by consequence.

5 Christ will be a most impartial and strict Judge: he will be most impartial in regard of the persons whom he will judge; the high degree and quality of men upon the earth will be of no account with him; the rich will be no more regarded than the poor; nor the highest Princes more than the meanest of their subjects; Death levels all men, and puts a conclusion unto all earthly dignities; and in the resurrection all will stand upon even ground: now some Lords and great men may murder, and oppress, and break Laws, and through favour escape punishment, which crimes, if meaner persons had been found guilty of, would have cost them their lives: but Christ will have no more favour for a Lord, or a Knight, or a Gentleman, no nor for a King or a Queen, or the greatest Lady, than for the most contemptible beggar; he will not accept of the persons of any, and connive at the sins of some, which those that should reprove them now can wink at, as if they were no faults; because the faults of such persons as are high, whose favour they desire, and from whom they might receive damage and dis-esteem should they be plain and faithful; but Christ he will neither need the favour nor fear the anger of anyl; & he will not court and flatter any because of their Nobility and greatness; but impartially judge the highest and greatest, by the same rule as he will do the lowest and meanest; and Christ will be a most strict Judge in regard of crimes; he will bring forth all the sins of the wicked to light; not one sin which they have committed from the day p. 69of their birth to the hour of their dissolution, but shall be had in remembrance, and be brought unto publick view, when the Lord shall enter into judgement with the ungodly world: some of the wicked do now sin more secretly, they have sweet morsels rolling under their tongues, which are not perceived; they have their Dalilahs in corners, who are not known; they shroud themselves under the shadow of the wings of the night, that they might conceal some of their wicked leud practices, which, should they be found out in, would fill their cheeks with shame & blushing: but Christ will call them at the last day to a strict account, and bring to light the hidden things of darkness, 1 Cor. 4. 5. And O the contempt & confusion which they will be covered withall when all their shameful and abominable sins shall be made manifest.

6. Christ will be a most righteous Judge: he will judge the wicked in righteousness; some of them will be found to have been unrighteous in their judgments; and others righteous in their dealings; and all of them unrighteous in their state; but Christ will judge them all in righteousness: he will judge them according to their works: as he will be righteous in not inflicting upon them a greater punishment than their sins have deserved, he will not punish lesser sinners with more stripes, and greater sinners with fewer stripes: so neither will he be unrighteous in inflicting upon them a lesser punishment than their sins have deserved; but will proportion their punishment to their offence, Rev. 18. 7. How much she hath glorified her self, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her. Christ will be exactly righteous in his judgment, severely righteous, p. 70without the least mixture of mercy; the wicked shall have from him the summum jus, and that sine ullà injuriâ, they shall have the highest right and justice, without the least injury; Gods justice requires satisfaction for their sins, and Christ will satisfie the demands of justice to the full upon the ungodly, by distribution of such punishments as are the just desert of their sins; Christ will even all scores at that day▪ between God and sinners; at least he will begin to take the payment of that debt from them which they owe for sin, which they will be paying unto all eternity. Christ will come with the Ballances and Sword of Justice in his hand, he will come to take just vengeance upon disobedient sinners.

7. Christ will be a most furious Judge: he will be most gracious towards the righteous, but most furious against the wicked. He will come in flaming fire, to take vengeance upon them, 2 Thes. 1. 8. He will come in flames of love towards his people; but in flames of anger against his enemies; a Fire shall devour before him, and, it will be very …empestuous round about him; see Isa. 66. 15. Behold the Lord will come with Fire, and with his Chariots, as with a whirl-wind, to render his anger with fury, his rebukes with flames …f Fire. We read of such wrath on that day in the Lamb, as maketh the Kings and great men of the earth to tremble, and call to mountains and rocks to fall on them and hide them f…om it▪ Rev. 6. 15, 16, 17. Never was there greater love, and more tender bowels of compassion and pitty, than is to be found now in the Lord Jesus Christ, towards all them that apply themselves unto him, under a sense of sin, for salvation, here in this world; and never was there p. 71greater wrath and revengeful fury, than will be found in the same Lord Jesus Christ, when sinners shall come before him to be judged at the last day; He will be very furious, ten thousand times beyond a Beare when she is bereaved of her whelps, or a Lion when he is hunger-starved; How fiercely will Christ look upon the wicked? What scorn and contempt of them will they see in his face? What dreadful frowns in his brow? What fiery anger will there sparkle from his eye, in his looking upon them, as if he would look them dead, or look them into Hell, before he hath pronounced the sentence? How fiercely will he speak unto them? There will be terrour in his looks, and there will be terrour in his voice: he will speak to them in his wrath, and vex them in his hot displeasure. His anger then will break forth into a flame; he will appeare to be jealous and very furious, when he cometh to execute vengeance on his adversaries, and punish his enemies for their sins.

8. Christ will be an inexorable Judge. None is now more easie to be entreated as a Saviour; whosoever comes unto him may be welcome to him; he hath promised in no wise to cast out such, Ioh. 6. 37. The most rebellious sinners may finde entertainment with Jesus Christ now; and prevail with him to procure pardon, and peace, and salvation, upon their repentance of their sins: but when he is come down from Heaven to judge the world, he will be inexorable; No prayers or intreaties; no tears or arguments will in the least move him to take any pitty on such as shall then be found in their sins. When the wicked at the day of judgment shall have their eyes opened to p. 72behold the Lord Jesus Christ in his glory and Majesty, in such excellency and shining beauty; then one smile of his countenance will be really accounted of more worth than the whole world; and to be made like to such a person, and to dwell for ever in his love and joy, they will then clearly see to be unconceiveably beyond all the enjoyment of the creatures in their fullest delights; and to be thrust out of his presence they will account their chiefest misery: then they will have other apprehensions of Hells torments, when they are just ready to be cast into the burning lake; when they are awakened in the morning of the resurrection, and are brought to Christs bar, and they perceive how neer they are to execution; and great distress will be upon them, when they look about them, and all refuge fails, and they see no way for them to escape; If now with their cries and supplications they might prevail with the Judge for some commiseration, if they had but the least hopes of moving his bowels, and pacifying his anger, and obtaining the favour of admission into the inheritance of the Saints; O how would they all fall down upon their knees before him with the lowest submission and reverence? how would they cry and weep, intreat and beseech? how would they kiss his feet, wash them with their tears, and wipe them with their hairs? how earnest and importunate would they be with him for a pardon, if importunity would prevaile? If there were but one promise left in the whole Book of God for them, which might possibly bring unto them some relief; how greedily would they all catch at it, and humbly wooe the Lord for mercy? No, no, the Judge p. 73will then be inexorable: they may cry, but it will be to no purpose; he will shut his eares against their prayers, and hide his eyes from their misery; they had promises enough whilst they lived, but they did not regard them, they did not believe and apply them; and now nothing but threatnings belong to them, and remain for them; Christ often cryed to them by his Ministers, and moved them by his spirit to open the Door of their hearts, and give him room and entertainment; but they shut their eares and hearts against him; and now Christ will shut his eares, and the door of mercy, and Heaven against them. He will be inexorable. Thus concerning the Judge of the wicked.

2. The Assessors, or those which shall sit with Christ in the judgment of the wicked, will be the righteous. This promise the Lord makes particularly and especially to the twelve Apostles, Matth. 19. 28. Verily I say unto you, that yee which have followed me (that have denied your selves, and parted with all, and taken up your Cross, and followed me) in the Regeneration, (or restitution of all things, when the Day of Resurrection doth come) and the Son of Man shall sit on the Throne of his Glory, (when I shall sit upon my judgment Seat, and gather all Nations before my Bar, to receive their doom) Yee shall sit on twelve Thrones, Iudging the twelve Tribes of Israel, and though the Apostles of Christ will be especially honoured, and exalted in the day of Judgment, and have seates, or degrees of dignity above others; yet this honour also shall all the Saints have, to sit with Christ in Judgment, 1 Cor. 6. 2. Do yee not know that the Saints shall judge the World? They judge and condemn the sins p. 74of the wicked World now, by their holy conversation; and they will judge and condemn the persons of the wicked at the last day, by their approbation of Christs Judgment. The crimes of the wicked will be scan'd before the righteous; their secret sins will be ript up and made manifest unto them; they will not only be brought in as accusers and witnesses against some of the wicked, of which I shall speak by and by; but also they will joyn with Christ in the examination of all the wicked; and they will also approve of Christs justice and righteousness in the condemning of sinners for their sins, and when Christ doth pronounce the sentence of condemnation upon them, Depart from me yee cursed into everlasting Fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels, they will joyn with him, and approve of this sentence; it may be they will with one voice say, even so Amen: or with a loud shout accompany Christs words, saying, Depart yee cursed into everlasting Fire. A strange turn and change of things will there be at that day; Felix, who sate on the Judgment Seat, when Paul was at the Bar, will stand at the Bar when Paul shall sit amongst the Judges. The Lord will bring down the mighty from their seats, and all wicked Princes and Judges of the Earth shall be dis-throned, when the righteous, though of a low degree, shall be exalted to sit as Judges upon them.

3. The Malefactors which shall be judged, will be,

1. Devils. 2 Pet. 2. 4. The Angels which fell, are said to be delivered into Chains of darkness, and to be reserved unto Iudgment; they are punished in part now, but their punishment is not yet compleat; when Christ came the first time in p. 75the flesh, and began to dis-lodge the Devils from their habitation, in those Persons whom they had got the possession of, they were afraid that he would have compleated their torment presently; and therefore they cry out, Art thou come hither to torment us before the time? Matth. 8. 29. And let us alone, art thou come to destroy us? Mark 1. 24. But when Christ comes the second time in his glory; then he will judge and condemn the wicked Angels; and the Saints shall joyn with him herein, I Cor. 6. 3. Know yee not that we shall judge Angels? Then the measure of their sin will be compleated, and the time of their torment will be come, and their punishment shall be compleated too; the way and manner of their Judgment is not spoken of in Scripture, and therefore I shall not speak of it; but that they shall be judged to everlasting Fire, is evident from the sentence pronounced on wicked men, in which it is said, that everlasting Fire is prepared for the Devil and his Angels.

2. All wicked Men and Women, that ever lived, or shall live on the Earth from the beginning of the Creation, unto the dissolution of the World, that have no Interest in Jesus Christ, will be the malefactors, which shall be judged by Christ at the last day; this day is called the day of Iudgment and perdition of the ungodly. 2 Pet. 3. 7. And the unjust are said to be reserved unto the day of judgment to be punished, Chap. 2. Vers. 9. And the Apostle Paul tells us, that the Lord Iesus shall be revealed from Heaven in flaming Fire, taking vengeance on them which know not God, and obey not the G…spel, 2 Thess. 1. 7, 8.

1. By them which know not God, we may understand p. 76the Heathen and Gentile Nations, this being the Character given of them, 1 Thess. 4. 5. Not in lusts of concupiscence, as the Gentiles which know not God. And the Ephesians whilst Heathens before the Gospel came amongst them, were strangers to the Covenant of Promise, having no hope, and without God in the World, Eph. 2. 12. All the Heathen Nations shall be judged by Christ; but I shall not speak of their judgment, in which we are not so much concerned.

2. By them which obey not the Gospel, we are to understand all those Nations upon whom the light of the Gospel hath shin'd, and unto whom the sound of the Gospel hath come; but yet have not yielded obedience therunto, so as heertily to accept of Christ for their Saviour upon his own tearmes; all Christless, graceless Persons, who have heard of Christ, and enjoyed the means of grace, will be the chief Malefactors in the day of Judgment. I might here give a Catalogue of the sinners which shall be judged, take one in 1 Cor. 6. 9, 10. The unrighteous, fornicators, Idolaters, Adulterers, effeminate, abusers of themselves with Mankind, Thieves, Covetous, Drunkards, Revilers, Extortioners, and all other unjustified, unsanctified sinners. But more of this when I come to speak of the conviction of the wicked.

4. The Crime for which the wicked shall be judged, and condemned by Christ, will be sin.

1. Sin against the Law, and that 1. for sins of omission, Matth. 25. 42. I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink, &c. 2. for sins of commission, and that 1. for sins of thought and heart, 1 Cor. 4. 5. When the p. 77Lord comes, he will make manifest the counsels of the heart, he will condemn men for their wicked thoughts and contrivements, for their sinful lusts and desires, and delights. 2. For sins of word, Matth. 12. 36, 37. But I say unto you, that every idle word, that Men shall speak, they shall give an account thereof in the day of Iudgment: For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt▪ be condemned. If for idle words men shall be judged; much more for taking Gods name in vain, for hideous Oaths and Blasphemies; if for unprofitable speeches, much more for corrupt communication, for lying, slanderous, bitter, reviling speeches. 3. Christ will judge the wicked for their sins of deed. Rom. 2. 6. He will render to every one according to their deeds. And vers. 8, 9. To them that obey unrighteousness, indignation, and wrath, tribulation, and anguish upon every soul of Man that doth evil, of the Iew first, and also of the Gentile.

2. The sins against the Gospel, will be the chief condemning crimes of the wicked. No sins against the Law will be found so heinous, but if sinners be found after the commission of them to have obeyed the Gospel, to have repented, and believed, and yielded the fruits of new obedience; they will have a pardon and absolution on that day; but final disobedience to the Gospel will be unpardonable; final impenitency, and unbelief in those which have been called to repent, and to close with Jesus Christ will certainly bring men under the sentence of condemnation; I might here give a more particular Catalogue of the sins which the wicked shall be judged for by Christ, but something more of them under their conviction by Christ.

p. 785. The accusers of, and witnesses against the wicked, being the same, I shall joyn them together, and they will be, 1. God. 2. Men. 3. Devils. 4. Themselves.

1. God will be an accuser of, and witness against the wicked, at the day of judgment.

1. Gods justice (to speak after the manner of men, seeing this judgment is set forth in such a manner, for our better apprehending of it, because we are not able to conceive in this state the way exactly of Gods proceeding against sinners in Judgment on that day) will arraign the wicked before the judgment seat of Christ, and draw up as it were a Bill of Indictment against them. Whereas these Men and Women who lived in such and such places, and times; though they were my Creatures and subjects; were made by me and for me; and I gave them my holy and righteous, and good Law, to be the guide and rule of their life and actions; yet having no fear of me before their eyes; they did shake off my yoke, and break my Laws, they did cast my Commandements behind their back, and lived in a course of rebellion and disobedience against me; committing such and such sins: And when I sent my Son into the World to die for sinners, who gave me sufficient satisfaction; and I made him known, and the way of salvation by him, and pr…ffered him unto them, and entreated them by my Embassadors to be reconciled; but they shut their ear, and hardened their heart, and refused my Son; trampled upon his blood; grieved my spirit; and neglected the salvation of their own souls; therefore I now require satisfaction from themselves, and that a condigne punishment be inflicted upon them, for their disobedience.

p. 792. Gods goodness, and bounty, and patience will accuse them, when they are thus arraigned and indicted by his justice, which will aggravate their sins: I nourished and brought up these creatures like children; and yet they rebelled against me; I spared them, as a Man spareth his Son, which serveth him; and yet they had no regard of me; I delivered them in six troubles, and in seven; recovered them often from a sick Bed; and brought them back from the Grave, when they were ready to go down into the Pit; and yet they knew not that I healed them, and were so much the more disobedient unto me; I loaded them with mercies, and yet they loaded me with iniquities; I would have led them to repentance by my patience and goodness, but they were the more impenitent and hard-hearted, and resolved to do evil; I stretched forth my hand all the day long to these disobedient and gain-saying Creatures, and would have received them, had they returned into the armes of my mercy; but nothing would win and perswade them to leave their sins, and come unto me; and now my patience is spent, and long-suffering is at an end, and bowels shut up against them for ever; and let them now smart for all their abuses, affronts, and contempts, which they have offered unto me.

3. God's omniscience will be a witness against the wicked at the day of Judgment; their sins have been all committed under the view of God's all-seeing eye; and they have been noted down upon the Book of his Remembrance; and God will witness against them: I saw these wretched sinners when they were b…rn, and traced all their steps; I compassed their path, and their lying down, and was acquainted with all their waies; I did beset them behinde and before, and mine eye was continually upon p. 80them; I perceived the first sproutings and buddings of sin in their tender years; I took notice of their disobedience to their Parents, when they were young; of their lies, and pride, and vanity, of their idleness and sloath, and mis-spending their precious time: I was an eye-witness to all their sins, from their youth to their dying hour; I beheld them when no eye besides was upon them; I saw their privy lewdness, and all their deeds of darkness, which they committed in dark corners: when I kept silence and did not speak, I was not blinde so as not to see; and although I did not smite, I did note: and what one of them all have the confidence to deny any one of their sins which I have been a witness unto? The first accuser and witness against the wicked will be God himself.

2. Men will accuse and witness against the wicked at the day of Judgment, and that both the Godly and …ngodly.

1. The Godly, and that both Godly Ministers, and Godly Friends,

1. Godly Ministers, will be the accusers and witnesses against the wicked. Ministers must give an account then to their Lord of the souls which he committed to their charge, Heb. 13. 17. And in some of their Flock they will rejoyce, because their testimony concerning Jesus Christ was believed; because the Gospel which they preached amongst them was obeyed; because the Word was received as the Word of God; they will rejoyce in them which have been effectually wrought upon by their Ministry; in those which they have been instrumental to regenerate and espouse unto Jesus Christ; to perswade to leave their sins, and submit themselves unto the yoke and Scepter of the Lord; such will be the joy and crown of p. 81rejoycing to their Ministers on that day; of whom with unspeakable comfort they will say to their Lord, Behold the Children which thou hust given us, Thine they were and are, and thou didst give them unto us, and they have believed and kept thy word; and now as they have shared in thy Grace, let them and us share in, and participate of thy Glory. But alas! what a sad account will they have to give of others of their Flock, who have not believed and yielded obedience to the Gospel, which they have preached; it will be sad for them, when they must bring in heavy accusations against them. Lord thou didst send us upon thy Embassage unto them; but they regarded neither Messenger, nor Message; we preached often in thy Name, but either they would not hear when they might, or they would not believe and yield obedience when they heard: we often told them of their sins, and foretold them of their danger, if they did not repent and reform; but they would not receive conviction, nor be perswaded to repentance and reformation; if we spake of sin more generally, they did not look upon themselves as concerned, and made no Application, except it were to others: if we came more home and close, they shrouded their sins as close as they could under the Vaile of some thin excuses; they shut their eyes and would not see; and if the beames of light brake in upon them, and in a start they opened their eies a little; they were either offended, that we should disturb them in their sleep, or they quicklie shut their eies again, and dropt asleep faster than before; and soon wore off the convictions and troubles of minde which sometimes they have had under the light and allarme of thy word. We often shewed them their face in the Glass, but they have gone away and forgotten what manner of Men and Women they were: we have told them of the workes of p. 82the flesh, which would certainly exclude them the kingdome of Heaven, Gal. 5. 19, 20, 21. That no unrighteous Person, nor unclean Person, nor Drunkard, nor covetous Person, nor Reviler, nor Extortioner, could be saved, without Repentance and Sanctification: I Cor. 6. 9, 10, 11. And yet they would not leave their sins; they would be unjust and unclean still; they would be covetous and revilers still; they would wallow still in their filthiness, and hold fast their sin, whatever we could speak against it. We preached unto them of the day of Iudgment, and foretold them out of thy Word, of these very things which are now come to p…ss; but they did not believe it, nor consider it, nor take any care to prepare for this day; they thrust the thoughts of judgment out of their minde, and put the evil day far from them. We preached unto them the Gospel, opened the rich treasures thereof before them, made known the exceeding great and precious promises of the Covenant of Grace, the inestimable priviledges and unspeakable benefits, which belong to those that belong to Christ; and pr…ffered all unto them in thy name if they would accept of them, and yield obedience unto thee; but all these things were slighted and undervalued by them. We called and cryed, we beseeched and entreated them that they would be reconciled unto God; but they would not give ear unto us. We held thee forth, Lord, to them, and studied to set thee forth in the best words we could think of; told them of thy beauty and love, and desirableness above all Persons and things in the World; told them of their need, and that they were undone without thee: tendered to them thy blood, and the purchase thereof, pardon and peace, and happinesse for ever; but they were like the deaf Adder which will not hear, they were like Rocks unmoved, they refused thee and thy treasures, trampled upon thy blood, and p. 83put both us and thee to shame by their refusal: we invited them unto the marriage Feast, but they would not come; all excus'd themselves with one consent; one had bought a Farm, and he must see it; another was engaged in a great Trade, and he must follow it; another had married a Wife, and he could not, and none of them would come, and taste of thy Banquet; the cares of the World, the deceitfulness of riches, the pleasures of this life, and the lusts of other things, did so overcharge their thoughts and hearts, that the Gospel and rich provisiens thereof lay by disregarded.

Such will be the accusations of some Ministers; such witness must they give at the last day against those of their Flock, who shall be found in the number of the wicked and disobedient to the Gospel; then their Sermons, now forgotten, will be remembred, and be so many evidences against them; O that our People would remember them now! O that they would now consider, and believe, and turn, and live, and avoid the accusations and witness, which otherwise we must be forced to give in then against them.

2. The godly friends of the wicked will be their accusers, and witness against them; some of them are linked in neer Relations to the godly, who now are endeavouring to be instrumental for their salvation; but if they do not prevail, they will hereafter be their accusers and witnesses for their condemnation.

I. The believing Husband will then accuse and witness against his unbelieving Wife, Lord she lay in my bosome, and was beloved by me as my self; I cherished her, and was as tender of her as my own flesh, according to thy command; but all my love and kindeness to her could not win her heart for thee: I told p. 84her often of thy beauty, and thy love which was a thousand fold …eyond what I, or any Man alive could possibly express; but she was stupid and unbelieving, and wh…lly disregarded both thy Person and thy love: I covered her faults with love, as much as I could, from others; and used many entreaties and loving perswasions to draw her to amendment; telling her the danger and destructive issue of a sinfull course; but she would not hearken to amend; her heart was set upon sin and vanity; she was proud and foolish; she was wanton and froward, and would not be reclaimed: she did see my grief and sorrow for sin, she was a witness to my teares and mournful complaints; and yet she could bear up under greater guilt without any sense: she did see me often retire into my Closet, and knew that I spent time daily between me and thee alone; and yet, though her need was as great, she would not be perswaded to an imitation: I have often in the secret silent night, when sleep hath fled from both our eyes, taken advantage of such opp…rtunities to discourse with her about her sou…-affaires; told her of the sleep of death which …re long would seize upon us; the night we must stend in the Grave; of the morning of the Resurrection; of thy second coming, and our appearing before thy Tribunal Seat; but nothing would quicken her to make preparation for Death and Iudgment, she heard as if she were asleep, as indeed she was asleep whilst awake, and dead whi…st she was alive, asleep and dead in sin and security.

2. The believing Wife will then accuse her unbelieving Husband. Lord thou knowest how I loved, and honoured, and reverenced, and obeyed him in lawful things, and was faithful to him according to my duty; …ut he would not love and honour thee, he was …nfaithfu…, and would not obey thy m…re reasonable p. 85commands, unto whom he owed a greater subjection: I have often sate alone like a widdow at home, when he hath been revelling abroad with his companions: I have been pouring forth tears for him, at the Throne of grace in my Closet, when he hath been pouring in Wine and strong drink in Taverns and Aie-houses: I have been troubled for him, when he hath staied our so late; and troubled more with him, when he hath come in so full of drink, and p…ssion; and with much patience have endured his foul speeches and behaviour, which he hath used: I have watched the most fit opportunity I could take, to put him in mind of his sin and danger; and I have done it with the greatest humility and meeknes, and tender affection as I could; but either he hath not regarded my words; or slew out into a rage against me: O how fain would I have perswaded him to draw in the same yoke of Christ with me; but he would draw another way, do what I could; none of my prayers, nor tears, nor arguments, no, not the l…ve of Christ, nor the love of his own soul, could prevaile with him to change his course; he would … leave his drunkenness, and adultery, his worldliness and i…justice, his lying and over-reaching, his swearing and bitterness against thy people, by no means would he be perswaded.

3. Believing Parents will then accuse and witness against their ungodly children, and servants:

Lord, we endeavoured to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of thee; we laboured to put good principles betimes into them; we dr…pped many wholsome instructions upon them; we prayed frequently for them, and with them, and spake plainly a…d earnestly to them about their soul-concernment; we told them of the immnr…atity of their s…uls, the preciousness of p. 86their time, the evil of sin, their need of thee, the excellency of grace, their danger of Hell, the way to escape it, the glory of Heaven, the way to attain it; but alas, to the grief of our hearts, they shut their ears against all our instructions, and would take none of our reproofs or counsels, they would go foolishly and stubbornly on in a course of sin, and neither thy law, nor our fear would restrain them.

Thus these and other godly relations will rise up in judgment, and witness against the wicked.

3. The ungodly friends and companions of the wicked will at that day be their accusers and witness against them; especially those who have been drawn by them into sin; however now they are very well pleased with them, and delight in their company, because sin pleaseth them, and they do not feel nor believe the bitterness which will be consequent; yet when they come to be judged, and punished for those sins, they will with rage and madness accuse, & curse those wicked persons which were their first tempters: Drunkards will accuse those that drew them first into Taverns, and Ale-houses, and perswaded them by healths, and other waies to drink beyond their measure; Adulterers and Adulteresses will accuse those which first inticed them unto privy lewdness: ungodly servants also will then accuse their wicked masters, and ungodly children their wicked parents, who have been drawn into sin by their example. Thus men will be accusers and witnesses against the wicked,

3. Devils will be the Accusers and Witnesses against the wicked; they are now accusers of the brethren, then they will be accusers of the wicked; they accuse the brethren falsly, they will p. 87accuse the wicked truly; now they please and flatter the wicked, and perswade them to sin; then they will accuse them for those very sins which they have perswaded them unto; they have done the devils drudgery all their daies, and been his faithful slaves; and this is his recompence, he will be their accuser at the last day.

4. The wicked will be accused by themselves, their own thoughts shall accuse them in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Iesus Christ, Rom. …. 15, 16. their own consciences will accuse them, and be as a thousand witnesses against them; they will finde all their sins registred in that book, and that book will then be opened, and they will not be able to deny one word of what they shall finde there recorded. Thus of the accusers and witnesses against the wicked.

6. Concerning the Conviction. And here I shall speak of the conviction of some particular sinners; especially of such who have lived in the daies and places, where the Gospel hath been preached, whom the Lord Iesus Christ with upbraiding having of full evidence with convict of their sins. To set this out the more lively.

Suppose that this very day were the day of Judgment; and in this very Church were the Judgment-feat; that here were a great white Throne, and the Lord Jesus Christ himself sitting upon it in his glory, with millions of holy Angels about him, and all the Saints in white at his …ight hand; and on his left, all the wicked gathered …ogether into one body, as it will be at the last …ay; And the Judge should cry with a loud voice, …ring the prisoners to the Bar, Bring the sinners to judgment, p. 88and so summon and convict particular sinners.

1. Come forth all ye ignorant persons; who have not known the father, nor me, nor the mysteries of salvation, however clearly revealed in my Word; who lived in darkness, and loved darkness, and bated the light, least your deeds should thereby have been reproved; What dark in a Goshen! ignorant in London! in a place of so much knowledge and instruction! Did not Parents teach you when you were young? how is it that you would not be taught? If Parents neglected to instruct you, had you not Ministers, who were ready to do it▪ How is it that you have not learnt? If knowledge did not offer it self to you, why did you not seek after it? why did not you learn of your selves? was there any thing in the world that did concern you more to know? was not the knowledge of me, and my waies, worth the looking after? had you a capacity for other knowledge, and not for this? have not others learnt, who were naturally as dull, and had as few helps, … you? had you time to spend about other things, i… sports and sins, and not time to spend in getting knowledge? had you an ear, and yet not hear, so as to learn… had you an eye, and yet not see so as to understand? And if you were naturally blind, had not I eye-salve? could not I have opened your eies? was I not willing? did I not stand in the gates to call upon you, How long ye simple ones will you love simplicity? and fools hate knowledge: Turn unto me, and I will pour out my Spirit upon you, and make know… my words unto you? Prov. I. 22, 23. Have … neglected me through ignorance, is not your fou… double, because you have neglected knowledge too? have you committed many sins through ignorance, … not this an aggravation of your sin? did not you … knowledge, and therefore dis-regarded it? did not yo… p. 89love sin, and therefore shunned the light, which would have discovered it, and disturbed you in your wicked courses? have you liked darkness so well, and is it not fit then that you should go to the place where there is blackness of darkness for ever? Take them Devils, bind them hand and foot.

2. Come forth all ye slothful and uprofitable persons. Had not ye Talents committed to you for my use and service, and what have you done with them? did you bury them in the earth? or lay them up in a napkin? what could you lie down and slumber, when you had so much work to do? could you trifle away so many hours, when time was so preci…us? could you sleep in the day, in the day of grace? sleep in the Harvest, which was so rich and plentiful, where you lived? could you stand idle all the day long in the market-place? were you born for nothing, that ye lived so unprofitably, and were good for nothing? would not religion have found you imployment sufficient, if you had followed its direction? Did the difficulties of duties discourage you, and therefore you would let them alone, though they were so necessary? had the command of God no force with you? would not your own good and happiness move you at all to diligence? did fear of men, and suffering dammage in the world, keep you off from zealous profession, and a strict course of life; and should not the fear of God, and danger of Hell, have kept you more from sin, and stirred you up unto the most difficult hazzardous duty? was there a Lion in the way to Heaven? and were there no Lions in the way to Hell? did not some sin …st you p…ins and labour? did you finde no difficulty i… the service of the devil, and your own lusts? and was not holiness more worth your paines to get? would not I have proved a better master, had you been diligent p. 90in my service? could you be diligent in your callings, to get a livelihood for your selves and families? and neglect the life and salvation of your precious souls? would not my work have brought wages with it? was there not sweetness mingled with the difficulty? and would not the fruits have been sweet? would not a Crown and Kingdom, a weight of glory, and eternal pleasures, move you to undergo some difficulty? was there so much difficulty in obedience to my commands (which were not grievous to a spiritual heart) and is there not more difficulty in suffering what you m…st unavoidably suffer for your neglect? if my yoak were painful to an unaccustomed neck could not I have fitted your neck to it, and made it easie? if my burden were heavy to a weak back, could not, would not I have put under my shoulder, and helped you to have born it? were not the most difficult duties I required, for your own good, and so many priviledges, and the best work you could be employed in? were any of my servants so wearied with my service, with the hardest work I set them about, as you were wearied with your idleness, and doing nothing? did not the Earth groan under such unprofitable burdens? did not Hell gape for you long ago, and Devils long for this time when you should be delivered into their powers. Take them Devils binde them hand and foot.

3. Come forth all ye that have neglected Family-worship, and never sought after God in your Closets; Were not you creatures, and did the law of Creation require no worship? were not you subjects, and should not you have shown homage to your S…veraign? did not you live upon Gods finding and b…unty every day, and should not you have acknowledged your dependance? did not God bring you into your Family-relation, and did he require no duty? Did p. 91not he threaten to pour out his wrath upon irreligious families? and yet would not you set up Religion in yours? had you any business to do in your houses, of that consequence, as worshipping God in your houses? if you had not ability to pray at first with others, might not you have attained it, had you used to pray by your selves? would not God have helped you, had you been …illing to have been helped? had you been sensible of sin, would you have wanted words in confession? had you been sensible of your wants, would you have lacked expressions to make them known? was it curiosity and elegancie of words, that God so much looked for? would not sighs and groans have been understood? would not the Scriptures have furnished you with expressions, had you used to read them? would not Sermons have furnished you with matter and expressions, had you used to repeat them? had you need of such and such things for your families, and had you no need of Gods blessing? and could you hope for his lessing, if you did not worship him? might not you have prospered more in the world, if you had used to pray more in your houses? might not you have had more comfort in your relations, if you had daily engaged with them in the duties of Gods worship? might not family-prayer have prevented much sin and sorrow which you …rought upon you? did not you fall into many …ares duty, for want of the armour of prayer? had our children and servants no need of religious educa…ion? were they like to be obedient and faithful to you, if you did not teach them to be obedient and faithful …nto God? had not you the charge of their souls put into your hands? and what account can you give? …ave not you brought their blood upon your heads? …ave not you contracted to your selves the guilt of … sins? can you endure to hear their curses and p. 92banning of you for neglecting to give them such religious education, as might have been the means of their salvation? And you that were under government in families which had no religion, could you so willingly imitate the governours, and the rest, in neglect of Gods worship? Could you contentedly go to Hell for company? is it any …lleviation of your grief and horrour that all your family is together? can your masters or fathers answer for themselves, or you? had not you a greater master in Heaven, whom you should rather have obeyed? did not you understand your duty? and if you could not worship God more publickly, should not you have sought out retiring corners? if others would not pray with you, should not you have prayed alone by your selves? what if you had no example for it in your house, had you no precept for it in the Word? what if you were under command, and much business was required of you, and you were discouraged in such duties, could not you have found time when business was over, or before business began? could not you have redeemed time from sleep and recreations, rather than have neglected Gods worship daily? would not God have encouraged and rewarded you? what if you had been s…ft at, and reproached for this? would not the favour and smiles of God have compensated the flou…s and …c…rns of men? would not Heaven have been worth all the reproaches you could have undergone? could you eat, and drink, and sleep, and not pray to God, which was more necessary than any thing which is m…st necessary for your bodies? and if there was no worship of God at home, could not you have looked alroad? were there none lived neer you, who would have been glad of your company in the worship of God, and way to Heaven? could y…u finde out no religious young men or women suittble to your degree, who would have p. 93quickned you, and heartned you against discouragements? Did not you devote your selves rather to the service of some lusts, and were glad of any excuse when conscience would have minded you of your duty towards God? Take them Devils, binde them hand and foot.

4. Come forth all ye Sabbath-breakers, you that have spent the day in sleeping, in eating and drinking to excess; who instead of holy meditations, have been thinking and contriving your worldly business; instead of religious conferences, have discoursed only of earthly matters: instead of going to Church, to worship God, have walked into the Fields, and spent the time in recreations; or if you have seemed to give God a half-day service by your presence at Church one part of the day; yet have worshipped him only with your bodies, when your hearts were removed far from him; had not you an express command for the Sabbaths observation? and if the day of first institution were changed, was the day and worship thereof laid aside, and ceased to be a duty? If the Iews were obliged to keep a day holy, were not the Christians much more? Was not the Sabbath made for man, was it not his Priviledge to take that time for holy rest and worship? and did the Gospel straiten mens Priviledges? Did not the morral Law, of which Sabbath observation was one precept, bind throughout all generations? could you call other daies holy, which the Scripture gave no warrant for, and not observe that holy day which you were enjoined? Did not God allow you six daies for labour in your Callings? and was it unequal for him to take one day for his own worship? had he eased you of the burdensome Ceremonies under the Law, and was the Sabbath so burdensome to you? could you reasonably hope to enter into eternal rest, and keep a Sabbath p. 94in Heaven? if you would not celebrate the appointed Sabbaths on Earth? Were not the works of the Creation and Redemption worthy your memorial? was not communion with God in Ordinances desirable? had you no need of those spiritual provisions, which God did use to deal forth on the Sabbath daies to them that waited upon him for them? What! not worship God either in your own houses, nor in his house; neither on the week-day nor Sabbath-day? could your sometimes could and formal services be counted worship? Did you think that lip-prayers would ever be heard by God that searcheth and requireth the heart? Did you think that Sermons un-minded, un-remembred, which you did neither believe, nor were affected with, would be effectual to save you? Take them Devils, binde them hand and foot.

5. Come forth all ye swearers, and profaners of the Name of God; Did you never read nor hear the third Commandement, which forbad this sin? Did you never hear of my strict Injunction, that you should not swear at all in your discourses, but that your communication should be yea and nay? Were you never told that swearers would fall into condemnation? Was the Great and dreadful Name of God of so little regard, that you could not only use it irreverently, so frequently; but also even tear it in pieces by your oaths? What profit did you get by your swearing? and are you like to sustain no loss? what pleasure did you find in your swearing? and are you like to reap no litterness? was it for your honour to swear by the Name of God? or rather was it not for your dishonour? but how did you dishonour God? What an affront did you offer to him hereby? you call'd upon him sometimes to damn and sinke you; can you speake in that language now, now p. 95damnation is so near you? Worms! could not God have trodden you under his feet, or crusht you as easily as you could do a flie, every time you profaned his Name? and because he was patient, would you presume? because he did not presentlie punish, did you dare him, and flie in his face to provoke his fury? You have sworn in your solly, and have not repented; and God hath sworn in his wrath, and will not repent, that you shall never enter into his rest. Take them Devils, binde them hand and foot.

6. Come forth all yee scoffers at Religion, and the zealous Professors thereof; who thought and spake of Religion, as if it had been a fancie, and cunningly devised Fable; and of the most holy, humble, and self-denying Christians, as if they were the most mean-spirited, foolish, and contemptible People upon Earth; and have used the name of a Saint in derision, and Proverb of reproach. Have you the same minde now, that Religion was but a fancy? Is your Resurrection, and my appearance, but a fancie? Is your punishment eternallie in Hell, like to be bus a fancie? Had you not a sure ground and bottome for your faith in the Scriptures? Could you have desired more reasonable evidence of things done before your age? Could you laugh at Scripture-threatnings; And can you laugh now you are come to Execution? Could you contemn Gospel-promises; And are they so contemptible now in your eies, when now you see the accomplishment of them before you? Against whom was it that you opened so wide a mouth? Whom was it that you did flout and scorn? What my Disciples! because they were meek and humble, and did not take the pleasures of sin with you, and were strict in their profession and conversation: What think you of them now? Were they so mean-spirited and contemptible? Were they so foolish, p. 96which made so wise a choice? Did they well, or ill, in staying till this time for their happiness? Look upon the Persons now, whom once you scorned, and thought unworthie of your companie; Was it so rid…culous a thing to be a Saint, as you imagined? Was not shining with them in glory, at all desirable? Would not you be glad to be numbred amongst them now? Why do you not laugh and fleer at the Saints now? Yee fooles and blinde sots, do you know what you s…oft at? Could you see no excellencie in Holiness, and the Divine Nature, in my Image, which was engraven upon them? Did ever any Man of understanding laugh at the light of the Sun? They were lights in the dark World, where they lived; what mock at Holiness? hereby you mocked at God himself, who is so infinitelie glorious in this attribute, and hereby distinguished from all his Creatures; vile Wretches! Take them Devils, binde them hand and foot.

7. Come forth all yee Persecutors of my Disciples; Was it not enough for you to mock them; but you must persecute them too? Was it not enough to persecute them with the tongue, but you must persecute them with the hand? What could you betray them like Judas for a piece of money, or out of malice which was worse? Could you disturb them in their service and worship of me, when they were praying for your conversion and salvation? Could you hale and drag them to Prison, who endeavoured to keep you out of the Prison of Hell! Could you seek the ruine of such as were the best Friends of your souls? when you never received injury from them; could you be so injurious to them? Do you know whom yee persecuted? It was m…, it was me whom you persecuted, when you persecuted my Disciples; it was me whom yee wounded thorow p. 97their sides; it was me you betrayed in betraying them; it was me yee imprisoned, in imprisoning them; it was me you spurned at, when yee lifted up the heel against them; and did you ever think to prosper in this way? You, you have been above all other Persons upon the Earth, my professed Enemies, and most like your Father the Devil; Come yee Wretches, gird up your loines like Men; gather your forces together; put on strength and courage; if you have any; and life up your hand, if you dare against me; do you finde strength to faile you now, and your forces too weak to niake resistance? and were you so foolish as to engage in battel, where you might have known, you should certainlie be conquered at the last? doth your courage faile you upon the sight of the Captain? and should you not have been afraid to touch my anointed ones, my lifted Souldiers? You served the Devil, and fought under his banner against me and mine, and can be deliver you now out of mine hand? can be defend you against my rage and fury? or would he do it, if it lay in his power? had you ever more spight and malice against my people, than the Devil had against you, in setting you about persecution worke? did not he design your ruine herby? did not he think of this day, and on purpose drew you to this sin, that you might be the more horriblie tormented? and doth not be with his Angels wait now for you, that they may drag you unto torments? Take them Devils, binde them hand and foot.

8. Come forth all yee intemperate and licentious Persons; who have indulged your slesh, and laid no restraint upon your sensual appetite; who have made provision for your flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof; but made no provision for my glorie, and took no c…re to fulfill my commands; did you never hear of p. 98such a dutie as self-denial, which I required of all my Disciples and followers? Were you never told that if you followed the inclinations, and obeyed the commands of carnal self, it would be to your ruine and destruction? that bitterness and sorrow would be the issue of fleshpleasing? that lust if it conceived would bring forth sin, and sin when perfected, would bring forth death? did you never read that if yee lived after the flesh, yee should die, and that you must, through the spirit, mortifie the deeds of the bodie, otherwise life and happiness could not be obtained? and yet would you lay the reines on the neck of your lusts? if you had no faith, had you no reason neither, to keep you from intemperance? if you did not live like Christians, would you not live like Men? would you needs be bruits, and live as if you were all body, and had no soules of such high capacity? were you so blinde as not to see afar off before this day of Iudgment, when I should call you to an account? or to see a little before you, to the day of your death, which would put a conclusion to all your sensual pleasures? Could you bribe and muzzle conscience, and lay it asleep whilst you took your pleasures? Could you tread reason under foot, and resolve you would not be controuled by any light, or law, or government from your eager prosecution of your carnal delights?

Come forth all ye Gluttons; who have pampered your flesh with delicious food; but never had the least regard to seed your souls▪ which had more need; who have s…e… many hours and dayes in feasting your bodies, nourishing your selves against the day of slaughter; but when you were invited by my Messengers to the marriage fe…st, to the feast I had prepared for you, of the richest and most c…stly spiritual dainties; you had no stomack, no appetite, and could not, would not come; what! did you indeed make your belly your God? and can such a God p. 99save and make you happy? did you think that food which perisheth could give happiness to a never-dying soul? did you not know that both meat and belly would be destroyed? and that your bodies would become food for worms? and yet could you make it the chief business of your lives to feed your bodies? you were allowed food convenient, and something for delight, that your bodies might serve your souls with strength and vigour, and both their Lord and Master; but excess you were forbidden, which did distemper both body and minde, and unfit you for the service of the Lord; and yet would you overcharge your selves? now reap the fruit of this intemperance, and taste the Gall and W…rm…ood which your sweet bits are turn'd into.

Come forth yee Drunkards, who if you have not overcharged your bellies with excessive eating, yet have often entoxicuted your brains with the fumes of excessive drinking; who have drowned your understanding, wit and fancy, your natural parts and ingenuity, which might have rendered you useful in the Church, or Common-wealth where you lived, and made your selves meer sots by your drunkenness: and what account can you now give of the talents you were entrusted withall? what excuse can you finde for this sin? were you entited to it, And overtaken before you were aware? but who could entice you to drink a potion which would kill your bodies? and was not the death and damnation of your souls more to be avoided? would you be enticed to that, unto which a very Beast will not be forced? but were you not forward of your selves to the sin? did you not like the company well that joyn'd with you therein? did not you overtake the sin by your desires? did not the liquor please your appetite? did not you s…ill it in without perswasion? if you had cen overtaken, would you have been so often guilty? would you have come so p. 100often into the places and company where you fell into it? was not your chiefest mirth amongst your Cups, and drunken Companions? were not you melancholick and troubled, when your meetings of good-fellowship were disappointed? you would have your Cups, and drink Wine in Bowles, and strong Drink without measure; and now also you shall have a Cup to drink of, even the Cup of the Wine of the wrath of the angry Allmighty God; now yee shall drink of the dregs of this Cup, which hath ten thousand times more bitterness in it, than your other Cups have had sweetness.

Come forth all yee Adulterers, you that have neighed like full fed Horses after your neighbours Wives, and assembled by troopes into Harlots houses; or if not so, have committed this sin in secret corners: was there no shame in you, to keep you from this nasty, filthy sin? could you delight so much to wallow in mire and dung? was there no fear in you to restrain you? did not conscience check and rebuke you, when this lust first conceived in you? did you never hear that Whorem…ngers and Adulterers God would judge? and did you not think you should be called to an account for this sin? Could you melt in filthy sinful pleasures of the flesh, and not consider how you should consume in torments? were your short pleasures comparable to an eternity of pain and misery? were there not pleasures of a higher nature, and sweeter relish attainable in life, if you had forgone and denied your selves unlawful pleasures? have you not l…st them and the unspeakable eternal joyes of Heaven by your intemperance. Take them Devils, binde them hand and foot.

9. Come forth all ye covetous persons, whose tre…sure, and heart, and hope, and confidence hath been in earthly things; who have made the world your God, desiring, and loving, and delighting, and trusting p. 101in your wealth and riches, as if they could yield the most contentment, and be the best defence unto you; whose greatest thoughts, and care, and lab…ur have been spent about getting and keeping an estate and portion in the world, with little heart to use it for your selves, much less for the good of others, and glory of God that gave it: Did you not know that c…vetousness was Idolatry? and that no Idolater shall have any admittance into the new Jerusalem? Did you not know that the love of the world was inconsistent with the love of the Father? had you such mean thoughts of God, that you chose the world before him? were the riches of grace of so small esteem, that you preferred earthly riches? had the treasures in heaven no more worth in your account, that you should neglect and disregard them, and make choice rather of treasures on earth? When you had tried the world, and found it vain and empty, would you still set your heart upon it? when you felt such thorny cares, and piercing sorrows in your eager prosecution of this world, could not this damp and deaden your affection to it? when your own and other riches sometimes suddenly took flight as upon an Eagles wing, and left you, could not you forbear, but must fly upon the wing of desire after them? did you not foresee how naked and bare death would strip you of all? and yet would nothing wean your whorish heart from the love of the world? were you never told that riches could not profit you in the day of wrath? is not all your wealth consumed now? treasures there are indeed prepared for you, but they are treasures of wrath which your sins have deserved. Take them Devils, binde them hand and foot.

10. Come forth all ye unmerciful persons; whose bowels have been shut up against the poor, and p. 102needy; who have spoken churlishly to the poor, and looked upon them a far off; or if you have spoken to them fair, and said to the naked and destitute of daily food, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and be ye filled; yet have not given unto them things needful for the body, whatever abundance you had by you, who have had no pitty on my distressed members, so as to contribute any relief to their necessities; I was hungry, and ye gave me no meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink; I was naked, and ye cloathed me not; I was a stranger, and ye took me not in; I was sick, and you visited me not; I was in prison, and ye did not administer unto me. 'Did you not understand it was your duty to relieve the poor? had you not your rickes given to you for this end? was not this the best use you could put them unto? would not works of mercy have brought into you the best returns at last? might you not hereby have laid up for your selves a good foundation against this day? if you had laid out your estates according to my prescriptions, might not you now have laid hold on eternal life? were you never forewarned, that such should have judgment without mercy, that did not shew mercy? And you that have had no mercy …; forgive, that knew not how to pass by real, or conjectural injuries, which you have received; th… were ready to take your brother by the throat for …hundred pence, when you might have been forgiven your ten thousand talents which you owed unto God▪ were ye never told, that the King of Heaven woul… deliver you to the tormentors, if you were unmercifull? Take them Devils, bind them hand and foot.

11. Come forth all ye unrighteous persons who have wronged Widdows, and Orphans; who howover-reached p. 103your Neighbours in your dealings; who have heaped an estate together by unrighteous practices; who have squeezed and oppressed the poor, which have had no helper: was not the Law of right written upon your heart? did you not read it more plainly in the Word? did not men condemn you? did not your own consciences secretly condemn you for your unrighteousness? and did not you think that the righteous God would condemn you much more? did you not know, that no unrighteous person should inherit the Kingdome of Heaven? that the Lord would avenge himself upon you for this sin? did you wrong others so much as you have hereby wronged your selves? is the gain of the world comparable to the loss of your souls? is a little Silver or Gold (now taken away from you) comparable to the loss of Heaven, and eternal glory? did you think such faults would be winked at? did you not expect to hear of them again at the day of Iudgment? is it an unrighteous thing to punish you for your unrighteousness: Take them Devils, binde them hand and foot.

12. Come forth ye Liars; you who have taught and accustomed your selves to this sin; who have not only reported lies, but also made them; whose words have been feigned and deceitful; Did you not know, that God who made you, and to whom you owed all subjection and obedience, was a God of truth, and that he required truth? that every man should speak truth to his neighbour? that he abb…rred lying lips? that he threatned to punish liars with the second death, and give them their portion in the lake of fire? and had you no fear of God, no fear of future judgment to restrain you? might you not as easily have spoken truth, as uttered falshood? would not you hereby have gained more credit in the world? would not you have p. 104been more fit for society? would not you have had more peace in your consciences? did you excuse faults by your lies? but was it not a greater aggravation of them? if you hid them by lies, from men, could you hide them from God, who searched your heart? did you shew kindness to any by your lies? and did you not injure your selves a thousand fold more? did you harm others by your lies so much as your selves? Did you not know that the Devil was the father of lies, and liars? and were you so desirous to be like him? were you so forward to do him service? Take them Devils, binde them hand and foot.

13. Come forth all ye slanderers and backbiters; who have walked about with slanders, and carried about tales unto the reproach and injury of your neighbours good name; Did you not know it was your duty to endeavour the preservation of your neighbours reputation as carefully as your own? were you not commanded to speak evil of none? could you s…tter others before their faces, and alter your speech so much when their backs were turned? did not your own self-contradicting words condemn you? did you finde good in back-biting, and speaking evil of others? did you gain reputation, by wounding others reputation, or rather did not you give occasion to others to speak as reproachfully of you? Did you not alienate affection, and separate neer friends by your standers? did you not know many things to be false, which you spake to others disparagement? could you with confidence have averred the same things to the persons themselves? would not they easily have disproved you, and put you to shame? and if you were privy to some real faults of others, should you not have concealed them? if you had had real love, would you not have covered them? did you do as you would p. 105be done by? had you not as great faults of your own? and could you be content to have them blazed abroad? you have accused others falsly, and now you are accused truly, and you shall be punished justly. Take them Devils, binde them hand and foot.

14. Come forth all ye proud and ambitious persons; you that have builded your nests on high; that have taken many dirty steps to get into the seat of honour; whose hearts have been lifted up with high touring imaginations, and conceits of your own excellencies, unto the scorning and contempt of others; who have had proud hearts, and proud looks, and proud speeches, and proud carriage towards others, especially towards them that have been of meaner degree; who have looked upon others after off, and have disdained the converse and company of some, of whom the world hath not been worthy: Were you acquainted with no higher honour and dignity, than the world could give unto you? might you not have had seats in Heavenly places if you had looked after them, and less after the other? did you not know that the highest places on the earth were the most slippery places? did you not foresee the turning of the wheel upon you? did you not believe that God would cost down the mighty from their seats? that the higher you were lifted up in dignity, if your hearts were withall lifted up with pride, the lower and greater would be your fall? And was the favour and applause of men so desirable? was it not an empty breath, an inconstant wind? If you had been ambitious, should you not have been ambitious of the favour of the King of glory, which would have been so beneficial and lasting? And are You the persons that once were so proud and sornfull? You proud! had you such reason? Proud, p. 106when creatures! depending creatures! who had nothing, but what was borrowed, and received from God! proud, when such mean creatures! proud, when fallen! fallen into the dirt, and so defiled! proud, when sinners! sinners so vile! so full of sores! when you had such lothsome spirits! when you had such leprous souls! could you lift up the plumes, when you had such black feet? could you be proud, when you had last Gods Image, and were so like unto foul devils? proud, when such beggarly sinners! cloathed in such filthy rags! proud, when such slaves, and vassals to the vilest and basest Tyrants! proud in chains and fetters of Sathan, and lust! You had reason indeed to be proud and scornful, and to look so high, and speak so big, when you were so odious to God, and such low, mean-spirited miserable wretches, who were drudging in mire and dirt, and were led by the devil in chains, like dogs, towards the prison of Hell: you had need scorn the company of my disciples; as if dirty, dunghil beggars, should scorn the company of high-born noble Princes! you were high in conceit, but now you shall be debased, and laid low indeed. Take them Devils, binde them hand and foot.

15. Come forth all ye envious and malicious persons; you that have grieved at the good of others, which they have had, or done; that have grieved at the good estates of others, and that they have thrived faster than you in the world; that have grieved at the sweet and comfortable relations of others, and that yours have not been like to them; that have grieved at the beauty or strength of body, the gifts and endowments of mind of others, beyond what your seives have had; that have grieved at the honour of others, that they have been esteemed and preferred p. 107before your selves; that have grieved because others have done more good, and been more useful than your selves; and hence have secretly and deeply hated them, and born malice towards them in your minds; and have entertained thoughts and desires of doing them some mischief, and were glad when any mischief did befall them: You, you have been children of the Devil indeed, and the likeness and lusts of your father you have had: Was your eye evil, because God was good? did not God put the difference between them and you? and should not you have been contened? was not God good to you, and had not you reason to be thankeful? did not you put a stop to the current of Gods goodness by your envy? did not you lose the comfort of the good things you had, by this sin? did not you hereby loose the benefit you might have had by the good things of others? should not you have rejoyced in their good things? if you had loved them indeed, would not you have done it? did not you rack and torment your selves by your envy? had you been humble, would you have been trumbled? had your affections been set upon things above, would this sin have so much prevailed? had you been sincerely desirous to promote Gods glory, would you have been so much concerned, that your glory should be clouded, when Gods glory was advanced, though by others more than your selves? were you not warned to lay aside all envy and malice, if you would be Christians indeed? if you had put your spirits under my government, would not I have conquered by my Spirit their inordinate motions? should not you have found sweetness and comfort in love, if you had laboured after, and lived in the exercise of this grace? Did you not know that these were works of the flesh which would exclude you the Kingdome of Heaven? p. 108Take them Devils, binde them hand and foot.

16 Come forth all ye wrathful and contentious persons; you that have had fiery Spirits, and fiery tongues; whose tongues have been like Swords, wherewith you have lashed and wounded others in your reproachful reviling speeches; who have had the poison of aspes in your hearts and lips, which hath vented it self in virulent language; whose words have been bitter and clamorous, full of anger and wrath, and contention; who have been incendiaries in the places where you have lived, who have disturbed the peace of your families, and turned all things into uprore and confusion: Did you not know the precepts of the Gospel, which commanded peace, and gentleness, and meekness, and easiness to be entreated? did you disturb others peace by your contentions, and did you not disturb your own? did you raise an uprore in your houses, and was not there a greater uproar in your hearts? did you not taste the bitterness of such a conversation, and yet would you persist therein? did not you receive some blows and wounds by your contention sometimes; and yet would you not hearken to such rebukes? were you angry with others without just cause, and was there not good reason that God should be angry with you? was not the fire of your tongues kindled by the fire of Hell? and is it unreasonable that you should be thrust into the place of burning for your contention? Take them Devils, binde them hand and foot.

17. Come forth all yee civil and moral persons, who have had moral righteousness, and been upright in your dealings, but wholly strangers unto the power of godliness; who have observed some Precepts of the second Table of the Law in reference to your selves and p. 109others externally; but have grosly neglected the duties of the first Table, which have had reference to God; who have had no knowledge of God, nor fear of him, nor love to him, nor delight in him; who have never sanctified his name or day in your hearts, nor worshipped him in a spiritual manner according to the prescriptions of his words; who never yielded obedience to the Gospel, never saw your need of me, and obtained interest and acquaintance with me, what ever calls and opportunities you had: and do you think I should know you, and own you now, when you are none of mine? will your moral righteo…sness stand you now in any stead, when you are to give so strict an account? did not I tell you in my word, that unless your righteousness did exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, yee should in no wise enter into the Kingdome of Heaven? that you must be born again, or else you could not be saved? that you must be holy, or else you could not be happy? did you not hear of the young man, who had as much moral righteousness as you, and yet mist of Heaven, because he would not obey my other commands? hath your moral righteousness been so perfect, that it hath had no flaw? have you lived free from sin, in regard of the second Table of the Law, besides your breaches of the first? will not Conscience tell you of some slips, some stumbles and falls, as to your external walking? were you never guilty of unrighteous dealing? never distempered your selves with drink? never were lustful and wanton? never told any lies, nor uttered any slanders? and if you have been fair in your outward carriage and converse, have you not had …oul insides? had you not need of pardon for your sins, and my blood to wash you from your filthiness? have not the best of your workes been sinful, in regard of the principal, and end, and manner of performance? did you think the p. 110works of nature would save you, when the works of grace cannot, without the imputation of my righteousness, because of their imperfection? must not Gods Iustice be satisfied for your sins? and how do you think it should be done, but by your eternal punishment in Hell? had you believed in me, and yielded obedience to me, my righteousness should have been yours, and then you might have held up your Heads with joyful expectation of glory on this day; but you cleaved to your own righteousness, and were well and whole, and did not see your need of me to be your Physician and Saviour, and would not submit unto, and accept of my righteousness, and what have you to say, why judgment should not pass upon you? did you think such works as yours would satisfie Iustice, when if you had done better, and kept the whole Law for the greatest part of your life, yet you had done but your duty, and the sins of your youth were enough to sink you into Hell; but was any of your righteousness perfect? did you think to merit Heaven by such works? do you think you deserve a Crown of Glory for your civility, or morality? where have you a promise of it? and if you had no promise, could you think you should ever attain it? what, is your mouth stopt, and are you speechless now? Take them Devils, binde them hand and foot.

18. Come forth all yee Hypocrites. who have made a show of Holiness; and have born the name of zealous Professors of Religion; but have been acted by carnal designes and principles; who have used religion as a Cloak for your covetousness; who followed me only for the loaves, who have been hollow at heart; rotten at the Core; painted Sepulchres; blazing Comets; wandring and falling Stars, for whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever: what did you mean by your showes and outward appearance of worship and p. 111service? did you think that the all-seeing, heart-searching God, judged according to outward appearance? did you think that lip-service, and bodily exercise would be accepted by him? or was it acceptation only with Men which you sought after? that reward you had, and can you expect any other reward, when you did not desire it, nor design it? and what doth it, can it now profit you, that Men accounted you religious? will their esteem of you procure pardon and salvation for you? could you be content to cast away and loose all your external services for want of sincerity, and an internal living principle? did not you think that all your services would rise up one day in judgment against you? did not you affront the highest Majesty by the mockery of your shew-worship? did not be very well understand which way your heart went, when you seemed must devout? was not be acquainted with the secret lusts which you harboured in your heart, and secret way of wickedness which you walked in, when you made a show of mortification, and self-denial, and a holy, and strict conversation? were you not warned against hypocrisie, and told how odious it was unto God, and that hypocrites portion would be in utter darkness, where there is weeping, and weiling, and gnashing of teeth? Take them Devils, binde them hand and foot.

19. Come forth all yee Back-sliders and Apostates from me and my wayes; You that turned back to wayes of prophaneness, and open wickedness, after some time of profession, and joyning your selves with my people; was my service so burdensome that you could endure it no longer? was the way to Heaven so unpleasant, that you would walk no longer therein? after some tryal in show of me, did you prefer and make choice of the Devil before me? after some washing your selves, would you wallow in the mire again? p. 112after heaving some vomit off of your stomack, would you again lick it up? after some sweepings and dressings would you open the door, and let in seven worse spirits to defile your hearts? after you seemed to be escapèd, were you again entangled? would you needs put your foot again into the snare, and binde your selves in fresh bonds of sin? did you prefer the company of the wicked which were going Hell-ward, before the company of my people, which were going Heaven-ward? could not you now wish that you had held on, and held out with them unto the end? would not you have rejoyced if you had now been found in their society? did you repent of your repenting, and do you not now repent of your back-slidings? were not you told, if you drew back, my Soul would have no pleasure in you?

And you that have turned aside from me and my wayes, into wayes of errour, that suckt in damnable Heresies from faise Teachers. Did you not know that there were damnable Heresies, as well as other damnable sins? were you not warned that Sathan sometimes appeared as an Angel of light? would you so quickly turn aside after some workings and strivings of my spirit with you, and some hopes which you gave of your conversion and reformation? did not you perceive how Sathan lay upon the catch, so soon as you began to be awakened, to prejudice you against the truth, and draw you aside in another way to serve him? did you not understand the mysteries of his delusions? if you had heartily loved the truth as it was in me, would you have been so deluded? was not deep humiliation and mortification of every last too hard a Doctrine, and therefore you chose such as would give you more scope, and liberty, and shroud your lusts under some other name, and terme your hatred and anger against my people by the name of zeale for my glory? did you think if you p. 113gave Sathan one hold, that it would not be sufficient to undo you? had you stuck close to my Ministry and Ordinances, would you have been so deluded? did you think your selves wiser than my Ministers, so soon as you got a little glimmering of light? could you so readily open your eare to slanders, and receive prejudices against them, through Sathans and his Instruments perswasions, to the shipwracking of your own Souls? did you not finde how wavering and unsteady you were, how like Children tossed too and fro with every wind of Doctrine, when once you forsook my Ministry, which I appointed for your establishment? did you conceit that you might live above Ordinances in the World? did you imagine to get into a higher forme, when you went forth of my School? and when you expected perfection most, were not you more imperfect than before? when you fancied a clearer light, were not you most full of darkness? when you thought your selves so holy, as none like you, and none must be holy but those of your way; were not you most unholy, and like a smoke in my nostrils? could I accept of your worship out of the way of my Ordinances and Institutions? when you thought your selves must guided and acted by the spirit, was it not a spirit of delusion? did my spirit lead you, and act you in a way which my word did not allow of? were not you the renders and …rers of my Church? was it not by reason of you that the wayes of truth were evil spoken of by evil Men? were not those without prejudiced against my very wayes, because of your delusions, which made so forward a profession? suppose I permitted some of mine to mistake in circumstantials, was this a just excuse for your errours in fundamentals, when the word was open for you to inform your selves in the truth? did not you wrest the Scriptures to your own destruction? suppose you denied p. 114your selves some things, were they those things that I commanded: suppose you suffered some things in your way, do you hope for a reward for sufferings, which I never called you unto, and which did but so much the more harden your party, and promote your delusion? did you know what a snare you were hampered in, so soon as you put your foot into the way of errour, and turned aside from that old strait, narrow way of my Word and Ordinances, which have brought so many to Heaven? were not you in a greater unlikelihood of being called effectually, than Drunkards and Adulterers, and the most vicious, who lay more naked to the blow of the Word, and were more ready to receive instruction? you were more forward to reprove my Ministers, than to receive my Ministers, and conviction from them; you could call them Antichristian, and false Prophets, though they adheared to and maintained nothing, but the truths of my word; and when I gave them so many seals of their Ministry in the conversion of many Souls; you could call them self-seekers and hirelings, though they gave such evidences of self-denial, and many of them forsook all that they had, rather than they would make a breach upon their consciences; you could, some of you, emrench upon their office, though you had no call, nor commission from me; you had the Scripture to discover to you the right way, but you shut your eyes against the light, and ch…se wayes of darkness, and is it not sit that you should go to the place of darkness. Take them Devils, binde them hand and foot.

20. Come forth all yee Impenitent Persons and Unbelievers, all yee that have not yielded obedience to the Gospel; were you not called to repentance by Ministers, and the spirit in Ordinances? and when a stiller voice was not heard, were you not called p. 115louder by God in his Iudgments? did you not know, that except you repented, you would certainly perish? that iniquity would be your ruine, unless your heart were broken for it and from it, and yet were you, though you lay under the guil… of so much sin, could you be so impenitent and hard-hearted? were not you called to me by the voice of the Gospel? did not I call you and stretch out my hand all the day long to you? did not I stand at the door of your heart, and wo… hard for entertainment? and yet could you shut the door against me, though you had so much need of me? had you not commands, and encouragements to believe? could you rationally desire firmer ground and footing for your faith? did not you give God the lie by your unbelief? have you not hereby fastned the guilt of all your other sins upon your selves, which I was willing to take off from you? would any sin against the Law have condemned you, had you turned from it, and yielded obedience to the Gospel? were you not foretold of the wrath to come, and yet would you not flie from it? were you not pr…ffered a Saviour, and yet would you not accept of him? had you not treasures opened before you, end would you not look after them? were you not shown the way to Heaven, and would not you walk in it? how can you escape, that have been guilty of disobedience to the Gospel? Take them Devils, binde them hand and foot.

Christ at the day of Judgment will convict the whole ungodly World, especially those who have lived under the sound of the Gospel; their crimes will be made manifest and evident, and every mouth will be stopped, when they are found guilty before him, and they cannot deny it: then the wicked will be speechless and stand after their full conviction like so many Rogues in Chains before p. 116the Judge: And think now with your selves what the behaviour of the wicked will be, when they are thus convicted of their sins, and are ready to receive their sentence; I believe some of you have seen Malefactors at the Bar, when the Jury hath found them guilty, and the Judge hath been proceeding to give the sentence of Death, how their countenances have changed, and their joynts trembled, and unexpressible horrour seized upon them; but O the dread and terrour that will be upon the spirits of the wicked, when they are convicted of sin by this Judge! and with what trembling expectations will they wait for their sentence!

7. And this is the seventh particular to spea… concerning the Sentence, which the Lord Jesus Christ will pass upon the wicked in Judgment, see Matth. 25. 41. Then shall he say unto them on his left hand, Depart from me yee cursed, into everlasting Fire, prepared for the Devil and his Angels. Depar… from me! yee that have formerly said in your hearts unto me, Depart, we will not have thee … reign over us: that have said to my Minister… Depart, we wil not hearken to your words; that have said to my Spirit depart, we will not yield to thy motions. Now depart! depart from me, yee that would not come unto me; yee have often been called and invited to come, but yee refused, now depart! yee shall not have one Call more; you shall not have one proffer of grace more fo… ever; Depart! never shall yee hear my voice any more; never shall yee see my face any more▪ Depart! be gone out of my sight: Depart from m… yee cursed! as yee cared not for blessing, so sha… it be far from you; as ye loved cursing, so shal p. 117it be unto you; Depart with the curse of the Law, with the curse of the great God upon you; let the curse of God cloathe you like a garment, and bind you like a chain; let it enter into your flesh and bones like Oile, to enrage so much the more the flames of Hell about you; and let it pierce into your soul, and fill you with horrible anguish; Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire. Ye shall not depart into your old habitation to spend an eternity in sinful sensual pleasures; no, Depart into torments, Depart into Fire, into the fire of Hell; into the burning Lake; into Tophet ordained of old for you, into a stream of Fire and Brimstone, enkindled by the breath of God; Depart into everlasting Fire; Go dwell with devouring Fire, and inhabit everlasting burnings: Depart into everlasting Fire, prepared for the Devil and his angels; ye served the devil and divers lusts, whilst you lived in the world; now go and live with the Devil and his angels in Hell fire for ever, partake of the torments, primarily prepared for him, and belonging also to you, because ye belonged to his Kingdom.

And when the sentence is irreversibly pronounced by the Judge upon the wicked, O what direful shreeks will they give forth! With what horrour will they cry out, How shall we be able to endure the devouring flames, and everlasting burnings of Hell!

Thus have I done with the Judgment it self, both of the righteous and the wicked, at the appearance of Jesus Christ.