in the issue by all their mirth and jollity in this world Here indeed they may seem to be the onely merry companions here they are wont to spend much of their time in pleasure they call for the vial the harp and the merry lute in their feasts and say To morrow shall be as this day and much more vile and in their merry meetings they are wont to cry down the spirit of mourning and to say Hang up sorrow for what serves it let us eat drink and be merry let us rejoyce in our youth let our hearts chear us in the days of our youth let us walk in the ways of our hearts c. But suppose any of these mirth-mongers shal happen to dye in the guilt of their sins without repentance and without a pardon and so shall be found Reprobates at the last What then shall all their mirth profit them Surely nothing at all But then they shall finde That it had been good for them if they had never been born Then they shall finde That all their mirth and jollity shall be turned into sorrow and heaviness into weeping and gnashing of teeth Wherefore my beloved that we may not mourn and howl with Reprobates in the world to come let us still pray that God will pour upon us the spirit of godly mourning and contrition that we may walk heavily and grieve heartily for our own sins and for the sins of others here in this life That we may mourn with those that mourn and weep with those that weep now in a good sence And if God shall vouchsafe us this spirit then we shal not mourn with Reprobates but shall rejoyce with Gods chosen for ever in the world to come SECT XXI Touching the Security of Gods Elect and the Fear of Reprobates in the World to Come HEre followeth an eleventh special difference which shall be betwixt the parties before named in the next world Which may be thus expressed Gods Elect shall dwell securely in the World to come Reprobates shall be afraid in the World to come The former Proposition that Gods Elect shall 1. Propo. dwell securely in the World to come And here I speak not of security as it is sometimes taken in evil part for sinfull security for doubtlesse there shal be none such in the World to come but I speak of it as it is taken in good part for holy security and when I say that Gods Elect shall dwell securely in the World to come my meaning is that they shall enjoy abundance of holy security in that World that is to say though they shall have a reverentiall fear of God in that VVorld Psa 67. 7. yet they shal be safe and free from all slavish fear of God and of Christ and from al fear of evil they shal not feare the evil of sin nor the evil of punishment they shal not fear the power of Men nor Devils they shal not fear the power of any creature in that VVorld And that in this sense they shal dwel securely in the VVorld to come may be proved by divers passages of Scripture in which this security is either promised or asserted as 1. They that shal dwell in the house of the Lord for ever shal dwel securely and enjoy abundance of holy security in the VVorld to come Now Gods Elect shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever according to that of David surely goodnesse and mercy shall follow me all the dayes of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever Psal 23. 6. Ergo They shal enjoy abundance of holy security in that VVorld 2. The Lord who is wisdome it self saith he that hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely and shall be quiet from fear of evill Pro. 1. 33. which promise may be in part fulfilled in this VVorld but it shal perfectly be fulfilled only in that which is to come and from hence I may reason thus they that shal perfectly enjoy this promise in the world to come shall abound with holy security in that world Now Gods Elect shal perfectly enjoy this promise in the world to come Ergo. 3. It is said who so putteth his trust in the Lord shal be safe Prov. 29. 25. that is shal be safe from the fear of evil as that Text seems to import which promise also may be in part fulfilled in this world but it shal perfectly be fulfilled only in that which is to come and so from hence I may argue thus they that shall perfectly enjoy this promise in the world to come shall abound with holy security in that world Now God Elect shal perfectly enjoy this promise in the world to come Ergo. 4. The Propher Ieremiah sheweth that in the dayes of Christs Raign Judah shall be saved and Israel shall dwell safely Ier. 23. 6. VVhereby Iudah and Israel I understand al Gods Elect and by the Salvation and Safety there promised them I understand chiefly their Eternall Salvation in the VVorld to come together with that safety from fear of evil which shal follow thereupon and so from hence I may reason thus They that shall be Eternally saved in the World to come shall be safe from the feare of evill in that World and so shall abound with holy security in it Now Gods Elect shal be Eternaly saved in the world to come Ergo. 5. It is Gods Promise to his Elect that he will gather them out of all Countries whether he hath driven them and will place them in their own Countrie and will cause them to dwell safely in it Ierem. 32. 37. VVhich promise hath never been perfectly fulfilled as yet but shal be perfectly fulfilled in the VVorld to come From whence I may argue thus they that shal dwel safely in the World to come shal abound with holy security in that world Now Gods Elect shal dwel safely in the world to come Ergo. 6. The like promise is to be found elsewhere for the Lord saith of his chosen People they shal no more be a prey to the heathen neither shal the beasts of the Land devour them but they shal dwel safely and none shal make them afraid Ezek. 34. 28. which promise hath never been perfectly fulfilled as yet but shal be perfectly fulfilled in the world to come Ergo. In the world to come Gods Elect shal dwel securely and shal abound with holy security 7. It is said that perfect love casteth out fear because fear hath torment 1 Joh. 4. 18. and what fear shal perfect love cast out but slavish fear and fear of evil from whence also I may thus reason They that shall be perfect in love in the World to come shall be safe from the fear of evill in that world Now Gods Elect shal be perfect in love in the VVorld to come Ergo. 8. They that shal have perfect rest in the world to come shal dwel securely therin shal be at rest from the fear of evil Now Gods elect
because after the general Resurrection they shall both live for ever both in their Souls and bodies united and conjoyned and so shall both have everlasting life in a natural sence But here everlasting life is to be taken in a spiritual and mystical sence and so it shall be nothing else but an everlasting Conjunction with God and with Christ And so when I say That Gods Elect shall enjoy everlasting Life in the World to come my meaning is That they shall enjoy an everlasting Conjunction with God and with Christ or an everlasting Union and Communion with God and with Christ in the World to come By reason whereof it is said That they shall ever be with the Lord Christ 1 Thes 4. 17. They shall be with him Joh. 14. 13. They shall be with him where he is and shall see his glory Joh. 17. 24. and shall be perfect in one with the Father and the Son Joh. 17. 22. 23. And by vertue of this everlasting Conjunction with God and with Christ they shall still have experience of Gods goodness towards them in Christ and shall know that his goodness endureth for ever Psal 52. 1. By vertue of it they shall still have experience of Gods mercy towards them in Christ and shall know that his mercy endureth for ever Psal 136. and that his mercy is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him Psal 103. 17. By vertue of it they shall still have experience of Gods Love towards them in Christ shall perceive that neither things present nor things to come shall separate them from it Rom. 8. 38 39. And by vertue of it they shall still have experience of Gods favour and fellowship with them in Christ and shall know that Gods Tabernacle shall be with them and that he shall dwell with them and be their God for ever Rev. 21. 3. Which everlasting Conjunction of theirs with God and with Christ shall be unto them everlasting Life and that everlasting Life which is promised in the Scriptures And so we may understand the Nature of it Secondly Touching the Certainty of it I say That Gods Elect shall most certainly enjoy everlasting Life in the World to come As may be made good by these Arguments 1. They whose names are in the Book of Life shall have everlasting Life in the World to come But Gods Elect have and shall have all their names found in the Book of Life Phil. 4. 3. Revel 3. 5. Ergo. 2. They that are ordained unto eternal Life shall enjoy everlasting Life in the World to come But Gods Elect are all ordained unto eternal Life Act. 13. 48. Ergo. 3. They that shall have the gift of eternal Life shall enjoy everlasting Life in the World to come But Gods Elect shall have the gift of eternal Life as it is written The Father hath given Christ power over all flesh that he should give eternal Life to as many as the Father hath given him Joh. 17. 2. Ergo. 4. They that are Heirs of eternal Life shall enjoy everlasting Life in the World to come But Gods Elect are or shall be all Heirs of eternal Life Tit. 3. 7. Ergo. 5. They that are or shall be justified and accounted righteous before God through Christ shall enjoy everlasting Life in the World to come according to that of our Saviour The righteous shall go into everlasting Life Mat. 25. 46. But Gods Elect are or shall be all justified and accounted righteous before God through Christ Ergo. 6. They that are or shall be sanctified or made Partakers of renewed Holiness shall enjoy everlasting Life in the World to come as it is said Rom. 6. 22. But Gods Elect are or shall be all sanctified and made Partakers of renewed Holiness Ergo. 7. They that do or shall beleeve effectually in Gop and in Christ shall enjoy everlasting Life in the World to come as may appear John 3. 16. and 6. 40 47. 1 Tim. 1 16. But Gods Elect do or shall all beleeve effectually in God and in Christ Ergo. 8. They that do or shall repent unfeignedly shall enjoy everlasting Life in the World to come because unfeigned Repentance is called Repentance unto life Acts 11. 18. But Gods Elect do or shall all repent unfeignedly Ergo. 9. They that are or shall be constant in well-doing shall enjoy everlasting Life in the World to come as appears Rom. 2. 7. But Gods Elect are or shall be constant in well-doing Ergo. 10. They that are or shall be constant in graces received shall enjoy everlasting Life in the World to come as it is promised Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee the crown of Life Rev. 2. 10. But Gods Elect are or shall be thus constant or thus faithful Ergo. 11. They that do or shall in obedience to Gods Will suffer more or less for Christs sake or the Gospels sake shall enjoy everlasting Life in the World to come according to that of our Saviour There is no man that hath left house or brethren or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or â—ands for my sake and the Gospels but he shall receive an hundred fold now in this time and in the World to come eternal Life Mark 10. 30 But Gods Elect do or shall in obedience to Gods Will suffâ—r more or less for Christs sake and the Gospels Eâ—go 12. They that shall rise again at the latter day to everlasting Life shall enjoy everlasting Life in the World to come But Gods Elect shall rise again at the latter day to everlasting Life Dan. 12. 2. Ergo. Thirdly Touching the Causes of this everlasting Life I say 1. That the Efficient Cause of it shall be the whole Trinity God Father Son and Holy Ghost And to assure us hereof eternal Life is called the gift of God Rom. 6. 23. And S. John saith That God hath given unto us eternal Life 1 Joh. 5. 11. where the Name of God devotes not any particular person in the Godhead but the whole Trinity and so the whole Trinity is the Efficient Cause of everlasting Life 2. That the Impulsive or Moving Cause of it shall be the grace of God or his gracious Will For as sin hath raigned unto death so shall grave raign through righteousness unto eternal Life Rom. 5. 21. 3. The Meritorious Cause of it is and shall be only Christ For in him was life Joh. 1. 4. He that hath the Son hath life he that hath not the Son hath not life 1 Ioh. 5. 12. They that shall raign in life shall raign by one Iesus Christ Rom. 5 17 21. And the Father hath given him power over all flesh that he should give eternal life to as many as the Father hath given him Ioh. 17. 2. 4. The Final Cause of it shall be the glory of Gods mercy that he may glorifie his mercy upon his Elect He will give unto them eternal Life in the World to come Which Proposition thus cleared may be
also an heavenly Being And as we may safely say That he is a merciful God the God of Mercy and Mercy it self so it is not improper to say He is a heavenly God the God of Heaven and Heaven it self Now we know that all things belonging to the Essence of God were from everlasting with him but this Heaven of which I speak is something belonging or appertaining to his Essence as I have shewed and consequently it was without beginning These are four Reasons which hath induced me to think that the third Heaven was from everlasting and without beginning and if so then it will from hence necessarily follow that it was never created Thirdly I take this for a ground That which is essentially Argu ∣ ment 3 holy undefiled was never created which Proposition may wel be granted because it is certain that there is no essential holiness to be found in any created Substance or Being for if there were any holines in Adam before his fall it was not essential to him but it was the gift of God so that holiness which was and is in the humane nature of Christ is not essential to his Humanity but is the gift of God and that holiness which is in the Regenerate is not essential to them but is the gift of God that holiness which belongs to the seventh day is not essential to it but accidental by reason of Gods Institution that Ceremonial holiness which was in Temples and Altars was not essential but accidental by reason of Gods Ordinanation and the created Heavens are so far from being essentially holy that they have been and are polluted and defiled with the sin of Angels and men as it is said Job 15. 15. The Heavens are not clean in his sight Yea the whole Creation is so far from being essentially holy that it groans to be delivered from that bondage of corruption which the sin of men and devils hath brought upon it Rom. 8. 21. 22. And if there be no essential holiness to be found in any created Being then it must be granted That whatsoever is essentially holy and undefiled was never created Now I affirm That the third Heaven is essentially holy and undefiled as we may conceive for these Reasons 1. This Heaven was from everlasting with God as hath been before shewed and whatsoever was from everlasting was essentially holy and undefiled 2. This Heaven is somewhat appertaining to the Essence of God as hath been before shewed and whatsoever appertains to the Essence of God is essentially holy and undefiled 3. The Scripture speaks much of the holiness of this third Heaven saying He will hear him from his holy Heaven Psal 20. 6. Who shall dwell in thy holy Hill Psal 15. 1. Who shall stand in his holy Place Psal 24. 3. God sitteth upon the Throne of his Holiness Psal 47. 8. which holiness of the third Heaven must be either essential or accidental and accidental it cannot be because in those and such like places the third Heaven is thereby distinguished from all places and persons that are accidentally holy as the distinction is plainly expressed in those words I dwell in the high and holy Place with him also that is of an humble and contrite spirit Isa 57. 15. 4. Neither can it be proved that this Heaven of which I speak ever was or ever shall be defiled with any sin as the created Heavens were and are defiled For which Causes I conceive the third Heaven to be essentially holy and undefiled and if so then from hence it will necessarily follow That it was never created Fourthly I take this for another ground That 4 Argument which is by nature immutable and unchangeable was never created and this Proposition also may wel be yeelded because we have known the mutability of all created things As we have seen the mutability of the Angels in that some of them kept not their first estate but left their own habitation Jude 6. and in that others of them are now confirmed in their original purity So we have seen the mutability of Adam in his first Fall and of his Posterity since his Fall and we read of the mutability of that Heaven and Earth which God created in the beginning Psal 102. 26. They shall perish yea all of them shall wax old like a garment as a vesture shalt thou change them and they shall be changed And seeing we cannot be ignorant of the mutability of all created things we may well grant That whatsoever is by nature immutable and unchangeable was never created But I add hereunto That the third Heaven is by nature immutable as we may well conceive First Because God himself is by nature immutable according as it is written Psal 102. 27. But thou art the same Job 23. 13. But he is still of one mind and who can turn him Mal. 3. 6. I am the Lord I change not Jam. 1. 17. With him is no variableness nor shadow of turning And if God himself be by nature unchangeable then all things belonging to his Essence must needs be so too but the third Heaven is something belonging to his Essence as hath been shewed therefore it must needs be by nature unchangeable Secondly That which ever was is and shall be Gods dwelling place and Gods Throne must needs be by nature immutable but the third Heaven ever was is and shall be his dwelling place and his Throne as was before in part intimated therefore it must needs be by nature immutable and if so it will necessarily follow That it was never created Fifthly I take this for another ground That which 5 Argument both is and ever hath been above the created Heavens was never created as we may well think because we cannot name any created Substance that both is and ever was above the created Heavens Indeed I grant That the humane nature of Christ and the Souls of the faithful since their separation are now as created Beings above the created Heavens yet we cannot say they have ever been so because there was a time when they were beneath the created Heavens neither can it be said of any created Substance That it both is and ever hath been above the created Heavens wherefore we may well assent to this Proposition That whatsoever both is and ever hath been above the created Heavens was never created But I add That the third Heaven both is and ever hath been above the created Heavens And so much I gather from such passages in the Word of God as speak of a place above the created Heavens as Thou hast set thy Glory above the Heavens Psal 8. 1. Be thou exalted O God above the Heavens Psal 57. 5. Thy Mercy is great above the Heavens Psal 108. 4. Christ ascended up far above all Heavens that he might fill all things Ephes 4. 10. that is above all created Heavens c. And if there be a place above the created Heavens what should that place be
no more remembred nor come into mind in respect of its present and pristine condition form and manner of Being Isai 65. 17. Rev. 21. 1. and consequently in this respect it shall one day be dissolved and brought to dust And for further satisfaction in this point I shall â—nswer these three Queries By whom this present world shall be dissolved Quer. 1 Answ It shall be dissolved by him that made it It Ejusdem enim est mundum creare eundem destruere was only God himself that created it in the beginâ—ing Gen. 1. 1. and God himself shall dissolve it Psal 102. 26. Heb. 12. 26. by his mighty power By what means it shall be dissolved Answ It â—hall be dissolved by means of fire of which fire Quer. 2 we read thus A fire shall devour before him and â—t shall be very tempestuous round about him Psal â—0 3. The day cometh that shall burn like an Oven and all the proud yea and all that do wickedly shall he stubble and the day that cometh shall burn them up that it shall leave them neither root nor branch Mal. 4. 1. The Heavens and the Earth which now are are reserved unto fire against the day of Judgment and Perdition of ungodly men In which day the Heavens being on fire shall be dissolved and the Elements shall melt with fervent heat 2 Pet. 3. 7 12. And though I cannot perfectly shew what Qualis autem futurus sit hic ignis Deus novit qui est ignis consumens Wolleb kind of fire this shall be because only God himself who is a consuming fire perfectly knows what kind of fire it shall be yet I dare affirm that it shall be such a Judgment of fire as never was hath been or shall be before it 2 Pet. 3 7. And that this fire shall be extraordinary 1. For its noise because it is said That the Heavens shall pass away with a great noise 2 Pet. 3. 10. that is with such a noise as shall be heard all the earth over while the fire shall be yet in the Heavens 2. For its brightness or shining because it shall be seen all the earth over whiles it shall be yet in the Heavens as the lightening shineth from the one end of Heaven to the other Mat. 24. 27. 3. For itâ— melting and burning vertue because it shall melt and burn up such things as were never melted burnt and consumed since the world began When it shall be dissolved Answ Touching thâ— time of the worlds dissolution the Scripture teachetâ— Quer. 3 us three things viz. 1. That it shall be dissolved in Gods appointed time because he doth all his works in his appointed time and as he hath appointed a day wherein hâ— will judg the world in righteousness so he hath appointed a day wherein he will dissolve this presenâ— world Acts 17. 31. 2. That the time of Christs second coming shaâ— be the time of the worlds dissolution as may appeaâ— plainly Mat. 24. 3. 1 Cor. 15. 24. 2 Pet. 3. 7 10 12 where we find that in the very day of Christs second Coming the Heavens being on fire shall bâ— dissolved the Elements shall melt the Earth also and the works that are therein shall be burnt up Howbeit as we know not in what day or hour oâ— the year and of the age of the world the Son of maâ— shall come so we know not in what day or houâ— of the year and of the age of the world this presenâ— world shall be dissolved 3. That the time of this worlds dissolution draweth nigh 1 Cor. 10. 11. Jam. 5. 8. 1 Pet. 4. 7. And wâ— have no reason to think it to be far off because manâ— Symptomes of the worlds dissolution mentioned iâ— holy Writ have been observed in our times as wâ— have heard of the plentiful preaching of the Gospel and of great Persecutions thereupon we have heard of Wars and Famines and Pestilences and Earthquakes in divers places we have heard of many false Teachers and false Christs of many Seducers â—â—d seduced persons amongst us we have seen how â—iquity hath abounded and love hath waxed cold â—mongst us And seeing these Symptomes of this â—orlds dissolution have been amongst us we have â—o reason to think its dissolution to be far off Inâ—eed there are some Symptomes of this worlds dissoâ—ution which are not as yet made visible unto us as â—he final Ruine of the Roman Antichrist the battel of Gog and Magog and that alteration which shall â—e in the Sun Moon and Stars Mat. 24. but for ought I know these three may speedily come and soon follow one another And I have read a Judicious Divine * Mr J. Z. in his printed Book on Rev. 20. who thinks that the Ruine of the Roman Antichrist will be made visible about the year 666. that the battel of Gog and Magog will follow shortly thereupon and that the alteration forementioned in the Sun Moon and Stars will immediately succeed This Position thus cleared makes for the refutation of Vse of four erroneous opinions The first opinion is of such as think that this present world is eternal in respect of its present form and condition and so shall never be dissolved which was the opinion of Aristotle the Philosopher who was the more to be pitied because he knew not the Scriptures nor the power of God as therein revealed but we Christians have known the Scriptures and have read often in them of the end of the world and therefore have no reason to hearken to Aristotle in this Assertion of his The second opinion is of those who think that this present world shall cease to be altogether after its dissolution wherein they are much mistaken For though it shall cease to be in some respect aftâ—â— its dissolution viz. in respect of its former and prâ—stine condition yet it shall not cease to be altogâ—ther because it shall have an everlasting Being undeâ— a new form and condition as hath been beforâ— proved and as mans body after its dissolution shaâ— have an everlasting Being under a new form anâ— condition neither do I think it worth my labouâ— to spend more words in confutation of this opinion The third opinion is of those who think that this present world shall only be purged by fire at the latter day from its evil qualities and not dissolved As the old world in Noahs time was drowned in respect of its superficies and in respect of some creatures in it yet the substance of it remained firm So say they This present world shall be purged by fire from its corruptions and evil qualities but the substance of Heaven and Earth shall remain as an everlasting Monument of Gods Wisdom and Power Goodness and Mercy But these are mistaken also For though I grant That fire hath a purging and refining vertue and that if the Lord should restrain the fire of the great Day before mentioned as a Goldsmith restraineth the fire when the
be pronounced blessed at the general Judgment shall be blessed in the World to come But this shall be true of all Gods Elect therefore they shall all be blessed in the World to come 4. Because Gods Elect are all under that Covenant which God made with Abraham and his seed and have an inward right unto it which was a Covenant of blessing them and is extant in this form In blossing I will bless thee In thee shall all the Nations of the Earth be blessed Genes 12. 2 3. 18. 18. that is the Elect of all Nations Now they that have an inward right to this Covenant shall be blessed in the world to come But Gods Elect have all an inward right unto it therefore they shall all be blessed in the World to come 5. Because Gods Elect shall enjoy all that Christ hath merited for them But Christ hath merited for them a blessed condition in the world to come for which cause it is said That God sent his Son to bless us Act. 3. 26. And he sent his Son to bless his Elect in that he sent him to merit for them the blessings both of this world and the world to come Doubtless then they shall all be blessed in the World to come 6. Because Christ hath promised That none of Gods Elect shall be lost Joh. 6. 37. And if none of them shall be lost then they shall all be blessed in the world to come 7. Because God doth continually bless his Elect in this world with spiritual blessings Eph. 1. 3. and with corporal and external blessings Prov. 10. 6. Wherefore doubtless they shall all be much more abundantly blessed in the world to come Now touching this blessedness of theirs there are four Queries here to be resolved As Of whom they shall be blessed in the World to Quere 1 come Ans They shall be blessed of the whole Trinity Father Son and Holy Ghost For the God that made Heaven and Earth shall bless them Psal 134. 3. And the God that made Heaven and Earth is Father Son and Holy Ghost The God Almighty shall bless them Gen. 28. 3. And God almighty is Father Son and Holy Ghost The Father is almighty the Son almighty and the Holy Ghost almighty Neither may we think that the act of blessing is to be appropriated onely unto any one person in the Godhead because it is common to all For what causes they shall be blessed in the World Quere 2 to come Ans Primarily and chiefly they shall be blessed for Gods sake for his will and pleasure sake as the original cause and for the glory of his grace as the final cause And as God doth all things chiefly for his own sake Rom. 11. 36. so he shall bless his Elect in the world to come chiefly for his own sake Secondarily they shall be blessed in the world to come for Christs sake as the meritorious cause For as in Isaac typically so in Christ really shall all the Nations of the Earth be blessed Rom. 4. that is the Elect of all Nations Thirdly they shall be blessed in the world to come for the same graces and virtues for which they are blessed in this world As God doth bless them in this Partly for their effectual knowledg of him and of his Will as it is said Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound Psal 89. 15. And for this he shall bless them in the World to come Partly for their faith and confidence in Christ Blessed are all they that trust in him Psal 2. 12. And for this he shall bless them in the world to come Partly for their humility godly sorrow hungering and thirsting after righteousness for meekness mercifulness Blessed are the poor in spirit blessed are they that mourn blessed are they that hunger Matth 5 3 4 5 6 and thirst after righteousness blessed are the meek blessed are the merciful c. And for these causes they shall be blessed in the world to come And partly for their godly fear Psal 112. 1. for their upright walking Psal 119. 1. for their godly conversation Psal 1. 1. for their patience in suffering for truth and righteousness sake Mat. 5. And doubtless for these causes shall they be blessed in the world to come In what manner shall they be blessed in the World to come Quere 3 Ans First They shall be fully and perfectly blessed For though there be no perfect bliss to be expected in this world neither is there perfect bliss enjoyed now in Heaven by the faithful Souls departed yet there shall be perfect bliss for Gods Elect in the world to come as we may gather from those words of the Apostle These all having obtained a good report through faith received not the Promises God having provided some better thing for us that they without us should not be made perfect Hebr. 11. 39 40. where he shews that the faithful mentioned before in this Chapter were not perfectly blessed in this life because they received not all the Promises and that their Souls now being in Heaven are not perfectly blessed there because they cannot be made perfect without us that do or shall beleeve in after-times But withall he intimates That both the faithful of former times and those of latter times shall be made perfect all of them together in the world to come And though these vessels of mercy may not be all of one size in the world to come but some of them may hold and contain more of Gods benediction then others yet all of them shall be filled up to the brim therewith and so shall be perfectly blessed Secondly They shall be everlastingly blessed For Gods mercy is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him Psal 103. 17. And as their inchoate blessedness in this world shall end in that which is to come so that which is to come shall have no end Thirdly They shall be exceedingly blessed above all that we can now think or speak or conceive of their blessed condition according to that of the Apostle Eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither have entred into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him 1 Cor. 2. 9. where indeed the main scope of Saint Paul is to shew that the natural man is no competent judg of heavenly things as the spiritual man is Howbeit though the spiritual man can better judg of such things then the natural man can yet we must understand that the spiritual man cannot perfectly judg them while he is in this world neither can he fully comprehend the blessed condition of the Saints in the world to come Wherewith they shall be blessed in the World to Quere 4 come Ans They shall be blessed in the world to come 1. With everlasting Salvation Rom. 11. 2. With everlasting Life Joh. 3. 16. 3. With everlasting Glory 4. With everlasting Honor Rom. 2. 5. With everlasting Liberty Rom. 8. 6. With everlasting
saved in the world to come 2. Because they are or shall be all regenerated And they that are or shall be regenerated shall be saved in the world to come Mat. 19. 28. 3. Because they are or shall be all justified by the blood of Christ And they that are or shall be justified by his blood shall be saved from wrath by him Rom. 5. 9. 4. Because they are or shall be all reconciled to God by the death of his Son And they that shall be reconciled to God by the death of his Son shall be saved by his life Rom. 5. 10. 5. Because they are or shall be all the adopted children of God by grace And all that are or shall be the adopted children of God by grace shall be saved in the world to come because they are heirs of Salvation Hebr. 1. 14. 6. Because they do or shall beleeve in the Lord Jesus Christ effectually And they that do or shall beleeve in the Lord Jesus Christ effectually shall be saved in the world to come according to the Promise Act. 16. 31. Mark 16. 16. 7. Because they do or shall repent unfainedly And they that do or shall repent unfainedly shall be saved in the world to come seeing this is called Repentance unto Salvation 2 Cor. 7. 10. 8. Because they do or shall all hope in God with a lively hope And they that do or shall hope in God with a lively hope shall be saved in the world to come Rom. 8. 24. 9. Because they do or shall all fear the Lord with a godly fear And they that do or shall fear the Lord with a godly fear shall be saved not onely in this world but also in the world to come Psal 85. 9. 10. Because they do or shall all walk sincerely and uprightly before the Lord And they that do or shall walk sincerely and uprightly before the Lord shall be saved in the world to come Prov. 28. 18. 11. Because they do or shall all call upon the name of the Lord in sincerity And they that so do or shall do shall be saved in the world to come Rom. 10. 13. 12. Because they have endured or shall endure constantly in the state of grace to the end And they that shall so endure to the end shall be saved in the world to come Mat. 10. 22. 13. Because they have an inward right to all the Promises of Salvation as to these amongst the rest Salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks Isai 26. 1. But Israel shall be saved Isai 45. 17. In mount Sion shall be Deliverance Joel 2. 32. Obadi 17. Israel shall be saved as it is written There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer and shal turn away ungodliness from Jacob Rom. 11. 26. In which promises I understand by mount Sion the triumphant Church of Gods Elect in the World to come not excluding the Militant And by Israel and Jacob the whole body of Gods Elect who are fully to enjoy these Promises in the world to come and not before And thus may we understand the certainty of their Salvation Thirdly As concerning the causes of their Salvation I affirm 1. That the efficient cause of their Salvation in the world to come shall be the Lord Jehovah Father Son and Holy Ghost For Salvation belongeth to the Lord Psal 3. 8. And the Salvation of the righteous is of him Psal 37. 39. And the full Salvation of Israel shall come from him out of the heavenly Sion Psal 14. 6. And Israel shall be saved in the Lord Isai 45. 17. that is by the Lord Jehovah Father Son and Holy Ghost 2. That the principal moving cause of their Salvation in the world to come is and shall be the Grace of God I mean the gracious good will and pleasure of God from everlasting And for this cause it is said We are saved by Grace Ephes 2. 8. And it is the grace of God that bringeth Salvation Tit. 2. 11. 3. That the principal final cause of this their Salvation shall be the glory of Gods mercy He shall save them that he may glorifie his mercy upon them which the Prophet knew well and therefore prayed That God would save him for his mercies sake Psal 6. 4. and according to his mercy Psal 109. vers 26. 4. The meritorious cause of this their Salvation is and shall be onely Christ And there is no Salvation in any other Act. 4. 12. as in the meritorious cause But he is the Author of eternal Salvation as God equal with the Father in an efficient way as Mediator and as God and man in one person in a meritorious way Hebr. 5. 9. And he it is by whom this Salvation is to be obtained 1 Thess 5. vers 9. 5. The instrumental cause of this their Salvation is and shall be the Word of God read and preached For this Word hath an instrumental power to save Souls Jam. 1. 21. The Gospel is the power of God to Salvation Rom. 1. 16. By it a man may be made wise unto Salvation 2 Tim. 3. 15. And it pleaseth God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that beleeve 1 Cor. 1. 21. 6. The dispositive or helping causes of this their Salvation are and shall be all spiritual blessings or saving graces in this life as Justification Sanctification Faith Hope Love c. For these are the things that accompany Salvation Hebr. 6. 9. And these are the things that do fit and prepare men for Salvation in the world to come Fourthly As concerning the extent of this their Salvation I affirm 1. That it shall extend to all the particular persons of Gods Elect whether Jews or Gentiles by nature for it is said plainly All Israel shall be saved Rom. 11. 26. that is all the Elect God will have all men to be saved that is all his Elect 1 Tim. 2. 4. The promise shall be sure to all the seed that is to all the Elect Rom. 4. 16. God preserveth all them that love him Psa 145. 20. He preserveth them not onely from temporal dangers but he will also preserve them unto Salvation in the world to come Yea we find That the whole house of Israel that is the whole Family of Gods Elect shall be saved Ezek. 37. 11. 39. 25. And 2. as this Salvation shall extend to all their persons so it shall extend to them in all respects both in respect of their Souls and bodies for their Souls shall be saved in the Day of the Lord and they shall receive the end of their Faith the Salvation of their Souls 1 Pet. 1. 9. And if their Souls after they are united to glorified bodies shall be saved doubtless their glorified bodies shall be saved too Fifthly As concerning the continuance of this â—heir Salvation I affirm That it shall continue â—or ever For which cause it is called Eternal Salâ—ation Heb. 5. 9. And it is said That Israel shall â—e saved in the Lord with an everlasting Salvatiâ—n
illustrated in the Gospel by the separation of goats from sheep Mat. 25. 32. as also by the severing of the bad fish from the good Mat. 13. 49. Now by reason of this everlasting separation of theirs from all Union and Communion with God with Christ and the Saints they shall never have any experience of Gods Goodness Mercy and Love towards them in Christ Neither shall they ever have any experience of the Saints favour and fellowship but shall still abide under the wrath of God And so this everlasting separation of theirs will be unto them an everlasting Death and this Death is called in Scripture the second Death Rev. 20. 6 14. because it shall follow immediately upon the destruction of the first death For the natural death of mankind which is the first death shall be destroyed at the general Resurrection and thereupon shall begin this the second Death It is called everlasting punishment Mat. 25. 46. because it shall be such a punishment to those that shall suffer it And it is called a lake of fire Rev. 20. 14 everlasting fire Mat. 25. 41. everlasting burnings Isai 33. 14. because all that shall suffer it shall be everlastingly tormented with it as it were with fire Thus we may understand the Nature of thiâ— Death Secondly Touching the Certainty of it I affirm That Reprobates shall most certainly suffer this everlasting Death in the World to come As may be made good by these Arguments 1. They who shall not have their names found in the Book of Life shall suffer everlasting Death in the World to come Rev. 20. 15. But Reprobates shall not have their names found in the Book of Life Ergo. 2. They that are appointed unto wrath shall suffer everlasting Death in the World to come But Reprobates are appointed unto wrath 1 Thes 5. 9. Ergo. 3. They that are vessels of wrath shall suffer everlasting Death in the World to come But Reprobates are vessels of wrath Rom. 9. 22. Ergo. 4. They that will never beleeve effectually shall dye in the guilt of their sins and so suffer everlasting Death in the World to come John 8. vers 24. But Reprobates will never beleeve effectually Ergo. 5. They that will never unfeignedly repent and so turn from their evil ways shall suffer everlasting Death in the World to come as may appear Ezek. 3. 19. 18. 20. But Reprobates will never unfeignedly repent and so turn from their evil ways Ergo. 6. They that will Apostatize and grow worse and worse shall suffer everlasting Death in the World to come as may appear Ezek. 3. 20. 18. 24. But Reprobates will still Apostatize and grow worse and worse 2 Tim. 3. 13. Ergo. 7. They that will still hate wholesom reproof shall suffer eternal Death in the World to come according to that of Solomon He that hateth reproof shall dye Prov. 15. 10. But Rebrobates will still hate reproof while they shall remain here Ergo. 8. They that will still and finally be wicked persons shall suffer eternal Death in the World to come according to that of the Lord O wicked man thou shalt surely dye Ezek. 33. 8. But Reprobates will still and finally be wicked persons Ergo. 9. They that will still despise Gods Ways and Commandments shall be sure to suffer everlasting Death in the World to come as Solomon saith He that despiseth his Ways shall dye Prov. 19. 16. But Reprobates will still thus do while they shall remain in this world Ergo. Thirdly Touching the Causes of it I affirm 1. That the Efficient Cause of this their Death shall be the whole Trinity God Father Son and Holy Ghost For it is said concerning wicked Reprobates That God hath prepared for them the instruments of death Psal 7. 13. And that he will kill their children with death Rev. 2 23. And if the whole Trinity will do this then it is the whole Trinity that shall inflict eternal Death upon Reprobates in the World to come 2. That the Meritorious Cause hereof is and shall be sin for sin only and every sin in its own nature deserves death both temporal and eternal as it is written Death entred by sin Rom. 5. 12. The wages of sin is death Rom. 6. 23. The Soul that sinneth shall dye Ezek. 18. 20. And though it be true that all such as have or shall have their sins pardoned through Christ shall escape eternal Death notwithstanding the desert of their sin yet it is most certain that Reprobates shall suffer this Death in the World to come even for their sin as the Meritorious Cause thereof and then they shall acknowledg that every sin of theirs hath brought this Death upon them 3. That the Final Cause of it shall be the Glory of Gods Justice for he shall punish them with everlasting Death that he may manifest the Glory of his Justice upon them and that all men may see his Righteousness This latter Proposition may inform us as before 1. That it had been good for Reprobates if they Vse had never been born for if they had never been born they could never have suffered everlasting Death But now seeing they have been are or shall be al born this death shall seize upon them 2. That it will be worse with such in the World to come then it can be with them in this world for here they can suffer no other then a temporal death but hereafter they shall suffer eternal death not without cause but for their sins 3. That all men living in the body should take some speedy course for their own safety that they be preserved from eternal death for I know that none of us are willing to suffer this death with Reprobates in the World to come and the Word of God prescribes a way for the avoyding of it And therefore all should take this way or this course for their own safety and preservation Object But what course must we take for to preserve our selves from this eternal death Sol. First We must earnestly pray to have our sins pardoned as our Saviour hath taught us in his Prayer and this pardon of sin will preserve us from eternal death as may appear by that speech of Nathan to David God hath put away thy sin thou shalt not dye 2 Sam. 12. as if he had said Though thou mayst and must dye a temporal death yet thou shalt not dye an eternal death because God hath pardoned thy sin Secondly Because this pardon of sin cannot be obtained without a lively faith in Christ we must in the next place labour and pray for this faith and such a faith as this will preserve us from eternal death as may appear by that saying of Christ to Martha Whosoever liveth and beleeveth in me he shall not dye Joh. 11. 26. that is though he dye a temporal death yet he shall not an eternal death because he beleeveth in me Thirdly Because our faith cannot be good without repentance we must also labour for a
what they now have Esa 65. 15. a name better then of sons and daughters an everlasting name Esa 56. 5. 2. They shall be highly esteemed of in the world to come on Christs part for he shall still esteem them as his brethren he was not ashamed Heb. 2. 11. to call them his brethren in this world neither shall he be ashamed to call them such in the world to come he shall still esteem of them as of the children of God according to that compellation of his Come ye blessed children of my Father Mat. 25. 34. He shall still esteem of them as of his familiar friends as may appear by this because it is said that they shall eat and drink with him at his table in his Kingdome Luk. 22. 30. and shall sit some of them at his right hand and some at his left in his Kingdome Mat. 20. 23. Yea he shall so highly esteem of them that he shall still own them for Kings and Priests to God Rev. 1. 6. 3. They shall be higâ—â—y esteemed of in the world to come amongst the Angells good and evill for the good Angells shall so highly esteem of them that they shall own them for their superiours in some respect seeing Christ took not upon him the nature of Angels but the seed of Abraham and the evill Angells shall so highly esteem of them that they shall owne them for their Judges and shall not dare to think dishonourably of them 1 Cor. 6. 3. 4. They shall be highly esteemed of amongst themselves for we know that Gods Elect after they are effectually called do honour one another with an high esteem here in this world Psal 15. 4. much more shall they honour one another with an high esteem in the world to come 5. They shall be highly esteemed of in the world to come amongst the reprobate sort of mankind for these also shall have an high and honourable esteem of Gods Elect in the world to come for this cause it is said that the Gentiles shall see their righteousnesse and all Kings their glory Isai 62. 2. God shall establish Jerusalem a praise in the earth Isai 62. 7. which I understand to be spoken chiefly of the new earth or world to come yea saith the Lord they shall be a praise and an honour before all the Nations of the earth Jer. 33. 9. I will get them praise and fâ—me in doing laud where they have been put to shame Zeph. 3. 19. Secondly touching the certainty of it I say that Gods Elect shall most certainly be honoured in the world to come as may appear by these arguments 1. They that are vessells of honour shall be honoured in the world to come but Gods Elect are vessells of honour for which cause they are compared to such vessells of a potter as are made for honour Rom. 9. 21. and to such vessells in a great house as serve for honourable uses 2 Tim. 2. 20. Ergo. 2. They that do or shall know God effectually in this world shall be honoured in the world to come according to that promise I will set him on high because he hath known my Name Psal 91. 14. which is as if the Lord had said I will honour him both in this world if I shall see it expedient and much more in the world to come but Gods Elect do or shall all know God effectually in this world Ergo. 3. They that shall call upon God in sincerity here in this world shal be honoured in the world to come according to that promise He shall call upon me and I wil answer and honour him Psal 91. 15. But Gods Elect do or shall call upon him in sincerity in this world Ergo. 4. They that do or shall go fear the Lord with a godly fear here in this world shall be honoured in the world to come as we may gather from that of Solomon by the fear of the Lord are riches and honour Pro. 22. 4. but Gods Elect do or shall fear him with a godly fear here in this world Ergo. 5. They that do or shall humble themselves for their sins after an holy manner here in this world shall be honoured in the world to come according to that of Solomon before honour is humility Pro. 15. 33. and honour shall uphold the humble in spirit Pro. 29. 23. but Gods Elect do or shall all humble themselves for their sins after an holy manner here in this world Ergo. 6. They that are or shall be mercifull towards others and follow after mercy here in this world in obedience to God shall be honoured in the world to come according to that promise He hath dispersed abroad he hath given to the poor his righteousnesse remaineth for ever his horn shall be exalted with honour Psal 112. 9. and Solomon saith he that followeth after mercy findeth honour Pro. 21. 21. but Gods Elect are or shall be mercifull in this senie here in this world Ergo. 7. They that do or shall regard wholesome reproof shall be honoured in the world to come as Solomon saith He that regardeth reproof shall be honoured Pro. 13. 18. but Gods Elect do or shall regard wholesome reproof in this world Ergo. 8. They that do or shall do good in obedience to Gods will here in this world shall be honoured in the world to come according to that of the Apostle Honour to every one that worketh good to the Jew first and also to the Greek Rom. 2. 10. but Gods Elect do or shall do good in obedience to Gods will here in this world Ergo. 9. They that are or shall be the faithfull servants of Christ here in this world shall be honouin the world to come according to that of our Saviour If any man serve me him wil my Father honor Joh. 12. 26. but Gods Elect are or shall be faithfull servants of Christ here in this world Ergo. 10. They that shall conscionably purge themselves from the errors of these times shall be honored in the world to come according to that of the Apostle If any man purge himselfe from these he shall be a vessell unto honour 2 Tim. 2. 21. but Gods Elect are such as do or shall purge themselves from the known errors of their times Ergo. 11. They that do or shall honour God sincerely here in this world shall be honoured of him in the world to come as the Lord saith Them that honour me I will honour 1 Sam. 2. 30. but Gods Elect do or shall sincerely endeavour to honour him here in this world Ergo. This Proposition should comfort all Gods Elect Vse that are now effectually called against the reproach and contempt of this wicked world for such of all others are most obnoxious to be contemned of the wicked if for no other cause yet for their graces and vertues as our Saviour himself though full of grace and vertue was despised and contemned of many in this life and the Apostles themselves notwithstanding their gracious
which may be thus expressed in two Propositions Gods Elect shall be at liberty in the world to come Reprobates shall be in bondage in the world to come The former Proposition is That Gods Elect 1 Proposition shall be at liberty in the world to come that is to say they shall be at liberty from the wrath of God and from all the effects and fruits thereof in that world and so much may be made good by sundry Arguments As 1. S. Pauls Prophecie or propheticall promise is pregnant for it where he saith The creature it self also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God Rom. 8. 21. Where by the children of God I understand his elect children as Joh. 11. 52. who for the present are not all his adopted children but shall be in due time and by the liberty of these I understand a liberty from the wrath of God and from all the effects and fruits of it because it is such a liberty as the creature it selfe shall partake of and I know no liberty but this that the creature here mentioned shall partake of and it is called glorious liberty for to distinguish it from the liberty which the children of God injoy in this world which is not glorious liberty as that in the world to come shall be yea it may be called glorious liberty because it shall be perfect and compleat and perfect things shall be glorious as perfect peace shall be glorious peace perfect holinesse glorious holinesse so perfect liberty shall be glorious liberty And whereas it 's said that the creature it self shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into this liberty I understand by the creature it selfe this present fabrick of heaven and earth this present body or globe of heaven and earth which is a creature and may be distinguished from all mankind as here it is because it is a creature void of reason and though it be now in bondage to corruption by reason of mans sin yet it shall one day be delivered from this bondage by means of its dissolution and thereupon shall be new created Esa 65. 17. and so set at liberty from the wrath of God and from all the fruits and effects thereof as well as the children of God In this Text then this liberty of Gods Elect in the world to come from the wrath of God is so plainly asserted that we need not doubt thereof 2. They that shall never be afflicted in the world to come in soul body name or estate shall be at liberty from the wrath of God in that world Now Gods Elect shall never be afflicted in that world any manner of way in soul body name or estate as I gather from that Promise which saith God shall wipe all tears from their eyes and there shall be no more death neither sorrow nor crying neither shall there be any more paine Rev. 21. 4. Ergo. 3. They that shall never tast of Gods anger wrath or displeasure in the world to come shall be at liberty from his wrath in that world Now Gods Elect shall never taste of Gods anger and displeasure in the world to come as may appear by these promises I will not keep mine anger for ever Jer. 3. 12. I will not retain mine anger for ever Mic. 7. 18. He will not alwayes chide neither will he keep his anger for ever Psal 103. 9. which promises are to be understood only in reference to Gods Elect Ergo. 4. They that shall be perfectly justified in the world to come and declared so to be shall be at liberty from the wrath of God in that world Now Gods Elect shall be perfectly justified in the world to come from their sins as it is written Repent and be converted and your sins shall be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of God Acts 3. 19. Yea they shall be declared so to be Psal 37. 6. Mat. 13. 43. viz. to be just and righteous Ergo. 5. They that shall be perfectly sanctified in the world to come and shall be declared so to be shall be at liberty from the wrath of God in that world Now Gods Elect shall be perfectly sanctified in the world to come seeing the deliverer shall come out of Sion and shall turn away ungodlinesse from Jacob Rom. 11. 26. and shall subdue their iniquities altogether Mic. 7. 19. yea they shall be declared so to be in that they shall be presented before God blamelesse and undefiled without spot or blemish Ephes 5. 27. Ergo. 6. They that shall be found to be the children of God and manifested so to be in the world to come shall be at liberty from the wrath of God and from all the fruits and effects thereof in that world Now Gods Elect shall be found to be the Children of God and shall be manifested so to be for Christ shall say unto them Come ye blessed children of my Father Mat. 25. 34. and there shal be a manifestation of the sons of God Rom. 8. 19. Ergo 7. They that shall perfectly please God in the world to come in all their thoughts words and actions shall be at liberty from his wrath and from the fruits and effects thereof in that world Now Gods Elect shall perfectly please God in the world to come in all their thoughts words and actions for which cause it is said that they shall walk in the light of his countenance Psal 89. 15. and shall walk in the name of the Lord for ever Mic. 4. 5. and God shall make them perfect that they may do what shall be pleasing in his sight Heb. 13. 21. Ergo. 8. They that are vessells of mercy and shall have mercy kept for them for ever shall be at liberty from Gods wrath and from the fruits and effects of it in the world to come Now Gods Elect are vessels of mercy Rom. 9. 23. and shall have mercy kept for them for ever Psal 89. 2. 28. Ergo. 9. They that are delivered from the wrath to come in a meritorious way shall be at liberty from the wrath to come and from the fruits and effects thereof but Gods Elect are delivered from the wrath to come in a meritorious way 1 Thes 1. 10. Joh. 8. 36. Ergo. 16. They that shall injoy the everlasting kindnesse of God in the world to come shall be at liberty from his wrath and from the fruits and effects of it in that world but Gods Elect shall injoy the everlasting kindnesse of God in the world to come according to his promise In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment but with everlasting kindnesse will I have mercy on thee Esa 54. 8. Ergo. Which Proposition thus confirmed may be usefull thus First it makes for the confutation of such as promise themselves and others a state of perfect liberty in this world as some seducers in their Pamphlets have lately done