The Great Assize, Sermon 1

The Great Assize · Sermon 1

p. 1THE GREAT ASSIZE. The firſt Sermon.

REVEL. 20.11.12. &c.

11 And I ſawe a great white Throne, and him that ſate on it, from whoſe Face fled away both the Earth and the Heauen, and their place was no more found.

12 And I ſaw the dead both ſmall and great ſtand before God: and p. 2the Bookes were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of Life: & the dead vvere iudged of thoſe things vvhichwhich vvere vvritten in the books, according to their deeds.

13 And the Sea gaue vp her dead which were in her: and Death and Hell deliuered vp the dead that were in them; and they were iudged eueryevery man according to his deeds.

14 And death and hell were caſt into the lake of fire: this is the ſecond death.

15 And whoſoeuer was not found written in the booke of life, was caſt into the lake of fire.

HAVING ſpoken (not long ſince) of the Comming of CHRIST into his Garden,Cant. 5.1.Song 5:1 or into his p. 3Church, and of his kinde and princely offers vntounto vsus, ſuing for entertainment at our hands, being his firſt comming vntounto vsus heere in this vale of Teares: I thought it verie neceſſarie to ſpeake ſomething of his ſecond comming; that thoſe that will not be moued with the former, might be terrified with the latter.

To which purpoſe I hauehave made choyce of this place of Scripture, in which this matter (as you ſee) is at large deſcribed, with many neceſſary circū ſtances, needfull to be knowne and learned of euerie one of vsus all. For heere the ſecond comming of Chriſt is reuealed to Saint Iohn in a viſion from Heauen, euen in that manner, in which Chriſt will come at the laſt day: For theſe fiue Verſes p. 4containe in them nothing elſe, but a liuely and heauenly deſcription of the ſecond coming of Chriſt to Iudgement, with all the circumſtances belonging to the ſame.

The parts of the Text.For firſt, if you would know with what Maieſtie, Power, Integritie, 1Seueritie, and Terrour, this great Iudge will come, you may ſee the perſon of the Iudge deſcribed in the firſt verſe of this preſent Text.

2Secondly, if you would vnderſtand what perſons muſt be cited and ſummoned, who muſt appeare: Saint Iohn ſaith heere, he Sawe the dead both great and ſmall, ſtand before the Iudge: all that euer are, that hauehave been, or ſhall bee vntounto the end of the World, muſt appeare before the Throne of CHRIST IESVS.

p. 5Thirdly, if you deſire to be 3inſtructed by what meanes, and after what maner CHRIST IESVS wil proceed in iudgement: What ſhall be the Euidences and the Witneſſes: What Iury ſhall paſſe vponupon eueryevery man and woman: The holy Ghoſt tells vsus, that the Bookes ſhall be opened, that God will Iudge eueryevery man by his owne conſcience; for that ſhall giuegive euidence, eyther with or againſt thee, either to excuſe or accuſe thee.

Fourthly, and laſtly, if you 4would know what ſhall be the finall end of all men, you may heere perceiue, that they vvhoſe Names are written in the Booke of Life, ſhall bee Bleſſed; But Death and Hell, and Sathan, and all vngodlie ſinners ſhall bee caſt into a Lake of Fire and Brimſtone p. 6for euermore, which is the ſecond death.

Now hauing ſeene the meaning of the Text; let vsus come to ſpeake of the ſeuerall points, one by one in order.

I ſaw a great white Throne, &c.

THis Verſe containes in it a notable Deſcription of the Iudge himſelfe. And whereas S. Iohn ſaith, he ſaw a great white Throne; that is, Chriſt Ieſus reuealed it vntounto him in a Viſion; the manner of his ſecond comming to iudgement; and withall, commandeth him to write it in a booke, for the comfort and inſtruction of the Church of God for euermore.

Heere then we may note the great care and louelove of IESVS CHRIST, towards his poore p. 7Church and people, that hee would not hauehave them ignorant of his ſecond comming to Iudgement: But he doth make it knowne to his Diſciple Iohn, and bids him record it in the booke of God for our inſtruction, that ſo no man might be ignorant of it: but rather might prepare himſelfe by true repentance, to meete the Lord Ieſus Chriſt in the Clouds.

Now concerning the Viſion, Saint Iohn ſaw a Great white Throne: he ſaw a throne ſet, and this Throne is deſcribed by two properties: Firſt a Great Throne; 1 Great Throne.ſecondy, a white Throne. The firſt ſhewes the wonderfull Might, Maieſtie, and Power, of the Iudge. The ſecond ſhewes the Puritie, Integritie, and Vprightneſſe of the great Iudge of the whole world.

p. 8Mat. 25.31Matt 25:31And as it was ſhewed vntounto Iohn in a Viſion, ſo our Sauiour Chriſt himſelfe ſpeaketh of it, when he ſhewes, that as earthly Kings, vvhen they will make ſhevv of their Regall Power, and Dignitie, of their Maieſtie; they aſcend into the Thrones of their Kingdome: euen ſo Chriſt Ieſus, when hee comes to Iudgement, hee will come with all glorie, all his holie Angells ſhall attend on his Sacred perſon: And then hee will aſcend into this Great white Throne of his Glorie, to pronounce that finall ſentence both on the Sheepe and on the Goates.

Vſe 1 Here then we ſee a manifeſt difference betweene Chriſts comming in the fleſh, to bee a Mediator and Redeemer, and his ſecond comming to Iudgement. p. 9And ſurely it makes much for the comfort of Gods poore children, that though heere they be in want, in miſery, and pouerty, yet they ſhall be made partakers of this glorie of their head Chriſt Ieſus. Secondly, it ſerueth to aſtoniſh all hard-hearted ſinners, which contemne Chriſt and his poore members: Chriſt will at laſt manifeſt his power in their iuſt condemnation.

Seeing the perſon of the Vſe 2 Iudge is of ſuch endleſſe power, and glorie, of ſuch wonderfull might and maieſtie: this muſt humble all men, vvhen they come to ſtand in preſence of ſo great a Perſon as wee doe vvhen vvee come to heare the Word Preached and Taught, to receiue the holy Sacrament. If wee were to come but into p. 10the preſence of an earthlie Prince, how carefull and circumſpectly vvould vve behaue our ſelues, to do nothing vnbeſeeming the preſence of ſo great a perſon. This is the great care men hauehave, when they come into the preſence of an earthlie iudge, to put off their hats, and to ſhew al tokens of reuerence: And yet it is a wonder, to ſee how vnreuerently men and women come into the pteſence of the Euer-liuing and moſt high God, vntounto the preſence of the great Iudge of Heauen and Earth, the King of Kings, and Lord of lords. When we come to pray, or to ſing Pſalmes vntounto God, hovv vnreuerently doe ſome ſit vvith their hattes on? would any man do it in the preſence of an earthly iudge, or a mortall preſence? Surely it is an p. 11vnreuerent behauiour, to ſit couered, eyther when wee ſpeake vntounto God by Prayer, or vvhen GOD ſpeaketh vntounto vsus in his word.

Againe, when men come to heare the vvord of this great Iudge, the glorious Goſpell of Ieſus Chriſt: when they reade it priuately in their houſes: It is wonderfull to ſee what little reuerence they ſhew in the glorious preſence of this great Iudge. Would anie earthlie Prince take it in good part, if thou ſhouldeſt ſtand in his preſence, and he talke with thee for thy good, and thou ſhouldſt euen at that time turne thy backe vponupon him, and fall to wiping of thy ſhoes, or ſome baſer buſineſſe? Though men dare not do this in the preſence of an earthly prince: yet when Ieſus Chriſt p. 12ſhall ſpeake vntounto them in his Word and Goſpell, they will more regard the vaine and fooliſh talke of anie Boy or Girle that ſhall prattle in their eares, then the heauenly voyce of this great Iudge CHRIST IESVS. Which ſhewes very plainely, that they care not for CHRIST, and that they make but ſmall account of his Word and glorious Goſpel. Oh therefore let vsus conſider when we come, eyther to ſpeake to God by our praiers, or to heare Chriſt ſpeak vntounto vsus in his Word; that wee come to appeare in a glorious preſence; that ſo we may come in feare and reuerence, as becommeth the preſence of ſo great a maieſtie.

Vſe 3 Seeing the Perſon of the Iudge is of ſuch endleſſe Maieſtie, and power, we muſt take p. 13heede we neuer doe wrong anie of his poore members; for Chriſt hee taketh it as done vntounto himſelfe, and hee will neuer put it vp at our hands. Let vsus therefore embrace the counſell of the Prophet Dauid, in the ſecond Pſalme and twelfth verſe, Kiſſe the Sonne leſt hee be angrie, &c. let vsus regard his word, embrace his Goſpell, louelove his people, obey his truth, kiſſe the golden Scepter of this great and mightie Iudge of the world, leſt in his anger he breake vsus in peeces with his rod of yron.

Secondly,2 White Throne. this Throne of CHRIST IESVS is called a White Throne. Now this white Throne, it betokeneth puritie, beautie, ſinceritie, and integritie: And therefore it ſheweth that CHRIST IESVS the Iudge of the whole world, will p. 14iudge all cauſes, and all perſons, vprightly, ſincerely, and purely: no crueltie, no iniuſtice, nor wrong will hee doe to anie creature, but will proceed moſt ſincerely in all vprightneſſe. Indeed, iudgement in this world many times ſwarueth greatly: ſometimes the Iudge is not able to ſearch into the depth of the Cauſe: ſometimes for feare he dareth not doe iuſtice: ſometimes for fauour he is with-holden: ſometimes bribes blind his eies, and peruert the right ſentence. But it ſhall not be ſo with this Iudge of the whole world. His ſentence is a righteous ſentence, he will iudge according to trueth: he is able to finde out any cauſe, and will examine it to the bottome: hee feareth no mans perſon, he will not be moued with fauor to conceale the p. 15truth. And as for rewards, hee contemnes them all; therefore no doubt hee will proceede according to iuſtice.

This ſerueth for the comfort Vſe. 1 of Gods people in this world: we ſee oftentimes the righteous cauſe is troden vnderunder foot, mens lands and liuings are detained, and taken from them by vnrighteous Iudges, and that vnderunder colour of Law. Well, let men hauehave patience, and know this, that there wil come a day, wherin there ſhal be Iuſtice and true Iudgement doone vntounto them. Here thy cauſe ſhall be heard, it ſhal be righted; for Chriſt Ieſus will bee a righteous Iudge for the poore, the fatherleſſe, and the widow. Againe, we ſee how the members of CHRIST, which make conſcience of ſinne, and care of their liues, to heare the p. 16word, and to walke accordingly, they be diſgraced and deſpiſed of the world. Well, let vsus learn here to poſſeſſe our ſoules with patience: for there will come a day of reckoning, when as our righteous cauſe will bee heard, and we ſhall hauehave iuſtice, and all the contemners of Chriſt Ieſus, and perſecutors of his poore members, ſhall feele the ſmart of it.

Vſe 2 Secondly, ſeeing Chriſt Ieſus the Iudge commeth thus with might and Maieſtie, not as a Sauiour or Mediator, but as a Iudge: It muſt admoniſh all men and women now to repent and turne vntounto God in the time of mercy;Eſay 55.6.Isa 55:6 to ſeeke the Lorde while he may be found, and to call vponupon him while hee is neere. Now while we liue, Ieſus Chriſt commeth vntounto vsus by p. 17his Miniſters, as a Sauiour to ſaue our Soules, in merciemercy to bring vsus to Repentance. But after this life hee will no more come as a Sauiour, or a Mediator, but as a mightie Iudge full of Maieſtie, full of Might, Power, and Glory. And therefore looke how men die, ſo ſhall the Iudge finde them. If thou die in thy ſinnes, and doeſt not repent, and ſeeke for pardon at the hand of the Iudge, whileſt thou liueſt heere; There is no hope of mercy after death. For how death leaueth thee, ſo ſhall iudgement finde thee. Cain died many thouſand yeares agoe; and Iudas in their ſins: ſo ſhall the laſt day find them. For after death, there is no mercy; but iuſtice and iudgement.

p. 18And one fitting thereon.

NOw who this is, which ſate vppon this Great White Throne, The Perſon of the Iudge deſcribed. Reu. 14.14.Rev 14:14you may ſee in the Reuelation of Saint Iohn, the foureteenth chapter, and the foureteenth verſe, I ſawe a White Cloud, and one ſitting on it like the Sonne of man, hauing on his head a golden Crowne, and in his hand a ſharpe Sickle. So that wee ſee that it is the Sonne of man, euen CHRIST IESVS GOD and man, that ſhalbe the iudge: And ſo doth Saint Mathew call him:Mat. 25.31Matt 25:31 When the Sonne of man cometh in his glorie, and all his holie Angells with him, then ſhall hee ſit vponupon the Throne of his glorie. And againe, he titles him by the name of a King;Verſe 24. Then ſhall the King ſay to them on his right p. 19hand, &c. This is taught by the Apoſtle, Wee muſt all appeare before the iudgement ſeate of Chriſt..1 Cor. 5.101 Cor 5:10

True it is that our Sauiour Chriſt is King, Prieſt, and Prophet; a true Prophet, in whom vvas contayned all the ſecrets and whole counſell of God: A true high Prieſt, whoſe Sacrifice alone was able to put avvay the ſinnes of the vvhole world. But when he comes in the Throne of his Maieſtie, to iudge the quicke and the dead, he ſhall not come as Prieſt or Prophet; for theſe Offices of Chriſt are finiſhed. For his Propheticall Office, he hath ſufficiently reuealed the whole counſell of God his Father to his Church and People: Firſt by his holy Prophets; then by himſelfe; after, by his Apoſtles and Minſters. And therefore ſeeing that his Prophetical p. 20Office is finiſhed, he calles not himſelfe a Prophet, but a King. Againe, CHRIST IESVS our Prieſt, hauing once for all offered vp that Propiciatory Sacrifice, for the ſinnes of all the Elect; now this Office of a Prieſt is likewiſe finiſhed, and this Sacrifice muſt be no more iterated and repeated. But now hee commeth as a King, in all Maieſtie and Glorie. For though his Propheticall and Prieſtlie Office be accompliſhed: yet his Princely Office is not finiſhed. But now CHRIST IESVS the Iudge of quicke and dead, ſhall beginne to manifeſt himſelfe to be a King to all Nations, to men and Angells: Novv ſhall hee ſhevv himſelfe to be King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, full of all Diuine and Heauenly power and glory; For that now p. 21at the name of CHRIST eueryevery knee ſhall bow. When our Sauiour IESVS CHRIST liued on earth, he came in miſery, very baſe and lowly; eueryevery childe durſt look him in the face. Then eueryevery baſe fellow, eueryevery ſinfull wretch, durſt mock him and ſpit in his face. Herod and Pontius Pilate, and the rabble of the Iews, durſt then vſe him at their pleaſure. But now, Hee ſhall come as a King, full of maieſtie and glorie, guarded and attended vponupon with many thouſands of heauenly Souldiours, euen all his holie Angells; and then he will make Herod and Pontius Pilate, yea the greateſt Kings and Monarchs to ſtoope. Nay then, all his enemies ſhall tremble and quake, Zach. chap. 12 ver. 10. and not dare to open their mouthes againſt him. Oh then! what a p. 22terrour may this bee to all vvicked and vngodlie ſinners, that liue in ſinne, to ſee him come in that wonderfull Maieſtie, to be their Iudge, whom they hauehave contemned, vvhoſe members they hauehave perſecuted, and whoſe word and glorious Goſpel they hauehave not regarded, but troden vnderunder foot: for he ſhall come with a ſharpe two-edged Sword to cut them in peeces, and a conſuming fire to burne vp all vngodlie ſinners.

And as hee is a King to the vvicked, ſo is hee a King to the godlie. Hee alone hath the Scepter of Dauid, to the endleſſe comfort of thoſe that bee the children of his Kingdome. For who is it that curbs Leuiathan, ſnaffles the Diuell, brideleth his force and malice? Surely this our King. Who is it that p. 23cuts the throate of ſinne in his members, and taketh away the ſtrength of ſinne? Surelie this King of Kings. Who breaketh the braſſe barres of Death, and pulleth out the ſting of Death? Our ſinnes, that they ſting not our ſoules to the eternall death. None can doe that but this our King CHRIST IESVS. Who opens the gate of heauen? who puts his ſpirit into the hearts of his children, making them to crie Abba, Father? to lift vp their ſoules, and with ioy to long after this Kingdome of Heauen? Surely, it is none other in Heauen or earth, but this our gracious King: who being the onelyonly immortall and wiſe GOD, hauing the Key of Heauen and of the bottomleſſe Pitte; he alone can kill and make aliue, hee alone can lift vp to Heauen, and p. 24ſend to Hell: hee alone, and none but hee, can ſaue and deſtroy. O vvhat a comfort is this vntounto all the poore Members of CHRIST IESNS? For vvhat greater ioy and comfort can there bee to anie poore ſoule then this, to know; that he that is their Iudge, is their Sauiour, a ſweet Redeemer, a mercifull Iudge vntounto them? he will neuer condemne his owne members: Nay, he will crowne them with his ovvne Selfe, and vvith his owne Glorie.

Vſe. What muſt this teach vsus? Surely, ſeeing our Iudge is a King, and that he alone is able to ſaue and to deſtroy: this muſt teach vsus eueryevery man and woman (in the feare of God) to yeelde to this King that true loyaltie, that ſincere obedience, and ſeruice, which this our King requireth p. 25of vsus in his bleſſed word:Malac. 1.6Mal 1:6 If I he a Father, where is mine honour? If I be a Lord, where is my feare, ſaith the Lord. So vvill Chriſt ſay; If I be a King, where is that loyaltie, ſeruice, and obedience, that is due vntounto mee? Now Chriſt Ieſus is a Spirituall King; and therefore he will be ſerued in Spirit and Trueth. O then let vsus all, with a godly purpoſe of heart, yeeld, and reſigne our ſelues, bodies and ſoules to honour this King, and to performe vntounto him true and ſpirituall obedience for euermore. Alas, it is not externall and outward ſeruice, which hee expects: he is not like an earthly king; but he regards the heart and the ſoule, that is a ſpeciall thing in his ſeruice. And if wee ſhall thus performe this ſpirituall ſeruice and obedience; then p. 26wee ſhall ſhew our ſelues to bee his loyall and dutifull Subiects, and then will he acknowledge vsus for his Seruants: But if wee denie to him this ſeruice of the heart, and giuegive it to anie other, he will then caſt vsus off for euermore.

Seueritie of the Iudge deſcribed.Thus much of the Maieſtie of the Iudge, and of his ſinceritie and vprightneſſe in iudgement. Now in the deſcription of the Iudge, it is further added; that from the face of this Iudge, both The Heauen and the Earth flee away: And this doth ſhevv the wonderfull ſeueritie of this great Iudge of Heauen and Earth. We know that men flie thoſe things that they feare and dread: So here the Heauen and Earth do feare the glorious preſence of IESVS CHRIST the great iudge of the whole world, p. 27and ſeeke to hide themſelues, that they may not appeare before him. This flying of the Earth and the Heauens, and hiding themſelues that they dare not appeare in the preſence of CHRIST: this ſhews the wonderfull maieſtie, and the great ſeueritie and terror of CHRIST IESVS the Iudge: from whence we obſerue a three-fold inſtruction.

The Heauens and the Earth Vſe 1 are voyde of ſenſe, they are great and mightie Creatures: Agayne, they be verie goodly and beautifull Creatures: Beſides all this, they neuer committed anie ſinne: Hovv commeth it to paſſe then, that they ſhal flie & hide themſelues from the glorious preſence of the Son of God? Anſ. They neuer ſinned indeed, but yet the ſinne p. 28of man is of that force, that it hath infected both the earth we treade on, and the heauens ouer our heads, many thouſand miles aboue vsus. Oh then, ſee how monſtrous a thing ſinne is in the ſight of Almightie God: what a vile thing, that the contagion and infection thereof ſhould hurt & infect the whole Heauens, and make them that they dare not abide the glorious preſence of God their Creator. O, ſhould we not abhorre ſinne as the vileſt thing in the world? Wee are afraide of the plague, becauſe it infecteth and killeth mens bodies: But the plague of Sinne is a thouſand times, and more, to be abhorred and fledde from; ſeeing it poyſons and infects both bodie and ſoule; & is ſo contagious, that the creature is afraid to behold p. 29the face of the Sonne of God.

Seeing both Heauen and Vſe 2 Earth ſhall flie and periſh from before the glorious preſence of Chriſt Ieſus: Nay, they ſhall burne with fire, as Peter ſaith: 2. Pet. 3.10.11. All theſe goodlie houſes, all thy golde and ſiluer, and coſtly apparell ſhalbe burnt with fire: this may teach vsus moderation and ſobriety, in the vſe of Gods creatures. What folly is it, to ſpend al that a man hath to build a ſtately houſe; and yet in the end, it muſt be conſumed with fire, and become nothing elſe but fevvell for the fire?

That ſeeing the heauens and Vſe 3 the earth, theſe great and mightie Creatures, theſe beautifull and excellent works of almightie Gods power, which hauehave no p. 30ſenſe, nor feeling, nor neuer ſinned: if theſe ſhall flie before the Sonne of GOD, as being not able to indure his preſence: Alas, what ſhall wicked and hard-hearted ſinners doe? what ſhall become of the vile wretches of the world, which liue and delight in ſinne? where ſhall the vngodlie and ſinner appeare? what will become of all ignorant ſoules? what will become of the Blaſphemer and Adulterer? If the Heauens and the Earth, theſe great and glorious creatures which ſinne not, ſhall not be able to ſtand in his preſence; Then, what I ſay, will become of all prophane and vngodly ſinners? Alas, they ſhall be euen at their wittes end, not knovving in the world which way to turne them, nor where to flie for ſuccour? vvhere ſhall p. 31they ſeeke for refuge, when as the Iudge himſelfe is their enemy? who dares pleade for them? dare any Saint or Angell? No, no: no Saint or Angell dares open their mouth to ſpeake one word in their behalfe; neyther can any creature deliuer them from the dreadfull vengeance of this terrible Iudge.

Verſe 12. And I ſaw the dead both great and ſmall.

THvs hauehave you ſeene the perſon of the Iudge deſcribed by his wonderfull maieſtie and povver,The perſons that ſhall appeare before this Iudge deſcribed. wherevvith he will come to iudgement; and alſo by the great ſeveritie and terrour that ſhal aſtoniſh both the heauen and the earth, and make them to flie from before his preſence.

p. 32Now in this Verſe, and that which follovveth, is declared who be they that ſhall appeare before this great Iudge. Namely, I ſaw the dead, both great and ſmall, &c.

Secondly, the euidences that ſhall bee brought in, and vvhat witneſſes ſhall be produced, either to excuſe, or accuſe, in theſe words; And the Books were opened.

Obiect. And I ſaw the dead, both great and ſmall, &c. Before we come to ſpeake of the wordes, heere may a queſtion ariſe: Namely, How this can be true that Saint Iohn ſaith, He ſaw the dead, both great and ſmall? For we beleeue that Chriſt Ieſus ſhall iudge both quicke and dead; not onelyonly the dead, but the liuing: and Paul ſaith,1. Cor. 15.1 Cor 15 Wee ſhall not all die, but we ſhal be changed: they that p. 33be liuing at his comming. Then how doth this place agree with them, ſeeing S. Iohn ſaith heere, He ſaw the dead? Heere is none ſpoken of, but the dead, no mention of the liuing.

I anſwere. Saint Iohn ſaith, Anſw. that He ſaw the dead: Not that he ſaw not the liuing too. For he ſaw (no doubt) both quicke and dead ſtand before God. But hee ſpeaketh heere, onelie of thoſe, of whom there might be ſome doubt. For if the dead, and they which hauehave beene rotten ſo many thouſand yeares, ſhall appeare, and ſtand before God: How can we thinke that any of the liuing ſhall be wanting? if that they which hauehave beene dead for ſixe thouſand yeares, and are turned to aſhes, ſhall be brought to iudgement: then (no doubt) they which be p. 34found liuing when Chriſt ſhall come to iudgement: So then, it is euident, that though Saint Iohn ſpeake heere onelie of the dead, becauſe there might be moſt doubt of them: yet he ſaid, in a viſion all men, both quicke and dead, ſtand before almightie God at the Barre of IESVS CHRIST.

Doct. Comfort to the godly that they ſhall riſe againeI ſaw the dead. Hence may wee rayſe a double Doctrine: Firſt, a notable comfort for the ſoules of Gods children; namely, that the dead bodies of Gods children do not periſh; they are not caſt away, and loſt, when they die, but they ſhall riſe againe. They ſhall bee purified and made a glorious bodie; and they ſhall ſtand in the preſence of the Lord Ieſus Chriſt, and ſhall ſee his glorie. And therefore let vsus not thinke, that when p. 35death commeth and ſeparateth the ſoule from the body, that then the body doth periſh, and is caſt away: No, no: it ſhall riſe agayne: it is but layd in the Graue, as in a ſure Cheſt; and there it is at eaſe, and lieth aſleepe, as in a bedde of dowlne: But when CHRIST IESVS ſhall come to iudgement, it ſhall riſe againe. For we muſt know that euerie true beleeuer is made a member of CHRIST. And not onelyonly our ſoules are vnited to Chriſt, but euen our dead bodies, when they be layd in the Graue; they ſtill remayne the deare members of his myſticall Bodie, and therefore ſhall not periſh, but riſe againe to glorie. And for our further confirmation in this poynt of Reſurrection,Reſurrection proued. let vsus ſee how it is confirmed to vsus by the teſtimonie of p. 36the holy Scriptures: as that of Daniel; Dan. 12.13Dan 12:13They that ſleep in the duſt ſhall avvake, ſome to euerlaſting life, and ſome to euerlaſting ſhame. And the Lord God by the Prophet Hoſeas, doth make vntounto his Church this gracious promiſe, Hoſea 13.14. I will redeeme thee from the power of the graue, I will deliuer thee from death: O death, I wil be thy death; O graue, I will be thy deſtruction. This is cleared by the teſtimonie of Ieſus Chriſt himſelfe.Ioh. 5.28.John 5:28 The houre ſhall come, in the which all that are in the graue, ſhall heare his voyce, and they ſhall come foorth; And they that hauehave done good ſhall goe into the reſurrection of Life; and they that hauehave done euill vntounto the reſurrection of condemnation. This is taught by the Apoſtles of Chriſt Ieſus, in diuers places of their Epiſtles. As, Beholde, I p. 37ſhew you a Myſterie: 1. Cor. 15.52.1 Cor 15:52we ſhall not all ſleepe; but we ſhall be changed, and that in the twinckeling of an eye, at the laſt Trumpe. And this is that vvhichwhich all of vsus confeſſe to beleeue, as one of the moſt principall Articles of our faith; The reſurrection of the dead: Phil. 3.21.Phil 3:21So that we ſee it is cleere, that the godly and the wicked ſhal both ariſe. But the ends of their reſurrection are different, the one ſhall riſe to life eternall, the other to perpetuall ſhame, and eternall deſtruction: So that howſoeuer, it ſhalbe a ioyfull day to the godly, that hauehave the ſting of Death taken away from them through Chriſt his death, yet the wicked ſhall hauehave no benefite by it; and therefore vntounto them it cannot properly be called a Reſurrection, no more then the taking of a malefactour out p. 38of priſon to be executed, can be called a Deliuerie. But it ſhall be with the godlie and the wicked, at that day, as it was with Pharaohs ſeruants, Geneſis chapter 40. both of them were taken out of priſon, but the one of them to be reſtored to his Office, to miniſter before the King, but the other to be executed, and put to a cruell death: Euen ſo ſhall it be with the godly and the wicked at the laſt day: Both ſhall ariſe out of their graues as out of a priſon; but the one to be euer with the Lord; miniſtring praiſes vntounto him for euermore: the other to be baniſhed from his preſence, and ſent into euerlaſting condemnation. For vntounto them alone is the reſurrection a benefite, where remiſſion of ſinnes goes before, as we are taught in the Creed.

p. 39This muſt needes be a great comfort to GODS Children, Vſe. 1 when wee can ſay with Iob chap. 19. I know that my Redeemer liueth, and that I ſhall ſee him with theſe eies: This ſame body ſhall ariſe, this verie bodie for ſubſtance, thogh purged and cleanſed from ſinne, yet the ſame for ſubſtance ſhall riſe againe: and theſe my eies which hauehave beene carefull to ſeeke Chriſt Ieſus, to ſeeke his glorie, to reade his bleſſed Word, to releeue the poore members of CHRIST; that theſe my eyes ſhall ſee my bleſſed Redeemer, to my endleſſe ioy: And theſe mine eares which hauehave beene carefull to heare thy holy word to ſaue my ſoule: they ſhall heare his ſweet and bleſſed voice, ſaying vntounto me; Come yee bleſſed of my Father. For the bodies of GODS p. 40children ſhall not periſh, but ſhall riſe to glorie, and be made like vntounto the glorious Bodie of Ieſus Chriſt. Oh how this ſhould moue all men and women, 1. Cor. 151 Cor 15to vſe their bodies well, to the honour of Chriſt Ieſus; ſeeing hee will not let them periſh, but will crowne them and glorifie them for euer.

Secondly, this muſt needes bee a fearefull terrour vntounto all profane and filthy ſinners, who beſtowed their bodies wholy in the ſeruice of ſinne and Sathan: They ſhall looke on him whom they hauehave pierced, and ſhall lament, Zachar. 12.10. For euen their dead bodies ſhall riſe too; but how? to iudgement, to torment, and to burne for euer in the lake of fire and brimſtone. Thou haſt ſet open thy wanton and adulterous eies, to beholde vanitie; p. 41thou haſt delighted to heare vanitie, more then goodnes, thou haſt vſed thy tongue to lying, deceipt, ſwearing, &c. and haſt runne to vaine ſportes, and paſtimes on the Lords day, to the diſhonor of CHRIST IESVS, to ſerue the Diuell, and thine owne fleſh. Oh know, that thy bodie ſhall one day riſe againe to iudgement, to torment, to be caſt into the Lake of Fire and Brimſtone.

Conſider the rich Glutton,Luke 16.Luke 16 hee ſhould be a warning to all vngodly ſinners. Hee gaue his bodie to all kinde of vncleaneneſſe, pride, drunkenneſſe, &c. Hee gaue his tongue to lying, ſwearing, and curſed ſpeaking; and now is his body tormented, and would giuegive euen a whole world, if he were Lord ouer it, for one drop of water, to coole p. 42his flaming tongue. O let him be a warning to all ſinners; and teach vsus to vſe our bodies well; to look to our eies, to our eares, and to ſet a VVatch before our mouthes, for feare leſt wee diſhonour GOD by them, and bring endleſſe woe vntounto our ſelues. Well then, you ſee, that as it is an exceeding great ioy to Gods Saints, that they ſhall riſe againe; ſo is it a terrour vntounto the wicked, that they ſhall Riſe againe to Iudgement, 1. Sam. 2. It were well with the wicked man, with the Drunkard, &c. if their bodies might neuer riſe; if they might rotte and periſh in corruption, and that their ſoule might be euen as the ſoule of a beaſt, a vapour vtterly to be extinguiſhed. But now there is more behinde, they ſhall one day come to iudgement: And p. 43therefore Saint Iohn telleth vsus in this place, that he ſaw the dead both great and ſmall, ſtand before GOD. Euen our dead bodies muſt riſe, eyther to honour, or diſhonour; eyther to ioy, or to paine; to ſaluation, or damnation: And therefore, let vsus bethinke our ſelues of this betimes.

Both great and ſmall:] Great and Small, who?Theſe words may admit a double expoſition: for it may ſeeme this; that by Great and Smal is meant thoſe that be great men growne; or elſe ſmall children: young and old, all muſt appeare. For, wee ſee that many die euen little children, young Infants of a ſpan long; ſome againe die men of yeares. Well, both great and ſmall muſt appeare: none ſhall be ſo yong, or ſo little, but that they muſt ſtand before GOD; p. 44and none ſo great, or ſo ſtrong, but they muſt appeare likewiſe. Secondly, by great and ſmall may be vnderſtood all ſorts and degrees of men, and women; great men, and great women; poore men, and poore women; All ſorts and conditions, muſt come to iudgement; as well the prince, as the ſubiect, as well the rich, as the pooreſt Begger: as though Saint Iohn ſhould hauehave ſaid; I ſaw all men that euer hauehave beene, or ſhall be to the end of the world; none ſhall be wanting: the rich and poore, yong and old, high and low, married and vnmarried, bond and free, all muſt ſtand before God. Oh, what a wonderfull aſſembly will this be, to ſee ſo many millions of thouſands: It is a great ſight to ſee an Armie of men of a thouſand; But heere ſhall be a p. 45thouſand thouſands: Euen all men, women, and children, that euer hauehave beene, or ſhall be, to the worlds end: None ſhall be wanting, the rich, and poore; yoong, and old; high, and low; bond, and free; all muſt ſtand before God: and therefore it is well called the day of the Lord, when all the of-ſpring of Adam ſhall ſtand before God.

Seeing S. Iohn ſaw the dead both great and ſmall,Vſes diuerſe, 1. ſtand before God, that is, al ſorts of men and women, high and low, rich and poore, bond and free, all muſt appeare, and hold vp their Hand at the Barre of this great Iudge: Surely, this ought to moue all men, both great and ſmall, rich and poore, to make conſcience of their liues, to repent of all their euill wayes, to turne to GOD by true repentance; p. 46for you ſee here no excuſe can ſerue the turne, no auoyding of this appearance; all muſt appeare: the very Diuells themſelues,2. Cor. 5. Eſay 30.2 Cor 5Isa 30 and all the damned ſpirits muſt come to iudgemēt. Tophet is prepared for the King, the Iudge, the Gentleman, the rich man, if they be wicked, their riches ſhall not be excuſed, nor the pooreſt ſhall not be forgotten. Surely, and if we hauehave any care at all, what ſhall become of our poore ſoules at this day? It ought to perſwade al men, both poore and rich, both Miniſter and People, to repent, to turne to Almighty God to leade new liues; that then we may reioyce with ioy and comfort. This did make Paul to labour to keepe a good conſcience,Acts 24.16Acts 24:16 before God and all men: and why? Becauſe there would come a day when p. 47all muſt ariſe to iudgement, and giuegive a ſtraight accompt of all their thoughts, wordes, and workes. And the ſame reaſon ſhould mooue vsus likeiwſe to keepe a cleare conſcience. And what is the cauſe that men liue in ſinne, and defile their bodies, with many thouſand filthy ſins? Surely, becauſe they thinke not of this day whē they muſt ſtand before God. If they could but thinke of this day, that they muſt all come to a reckoning: O, it would ſtay and bridle their carnall hearts from many foule and filthie ſinnes, which novv they commit with greedineſſe, 2. Cor. 5.11. Acts 17.3.

This will be a bleſſed day to all the children of God to heare the Iudge ſay vntounto them, Come yee bleſſed. O happy day, O bleſſed voyce.

p. 48But to the vngodlie ſinners that liue in ſinne, to the Drunkard, Blaſphemer, &c. this will be a terrible and fearefull day, to heare the woefull voyce of the Iudge, Go yee curſed into &c. Oh dolefull voyce, Oh heauie newes, O fearefull Sentence, O woe, and ten thouſand woes to all vngodly ſinners: woe then to the blaſphemer: woe to the drunkard, &c. woe vntounto all vngodly and wretched ſinners: for there is no eſcaping of this Sentence. All muſt appeare, all muſt ſtand before God, all muſt come to their anſwere. None ſhall be ſo great to eſcape, or ſo ſmall to be forgotten. And then woe to them that ſhall riſe to this fearefull and woefull Sentence, and heauy newes of condemnation. Oh, it had beene good for ſuch men, if they had p. 49neuer been borne, or had beene brought foorth as loathſome Toads or Serpents; for then beginnes their eternall miſery and condemnation. O then, againe, and againe, let vsus bethinke our ſelues, that wee muſt come to iudgement; we muſt be called to a reckoning: wee cannot eſcape the Sentence of Iudgement by anie meanes whatſoeuer.

Agayne, vvhere Saint Iohn ſaith, He ſaw the dead: Heere Vſe. 2 is matter of endleſſe comfort to all the poore members of Ieſus Chriſt. In this life, who is more full of woe, vvho more full of payne in bodie and ſoule, then Gods children? Long and tedious ſickeneſſes, many annoyances: Some be ſore from top to toe, as Iob was; ſome maymed in bodie, as the poore man was.Iohn 5.John 5 p. 50Well, when our bodies ſhall now ariſe, they ſhall not bee weake, or lame, or maymed; but a perfect body, ſound and a glorious body. All paine ſhall hauehave an end, all woe ſhall ceaſe: But as for the vngodly, Pſal. 1.6.Ps 1:6it is not ſo with them: But they ſhall ariſe, that both bodie and ſoule may goe to hell together. Stand before God. I ſawe the dead, &c. Heere wee ſee againe, that our accounts muſt beginne before God himſelfe: wee muſt ſtand naked in his ſight; and who then can thinke to hide his ſins from him? Hee knoweth the heart, and trieth the reines; and his eyes are like a flame of fire.Reuel. 2.Rev 2 O how this ſhould mooue euerie man and woman, often to bethinke himſelfe of this time, when hee ſhall come to his accompt, euen before the eternall p. 51God, who cannot be deceiued, nor bribed. If a malefactor come before the Iudge, that is guiltie of treaſon or murder; how hee quakes to thinke of the terrour, and ſeueritie of the Iudge! hee is afraide, and trembles, to appeare in his preſence. How much more ſhould we tremble and quake? And how ſhould hard-hearted ſinners be at their wittes end, to thinke they muſt come to ſtand before God? to appeare at the barre of the euer-liuing, and moſt mighty Iehoua, who can caſt both bodie and ſoule into hell fire? O what ſecure and careleſſe wretches are wee, that are nothing mooued with theſe things, to repent and to turne to God, to leaue our foule and filthie ſinnes! And if a poore priſoner condemned ſhould laugh and bee merrie, p. 52would not all men thinke him to be a mad-man? And ſhall not we be worſe then madde-men, if we neuer come to thinke of theſe things? If a poore traueller that hath but one penny in his purſe, ſhal come to an Inne, call for all manner of dainties, and neuer thinke of the ſhotte; would▪ not all men thinke him madde, and out of his wittes? VVhat madneſſe then is in eueryevery one of vsus all, if in this our pilgrimage, or trauaile on earth, we ſpend our dayes in pleaſure; bathe our ſelues in ſport and paſtimes, carking and caring for the things of this world; and neuer to bethinke our ſelues, as to ſay, Alas, what do I now? I eate, I drinke, I carde, I dice, I take my pleaſure, and bathe my ſelfe in delight: but woe is me I muſt com to iudgement, I muſt giuegive p. 53my reckoning l I muſt ſtand before GOD one day, and there giuegive an account. O that we had hearts to thinke of this? both young and old, rich and poore, Miniſter and people, that wee muſt ſtand bellie-naked before God, that wee muſt giuegive an account of all our ſinnes, to his Maieſtie: It would bridle vsus, and keep vsus from many preſumptuous ſinnes which now we commit.

The end of the firſt Sermon.