Milton

¶1Dictum est supra capite xxvto. de GLORIFICATIONE NOSTRA INCHOATA in hac nempe vita: dicendum nunc postremo est de GLORIFICATIONE PERFECTA in sempiterno tandem ævo perficienda.

¶2Hujus ante legem typus fuit Enochus cœlo receptus, Gen. v. 24. et Elias, 2 Reg. ii. 11.

¶3Ea perfici demum et consummari incipit ab adventu secundo Christi ad mundum judicandum, et resurrectione mortuorum. Luc. xxi. 28. quum hæc fieri incipient, sursum respicite et attollite capita vestra, quoniam appropinquat redemptio vestra. 2 Thess. i. 7. vobis vero qui affligimini, relaxationem nobiscum, in revelatione Domini Jesu de cœlo.

¶4DE ADVENTU DOMINI AD JUDICIUM, quo is cum sanctis angelis suis mundum judicaturus est, prædictum est, primum ab Enocho et prophetis, deinde ab ipso Christo et apostolis. Judæ 14, 15. prophetavit etiam de istis septimus ab Adamo Enochus, dicens, ecce venit Dominus cum sanctis millibus suis, ut ferat judicium adversus omnes, et redarguat quicunque p. 373ex ipsis sunt impii, de factis omnibus quæ impie patrarint, deque omnibus duris quæ locuti fuerint adversus ipsum peccatores impii. Dan. vii. 22. usquedum veniret antiquus dierum, et judicium daretur sanctis—. Matt. xxv. 31. quum venerit Filius hominis cum gloria sua, et omnes sancti angeli cum eo. Act. i. 11. hic Jesus qui—, ita veniet quemadmodum spectastis eum proficiscentem in cœlum. et x. 42. eum esse qui definitus sit a Deo judex vivorum ac mortuorum. et xvii. 31. eo quod statuit diem, quo juste judicaturus est orbem terrarum per eum virum quem definiit—, illo ex mortuis suscitato. 2 Thess. i. 7, 8. in revelatione Domini Jesu de cœlo cum angelis suis potentibus.

¶5Diem et horam adventus Christi solus Pater novit. Matt. xxiv. 36. Marc. xiii. 32. de die illo ac hora nemo novit—. Act. i. 7. non est vestrum nosse tempora sive opportunitates quas Pater in sua ipsius auctoritate statuit. Dan. xii. 8, 9. dixi, Domine mi, quis finis futurus istorum? Et ille, abi, inquit, Daniel; nam occlusæ sunt et obsignatæ hæ res usque ad tempus determinatum. Poterit etiam hac de re legi utilissimus liber Zanchii de fine sæculi, tom. vii.

¶6Erit itaque repentinus. Matt. xxv. 6. media autem nocte clamor ortus est dicentium, ecce, sponsus venit, exite in occursum ejus. Luc. xvii. 26, &c. prout in diebus Noæ—; et ut in diebus Lot—. et xxi. 34, 35. cavete vobis ne quando—, et repente vobis superveniat dies ille: nam ut laqueus invadet in omnes qui habitant in superficie totius terræ. 1 Thess. v. 2, 3. scitis diem illum Domini, ut fur nocte, ita venturum esse: quum enim dicent, pax et securitas, tunc repentinum eis imminet exitium—.

¶7Signa tamen quædam a Christo et apostolis sunt tradita, quæ de adventu ejus nos admoneant. Matt. xxiv. a v. 3. ad v. 27. cum Marc. xiii. et Luc. xxi. Signa autem illa communia sunt vel propria.

¶8Communia sunt, quæ excidium Hierosolymitanum veluti typum adventus sui et adventum ipsum communiter prænuntiant: cujusmodi sunt pseudoprophetæ, pseudochristi, bella, terræ motus, persecutiones, pestis, p. 374fames, fidei et charitatis imminutio ad hunc usque diem, Matt. xxiv. a v. 3. ad v. 27. 2 Tim. iii. 1, &c.

¶9Propria sunt, securitas atque impietas extrema, et universa prope defectio. Luc. xviii. 8. Filius hominis cum venerit, num reperturus est fidem in terra? 2 Thess. ii. 3. non adveniet dies Christi, quin venerit defectio prius—. 1 Tim. iv. 1.

¶10Secundo, antichristi revelatio, et per spiritum oris Christi abolitio. 2 Thess. ii. 3. et revelatus fuerit homo ille peccati, filius ille perditionis—. et v. 8. et tum revelabitur exlex ille, quem Dominus absumet spiritu oris sui, et evanescere faciet illo suo illustri adventu.

¶11Signum aliud huc referunt nonnulli, vocationem universam non Judæorum solum, sed etiam Israelitarum. Isa. xi. 11, 12. erit enim tempore illo, ut adhibeat Dominus secundo manum suam—. et xiv. 1, &c. miserebitur Jehova Jacobi, et eliget rursus Israelitas, quos reponat—. et xxvii. 14, 15. excutiet Jehova inde a fluxu illius fluminis usque ad—. Jer. iii. 7. revertere, aversa Israel—. et v. 13. temporibus illis euntes domus Jehudæ cum domo Israelis—. et xxx. 3. reducam captivam multitudinem populi mei Israelis et Jehudæ—. et xxxi. 5. adhuc conseras vineas in montibus Samariæ—. et v. 36, &c. si amovebuntur statuta ista a conspectu meo—. et cap. xxxiii. 7. reducam captivam multitudinem Jehudæ captivamque multitudinem Israelis—. Ezech. xx. 41, 42. et experiemini me esse Jehovam, cum reduxero vos—. et xxxvii. 21, 22. et efficiam eos gentem unam in illa terra—. Hos. iii. 5. postea reversi Israelitæ—. Amos. ix. 14, 15. et reducam captivam multitudinem populi mei Israelis—. Zech. viii. 23. erit diebus illis quum prehendent decem homines—. et xii. 4, &c. die illo, dictum Jehovæ, percutiam omnem equum—. Itaque reduces Judæi, Ezræ vi. 17. obtulerunt hircos lactentes in peccata pro toto Israele duodecim, pro numero tribuum Israelis; utpote quas Deus omnes adhuc pro suis habebat; etsi in hunc usque diem ex captivitate nondum reduces. Luc. xxi. 24. Jerusalem conculcata erit a gentibus, donec impleantur tempora gentium. Rom. xi. 12, 13. quod si offensa eorum est—, quanto magis plep. 375nitudo ipsorum? et v. 15. nam si abjectio eorum—, quæ erit assumptio? et v. 25. nolim enim vos ignorare, fratres, mysterium hoc—; obdurationem ex parte Israeli evenisse, tantisper dum—: et ita totus Israel servabitur.

¶12Adventus Christi erit tardus. 2 Thess. ii. 1, 2, 3. rogamus autem vos, fratres, per adventum Domini nostri Jesu Christi et nostri ad eum aggregationem, ne cito a mente dimoveamini, neque per spiritum neque per sermonem neque per epistolam tanquam per nos scriptam, quasi instet dies ille Christi; ne quis vos seducat ullo modo: non enim adveniet dies Christi, quin venerit—. 2 Pet. iii. 3, 4, &c. venturos extremis diebus irrisores—, dicentes, ubi est pollicitatio adventus ejus—? ad finem capitis: ubi et ratio redditur cur diem adventus sui differat Dominus.

¶13Erit illustris. Matt. xxiv. 27. sicut fulgur exit ab oriente, et apparet usque ad occidentem, ita etiam erit adventus Filii hominis. et v. 30. videbunt Filium hominis venientem in nubibus cœli cum potentia et gloria multa. Luc. xxi. 27. idem. Matt. xxv. 31. quum venerit Filius hominis cum gloria sua, et omnes sancti angeli cum eo, tunc sedebit in throno gloriæ—. 1 Thess. iv. 16. nam ipse Dominus cum hortationis clamore, cum voce archangeli, et cum Dei tuba descendet e cœlo. et 2 Thess. i. 10. quum venerit, ut glorificetur in sanctis suis, et admirandus fiat in credentibus omnibus die illo. Tit. ii. 13. expectantes beatam illam spem, et illustrem adventum gloriæ magni Dei ac servatoris nostri Jesu Christi. Judæ 14. ecce, venit Dominus cum sanctis millibus suis.

¶14Erit terribilis. Isa. lxvi. 15, 16. nam ecce, Jehova cum igne venturus est et curribus suis similibus turbini, ad reddendum cum excandescentia iram et increpationem suam cum flammis ardentibus. et cap. xiii. 9, 10. cum Matt. xxiv. 29, 30. statim autem post afflictionem dierum illorum, sol obscurabitur, nec edet luna splendorem suum, et stellæ cadent de cœlo, et potestates cœlorum concutientur. Marc. xiii. 24, 25. idem. Luc. xxi. 25, 26. tunc erunt signa in sole et luna et stellis, et in terra anxietas gentium consilii inopia, resonante mari et salo, exanimatis hominibus præ metu—. 2 Thess. i. 7, 8. in revelatione Domini Jesu de cœlo cum angelis suis potentibus, cum p. 376igne flammante—. Apoc. vi. a v. 12. ad finem capitis: et ecce, terræ motus magnus—, et reges terræ, et optimates, et divites, et tribuni— occultarunt se in speluncis et in petris montium—.

¶15Adventum Christi secundum sequitur mortuorum resurrectio et judicium extremum.

¶16RESURRECTIO MORTUORUM non sub evangelio primum credita est. Job. xix. 25, 26, &c. equidem ego novi redemptorem meum vivere, et posteriorem super pulverem resurrecturum: et postquam vermes confoderint istud, evigilante me, tunc carne mea me visurum esse Deum. Psal. xvi. 10, &c. non es derelicturus animam meam in sepulchro—. et xvii. 14, 15. ab hominibus e mundo, quorum portio est in hac vita—. et xlix. 15, 16. tanquam pecudes, in sepulchro dispositos mors depascet eos, donec—. Isa. li. 6, &c. cœlos velut fumum—; salus vero mea in sæculum erit. et xxvi. 19. reviviscunt tui mortui, cadavera quæque mea resurgunt: expergiscemini, inquis, et cantate, qui inhabitatis pulverem—. Zech. iii. 7. sic ait Jehova exercituum, si—, utique disponam tibi qui ambulent inter adstantes istos. Dan. xii. 2. tandemque multi ex dormientibus in pulverulenta terra expergiscentur; hi ad vitam æternam, illi ad opprobria et contemptum æternum. Hos. xiii. 14. cum 1 Cor. xv. 54. e potestate sepulchri redimam eos, a morte vindicabo eos: ubi sunt pestes tuæ, o mors? ubi exitium tuum, o sepulchrum? Act. xxiv. 15. et spem habeam in Deo, fore, quam etiam ii ipsi expectant, resurrectionem mortuorum, tum justorum tum injustorum. et xxvi. 6, 7, 8. ob spem promissionis factæ patribus nostris a Deo, sto in judicium vocatus: quid? incredibile judicatur apud vos quod Deus mortuos suscitet? Heb. xi. 10. expectabat enim civitatem illam habentem fundamenta, cujus artifex et conditor est Deus.

¶17Deinde sub evangelio, testante Christo. Matt. xii. 41. Ninevitæ resurgent in judicio cum gente ista—. Joan. v. 28, 29. veniet hora quum omnes qui in monumentis sunt, audient vocem ejus: et prodibunt qui bona fecerint, in resurrectionem vitæ; qui vero mala egerint, in resurrectionem condemnationis. et vi. 39, 40. idem. et 1 Cor. vi. 14. idem. et p. 377xv. 52. canet tuba, et mortui excitabuntur incorrupti. et 2 Cor. iv. 14. scientes fore, ut qui suscitavit Dominum Jesum, nos quoque per Jesum suscitet, et sistat vobiscum. 1 Thess. iv. 14. idem.

¶18Testimoniis hisce de resurrectione rationes quoque accedunt: 1m. quia Dei fœdus morte non dissolvitur. Matt. xxii. 32. Deus non est Deus mortuorum, sed viventium. 2do. si resurrectio non est futura, ne Christus quidem adhuc resurrexit, 1 Cor. xv. 13, 20. et v. 23. unusquisque suo ordine; primitiæ Christus, postea qui sunt Christi, in adventu ipsius. Joan. xi. 25. dixit ei Jesus, ego sum resurrectio et vita. 3tio. justi essent omnium miserrimi, impii beatissimi, quorum portio in hac vita longe opimior est; quod divina providentia ac justitia plane indignum foret: 1 Cor. xv. 19. si in hac solum vita speramus in Christum—. et v. 30, 31, 32. cur etiam nos periclitamur omni momento—?

¶19Fit autem resurrectio vel mortuorum resuscitatione, vel viventium subita mutatione.

¶20Videtur idem numero quisque homo resurrecturus. Job. xix. 26, 27. postquam vermes confoderint istud, evigilante me, tunc carne mea me visurum esse Deum: idem qui sum ac non alienus visurus sum mihi, et oculi mei aspecturi. 1 Cor. xv. 53. oportet corruptibile istud induere incorruptibilitatem. et 2 Cor. v. 4. in quo constituti non cupimus eo exui, sed superindui, ut absorbeatur mortale a vita. et v. 10. ut unusquisque reportet quæ in corpore fecerit, congruenter ad id quod fecerit, sive bonum sive malum. Hoc nisi sit, Christo conformes non erimus, qui et ipse corpore proprio, carne et sanguine proprio, eodem scilicet quo mortuus est, et resurrexit et gloriam est ingressus.

¶21Viventium mutatio docetur 1 Cor. xv. 51, 52. ecce mysterium—; omnes mutabimur—. 1 Thess. iv. 15, 17, 18. hæc enim vobis dicimus verbis Domini, fore ut nos vivi, qui reliqui erimus in adventum Domini, non præveniamus eos qui obdormierint: et qui mortui fuerint in Christo, resurgent primum; deinde nos vivi qui reliqui erimus, rapiemur simul cum iis in nubes, in occursum Domini, in aera; et ita semper cum Domino erimus.

¶1In the twenty-fifth chapter I treated of that IMPERFECT GLORIFICATION to which believers attain in this life. I now proceed to consider, lastly, that PERFECT GLORIFICATION which is effected in eternity.

¶2Before the law this was typified by the translation of Enoch, Gen. v. 24. as it was under the law by that of Elijah, 2 Kings ii. 11.

¶3Its fulfilment and consummation will commence from the period of Christ's second coming to judgement, and the resurrection of the dead. Luke xxi. 28. when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh. 2 Thess. i. 7. to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven.

¶4THE COMING OF THE LORD TO JUDGEMENT, when he shall judge the world with his holy angels, was predicted, first, by Enoch and the p. 506prophets; afterwards by Christ himself and his apostles. Jude 14, 15. Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousand of his saints, to execute judgement upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. Dan. vii. 22. until the Ancient of days came, and judgement was given to the saints of the most High. Matt. xxv. 31. the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him. Acts i. 11. this same Jesus ...... shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. x. 42. it is he which was ordained of God to be the judge of quick and dead. xvii. 31. he hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained ...... in that he hath raised him from the dead. 2 Thess. i. 7, 8. the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels.

¶5The day and hour of Christ's coming are known to the Father only. Matt. xxiv. 36. Mark xiii. 32. of that day and that hour knoweth no man. Acts i. 7. it is not for you to know the times or the seasons which the Father hath put in his own power. Dan. xii. 8, 9. then said I, O my lord, what shall be the end of these things? and he said, Go thy way, Daniel; for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. The treatise of Zanchius De fine sæculi, tom. vii. may be likewise advantageously consulted on this subject.

¶6Hence it will be sudden. Matt. xxv. 6. at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Luke xvii. 26, &c. as it was in the days of Noe ...... likewise also as it was in the days of Lot. xxi. 34, 35. take heed to yourselves, lest at any time, &c. ...... and so that day come upon you unawares; for as a snare shall it come upon all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 1 Thess. v. 2, 3. for yourselves know perfectly, that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night: for when they shall say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them.

¶7p. 507Certain signs however are pointed out by Christ and his apostles as indicative of its approach; Matt. xxiv. 3—27. Mark xiii. Luke xxi. These signs are either general or peculiar.

¶8The general signs are those which relate equally to the destruction of Jerusalem, the type of Christ's advent, and to the advent itself; such as false prophets, false Christs, wars, earthquakes, persecutions, pestilence, famine, and the gradual decay of faith and charity, down to the very day itself.⁷ Matt. xxiv. 3—27. 2 Tim. iii. 1, &c.

¶9The peculiar signs are, first, an extreme recklessness and impiety, and an almost universal apostasy. Luke xviii. 8. when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? 2 Thess. ii. 3. that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first. Compare also 1 Tim. iv. 1.

¶10Secondly, the revealing of antichrist, and his destruction by the spirit of the mouth of Christ. 2 Thess. ii. 3. that man of sin shall be revealed, the son of perdition—. v. 8. and then shall that wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.

¶11Some refer to the same event another sign, namely, the calling of the entire nation of the Jews, as well as of the ten dispersed tribes.⁸ p. 508Isai. xi. 11, 12. it shall come to pass in that day, that Jehovah shall set his hand again the second time—. xiv. 1. Jehovah will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land. xxvii. 12. Jehovah shall beat off from the channel of the river unto the stream of Egypt. Jer. iii. 12. return, thou backsliding Israel. v. 18. in those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel. xxx. 3. I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah. xxxi. 5. thou shalt yet plant vines upon the mountains of Samaria. v. 36, &c. if those ordinances depart from before me—. xxxiii. 7. I will cause the captivity of Judah and the captivity of Israel to return—. Ezek. xx. 42. ye shall know that I am Jehovah, when I shall bring you into the land of Israel. xxxvii. 21, 22. I will make them one nation in the land—. Hos. iii. 5. afterward shall the children of Israel return. Amos ix. 14, 15. I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel. Zech. viii. 23. in those days it shall come to pass that ten men shall take hold ...... of him that is a Jew, &c. xii. 4, &c. in that day, saith Jehovah, I will smite every horse with astonishment—. Thus the Jews, on their return from the Babylonish captivity, Ezra vi. 17. offered for a sin-offering for all Israel, twelve he-goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel, all which God still accounted as his own, though even to the present day they have not returned out of captivity. Luke xxi. 24. Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. Rom. xi. 12, 13. now if the fall of them be the riches of the world ...... how much more their fulness? v. 15. if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be? v. 25. I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery ...... that blindness in part is happened to Israel until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in: and so all Israel shall be saved.

¶12Christ will delay his coming. 2 Thess. ii. 1—3. now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gatherp. 509ing together unto him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand: let no man seduce you by any means; for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first—. 2 Pet. iii. 3, 4, &c. there shall come in the last days scoffers ...... saying, Where is the promise of his coming? &c. to the end of the chapter; where the reason of his delay is assigned.

¶13His advent will be glorious. Matt. xxiv. 27. as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. v. 30. they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. See also Luke xxi. 27. Matt. xxv. 31. when the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory. 1 Thess. iv. 16. the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God. 2 Thess. i. 10. when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe in that day. Tit. ii. 13. looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. Jude 14. behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousand of his saints.

¶14It will be terrible. Isai. lxvi. 15, 16. behold, Jehovah will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. xiii. 9, 10. compared with Matt. xxiv. 29, 30. immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken. See also Mark xiii. 24, 25. Luke xxi. 25, 26. there shall be signs in the sun and in the moon, and in the stars, and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring, men's hearts failing them for fear. 2 Thess. i. 7, 8. the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire. Rev. vi. 12. to the end of the chapter; lo, there was a great earthquake.....and the kings of the earth, p. 510and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains ..... hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains.

¶15The second advent of Christ will be followed by the resurrection of the dead and the last judgement.

¶16A belief in the RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD existed even before the time of the gospel. Job xix. 25, 26, &c. I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth; and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh I shall see God. Psal. xvi. 10, &c. thou wilt not leave my soul in hell. xvii. 14, 15. from men of the world, which have their portion in this life. xlix. 14, 15. like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them, &c. Isai. li. 6, &c. the heavens shall vanish away like smoke ...... but my salvation shall be for ever. xxvi. 19. thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise; awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust. Zech. iii. 7. thus saith Jehovah of hosts; if, &c. ...... I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by. Dan. xii. 2. many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake; some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. Hos. xiii. 14. compared with 1 Cor. xv. 54. I will ransom thee from the power of the grave, I will redeem thee from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction. Acts xxiv. 15. have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. xxvi. 6—8. I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers ...... why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead? Heb. xi. 10. he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

¶17This expectation was confirmed under the gospel by the testimony of Christ. Matt. xii. 41. the men of Nineveh shall rise in judgement with this generation. John v. 28, 29. the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth, they that have done good unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil p. 511unto the resurrection of damnation. See also vi. 39, 40. and 1 Cor. vi. 14. xv. 52. the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible. 2 Cor. iv. 14. knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus, shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. See also 1 Thess. iv. 14.

¶18To these testimonies from Scripture, may be added several arguments from reason in support of the doctrine. First, the covenant with God is not dissolved by death. Matt. xxii. 32. God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. Secondly, if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen, 1 Cor. xv. 13—20. v. 23. every man in his own order; Christ the first-fruits, afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. John xi. 25. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection and the life. Thirdly, were there no resurrection, the righteous would be of all men most miserable, and the wicked, who have a better portion in this life, most happy; which would be altogether inconsistent with the providence and justice of God. 1 Cor. xv. 19. if in this life only we have hope in Christ—. v. 30—32. why stand we in jeopardy every hour?

¶19This resurrection will take place partly through the resuscitation of the dead, and partly through a sudden change operated upon the living.

¶20It appears indicated in Scripture that every man will rise numerically one and the same person. Job xix. 26, 27. though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another. 1 Cor. xv. 53. this corruptible must put on incorruption. 2 Cor. v. 4. not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. v. 10. that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Otherwise we should not be conformed to Christ, who entered into glory with that identical body of flesh and blood, wherewith he had died and risen again.

¶21p. 512The change to be undergone by the living is predicted 1 Cor. xv. 51. behold, I show you a mystery ...... we shall all be changed. 1 Thess. iv. 15—18. this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep ...... and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

¶1p. 378JUDICIUM EXTREMUM est, quo CHRISTUS CUM SANCTIS, GLORIA ATQUE POTENTIA PATRIS INSTRUCTUS, MALOS ANGELOS, HOMINUMQUE GENUS UNIVERSUM JUDICABIT.

¶2GLORIA ET POTENTIA PATRIS INSTRUCTUS. Joan. v. 22. nec Pater judicat quemquam, sed omne judicium dedit Filio. et v. 27. auctoritatem ei dedit judicium exercendi, quatenus Filius hominis est: id est, quatenus etiam homo est; ut Act. xvii. 31. judicaturus est orbem terrarum per eum virum—. Rom. ii. 16. in die quo judicabit Dominus de occultis hominum ex evangelio meo, per Jesum Christum.

¶3CUM SANCTIS. Matt. xix. 28. vos qui secuti estis me in regeneratione, quum sederit Filius hominis in throno gloriæ suæ, sedebitis vos etiam in thronis duodecim, judicantes duodecim tribus Israel. Luc. xxii. 30. idem. 1 Cor. vi. 2, 3. an ignoratis sanctos mundi judices futuros? an ignoratis fore ut angelorum judices simus?

¶4ANGELOS MALOS. 1 Cor. vi. 2, 3. ut supra.

¶5HOMINUM GENUS UNIVERSUM. Matt. xxiv. 31. mittet angelos suos cum tubæ voce magna, et congregabunt electos ejus a quatuor ventis, a cœlorum extremo ad eorum extremum. et xxv. 32, &c. congregabuntur coram eo omnes gentes, et separabit eos alios ab aliis, ut pastor separat oves ab hædis—. Rom. xiv. 10. omnes sistemur apud tribunal Christi. 2 Cor. v. 10. omnes nos comparere oportet coram tribunali Christi. Apoc. xx. 12, 13. vidi mortuos parvos et magnos stantes in conspectu Dei; et reddidit mare &c. mors quoque et infernus reddiderunt mortuos quos habebant.

¶6JUDICABIT. Eccles. xii. 16. omne opus Deus ipse adducet in judicium cum omni re occulta, sive bonum sive malum. Matt. xii. 36, 37. quodcunque verbum futile locuti fuerint homines, de eo reddituros rationem in die judicii: ex sermonibus enim tuis justificaberis, et ex sermonibus tuis condemnaberis: nempe si, probi cum fuerint, facta non respondeant. p. 379Rom. xiv. 12. unusquisque vestrum de seipso rationem reddet Deo. 1 Cor. iv. 5. usquedum venerit Dominus, qui et illustraturus est res tenebris occultatas, et manifesta faciet consilia cordium: ac tunc laus erit unicuique a Deo. et 2 Cor. v. 10. ut unusquisque reportet quæ in corpore fecerit, congruenter ad id quod fecerit, sive bonum sive malum.

¶7Norma judicii erit ipsa conscientia, ex illa luce quam quisque accepit. Joan. xii. 48. qui dedignatur, nec recipit verba mea, habet qui condemnet ipsum: sermo quem locutus sum, ille condemnabit eum ultimo die. Rom. ii. 12. quicunque absque lege peccaverunt, absque lege quoque peribunt: et quicunque cum lege peccaverunt, per legem damnabuntur. et v. 14. nam quum gentes quæ legem non habent natura quæ legis sunt faciunt, istæ legem non habentes, sibi ipsis sunt lex, ut qui ostendant opus legis scriptum in cordibus suis, una testimonium reddente ipsorum conscientia, et cogitationibus se mutuo accusantibus aut excusantibus, in die quo judicabit Dominus de occultis hominum ex evangelio meo, per Jesum Christum. Jacob. ii. 12. ut per legem libertatis judicandi. Apoc. xx. 12. et libri aperti sunt: et alius liber apertus est, qui est liber vitæ; judicatique sunt mortui ex iis quæ scripta erant in libris, secundum opera ipsorum.

¶8Judicii hujus extremi tempore (neque enim unius diei spatio tot angelorum hominumque myriades sisti et judicari posse verisimile est, et dies pro quovis tempore sæpe intelligitur) ab initio, inquam, hujus judicii ad finem usque et aliquanto post finem, promissum illud toties Christi cum sanctis suis regnum in terris gloriosum videtur futurum; quoad hostes ejus omnes debellati erunt. Nam ab adventu ejus primo regnum quidem gratiæ, quod et regnum cœlorum dicitur, et promulgatum fuisse ab Joanne baptista et initium habuisse constat; regnum autem gloriæ non nisi ab adventu ejus secundo; Dan. vii. 13, 14. ecce cum nubibus cœli similis Filio hominis veniebat—: et huic datus est dominatus, gloriaque ac regnum—; nempe ex quo cum nubibus veniebat, quo modo semper alias describitur adventus ejus, non in carnem, ut vult Junius,^la1 (etenim tum similis Filio hominis fuisset antequam homo p. 380erat, quod certe minus conveniebat) sed ad judicium; ad id usque tempus quo regnum depositurus est, 1 Cor. xv. 24. deinde erit finis—: de quo infra dicetur. In terris autem futurum illud regnum testimonia quam plurima demonstrant. Psal. ii. 8, 9. cum Apoc. ii. 25, 26, 27. donabo gentes in possessionem tuam; et fines terræ jus possessionis tuæ: confringes eos virga ferrea; ut vas figlinum dissipabis eos. et cx. 5, 6. Dominus ad dextram tuam, frangens die iræ suæ reges: judicium exercebit in gentes, complens corporibus, frangens caput in regionibus plurimis. Isa. ix. 7. amplitudini illius principatus et pacis nullus erit finis, in solio Davidis et in regno ejus. Dan. vii. 22. usquedum veniret antiquus dierum, et judicium daretur sanctis excelsorum, et tempus perveniret quo regnum illud possiderent sancti. et v. 27. regnum dominatusque et amplitudo regnorum sub toto cœlo dabitur populo sanctorum excelsorum—. Luc. i. 32, 33. dabit ei Dominus Deus sedem Davidis patris sui, regnabitque in domo Jacobi in æternum, et regni ejus non erit finis. Matt. xix. 28. vos qui secuti estis me in regeneratione, quum sederit Filius hominis in throno gloriæ suæ, sedebitis vos etiam in thronis duodecim, judicantes duodecim tribus Israelis. Luc. xxii. 29, 30. ego vero dispono vobis, sicut disposuit mihi Pater, regnum, ut edatis et bibatis in mensa mea in regno meo, et sedeatis super thronos, judicium ferentes de duodecim tribubus Israelis. Videtur hoc judicium non diurnum sed diuturnum, non tam judiciarium quam moderatorium; quo sensu Gedeon, Jephtes et reliqui judices per multos annos judicasse dicuntur. 1 Cor. xv. 23, 24, 25, 26. unusquisque suo ordine: primitiæ Christus; postea qui sunt Christi, in adventu ipsius: deinde erit finis—. Apoc. v. 10. fecisti nos Deo nostro reges et sacerdotes, et regnabimus in terra. et xi. 15. mundi regna facta sunt Domini nostri et Christi ejus, qui regnabit in sæcula sæculorum. et v. 20. a v. 1. ad v. 7. deinde vidi thronos, et sederunt super eos, et judicium datum est iis—; viventque et regnabunt cum Christo mille annos: reliqui vero ex mortuis non reviviscent, donec consummati fuerint anni mille: hæc est resurrectio prima: beatus et sanctus qui habet partem in resurrectione prima: in hos secunda mors non habet potestatem; sed erunt sacerdotes Dei et Christi, et regnabunt cum eo mille annis.

¶9p. 381Post mille annos rursus furit Satanas, et obsidet ecclesiam collectis hostium maximis copiis: sed igne cœlitus misso funditur, et ad sempiternum supplicium damnatur. Apoc. xx. 7, 8, 9. postquam vero consummati fuerint anni mille, solvetur Satanas e carcere suo; et exibit, ut seducat gentes quæ sunt in quatuor angulis terræ, Gogum et Magogum, ut congreget eos ad prælium—: et circumierunt castra sanctorum et urbem illam dilectam: sed descendit ignis a Deo de cœlo, qui devoravit eos—. 2 Thess. ii. 8. et tunc revelabitur exlex ille, quem Dominus absumet spiritu oris sui, et evanescere faciet illo suo illustri adventu.

¶10Malorum angelorum hostiumque maximorum judicium sequitur omnium hominum. Apoc. xx. 11. ad finem capitis. tum vidi thronum magnum candidum, et quendam ei insidentem—: et vidi mortuos parvos et magnos stantes in conspectu Dei, et libri aperti sunt: et alius liber apertus est, qui est liber vitæ: judicatique sunt mortui ex iis quæ scripta erant in libris, secundum opera ipsorum: et reddidit mare mortuos quos habebat; mors quoque et sepulchrum reddiderunt mortuos quos habebant; et judicatum est de singulis secundum opera ipsorum.

¶11Tunc illa sententia pronuntiatum iri videtur. Matt. xxv. 34. adeste benedicti Patris mei, possidete regnum paratum vobis a jacto mundi fundamento. et v. 41. execrandi, abite a me in ignem illum æternum, paratum diabolo et angelis ejus.

¶12Sententiam sequitur sententiæ executio: improborum nempe supplicium, et justorum perfecta glorificatio. Matt. xxv. 46. et abibunt isti ad supplicium æternum: justi vero ad vitam æternam. Apoc. xx. 14, 15. sepulchrum autem et mors conjecta sunt in stagnum ignis: quæ est mors secunda: et qui inventus non est in libro vitæ scriptus, conjectus est in stagnum ignis.

¶13Tum demum erit finis ille, de quo 1 Cor. xv. 24, 25, 26, 27, 28. deinde erit finis, quum tradiderit regnum Deo ac Patri, quum evanescere fecerit omne imperium et omnem potentiam et virtutem: nam oportet eum p. 382regnare, usquequo omnes inimicos supposuerit pedibus ejus: ultimus autem hostis evanescet mors: nam omnia subjecit sub pedibus ejus: quum autem dicit omnia esse ei subjecta palam est hoc dici excepto eo qui subjecit ei omnia: postquam vero subjecta fuerint ei omnia, tunc et ipse Filius subjicietur ei qui subjecerit ipsi omnia, ut Deus sit omnia in omnibus.

¶14At inquies, si Christus traditurus est regnum Deo ac Patri, quo pacto erunt vera illa, Heb. i. 8. ad Filium autem, thronus tuus, Deus, in sæculum sæculi. Dan. vii. 14. cujus dominatus, dominatus est perpetuus qui non præterit; et regnum ejus regnum quod non corrumpitur. Luc. i. 33. regni ejus non erit finis. Respondeo, regni ejus non fore finem in sæculum sæculi, id est, dum mundi sæcula durabunt, donec tempus non erit amplius, Apoc. x. 6. donec omnia implebuntur quorum causa regnum accepit: non itaque præteribit regnum illud quasi irritum, non corrumpetur; neque erit finis ille dissolutionis, sed perfectionis potius et impletionis, ut finis ille legis, Matt. v. 18. Quo sensu alia quoque multa dicuntur nunquam præteritura, sed perpetua atque æterna fore; ut circumcisio, Gen. xvii. 13. et lex ipsa cæremonialis, Lev. iii. 17. et xxiv. 8. et terra Canaan, Gen. xiii. 15. Jer. vii. 7. et xxv. 5. et sabbathum, Exod. xxxi. 16. et sacerdotium Aaronis, Num. xviii. 8. et monumentum illud lapideum ad Jardenem, Jos. iv. 7. et signa cœlestia, Psal. cxlviii. 6. et terra, Eccles. i. 4. hæc tamen omnia finem aut habuerunt aut habitura sunt.

¶15Mors autem secunda mortis primæ ratione, quæ corporalis dicta est, secunda nominatur: estque ex tribus illis gradibus, de quibus cap. xiii. ubi de pœna peccati, quartus atque ultimus mortis gradus, mors nempe æterna, damnatorum pœna.

¶16Ad hanc referri potest mors mundi ipsius immundi atque polluti, id est, finis et conflagratio. De hujus mundi fine et conflagratione (quæ utrum ad substantiæ abolitionem an ad qualitatum duntaxat immutationem futura sit, incertum est, et nostra parum refert) quantum scire nobis expedit, docemur, Job. xiv. 13. usquedum non erunt cœli. Psal. cii. 27. ista peritura sunt—. Isa. xxxiv. 4. convolventurque tanquam liber cœli, p. 383et totus exercitus eorum decidet—. et li. 6. cœlos velut fumum evanituros esse—. Matt. xxiv. 35. cœlum et terra præteribunt—. 1 Cor. vii. 31. præterit species hujus mundi. 2 Pet. iii. 7. qui nunc sunt cœli—, asservantur igni in diem damnationis et exitii impiorum hominum. et v. 10. quo die cœli cum stridore præteribunt—. et v. 12. in quo cœli conflagrantes—. Apoc. x. 6. juravit per eum qui—, tempus non fore amplius. et xxi. 1. primum enim cœlum et prima terra abierat, et mare non amplius extabat.

¶17Mors secunda, damnatorum pœna, in amissione summi boni, id est, gratiæ atque tutelæ divinæ visionisque beatificæ, quæ vulgo pœna damni vocatur, et in cruciatu æterno, quæ vocatur pœna sensus, videtur esse posita. Matt. xxv. 41. maledicti abite a me in ignem æternum, paratum diabolo et angelis ejus. Luc. xiii. 27, 28. nescio unde vos sitis: abscedite a me omnes qui datis operam injustitiæ: illic erit fletus et stridor dentium, quum videritis Abrahamum et Isaacum et Jacobum et omnes prophetas in regno Dei, vos autem ejici foras. et xvi. 23. quum esset in tormentis, vidit Abrahamum e longinquo—. 2 Thess. i. 9. expulsi a facie Domini, et a gloria roboris ipsius.

¶18Pœnarum gravitas et duratio varie describitur. Isa. xxx. 33. paratus est jam ante exitii locus, hic etiam ipsi regi constitutus est; profundissimum, latissimum fecit Jehova; pyræ ejus ignis, et lignorum multum est; flatus Jehovæ quasi torrente sulphuris incendit eam. et lxvi. 24. cum Marc. ix. 44. ubi vermis eorum non moritur, et ignis non extinguitur. Dan. xii. 2. ad opprobria et contemptum æternum. Matt. viii. 12. tenebræ exteriores, ubi erit fletus et stridor dentium. et xiii. 42. et alibi. Marc. ix. 43. ignis inextinguibilis. Rom. ii. 8, 9. ira, excandescentia, afflictio, angustia. 2 Thess. i. 9. qui pœnam pendent æterni exitii. Apoc. xiv. 11. fumus tormenti ipsorum ascendet in sæcula sæculorum; nec habebunt requiem die ac nocte. et xix. 3. idem. et xxi. 8. portio assignata est in stagno, ubi ardet ignis et sulphur.

¶19Gradus tamen pœnarum sunt pro ratione peccatorum. Matt. xi. 22. Tyri et Sidonis tolerabilior erit conditio in die judicii, quam vestra. Luc. xii. 47, 48. cædetur multis plagis: cædetur paucis.

¶20p. 384Locus pœnæ INFERNUS vocatur: Topheth, Isa. xxx. 33. gehenna ignis, Matt. v. 22. sed clarius Matt. x. 28. tenebræ exteriores, cap. viii. 12. et xxii. 13. et xxv. 30. fornax ignis, cap. xiii. 42. ἅδης Luc. xvi. 23. et alibi. locus tormenti, v. 28. puteus abyssi, Apoc. ix. 1. lacus ignis, cap. xx. 15. ardens igne et sulphure, cap. xxi. 8. Locus inferni videtur esse extra hunc mundum. Luc. xvi. 26. inter nos et vos ingens hiatus constitutus est, ut ii qui volunt—. tenebræ exteriores, ut supra. Apoc. xxii. 14, 15. ingrediantur in civitatem: foris autem erunt canes—. Nec rationes desunt; siquidem infernus damnatorum idem est qui diabolo angelisque ejus erat paratus, ut supra Matt. xxv. 41. et diaboli defectio ante lapsum hominis fuit, verisimile non est, ut infernus intra mundum, et visceribus terræ nondum maledictæ pararetur. Eadem sententia Chrysostomi^la2 et Lutheri aliorumque recentiorum esse fertur. Quod si totus mundus demum conflagrabit, ut aliquot ex locis evangelii jam demonstratum est, quid fiet inferno, si in terræ meditullio est situs? certe conflagret una necesse erit, et eandem cum terra sortem subeat. Quod si fieret, præclare sane cum damnatis actum esset.

¶21Hactenus de improborum supplicio: restat justorum perfecta glorificatio.

¶22Glorificatio perfecta est in vita æterna ac beatissima, quæ oritur potissimum ex visione Dei, describiturque Psal. xvi. 11. notam facis mihi semitam vitæ, satietatem gaudiorum in conspectu tuo amœnissimorum, dextra tua in æternitatem. et xvii. 15. ego in justitia videbo vultum tuum; satiabor quum expergiscar similitudine tua. Dan. xii. 3. erudientes splendebunt quasi splendore expansi, et justificantes multos ut stellæ, in sempiterna sæcula. Matt. xiii. 43. tunc justi fulgebunt ut sol, in regno Patris sui. et xxii. 30. sunt ut angeli Dei in cœlo. et cap. v. 8. beati qui sunt mundi corde, quoniam ipsi Deum videbunt. 1 Cor. ii. 9. prædicamus, sicut scriptum est, quæ oculus non vidit, nec auris audivit, nec subierunt p. 385cor hominis quæ præparavit Deus iis a quibus ipse diligitur. et xiii. 12. videmus enim nunc per speculum et per ænigma, tunc autem coram cernemus; nunc aliquatenus, tunc vero amplius cognoscam, prout amplius edoctus fuero. et xv. 42, 43. ita erit et resurrectio mortuorum: seritur corpus cum corruptione, suscitatur cum incorruptione: seritur fœdum, suscitatur cum gloria: seritur viribus cassum, suscitatur potens: seritur corpus animale, suscitatur corpus spirituale. 2 Cor. iv. 16, 17. excellenter excellentis gloriæ pondus æternum. et v. 1. scimus enim, nos, si terrestris hujus domus nostræ tabernaculum dissolutum fuerit, ædificium ex Deo habituros, domicilium non manu factum, æternum in cœlis—. Eph. ii. 6. unaque suscitavit, unaque collocavit in cœlis in Christo Jesu. Philipp. iii. 21. qui transfigurabit corpus nostrum humile, ut conforme fiat corpori ejus glorioso—. 1 Thess. iv. 17. rapiemur simul cum iis in nubes, in occursum Domini, in aera; et ita semper cum Domino erimus. 2 Tim. iv. 8. reposita est mihi justitiæ corona, quam reddet mihi Dominus in illo die justus judex: non solum autem mihi, sed et omnibus qui expetiverint illustrem illum ipsius adventum. 1 Pet. i. 4. ad hæreditatem quæ nec corrumpi potest, nec contaminari, nec marcescere, vobis in cœlis asservatam. et cap. v. 4. quum conspicuus factus fuerit ille pastorum princeps, reportetis amarantinam illam gloriæ coronam. et v. 10. qui vocavit vos ad æternam suam gloriam in Christo Jesu. 1 Joan. iii. 2. scimus autem fore, ut quum ipse manifestus factus fuerit, similes ei simus, quoniam videbimus eum sicuti est. Apoc. vii. 14, 15, 16, 17. hi sunt qui—: ideo sunt ante thronum illum Dei, et colunt eum die ac nocte in templo ejus; et is qui insidet illi throno, proteget eos umbraculo: non esurient amplius, neque—. et xxi. 4. abstersurus est Deus omnem lacrymam ab oculis eorum; et mors amplius non extabit, neque luctus, neque clamor; neque labor extabit amplius. et xxii. a v. 1. ad v. 5. deinde ostendit mihi purum fluvium aquæ vivæ, splendidum tanquam crystallum, procedentem ex throno Dei et agni—.

¶23Sanctorum omnium parem fore in cœlo statum gloriæ non videtur. Dan. xii. 3. erudientes splendebunt quasi splendore expansi, et justificantes multos ut stellæ, in sempiterna sæcula. Matt. xx. 23. sedere ad dextram meam et sinistram meam, non est meum dare, sed quibus paratum est a Patre p. 386meo. 1 Cor. xv. 41, 42. alius decor solis, et alius decor lunæ, et alius decor stellarum; stella enim stellæ præstat decore: ita et resurrectio mortuorum.

¶24IN CŒLIS. Matt. v. 12. merces vestra multa est in cœlis. Luc. xii. 33. parate vobis—thesaurum in cœlis qui nunquam deficiat. Philipp. iii. 20. nostra civitas in cœlis est. Heb. x. 34. ut qui sciretis vos habere apud vos potiorem substantiam in cœlis et permanentem.

¶25Glorificationis nostræ comes erit cœli et terræ rerumque in iis creatarum, quæ quidem nobis usui aut oblectationi esse possint, renovatio et possessio. Isa. lxv. 17. nam ecce, ego creaturus sum cœlos novos et terram novam, neque commemorabuntur hæc priora, neque venient in animum. et lxvi. 22. nam quemadmodum cœli illi novi et terra ipsa nova quam ego facturus sum, constituta sunt coram me, dictum Jehovæ, ita constitutum est semen vestrum et nomen vestrum. Act. iii. 21. quem oportet quidem cœli capiant, usque ad tempora restitutionis omnium, de quibus locutus est Deus a sæculo per os omnium sanctorum suorum prophetarum. Matt. xix. 29. quisquis reliquerit domos aut fratres aut sorores aut patrem aut matrem aut uxorem aut liberos aut agros causa nominis mei, centuplicia accipiet, et vitam æternam hæreditario jure possidebit. et xxvi. 29. non bibam ab hoc tempore ex hoc fructu vitis usque ad diem illum quum ipsum bibam vobiscum in regno Patris mei. Luc. xiv. 15. quidam ex iis qui simul discumbebant dixit ei, Beatus qui edit panem in regno Dei: nec reprehenditur a Christo. et xxii. 30. ut edatis ac bibatis in mensa mea in regno meo. Rom. viii. a v. 19 ad v. 24. nam expectatio creaturæ revelationem filiorum Dei expectat—sub spe quod et ipse conditus mundus liberabitur ex servitute corruptionis in libertatem filiorum Dei—. 2 Pet. iii. 13. cœlos novos ac terram novam secundum promissum ejus expectamus, in quibus justitia inhabitat. Apoc. v. 10. fecisti nos Deo nostro reges et sacerdotes, et regnabimus in terra. Et xxi. 1, &c. deinde vidi cœlum novum et terram novam: primum enim cœlum et prima terra abierat, et mare non amplius extabat: et ego Joannes vidi sanctam illam civitatem Hierusalem novam, descendentem a Deo e cœlo, paratam, ut sponsam ornatam viro suo.

¶1p. 512THE LAST JUDGEMENT is that wherein CHRIST WITH THE SAINTS, ARRAYED IN THE GLORY AND POWER OF THE FATHER, SHALL JUDGE THE EVIL ANGELS, AND THE WHOLE RACE OF MANKIND.⁹

¶2ARRAYED IN THE GLORY AND POWER OF THE FATHER. John v. 22. the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgement unto the Son. v. 27. he hath given him authority to execute judgement also, because he is the Son of man; that is, because he is himself man.¹ So p. 513Acts xvii. 31. he will judge the world in righteousness by that man—. Rom. ii. 16. in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.

¶3WITH THE SAINTS. Matt. xix. 28. ye which have followed me in the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. See also Luke xxii. 30. 1 Cor. vi. 2, 3. do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? ...... know ye not that we shall judge angels?

¶6SHALL JUDGE. Eccles. xii. 14. God shall bring every work into judgement, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. Matt. xii. 36, 37. every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgement; for by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned; that is to say, where our actions do not correspond with our words.² Rom. xiv. 12. so then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. 1 Cor. iv. 5. until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts; and then shall every man have praise of God. 2 Cor. v. 10. that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

¶4THE EVIL ANGELS. 1 Cor. vi. 2, 3, as above.

¶5THE WHOLE RACE OF MANKIND. Matt. xxiv. 31. he shall send his angels with a great shout of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. xxv. 32, &c. p. 514before him shall be gathered all nations; and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats. Rom. xiv. 10. we shall all stand before the judgement-seat of Christ. 2 Cor. v. 10. we must all appear before the judgement-seat of Christ. Rev. xx. 12, 13. I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God.....and the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them.

¶7The rule of judgement will be the conscience of each individual, according to the measure of light which he has enjoyed. John xii. 48. he that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him; the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him at the last day. Rom. ii. 12. as many as have sinned without law, shall also perish without law; and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law. v. 14. when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these having not the law, are a law unto themselves: which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts the meanwhile accusing or else excusing one another; in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel. James ii. 12. as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. Rev. xx. 12. the books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

¶8Coincident, as appears, with the time of this last judgement (I use the indefinite expression time, as the word day is often used to denote any given period, and as it is not easily imaginable that so many myriads of men and angels should be assembled and sentenced within a single day) beginning with its commencement, and extending a little beyond its conclusion, will take place that glorious reign of Christ on earth with his saints, so often promised in Scripture, even until all his enemies shall be subdued. His kingdom of grace, indeed, which is also called the kingdom of heaven, began with his first advent, when its beginning was proclaimed by John the Baptist, as appears from p. 515the testimony of Scripture; but his kingdom of glory will not commence till his second advent. Dan. vii. 13, 14. behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven.....and there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom; given him, that is, from the time when he came with the clouds of heaven (in which manner his final advent is uniformly described) not to assume our nature, as Junius interprets it,³ (for then he would have been like the Son of man before he became man, which would be an incongruity) but to execute judgement; from the period so indicated, to the time when he should lay down the kingdom, 1 Cor. xv. 24. then cometh the end, of which more shortly. That this reign will be on earth, is evident from many passages. Psal. ii. 8, 9. compared with Rev. ii. 25—27. I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession; thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. cx. 5, 6. Jehovah at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath: he shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies, he shall wound the heads over many countries. Isai. ix. 7. of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David and upon his kingdom. Dan. vii. 22. until the Ancient of days came, and judgement was given to the saints of the most High, and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. v. 27. the kingdom, and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High—. Luke i. 32, 33. the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David; and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Matt. xix. 28. ye which have followed me, in the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Luke xxii. 29, 30. I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. It appears that the judgement here spoken of will not be confined p. 516to a single day, but will extend through a great space of time; and that the word is used to denote, not so much a judicial inquiry properly so called, as an exercise of dominion; in which sense Gideon, Jephthah, and the other judges are said to have judged Israel during many years. 1 Cor. xv. 23—26. every man in his own order; Christ the first-fruits, afterward they that are Christ's, at his coming: then cometh the end—. Rev. v. 10. thou hast made us unto our God kings and priests, and we shall reign on the earth. xi. 15. the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. xx. 1—7. I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgement was given unto them ...... and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years: but the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished: this is the first resurrection: blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection; on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

¶9After the expiration of the thousand years Satan will rage again, and assail the church at the head of an immense confederacy of its enemies; but will be overthrown by fire from heaven, and condemned to everlasting punishment. Rev. xx. 7—9. when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, and shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle ...... and they compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city; and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. 2 Thess. ii. 8. then shall that wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.

¶10After the evil angels and chief enemies of God have been sentenced, judgement will be passed upon the whole race of mankind. Rev. xx. 11—15. I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it.... 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; and the dead p. 517were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works: and the sea gave up the dead which was in it, and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them; and they were judged every man according to their works.

¶11Then, as appears, will be pronounced that sentence, Matt. xxv. 34. COME, YE BLESSED OF MY FATHER, INHERIT THE KINGDOM PREPARED FOR YOU FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD. v. 41. DEPART FROM ME, YE CURSED, INTO EVERLASTING FIRE, PREPARED FOR THE DEVIL AND HIS ANGELS.

¶12The passing of the sentence will be followed by its execution; that is to say, by the punishment of the wicked, and the perfect glorification of the righteous. Matt. xxv. 46. these shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal. Rev. xx. 14, 15. death and hell were cast into the lake of fire: this is the second death: and whosoever was not found written in the book of life, was cast into the lake of fire.

¶13Then will be the end, spoken of 1 Cor. xv. 24—28. then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father, when he shall have put down all rule, and all authority, and power; for he must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet: the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death; for he hath put all things under his feet: but when he saith, all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted which did put all things under him: and when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

¶14It may be asked, if Christ is to deliver up the kingdom to God and the Father, what becomes of the declarations, Heb. i. 8. unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever (in sæculum sæculi, for ages of ages), and Dan. vii. 14. his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed; p. 518Luke i. 33. of his kingdom there shall be no end. I reply, there shall be no end of his kingdom for ages of ages, that is, so long as the ages of the world endure, until time itself shall be no longer, Rev. x. 6. until every thing which his kingdom was intended to effect shall have been accomplished;⁴ insomuch that his kingdom will not pass away as insufficient for its purpose; it will not be destroyed, nor will its period be a period of dissolution, but rather of perfection and consummation, like the end of the law, Matt. v. 18. In the same manner many other things are spoken of as never to pass away, but to remain eternally; as circumcision, Gen. xvii. 13. the ceremonial law in general, Levit. iii. 17. xxiv. 8. the land of Canaan, Gen. xiii. 15. Jer. vii. 7. xxv. 5. the sabbath, Exod. xxxi. 16. the priesthood of Aaron, Numb. xviii. 8. the memorial of stones at the river Jordan, Josh. iv. 7. the signs of heaven, Psal. cxlviii. 6. the earth, Eccles. i. 4. although every one of these has either already come to an end, or will eventually be terminated.

¶15The second death is so termed with reference to the first, or death of the body. For the three other, or preparatory degrees of death, see chap. xiii. on the punishment of sin. The fourth and last gradation is that of which we are now speaking, namely, eternal death, or the punishment of the damned.

¶16Under this death may be included the destruction of the present unclean and polluted world itself, namely, its FINAL CONFLAGRATION.⁵ Whether by this is meant the destruction of the substance of the world itself, or only a change in the nature of its constituent parts, is uncertain, and of no importance to determine; respecting the event itself, we are informed, so far as it concerns us to know, Job xiv. 12. till the heavens be no more. Psal. cii. 26. they shall perish. Isai. xxxiv. 4. the heavens shall p. 519be rolled together as a scroll, and all their host shall fall down. li. 6. the heavens shall vanish away like smoke. Matt. xxiv. 35. heaven and earth shall pass away. 1 Cor. vii. 31. the fashion of this world passeth away. 2 Pet. iii. 7. the heavens and the earth, which are now ...... reserved unto fire against the day of judgement and perdition of ungodly men. v. 10. in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise. v. 12. wherein the heavens being on fire—. Rev. x. 6. he sware by him that liveth for ever and ever ...... that there should be time no longer. xxi. 1. the first heaven and the first earth were passed away, and there was no more sea.

¶17The second death, or the punishment of the damned, seems to consist partly in the loss of the chief good, namely, the favour and protection of God, and the beatific vision of his presence, which is commonly called the punishment of loss; and partly in eternal torment, which is called the punishment of sense.⁶ Matt. xxv. 41. depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. Luke xiii. 27, 28. I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. xvi. 23. being in torments, he seeth Abraham afar off. 2 Thess. i. 9. who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.

¶18The intensity and duration of these punishments are variously intimated. Isai. xxx. 33. Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared: he hath made it deep and large; the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of Jehovah, like a stream of brimstone, doth p. 520kindle it. lxvi. 24. compared with Mark ix. 44. where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. Dan. xii. 2. to shame and everlasting contempt. Matt. viii. 12. outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. See also xiii. 42, &c. Mark ix. 43. fire that never shall be quenched. Rom. ii. 8, 9. indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish. 2 Thess. i. 9. who shall be punished with everlasting destruction. Rev. xiv. 11. the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever, and they have no rest day nor night. See also xix. 3. xxi. 8. they shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone.

¶19Punishment, however, varies according to the degree of guilt. Matt. xi. 22. it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgement, than for you. Luke xii. 47, 48. he shall be beaten with many stripes......he shall be beaten with few stripes.

¶20The place of punishment is called HELL; Tophet,⁷ Isai. xxx. 33. hell fire, Matt. v. 22. and still more distinctly x. 28. outer darkness, viii. 12. xxii. 13. xxv. 30. a furnace of fire, xiii. 42. Hades, Luke xvi. 23; and elsewhere: a place of torment, v. 28. the bottomless pit, Rev. ix. 1. the lake of fire, xx. 15. the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, xxi. 8. Hell appears to be situated beyond the limits of this universe. Luke xvi. 26. between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot. Matt. viii. 12. outer darkness. Rev. xxii. 14, 15. they may enter in through the gates into the city; for without are dogs. Nor are reasons wanting for this locality; for as the place of the damned is the same as that prepared for the devil and his angels, Matt. xxv. 41. in punishment of their apostasy, which occurred before the fall of man, it does not seem probable that hell should have been prepared within the limits of this world, in the bowels of the earth, on which the curse had not as yet passed.⁸ This p. 521is said to have been the opinion of Chrysostom, as likewise of Luther and some later divines.^9-2 Besides, if, as has been shown from various passages of the New Testament, the whole world is to be finally consumed by fire, it follows that hell, being situated in the centre of the earth, must share the fate of the surrounding universe, and perish likewise; a consummation more to be desired than expected by the souls in perdition.

¶21Thus far of the punishment of the wicked; it remains to speak of the perfect glorification of the righteous.

¶22Perfect glorification consists in eternal life and perfect happiness, arising chiefly from the divine vision.^1-2 It is described Psal. xvi. 11. thou wilt show me the path of life; in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. xvii. 15. I will behold thy face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy p. 522likeness. Dan. xii. 3. they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. Matt. xiii. 43. then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. xxii. 30. they are as the angels of God in heaven. v. 8. blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 1 Cor. ii. 9. as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. xiii. 12. now we see through a glass, darkly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then shall I know even as also I am known. xv. 42, 43. so also is the resurrection of the dead: it is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption; it is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. 2 Cor. iv. 17. a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. v. 1. we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Eph. ii. 6. hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Philipp. iii. 21. who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body. 1 Thess. iv. 17. we shall be caught up together with them into the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 2 Tim. iv. 8. 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 to me only, but to all them also that love his appearing. 1 Pet. i. 4. an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. v. 4. when the chief shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. v. 10. who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus. 1 John iii. 2. we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Rev. vii. 14—17. these are they......therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them; they shall hunger no more, neither thirst—. xxi. 4. God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither p. 523shall there be any more pain. xxii. 1—5. he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb—.

¶23It appears that all the saints will not attain to an equal state of glory. Dan. xii. 3. they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. Matt. xx. 23. to sit on my right hand and on my left is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them of whom it is prepared of my Father. 1 Cor. xv. 41, 42. there is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differeth from another star in glory: so also is the resurrection of the dead.

¶24In heaven. Matt. v. 12. great is your reward in heaven. Luke xii. 33. provide yourselves......a treasure in the heavens that faileth not. Philipp. iii. 20. our conversation is in heaven. Heb. x. 34. knowing in yourselves that ye have a better and an enduring substance.

¶25Our glorification will be accompanied by the renovation of heaven and earth, and of all things therein adapted to our service or delight, to be possessed by us in perpetuity.^2-2 Isai. lxv. 17. behold, I create p. 524new heavens and a new earth, and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. lxvi. 22. as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith Jehovah, so shall your seed and your name remain. Acts iii. 21. whom the heavens must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. Matt. xix. 29. every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundred-fold, and shall inherit everlasting life. xxvi. 29. I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. Luke xiv. 15. one of them that sat at meat with him ...... said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God; nor is he reproved by Christ for this saying. xxii. 30. that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom. Rom. viii. 19—24. the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.... in hope, because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption, into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 2 Pet. iii. 13. we according to his prop. 525mise look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Rev. v. 10. thou hast made us unto our God kings and priests, and we shall reign on the earth. xxi. 1, &c. I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea: and I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.