A Second Guide to Heaven, Chapter 9
CHAP. IX.
3. Query. How dreadful thy condition, if lost at last? Better I never had a Tongue, an Ey, an Ear, an Hand, than not employ all for God; better I had the Heart of a Dog than a wicked Heart, not to love God.
1. How sad will it be with you dying, and at Judgment?
2. How sad is your condition at present, all in Judgement and a Curse to you?
1. HOw sad and dreadful will it appear at the last day, how terrible and ghastly, and amazing will it be, to part with these empty bubbles and toys, and have real confusion and astonishment? Could you always delight your self with these, 'twere somewhat; but Death strikes the quassing Boul, the full Glasses, out of the Gallants hand. What a dash had Belshazzar, Dan. 5. beg. amidst all his Lords, quaffing and carousing! v. 6. his Countenance chang'd, his Thoughts troubled, the joynts of his Loyns loosed, his Knees smote one against another. What, a small drop imbitter a Crown, spoil a Feast? Mordecai's not bowing the knee spoil'd Hamans satisfaction in all he had. Esther 5.12, 13. So little Leaven sowre the lump, and how soon all gone and lost, and he hang'd? Naboths Vineyard disturbs Ahab in all his Kingly abundance. 1 Kings 21.5, 6. Ay, but he can soon get that, chap. 7. v. 16. But what came to him there, v. 19. The Dogs shall lick thy Blood. I have often thought with pity on great Men in their Pomp and Splendour; suppose them Worldly-wise, grand Politicians, successful, honourable, rich and mighty, with serious consideration; poor wretched Man, should he lose himself amidst all and be wicked, he can't look with comfort one hour beyond Death, nor one foot beneath the Grave; whereas a good Man looks every way with comfort, as the Apostle 2 Tim. 4. He looks downward with chearfulness. v. 6. I am now ready to be offer'd up, and the time of my departure is at hand. It's but as putting off his Clothes, or taking a Journy; it's but a Style or two more to my Fathers House, but winking and I am in Heaven; whereas a Sinner trembles and is amaz'd; the boldest Sinners go backward when Death comes on; what dreadful out-cries and screitches on Death-beds, but how many good Men long to be dissolv'd? O Blessed Glorious sight, to see and hear a Saint dying in peace, and going triumphantly to Honour.
2. He looks backward with comfort and satisfaction. v. 7. I have fought a good fight, I have endeavour'd to serve the will of God faithfully. As Hezekiah, Isa. 38.3. Lord, remember how I have walkt before thee with a perfect and upright Heart. A wicked wretch dreads to look back, and dare not say, Lord, remember how I have liv'd; dare not say, Lord remember the Sins of my Youth and riper years, my Sabbaths and Week-days. David in old Age could look back with comfort and confidence on his younger years. Psal. 71.6, 9, 17, 18. Thou hast upheld and taught me from my Youth, now forsake me not, when Old and Gray-headed. Now a Sinner looks back with horror, shame and confusion.
3. He looks forward, with comfort and boldness, to the day of Judgement, and to the Second coming of Christ. v. 8. There is a vast difference between good and bad on this account. Luke 21.26, 28. Others hearts shall fail them for fear, and the powers of Heaven shall be shaken, then look up, lift up your heads, for your Redemption draweth near. It's a great difference between the guilty and the innocent, when the Assize draws near, and the Judge at hand.
4. He looks upward, with triumphing joy and admiration, to the Crown of Righteousness and Glory; their Hearts leap for joy here in hopes of it; how will it be, when just entring into Heaven? Eye hath not seen, nor Ear heard, those great things prepared for them.
1. Now if a Sinner that is lost look downward.
(1.) There is a dismal Grave to receive his pamper'd filthy sinful Body, a mighty change from all delicacies, and care and attendance; the Bed of Down chang'd into a Bed of dirt and bones, and a little after into a Bed of flames; the well-built House with deckt Rooms, furnish'd and adorn'd, glass Windows, Doors and Out-lets, chang'd into a dark hole, shut up, not the least breathing hole or crany of Light; warmth and washing, rubbing and cleansing the Body, and other things chang'd into a lump of nastiness, and what is loathsome and corrupted.
(2.) But then he looks lower, and sees Hell open for him, Devils gaping, unquenchable burnings to receive him; how shall he die? he dare not die, he can't live. Now his Ears hear nothing but screitches and roarings, his Eyes behold all dismal ghastly Objects. What is it to see a dear Child, Husband or Wife, in Convulsive-fits, under Groanes and Sweats, and ghastly looks? but fall under Gods endless wrath, who knows the power of his Anger,Rom. 9.22. Ch. 2.7. Tribulation, Anguish and Wrath upon the Soul; the breath of Gods Anger enkindle the Flames. O what will Sinners do? Can thine Heart endure? Will not thy sinews crack, and thy Soul melt?
2. But when the wretch looks backward, what a ghastly sight, all his Sins, his Pride, wantonness, idleness, hypocrisie, what not; O the swarms of filthy vile thoughts, the multitude of wicked sinful words, a whole Life of Sin: Now Death will set them in order before thee; here will be a reflection
1. On what you were, once had and enjoy'd; all the pleasures, ease and plenty,Miserum est dixisse, fuisse beatos. such an Estate, such Friends, all lost and gone; no more, never, no more; how wanton, vain, proud, idle, when enjoy'd them?
2. What you might have been, and done; what blessed Seasons of Grace lost, I might have Pray'd, Read, Heard at such a time, when I was idle, vain and foolish. I was on my Bed of sloth, or in idle Company, when I might have been upon my knees, wrestling with God for Grace and Mercy; how well might it now have been with my Soul?
3. But alas! what a sad condition have I now sinn'd my self into? I can't look back on one hour, on one duty, with comfort. Every relation, every mercy, every judgement help to increase my torments, poor wretch, miserable wretch, wicked wretch that I am, though I receiv'd so much from God, I scarce ever did him one hours hearty Service all my days; I have done much against him.
4. When he looks forward to the day of Judgement, there he sees Christ that once came to woe him,2 Thess. 1.7, 8, 9. to save him, now coming in flaming fire to Judge, to destroy him, and that for ever; whither shall I fly or run, I must appear, and I must be condemn'd, and to unquenchable burnings? When that Saviour shall come in the Clouds with his mighty Angels, and the Saints meet him in the Air, I must hear the dreadful Sentence. Matth. 25.41. Depart, from whom? from peace and happiness for ever. Depart, thou Cursed, what Christ call me so? with his word goes the Curse and Vengeance, and seiseth on the sinner; but whither, back to the Earth again, or to a Dungeon or a Prison, or into the Grave again? no, into fire, scorching fire; but how long? for ever, Ever-lasting fire; when Ten Thousand years out, as new as at first, prepared for the Devil and his Angels. What cursed, dreadful ghastly Company, what affrights and amazements are some in, under apprehensions of Apparitions? How terrible, a Dream? What will it be to be cast amongst them? O tremendum Dei Judicium, the Ancients call'd it. It's a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living, angry God:Heb 10.31 Did you never see a guilty Rogue stand trembling in his Chains before the Judge? and do not standers-by tremble and melt, to hear the Judge, (and poor weak Man that must stand trembling before this Tribunal also,) when this Judge gives the Sentence of Death; O what will it be, when God shall say, Take him, Devils.
5. When he looks upward, there is an Heaven, but no entrance for him; he says, Depart, I know thee not, that is, to love thee or save thee; there is an angry God, whose face is a flame of Fire against thee, that smiles on others, and bids them welcome.
6. When he looks inward, there is a wicked Heart, a stinging Conscience, there is all in an uproar; whereas the good Mans Conscience is a Mount-Tabor, a glimpse of Glory, an Heaven upon Earth, a Kingdom of Goodness within him, thine is a terrour to thy self and to all about thee, an Hell upon Earth. None need accuse dying persons, then severe enough against themselves, that would not bear others gentle mild Reproofs before.
7. When they look outward, without and about them, all witness against them; their Friends cry for them, but can cry out against them; their Beds witness their sloth, it may be their filthiness; the Frames, the Timber, the Stones, cry out against them: None to pity, nothing to help, whereas good Men leave their friends with comfort, and can say, I am not afraid to die.
1. If you are lost and thus miscarry, all you have, or seem to have, or be, is nothing to you. What is a great Name, Applause, Honour and Respect, to a dead Corpse, to a damn'd Soul? Alas! that you could but forsee and know it, for your good and advantage? What if others, many others, have good thoughts of you, 'twil stand you in no stead. When a person is to be Tryed for his Estate or Life; he thinks all of his own side, represents it so to his Counsellour and friends; they say, he need not fear, be of good courage, all will be well; but when the person or Cause is brought before the Judge, the Writings are brought forth, the Witnesses called, and things appear quite otherwise, the Cause is lost, and the Man Cast and Condemned; what is he the better for his own good thoughts, or others good words? We are very favourable to our selves, and cry, Peace, all is well. Rom. 2. beg. Judge others, but not our selves; others speak fair to us, but at the last, the great Day, the Books will be brought out and open'd. Rev. 20.12. and the Witnesses appear, your own Hearts, Tongues, Lives, your Enemies, your Neighbours; and then all will appear as really it is, and God will pass Righteous Sentence. What doth it advantage you to live in a fools Paradise, to please your selves with a Dream? think now that you Eat and Drink, and in the Morning of the Resurrection awake, and your Souls are empty,Isa. 29.7. and you faint and perish: You lose your friends, your present enjoyments, your Bodies, your Souls; you lose God, Christ and Heaven; What shall be said to awaken you and do you good?
2. At present, if you are not good, all you seem to have and enjoy is in Judgement and wrath. Tit. 1.15. To the pure all things are pure, but to the impure all is defiled. It would be too large a digression, to shew, as to all particulars.
1. This is a great loss; you lose the real good and Blessing of what you now have; your outward mercies and crosses are all in Judgment and Wrath; your Table is a Snare, while the Meat is in your Mouths, the Wrath, the Curse of God is in your Souls: You are fed as Enemies, only fatted and fitted for the slaughter; if you have Pomp and greatness, abundance and Honour, you are Riding in the greater State to the Worms and rottenness, nay, to Hell and unquenchable burnings. Some make more hast thither than others, run full speed by rioting and excess: If you are poor, and sick and distressed, you are falling still lower, never stop till come to the utmost wrath. A good Man falls and riseth again: Many think, because they suffer so much here, God will pardon and save them; alas! suppose your sufferings could make amends for your sins, which can't be, yet they can't procure Gods favour and Heaven. Rom. 8.18. All the Flood not wash away the guilt of the old World, nor Sodoms fire burn up the Lusts. Many lye roasting and roaring under fierce wrath,Amos 4.7 to 12. and wicked still, so those in Hell. Now a good Man is the better for his mercies, all given in love from God, and all Praise and Thanks given from a loving Heart to God. A good Man blesseth and loves God more for one bit of Bread, than a wicked Man doth for a full Table. A great Man standing accidentally at a poor Mans door, and over-hearing him give God thanks solemnly and heartily, would go in to see what great Feast he was so thankful for, and found only Bread and little else; he went out asham'd and confounded, that he was no more thankful for his abundance. Short Commons, serious hearty Grace, are a good Meal, a rich Feast. Many Thousands eat and drink, that do not love and praise God for it. We most of us generally more need Hearts to bless God with, than mercies to praise him for: What a vast difference is there between good and bad on this account? One is for a full Table and a Cup over-flowng, the other for an Heart abounding in Love and Thanks-giving. A Cardinal, riding in Pomp and Pleasure with his Company, stept aside to a poor Man in the fields, and found him weeping, and askt him why he wept? he answer'd I was looking on this Toad,Surgunt indocti, & rapiunt Coelum, dum nos voltamus &c. and admiring Gods goodness, that I was not made such a vile Creature; with it he return'd to his Company; saying, these unlearned mean persons rise up and take Heaven by Violence, whilst we wallow in sensual pleasures and luxury. What a sad condition is a wicked Man in?Isa. 26.10, 11. if God feeds him to the full, he waxeth wanton, and kicks against God, and forgets his Maker and Benefactour; if afflict and chastise, murmour, repine, and it may be grow desperate; that God says, why smitten? they will revolt more and more. Let the Prophet go to poor or rich, it's all one. Jer. 5.3, 4. What shall be done to a wicked hard Heart?
2. It is so, as to means of Grace, and all Spiritual advantages, they are all in Judgement and wrath to you; Gods Word doth but harden them that do's soften others. The Sun that softens the Wax, doth harden the dirt; that draws out the sweet smell of flowers and choice inclosed Gardens, doth also the loathsome offensive scents and smell of Dung and Carrion. Who would think, that such a choice Evangelical Preacher as Isaiah should be sent to shut their Eyes, Ears, and Hearts? Isa. 6.9. &c. Nay, that frequent Preaching, precept upon precept, line upon line, should be so abus'd as to make them fall backward, be broken, secured and taken. Isa. 28.13. Some think, they scornfully repeated these words, v. 14, 22. as if weary of so much of it; or, as others, they need still word upon word, and all to no purpose,Quicquid recipitur recipitur ad modum recipientis. they still fall into sin, and at last under Gods just Judgement. The word of God is the Savour of Death to some, as well as of Life to others; the same good Seed will not grow in the highway, Rocky, stony-ground, that prospers in the good Ground. You may live under powerful means of Grace, sound Preaching and Heavenly Praying, and yet be in a damnable condition: Who could hear a better Preacher, and be in better company than Judas, and yet a cast-away, a Devil? Rest upon none of your outward priviledges. Read through the 2d. of the Romans, and then judge. I could instance in all parts of the Scripture, the promises are a Rich Treasure, but none of them are for you. Rom. 8.28. All work for good, but 'tis to them that love God, all's in Judgement to others. Unspeakable, unheard of things, God hath prepar'd in Heav'n, but it's for them that Love him. 2 Cor. 2.9. A Crown of Righteousness for them that love his appearing.