The general session conteining an apologie of the most comfortable doctrine concerning the ende of this world, and seconde comming of Christ, written by Thomas Rogers. The first part, wherein for the comfort of the godlie is proued not onely that God wil, but also that he doth iudge this world.

CHAP. 4. (Book 4)

Against them which allowe the be∣ginning, but denie the end of this world. (Book 4)

SAint Peter through the spirit of God did foretel, that in the last daies moc∣kers shoulde come, who wil deride, and scoffe at the doctrine of the worlds con∣summation. Whose wordes, because they are continualie to be fixed in mind, I wil recite as I finde them placed in the sacred Bible.

This first vnderstand, saith S. Petera 1.1, that there shal come in the last daies mockers, which shal walke after their lustes, and saie,

where is the promise of his comming?* 1.2 For since the fathers died, al thinges continue a∣like from the beginning of the creation.* 1.3 For this theie willinglie knowe not, that the hea∣uens were of olde, and the earth that was of the water, and by the water, by the worde of God.* 1.4 Wherefore the worlde that then was, perished,* 1.5 and ouerflowed with water. But the heauens, and earth which are nowe, are kept by the same word in store, and reserued vnto fire against the daie of iudgement, and of the destruction of vngodlie men.

In which wordes among other nota∣ble pointes, these are chiefelie to be con∣sidered for this place. First, the speakers, who they are; secondlie, the arguments which they do vse; thirdlie, the answere of the Apostle; last of al, the manner of the worlds destruction.

The enimies of this doctrine are de∣scribed here to be mockers, such as deride al religion; and walke after their lustes, not according to Gods word. Therfore none wil impugne this comfortable doctrine, but such as are meere Epicures for their leude conuersation, and Atheists for their diuelish opinions.

One argument which they doe vse, is this:* 1.6 Since the fathers died, al thigns conti∣nue

alike from the beginning of the creation. Therefore they shal continue after vs, and af∣ter our posteritie too at one staie, as they haue done, neither is there anie iudgement to bee feared, nor resurrection to be hoped for.

Vnto this vngodlie assertion the Apo∣stle answereth by an argument taken from y^e vndoubted historie of the floud.* 1.7 which historie, he saith, they against their conscience denie, who be of opinion that the world shal haue none end. For he de∣nieth that euer the worlde was drowned with water, who denieth that the worlde shalbe destroyed: yea, he thinketh that the Raine-bowe, which is the signe of the couenant betweene God and vsb 1.8, is but à toie to mocke men with al. For we are to thinke, and learne vndoubtedlie by that great punishment, First, that the worlde and al therein, was made to serue for the vse of the godlie and virtuous, not of the wicked; and that the saincts of God euer∣lastinglie shal enioie the same, the repro∣bate being cast into vtter condemna∣tion.

Secondlie we must thinke, that God as∣suredlie wil punish wickednes, although he haue promised, and the Raine-bowe doth witnes, that he wil not ouerwhelme

the world again with an vniuersal floud, but consume it with fire. For which cause he hath set diuers colors in the Rain-bow* 1.9 as blew principalie, and red: whereof the one sheweth howe it hath bene drow∣ned, the other howe it shalbe consumed with fire.

At these things, saith Peter, doe these Atheists and Epicures euen contrarie to their verie conscience, denie. And there∣fore there needeth none other confutati∣on, but onelie to laie before them either the historie of Noahs floud, or the Raine∣bowe in the cloudes. For beholding ei∣ther of them, they cannot choose but cō∣fesse that the world must haue an ende.

Another of their arguments,* 1.10 is this: Had God minded to bring the world vnto an end, he would haue done so before this. But seing it hath continued these 5500. yeres, & vpwarde: likelie it is that euermore it shal endure.

Thus do they miserablie deceiue them∣selues,* 1.11 saith Peter in effect, not conside∣ring that God being eternal, is not enclu∣ded within the compasse of anie time. For one daie is with the Lorde as a thousande yearesc 1.12 and a thousande yeares, as one daie. Therefore it followeth not, because hee

differreth the destruction of the worlde, that he wil not make an end thereof. But hee is patient toward vs, and would haue no man to perish, but would al men to come vn∣to repentance.* 1.13 The cause then whie it is not yet vtterlie ouerthrowne, is his great, and infinite mercie, for our euerlasting welfare. For the patience, long-sufferance, and bountifulnes of God, leadeth vnto re∣pentance. d 1.14So did he spare the old world an hundred and twentie yeares before he drowned ite 1.15; and Ierusalem 40. yeares after Christ his death before he destroied the samef 1.16 It is therefore a special cause whie wee shoulde seeke to please so gra∣tious, and merciful à God, no cause to make vs secure.

The manner of the worlds destructi∣on* 1.17 at the day of iudgement, is signified by à comparison. For as the worlde in time passed for the wickednesse of men was after à sort destroied with water: so it shall burne, and bee consumed with fire.* 1.18 And that, both for a signe of the e∣ternal paines, which y^e vngodlie shal en∣dure; and also for the purging, and repai∣ring of the world. For as filthily diseased persons infect the places where they are:

so haue the wicked polluted this worlde with their manifolde sinnes. Therefore it must be purged with fire, that it maie be à meete, fit, and pleasant theatre, as it were, both for Angels, and the chosen seruants of God with Christ for euer∣more.

Notes

• a 1.1

  2. Pet. 3. 3.
• * 1.2

  4.
• * 1.3

  5.
• * 1.4

  6.
• * 1.5

  7.
• * 1.6

  1. Argument.
• * 1.7

  S. Peters an∣swere vnto A∣theistes.
• b 1.8

  Gen. 9, 13.
• * 1.9

  Colors of the Raine-bow, and what they signi∣fie.
• * 1.10

  2. Argument.
• * 1.11

  Answere.
• c 1.12

  2. Pet. 3, 8.
• * 1.13

  Whie the world hath continued to this daie.
• d 1.14

  Rom. 2, 4.
• e 1.15

  Gen. 6, 3.
• f 1.16

  Ecclesi. hist. Cent. 1. lib. 2. c. 14. fol. 664.
• * 1.17

  The manner of the worlds de∣struction.
• * 1.18

  Whie the world must be consu∣med with fire.