Christianismus primitivus, or, The ancient Christian religion, in its nature, certainty, excellency, and beauty, (internal and external) particularly considered, asserted, and vindicated from the many abuses which have invaded that sacred profession, by humane innovation, or pretended revelation comprehending likewise the general duties of mankind, in their respective relations : and particularly the obedience of all Christians to magistrates, and the necessity of Christian-moderation about things dispensible in matters of religion : with divers cases of conscience discussed and resolved / by Thomas Grantham ...

SECT. X. That Christ shall descend from the Created Heavens, whither he is as∣cended, in the same Body which was raised from the Dead, to judg and determine the final estate of all Men and Angels to Eternity, at his Ap∣pearing and Kingdom.

The second coming of Christ, or his coming to judg the World, is so express in the Holy Scriptures, that we may as groundedly look for that his Coming, as the Fathers might look for his coming in the Flesh. But as there was but few received him when he Came, so it may be fear'd, few wait for his second Appearance: However, our Lord hath assured us, that he will come again: John 14. 3. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to my self; that where I am, you may be also. And again, ver. 28. Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again. He gave us further assurance hereof, after his Ascensi∣on, Rev. 22. Behold, I come quickly, &c. The same is asserted by the testimony of Angels, Acts 1. 11. The same Jesus — shall so come in like man∣ner, as ye have seen him go into Heaven. Testified also by the Apostles, And he shall send Jesus, who before was Preached unto you, Acts 3. 20. St. Paul tells us, Christ shall come with all his Saints, 2 Thes. 4. 16. for saith he, The Lord shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Arch-Angel, and with the Trump of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first. This is that glorious coming of Christ, which the Saints are taught to wait for, 1 Thes. 1. 10. Ye turned from Idols to serve the Living and True God, and to wait for his Son from Heaven, even Jesus who deli∣vered us from Wrath to come.

When the Apostle remembers the People of God of this Doctrine, he certifies they had not delivered any cunningly devised Fables, when they made known the Coming▪ and Power of our Lord Jesus Christ. And though the Holy Ghost fore-saw, that this Truth would be contemned in the lat∣ter Days, with bold demands, Where is the Promise of his coming? Yet doth it encourage the Children of God, to rest in the assured expectati∣on thereof, 2 Pet. 3. throughout. Now Christ had been come in Spi∣rit long before this Epistle was written, so Peter himself had received him; therefore he can only be understood here, to respect his Personal Appearance, when he shall come to be glorified in his Saints, and to be admired in all them that believe: But to others in flaming Fire, taking Vengeance of them that know not God, nor obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 Thes. 1. 7, 8.

At this coming, he will determine the final state of Men and Angels: For he hath appointed a Day in which he will judg the secrets of Men by Jesus Christ, according to the Gospel, Rom. 2. 16. Yea, he shall judg both the quick and the dead, (as he is appointed) at his Appearing and Kingdom. The Sentence to be then given, is already foretold, Mat. 25. 41. And the Devils themselves believe this, and tremble, James 2. being reserved in Chains under darkness, unto the judgment of the great Day, 2 Pet. 2. 4.

Reason seems to approve this Verity; because otherwise, the greatest part of Iniquity would go unpunished, and the greatest part of Righte∣ousness go without reward. But God is Righteous, and therefore he will render a reward to every Man, according as his work shall be, Rev. 22. Before Christ's glorious Tribunal must all Flesh appear, as before a most Righteous Judg, who will make manifest the hidden things of Dark∣ness; and then shall we discern between them that serve God, and them that serve him not.

By Christ's designing, or determining Mans Estate eternally, we intend an endless State, to the Righteous and Wicked respectively. And should we otherwise take the word Eternal than the native force impor∣teth, we cannot avoid making the felicity of the Good, as temporary as the misery of the Bad; which absurdity forbids such an Interpretation. Seeing, First, It cannot be denied that Eternal Life is set out to be per∣petual, with as much amplitude of Speech as may be, 1 Pet. 5. 10. Who hath called us unto his Eternal Glory by Jesus Christ. 2 Tim. 2. 10. Therefore I endure all things for the Elects sake, that they may also obtain the Salvation which is in Jesus Christ, with Eternal Glory. As God's Peo∣ple shall ever be with the Lord after rhe Resurrection, 1 Thes. 4. 17. so their Kingdom is to be Everlasting, and their Habitation Eternal, 2 Cor. 5. 1. Those things we see not, but hope for, are Eternal, 2 Cor. 4. 18. Our Redemption and Salvation, are Eternal, Heb. 9. 12, 15. Our King is Eternal, 1 Tim. 1. 17. and our Life is Eternal: Fight therefore the good fight of Faith, lay hold of Eternal Life, 1 Tim. 6. 12.

On the other side, the Condemnation of wicked Men is Eternal, John 5. 24. for it is here put in direct opposition to Eternal Life, Mark 3. 29. It is expresly called Eternal Damnation, Mat. 3. 29. even such as hath no forgiveness in this World, nor in the World to come. The punishment of the Damned, is compared to a Worm that never dieth, and to Fire that never goeth out. The last Judgment is expresly called, the Eternal Judg∣ment, Heb. 6. 2. and therefore must conclude the Parties concern'd in it respectively, in an equal state with respect to duration, though their portion differ exceedingly; even as much as Light and Darkness differeth, or excelleth each other.

Nor need this seem Incredible, that God should cause Men to subsist in torment to Eternity; it's as easie for him to sit a Man to endure in Eternal Misery, as to fit a Man to endure to Eternity in Felicity. As we see an instance of his Power and Providence frequently in this World, where many live longer in great Affliction, than others that have what Felicity this World can afford. Surely, as his Providence rules in these

Cases, his Power is able to dispose the after-states of Men, according to his Word. He that truly believes there is a God, that made all things of nothing, and by his Power hath caused them to continue in their present admirable Frame for so many thousands of Years, and may con∣tinue them if he please, many thousands more; he can never think it Incredible, that God can make Men subsist to Eternity, either in a state of Wrath, or Blessedness.

Let us therefore hear the conclusion of the whole Matter: Fear God (saith the Prophet) and keep his Commandments, — for God shall bring every Work unto Judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or evil, Ecles. 12. ult. Because he hath appointed a Day, in the which he will judg the World in Righteousness, * 1.1 whereof he offereth Belief to all Men (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, fidem praebemus omnibus) in that he hath raised up Christ from the Dead, Acts 17. 31. O, that therefore Men would believe this, that it may be well with them to Eternity!

Notes

• * 1.1

  Montanus.