The four last things viz. death, judgment, heaven, hell, practically considered and applied in…

¹(1.) Those who by patient continuance in well-doing, seek for Glory, and Honour, and Immortality, shall obtain eternal Life. ²Indeed, eternal Life is the Gift of infinite Bounty, nay of pure ⟨p. 201⟩Mercy, and Mercy excludes Merit.³ 'Tis said of the blessed Martyrs, who contended for the Truth and Purity of the Gospel to the Death, that their Robes were washed white in the Blood of the Lamb, not in their own Blood.⁴ Their Right to Heaven was from the application of his Merits to them. But the Reward is dispensed from God according to the Evangelical Law; not only as a magnificent Prince, but as a Righteous Judg. All those to whom the Gospel promises eternal Life, shall infallibly obtain it, and none that the Gospel excludes. Those who were sensible of their Sins, and cordially forsaking them, did humbly and entirely depend upon the Grace of God, through the blessed Reconciler and Saviour, shall be justified and glorified. Then the Judg will discern between unfeigned Faith and vain Presumption, and will justify the Faith of the Saints by the genuine Fruits of it, the Godliness, Righteousness, and Sobriety of their Lives, and a victorious perseverance in their Duty, notwithstanding all the pleasing Temptations or Tortures to withdraw them from it. Thus the Apostle expresses his humble Confidence; ⟨p. 202⟩I have fought the good Fight, ⁵I have finished my Course; henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness, which God the Righteous Judg will give me at that day: and not only to me, but to all that love his Appearance. We read in the Description of the Last Judgment,⁶ That the Book of Life was opened: the Names of all that were written in Heaven, shall then be declared, that it may appear they are saved by Grace. For it was his most free pleasure to select some from the common Mass of Perdition, who were naturally as guilty and corrupted as others, and to predestinate them to Eternal Glory, and effectual persevering Grace to prepare them for it. The Saints are created in Christ Jesus unto good Works, which God hath before ordained, that they should walk in them. And the New Creation is as undeserved and entire an Effect of God's Love as the first was. But 'tis said, That every Man was judged according to his Works. For Eternal Election does not entitle a Person immediately to Heaven, but according to the Order established in the Gospel.