will he guide in Judgment and the meek will he teach his way And while Christians are using the Word of God if they cry to the Father of Lights that gives wisdom liberally without upbraiding they shall have a Heart to know him that he is the Lord Jer. 24. 7. and they shall return to him with the whole Heart 9. Hence I inferr That we should be such lovers of Mankind as to wish the whole World did enjoy the Word of God the great means of Conversion It should be a sadning thought to our Hearts that though all mankind have sinned and are in a lost estate the Word of God that informs concerning the only Saviour is known to so very few The Jewish Church of old for hundreds of years did put up that Prayer and at length it was answered in the Vocation and calling of the Gentiles Psal 67. 〈◊〉 That thy way may be known upon the Earth and thy saving health among all Nations Christians should Pray in the same strain that this Petition may be heard further Christians should be compassionate Intercessours for the poor World that lyes in darkness and wickedness that the Light of the Gospel may come wherever the Sun in the Firmament shines that so whole Kingdoms and Nations by thousands and by millions may not thus throng the way to Hell for want of Saving Knowledge and Converting Grace And as we should pity and pray for the Infidel VVorld so we should pity and pray for poor Posterity that they when they come to be born into England may find this a Land of Light for if we should leave them without the glorious Gospel of the blessed God we should leave them under Sathans Power and in the Conâ—lâ—es of Hell O let us put on Bowels and pray hard that those that shall be born twenty forty a hundred years hence and more may find England the Land of Immanuel and may be priviledged with the Word of God that may be a means of their being regenerate and born again 10. Lastly Hence I inferr How inexcusable those are that turn the VVord of God the great means of Conversion and Salvation into a deadly savour to themselves O the evil Nature of that Sin of unbelief the evil Heart of unbelief doth make the greatest Blessings to become Curses To grow more blind under the Light to grow more deaf and disobedient the louder God calls to grow more barren and unfruitful notwithstanding all advantages to make you thrive in Grace and Goodness what excuse can be brought for this To receive the Grace of God in vain is a very great folly but to turn the Grace of God into wantonness to Sin because Grace doth abound this is to turn the very Remedy and Antidote into Poyson and to perish the more certainly the more fearfully The Apostle Paul 2 Cor. 2. 16. telleth us that his Ministry was a savour of death unto death to some they grew more dead more estranged from God and Holiness even while they heard the Gospel that is a Doctrine according to Godliness preached to them and growing more dead 〈◊〉 a spiritual sence eternal Death did prove the sorer to them That man that under the Word of God grows worse and worse comes daily to hear but goes away more vain more filthy more wedded to his will and to his hateful and hurtful lusts this Man is indeed desparately wicked this man doth fix himself under the Laws Curse he pulls down upon his own Head the Mediators Vengeance and after his hardness and impenitent Heart treasures up unto himself wrath against the day of wrath and the Revelation of the righteous Judgment of God. The second Use is by way of Reproof If the Word be the great means of Conversion several sorts of Persons are sharply to be reprehended 1. Those that dislike and hate the VVord of God these are Fools in the worst and most dangerous sence that hate Instruction and cast the Laws of God behind their backs Psal 50. 17. These are bruitish that can't endure to be reproved for doing harm to themselves they are certainly bewitched that will not obey the Truth Gal. 3. 1. As Christ says For which of my good works do ye stone me so say I For which of the good Effects of the VVord of God do you hate it It is Light in darkness a means of conveying Life to the dead Food to the hungry a Cordial to the fainting a Sword to secure you against and to conquer your spiritual Enemies And therefore if you dislike this Word of God you are even unto sottishness without understanding It is a Scripture phrase Jer. 4. 22. My people are foolish they have not known me they are sottish Children and without understanding they are wise to do evil but to do good they have no knowledge 2. Those are sharply to be reproved who endeavour to hinder the Efficacy of the VVord of God upon others this they do by ill Counsel and by worse Example This they do by being Contentious against the Truth and by pleading for unrighteousness This they do by promoting prejudices against the Word of God as if the embracing of it were the way to Melancholick sadness sorrow and scorn which is indeed the way to the truest Gain and the surest Peace They that are troubled to see others minding Heaven are strangely degenerate and are become Factors for Hell and discover a most diabolical Disposition But whatsoever Persons speak against Grace and Holiness whatever they say for the continuance in a wicked way all their words are but vain words and every eaâ— should be deaf to them Eph. 5. 6. Let no man deceive you with vain words for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the Children of disobedience 3. Loose Professours of Religion are to be reproved who are indeed a discredit to the Word of God they come and hear the Word of God but what are they in their Families what are they in their Closets what are they in the whole course of their Lives Filthiness greediness after Gain excessive Drinking Impurity Covetousness these things indeed they can shew but too much of But any thing of true Holiness of Humility of Strictness of Contempt of this World of Delight in minding another World they are utter Strangers to Will you remember one Truth The Conversion of the prophane is very much hindred by the licentiousness of the Hypocrites the former won't be prevailed with to turn into the way of Truth because the latter by their evil Courses do make this way of Truth to be evil spoken of 2 Pet. 2. 2. I shall conclude with a Vse of Direction How may the Word of God be heard so as that it may be effectual to the Conversion of the hearers 1. Consent that all the Impediments of the Words efficacy should be removed Be unwilling that your hearts should be like the high-way ground utterly careless grossly Ignorant of the Truths you hear My
and his former offences and affronts be they what they will shall not be an Impediment nay the former refusing to turn though it was never so long shall be past by The proclaiming of thiâ— accepted time should be lookt upon as glad tidings indeed 2 Cor. 6. 1 2. We then 〈◊〉 workers together with Him beseech you also that ye receive not the Grace of God in vain for he saith I have heard thee in a time accepted in a day of Salvation I have succoured thee Christ himself in the days of his flesh was heard was succoured was carried by the power of his Godhead through the whole work of Mans Redemption Behold now is the accepted time behold now is the day of Salvation This day of Salvation is the fruit of a Saviours Obedience and Sufferings in his day Now those that have sold themselves to commit Iniquity and are under the bondage of Corruption may recover their liberty those that had lost the incorruptible and undefiled Inheritance may be re-instated and again possessed of it Now the Lord is neer to them that seek him and ready to be found and if the wicked forsake their ways and thoughts and return to Him he assures them he will have mercy and pardon so abundantly as shall exceed their conceptions and the manner and wayes of mens shewing Mercy one to another as the Heaven is high above the Earth Isa 55. 6 7 8. 5. In the Word of God there are Instances and Examples of very great Sinners who have been converted and saved How great are the Acts of Grace which have been done by the God of all Grace and comfort Stand forth O David guilty of Adultery and Murther first defiling the Wife and then killing the Husband afterwards Stand forth O thou great Apostle Peter who wast so confident in thy self that thou shouldest abide the sorest Trial but didst so basely shrink and once twice thrice and with Cursing and Swearing didst deny thy Lord Stand forth ye Corinthian Saints who were Fornicators Idolaters Adulterers effeminate abusers of your selves with Mankind who were thieves covetous drunkards revilers extortioners 1 Cor. 6. 9 10 11. And all of you proclaim That the Grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with Faith and love which is in Christ Jesus as the Apostle Paul speaks who himself had obtained Mercy although he had been a blasphemer a persecutor and injurious 1 Tim. 1. 13 14. Setting aside the unpardonable Sin against the Holy Ghost and final Impenitency and Unbelief for ought I know Heaven can shew as great Sinners as Hell who notwithstanding all their guilt and filthiness were washed sanctified justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God and now their Holiness is perfected in Glory This is an encouragement to the worst of men to hope if they return to God they shall not be rejected Nay suppose there should be now a greater Transgressour than ever yet obtained Mercy it would not be impossible for such an One to obtain Mercy for Divine Grace and Mercy have not yet done their very uttermost 6. The Word of God discovers Sinners weakness and where that Strength is without which turning to God will never be That Grace which brings Man to God to Heaven must come from the God of Heaven Can man arise from the Dead till the Voice of the Lord which is powerful say Awake thou that sleepest Can any come to God but by his Son Jesus can any come to Christ but those whom the Father drawes Joh. 6. 44. God Works to Will He Works to do and he does the one and the other freely of his own good Pleasure Phil. 2. 13. Sinners are then encouraged to seek unto God to do both for them And He can easily take away the Heart of Stone and give a new Heart and a new Spirit and cause those who before neglected now to turn into the way of Salvation and to work out their own Salvation with fear and trembling 7. I might also add that the Word of God shuts the Kingdom of Heaven against â—hose that are resolved to continue Vnconvertâ—d Nothing but Indignation and Wrath Tribulation and Anguish is thundred out â—gainst them that will continue in their evil doing that will not be gathered by a Saviour that will not be made clean by his Sanctifying Spirit Nay the Word concludes them under greater misery and â—ooms them to a severer Damnation who are called to turn and yet refuse Mat. 11. 23. Thou Capernaum that are exalted unto Heaven who hast Heaven offer'd and such advantages of getting thither 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shall not only go to Hell but be brought down with force and fury to one of the hottest and lowest places there It â—hall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorâ—ah in the day of Judgment than for Thee Such kind of threats may help to cure the spiritual Lethargy and to make Sinners â—fraid of remaining Unconverted You see what it is in the Word that has a tendency to Conversion In the second Place I am to demonstrate the Aptitude and fitness of the Word to be such a means of Conversion What has been spoken already is in part a Demonstration of it but this fitness of the Word may be further made evident 1. The Word is a Light which shines in a dark place 2 Pet. 1. 19. and therefore 't is a proper means to turn men from darkness to Light and from the Power of Satan unto God. The Word discovers what the Prince of darkness studiously endeavours to conceal Ignorance and Infidelity are the Pillars of Satans Kingdom he takes much pains to blind the Minds of the Unbelievers that the Light of the glorious Gospel of Christ who is the Image of God may not shine into them 2 Cor. 4. 4. This light gives a true and faithful representation of Sin as the most hateful and hurtful thing in the whole World of Satan also as the most subtle false envious malicious Deceiver and Murtherer of the Sons nay of the very Souls of men The Word reveals the Devils grand secret that the Broad way is the high Road to Ruine which has been trod by all the Damned Hell at the end of this way becomes naked by the Word of God which the Lying Spirit would not have at all to be credited or so much as thought on till Sinners find themselves thrown into it and there without any hope of Release and Remedy 2. The Word is a Perspective glass which brings things afar off near to the eye that so the Heart may be the more affected It shews that the whole of Time from the very first to the very last is but short if compared with Eternity and how the end of all things is at hand 1 Pet. 4. 7. and the Oath will at length be sworn That there shall be time no longer Scoffers indeed who walk after their own lusts do say Where is the Promise of our Lords coming They
the Sun of Righteousness set and all hopes of Conversion and healing quite gone To have a Famine of the VVord sent it is to have a Church unchurched a Vineyard laid wast and not only turned into a Common but into barren and cursed ground To have a Famine of the VVord sent it is to have the Lord to spue a people out of his mouth and say I will never return to this Vomit again To have a Famine of the VVord sent it is to have the Lord to give a Bill of Divorce and upon this Bill of Divorce writ Loammi you are not my people Loruhamah I will no more have mercy on you Tremble tremble every one that hears me this day at the thoughts of such a Judgment as a Famine of the VVord of God! Pray pray that this Judgment may never be inflicted upon England I read that there was seven years plenty in Egypt before there was the greatest Famine that ever Egypt knew I heartily wish that our present Liberty and plentiful injoyment of the VVord of God be not a fore-runner of the most dreadful Famine of it that ever England knew Pray it may not be so pray that God would still give you Pastors after his own heart Pray that God would cause you to lye down in green pastures that he would load you besides the still waters that he would restore your Souls and lead you in the paths of righteousness for his Names sake Psal 23. 2 3. And when you pray for this fill your mouths with Arguments Tell the Lord of his own honour which his VVord doth direct the Children of Men to yield to him Tell the Lord of his Sons Interest He will neither be believed in nor known unless there be the VVord of God to reveal him Mention the promise that the Father hath made unto the Son the Mediator to give him the Heathen for his Inheritance and the utmost parts of the Earth for his Possession Psal 2. 8. That of the increase of his Kingdom and Government there shall be no end Isa 9. 7. Urge him with that word that he hath said the Earth shall be filled with Knowledge as the waters cover the Sea Isa 11. 9. Be importunate in pleading such Promises as these and it will manifest that you prize the VVord of God and are afraid of its going And this importunity will be mighty pleasing to God and very prevalent with Him. 4. Hence I inferr That whensoever the Word of God is effectual to the Conversion of any there is just cause of great thankfulness When means attain their designed end it is a satisfaction unto those that use them and the higher and better the end is the satisfaction is the more The Conversion of a Sinner to God is one of the best things that can be done in the World to feed the hungry to cloath the naked to relieve the oppressed to cure the dangerously diseased to sheath the Sword of War and to establish Peace in Kingdoms and Nations all these are works very good but let me tell you that the turning of a Sinner unto God doth imply a far greater benefit because it doth include Eternal Blessedness The lost Sheep the lost Silver the lost Son were all missed with trouble and were all found with great Joy. When the Word is Powerful to Convert a Soul Oh what a precious thing is then secured It is secured from Eternal Misery and there is an everlasting Kingdom that it shall at last be brought safe unto 2 Tim. 4. 18. The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work and he will preserve me unto his Heavenly Kingdom When a Sinner is Converted how thankful should he himself be for he is catched as a Fire-brand out of the burning he is delivered from intolerable Wrath and interested in unchangeable Love How thankful should Ministers be when they see their spiritual Offspring and Christ formed in them How thankful should Saints be when they behold their Number increased If they beheld the Transgressours and were grieved certainly with gladness should they behold them turnâ—ng from Transgression Nay those Angels that are in Heaven take notice of Conversion as a just ground of great Joy What was said concerning the first Creaâ—ion may be applyed unto the new Creaâ—ion the Morning Stars do sing together and all the Sons of God the whole Host of thâ— Principalities and Powers of Heaven â— shout for Joy when any are converted and made indeed new Creatures 5. Hence I inferr that it is no wonder that Sathan and his Instruments would faiâ— have this VVord of God out of the VVorld since it is the great means of Conversion O what a hateful Book unto Hell is the Holy Bible If evil Angels might have their wish I am perswaded their wish would be this that Souls may burn â—â— Hell and that Bibles might be burnt on Earth Oaths Curses Blasphemies Lying Slanders Railing filthy Discourse prophane Songs and Laughter Mirth and Musick damnable Heresies and Doctrines these have all a very pleasing sound iâ— Sathans ears Ay but the powerful anâ— plain Preaching of the Word of God Sathan cannot bear this is very harsh and it is very grating to him and he dotâ— endeavour to stop the mouths of skilâ—â— Dispensers of the Word of Righteousness for he fears their voice lest his stroâ— holds should be pulled down If in spigâ— of him a door of utterance be opened thâ— evil and envious One endeavours to â—â— men with prejudices against them that theâ— may have but very few â—eâ—rers but their Hâ—aâ—â—â—â— are a very great Multitude O then â—â—w doth he bestir himself to â—inder the entrance of the Word that Eyes and Ears and Hearts may be shut against it Christ compares the Word of God unto Seed and evil Angels unto Fowls that endeavour to catch it away as soon as sown Mat. 13. 4. that so it may be altogether fruitless or bring forth no fruit unto Eternal Life When there are a great many Pick-pockets in a Crowd upon notice Persons are the more careful of their Purses O what a company of evil Angels are here that are arrant Thieves and they will endeavour to rob you of the Word of God it concerns you to heed the Word and to hide it in your Hearts and then it will be safe a good and an honest Heart will certainly secure this Treasure 6. Hence I inferr that the Dispensers and Preachers of the VVord of God which is the great means of Conversion ought highly to be esteemed in Love for their works sake 1 Thes 5. 12 13. VVe beseech you Brethren to know them that labour among you are over in the Lord and admonish you and to esteem them very highly in love for their works sake and be at peace among your selves When Christ ascended up on high far above all Heavens that he might fill all things the Ministry of the VVord was a gift that he did bestow upon his Church Eph. 4. 11.
The Subjects here handled are awakening and in this secure Age what need is there of startling Sermons At this day in England there is work enough for many a Boanerges for ten thousand Sons of Thunder The guilt and defilement of Sin proves it to be Mans greatest Enemy but because it stupifies and hardens those that have been guilty of it it is likely the more effectually to destroy them for the Disease not being felt the Remedy is neglected A spiritual Lethargy is the general Distemper most continue fast asleep in Sin till Hell wakes them but then it is too late Though Christ has the Key of Hell that Saviour releases none that once are thrown into it Miserable World because it lies in Wickedness more miserable because it apprehends not how miserable its Wickedness has made it because it fears not is endeavours not to escape Eternal Misery Oh dreadful Day of God that 's coming when all Apostate Angels that are now in Chains of Darkness shall be brought forth and judged and dealt with as the Enemies of God and Man These Principalities and Powers â—ill be overpowr'd and â—tteâ—ly 〈◊〉 to avoid the seâ—erity of their Righteous and Almighty Judge How much evil have they done and still they are doing more of what Woe and Torment are they capable And all those of the Children of Men who have been led Captive by Satan at his Pleasure that have resolved rather to be destroyed themselves than that the works of the Devil should be destroyed in them 't is just that they should but how sad will it be for them to share in Torment with 〈◊〉 Sin will have a very bad end all that are gone into another World are sensible of it though few iâ— this World perceive it When the Servants of Sin 〈◊〉 received their Wages which is Death then they will know to their sorrow what kind of Master they 〈◊〉 served and what Pains they foolishly took for thaâ— Misery which they should have taken Pains to have prevented Reader Be wise believe and fear and take the Watchman's Warning The Sword in the Hand of the living Eternal God will give a dreadful and â— deadly Blow to fall under his Vengeance will be fearâ—ul and thy Blood lying upon thy own Head it will lye very heavy and upon this will follow everlasting heaviness and anguish Oh fear the Wrath to come before 't is come and fly from Sin â—nd 〈◊〉 to God by Jesus Christ a Saviour both from Sin and Wrath and a Saviour to the uttermost Better Counsel than this cannot be taken by thy self â—â— given by any to thee ROM XIV 10. latter part We shall all stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ I Have been lately Discoursing concerning Conversion The Digression I make this day is subservient to my great Design which is the Conversion and Salvation of this Assembly It infinitely concerns yoâ— all to turn to God for quickly you will have a Summons to come unto his Bar and how soon that Summons may be given who can tell Those that least think on 't and least care to be provided and ready for it perhaps may have it soonest and if the Converts themselves as the Scripture tells us are scarcely saved Oh where shall the Unconverted and the Sinner appear I wish that I may Preach and you may Hear as those who do really believe we shall all stand before the Judgment seat of Christ The Apostle in these words speaks enough one would think to startle the most stupid Conscience to make the most secure like Felix to tremble to awaken even those that are dead in Sins and Trespasses Let me tell you the Deâ—â—â—â— themselves are none of them Atheists and Infidels they all believe this Text and the thoughts of Judgment make them treâ—ble therefore if â—ny Sinner remains fearless and unsenâ—â—â—â—â— he 〈…〉 this respect out sin the very Apostaâ—â—â—â—gâ—â—â— There are three things observable in the Words 1. Here is a Judgment Seat the most glorious that ever was the last that ever will be from this Tribunal there can be no Appeal unto any other the Sentence whether of Absolution or Condemnation that will here be pass'â— will â—ever be revers'd but stand firm unto Eternity 2. You are told who is to be the Judge he is the Lord Jesus Christ We read of 〈…〉 Appearing of Christ his first and 〈…〉 â—â—pearing He came at first in the 〈◊〉 oâ— a â—â—â—vant he was to be made Sin and 〈…〉 〈◊〉 Sin and a Curse for us He gave 〈◊〉 for â—â— that he might redeem us from all Inâ—â—â—â—ty and if he had given other and less than himself it would not have satisfied The Churches Sins could be done away by no lower a Priest than Christ the greatest and highest of all and the Priest was fain himself to be and that a most voluntary Sacrifice He appear'd at first to put away sin by the Sacrifice of himself but when he comes the second time to Judge the World he will appear after another kind of manner From the beginning of the World there hath not been such a sight as there will be at the end of it The Lord Jesus will come with a Power which none can withstand with great Glory which will â—â—ll the Saints with Joy for they shall appear in glory with hiâ— but will be exceedingly amazing and confounding to all those who were the Enemies of his Kingdom 3. Herâ— are the 〈◊〉 that are to stand before this â—â—dgâ— if you â—â—â— Who are they I Answer by another Question What â—â— where are the Persons that shall be exempted All from the begiâ—â—ing of the World to the end of it All from the first Man that was made unto the last of his â—osterity that shall be born must stand before Christ the Lord that from his Mouth they may receive their final and eternal Doom There is a great difference between standing before the Judgment Seat and standing in Judgment the forâ—â—â— implies being made to appear at the â—ribunal the laâ—ter implies being Acquitted there The Psalmist tells us That â—â—e ungodly shall not stand in the Judgment nor Sinners in the Congregation of the Righ◠〈◊〉 Psâ—l 1. â— yet all of these shall be forced to appear at the Bar of God there they 〈◊〉 â—tand trembling expecting the terrible Sentence of Condemnation And Oh what a â—ideous Oâ—â—â—â—â— â—â—â—ll the whole multitude of Wicked and Reprobate â—â—es make when without hope of Mercy they are adjudged to endleâ—â— Misery 〈◊〉 The Doctrine I raise from the Words is this All shall be Judged by Christ at the great Day As certainly as you are all here so certainly at that day you shall appear at his Judgment Seat â—â—ath is not more certain nay 't is not so certain as Judgment The Apostle tells us that all shall not â—ye for some shall be Changed but even these that are changed though they scapâ— the Grave they shall stand at the Tribunal and give account of
Thus of the Righteous I am to speak also concerning the Wicked and as to these you must understand 1. All the works of wicked men will be brought into Judgment All their sinful Deeds will follow them to the Bar of God! they will rise with them and against them at that Day when a Sinner shall appear and all his Drunkenness his Whoredoms his unjust and cheating Actions all his evil Deeds of every fort shall surround and appear with him before the Holy and Righteous Judge How will he be amazed at the sight of all his Transgressions How will he tremble to hear how loud they cry for Vengeance upon him Not á deed of Darkness but then will be brought to light to his greater confusion 2. Not only the Works of the Wicked but their very Words shall all be accounted for The Judge himself speaks this very plainly Mat. 12. 36. But I say unto you that every idle word that men shall speak they shall give an account thereof in the day of Judgment By idle words may be meant words useless and unprofitable to the Speakers and to the Hearers or idle and vain according to the Hebrew use may signifie false deceitful lying God does hear all words at present Psal 139. 4. There is not a word in my Tongue but lo O Lord thou knowest it altogether And words which very much declare what most abounds in the Heart must be answered for at last And if unprofitable talk will then be condemned how sad will be the Case of all obscene and filthy Speakers of all egregious Lyars of all injurious Slanderers and Back-biters of all Blasphemers cursing cursed Swearers of all whose impious Tongues have made bold with the Blood and Wounds of God their Judge and instead of serious praying have most presumptuously called upon and dared God to Damn them 3. As the works and words so the Thoughts of wicked men shall be brought into Judgment Thoughts are Sins and need forgiveness and ought to be repented of Memorable is that which Simon Peter says to Simon Magus Act. 8. 22. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness and pray God if perhaps the thought of thy Heart may be forgiven thee If these are not repented of and pardon'd alas these also must be charged upon Sinners vastly to the increasing of their punishment How innumerable are the Thousands of thousands the Millions of Millions of vain and wicked thoughts desires and lustings that have lodged in the Hearts of the ungodly The heart searcher sees every one of them and will make them know at the last day that he remembers all Proud and Self-conceited Thoughts and touring imaginations impure and lascivious Thoughts and inward boyling of Concupiscence insatiable Covetousness and eager projects for filthy gain the stirrings of Envy Malice Anger and Revenge the Judge will take notice of all for he knows what is in Man Joh. 2. 25. It will be a large Bill of Inditement where Deeds Words and Thoughts are all written down from first to last and not so much as â—ne forgotten The opening of the Book of Gods remembrance where all are recorded will be very amazing 4. The Sentence that will be past upon the wicked will be unconceivably full of horrour Mat. 25. 41. Then shall he say to them on the Left-hand Depart from me ye Cursed into everlasting Fire prepared for the Devâ— and his Angels For Him who is the way to come to God to say Depart to depart from Christ the Sinners only Hope and Saviour to depart with a Curse to depart into Fire the Extremity of Torment to depart into everlasting Fire to be tormented without any intermission or end to be for ever in such evil and hateful Company as Devils and damned Angels this is woful beyond all utterance And this Sentence as soon as pass'd will be put in Execution Now indeed such is the patience of God Sentence against an evil work is not speedily Executed and therefore such is their Malignity and Ingratitude the Heart of the Sons of men is fully set in them to do Evil Eccles 8. 11. But at the great day as soon as the wicked are Sentenced they will be sent and forced to go away into everlasting Punishment Mat. 25. ult the words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 everlasting Punishment or Torment are remarkable for here it is necessarily imply'd that the wicked shall certainly be to Eternity that they may be Punished and Tormented to Eternity and they shall be sensible else it would not be Torment of the Punishment they undergo By eternal Destruction you are not to understand eternal Annihilation or being turned for ever into Nothing for if a wicked Man should altogether cease to be he must needs also cease to be punished For 't is no more a Punishment to be nothing to Eternity than it can be called a Punishment to have been nothing from Eternity Wicked men must be for ever and alas they must bear for ever the Lord's Vengeance and Indignation I speak thus terribly not without bowels of Compassion towards you I would fain fright you by telling you of Wrath and the Vengeance of eternal Fire that you may never never feel it In the Fourth place I am to demonstrate the certainty of this Judgment If Faith concerning it were but more strong what an Influence would it have upon the Hearts and Lives of them that do believe it The Arguments to prove a future Judgment are these 1. Are there not fears of this Judgment impress't even upon natural Conscience What 's the reason that when Men commit the most secret wickedness that is very unlikely to be known there is notwithstanding a dread upon their Spirits The true reason is Conscience tells them there is a God that sees what Man does not see and that he will judge and punish the wickedness of which Man takes no notice This Doctrine of a Judgment to come of future Rewards and Punishments is written in the Heart of Man by Nature and he is fain to offer great violence to his own Soul before he can wear off what is written there and tho a Sinner become ordinarily very Stupid and Atheistical yet the thoughts and fears of Judgment will sometimes in spight of him return upon him The Apostle speaks of Conscience bearing witness and Thoughts accusing and excusing and then presently speaks of the Day when God shall judge the Secrets of Men by Jesus Christ Rom. 2. 15 16. Conscience judges at present and hints a future judgment 2. There is not such a Discrimination made in this World between the Righteous and the Wicked as is suitable to the difference that Grace has made between them Therefore there is a Day coming when there will be such a Discrimination Solomon tells us that in the course of Divine Providence at present no Man can know either Love or Hatred by all that is before him All things fall alike to all there is one Event to the Righteous and
to the Throne of Grace that has the Judgment-seat also in his Eye How will he hear and practise that remembers he must be called to an account how he has done both He will take care to be ready whensoever his Lord calls and that whensoever his Lord comes he may find him doing the Work he set him about and so doing it as He commands 2. The other word of Counsel is this Be sure in time to prepare for Eternal Judgment Do this seriously do it presently and as your main business That you may prepare indeed 1. Be Accusers and Judges of your selves take notice of your Sins with Grief with Hatred and holy Indignation accuse your selves of them before God with self-loathing and self-abhorrency Look down by Faith into the lowest Hell and see the terrible but righteous Severity that is shewn there against obstinate workers of Iniquity then look up to God and judge your selves in his sight acknowledging that you have deserved one of the hottest places in that Lake of Fire Acknowledge he would be clear in the forest judgment he should pronounce upon you and that He would be justified tho you should be damn'd eternally Psal 51. 4. This judging of your selves is the way to prevent Condemnation with the World 1 Cor. 11. 31 32. 2. If you would be prepared for Judgment believe in Jesus that you may be justified before God at present Receive Christ who is offer'd in the Gospel rely upon his Obedience and Sufferings for justifiâ—ation of life And being justified by Faith you shall â—ave Peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ Rom. 15. 1. Being justified by his Bloud you shall â—e Saved from wrath through him Rom. 5. 9. What does ponere obicem put a Bar before Hell Gate and hinder us from falling into that place of Woe The Cross of Christ that 's the Bar you are to place your Confidence in Christ Crucified If justified by him now he will ratifie the justification at the last day and you shall not be condemned then Rom. 8. 33 34. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect It is God that justifieth Who is he that Condemneth It is Christ that dyed yea rather that is risen again who is at the Right Hand of God and maketh Intercession for us 3. Would you be prepared for Judgment Repent and be converted let your minds be changed and turn to God with your whole Heart This is the way indeed to stand before him Acts 3. 19. Repent and be converted that your Sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. The Apostle looks as far as the last day Blotting out of Sins is Christ's absolving and acquitting them from all Trespasses The time of refreshing is that great day of compleat and glorious Redemption when all that are Christs shall lift up their Heads with Joy Repent and be converts in Truth if you would have that a day of refreshing and not of confusion Walk after the Flesh no longer but after the Spirit then you need not be afraid of Condemnation your being guided by his Spirit will shew you are in Christ and safe in Him Rom. 8. 1. There is therefore now no Condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the Flesh but after the Spirit to be carnally minded is Death but to be Spiritually minded is life and peace USE III. Of Terrour to the ungodly the Hypocrite and the Vnbelievers Christ will judge them all and they may tremble to think what kind of judgment they shall have what sharp and piercing words are those which declare before-hand what will be their Doom Mat. 23. 33. Ye Serpents ye Generation of Vipers how can ye escape the Damnation of Hell That I may if it be possible awaken such I would lay before them these terrifying considerations 1. When they appear at Christ's Bar all their secret wickedness will be made known How many will then be found what they were not in the least suspected Thy secret wantonness and Self-pollutions thy secret injustice and defrauding thy secret abominations of all kinds will then be as visible to every Eye as if written in Capital Letters with the brightest Sun-beam And what sname and confusion will cover the wicked Mans Face they that are impudent and cannot blush now how will they be confounded then The truth is as the Prophet Daniel speaks They will rise to shame and everlasting contempt Dan. 12. 2. 2. At the day of Judgment it will be too late and in vain for the wicked to pray and cry for Mercy they will find the Lord eternally removed from the Throne of Grace and to their Terrour behold him on the Judgment Seat. If the Ungodly roar out then Lord pity Lord pardon Lord send us not away into that flaming Furnace that we see before us it will be altogether in vain But 't is not in vain to cry thus now Oh seek the Lord while he may be found and call ye upon him whilst he is near Isa 55. 6. 3. It will add to the Terrour of the Wicked That the Sentence of Condemnation is pronounced by the Only Saviour The merciful and faithful High Priest that now is so forward to make Reconciliation for Siâ— that is so ready to give rest to them that labour 〈◊〉 are heavy laden The Man Christ Jesus will have no pity at all no compassion towards the Reprobate Children of Men but deal with them as with the Apostate Angels whose Nature he never took upon him The only Peace-maker will himself be so incensed and full of Wrath as not to be intreated not to be appeased The Sentence of Eternal Death and enduring everlasting Burnings will be confounding but 't will add to the Confusion that a Redeemer does pronounce it 4. After the Judge has pass'd the Sentence Conscience will pronounce it over again and will be a Judge to the Wicked always condemning them Conscience will be filled with unspeakable remorse it will continually be upbraiding them with their madness and folly in keeping their Sins and losing their Souls and will ever be telling them that the Lords ways towards them are equal but their own ways according to which they are judged have been unequal and full of Iniquity Ezek. 18. 29 30. The Conscience of Sinners will side with their Judge against them It will tell the most wretched among the Damned that they cannot complain of God or of the least injury he has done them all that they suffer they suffer justly and what they suffer they have brought upon themselves The horrible and perpetual remorse of Conscience will prove that the Worm never dies that does torment them 5. When Sinners come to be condemn'd at the last day how many things will rise up in judgment against them pray mind this and minding tremble and trembling turn to God this very instant Thousands of Mercies will come and as it were
plead thus Lord we have been all abused we never met with any thing but abuses and never could lead these men to Repentance The Rods of Affliction will have a Voice against them too Lord we have stricken these Sinners often we have made them Bleed and Groan and smart exceedingly for their Iniquities but could never make them leave off Sinning against Thee and against their own Souls How many Sermons will rise up in judgment against them because they either slept them away or if they were awake they suffer'd them to slip out of their Memories and never applyed them to their Hearts And as for us the Ministers of the Gospel our Testimony against them will be true and terrible Lord we lifted up our Voices like Trumpets we gave them the Watchmans Warning we told them of the Sword that was coming and that if they turned not from Sin it would surely slay them we wooed them to come to Jesus that under his Wing they might be secure but nothing would prevail their Ears were deaf their Hearts they hardened they would not be converted and made clean they would rush on in Sin still they would needs Dye and there was no helping it The Condemnation must needs be dreadful when so many things rise up against them that are condemned VSE IV. Os Consolation to the Saints I must speak to them in another strain Lift up your Heads and let your Hearts be filled with Joy all ye believing repenting humble holy heavenly-minded Ones for the Day of your Redemption draws nigh with an earnest expectation wait for it and Triumph at the Thoughts of your great and everlasting Jubilee You will indeed behold the greatest part of mankind turned into Hell but what Joy will it be to find your selves for ever safe and fully blessed A dark Shadow sets off a beautiful Picture The sight of the Rich man in Hell Flames must needs make Lazarus to find a greater sweetness in Abrahams Bosome Two Grounds of Consolation I shall propound to you and so conclude 1. He is to be your Judge that is your Husband and your Head. The very same whom you now find interceding for you in Prayer whom you see walking in the midst of the Golden Candlesticks and blessing his Ordinances to you The very same whom you have found pitying and healing your Wounds with his own Blood succouring you in your Temptations and telling you that you are the Beloved of his Soul And since he is to Judge you be comforted He will behold you with an aspect that is highly favourable His own Spouse whom he has ransomed with his own Life Christ will not turn into devouring Fire He will not take the Members of his own Body and throw them into everlasting Burnings Having Redeemed them by his Blood having renewed and Sanctified them by his Spirit having raised them up at the great day certainly he will receive them to himself and they shall be ever with the Lord 1 Thes 4. 17 18. wherefore be comforted with these words 2. You that are true Believers whose Faith purifies your Hearts and works by Love know that there is a Crown designed for you The Diadems that Monarchs have upon their Heads the Triple Crown of Him at Rome is but a Trifle to the Crown of life This Crown is purchased 't is promised 't is prepared and shortly you shall put it on and never put it off more How Splendid how Bright how Sparkling will that Crown be 'T is called a Crown of Life for Death shall be no more A Crown of Glory for the Saints shall be more than Conquerours and Triumphant over all Enemies and be advanced to the highest Honour and State whereof they are capable Finally 't is called a Crown of Righteousness 't is a Righteous thing with God to bestow it through Christ Jesus and perfect Righteousness and Purity will be a great part of the happiness of Saints in Glory This Crown the Apostle saw to his great encouragement and he would have all other Believers comforted with the same sight 2 Tim. 4. 7 8. I have fought a good Fight I have finished my Course I have kept the Faith henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness which the Lord the Righteous Judge shall give me at that Day and not to me only but unto all them also that love his appearing MAT. 11. 23. Form. Part. And thou Capernaum which art exalted unto Heaven shalt be brought down to Hell OUR Lord Jesus is called the Lamb of God who takes away the Sins of the World But in this Lamb there is Wrath and that Wrath is very terrible Oh the weight of the Mediatours Vengeance This Wrath is threatned against the impenitent and unbelievers who refuse to be Saved from their Sins resolving to live tho they Dye in them The Light of the Gospel being neglected highly aggravates the Works of Darkness makes them more inexcusable and a greater provocation None shall fare worse at the Day of Judgment than those that have had the longest and the clearest day of Grace but would not know in that their day the things which belonged to their Peace Thou Capernaum which art exalted unto Heaven shalt be brought down to Hell. These words which I have read do speak Christ's sorrow and his displeasure wherein you may take notice 1. Of the Persons with whom he is displeased Thou Capernaum the City is put for the Inhabitants of it 2. Here is the Reason of Christs displeasure they did not understand the great priviledge of being Exalted unto Heaven they did not improve the advantage they had of getting thither 3. Here is a Punishment threatned a sore evil and that is no less than Hell it self 4. Here is the manner specisied of their going to Hell thou shalt be brought down to Hell with a strong Hand with great Wrath and in one of the hottest and lowest Places there thou shalt lye for ever There are two Doctrines which I raise from the Words First Those that hear the Gospel are exalted unto Heaven Happy you if you understand your Priviledge which at this day you enjoy Secondly They who will not turn to God at the Gospel-call shall certainly be turned into Hell Thou Capernaum who art exalted unto Heaven shalt be brought down to Hell and if Christ says it shall be so most certainly it will be so The first of these I shall but just touch upon for it is the second that I principally purpose to Prosecute Doct. 1. The first Doctrine is this They that hear the Gospel are exalted unto Heaven The Gospel is an heavenly Calling Heb. 3. 1. it comes from Heaven and says to those that hear it Come up hither 1. Life and Immortality is brought to light by the Gospel 2 Tim. 1. 10. Here you have a Map of those happy Regions of Light and Love and Joy where there is nothing present that is burthensome where there is nothing wanting that is desirable
2. The Note of attention Behold is used and again repeated and the instant of time Now is also ' twice mentioned God is pleased Now to Call it concerns Man in point of Duty Wisdom and Safety Now to Turn When the Holy Ghost sayes To day if ye will hear his Voice harden not your Hearts Heb. 3. 7 8. He plainly signifies that no Sinner in the World when he hears the Gospel Call should deferr his Conversion so much as one Day longer When the Psalmist turned He made haste and delayed not Psal 119. 60. which shewed that he turn'd indeed To make haste in Conversion is to resemble a Condemn'd Man who hastes to take out a proffer'd Pardon because every moment he is in danger of having the Sentence past upon him put in Execution 't is to resemble a Man that makes haste out of a City that is all in Flames 7. Conversion that is true is without any deceitful Reservations The sincere Convert has not an Heart and an Heart he does not divide it between God and Mammon between Christ and Belial between Grace and Sin but consents to be wholly the Lords and at the Lords command and dispose That Conversion which is not with the whole Heart is but a feigned Conversion Jer. 3. 10. He that turns in truth does not thus capitulate with God. Such and such sins I will cast away but some I resolve to keep and live in still because my Constitution strongly inclines me to them because I have much Wealth by them and take much Pleasure in them such and such Commands I will observe but some Precepts are too strict for me and these I will cast behind my back I am willing to suffer a little for Christ some reproach some loss I am content to undergo but I must be excused from Obedience when I am called to lose all that I have in the World and my Life too Commands thus to suffer are hard sayings who can hear them These reserves argue reigning and damnable Hypocrisie The sound Convert is perswaded that God requires no more but what is just and equal and really for the good of them that are to obey hereupon without any limitation or exception he sayes Lord Let thy Will be done by me in me and upon me for thy Will is my Sanctification and whatever thou command'st me to do or suffer my Obeeience whether active or passive will turn to thy Glory to my own Comfort and Salvation 8. Conversion is an inward thing Rom. 2. 29. He is a Jew that is one inwardly and Circumcision is that of the Heart in the Spirit and not in the Letter whose Praise is not of Men but of God. There is that in Conversion which the eyes of those that are about us cannot see but 't is apparent to Him that searches the heart and tries the reins and has pleasure in uprightness Converting Grace reaches the inward parts pierces into the very Soul and there the greatest change is wrought there is a new light in the Mind and Conscience there is a new bent and disposition in the Heart the Soul has Wisdom put into it that before was foolish becomes true to God and to it self that before was false and unfaithful unto both there is a spiritual mysterious Life in the Soul which before was dead and this Life is hid with Christ in God Col. 3. 3. He whose religion lies all in the outside he may look like a Convert but never was Converted Colour and Form he may have but he wants depth and substance The Heathen World saw a necessity of inward Religion One says that God is Purâ mente colendus To be Worshipped with a pure Mind Another sayes Compositum jus fasque animo sanctosque recessus Mentis c. Honesty and uprightness of Heart and a moral Life is more pleasing to God than the costliest Sacrifices 9. Conversion though an inward thing yet shews it self visibly in an answerable Conversation Grace is an active Principle and where 't is wrought in the Heart 't will have an apparent influence upon the outward man 1 Joh. 3. 7. Little Children let no man deceive you he that doth righteousness is righteous even as he is righteous As the Apostle sayes Shew me thy Faith by thy VVorks so may I say Shew me thy Conversion to God by thy godly Conversation If the Heart be turned Grace will shew it self in the Eyes by looks that are humble and modest a Covenant being made with them that they turn away from beholding Vanity Grace will breath out at the lips in Prayer Praises holy and edifying Communications And the Tongue will be laid under the law of Love and Kindness Grace will tye up the Hands from being employed in the unfruitful works of darkness but active they shall be in deeds of Righteousness and open and liberal in acts of Charity and Mercy Grace will hinder the Feet from running to evil the Path shall be ponder'd and the VVayes stâ—all be established 10. Conversion is gradual We read in Scripture of different degrees of Grace All Converts are not of the same Age Strength and Stature The Apostle speaks of little Children of young Men and of Fathers 1 Joh. 2. 12 13. The little Child has as truly the Nature and all the Parts of a Man as he that is grown up unto full maturity but the grown Mans Parts and Members are much stronger than those of the other The young Convert has all the Parts of the new Creature he is renewed in the whole Man after the Image of God though he be not wholly but only in part renewed And 't is the Work of God who has begun this good VVork of renovation by degrees to perfect it The weakest Converts that are true are not disregarded Mat. 12. 20. A bruised reed shall he not break and smoaking flax shall he not quench 'till he send forth judgment unto Victory The bruised reed signifies the Converts great Infirmity the smoaking flax the noysom mixture of much Sin with that little Grace he has received yet that Grace is not though small despised but cherished and increased and hereby our Lord shews himself the true Messiah a Saviour to the uttermost Thus Judgment is brought forth to Victory and Truth The strongest Converts are still to grow stronger There is some remaining Sin in the best of Saints which they are still to be turning from and purging out neither are any of them come so near or become so like to God but they may be much nearer and liker to him At first breaking of the Day there is much darkness with the light but by degrees the light increases prevails against and expels the darkness An apt Similitude to Illustrate the matter in hand and to shew how that Conversion is by degrees compleated Prov. 4. 18. The path of the just is as the shining light which shineth more and more unto the perfect day 11. Conversion may be known to be
without him O now the Soul honours God above all By these and such like acts of the Soul God is chiefly honoured therefore turning must of necessity be with the Soul. 3. The Soul must turn because it is the Soul that yields Obedience to the great commands both of the Law and Gospel There is not so much as one Precept either in the Law or in the Gospel kept aright unless the Soul keeps it The summ of the Law is Love but Love must be with the Heart and Soul nay it must be with all the Heart and with all the Soul or else it is but a meer shadow and appearance it is but like the Picture of Fire that hath no more heat in it than the Picture of Snow Heark what our Lord saies to him that asked Him Which is the great Commandment in the Law Jesus answered Mat. 22. 37 38. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy Heart and with all thy Soul and with all thy Mind And as the Law calls for Love so it requires Spiritual Worship God is jealous of his Worship and he will accept of none but that which is worship in Truth John 4. 24. God is a Spirit and he will be worshipped in Spirit and in Truth Now there cannot be worship in Truth unless it be worship in Spirit All worship is but false and if it be false it must needs be vain that doth not proceed from the Spirit of the Worshipper If you should imploy many hours in a day in pattering over a great many Words that either you don't understand or if you do you don't mind all this would be unacceptable nay it would be abominable Then for the Gospel The two great commands of the Gospel are Faith and Repentance neither of these can be obeyed without the Heart It is the Soul and Heart that believes Rom. 10. 10. With the Heart man believeth unto Righteousness and with the Mouth Confession is made unto Salvation And as for Repentance it is impossible that should be true unless the Spirit be contrite unless the very Heart be broken Tears Complaints walking softly rending the Garments wallowing in Ashes this will not prove the truth of Repentance the Heart must be broken or else you have not truly repented Psal 51. 17. The Sacrifices of God are a broken Spirit a broken and a contrite Heart O God thou wilt not despise And so in Psal 34. 18. The Lord is nigh to them that are of a broken Heart and saveth such as be of a conitite Spirit 4. Lastly The Soul must turn to God because Judgment at the great day will be according to Truth Then the Secrets of all Men will be made manifest when the Lord appears he will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and will make manifest the Counsels of the Heart and then shall every man have Praise of God 1 Cor. 4. 5. At the great Day all things all Persons will be called by their proper Names Hypocrisie will be called Hypocrisie and Saints will be called Saints No Hypocrite will be owned for a Saint at that day nothing that is counterfeit will pass for currant the Judgment of God will be according to Truth In the day of Judgment only Conversion with the Heart Conversion with the Soul will pass for true Conversion Sincerity will be owned and it will be Crowned Hypocrisie will be unmasked and which should exceedingly startle all unsound Professors of Religion Hell is in a special manner called The Portion of the Hypocrite as it is said to be prepared for the Devil and his Angels I have shewed you when the Soul may be said to be converted unto God I have proved till then Conversion can never be sincere I have demonstrated the Necessity of Conversion with the Soul. The Application of this Doctrine remains I shall be but brief upon it There are two Uses that I shall make By way of Information in the first place And by way of Exhortation in the second place From this Doctrine we may be informed concerning several particulars 1. If sincere Conversion be with the Soul hence we may inferr the Souls Capacity The Soul is chiefly receptive of the Grace of God. It is the Soul of Man that doth principally partake of the divine Nature The Soul of Man hath a natural resemblance of God because as God is a Spirit so the Soul of Man is a spiritual and an immortal Substance And then the Soul doth spiritually resemble God when it is renewed in the spirit of the Mind and when true Holiness by the Spirit of the Lord is wrought in it Eph. 4. 23 24. 2. Hence I inferr the Souls great worth and value Gods Eye is upon your Souls all the while you are in his presence and though you do never so much if you deny him your Hearts and Souls you do nothing that he will accept at your hands Thousands of Rams ten thousand rivers of Oyl the first-born for the transgression the fruit of the body for the sin of the Soul as the Prophet speaks Micah 6. 7. What doth all this signifie All this is nothing nay let me tell you it is worse than nothing Souls are of great account with the Father of Spirits How much was done how much was paid that Souls might be redeemed And therefore in all your Services your Souls must be ingaged or else the ingaging is to no purpose The Conversion of one single Soul to God is more pleasing to him than the most laborious and heartless services of all the Hypocrites from the beginning of the World to the very end of it these Services are so far from being pleasing that they are expresly affirmed to be an abomination unto God. 3. Hence I inferr the difficulty of Conversion If the Soul must be converted certainly Conversion is a very difficult thing It is comparatively more easie though hard still but comparatively it is more easie to order the conversation to bridle the tongue But to rule the spirit to bring the thoughts into Captivity to alter the bent and natural inclination of the Will and to raise the Affections towards those things that are above to make them prized and pursued that before were things utterly sleighted this is difficult indeed and really the difficulty would be insupâ—rable were it not for the Resurrection of Christ and the Power of that Resurrection shewed forth by the Spirit of Christ Before a Soul can turn to God it must be new made it must experience the power of Christs Spirit and it must rise with Christ or else it can never in good earnest seek those things that are above Col. 3. 1 2. Lastly Hence I inferr that in Examining whether we are Converted or no a special Eye must be upon our Hearts and Souls We must take our Souls to task and strictly try them and see what is most suitable to them what they love best and what it is that they desire most And if
near to the Holy and Righteous Jehovah without a Mediator And if he be considered in this Mediator there is all possible Encouragement to turn to him 5. The Spirit as by the Word he works Faith in Christ so by the same Word he causes the Sinner to yield himself to God He that was before stout-hearted and far from Righteousness now throws down his Weapons of Rebellion and submitting cries for Mercy he dares not still rush on in Sin as the Horse into the Battel he is made sensible that there is no contending with the Almighty that none ever hardned themselves against him and prosper'd Job 9. 4. Therefore he bows and yields least he be broke and ruin'd And as the Power of Gods anger makes the Sinner afraid of remaining Unconverted so he is most strongly induced to turn by the Spirits effectual discovery of Gods Alsufficiency Mercy Loving-kindness He sees plainly it can never be well with him while at a distance from God and that in Him and in his Favour is really his Life and Happiness Thus the poor Prodigal was afraid of continuing in the far Country least he should there perish for hunger and he came homâ— to his Fathers house because there was bread enough and to spare Luke 15. 17. I come in the last place to the Application I begin with some Inferences that may be drawn from this Doctrine 1. If the Word of God be the great means of Conversion hence I infer that this Word is a great Priviledge The giving us the Light and Influence of the Sun and Moon and Stars is acknowleged to be the needful Bounty of the God of Heaven but the vouchsafing of the Word speaks a more peculiar favour and is a means to convey a far greater benefit In this Word of God there is a general Proclamation a Proclamation of a general pardon of all offenders against the highest Majesty and that upon the most equal terms that they prize this favour make use of his Sons mediation to obtain it and consent by Sin willingly to wrong their own Souls no more This Word carries in it a Proclamation to open the prison-doors to unloose the bonds and fetters to grant liberty unto all those that are weary of the bondage of corruption and that are willing to become the Lords Free men this Word is an Invitation to all sensible Souls that perceive they have spent their labour for that which is not bread to come for the bread of God which comes down from Heaven and which giveth life unto the World Joh. 6. 33. O the tender mercy of God in vouchsafing his Word to any When the Light of this Word shines it finds Sinners in Darkness imployed in the works of darkness hastning towards the blackness of darkness for ever and it doth give them the knowledge of Salvation by the remission of Sin and guide their feet into the way of peace Luke 1. 77 78 79. Those are glorious times indeed that is indeed a Golden age when the Word of God is heard by every ear when Labourers are many and Faithful and are hard at work for God for Christ for Souls when saving Knowledge doth fill all the corners of a Land Happy happy is that People that is in such a case if they do but rightly improve their priviledge for this Word doth direct them to walk in the Light of Gods Countenance 2. Hence I inferr how inexcusable they are that remain Vnconverted still under the Word of God which is the great Means of Conversion The Light of Nature leaves those that glorisie not God as God without excuse Rom. 1. 21. But the Light of the Word doth much more take away all Apology from them that neglect it They that are not Converted to God when they hear this Word neglect to trade with one of the choicest Talents that any of the Children of Men can be entrusted with To pass over the whole Volume and Book of Nature to take no notice of God in it though every Creature be designed as a Remembrancer of Him to pass by the works of Providence and not hereby to be brought to the Fear of and Faith in God who exerciseth loving kindness and Judgment in the Earth Nothing can be said to defend it But for a Sinner a lost Sinner a miserable Sinner that is ready every Moment to fall into Hell for this Man to hear the Gospel of Christ to have Pardon so fully and freely offered to him and yet to be deaf to the offer to refuse to turn to the Lord though hereby he will live for ever this doth argue a far more exceeding and excessive madness What can the Unconverted Sinner plead for himself that he doth not turn Can he say that he hath not been warned to flee from the wrath to come Alas the Almightys anger and indignation hath often been pealed in his ear How often hath he heard Wo to the wicked it shall be ill with him for the reward of his hands shall be given to him Isa 3 11. Can he say that he hath not been called to turn No such matter Wisdom hath cried aloud cryed vehemently How long ye simple ones will ye love simplicity and the scorners delight in their scorning and fools hate knowledge turn ye at my reproof Prov. 1. 22 23. Again can the Sinner plead that he hath not had encouragement to turn to God No no the God of Heaven the God of Truth hath solemnly protested by his own Life that he hath no pleasure in the Sinners death but had rather that he should turn and live Hear O Heaven Hearken O Earth and judge whether the Sinner that is called to turn to God and won't does not deserve to dy in his iniquities 3. If the Word of God is the great means of Conversion hence I inferr that the Removal of the VVord is a very sore Judgment How sore I wish that England may never feel by sad experience A Famine of Bread is affirmed to be worse than the Plague of Pestilence worse than the Sword of VVar though Plague and Sword are very terrible but a Famine of the VVord of God is the worst sort of Famine and it is threatned as a punishment which is an indication of far greater wrath Amos 8. 11. It shall come to pass in those days saith the Lord God that I will send a Famine in the land not a Famine of Bread nor a thirst for water but a Famine of hearing the VVord of the Lord. The Antithesis here between these two Famines doth heighten the severity of the punishment A Famine of the VVord is a punishment that is Spiritual so much the more hurtful because it reaches the Spirits of Men so much the more hurtful by how much the Soul is more precious than the Body Ay but may some one say what great harm is there if there should come such a Famine I will tell you To have the VVord of God removed it is to have
of Redemption by Price of Gods purchasing his Church with his own Blood Act. 20. 28. The Light of Nature is insufficient to shew the way to Heaven How God will deal with these Heathens 't is hard to determine Zuinglius indeed asserts That when we come to Heaven we shall see utrumque Adamum Redemptum Redemptorem both the Adams the Redeemer and him that was redeemed the Prophets the Apostles And then he adds That Aristides the Cato's and the Scipio's and such vertuous Men among the Heathen will be found in Heaven also Calvin calls this prâ—â—posterum misericordiam a preposterous Mercy because the Apostle tells us those who have sinn'd without Law shall also perish without Law Rom. 2. 12. What is to be said in this case To affirm that any of them are saved who never heard of a Saviour is to affirm what is hard to prove to say that they are all damned will be a bold Sentence The Apostle tells us that those who are without God judges 1 Cor. 5. 13. and to Gods Judgment we must leave them 2. The Perfection of the Word is mentioned in the work of Conversion to shew that the Works of God do need his Words exposition upon them 'T is the Word which rightly discovers God in the Works of Creation Heb. 11. 3. Through Faith we understand that the Worlds were framed by the Word of God so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear The Scripture shews how the Lord is the Alpha and the Omega The whole Volume of Nature would signifie little to Man were it not for the Scriptures commentary upon it the Beginning and the End of all things that per scalaâ—â— creaturarum by the Ladder of the Creatures we may ascend unto the Gracions and Alsufficient Creator The Word expoundâ— the Works of Providence it puts such a Language into Mercies that these Demonstrations of divine goodness lead unto Repentance And the Word makes the Rod to utter such a voice that the Vncircumcised heart is humbled the Sinner accepts of the punishment of his Iniquity Lev. 26. 41. and turns unto that God that smites him 3. The Perfection of the Word is mentioned in the Work of Conversion that Sinners may use and value the Word as a Means sufficient He that is sick of the Plague how willingly does he use a Remedy that is sufficient for the cure of the Pestilence and which has cured thousands and that never failed to heal any that would but take it Never was there a Plague in the World so universal so contagious so deadly as Sin is O all ye sinful diseased and lost Souls hear and with all seriousness apply the Word of God that ye may be healed and that being healed ye may live and not dye for ever The remedy is perfect it certainly works for life if it be but received he that believes and yields subjection to the Gospel shall be saved Mar. 16. 16. I confess the refusing of the remedy will highten the disease and make the death more dreadful He that believes not shall receive the greater damnation 4. The Perfection of the Word is mentioned in the work of Conversion that the Preachers of the Word may be encouraged Were this Word a weak imperfect thing the Dispencers of it would have the less heart to labour but they have no reason to be ashamed or discouraged but to glory in the Gospel of Christ since 't is the Power of God to Salvation And let him be Jew or Gentile high or low a less Sinner or the greatest if he receives the Word with Faith the Preachers pains will be to good purpose The Apostle insults over all the VVisdom of this VVorld as that which is poor and foolish and helpless as to a better World 1 Cor. 1. 20. Where is the wise where is the Scribe where is the disputer of this world The Jewish Synagogue where Moses was trusted in and Christ rejected the Greek Academy could neither of them shew the way of Salvation hath not God made foolish the VVisdom of this VVorld But then he magnifies the Word of God that reveals Christ Jesus because herein the Power and VVisdom of God were savingly made manifest 1 Cor. 1. 23 24. VVe preach Christ crucified to the Jews a stumbling-block and unto the Greeks foolishness but unto them that are called both Jews and Greeks Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 5. The Perfection of the Word is mentioned in the Work of Conversion that Saints may still be improving it unto a further turning Where 's the Convert in whom and for whom the Word of God has wrought so much that it can work no more You that have most experienced its power and goodness may still feel a further efficacy The Word is perfect and you should be pressing forward to be perfected by it still your Light should grow clearer your Faith stronger your love more abundant and patience should have a more perfect work in you that you may be perfect and entire wanting nothing Jam. 1. 4. Still you should be more low in your own sight the Grace of Christ more glorious in your eyes the World should be more under your feet and Heaven be the matter of your thoughts and hopes and joy You that are weak should resemble David you that are strong as David should be like the Angels of God aspiring unto not only Evangelical but an Angelical and heavenly Perfection I come in the last place to the Application The Uses are these following VSE I. Of Caution The Perfection of the Word of God should make you 1. To take heed of that Enthusiastick Spirit that pretends not to need this VVord That Light within which makes the Light of the VVord to be contemned is certainly Darkness and if the Light within you be darkness how great is that darkness Mat. 6. 23. Solomon tells us plainly that the Commandment is a Lamp and the Law is Light and the reproofs of instruction are the way of Life Prov. 6. 23. You will miss the way of Life unless this Light be followed He is most unreasonably wise in his own eyes who imagines he knows so much that God himself by his Word can teach him no more the truth is he knows nothing as he ought to know his Knowledg is but a delusive dream his ignorance real and destructive Heed not but resist the Spirit that injects undervaluing thoughts of the Word of God for that cannot be the true Spirit which did endite it If once you reject the VVord of the Lord alas what understanding is in you Jer. 1. 9. The grossest and most damnable errours will impose upon you as truths the most carnal licentiousness which is the bondage of corruption will call it self Christian liberty Sins will be made no Sins and Duties no Duties you will allow your selves in the omission of Gods Ordinances as things below Saints of so high a Stature as
Detestation and abhorrency I was upright before thee says David and I kept my self from mine iniquity Psal 18. 23. possibly he may mean revenge upon Saul which he had again and again opportunity to take which not only those that were with him but Corruption of Nature might prompt him to but the true Grace which was in him was peremptory against 4. Let your Hearts be perfect in being sound in Gods Statutes Let them all be approved for all are the Lords and all are worthy This argues a rectified Judgment indeed when every Precept is lookt on as right and that the keeping of it is not only a Duty but a kindness to him that keeps it I esteem all thy Commandments says the Psalmist concerning all things to be right and I hate every false way Psal 119. 128. Though there be an Election of some yet if there be a Reprobation of other Commandments the Heart is not sound It cannot have a right respect to any unless it have a general respect to all The Apostle tells us that parâ—iâ—â— obedience will not pass Jam. 2. 10. VVhosoever shall keep the whole law and yet offend in one point he is guilty of all An allowed neglect oâ— one command argues that none are kept because they are Gods and that he may be pleased because he has been pleased to injoyn one as well as another 5. Let your Hearts be perfect in consenting to the Sanctification of all your Faculties and Powers Desire that your whole Souls should be renewed by the Grace of God and highly value every Grace of the Spirit Every Power iâ— you needs Renovation and every Grace of thâ— Holy Ghost excells in worth all things that arâ— Temporal Faith Love Fear Hope Meekness Patience Temperance Humility and the rest how much better are they than the best thingâ— of this present evil VVorld And when any new degrees are added to the Grace you have conclude that you are very highly favoured 6. Let your Hearts be perfect in havinâ— right designs and making God your end He 〈◊〉 his own end and with good reason for theâ— is nothing so good so high as He. Let hiâ— be your end in all you do Still let your Hâ—aâ— designing to extol him by more high aâ— suitable apprehensions by more enlarged 〈◊〉 raised affections by a more profound Submiâ—sion to him Design that others may be brougâ— to Honour him and desire his Name may be â—lowed all the Earth over and that his Kingdom may be advanced above all other Monarchies whatsoever Thus your hearts should be perfect 2. I exhort you to walk in a perfect way Walk not according to the course of this World after the Prince of the Power of the Air the Spirit that works in the Children of disobedience Eph. 2. 2. Walk not as those Professors did of whom the Apostle speaks with Weeping Phil. 3. 18 19. Many walk of whom I have told you often and now tell you even Weeping that they are the Enemies of the Cross of Christ whose end is destruction whose God is their belly whose glory is in their shame and who mind earthly things But do you take heed of imitating such patterns be sure to shun their pernicious paths Follow better examples walk in a perfect way Thus to walk implys three things 1. Walk humbly with God break not the first Table of the Law let not onely the Lord himself but his Worship his Ordinances his Name his Sabbaths be dear unto you Neglect not publick Ordinances in the Sanctuary private in the Family secret in the Closet Perform every Duty as before God Perform every Duty as to Him. 2. Make great Conscience also of doing your Duty towards Men. Be perfectly true and just in all your dealings with all To defraud to deceive to over-reach any way to be unjust to your Neighbour is to injure and engage the Justice of God against you â—e very merciful to those that are in distress and â—isery and if your Souls are drawn out towards â—hem indeed to compassionate their case purses and â—ands will be open for their relief Especially prâ—y those that are in Sin as well as Misery and are â—n the worse condition because neither Sin nor Miâ—ery are perceived I beseech you also be very exact in doing the Duties of your places and relations that you may glorifie the Perfect Word of God the perfect rule you walk by in being Parents Children Subjects Husbands Wives Masters Servants with a Nonâ—-such none that are without the Word being in any of these relations comparable to you 3. Do not injury but your duty towards your selves Employ not your Eyes your Tongues your Hands or any of your Members to your own hurt and defiling Do not by uncleanness sin against your own bodies 1 Cor. 6. 18. Do not by Surfeiting and Drunkenness load them with diseases and hasten them to the Grave Let not Covetousness and carking care make you to â—ise up early and sit up late and eat the Bread of sorrows nor cause you to be uncharitable to the needy and to grudg what is convenient to your selves Thus walk in a perfect way 3. In the third and last place I exhort you to stand perfect and compleat in all the Will of God Col. 4. 12. His Perfect Word should alwaies be heeded The good and honest Heart receives this Word understands it and how safe 't is to be guided by it eveâ— unto death and therefore brings forth fruit with patience Luke 8. 15. Why with patience Because patience is very requisite to overcome both the difficulty of duty and trouble and Persecution upon the account of duty Heb 10. 36. Ye have need of patience that after ye have doâ— the Will of God ye might receive the Promise Perseverâ— in the Perfect Word in the good the acceptable the perfect Will and Work of God unto thâ— end hereby manifest you are Disciples and Servants indeed And an happy Eternity will satisfie you that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. VSE IV. Of Consolation The Perfection of the Word of God serves for much comfort to the Church of Christ and all Converts the true Members of it The Grounds of Consolation are these 1. Wherever this Church is this perfect Word of God shall certainly be The Word may sometimes be Eclipsed in a Church but never quite extinguished Indeed when a Church is unchurched the Word goes When the Candlestick is removed the light in that place is put out But suppose a Church to remain there will be the Word by which 't was gather'd and which is a means also to govern and preserve it in spight of all opposite Policy and Power Spiritual hunger is a blessed thing it never ends in Starving but in Satisfaction Mat. 5. 6. The sincere Members of the true Church have this hunger therefore they shall more or less have the food of the Word to sustain and strengthen them The Great and Good Shepherd will some way
I done with all the Doctrines but yet I have not done with you Words of instruction Solomon compares to Nayls Eccles 12. 11. I shall add a few strokes more to drive them home How can I with patience see any of you secure in Sin still fast asleep Under Satans power and upon the bottomless pits brink And every moment in danger of tumbling down into it Though some of you make light of Hell and more light of Sin that does deserve it yet I foresee how you will change your minds when once you feel what 't is to be there and I would fain prevent your going thither What shall I say how shall I do to prevail with you to become willing to a sincere Conversion and so escape eternal Misery and Confusion Once more I cry as loud and earnestly as I am able Tâ—rn ye Turn ye O ye youngest that are here turn to God Your whole time is short enough to provide for Eternity begin early to redeem it Can you be too soon safe and happy safe in being under the Wing of Christ happy in having the Lord to be your God and Father Oh ye Children become Converts Christ is ready to embrace you in his Arms and bless you I should not at all fear the Gospels going if I could behold much of the Work of Regeneration among the young generation O ye oldest Sinâ—rs Turn to God the door of Mercy is not quite shut though you have lived so long in Sin 'till you have one foot in the Grave Admirable Mystery and Miracle of Grace when those are in a spiritual sense New Born who were old both in Years and Wickedness Turn ye O you that have most Righteousness of your own for your Righteousness is filthy raggs and you have Sin enough to ruine you Turn ye O you that have been guilty of the greatest Transgressions for in the Lord is superabâ—ndant Grace enough and enough to save you If you will not Turn you gratifie the evil One the Enemy of your Salvation you Consent to be his Slavis and Prey and chuse rather to dwell with him in Torment than with the Lord in Glory If you will not turn you are Sâ—lâ—-haters not Accessariâ—s only but Principals in the Murthering of your own Souls It was a true saying of Salvian Nemo nobis Crâ—â—â—â—ior nobis none more Cruel none so cruel to sinful Man as he is to himself The very Prince of the Devils has not so great an hand in his Destruction If you will not turn immediately this very day hour moment it may quickly be too late Abused Mercy may go away for ever and God may now at last foreit who has long waited to be gracious The Axe before another Sabbath may be laid to the root of the Tree which bears nothing but the Grapes of Sodom and the Clustâ—s of Gomorrah A Sentence may be pronounced from Heaven Hâ—w down such a strange and degenerate Plant and cast it into fiâ—e unquenchable But if at last you see with with your Eyes and hear with your eaâ—s and understand with your hearts and turn to the Lord the Father will receive you with open arms of love and kindness his tenderest Bowels will be troubled for you and sure Mercies shall be yours Tâ— Lord Jesus will see of the travel of his Soul to his Satisfaction rejoycing that Children of Regeneration are born into his Church whâ— shall be Heirs of Glory The Comforter who was grieved and vexed at your resistance will be much pleased to see you yield and will delight to dwell in you and to fill you both with Grace and Peace Converting Grace whenever wrought on Earth causes a Neâ— Triumph above in Glory The Thrones Dominions the Cherubim the Seraphim that are there will sing a New Song of Praiâ— they will give glory to God in the Highest when more Sinners are begotten again to a lively Hope they will ascribe Blessing and Honour to the Lamb when more Souls are redeemed by his Blood. Have I been speaking unto Stocks and Stones or unto those who have Senses Souls and Reason If you will not turn that you may be saved I must confess 't were well if you had no Souls to lose for ever It was a Custom among the Ancient Romans to keep dead Bodies above ground several dayes and often to cry in their ears with a loud Voice to see if they were dead indeed And these were called Corpora conclamata Bodies that had been cryed unto in vain and then they were carried to their Burial May not your Souls O unconverted Sinners be called Animae conclamatae Souls that have been often cryed unto to turn and live But if you still refuse 't is a sign you are very dead indeed and you may quickly be buried in the fiery Tophet out of which you shall never rise more But alas all Pleadings Intreaties Arguments will be to little purpose unless there come a convincing Light a converting Power from above Cachedram habet in coelo qui corda docet in terrâ He has his Chair in Heaven who teaches hearts on Earth Oh that the glorious Spirit would come and breath upon the dead dry bones and inspire a Life that may never end That he would cause All even the most hardned and dead in sin to become Alive to God and have their fruit unto holiness that the end may be everlasting Life Let God arise and let his enemies be scatter'd Let Sin Satan and Mammon be forced to flee before Him that all Hearts possest by them may now submit to Him When the tongues of Men and Angels cannot prevail one powerful word from God can convert a multitude of Souls though they have been never so disobedient and gainsaying If the Lord will fill his Sanctuary with his Glory it will be to all unconverted Ones that are here the place of their new Birth and the very Gate of Heaven FINIS A WARNING GIVEN TO Secure Sinners TO Prepare for Judgment TO Flee from Wrath to Come AND Turn from All Sin BUT Especially the Sin which does most easily beset them By NATHANAEL VINCENT M. A. Minister of the Gospel Ezek. 33. 7. O Son of Man I have set thee a Watchman unto the house of Israel therefore thou shalt hear the Word at my Mouth and warn them from Me. LICENSED March 17th 1688. LONDON Printed by J. Astwood for Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and three Crowns at the lower end of Cheap-side near Mercers-Chappel 1688. THE Epistle to the READER Reader WHen I Preached these following Sermons I had not the least thought of Publishing them They were taken from my Mouth by a dexterous and nimble hand that wrote almost every Word I utter'd I was very much sollicited to Print them and the Notes being written out fair and brought to me I have look'd them over and now they are presented to thee with a sincere Design that they may be beneficial to thee and not without Hope they will be so
themselves unto God. This Doctrine concerning Judgment was Preached early in the World we find 't was Published before the Flood of Noah as you may see Jude v. 14 15. where you have the summe of a Sermon but a very terrible one Preached by Enoch the seventh 〈◊〉 Adam Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his Saints to execute Judgment upon all 〈◊〉 to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed and of all the hard speeches which ungodly Sinners have spoken against him Under the Mosaical Dispensation the Children of Israel heard the same Doctrine That great Prince and Preacher Solomon thus concludes his Book of Ecclesiastes having displayed the Creatures Vanity having taught Man his Interest and Duty To fear God and to keep his Commandments he closes with these words Chap. 12. ult God will bring every worâ— into Judgment with every secret thing whether it be good or whether it be evil And how plainly does the Apostle Paul speak to the same purpose 2 Cor. 5. 10 11. For we must all appear before the Judgment-seat of Christ that every one may receive the things done in his body according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad knowing therefore the terrour of the Lord we perswade Men. In the handling of this Doctrine this is the Method I shall observe First I shall Discourse concerning Him that is to be the Judge Secondly I shall speak concerning the Persons that are to be judged Thirdly Concerning the things that shall be brought into Judgment Fourthly I shall demonstrate the Certainty of this Judgment And then in the lest Place make Application In the first Place I am to Discourse concerning the Judge and the Text plainly tells us that the Judge is Christ The Father I grant is said to judge 1 Peâ— 1. 17. If ye call on the Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every mans work pass the time of your sâ—journing here in fear Yet it is said in another place The Father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgment to the Son Joh. 5. 22. How shall these Scriptures â—e reconciled The reconciliation is easie thus the Father judges because the Authority of Judging belongs to him because he does Consent unto the Sons Judgment and has ordained him to Judge the World in Righteousness the truth is the Father Judges all but 't is mediately by Jesus Christ And yet in another sense the Father judges not because Christ the Son the second Person in the Godhead alone was incarâ—ate and manifested in the Flesh and He alone will visibly Judge the World at the great approaching Day These four things may be observed concerning Christ the Judge He is a Saviour to the uttermost He is the Only Saviour He is Lord of all And as such a Lord he will come with a â—â—st glorious Attendance 1. Christ the Judge is a Saviour to the uttermost and really at the Judgment-day he will compleat the Churches Salvation he began it here in this World and still is carrying it on but the last day will be the day in which he will put his last Hand to this Work and make it perfect Heb. â— 28. Christ wâ—◠〈◊〉 offered 〈◊〉 tâ—â—ear the sins of many and unto them that lâ—â—k 〈◊〉 him shall he appear the second time without sin 〈◊〉 Salvation then Salvation shall be cons 〈…〉 the whole of it shall be wrought nothing oâ— Sin or the sad effects of it shall remain nothing that shall cause the least frown in the Face 〈◊〉 God to eternity Death will be swallowed 〈◊〉 in Victory the whole Man will be glorious anâ— immortal Christ will then have compleated his whole Design upon all his Saints and Members he will have made them as holy and happy aâ— he did intend to make them he will indeed prâ—sent his Church a glorious Church not having sâ— or wrinkle or any such thing but it shall be all holy and its Beauty without the least 〈◊〉 Eph. 5. 27. 2. Christ the Judge is the Only Saviour therefore those that are Condemn'd by Him 〈…〉 vain for them to expect Salvation from any 〈◊〉 Christ is the only Foundation-stone on which all that build shall stand other Builders are foolish and build upon the sand and what they build will fall and great will be the fall of it They that are not interested in the Lord Jesus by Faith that are not Justified by his Blood who besides can save them from Wrath those whose Iniquities are not done away by his offering up oâ— himself without spot to God there can be found no other Sacrifice for their sins but a certain fearful looking for of Judgment and fiery indignatioâ— that shall devour the Adversaries And how dreadful will it be to be Sentenced to Death and 〈…〉 by the only Author of Salvation and Life they that by his Mouth shall be doom'd â—o eternal Destruction that Destruction will be made ten thousand times the sorer by eternal Desperation Alas what Hope can be left when the Lamb of God who alone can take away Sin shall â—e so full of Wrath as for ever to reject and cast away the Sinner 3. Christ the Judge is Lord of all this is a truth that the Tongue of an Angel did Proclaim Luk. 2. 11. a truth that every Tongue should confess Phil. 2. 11. that every Heart ought to believe and which the most unbelieving and obstiâ—aâ—â— at last shall be made to know Christ hath on his Vesture and on his Thigh this Name written King of Kings and Lord of Lords Rev. 19. 1â— He has all Power in his hand things in Heaven and Earth and under the Earth are subâ—ect to him Those that are wise do willingly â—ow before him and they who will not bow â—e can easily break and dash them to pieces A mighty Lord Christ is at whose Command Death shall deliver again all that for so many years he had imprisoned in the Grave he has indeed the Key of Death and Hell too Rev. 1. 1â— both are under his Power at his Command also the Heavens shall pass away with a great noise the Elements shall melt with fervent heat the Eartâ—â—lso and the works therein shall be burnt up There is no dealing with this Judge by way of resistance it concerns us all to be diligent that â—e may be sound of him in peace without spot and blameless â— Pet. 3. 10 14. 4. Christ the Judge will come with a 〈◊〉 glorious Attendance How awakening to the Worâ— will the Voice of the Arch-Angel and the Trâ—mp of God be Christ will appear with a light sâ—â— above the brightness of the Sun not a Member of his but shall shine like that glorious Luminary Mat. 13. 43. Then shall the righteous shâ—â—â— as the Sun in the Kingdom of their Father And what a spectacle will all the Saints together be as so many millions of Suns shining at Once
to the Wicked to the good to the clean and to the unclean to him that Sacrificeth and him that Sacrificeth not as is the good so is the sinner and he that Sweareth as he that feareth an Oath Eccles 9. 1 2. Nay often times the worst of men have in this present Life the best on 't We read Luke 16. of a wicked Rich Man receiving his good things cloathed in Purple and fine Linnen and faring Sumptuously every day A poor Man ready to starve for Hunger was laid at this Rich Man's Gate his Body was full of sores and yet this Mans Soul was sanctified with Grace a good Man he was though here he received evil things since thus it is now there is a day coming when 't will be otherwise Job having spoken of the Prosperity of the Wicked in this World strongly argues that in the next World there will be a dreadful after-reckoning Job 21. 30. The Wicked is reserved to the day of Destruction they shall be brought forth to the day of Wrath This is the day I am speaking of a day of the revelation of the righteous Judgment of God Rom. 2. 5. Who then will render to every man according to his works to them that by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality eternal life but to them that are contentious and do not obey the truth but obey unrighteousness indignation and wrath tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that doth evil of the Jew first and also of the Gentile v. 6 7 8 9. 3. Christ hath Promised his Church that he will come again to Judgment and hath raised her hopes and expectations of his coming Rev. 3. 11. Behold I come quickly hold that fast which thou hast that no man take thy Crown Heb. 10. 36. For yet a little while and he that shall come will come and will not tarry He thus speaks to his Disciples Let not your hearts be troubled ye believe in God believe also in me I am indeed about to leave you but I go to prepare a place for you and assure your selves I will come again and receive you to my self that where I am there ye may be also Joh. 14. 1 5. Christ is the Amen the true and faithful Witness he will certainly be the Judge The Church will assuredly see him at last upon the great White Throne and her self safe and triumphant at his right hand When he comes how will he be glorified in his Saints and how will he be admired by all Believers in that Day 2 Thes 1. 10. 4. There are several things that are hastening Christs coming to Judgment The World grows old in Wickedness and all the Sins of the World have tongues to cry for the appearing of a Judge to pay their deserved Wages the World grows riper and riper for Vengeance dryer and dryer for that Fire that is to burn it The Church of Christ is also hastning Christs Appearing with their incessant Cryes Come Lord Jesus Come quickly Rev. 22. 20. The Spirit and the Bride say Come not only unto Sinners to come to Christ but unto Christ himself to appear that he may put an end both to Sin and Suffering That 's the longing and language of the Spouse Cant. 8. 14. Make haste my Beloved and be like a Roe or a young Hart upon the mountains of spices And this is not the Voice only of the Church on Earth but they in Heaven wish for and intreat the same thing How long Lord holy and true is heard from the Souls under the Altar Rev. 6. 10. In the last Place I come to the Application I begin with Inferences from the Doctrine 1. If there will be a Day of Judgment hence I inferr that there is a present Providence Will the Lord judge all at last surely he observes all now The Lord Jesus would have all the Churches to know as well that he searches the Reins and Heart as that he will render to every man according to his Works Rev. 2. 23. Whether thy Eye be upon God or no his Eye is never off from thee 't is indeed in every place beholding the evil and the good What a foolish Creature hast thou reason to call thy self who considerest not in thy heart that God remembers all thy Wickedness Hos 7. 2. and Gods remembrance at last will rub up thine and what thou now forgettest will sadly be recalled to thy Mind 2. Shall all be Judged hence I inserr the Love of God to the Righteous and his hatred of Iniquity Not one righteous Man but shall be acquitted and received by the Judge not a righteous action or sincere intention but shall be rewarded It will be found at the last day that a Widdows Mite given with a Charitable spirit and according to the ability was a great deal in Gods Treasury and that a Cup of cold Water given to a Disciple in the Name of a Disciple was well taken and shall not go unrewarded Mat. 10. 42. And there has not been there is not a Wicked Man on Earth but his Sin that has been hunting and pursuing to overthrow him will then find him out Psal 11. 5 6. because the Lords Soul hates the workers of Iniquity therefore upon the wicked he will rain snares fire and brimstone and an horrible tempest this shall be the portion of their Cup By fire and brimstone and tempest understand a suddain grievous surprizing and intolerable Punishment and by snares understand that they in Hell shall never be able to extricate themselves out of that Misery into which their Wickedness has brought them 3. If all shall be Judged hence I inserr the truth of the Doctrine of the Resurrection The whole Man has sinn'd the whole Man shall be judg'd and punished for sin Believers are sanctified both in Soul and Body therefore in Body and Soul they shall be gloryfied The Dead shall rise again all that are in the Graves shall hear the Voice of Christ and shall come forth they that have done good to the resurrection of Life they that have done evil to the resurrection of Damnation Joh. 5. 28 29. The Grave is only a Prison for a time not a Body that is there that shall lye there always the same Body that was employed in the unfruitful works of darkness shall be raised by the Power of the righteous Judge to share in the demerited Punishment And the same Body of the Saints the Members of which were used as Instruments of Righteousness unto Holiness by Vertue of its Union with Christ shall rise again and be made like unto Christs glorious body according to the working whereby he is able to subdue all things to himself Phil. 3. 21. It is not another Body I grant that qualities are alter'd but the substance is the same therefore the Apostle does not stick to say 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This corruptible shall put on incorruption this mortal shall put on immortality so
mock at that glorious Redemption which Believers at Christs second appearing do expect and they laugh at till they feel the Flaming Vengeance that is to be executed upon themselves But the Word shews the Worlds end and how 't is reserved unto fire against the day of Judgment and Perdition of ungodly men 2 Pet. 3. 7. The day of the Lord will come as a Thief in the Night sadly surprizing the most of men in which the Heavens shall pass away with a great noise the Elements shall melt with fervent heat the Earth also and the Works therein shall be burnt up Oh dreadful spectacle to behold the whole World in a Flame the serious and believing consideration of this conduces very much to Repentance Conversion and amendment of our wayes 'T is the Apostles own inference Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved what manner of Persons ought ye to be in all Holy Conversation and Godliness 2 Pet. 3. 10 11. 3. The Word is an Hammer to break the Heart Contrition and brokenness of Heart is one constant Ingredient in Conversion No less than Salvation is Promised to the contrite ones Psal 34. 18. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken Heart and saveth such as be of a contrite Spirit Now the Word is the Hammer which breaks the Stony the Rocky Heart to pieces Those Hearers who derided the Miraculous Gift of Tongues the Apostle Peters Sermon reached and pierced their very Hearts and made them cry out Men and brethren what shall we do Act. 2. 37. Now Sin was set in order before their eyes and charged home upon their Consciencos now they tremble and are afraid of deserved Wrath now their stubborn spirits begin to yield unto God. They desire to know upon what terms they might be saved being willing to consent to any terms rather than miss of Salvation and perish everlastingly 4. The Word is a Fire to melt and purifie and so a proper means of Conversion which is indeed a turning from Sin to Holiness 'T is the Nature of Fire to separate the Mettal and the Dross Gold and Silver are refined by being put into the Furnace Thus the Word also separates between the Heart and its vicious and evil Habits and Qualities it separates between the Soul and its fleshly and worldly Lusts Now are ye clean says Christ through the Word which I have spoken unto you Joh. 15. 3. This Word is very Pure in it self and Pure in its Operation and Effects It severely forbids all filthiness of the Flesh and Spirit and in this Word we find as a Precept concerning Holiness that 't is our Duty to perfect Holiness in the fear of God so a Promise wherein God has said he will work this Holiness in them that seek unto him and desire it Ezek. 36. 25. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you and you shall be clean from all your filthiness and from all your Idols will I cleanse you The Word is a Fire to Melt and Purge the Soul and then 't is a Mould also into which the Soul is as it were cast so that it has another an excellent form being conformed to the holy Nature and Will of God himself 5. The Word is as Seed of which the New Creature is begotten God himself is he who does regenerate all that are Converted and he does it of his own meer good Will and Pleasure but the Word is the Seed by which he does it Jam. 1. 18. Of his own VVill beg at he us with the VVord of Truth that we should be a kind of First-fruits of his Creatures So 1 Pet. 1. 23. Being born again not of corruptible Seed but of incorruptible by the VVord of God which liveth and abideth for ever From this Seed comes the New Man which after God is created in Righteousness and true Holiness This Word is quick and powerful 't is powerful to quicken and enliven so that the Soul has a new Life and lives to God which before was dead in trespasses This Seed is effectual to a new formation of the Souls faculties and powers New Eyes there are in the Mind a new Disposition and Inclination in the Will the Affections also are new and of low and carnal they become high and holy and heavenly The Preachers of the Gospel are the sowers of this Seed of the Word and how should they be in travel till a New Creature comes on 't till Christ be formed in them that receive it Gal. 4. 19. My little Children of whom I travel in birth again till Christ be formed in you 6. The Word is a proper Means of Conversion for 't is the unerring Rule which shews both good and evil Evil that there may be an Aversion from it Good that there may be a Conversion to it The Scripture calls things by their deserved Names what that pronounces bad will be found by the most Unbelieving to be bad indeed and what that affirms to be good is really good at present and proves best at last Here are the Commandments in conformity to which true Goodness lies and Sin is defined 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a transgression of them heark to the Prophet Mic. 6. 8. He hath shewed thee O Man what is good and what does the Lord thy God require of thee but to do jâ—stly to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God All this is good in its own Nature pleasing to God profitable and pleasant unto Man The better this is understood the more likely 't is that evil and dangerous wayes should be forsaken and those Paths chosen and turn'd into that are safe and holy The Word shews what God approves and what he abhorrs It shews Mans Duty which is his Priviledge and that Sin is Mans Prejudice and Plague And he is a good Scholar indeed who has learnt to do well and ceased to do evil 7. The Word is a fit means of Conversion because it is the Ministration of the Spirit 2 Cor. 3. 8. How shall not the Ministration of the Spirit be rather glorious The Word of God is of the Spirits Inspiration and his own Word he is pleased to accompany he moves and breaths and acts in it so that Miracles of Grace are wrought thereby He says to the blind Mind Receive thy sight and know the things that concern thy Peace to the Deaf the Spirit says Hear my Voice and yield Obedience to the Dead he says Arise out of thy Sins and from the Earth in which thou hast layn so long buried and live the Life of God from which thou hast been so long alienated And as the Spirit thus speaks so he speaks with efficacy He can work so that none shall hinder O blessed Word in which we find that exceeding great and precious Promise of the Spirit 't is but asking him and having him and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty 2 Cor. 3. 17. The Captive Sinner is freed from the