An exposition of the tvvo first verses of the sixt chapter to the Hebrewes in forme of a dialogue. Wherein you have a commendation of catechising, also a declaration of the sixe fundamentall principles wherein the Christians of the Primitiue Apostolicall church were catechised. By T.W. minister of the word.

Of the estate of men after the iudgement.

* 1.1Qu. IN what estate shall the Godly liue after the iudge∣ment?

* 1.2An. In a most blessed estate.

Qu. Wherein shall their blessednesse consist?

An. In the vision or beholding of Gods infinite and

glorious Maiestie, Mat. 5.8. 1 Cor. 13.12. Reu. 21.1, 2, 3, 4.

Qu. What manner of sight or beholding shall this be?

An. Such as shall ioyne vs to God, and God to vs. Reuel. 21.3.

Qu. Are we not here d 1.3ioyned to God?

An. We are so, yet vnperfectly, and by meanes. 1 Ioh. 1.3 but our fellowship with God in heauen shall be perfect & immediate and without meanes. 1 Cor. 13.8.

Qu What be the particulars of our blessed estate in heauen?

An. First, * 1.4 perfect knowledge of God: 1 Cor. 13.12. se∣condly, perfect loue of God, both for manner and measure: Thirdly, vnspeakable ioy, Enter into thy maisters ioy: Fourth∣ly, vnseparable fellowship with Angels and Saints: He. 10 Fiftly, absence of all euill from minde and body: Reu. 7.16. Reu. 22.2. Sixtly, presence of all good to both: Reuel. 7.17. Seauenthly, perpetuall seruice of our Creator, consisting in praise and thanksgiuing, for so great and free saluation, Reuel. 4.10, 11.

Qu What vse should we make of these heauenly benefits?

An. First, we should haue our desires inflamed after the full possession of them, Phil. 2.20.21. Secondly, it should make vs learne out, and walk in the way that leads to such a kingdome and life. Rom. 6.22.23.

Qu. Wherein standeth the punishment of the wicked after this life?* 1.5

An. First, in the good they shall forgoe: secondly,* 1.6 in the euill they shall feele, poena damni & sensus.

Qu. What good shall they forgoe?

An. Gods most comfortable fauour, presence,* 1.7 kingdom and glory, 2 Thes. 1.9.

Qu. What euill shall they feele?

An. Exceeding great, both bodily and spirituall as they haue sinned in body and soule.

Qu. What paine shall they feele in their bodyes?

Ans. A most grieuous torment in all parts,* 1.8 mem∣bers and senses, which shall be infinite for measure & con∣tinuance, admitting neither comfort nor hope by mitigation or end. Luke, 16. The Parable of Diues.

Qu. How may the greatnesse and horrour of this bodily paine be conceiued?

An. By thinking sereously of those speaches of the holy Ghost, touching flames of fire, fire & brimstone, vnquench∣able fire, burning lake, &c.

* 1.9Qu. What is their spirituall evill which they shall suffer?

An. It is eyther meere paine, or paine mixt.

Qu. What call ye meere paine?

* 1.10An. That which is paine and no sinne, as extreame hor∣rour of conscience, called the gnawing worme: intollerable sorrow and anguish of soule for the things they haue lost, and might haue enioyed, and perplexitie of spirit for their desperate estate being out of all hope of recouerie, dread & astonishment of minde by the apprehension and full sense of Gods infinite wrath, Reuel. 6.17. whence shall arise gnashing of teeth, weeping and wailing, hedious out-cryes and hellish roarings.

* 1.11Qu. What doe ye tearme their mixt paine?

An. That which is both paine and sinne, as diuellish ha∣tred of God, dispaire, blasphemy, depriuation of all good∣nesse possession of all vice.

* 1.12Qu. What be the circumstances of their paine?

An. First, the place, a bottomlesse dungeon and pit: se∣condly, darknesse thicker and blacker then the darknesse of Aegypt, called vtter darknesse: Thirdly, companions, the Diuell and his Angels, Mat. 25. Fourthly, perpetuitie, that it is for euer & for euer, euen so long as God endureth.

Qu. What vse may be made of these matters?

An. It admonisheth vs to beware of all the wayes which lead to such a dolefull estate.

Qu. Rehearse the most common and beaten wayes which bring thither?

* 1.13An. First, Ignorance of God, and vnbeliefe: secondly, A∣theisme: thirdly, worldlinesse: fourthly, hypocrisie: fiftly; prophanenesse: sixtly, securitie: seventhly, vnthankfulnes: eightly, pride: ninthly, Idolatry: tenthly, heresie: eleventh∣ly, presumption.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 of men 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the iudge∣••••nt.
• * 1.2

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the ••odly: Blessed∣nesse is in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of God.
• d 1.3

  Our coniunc∣tion here is such as of a man and virgin after the betrothing; our coniunction in heauen, such as betvveene a man and virgin after marriage.
• * 1.4

  Parts of hea∣uenly blisse.
• * 1.5

  Of the vvicked
• * 1.6

  Tvvo parts of their punish∣ment.
• * 1.7

  1. Punishment of losse, this called shutting out of the kingdome. 2 Punishment of sense.
• * 1.8

  Bodily pain••.
• * 1.9

  ••pirituall and soule payne.
• * 1.10

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 paine.
• * 1.11

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 payne.
• * 1.12

  ••••rcumstances 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••nishment.
• * 1.13

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 vvhich 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to the pla••e of pun∣••••••ment