gives only specimens and earnests of its justice at present; reserving the full vindication and display of itself for that future state, in which our souls, being naturally immortal, are evidently destined to exist; and where all men shall receive according to their works. This is the great end that God had in his view, when he created us; and it is the principal point, that we should have in our own view, through the whole of our lives. More or less all mankind, even in their darkest ignorance, have always had some persuasion of a future recompence; which, however mixed with errors, yet, being thus universal and lasting, must have been grounded in nature and truth. And the wiser and better any persons were, amongst the heathens, the stronger and more rational belief they had of this doctrine: which yet was not owing merely to their wishes and their hopes: for the worst of sinners, that were the farthest from desiring a just reward hereafter, feared it, whether they would or not. Thus we find it recorded of a very wicked heathen, that when Paul reasoned of righteousness, and temperance, and judgement to come, Felix trembled*. But still, while the evidence of this great article consisted wholly in mere human reasonings, about a matter that was out of sight; bad persons, though they could not help at some times believing enough to fright them, yet made a shift at others to disbelieve enough, to make them tolerably easy in doing wrong; and good persons, though they might have hope sufficient to influence them in common cases; yet often had not sufficient to support them under harder duties, and heavier afflictions, than ordinary. Even the obscurer confirmations of this doctrine in * Acts xxiv. 25. the Old Testament therefore were a great benefit to those, who partook of them: and as they had no right to any such assurances of it, they had no cause to complain, that they were not clearer. But we have infinite cause to be thankful, who are favoured in the Gospel with the fullest and strongest attestation to this most interesting of all our concerns. Christians, unless they renounce their Christianity, cannot disbelieve a future judgement. The only dif ficulty is, to be influenced by our belief, as we ought. And in that also the Scripture hath given us the best help, which is possible to be given; by its affecting accounts of the several particulars that relate to this awful transaction: the persons on whom, the person by whom, the time when, the things for which, and the manner in which, the final sentence of happiness or misery is to be pronounced. These points therefore I shall now endeavour to place before you distinctly. And, 1. The persons on whom, are, the quick, that is, the living, and the dead. All that have died before, in every age of the world, shall be restored to life: and all that remain alive, shall be joined with them to receive their doom; nor shall any exception be made. For we are expressly assured, that the dead, small and great, shall stand before God. The very highest therefore shall not escape by their power, the richest by their wealth, the wisest by their abilities or artfulness: nor, on the other hand, shall the meanest wretch be looked on, as too inconsiderable for God's notice; or the most ignorant be exempted from answering for the care, which he hath taken, to get the knowledge, that he might, and to use the knowledge, that he had, of his duty. Whatever our *Rev. xx. 12. station be, we are bound alike to behave in it, as well as we can; and how far we have done so, and how far we have failed of it, is the one inquiry that our Judge will make. Other distinctions, how considerable soever they appear in our eyes, to him are as nothing. All creatures are equally beneath his infinite majesty; but none are either beneath or above his inspection now, or his sentence hereafter. Here then we are put, every one of us, on a fair trial, without any disadvantage or inequality whatever. Both the most honourable, and the most contemptible persons, as to worldly circumstances, may be either the happiest or the most miserable in the next life, just as they shall chuse. Let those of high degree therefore be humble, those of low be content, and all be watchful over themselves. 2. The person, by whom the sentence shall be passed, is Jesus Christ. For the Father himself judgeth no man; but hath committed all judgement to the Son, and given him authority to execute it, because he is the Son of man*: because he is the person, described by that name in the prophet Daniel, before whom the judgement was to be set, and the books opened: who also is no less peculiarly qualified, than expressly appointed for it; since in him divine perfection is joined with experience of human infirmity. So that being judged by one, who was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sint; we may be sure, that every due allowance will be made to our natural weakness, and no undue one to our wilful wickedness. Unless therefore we repent and amend, he, that came the first time to save us, will come the second to condemn us; and the meek and merciful Jesus appear cloathed with such terror, that we shall * John v. 22. 27. † Dan. vii. 10. 13. ↑ Heb. iv. 15. say to the mountains, and to the rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of his wrath is come, and who shall be able to stand *? 3. The time when these things shall be, himself informs us, it is not for us to know; being known to the Father alone, and put in his own powert. But still what there is need we should be told concerning it, the Scripture hath revealed: that it should come unexpectedly, and that it shall come soon. The general judgement may come, when we least think of it. But however distant it may possibly be in itself, yet to every one of us it is undoubtedly in effect very near, and even at the door. For it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this the judgement. A few years, it may be a few days, will bring us to our end here and in whatever state death finds us, in the same will the last judgement find us also. For there is no device, nor wisdom in the grave§: but where the tree falleth, there shall it be. Take heed therefore to yourselves, lest your hearts be overcharged, either with the pleasures and amusements, or the cares and labours of this life: and so that day come upon you unawares: for as a snare shall it come on all them, that dwell on the whole earth¶. The evil servant that shall say in his heart, My Lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to smite his fellow-servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken: the Lord of that servant shall come in a day, that he looketh not for him; and in an hour, that he is not aware of; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth**. Watch ye, there Rev. vi. 16, 17. § Eccl. ix. 10. ** Matth. xxiv. 48-51. + Acts i. 7. + Heb. ix, 27. fore, and be ready: blessed is that servant, whom his Lord, when he cometh, shall find so doing*. 4. The things, for which we shall be judged, are all our voluntary deeds, words, and thoughts. For we must all appear before the judgement-seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body†. Now what we say, and what we think designedly, is as truly part of our doings, as what we act. Our discourse may be of as much service or harm to others and even our inward imaginations may as much prove us to be good or bad in ourselves, and contribute to make us yet better or worse. Often indeed we cannot help wicked fancies coming into our minds; and that alone will never be imputed to us as a sin. But we can help inviting, indulging, and delighting in them: and if we do not, it is just, that we should account for our fault. And on the other hand, it is fit and reasonable, that every good person should be rewarded, not only for the religious and worthy actions that he hath performed; but for every good word, that hath proceeded from his good heart; for his pious and virtuous purposes and affections. For God sees the one, just as clearly as the other; there is no creature, that is not manifest in his sight; but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him, with whom we have to do. And certainly what he sees, and sees to be proper for his notice, he will not fail to take suitable notice of it. The Scripture therefore assures us, with the utmost reason; not only, that by our words we shall be justified, and by our words, condemned; giving account for the very idlest and slightest of them, either with Matt. xxiv. 42. 44. 46. + 2 Cor. v. 10. |