them together with or add them unto Christ as a better ground of assurance and hope of the promise of eternall life then they had in him before or yet have simply in what he is hath done and is become in himselfe for us Though these efficacies of the graciousnesse of the Lord tasted by them were his works yet their thus putting them out of their place and in the place of Christ and seeking to deck their Idols with his Ornaments as Ezek. 16. 19-20 These are their works For the Law of faith excludes boasting every where or rejoycing in any thing even in what we have received through grace otherwise then so as the rejoycing be only in the Lord. Rom. 3. 27. 1 Cor. ult 4. 7. And instructs alwayes when we have done all these things to acknowledge our selves therein unprofitable Servants that have done no more then our duty from the grace already bestowed Luk. 17. 10. Yea to be sensible of and acknowledge our short coming of that so much found with us in all things That still we may take shame to our selves and seek to have all our rejoyceing in and feeding on him and not in any of those things And truly this work of our own in this abuseing and misplaceing the works of God cannot stand with our abideing in him as we have received him But doth weaken and draw away the heart from him and also occasion the decay and withering of the good things so rejoyced in and fed upon But he that doth good or that doth truth alwayes comes to the light that he may alwayes see all his works wrought in God in emmanuell That so he may have his rejoyceing in him evermore And as one that hath enough there he comes to that Fountain that he may be filled with the knowledge enjoyment and fruites of that in and with Christ And he that so eatest me saith our Saviour shall live by me They trusting in resting satisfied with and staying upon that perfect righteousnesse perfected in his resurrection And the glorious name of God in him as a full and sufficient ground of rejoyceing and hopeing and matter of feeding for justification sanctification and all things pertaining to life and godlinesse they are therein II. From the fullnesse and riches of grace perceived and tasted in him instructed and strengthened to seek righteousnesse and strength in the Lord so as by an exercise of faith in Jesus to depend on him for and expect from him and with him the hope of his righteousnesse in the perfecting what concerns them According to the promise of eternall life given us in Christ which containes in it both the promise of this life and that to come They believe in Christ that they may be justified by the faith of Christ Gall. 2. 16. Acknowledging themselves as discovered in the light of his testimony as of themselves and from Adam to be sinners and altogether filthy and under curse by the Law and without strength They expect not nor seek that way to help themselves as to the attaining righteousnesse but seek and follow one to know what he hath done and is become for sinners to understand and perceive the perfection of his work and sacrifice its fullnesse and answe ablenesse to all their needs And the infinite riches of the grace of God in him to such sinners seeking and expecting through the knowledge of him to have their hearts and mindes stayed on him preserved in him yea more brought into him And in him to finde acceptance with God and to receive the remission of their sins and so the cleansing of their mind and conscience through his name and in the further and continuall openings of it They likewise believe on him stay upon and trust in his name for all righteousnesse even for sactifying washing and saving them to the utmost Knowing his rich furniture and abillity to save to the utmost all that come to God by him which also they know in knowing what he hath done and is become for us while we were yet sinners and enemies as Rom. 8. 32. Hebr. 7. 25. 9. 15. with Rom. 5. tot In which likewise they are assured that the Gospell of Christ is the power of God to salvation to every one that believeth For therein is the righteousnesse of God revealed from faith to faith as it is written The just shall live by faith being also therein made sensible of their own weaknesse insufficiency and deadnesse they are perswaded and strengthened in the light and strength of those instructions to disowne and goe out of themselves cease from their own thoughts reasonings and works and exercise themselves in the light and power of his grace to a diligent beholding and mindfullnesse of him in what he hath done and is become for them and the end and fruit of it and the grace and glory appearing in and through it They run to that and stay in and upon it seeking and expecting in it the light and power of God to conforme them to him and so to strengthen them to purge themselves from all filthinesse of flesh and spirit They through the spirit do waite for the hope of his righteousnesse by faith for giving them victory through the bloud of the Lamb and the word of their testimony and for perfecting what concerns them to the perfect Day They seek not righteousnesse by works but seek the works and fruit of his righteousnesse to be wrought and found in them through faith in him who was made sin for them that they might be made the righteousnesse of God in him We have here occasion to mention a double or twofold difference between him that worketh for righteousnesse And him that worketh not but believeth for it on him that justifies the ungodly 1. The one works for a ground of faith that he may believe the other believeth and resteth on a certain ground of faith that he may work the works of God The first seeks for frames and quallifications as the ground of his faith namely that from thence he may gather conclusions of Gods love and good will to him in Christ and of his good condition before God The other believing Gods love and good will to Manward and so to himselfe in Christ while an enemy that through Christ and by his name he might be saved His readinesse to accept any sinner coming in his drawings by Christ and to wash them from their sins in his bloud from hence is encouraged and provoked to seek and expect the framing and quallifying his heart to love and good works in the believing mindfullnesse of this grace And as the end and fruit of his faith 2. The one seekes to work up and frame his heart to love God and men by observing such and such Rules which the wisedome of man teacheth or the precepts of the Law in the wisedome and strength of man And in the same strength of the flesh on which he depends for it may do many
that the Father is by whom and for whom all things were made that were made yea all Thrones Dominions Principallities and Powers and so he the proper Lord and Heyre of all the Kingdome and Glory and of all things and Persons that were made by his Divine and eternall Generation Joh. 1. 1 2 3. Coll 1. 15 16. Prov 8. 22 c. which shewes the excellency of his person and so his abillity for all he undertook by the appointment of the Father for our help and escape And argues the vilenesse of our sin and the wretchedness of our condition by reason of sin seeing righteousnesse help and escape for us could not be had or found in any lesse price or ransome or by any other meanes or way attained But by the so deep abasement and suffering of so excellent a Person Gods only begotten Son The Lord from Heaven As likewise it infinitely commends the unspeakable love of God of the Father and of Christ In the Fathers free devizeing appointing and not sparing but sending forth his own and only Son and Heire to be so abased and delivering Him to such a death And in the Sons so willing and ready giving Himselfe in and through such abasement and sufferings to be a ransome or price of redemption for our sins Notwithstanding he was in the form of God and we wholly sinfull weake ungodly and enemies Further in this acknowledgment and profession of Jesus to be the Lord that is in this word of faith is contained That he is now actually made and become the same in that body prepared for him in mans nature in which he suffered and bore our sins to the Tree the same that he was as the eternall and only begotten Son of God before being through sufferings entred into his glory And glorified with the Fathers own selfe even with the same glory he had with him before the World was Phill. 2. 6 9. 10 11. Luk. 24. 26. Joh. 17. 4 5. Hebr. 2. 9 10. The Man Christ Jesus even that Jesus of Nazareth whom they crucified not an other thing or person God hath made him the Lord and Christ Act. 2. 36. He is the Son of God the Saviour of the World exalted with Gods right hand a Prince and Saviour for to give repentance and forgivenesse of sins 1 Joh. 4. 14. Act. 5. 31. yea he is the Lord and Judge of all by purchase and that in the name of the Father Rom. 14. 9 10 11 12. Act. 10. 36 42. The word was made flesh and the glory with which God hath cloathed him in that flesh or body which he prepared for him is the glory of the only begotten Son of God full of grace and truth Joh. 1. 14. He it is by whom the Father judgeth all men and executeth judgment also because he is the Son of Man Joh. 5. 22 27. And so he by in and through whom he justifieth the ungodly Act. 10. 43 with ch 5. 31. 13. 38 39. yea he will judge the World in righteousnesse by that Man whom he hath ordained whereof he hath given assurance to all men in that he hath raised him from the dead of which in the next place Act. 17 31. Nor is there any other name given under Heaven whereby we may be saved or shall be judged But the name of that Jesus of Nazareth This is the stone c. Act. 4. 10 11 12. Every spirit therefore what ever they may seem to speak of Gods love to manward or of his justifying the ungodly or judging the World That confesseth not that same Jesus of Nazareth That is already comed in the flesh and hath finished the works the Father gave him to do on Earth and is raised from the dead for our justification That confesseth him not as so to be the Lord by whom the Father judgeth all men and doth and will execute judgment because he is the son of man And so the Fountain and Well-spring of all justification and of all grace to Manward that through him they might be saved That spirit is not of God But of that spirit of Antichrist whereof we have heard that it should come into the World and even now already is it in the World For in this word of faith which is of the holy Ghost the true spirit The Son of Man even that Jesus of Nazareth is acknowledged and lifted up As the Lord of all Grace and Glory the Author and finisher of our Faith 1 Cor. 12. 3. 1 Joh. 4. 2. 5. 1. 5 Hebr. 12. 2. Ioh. 16. 14. with ch 5. 14. Iam. 2. 1. 2 There is likewise in it a testification of him That God hath raised him up from the dead who was delivered and dyed for our sins 1 Cor. 15. 3 4. 12-15 with Rom. 4. 24 25. 10. 9. That God hath raised up from the dead Jesus Christ our Lord who is the same Person that was delivered for our offences That God hath raised and exalted him after a like consideration of his Person after which he was delivered for our offences which renders his resurrection to be in an answerable sence for our justification as his being delivered was for our offences Now then for our understanding what is contained in this testimony It s considerable 1. Who it is That was Delivered and after what Consideration of him he was delivered for our offences 2. For whose offences he was delivered And 3. For what offences or for what severall sorts or kinds of offences and on what termes or how for them of each sort or kind In the understanding of which we shall also perceive what the Resurrection of Christ is that is testifyed off in this voyce of the Son of man the Word of faith And how that Resurrection is for our justification 1. It is Jesus the Lord The word that was made flesh even that only begotten Son of God whom he sent forth in the fulnesse of time made of a woman of the seed of David after the flesh That Jesus of Nazareth that was borne of the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem of Judeah in the Dayes of Cesar Augustus He it is that was delivered for our offences and in that his own personall Body which the Father prepared for him by the Immediate and wonderfull work of the holy Ghost in the womb of the Virgin For though the Father did make his soul an offering for our sin yet that was in that his owne body in which also he bore them to the tree and gave himselfe for our sins and when he gave up the Ghost The suffering work was finished Compare Isa 53. 4 -10. with 1 Pet. 2. 24. and Joh. 19. 30. He suffered the just for the unjust being put to death in or after the flesh 1 Pet. 3. 18. If then the flesh or Body of Christ for as much as therein he bore our sins to the tree and was delivered to the Judgment and to the prison for our offences if therefore I say that
respect of us or unto us by Christ which he hath already granted and done for us in the person of Christ as Joh. 6. 37. 39. The Father is said to be daily giveing that which he hath already given to Christ Because the things already granted and given as the fruit of his purchase which are all things and all persons as 1 Cor. 15. 27. doe in their particular Beeings come forth to him in their severall times by the order and appointment of the Father And so in the streamings forth of that justification wherewith we are already justified in the person of Christ unto us and so its coming upon us in our perticular persons by Christ in the name of the Father God justifieth the ungodly As likewise because in all this execution of his judgment by Christ in this day of his grace there is repentance and remission of sins preached and given in his name that it might be received in the light and power of his givings 3. He is likewise in some sort justifying the ungodly after the second consideration while yet it is to day In that having prepared justification from all their sins and healing of all their diseases in Christ he is by and through him exerciseing such forbearance and deferring the execution of his Judgments for such ungodlinesse as is yet imputed to them while they continue in it That they may have opportunity to repent And in the opportunity still preaching and giving repentance and remission of sins in his name that they may be led to repentance and in turning receive forgivenesse of sins and inheritance c. And in all this he is doing that in and through which they may be turned from their ungodlynesse washed and justified in that name though yet they be not Isa 42. 18-21 Act. 26. 18. Ezek. 24. 13. Isa 48. 9 10. 17 18. 4. He doth by and through Christ raised from the dead justify in a more full and proper sence him that believeth on Jesus from all sins past Their former rebellions and ungodlinesse of the second sort that were till then remembred and retained in Heaven against them though the execution of wrath or shutting out to it was deferred to give them opportunity yet to repent as aforesaid are now remitted covered and put out of his sight And they delivered from the wrath to come and made accepted in the beloved in whom they are found And also made partakers of this justification and the fruit thereof through his name and in the further opening of it to them Rom. 3. 25 26. 4. 5 6 7. ch 5. 1 2 c. Ephes 1. 6. Act. 10. 43. And this even while yet the naturall ungodlinesse remaines in them as a Law of sin in their members sin dwelling in them the flesh Iusting and warring against the spirit as Rom. 6. 7. 8. Gall. 5. 6. which also in due time they abideing in Jesus Hee will wholly turn away from them Rom. 11. 26. with ch 8. 11. Phill. 3. 21. 1 Joh. 3. 1-3 And in the meane time make good their cause give them the victory in the combate through the bloud of the Lamb and the word of their testimony So as they minding the things of the spirit and so walking in the spirit shall not fullfill the lusts of the flesh Sin shall not have dominion nor Satan neither because greater is he that is in them as that word is kept in their hearts then he that is in the World Rom. 6. 14. 7. 25. 1 Cor. 15. 57. Revel 12. 11. Gall. 5. 16. with Rom. â— 1-13 14. 1 Joh. 4. 4. Joh. 10. 27 28 29. Yea he is the continuall justifier of him that believeth on Jesus from their many offences in which ungodlinesse of the second sort is oft found with them They yet coming to God by him or returning from any of their wanderings in the leadings and recallings of his grace thither and that way If we confesse our sins acknowledge them and give them up as discovered and reproved by that light that discovers pardon and healing in Christ which confessing and giving up or laying apart is alwayes and only truly found in a hearty believing in the light He is faithfull and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us by the bloud of Jesus from all our unrighteousnesse Rom. 3. 26. 1 Joh. 1. 7. 9. with ch 2. 1 2. So that no man or spirit can fasten any charge that will lye or remaine on Gods elect that is them that through his love do love him and those are they that keep his sayings Rom. 8. 28. with Joh. 14. 21 23. 10. 27. So as to trouble harme or hold them under bondage This word of faith being continued in or returned too continually makes them free Joh. 8. 32 36. nor shall any thing be able to separate such from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus Its God that justifieth It s Christ that dyed yea rather that is risen again who is even at the right hand of God who also maketh intercession for us Rom. 8. 32-39 This is that Doctrine of Christ the word of faith the hearing or hearty believing or receiving of which so as through and according to it to believe on him that sent Christ is counted to men for righteousnesse and here called their doing good This I say is the word of faith as now come forth by Christ That God hath raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead who was delivered for our offences c. And that in and through him as raised from the dead and exalted with his right hand he is a God that justifieth the ungodly This and not any other perticular voyce word or testimony to or concerning us which a man may apply or take as particularly applyed to himselfe to assure him of Gods love in Christ to him or of his good estate in grace or the like nor any voyce or revelation what ever that is other then this or strange to it But this and this only is the word of faith as now brought to us by Jesus Christ we come next to consider 2. What is that faith or believing on him that justifieth the ungodly as before expressed in both the branches The hearing his word or believing God in his word or testimony given of his Son and by him And the believing on him through and according to it For our better understanding what it is in both the branches This is to be carryed along with us That it is opposed to our own works and that in such expressions as signifie a ceasing from our own works to be necessarily in it in every branch or act of it For he saith not only not to him that worketh which had been enough to shew the emptinesse and vanity of our works unto the attaining the righteousnesse of God or the saith by which it is attained But he saith more To him that worketh not which shewes an absolute
c. And saith in Christ will have its works in a man and bring forth its fruites by him and be further perfected therein if suffered And if not suffered but stifled and hindered or resisted in its works it will dye faith is dead being alone whence the Apostle John saiâ—h If any man see his Bâ—other stand in need and shut up the bowels of his compassion how dwels the love of God in him signifying plainly that if the love of Christ were suffered to dwell in us as it would and should be suffered it would not only strengthen to will but also carry forth to and in the acts of mercy and good fruites on sight of the Brothers need it moves the bowels of compassion and strengthens to shew them forth And if not suffered to work out it will not lodge or abide where so discourteously entertained If any man love the World the love of the Father is not in him If we walk in the light as he is in the light then have we fellowship one with another And the bloud of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all unrighteousnesse dayly giveth us the victory pardon peace and healing is met with through this faith of the opperation of God If therefore any say he have fellowship with the light and yet he walks in darknesse and confusion without peace joy and hope in the Lord and under the bondage of Satan holding under guilt and pollution of sin he lyes and doth not the truth That which they say they believe and have fellowship with may be true the true light the true grace of God in Christ and that which if believed and fellowship had with it would work But then their profession of hearty believing retaining and having fellowship with it is false He that committeth sin is of the Devill He that doth evill hath not seen God nor known him he hath not kept his word in his heart or retained in his veiw the sight and knowledge of God as manifested in Christ And in this the children of God are manifest and the children of the Devill He that doth not righteousnesse is not of God neither he that loveth not his Brother The righteousnesse of God in this fruit of it even to the working the works of God in and by them is attained through faith in Christ Jesus 2. We come next to consider When is the time or opportunity for the doing good here mentioned The Text speakes of it in the time past as with relation to the time of the resurrection and judgment It s before that and then finished They that have done good that is in the former time or hour in which the dead was made to hear the voyce of the Son of God in the Gospell shall then come forth in the first resurrection to the resurrection of life The opportunity then for doing good is to every man in the time of the preaching of peace by Jesus Christ unto them even while he is by his spirit preaching to their spirits in any meanes whatever while his grace is bringing salvation to them 1 Tim 2 6. Tit. 2. 11. 2 Cor. 6. 1 2. 1 Pet. 3. 19. which time expires to every man at death at furthest it may sooner But while God is by any meanes calling and waiting to be gracious it is not so Whence the Apostle exhorts not to receive the grace of God in vain And presseth it with this motive in the place forecited For he saith in a time accepted I have heard thee in a day of salvation I have helped thee which is the saying of the Father unto Christ Isa 49. 8. So that while Christ is making intercession for mâ—n for the Father heareth him alwayes And so as the fruit of that he stand in the name and strength of his Fatheâ— a testimony to them by his Servants sent or other meanes of calling used It is yet due time an accepted 〈◊〉 a day of salvation for and to those persons even to such as have hitherto received it in vain or after they have tasted that the Lord is gracious and proved the saving efficacy of his word have turâ—ed back in their hearts from him to embrace this present World and so destroyed themseles yet while it is to day there is help in him Isa 50. Hose 13 9. Yea plenteous redemption even the forgivenesse of their sins that he may yet be feared and hoped in by them Psal 13â— 1 Joh. 2. 1 2. To him that is joyned to all the living there is hope And whosoever acknowledging their backslidings and transgressions as discovered and reproved in the light of his testimony looks to him again in Christ in the light and power of those gracious recallings wherewith he follows backsliders while it is to day He will graciously accept without upbraiding and love them freely and pardon and heal them through his name Hose 14. 1. 4 5 c. Mich. 7. 18 19. 1 Joh. 1. 9. Rom. 11. 23. Jer. 3. 1-12 But when once any man is blotted out of the number or Book of the living which is in the naturall death at farthest to them that till then have persisted or then are found out of Christ in willfull ignorance disobedience and rejection of him and Gods grace in him Then all opportunity is past for ever being written with the righteous Psal 69. 28. Wherefore the holy Ghost saith To day if ye will hear his voyce harden not your hearts c. 3. The last thing propounded to be considered in this point is When in a Scripture sence any are said to have done good And that we shall not finde to be till they have finished their course dyed in the faith Then they rest from their labours even these their labours in the Lord which were not in vain And their works follow them so the like phrase Hebr. 10. 36. Is used in the same sence with this in the text the having done the will of God for their having finished it in all that service and suffering here appointed them Yee have need of patience namely in all your doing the will of God in the remaining time of your waiting and warfare That after you have done the wil of God fought the good fight kept the faith and finished your course in it ye may receive the promises In a like sence is that 2 Cor. 5. 10. Every one shall receive the things done or finished in his body According to that he hath done whether it be good or bad They that are found in Christ abideing in him as they have received him are said to be doing good running the race set before them and truly called doers of good doers of the truth while yet in the race or warfare Joh. 3. 11. Jam. 1. 12 25. Joh 3. 21. But not said to have done it in a full and proper sence till they have finished their course and doe rest from their labours And from that time their particular persons are absolutely sealed
is in this World so are they but when Christ who is their life shall appear then shall they also appear with him in glory Yea at the time of the naturall and bodily death The difference between them is wider and so fixed or firmely made that it can never more be altered The righteous hath hope in his death yea from thenceforth more then ever blessed for they rest from their labours their spirits with the Lord which is far better then to be in the flesh or body as in this its corruptible state yea their dead body sleepes in union with Jesus by reason of which it shall arise and come with him they are now wholly out of the reach of the enimies they have no more that they can doe and their works follow them But on the other hand the wicked is driven away in his wickednesse the hope of the hipocrite shall then perish Then and from thence they are shut up in prison to the judgement of the great day Yea from thence forth for ever shut out driven forth into outer darknesse where shall be weeping wailing and gnashing of teeth Pro. 14 32. Job 8. 13. 27. 8 1 Pet. 3. 19. 20. 2 Pet. 2. 9. Math. 22. 13. Yea from that time between these two there is a great gulfe fixed that he that would passe from the one to the other cannot Luk. 16. 26. But yet this difference is not visible nor otherwise to be seene but by faith Therefore here we walke by faith and not by sight But there shall be a visible and manâ—fest difference made and infinitly great between him that feareth God and him that feareth him not between the sheep and the Goats in that day Mall 3 16. 17. 18. Mat. 25. 31. c. The one shall come forth to the resurrection of life the other to the resuâ—rection of damnation First they that have done good to the resurrection of life 1. In the resurrection they shall come forth in a glorious state of life capable of enjoying and possessing in soule and body reunited that eternall life that is now in Christ with God These bodies that are now vile and mortall shall then put on immortality and be fashioned into the likenesse of his glorious body we waite for the adoption that is the redemption of the the body Phil. 3. 21. Rom. 8. 23. 2. They shall then come forth unto the full enjoyment and possession of that eternall life that is in the face and presence of God in the light of his countenance and glorious fellowship with him for they shall see him as he is and be glorified together with him and so be ever with the Lord in the glorious enjoyment of his joy and glory which eye hath no seen besides thee oh God nor hath it entred into the heart of man to perceive or comprehend how great and glorious things are contained in that hope and promise of eternall life which God hath laid up and reserved in heaven for them They shall then and from thence for ever fully and gloriously possesse all the glorious reward end and fruit of his sufferings and sacrifice for them yea as the fruit of that there shall then be a particular and everlasting remembrance of all their service of him and suffering for his name in their generation yea all the fruits of faith and love that have been brought forth by them shall then be remembred and recompensed at the resurrection of the just Isa 61. 3-6 7. 1 Cor. 15. 58. 2 Cor. 4. 10-17 Luk. 14. 14. Math. 25. 33-40 And none of their former iniquities transgressions or sins shall be retained or remembred against them for ever nor any of the fruit of them any more sustained or tasted by them Psal 130. 8. Isa 25. 8. Revel 7. 14-17 21. 4. 5. Then they shall be compleatly enriched and beautified with the perfection of that knowledge of him Peace and joy in him conformity to him and fellowship with him which now they enjoy through faith but in some first fruits or earnest of the spirit Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection on such the second death hath no power but they shall be Priests and Kings unto God and shall raigne with Christ on the earth 1000 yeares yea they shall be ever with the Lord partakeing off and possessing his glory Revel 20. 6. and 5. 10. 1 Joh. 3. 1 2. 1 Thess 4. 14-17 Secondly after that first resurrection and yet in that great day of the Lord in the time of that administration of his kingdome on the earth as is shewed before They that have done evil shall come forth to the resurrection of damnation Even of eternall damnation 1. In their resurrection they shall come forth not in such a quallity or state of mortalliy as they were now in from Adam But made alive from that death And so from the power of it and of the grave in such a state or quallity as they can never more cease to be and to retaine a sencible being from that time and for ever in the lake of fire where their worme dyeth not and their fire is not quenched Their raised bodies yea the being of soule and body in that state of the resurrection shall be such as no torments whatsoever no not the everlasting burnings that shall be kindled by the breath of the Lord shall ever put an end to the being of either or cause a separation between them as the first death did though far lesse terrible and grievous then this they being then in that weake and mortall state as from Adam And under the ordinance of that death But now in this state in which they shall come forth in the resurrection there shal be no darkness nor shadow of death in which the workers of iniquiry may hide themselves death and hell or the grave when they are raised out of it shall be cast into the lake of fire with them this is the second death Job 34. 22. Hose 13. 14. 1 Cor. 15. 22. 26. Revel 20. 14. 2. And so they shall come forth to the resurrection of Damnation even to receive by the righteous judgement of him that dyed for them as it shall be fully evidenced according to the Gospell to his glory in their condemnation that dreadfull sentence in the full and eternall execution of it depart from me yee workers of iniquity goe yee cursed into everlasting punishment even into everlasting fire prepared for the devill and his Angells Math. 25. 31. 32 41 46. Mark 3. 29. 9. 43 46. They shall be for ever utterly separated from his face and presence and without any mixture of mercy suffer in soule and body for ever the utmost vengeance and torment that is the proper wages of and belongs to him to repay for their treading under foote the son of God counting an unholy thing the bloud of the covenant wherewith they were sanctified and offering despite unto the spirit of grace
Instruction to the Living FROM THE Consideration of the future State OF THE DEAD OR The Doctrine of the Resurrection of the DEAD and of Eternal Judgment by CHRIST as the sum of it was delivered at the Funerall of Mrs. Elizabeth Harrison in Boston Jan. 1657 8 By Tho. Moore Junior If any man will come after me saith Christ let him denie himselfe and take up his Cross and follow me For whosoever will save his life shall loose it And whosever will loose his life for my sake shall find it and keep it unto life eternall Joh. 12. 25. for what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole World loose his own soule or what shall a man give in exchange for his soule For the Son of Man shall come in the Glory of his Father with his holy Angells And then shall he reward every man according to his works Math. 16. 24-27 Wherefore saith the Apostle we labour that whether present namely in the body or absent from it we may be accepted with him knowing that we must all appeare before the Judgment-seate 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 2 Cor. 5. 9 10. For to this end Christ both Dyed Rose and Revived that he might be Lord Both of the Dead and Living Rom. 14. 9-11 To him therefore shall men come And all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed Isa 45. 24. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord we perswade men LONDON Printed by E. Brudenell for John Allen at the Sun-Rising in St. Pauls Church-yard 1659. To The READER AT the importunity of the late Husband of the Deceased I promised some notes of what was delivered at his said Wives Funerall Intending only a Breviary of the heads of that But when I set on the performance of my promise not knowing how publique it might be made I thought it expedient to speak more fully and explicatively to many of the things herein discoursed then I could have done in such a Breviary or had opportunity to doe at the first Delivery of it which work requiring more time then I could redeeme to it for a good while by reason of many unexpected occasions It hath lyen the longer by me I hope also God might order it so that it might come forth to thy greater advantage I shall here add but this word That the things chiefly treated of are of the great things of the Law or Doctrine of God very needfull to be well knowne and earnestly heeded by us The good Lord graciously pardoning my weaknesse and brokennesse in putting them to remembrance give us all a more clear understanding of them then is made over in my rude expressions and so direct us to a hearty reception and profitable usefullnesse of the things themselves as contained in the Scriptures is the desire of the most unworthy of all that have received mercy From my house at LYNN Novemb. 4. 1658. Tho. Moore Junior THE Doctrine of the Resurrection of the Dead And of Eternall Judgment by CHRIST as Evidenced in the Testimony of Christ spoken too in some explication of those words of our Saviour Job 5. 28 29. as considered with the foregoing Verses and compared with other Scriptures Joh. 5. 28 29. Marvel not at this for the hour is coming in the which all that are in the Graves shall hear his voice And shall come forth they that have done good unto the resurrection of life and they that have done evill unto the resurrection of damnation OUR Saviour having healed an impotent man that had an Infirmity 38 yeares by his word in which also he bad him rise take up his bed and walk and done these things on the Sabbath day as we read in the beginning of the chapter The Jewes as soon as they heard it did the efore persecute and seek to slay him because he had done these things on the Sabbath day vers 15 16. Our Saviour that he might also heal their minds and so allay the heat of their ignorant zeale and sury graciously instructs them My Father saith he worketh hitherto and I work his Father did work in this work by his word to the making the man whole shewing that to be a good Sabbath days work as also the like Mark 3. 1 5. And therefore he ought not to be blamed seeing he therein did not nor doth he any thing at any time but the works of the Father and in the Counsell Name Power and Authority of the Father that did work by him all that he did having also made him Lord of the Sabbath as Mark 2. 27 28. At this the Iewes conceived yet further displeasure and sought the more to kill him not only because he had broken the Sabbath as they still imagined not minding his gracious instruction But also because he said that God was his Father Immediatly and in such wise as therein to their apprehension he made himselfe equall with God which indeed to him was no. robbery Phil. 2. 6. Our Saviour takes occasion still from their ignorant fury and malicious opposition farther to instruct them into the excellency of his person and works and the glory the Father had given him to possesse in that body in mans nature and for mans good as also that glory that should after be more gloriously actually conferred on him and he cloathed with it in that body and it manifested in and through him That in and by him men might know honour and beleive in God This instruction he carryes on in all the following discourse to the verses we have pitcht on shewing in all that to him it was no robbery to be equall with God Instructing and admonishing them by all to reverence him and seek to know and worship God in and by him So infinite are his Compassions and gentlenesse towards even such rebellious sinners he was not yet provoked by all their malicious forwardnesse to rise up in fury against them or hide himselfe and with hold his gracious instructions from them But as one that hath received gifts even for the rebellious also that the Lord God might dwell among them is still ladeing them with heavenly instructions teaching sinners in the way blessing them that curse him doing good to them that despitefully use him and persecute him giving us herein an example that we should follow his steps according to that instruction The Servant of the Lord must not strive but be gentle to all men apt to teach in meeknesse instructing them that are ignorant and oppose themselves c. 2 Tim. 2. 24 25 26. not frowardly or unfaithfully withholding from them for fear or shame or revenge any of those things that may tend to commend Christ as the Son of God and Saviour of the World and render him precious nor being selfe-willed or soon angry but speaking the truth in love while we have opportunity This discovery of the
excellency of his Person and works he makes 1 In shewing his one-nesse with the Father in all his Counsels and works vers 19 20 21. In all which its evident that he is one with the Father in mind and will and in glorious wisdome and power for doing whatever he will in Heaven and Earth and so equall with the Father in nature and glorious attributes and works he and the Father are one Ioh. 10. 30. And yet also clearly distinct in respect of the manner of their Beeing in the God-head and so in respect of the manner of their working in every work And as so considered in their distinct Relations the Father is greater then Hee Joh. 14. 28. For though the Son as the Eternall Son of God is of the same Essence or Beeing with the Father yet he is the Son of the Father yea though he hath life in himselfe as the Father hath life-in himselfe and that now in Mans nature for fallen men yet so as of the Father Joh. 5. 26. Though he doth whatsoever the Father doth yet so as by and in the Counsell Name and Authority of the Father who is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ The Son saith he can do nothing of himselfe but what he seeth the Father doe yet he can doe what ever he will but he cannot will any thing that the Father willeth not he is of one mind with the Father and in his bosome Counsell and doth nothing but what he knowes and sees the Father wills and does And so he could not have healed that impotent man if he had not seen and known the Father willing and working in the same work And so if he had not received commandment from the Father As also he faith he laid down his life that he might take it again and did it of himselfe yet so as he received commandment of his Father Joh. 10. 17 18. And so he hath not otherwise spoken of himselfe but so as the Father that sent him gave him commandment Joh. 12. 49 50. He could not have tasted death for every man if it had not been in the mind will Counsell and grace of his Father whence 't is said to be by the grace of God nor could he give forth any discovery of his Fathers goodnesse or revelation of his name and therein tenders of his grace to sinners If being in the bofome of the Father he did not perfectly know it to be in his mind counsell purpose and grace And that he is working in the selfe same thing and to the same end And hath given him commandment so to speak and so to doe And this our Saviour gives as the reason why his word shall judge the rebellious Refusers in the last day because he hath not spoken of himselfe otherwise then as the Father gave him commandment Joh. 12. 48 49 50. Verily verily the Son can do nothing of himselfe but what he seeth the Father doe for what things soever he namely the Father doth these also doth the Son likewise they work together in every work and though distinctly in respect of the manner of working yet the same thing by the same his owne power and to the same end As he wrought with and in the name of the Father in all the works of Creation so now as the Son of man he worketh with and in the name of the Father in all his works of preservation and so by him all things consist and in all his providentiall Government and spirituall opperations For the Father loveth the Son namely with such manner of love and in such wise with that manner of love as he loves no other even now in mans nature he loveth him therefore because he laid down his life that he might take it again joh 10. 17 18. even as he received commandment of his Father The Father therefore hath taken up his whole delight and welpleasednesse in him as the son of man chosen him to be his fellow his equall the man of his right hand and in that love sheweth him all things that himselfe doth makes him of his counsell in every matter and in his own wisdome and name strengthens him to all that himselfe doth so that he even Christ crucified is wisdome and strength The wisdome of God and the power of God And he will shew him greater works then these namely of healing bodily Infirmities and diseases that yee may marvail That beholding the Father in him yee may admire and reverence him and fear before him that is the end of all that the Father hath given him commandment to do for and amongst men And as a discovery of those greater works then these which the Father to this end would shew him he tells them As the Father raiseth the dead and quickeneth them even so the Son quickens whom he will In such wise as the Father doth any work of that nature now in this day so doth the Son And so he did raise up some that were dead to life again in the days of his flesh and by his Apostles after as the Father also did the like works vertually through and by him before Hebr. 11. 35. even so he now did them in the name of his Father And those were greater works then the healing the bodily Infirmities of the Living Yea he quickens by his Word whom he will And that is all that receive it from their death in sins and trespasses spiritually now which also are greater works then those forementioned And so he promises that his servants should do those greater works then these they in his name and so he by them because he went to the Father 2 He farther makes discovery of the excellency of his Person and works in declaring himselfe to be the only mean and way by whom the Father judgeth and disposeth of men and doth whatsoever he doth in his Government of the World Giving this also as a farther Reason and Demonstration of his one-nesse with the Father in all his Counsels and works vers 22 27. For the Father judgeth no man that is immediately or otherwise then so as by the Son he doth not otherwise dispose of them or their wayes or order any thing to them or about them in his Government of them or passe sentence of Justification or Condemnation on them but hath committed all judgment to the Son because he was judged for them or had already undertaken to bear their judgment the curse of the Law as they fell under it through the first departure of the nature from God Joh. 12. 31 32. Because he humbled himselfe even to the death of the Cross in which he was made a curse for us And hath thereby redeemed us from the curse of the Law in which we must all have been for ever banished and separated from God Therefore all men are released to him and the whole judgment and dispose of them committed to him And in order thereto all power in Heaven and in Earth given