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—And after this the Judgment.
THIS Verse is the protasis of a compari∣son which the Apostle makes use of in his Discourse; which needs not for the present be insisted on, or laid open, in as much as we have now to do but with the ge∣neral Doctrine contained in the words themselves. Among all those things which men are invited to the serious contemplation of, there are none
that carry more of solemnity in them, than those of Death and Judgment: because the former of these puts an end to mans life and time, and op∣portunities; and the other disposeth them to an Everlasting and Unchangeable Estate. Death it felf is stiled a King of Terrours in the Holy Scrip∣tures; and the Philosopher could call it, [TON PHOBERON PHOBERATATON] of fearful things, the most fearful; but that which adds to the tremendousness of it, is that it is a passage to the great and last Judgment, which the ignorant Gentiles had but dark notice of; but is evidently manifested in the Word of God, which we Chri∣stians are favoured withal. The verse before us, gives us an intimation of both these, and of the certainty of them, as things which are appointed. The word [appointed] signifies both a designation, & a reservation of a thing: notifying that, as there is an Eternal purpose for it in the Decree of God, so it is his fixt and unchangeable will that it shall so be; and accordingly all men are reserved for it. It is the latter of these statutes then that I am now to treat of, though with that respect as it is consequent upon the former. In the words then, there are three things to be observed:
(1.) A Statute for the Judgment is asserted; and thereby we are assured that it shall be with∣out fail; for the appointment mentioned in the beginning of the verse hath reference to this as well as to death; and this is the first and most proper signification of the word.
(2.) The time when it shall be, after that men dy. And although we are not told how loon it shall be after, yet we have Scripture war∣rant to conclude, that every ones personal Judg∣ment will follow presently upon it; though the great and general Judgment is reserved until the consummation of all things, as will be farther observed anon.
(3.) The subjects of it, or who they are on whom this Judgment shall pass? men, indefinitely expressed; it intends all men: this Judgment is as extensive as Death; yea there have been, & will be some exceptions from the general Rule about Death, who have been translated, or shall be changed; but even these also shall come to the Judgment.
Hence,
A certain Death shall be followed with as certain a Judgment. It is every whit as certain that men shall come unto Judgment, as that they shall Dye.
That every one must dy sooner or later, is an acknowledged truth by all, and proved by uni∣versal experience: though, Oh how few do im∣prove it to good purpose? And a reason why this truth hath no more proper or suitable impres∣sions on mens minds, may be because, either they believe not, or put from them the thoughts of
the ensuing account which they shall be called unto, and look no further than the Grave, where they think there will be an end of them, which must needs make them unconcerned for that which comes after. But here we are led into the contemplation of a more awful truth, which is no less real, though not so obvious to the senses. I shall not at present enter upon any distinct or methodical discourse about this matter, but only make some cursory glances on it. There are therefore three or four brief Observations which I shall make on this truth, to make it practicable.
1. That there is a future Judgment to which all reasonable Creatures shall be called. How far the Doctrine of a future Judgment hath been en∣tertained by the light of nature, in the Consciences of men acted by humane reason, without the help of Scripture revelation, I shall not now en∣quire. But that it is an Article of faith, com∣mended to us by the infallible Oracles of that God who cannotly, or be mistaken, is written with Sun b••ams in his word. Read for this, Eccles. 12. 14. God will bring every work into Judgment with every secret thing, whether it be good or evil. Acts 17. 31. he hath appointed a day in which he will Judge the World in righteousness, by the man whom he hath appointed. 2 Cor. 5. 10. we must all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ, that ••v••ry one may receive the things done in the body; and we have a description of it
given to us by Christ himself, in Math. 25. 33, to end. And it must needs be so, for, there is a spe∣cial Government of God, to be acknowledged, in the managment whereof he will bring all reaso∣nable Creatures to an everlasting state of happi∣ness or misery, according to their Obedience or Disobedience to the Law of that Government, in prosecution whereof he will display the Glory of his Justice and Grace. God deals with his Crea∣tures in his Government, according to the nature which he saw meet to bestow on them in their Creation. Now when God Created man, he made him a reasonable Creature, and thereby ca∣pable of being treated in the way of a Covenant, by precepts and promises, and threatnings; ac∣cording unto which capacity, he gave him a Command, and required his obedience to it; promised him a reward of life, in case of his per∣forming of perfect Obedience thereunto; de∣nouncing Death against him in case he should dis∣obey. He hath also, upon mans Apostasy by which he fell under a Curse of Death, revealed to him a new and a living way for his recovery out of that misery into which he was plunged; and hath treated some of that race with a Covenant of Grace, in which he hath promised them life upon their compliance with it, and menaced them with damnation, yea double damnation, on their neglect of it. All these things are abundantly testified to in the Word of God: Now men are, according to their behaviour, with respect to this discovery
which God hath made of himself to man, and obligation which he hath laid him under, dispo∣sed of everlastingly: In order unto which they are to pass under a Trial. Where there is a Law given to reasonable Creatures, established with Sanctions, there must needs be a Judgment, in which their relation thereto is to be examined, and a retribution made to them accordingly. Ei∣ther they have complied with the Rule given to them, and are to receive a reward of life; or they have revolted therefrom, & have not sought and made their peace, according to the tenour of the Covenant of Grace; and then they must re∣ceive the wages of sin, which is death, as we are told, Rom. 6. 23. The wages of sin is death. He therefore that acknowledgeth a Government of God over rational beings, must needs believe that there shall be a Judgment, or a time of Trial and Recompences.
II. That this Judgment is after Death; this is the order that it is manifestly put in, Text. That there are many awful and stupendous Judgments that God brings upon men in this world, is not to be denied; in which he declares his Holiness and just Indignation at sin; and hence we are told, Psal. 9. 14. The Lord is known by the Judgment that he executeth. There is also a Court which God hath set up in mens Consciences, at which Bar they are sometimes solemnly tried, and being there convicted of breaking the Holy Law of God, &
laying themselves open to the vengeance therein threatned, they are filled with horrors. But it is another Judgment whereof we are now consider∣ing, in which men are to appear before God, and receive from him their final doom, which, when it is once past, shall be immediately put in Execu∣tion. Now this men come not to in this life, but after they are dead; so that death is not, as too many vainly dream, the last news that shall be heard of men, but there is something more fear∣ful and amazing that comes after it, and that is the Judgment. There is a Judgment to come; so Paul Preached to Faelix, at the report whereof he trembled, Acts 24. 25. and when is that, but when men are past from time, and have done the work which they were engaged in in this life? while men are in this world, conversant in the body, they are upon probation for Etetnity, they are laying in, and making way for their account, and all that they do here bears a proper respect there∣unto; for they are the works which are done in the body, which must be called to an after reckoning, 2 Cor. 5. 10. hence sinners are said in this time to be treasuring up into themselves wrath against the day of wrath, Rom. 2 5. It is evident, that neither good men nor evil men are in this life, openly distinguished in the observable Providences of God, except in some special instances; love and hatred cannot be known by all that is before them, Eccles. 9. 1. yea, the wise man hath an observation, as if often times, the outward face of things look with a
contrary aspect, Eccles. 8. 14. there be just men to whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; & there be wicked men to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous. What shall we say? It is for the present a day of patience & forbearance with which God sees meet to treat men, even the worst of men withal, in which he lets them alone for a while, & suffers them to go on, till they have filled up their measure: and though they give him uncountable and very grievous provocations, yet he falls not upon them. But yet he is brought in laughing at them all the while, and we are told the reason of it, Psal 37. 13. The Lord shall laugh at him, for he seeth that his day is coming. Since then men are not called to their reckoning here, it remains that they be summoned to it afterwards; inasmuch as it is certain, that God will sooner or later manifest the glory of his Holiness and Righte∣ousness, and make it known that he is the great Potentate and Ruler of Angels and men.
III. That there is a particular Judgment to which every man shall be called immediately after Death. It is true, the general Judgment is reserved for the great and last day, when, after the whole affair of time is wound up, God will call all reasonable Creatures to an account; and, having raised up their dead bodies to life, and re united them to their Souls, of which Resur∣rection also the word of God gives us the assu∣rance; he will cite them before his Tribunal,
and dispose of them in their whole persons eter∣nally, which day is peculiarly Celebrated in the Book of God; which, though it also follows after mans death, yet it will not be till a long time after a great many have dyed, and seen Cor∣ruption; and that because there were other Ge∣nerations to be born, and live, and dy, until the whole Series of them, according to the Divine appointment, be consummated. But there is, besides this, another more particular one, which passeth upon the Soul, on its departure from the body, which, though it be not so frequently, or expresly spoken of in the Holy Scriptures, yet there are also sufficient intimations of it there〈◊〉〈◊〉 be found, enough to confirm our faith in the belief of it. This is an indubitable truth, that the Soul of man doth not dy a proper natural Death; nor is it capable of it. The man indeed is said to die, by reason of the dissolution of the bond of Union, and the separation which is thereupon made between the Soul and Body, whereupon the body remains a Carcase, and must suffer Corruption, after which there must be a powerful Resurrection bestowed on it, in or∣der to its being made capable of standing forth in Judgment. But it is otherwise with the Soul; that, in its separate state, still retains its Spiritual and Immortal nature, which it is in no other way able to lose but by an Anni••ilation; and it is accordingly disposed of presently to its unchanga∣ble state, whether it be of weal or wo. When
Lazarus dyeth, his Soul is forth with carryed by a Convoy of Angels, into Abrabams bosome, and that is no other but a place and state of actual Felicity. When the Wicked Rich man dyes, the next news that we hear of his Soul is in Hell, whether it is carried, and where it is disposed of; and that not only as in a Prison, but as a place of Execution, where it suffers the penalty which its sin had procured for it: for this reason we have him pouting out his doleful complaint, Luk. 16. 24. I am tormented in this flame. And we have Abraham brought in declaring concerning them both, Verse 25. He is comforted, and thou art tor∣mented. When the penitent Thief dyes, he is the same day entertained with his Saviour in Paradise; for so Christ himself promised to him, Luk. 23. 43. which must needs intend a state of actual blessed∣ness enjoyed in that place. And why was Paul in such a strait, and so desirous to depart? Phil. 1. 23. it was to be with Christ, which he saith is best of all; which it could not be, if he did not presently enter into communion with Christ in blessedness. Now certainly, mens going actually to receive rewards and punishments, necessarily infers a Judgment that is past upon them in order thereunto: for those things are beyond all question, disposed of by God, in the exercise of his Government over the Creature, as he is the Judge of all. Besides, there is such an Indefinite assertion used by the wise man, which amounts to an universal, and hath a respect to all sorts of
men, Eccl. 12. 7. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was, and ••he Spirit shall return to God who gave it. These two returns are put together as contemporary; and all Souls do not return to God as their Father, to be admitted into his Kingdom, and to dwell with him, and enjoy his favourable presence for ever; that is a priviledge proper only to the Godly, and none shall enjoy it but those whom Christ hath Redeemed and Saved. As for the ungodly, it is said concerning them, Psal. 9. 17. The wicked shall be turned into Hell and all the nations that forget God. It is there∣fore to God as a Judge, to be doomed, and dis∣posed of by him, according to his righteous Judg∣ment.
IV. That this is an awfull consideration to men while they live, and peculiarly so to such as are just ready to dy. I may not tarry at these things, to give a distinct and particular account of them, but must only give some brief glances at them: And there are two asser••ions in this Observation.
1. It carryes awe in it to men while they live, to put them on the greatest Circumspection to themselves in their whole course. If there were no Judgment to come, what need would there be for men to take any care how or after what man∣ner they lead their lives? The Epecurian Doctrine, let us drink and drab, let us revel and swagger, and give every sensual lust its freest scope to sa∣tisfie
it self, might plead, if not reason, yet im∣munity and security; for, if there be no after reckoning, there is then no danger at all. But this thought, if it be rightly entertained, will be a strong curb to sin, and a sharp spur to duty, inas∣much as it must needs lead mens thoughts for∣ward to such meditations as these: There is cer∣tainly a future Judgment, in which I am perso∣nally concerned. I am Gods Creature, and am placed under the Rule of his special Government, and interested in the Sanctions of his Holy Law. I am now a probationer for that day, and all that I am doing in this world hath a reference unto that, and must come under the strict examen of it. Every thought of mine heart, every word of my mouth, and every deed that I do, will then be called over, and tryed whether it be con∣formable to, or dissonant from the Rule, by the which I must be either acquitted or condemned; and so exact will that scrutiny be, that not so much as one idle word shall escape it, Math. 12. 36. Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give an account thereof in the day of Judgment. I am under the watchful eye of an all-seeing God, who keeps an exact account of all my thoughts, words and deeds, and will certainly in that day, bring them into open light, and set them in or∣der before me; For God will bring every work in∣to Judgment with every secret thing, Eccl. 12. 14. I must dy ere long, and there is no possible avoid∣ance of it, and then to the Judgment I must,
whether I will or no; and it will be utterly in vain for me to tire the Rocks and Mountains, to hide me from the presence of the great God, or secure me from making my appearance before his Judg∣ment seat. There will need no witness then to be produced to prove any of the matters that shall be alledged against me; since mine own Conscience is an exact register of all things, and will be more than a thousand witnesses. I am, all the time that I am living in this world laying up treasures for eternity, and those either of hap∣piness or of misery, which shall be righteously distributed to me, according as I have been lay∣ing in in this time. I have a righteous Judge unto whom I must give up my accounts, with whom there is no respect of persons, and a vain thing it is to hope to bribe him; but according as my true state, upon the most exact enquiry, shall be found, so will he take order about me, and pass the sentence either of absolution or con∣demnation upon me. Now, what a check would such reflections as these are, throughly believed, and fixedly entertained, give to the mad young∣ster, in the midst of all his frolicks, and mar all the mirth of his greedy lusts, turning it into bit∣terness? God therefore offers such a memento as this is to these. Eccl. 11. 9. Rejoyce, O young man, in thy youth, and let thine heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things, God wi••l bring thee into Judgment.
Yea, how would it put every one of us upon greater wariness to our selves, and make a deep impression of that advice upon our hearts, Eph. 5. 15. See that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time. How would it put us upon pondering our way, and living by rule, and make us afraid of rash & precipitant rushing into any action? I am sure that Job tells us that he was awed by such a thought a•• this, and upon it to look well to himself, lest at any time he should expose himself to the danger of not being able to hold up his head, when he should be called to a r••ckoning, Job 3. 1. 14. What then shall I do when God riseth up? and when he visiteth, what shall I answer him?
2. And what an amazing thought must it needs be to them, that are at the point of death, except they have made their peace with God? As for those indeed, who have through grace obtained a pardon & acceptance unto life through the New-Covenant, this thought must needs afford to them all preciousness and desirableness; though still, the very nature of the thing will carry in it an holy awe on their hearts. But as for all others, how can they, a•• such an hour, look upon it without horror? Truly, the uncertainty of death, and the certainty of the following Judgment, and Reck∣oning he must then be called to, is enough con∣stantly to fill the sinner with consternation, for that he hath reason every moment to be afraid of the arrest: though careless men, put away the
thoughts of this, on presumption that the vision is for many days to come. But when he perceives that he hath but a very few days or hours to stay; death now stares him in the face, shews him its Warrant, and tells him he must be gone, & there is no hope of a longer reprieve; what a tumult will it raise in him, and what pungent thoughts must it needs fill him withal? can he but reflect and say? my working time is now done, my day in which I have been laying up for another world, is over, and I am now ready to pass into an amazing Eternity; and what an unconceivable change will it make with me? what little hope have I that this Change is like to be unto me for the better, and not for the worse? I have indeed been hard at work in my little, time, and pursued my buisiness with great eagerness, but what man∣ner of work is it that I have been doing? I have been laying up of vast treasures, but where is it they are stored? I am now going to appear be∣fore my Judge; my naked soul, must, in a very little while be brought before his Tribunal; and he will certainly recompence me, without all par∣tiality, according to what I have done in the body, whether it be good or evil: If the life I have led in this world hath been wicked, how can I expect that my latter end should be peace? There is an Heaven and an Hell before me, one whereof will receive me as soon as I depart; but into which of these am I like to pass? the Judge will certainly appoint me to one or the other of them. Oh!
where shall this Immortal Soul of mine lodge, when it shall be called out of this mortal body, & shall be required at mine hands? Have I any good reason to think that it shall be received by the blessed Angles, and lodged in Abrahams Bosome; or rather fall into the hands of rageful Devils, and be hurried to endless torments? What manner of life is it that I have been leading in the World? Which way is it that I have been going? Have I chosen that narrow way that leads unto life, which there are but a few that find? or have I not rejec∣ted it, and gone in the broad way that leads to de∣struction, in which the multitude of mankind are travelling? what Guilt is it that I have been con∣tracting to my self by transgressing of Gods Law, and exposing my self to the curse of it? how ma∣ny horrid and amazing sins do there stare me in the face? sins which I have committed against light, against conscience, against mercy and pati∣ence, against counsels and warnings, against the strivings of the Spirit of God? and what hope have I that these sins are forgiven, and shall not be laid to my charge? what grounds have I to think that my person is accepted with God? and what is the foundation on which my hopes are built? have I truly and cordially repented of these sins of mine, or rather hardned mine heart against all calls, and counsels, into impenitence? have I really forsaken these sins, never to have to do with them more, or do I not hold them fast, and refuse to let them go? Have I gotten into Christ by a true
and living faith? Have I made my Judge mine Advocate and my friend? or have I not despised all his offers of Grace and Mercy, and resisted his Spirit who strove with me, and thereby horri∣bly aggravated my Guilt, provoked him to take Vengeance on me? How shall I appear before this Great and Terrible God? must I in that condition be haled to his Judgment Seat? is there nothing to be done yet for my safety, that I may not fall under his terrible indignation, but may meet him with comfort? must I dy, and be judged, and condemned, and damned for ever? Happy, yea thrice happy are they that can say as he, 2 Tim. 4. 7, 8. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith, hence∣forth there is laid up for me a Crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge will give me at that day. But as for me, what shall I do?
I had chosen this text for a most solemn oc∣casion, which had been designed for this day; which, in pity to an Immortal Soul, and to give Opportunity of a farther space for repentance is deferred. God grant it to obtain the desired end. But I hope, with his blessing, it may prove a sea∣sonable subject, both to the miserable object, and to the whole Congregation. I shall therefore offer at a brief Application of it.
For Information in three particulars.
1. Learn we hence the folly and madness which the generality of man-kind do labour of. Are all men riding post to their dissolution, and must they thence pass unto Judgment? we must then certainly conclude, that the workers of ini∣quity have no understanding. If we take a due observation of the Lives and Conversations which the most of the Children of men are leading, we may plainly read thus much in them, viz. That they either believe that they shall never dy, or at the least that they have no thoughts or expectations of ever being called to an after reckoning. Doth the Covetous world∣ing, who lays out all his thoughts and industry, in laying up his treasures on earth, and making of that his only care, that by heaping up wealth, and providing himself with abundance of the good things of this life, he may have encouragment to sing that requiem to his Soul; Luk. 12. 19. Soul, thou hast goods laid up for many years, take thine ease, eat, drink and be merry. Doth he believe that he shall ever be parted from his possessions, and he made to go to the generation of his fathers, never to see light? Doth the Profligate Voluptuary, who seek no farther than to immerge himself in carnal plea∣sures, spending of his time among vain and lewd Companions, in drinking, and gaming, and wan∣ton dalliances, always making provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof, ever affect his heart with the thought or belief of the days of darkness which shall be many? Doth the Profane Swearer, that is every day rending of Gods blessed name with
horrid Oaths and Cu••ses; the wicked Sabbath breaker, who, on design, takes holy time, for his most gratefull Opportunity of acting his greatest debaucheries; the Licentious Young person, who despiseth his Parents, ••ejects all their faithful counsels, and warnings, rebelliously and resolutely breaks away from under the yoke of Family Government, and gives the reins to his youthful lusts; the Fornicator and Adulterer, who with greatest greediness drinks his stollen waters, & eats his bread in secret; the thief, who watcheth for the twilight, for the black and dark night, to commit his outrages in; do these, & a great many more that might here have been brought into the num∣ber, believe that their sins are written with a pen of iron, and the point of a diamond, and that for all these things God will shortly call them to a severe account? Do careless sinners, who trifle away a day of grace, without regard to their Souls and Eternity; who live contented in their state of Unregeneracy, and take no heed to make their peace with God, or seek to secure an interest in Christ, and that Salvation which is wrought out by him, by giving all diligence to make their calling and election sure; expect shortly to be called to a reckoning for their Talents received, & be doom∣ed accordingly? certainly no. And doth not the truth now under consideration say, that all these labour of madness in their hearts whiles they live?
2. Here we see one great reason why there is so much horrid wickedness committed in the
World, the root of it indeed is in that Original Sin, which the hearts of all men are by nature full of, and is a fountain that is always sending forth its bitter streams: and he was never rightly acquainted with his own naughtiness, who is not led by the observation of his actual prevarication to the source from which all do derive: However, there are those restraints under which the Cor∣ruption that is within men is held back from brea∣king forth into prodigious Enormities, which is none of the least of these favours which God in∣dulgeth the children of men withal, but for which all humane So••ieties must disband, and one, and not the least of these, is the d••ead of an after rec∣koning imprinted on the Consciences of men, by which they are kept in awe; when therefore this chain, with which God ties men up, and sets bounds to their violence, is taken off, and men are insensible of any impressions from it, what will not their impetuous lusts make them dare to do? It is the Psalmists observation in Psal. 36. 1. The trans∣gression of the wicked saith in my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes, and did men think of, or believe the terrors of the Lord, they would surely make them afraid; were the expectation of a fu••ure judgment, and a strict reckoning then to be taken of men, of all that ever they have done, realities to them, they would not dare to do as they do. Would the bold Sinner dare to run himself upon the point of the sword of revenging Justice, if he knew that it is for his life: Would
the miserable children of men dare Heaven with their impious blasphemies, and all manner of bruit∣ish abominations, if they believed that there is a great and holy God, who will bring them before his bar, and punish them with everlasting destruction for these things? No, there is a root of Atheism in the bottom of all this; Psal. 14. 1. The fool hath said in his heart there is no God. And they that entertain arguings in their minds to put them on calling in question the being and perfections of God, will certainly, on the same Topicks, conclude that there can be no Judgment. The Prophet therefore is given to understand, what it was that nourished the daring abominations of those Jews, Ezek. 9. 9. The iniquity of the house of Israel, and Judah is exceeding great, and the city is full of blood, and the land full of perverseness: for they say, the Lord hath forsaken the earth, and the Lord seeth not. And they that are arrived to entertaining of such sentiments as these, are no better than Atheists.
3. This truth tells us who they be that are the truly and only wise men: not those that have the worlds verdict for such, and are cryed up among men on this account: not they who have that Character upon them, Jer. 4. 22. They are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge. All the skill that men have attained unto, by which they out-do others in being able to get and keep the world; all the wit which men exercise in carrying on their courses of iniquity with greatest secrecy and security, will be found one day to have been
nothing better than madness, whiles they have looked no farther, nor laid in any provision for the time to come; and every such man hath the doom already declared against him, that in the end he shall be a fool. He, he is the only wise man, who believing the reports of a future account, & look∣ing upon himself to be deeply concerned in it, makes it his great study & business to be providing for it, and what ever be the changes that go over him in this world, to secure peace in his latter end, to study how he may, and endeavour that he may make the Judge his friend & Attourney; to get a sure claim to the promises of the everlasting Covenant, and all the mercies that are laid up in them; to get now a sealed pardon of all his sins, that none of them may rise up against him in that day, and a Justification unto life. This is the man who shall stand in the Judgment, when all others shall fall; this is the man who may look death in the face without dread, and entertain joyful thoughts of that great Judgment, which may make all other faces to gather paleness & hearts to be fill∣ed with astonishment and horrour: this is he who can look with an eye of faith on his appearance before God, & upon every warning that is given him of the approach of it, can say, Amen, even so come Lord Jesus. Who shall pass through death to be Judged, and being there accepted before God, and his cause found good, shall pass from thence with comfort, and be settled in the eternal Kingdom, and live in the fulness of those joys that are
in Gods prescnce. And when the last Trumpet shall sound, he knows now that his Redeemer is coming to give him perfect Salvation in both Soul & body: whiles they that had so little consideration, as to neglect the things of their peace in the day of it, having laid out and lost all their thoughts, & en∣deavours upon perishing things, shall howl and la∣ment bitterly, when the Judge shall shut them out of his presence Chamber, and thrust them down into the bottomless pit, where shall be nothing but wailing, and gnashing of Teeth.
Let this Doctrine be a watch word for sinners. I am sure that it carries just matter of terrour in it to all such as are open to the Temptations of sin, & ready inconsiderately to entertain them. I am sure that Paul made use of this very thing as his monitor, to keep him close to his work, and make him faithful in the discharge of it, 2 Cor. 5. 10, 11. We must all appear, &c. knowing therefore the ter∣rours of the Lord, we perswade men. Let us then be always bearing this in mind, and using of it as a potent argument on our hearts, to excite us to be very careful & fearful, lest we should fall into the neglect of duty by reason of the discouragements which encounter in the way of it, or run our selves into the Commission of any sin, through the allurements which may be offered to us, from the men or the things of the world. Whatsoever arguments flesh and blood, wicked men, or Satan may at any time urge upon us, to intice us in to
sins of Omission or Commission, let us be sure to weigh them in the ballance of the Sanctuary a∣gainst this great consideration, I must very short∣ly appear before God, and be called to answer for this then, and what an account shall I give to him? ask, will it bear the tryal of that day of re∣velation? will it then have the approbation of the Judge? or if it will not, will the benefit which I shall gain by it, in the gratification of carnal concupiscence, make reparation for the damage which I shall sustain by the sentence of Condem∣nation that will then pass upon me for it, and the fearful miseries which I shall undergo in the ex∣ecution of that sentence? and if not, think what an ineffable infatuation it will be to give place to it. When you are urged hard, and find your selves beginning to give consent, and address your selves to the Commission of any sin, think seri∣ously, if the hand of Gods anger should now ••all upon me, and cut me off, and hasten me to the Judgment, how shall I appear before this dreadful God? what good might such thoughts as these do, if reallized?
Let it be for a word of Warning to us all, to be very careful in making ready to dye well: whiles others are only solicitous in providing that they may rub through, & live according to their hearts desire in this wo••ld; let us be perswaded to be peculiarly thoughtful, and practically so, that when we come to dy, we may make a good end.
And I know no argument that carries more of pungency in it, to stimulate us hereunto, than the Truth in hand, if it be entertained with a one so∣lemnity. Let us then gather up our thoughts, & fix them frequently here. Think, I am going to the Judgment; think who is to be Judge, & that no other than the all knowing, heart-fearching, holy, righteous, and Almighty God. Think, what will be the matter of the Judgment; even all that I have been and done, to a thought; & the most secret abomination that ever I was guilty of. Think what is the Rule according to which all will pro∣ceed, and that will be the exact Law of Justice, unless I am under Grace, and so delivered from the Dominion of it. Think what shall be the hap∣piness of those that shall then stand, and receive the sentence of absolution; and what will be the woful infelicity of those that must ••all. Think how sin hath exposed us all to condemnation, & where our only hope and help is, even in Jesus Christ, who alone can deliver us from the wrath to come. Think, now is the time for us to seek and secure a part in him, by getting into him by a living faith, & it will be too late for this, when death hath deli∣vered us up to the Judgment. Think what a fear∣ful thing it will be then to be mistaken, to go out of this life with hope that will prove a a spiders web; to lean on an expectation that will fail and break under us. Think if I make not the more hast, it may be too late; I stand on the very edge and brink of eternity, the Judge is at the door. Am I
ready for it? if not, shall I dare to dally in an affair of such infinite concernment one moment? will it not expose me to unconceivable hazard? and when we see any such as have despised Gods Grace, and run themselves desperately into self∣destroying sins, and are now ready to be posted away to their fearful account; let any such Ob∣ject before us, put a suitable solemnity into our hearts, and make us reflect and say, I may go a∣way as soon as or before such an one, and am I in a better readiness? have I done any thing more to lay in for a comfortable trial? and let this drive you to him who is the God of all Grace, to ask of him, with the most intense importuni∣ty, to work you up unto a meetnaess for this Ap∣pearance.
And now give me leave to add one word of advice to the poor Condemned Creature who is under a Sentence of Death: Who if God had not put more pitty into the hearts of her pious & compassionate Judges, than she had for her own Soul, had now been hearing the last Sermon that ever should have been Preached in her ears; and the Lord grant that this respite given you, may turn to the account of your Salvation; else know it, it will add a fearful Item to your astonishing account. Oh that I might now have had the occasion and encouragement to have spoken a consolatory word, to a broken heart, wounded to death under the Arrows of the Almighty, and sensible of her miserable condition, humbly asking after the hopes of Salvation: the Lord knows how my heart would have rejoyced, might it have been so. But since
it must be otherwise, I pray God that his Terrors may make you afraid, and drive you yet, before all hopes of mercy be past and gone, in deepest sense of your own unworthiness, to take Sanctuary in the Blood of Christ, where only, how much soever you have despised it, you can obtain safety. Your Humane Judge hath told you that you must Dy, and that very quickly; and you have no hope that this Sentence will be reversed. But I am now to Cite you, in the name of God, to a more dread∣ful Judgment upon that; as soon as ever you are dead, you must be called to it, and what preparation have you made? what have you been doing in order to it? alas! a fearful deal; you are but a young Creature, but ah! an old sinner, grown ripe, and must be cut down before you have seen twenty years in this world. What a fearful Indictment hath the All-seeing God ready drawn up against you? what uncountable bloody Items is it filled up withal? I have already given you the most so∣lemn advice, in the name of God, about these things on the last Sabbath, and all the encouragement to seek for a pardon, which the Word of God affords; and many of Gods faithful Servants have been in publick or pri∣vate, or both, solemn and serious in their applications to you; and what do you now mean to do? are you re∣solved to harden your neck, till you be remedilesly de∣stroyed? will you add Impenitency to Iniquity, & tram∣ple on the precious Blood of Christ, that hath been and is offered to you? do you think to plead with God, as you have done with men, that you are guilty of Murder only according to mans Law, and not ••is! Shall the all-knowing God so be put off? do you hope thy your lies, which men have detected you of, not only before, but at your Trial, and since your Condemnation, will shelter you from the Vengeance of that God who is a Witness; and ••ath said, Rev. 21. 8. That all Liars shall have their part
in the Lake which burns with fire and brimstone? Do you think that your abominable Whoredom committed in the Prison, & under the apprehension of being quickly to be thrust out of the World as an Execration, will help for∣ward your repentance, or make your account more ea∣sie? is this the provision that you are making for your standing before God? let all that hear me this day take notice and tremble, and learn by this amazing instance, what sin persisted in, under calls, and counsels, & warn∣ings will expose them to, & how righteous a thing it is with God, to leave them up to a feared conscience, Who would not be instructed. Well, I know that the blood of Christ can wash away this guilt too, and the Soveraign Grace of God can yet discover it self, and my hearts desire and prayer to God in this behalf continually is, that it may be so: and let every soul that is affe∣cted with the misery of this poor Creature, lift up a prayer in this regard. But know it, that if you appear before your Judge under the guilt of these Crimson and Scarlet Sins, a few days more will fix you in Eternal Miseries, and because you have despised mercy in the day of it, you shall have Judgment without mercy; and can your heart endure, to be made the Subject of Gods Fiery Indignation, and feel the Impressions of his Fury in Everlasting Burnings? Hasten then, the Avenger of Blood is just ready to give you the fatal stroak, and if you do not with all speed get into the City of Ref••uge, you are gone for ever. The Lord give you an ear to hear, and heart to consider, lest this word also rise up in the Judgment against you, and encrease your Eternal Flames.