Looking unto Jesus a view of the everlasting gospel, or, the souls eying of Jesus as carrying on the great work of mans salvation from first to last / by Isaac Ambrose ...

SECT. V. Of Christ's sentencing his Saints.

5. FOR Christ sentencing of his Saints; no sooner are they set on his right hand, but he prepares for sentence; in the opening of which we must consider, 1. The preparative. 2. The sentence it self.

1. The preparative before sentence will be some exploration or trial of the parties to be sentenced, as—

1. The Book must be opened. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God, and the Books were opened, and another Book was opened which is the Book of life. It is spoken after the manner of men, in whose publick Judgments are produced all the writings of the process, informations, depositions of witnesses, to shew that all acti∣ons, even the most secret ones, shall then be rehearsed and made manifest; Augustine thinks these Books to be the Books of the Old and New Testament, wherein all things either to be done, or omitted, are prescribed by God: and then shall these Books be opened, because according to them shall sentence be given; In that day God shall Judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my Gospel. Origen, and all most all with him, think these Books to be the Books of our consciences, which now are shut up, and concealed from men; but then shall be made manifest to all the world: whatever these Books are, we find here one Book opened which is pro∣per to the Saints, called the Book of Life; This Book contains in it the names of all that are elected from first to last; Thou John, and thou Joseph, and thou Judeth, and thou Mary, and thou Elizabeth, &c. you are all Book'd down; there is the particula∣rity, and there is the certainty; Your names are written in Heaven, rejoyce in it; Oh what is the joy of Saints when once they see this book opened, and their names inrolled, engraven there in letters of glory. This very Book clears it to me, that God from all eternity made choice of a particular and determinate number of Persons, to save them; and that none other can be saved, but those who were so elected; and whoso∣ever are so elected, they shall not fall away. All that worship the Beast, their names are not written in the Book of life of the Lamb, from the foundation of the world. On the other side, He that overcometh, the same shall be written in the Book of life, and I will not blot out his name, but I will confess his name before my Father and before his Angels. This is the day when that book of life shall be opened, and Christ shall read the names of every elect person before God and Angels; not that Christ needs a book, or indeed reads a name, but that his Election stands so firm, that he knows every predestinated Saint as well, as we know their names, whom for our memo∣ries we commit unto our books: and then he will so honour his Saints, that he will publish their names to all the world.

2. All the actions, demeanours, graces, duties, and (it may be) sins of Saints shall be produced and laid open: the holy Ghost tells us, that the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the Books. It appears hence, that not onely names, but things were written, and these things were produced, and accordingly they were judged.

1. As to evil things, unfruitful works of darkness. It is a question, and I dare not be too positive in it, viz. Whether the sins of God's People shall be manifest at the day of Judgment? Some are for the negative, because God in his promises speaks so expresly, Of forgiving iniquities, of remembring them no more, of blotting them out, of throwing them into the bottom of the Sea, of casting them behind his back: in which respect say they, the Godly are said not to come into Judgement. I suppose this last Text is ill urged, for by Judgment is not meant discussion, but condemnation; and in our best Translations so it is rendred; others are for the affirmative, upon these grounds. 1. Because many of the Godly and wicked men's sins are mingled to∣gether, and there cannot be a Judgment of discussion, preceding that of condem∣nation, unless Godly men's sins are also produced. 2. Because it is spoken gene∣rally in respect of all sorts, that the Books were opened; By which Books most un∣derstand the consciences of men, and by the opening of those Books, they under∣stand the manifesting, clearing, and discovering of consciences at that general day.

3. Because the Scriptures are express for the affirmative; not but that those Texts are truths, that sins are forgiven, blotted out, thrown away, to be remembred no more, (i.e.) as to condemnation; but as for exploration or discussion the Lord speaks universally, that of every idle word that men speak, they shall give an account thereof at the day of Judgment. If the ballance weigh down on this side (for my part I am not peremptory, but shall easily submit to the spirits of the Prophets) yet this manifestation shall not be for the shame, grief, trouble, ignominy, or confusion of the godly; but only for the setting up of God's justice, and that the goodness and free grace of God in Christ may be made more illustrious; how will Christ then be exalted, when all the world shall see his righteousness and goodness, his truth and mercy, now again meeting together, and kissing each other? it was so at his first coming, and it will be so at his second coming; then shall his justice and mercy, his righteousness and goodness be manifested to all; in that by his own merits, notwithstanding their sins, he will bring all his Saints to his heavenly glory.

2. As for good things, whether good works, duties or graces, there is no question but all these will be that day produced, and laid open. 1. We see Christ enumerating the good works of them on his right hand; for I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in; naked, and ye cloathed me; sick, and ye visited me; in prison, and ye came unto me. It is true, in this catalogue we find nothing of faith, but all of works; but certainly faith is in∣cluded, as the life of the Tree is included in the fruit; not only, nor principally are works here mentioned for the goodness of the work considered in it self; but as these works did express our faith and love to Jesus Christ, in that by saith we could see Christ in a poor beggar, or prisoner, and could love Jesus Christ in these poor, bet∣ter than all our worldly goods, or liberties. I do not wonder that Paul adviseth his Corinthians, See that ye abound in this grace of contribution to the Saints: and that he prayeth his Philipians, And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more; And that he prayeth for his Thessalonians, now the Lord make you to increase, and to abound in love one towards another, and towards all men; and that he praiseth God in their behalf; We are bound to thank God always for you brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all towards each other aboundeth. Christians! if we did but consider that every duty done to God or Man, that every penny given to a poor naked Saint, that every cup of cold water given to a Prophet in the name of a Prophet, should not lose his reward, but this day should be reckoned up, or drawn (as it were) into a full Inventory; Impri∣mis, For this piece of silver given such a day to such a one; Item, For this piece of bread such a day given to such a one, &c. Oh who would not abound in faith and love? oh who would think any thing too much, too good, too dear to give to the needy members of Jesus Christ? there is a charge laid upon Ministers to preach this Doctrine, I beseech you give me leave to discharge my duty, and to lay it, and leave it at your doors, where beggars usually stand; Charge them that are rich in this world—that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to destribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. You to whom God hath given the riches of this world, as you would meet Christ with comfort, learn this lessen; consider whether of these too reckonings will be more comfortable at that day; Item, So much given to such and such a religious use? or so much given towards such a Feast, and for the entertainment of such brave gallants? so much to promote the Gospel? or so much at Dice, Cards, Horse-races? if one should tell you, that either you must feed Christ in the poor, or you must starve in Hell; you must either cloath naked Christ in the poor, or you must be laid naked to the fiery indignation of the Lord for ever, oh what strictness would you call this? but I recollect my self; if Christ set you at his right hand, he will then recount all your charities, and all your labours of love to the Saints: you that are poor, and had nothing to give, he will tell you of your good works, if it was no more, but at such a time, you cast a mite into his Treasury, and at such a time you carried a Letter for the Lord Jesus; he will produce and com∣mend these pittances of your poor charities to all the world.

2. Nor only good works to man; but all the Saints duties to God shall come in remembrance. Oh then it will be known who served the Lord in spirit and truth, and who did not; then Men and Angels shall know, such a day this poor

Saints performed such a spiritual service; every prayer in publick or private, every, tear shed for sin, every sob, or sigh, every spiritual meditation, or self-examination every glance, ejaculation, or looking unto Jesus, shall be recounted by Jesus: It was said of Cornelius, that as well his prayers to God, as his alms to men came up for a memo∣rial before God; certainly every duty in reference to the first table is booked in Heaven, and at this day the book being opened, it will appear, that such a prayer thou madest such a morning and such an evening in thy closet; and now will Christ say, Did not I tell thee, that if thou wouldst pray to thy Father in secret, then he that saw thee in secret, should reward thee openly? why now shalt thou have thy reward in a full view, I will divulge here all thy secret duties, to Men and Angels; all the world shall know it, thy wandrings I told them, and thy tears I bottled them; lo here, are they not all written in my Book?

3. Nor onely duties, but graces shall now be rehearsed; thy Knowledge, Faith, Hope, Love, spiritual Joy; thy Fear, Obedience, Repentance, Humility, Meekness, Patience, Zeal, Perseverance shall be fully discovered; time was that in the incense of such a Prayer many sweet spices were burned together; therein was Faith working by Love; therein was Humility, therein was Patience in submiting to God's will and plea∣sure, therein was Hope of a gracious answer in God's due time, therein was Holiness, brokenness of Heart, and love to others, &c. Time was (saith Christ) that I gathe∣red my myrr with my spices, that I eat my honey-comb with my honey that I both accepted and delighted my self in thy heavenly graces; I shall never forget how thou didst ravish my heart, my sister, my spouse; how thou dost ravish my heart with one of thine eyes, and with one chain of thy neck. Why, thus shall the Lord set forth, and tell all the world what gracious children he had; then will appear indeed the Meekness of Moses, the Faith of Abra∣ham, the Patience of Job, the Zeal of Phineas, the Love of Magdalen; and according to the measure of grace conferred upon thee, Christ will set thee out; We commend the graces of such and such Saints at their death, but oh let Christ blazon me, and his graces in me at the resurrection-day.

Thus far for the Exploration or trial before sentence.

2. For the sentence it self, then shall the King say to them on his right hand, Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Every word here is full of life and joy; 1. Come] this is the King's invitation of his Saints to his Court; he had summoned them before to his presence, and now they are about him, he will not part with them, they must come a little nearer yet, they must go with him into his presence chamber; the mansions are ready, the Supper of the Lamb is ready, and now he begins the solemn invitation to his bride, Come. 2. Come ye blessed of my Father] Christ blessed them when he went up to Heaven, and whiles yet on earth he pronounced them blessed many a time; Blessed be ye poor; Blessed are ye that hunger; Bless••d are ye that weep; but now he calls them the blessed of his Father; not onely Christ, but God the Father hath ever looked upon them as his children; it is the Father's will as well as Christ's that they should be blessed, Ye blessed of my Father. 3. Inherit the Kingdom] Christ had told them before, It is your Father's pleasure to give you the Kingdom; but then they were only as servants, or as children under age but now they are heirs, Heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; and now they are come to full age, To the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ; and therefore they must have the inheritance in possession, they must all be Kings; this very word speaks them Kings, and makes them Kings; it is the solemn coronation of the Saints. It is the anointing, the setting of the Crown upon the heads of the Saints; Henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous Judge shall give me at that day, and not for me onely, but unto them also that love his ap∣pearing. 4. Inherit the Kingdom, prepared for you] as Tophet was prepared of old, so was this Kingdom prepared of old; it was the first creature that ever God made, In the beginning God created heaven; his first work was to make Heaven for himself and his Saints to dwell in; he prepared it for them, and then he prepared them for it: but why for them? were not the Angels the first creatures that possessed it? nay, were they not created in it, or together with it? yes, but yet the Angels are not, properly the heirs, sons, members, spouse of God and Christ, as the Saints are; the Angels are but ministring spirits, and the servants of the Bride-groom, but the Saints are the Bride her self, heirs and co-heirs with Christ. 5. Prepared for you from the foundation of the world.] This was the great design of God and Christ from all eter∣nity;

before the foundations of the world, and at the first stone laid, and ever since, they have been carrying on this mighty work: it is not a business of yesterday onely; No, no; the eternal thoughts of God have been upon it, He hath chosen us in him before the foun∣dation of the world.

Oh what thoughts are in Saints, when this sentence is propounded! Oh what joy en∣ters into them now they are to enter into their Masters joy? methinks if it were possible that tears could be in a glorified estate, the Saints should not see Christ reach out a Crown to set it on their heads, but they should weep, and hold away their heads, but Christ will have it so; This honour have all the Saints; praise ye the Lord.

Notes

• Rev. 20.12.
• Aug. l. 20. de civitate Dei, cap. 14.
• Rom. 2.16. Orig. Com. ad Rom. 14.
• Rev. 13.8. — 17.8.
• Rev. 3.5.
• Isa. 43.25. —44.22.38.17. John 5.24.
• Mat. 12.36.
• Mat. 25.35, 26.
• 2 Cor. 8.7. Phil. 1.9. 1 Thes. 1.12.
• 2 Thes. 1.3.
• 1 Tim. 6.17, 18, 19.
• Act. 10.4.
• Mat. 6.6.
• Psal. 56.8.
• Cant. 5.1.
• Mat. 25.24.
• Luke 6.20, 21.
• Luke 12 32. Rom. 8.17.
• Eph. 4.13.
• 1 Tim. 4.8.
• Gen. 1.1.
• Ephes. 1.4.