The rule of faith, or, An exposition of the Apostles Creed so handled as…

Thus of the preparation of the Judge.

Thus of the preparation of the Iudge.

The preparation in respect of the Judged, hath likewise four things, viz.

The preparation in respect of the Iudged, hath likewise foure things, viz.

1. The Citation of the world to come to judgment: and the world is three ways summoned to come to judgment; First, by the ministry of the Fathers and Prophets in the old Testament, that from the beginning of the world cited men to appear before the judgment Seat of God; Enoch began before the Flood, Jude 15. and others followed in every age, as hath been showed before. Secondly, by the ministry of Christ himself, and the Apostles, ⟨p. 517⟩and the ordinary ministry of the Preachers of the Gospel, in all the ages under the Gospel, till the end of the World. Now the last summons is this, which shall be given at that instant when Christ is come in the clouds of heaven, and set in his Throne, and this shall be performed by a shout from heaven, and by the sound of the last Trumpet: This cry or summons is called, The voice of Christ, Joh. 5. 28. 1 Thes. 4. 16. and yet it seem sit shall be performed by the ministry of Angels, Matth. 24. 31. He that employs the ministry of men to call the World to repentance in this life, will use the ministry of Angels to bring those men to judgment, especially such as have not repented of their evil ways.

1. The Citation of the world to come to iudgment: and the world is three waies summoned to come to iudgment; First, by the ministery of the Fathers and Prophets in the old T•stament, that from the beginning of the world cited men to appeare before the iudgment Seat of God; Henoch began before the Flood, Iude 15. and others followed in euery age, as hath beene shewed before. Secondly, by the ministery of Christ himselfe, and the Apostles, ⟨p. 517⟩and the ordinary ministery of the Preachers of the Gospell, in all the ages vnder the Gospell, till the end of the World. Now the last summons is this, which shall be giuen at that instant when Christ is come in the clouds of heauen, and set in his Throne, and this shall bee performed by a shout from heauen, and by the sound of the last Trumpet: This cry or summons is called, The voice of Christ, Ioh. 5. 28. 1 Thes. 4. 16. and yet it seeme sit shall be performed by the ministery of Angels, Matth. 24. 31. Hee that imployes the ministery of men to call the World to repentance in this life, will vse the ministery of Angels to bring those men to iudgment, especially such as haue not repented of their euill waies.

3. The collection of all the world of men, and evil Angels: for the Angels of Christ shall gather together into one place from all the four winds of heaven, even from all the parts of the world, all them that were raised or changed, even all both elect and reprobate, Matth. 24. 31. and 25. 32.

3. The collection of all the world of men, and euill Angels: for the Angels of Christ shall gather together into one place from all the foure winds of heauen, euen from all the parts of the world, all them that were raised or changed, euen all both elect and reprobate, Matth. 24. 31. and 25. 32.

4. The separation of the good from the bad, which shall be performed by Christ himself, which knows the hearts of all men before the trial, even then when they are brought in by the Angels, and before he proceed to the trial of all mens causes, Matth. 25. 32. Where by the way divers things may be noted: as first, that wicked men to their terror shall then have that done by Christ, which ⟨p. 518⟩now in their malice and jollity they so much strive to do themselves. Now they shun the godly, and think the Townes the worse to live in where they are settled, especially if they be any number of them: at that day as their grievous punishment they shall have the godly taken from them, never more to live amongst them. Secondly, we gather hence, that there shall never be a perfect separation, no not in the best Churches on earth, of the good from the bad; only at the day of Judgement it shall be perfectly made: This is showed by the Parables of the Tares and good corn, and of the Draw-net that catcheth both bad and good fish. Thirdly, note the titles given to both sorts of people; Christ calls the good Sheep, and the bad Goats, to give men before hand an intimation of their estates, if they will try themselves, by these similitudes they may know now how it shall go with them then. Goats are known to be creatures, that though they be turned into the same pasture with sheep, yet will not be kept within any bounds, but are unruly; and besides are creatures of very ill smell: these resemble all such ungodly men, as living within the compass of the visible Church, and enjoying the means of salvation with the godly prove unruly and rebellious, and will not be kept within the compass of the rules and directions given by the word of God, nor follow the example of the godly, but in many things against their knowledge sin wilfully and presumptuously: and they also shadow out that profaneness, by which ungodly men discover themselves by their words and deeds in every place they come in, so as they leave an ill sent behind them, the very place is the worse for them. Now Sheep resemble true Christians: and so true Christians are like sheep in four things; First, in teachableness: Christs sheep hear his voice and follow him, Joh. 10.

4. The separation of the good from the bad, which shall be performed by Christ himselfe, which knowes the hearts of all men before the tryall, euen then when they are brought in by the Angels, and before hee proceed to the tryall of all mens causes,

A sudden whistle startles sheep, so as they come in, and are driven whither the Shepherd will, whereas Goats and Swine will not be driven without much toil and labour. Secondly, in sociableness: sheep will sort with ⟨p. 519⟩sheep, and not with swine, and will not easily live, but in the company of sheep: so is it with the godly, their life is uncomfortable, if either they be forced to dwell where the wicked are, or where they may not enjoy the society of the godly. Thirdly, in profitableness: a sheep is profitable in all things about him: and therein resembles the good works of all the godly, in whom every thing is profitable, their prayers, their practise, their examples, their works of mercy, their piety; yea, their very afflictions are profitable, not only to themselves, but to others also. Fourthly, in their patience: they are quiet in adversity, like a sheep, dumb before the shearer, so are godly men when they fall into the hands of unreasonable men that afflict them, persecute them, and oppress & defraud them. Now by these things must men try themselves. Thus of the preparation to the Judgment.

A sudden whistle startles sheepe, so as they come in, and are driuen whither the Shepherd will, whereas Goats and Swine will not bee driuen without much toile and labour. Secondly, in sociablenesse: sheepe will sort with ⟨p. 519⟩sheepe, and not with swine, and will not easily liue, but in the company of sheepe: so is it with the godly, their life is vncomfortable, if either they be forced to dwell where the wicked are, or where they may not enioy the society of the godly. Thirdly, in profitablenesse: a sheepe is profitable in all things about him: and therein resembles the good workes of all the godly, in whom euery thing is profitable, their praiers, their practise, their examples, their workes of mercy, their piety; yea, their very afflictions are profitable, not onely to themselues, but to others also. Fourthly, in their patience: they are quiet in aduersity, like a sheepe, dumb before the shearer, so are godly men when they fall into the hands of vnreasonable men that afflict them, persecute them, and oppresse & defraud them. Now by these things must men try themselues. Thus of the preparation to the Iudggment.

The manner of the trial follows, where three things must be inquired into; 1. About what the trial shall be. 2. By what law men shall receive their trial. 3. By what evidence they shall be tried.

The manner of the triall follows, where three things must be inquired into; 1. About what the triall shall be. 2. By what law men shall receiue their triall. 3. By what euidence they shall be tried.

For the first, it is clear by Scripture, that the trial shall be about the works of all men. They shall be examined about their works, and the proceeding shall be according to their works, as these and other Scriptures show, 2 Cor. 5. 10. Rom. 2. 6. If any say, that then it seems faith shall not be enquired after: I answer, that it shall, as is plain, 1 Pet. 1. 7. for by their works their faith shall be proved to the world; and faith it self is one of the highest works of a true Christian, Joh. 6. 29. If any say further, that hereby is imported, that the godly shall then be justified by their works, and be saved for their works sake: I answer, that they shall be judged then according to their works, not for their works; God of his free grace will give reward according to their works, but not for their works, nor will their works then justify them, otherwise then as they declare them to be justified by Christ, and truly righteous in themselves. It may be further objected, that this may discourage poor Christians, ⟨p. 520⟩and all such as have not power to do good works: I answer, that it is an error to think, that there are no good works but giving of alms: There are good works in the obedience of every one of Gods commandments. Works of piety, and the works of our particular callings, are good works, as well as works of mercy: and the works of spiritual mercy a poor man may do as well as a rich man.

For the first, it is cleare by Scripture, that the triall shall be about the workes of all men. They shall be examined about their workes, and the proceding shall be according to their workes, as these and other Scriptures shew, 2 Cor. 5. 10. Rom. 2. 6. If any say, that then it seemes faith shall not bee enquired after: I answer, that it shall, as is plaine, 1 Pet. 1. 7. for by their works their faith shall be prooued to the world; and faith it selfe is one of the highest workes of a true Christian,

About the trial of wicked men also divers things may be objected: As first, they shall be judged for original sin, being borne children of wrath, Eph. 2. 3, and yet that is no work: I answer, that original sin is a work as it was wrought by Adam, and imputed to them, and as it is the cause and root of their actual sins: secondly, it may be said that they may be punished for other mens works, and so be judged for more works than their own works. To this I answer, that the punishment of their Parents sins may reach to their children, Commandment 2. but that is to be understood of temporal punishments in this world, and not of the sentence at that day: only children may then be judged for their Parents sins, and others for other mens sins, but that is only as other mens evil works become theirs, either by consent, or partaking, or imitation, Matth. 23. 35. There is another case that concerns both good and bad in that day, and that is the case of Infants either elect or reprobate, how shall they be judged that have done neither good nor evil in actual works, dying before they come to years of discretion. To this I answer, that the proceedings of God about Infants, is not clearly revealed unto us in this world, and therefore we must leave that as a secret till that day. In Infants reprobated, Adams work is imputed, and the vile corruption of their natures makes them children of wrath: In elect children, both the work of their Parents faith is imputed unto them, and besides the Spirit of Christ supplies outward works, by inward sanctification, after a way we cannot express. Thus of the first point.

About the triall of wicked men also diuers things may be obiected: As first, they shall be iudged for originall sinne, being borne children of wrath, Eph. 2. 3, and yet that is no worke: I answer, that originall sinne is a worke as it was wrought by Adam, and imputed to them, and as it is the cause and root of their actuall sinnes: secondly, it may be said that they may be punished for other mens workes, and so be iudged for more works than their owne works. To this I answer, that the punishment of their Parents sinnes may reach to their children, Commandement 2. but that is to be vnderstood of temporall punishments in this world, and not of the sentence at that day: only children may then be iudged for their Parents sins, and others for other mens sins, but that is only as other mens euill works become theirs, either by consent, or partaking, or imitation,

The second is, by what Law men shall be judged at that day? And to that I answer out of Scripture, that all such to whom the Gospel hath come, they shall be judged by the ⟨p. 521⟩Gospel, Rom. 2. 16. which is thus to be understood, that godly men shall be tried by the Gospel, so as their faith, and repentance, and new obedience, being avouched, they shall receive the benefit of trial, not by the rigour of the Law, but by the promises of the Gospel: and wicked men shall be tried by the Gospel, only as their unbelief shall be an aggravation against them, that having so many ways broken the Law, would not fly to Christ, nor seek atonement in him: so as properly the godly are tried by the Gospel. Now all the wicked men in the world are chiefly tried by the Law, and so either by the Law of Nature, even by the principles infused into every mans mind by Nature, as the Pagans and all that know not the Scripture: or else by the Law of Scripture, that is, by the Law or Covenant of works recorded in Scripture: see Rom. 2. 12.

The second is, by what Law men shall be iudged at that day? And to that I answer out of Scripture, that all such to whom the Gospell hath come, they shall be iudged by the ⟨p. 521⟩Gospell, Rom. 2. 16. which is thus to be vnderstood, that godly men shall be tried by the Gospell, so as their faith, and repentance, and new obedience, being auouched, they shall receiue the benefit of triall, not by the rigor of the Law, but by the promises of the Gospell: and wicked men shall be tried by the Gospell, only as their vnbeleefe shall be an aggrauation against them, that hauing so many waies broken the Law, would not flie to Christ, nor seeke atonement in him: so as properly the godly are tried by the Gospell. Now all the wicked men in the world are chiefly tryed by the Law, and so either by the Law of Nature, euen by the principles infused into euery mans minde by Nature, as the Pagans and all that know not the Scripture: or else by the Law of Scripture, that is, by the Law or Couenant of works recorded in Scripture: see

The third thing is, by what Evidence mens causes shall be tried, and how the sins of the wicked shall be proved against them? And for answer hereunto, we read Reu. 20. 12. that when the dead both great and small shall stand before the Lord, there shall be certain Books opened, out of which shall be taken manifest evidence in all the Trials. Now what books these shall be, other Scriptures tell us: and so we read of five books that are likely then to be opened.

The third thing is, by what Euidence mens causes shall be tryed, and how the sinnes of the wicked shall be proued against them? And for answer hereunto, we reade Reu. 20. 12. that when the dead both great and small shall stand before the Lord, there shall be certaine Books opened, out of which shall be taken manifest euidence in all the Trials. Now what books these shall be, other Scriptures tell vs: and so we reade of fiue books that are likely then to be opened.

The first is the book of Nature, and so the creatures abused by men shall be for evidence against men: as unto the Idolatrous Jews, the very horns of their Altars shall testify against them, Jer. 17. 1. their sin is graven, and as it were written upon the creatures they have abused.

The first is the booke of Nature, and so the creatures abused by men shall be for euidence against men: as vnto the Idolatrous Iewes, the very hornes of their Altars shall testifie against them, Ier. 17. 1. their sinne is grauen, and as it were written vpon the creatures they haue abused.

The second book is the book of Scripture: for all those places of Scripture have been in this world rightly propounded and urged against them, shall then serve for undeniable evidence: The word which they have heard shall judge them at the last day, saith our Saviour, Joh. 12. 48.

The second booke is the booke of Scripture: for all those places of Scripture haue beene in this world rightly propounded and vrged against them, shall then serue for vndeniable euidence: The word which they haue heard shall iudge them at the last day, saith our Sauiour, Ioh. 12. 48.

The third book is the book of Conscience: Every mans conscience shall then be wonderfully dilated, and made able to remember all their sins afresh, and so shall be as a thousand witnesses. Though the consciences of most men are now asleep, yet Christ will make them awake at that ⟨p. 522⟩day, and give in full and perfect evidence. That work of accusing which the conscience doth in some men unperfectly in this life, it shall do perfectly at that day: and so for excusing in the godly.

The third booke is the booke of Conscience: Euery mans conscience shall then be wonderfully dilated, and made able to remember all their sinnes afresh, and so shall be as a thousand witnesses. Though the consciences of most men are now asleepe, yet Christ will make them awake at that ⟨p. 522⟩day, and giue in full and perfect euidence. That worke of accusing which the conscience doth in some men vnperfectly in this life, it shall doe perfectly at that day: and so for excusing in the godly.

The fourth book is the book of Gods remembrance mentioned in the case of the godly, Mal. 3. 16. and intimated in the case of the wicked, Jer. 17. 1. in which book are written all the things that men have done in their bodies, whether good or evil.

The fourth booke is the booke of Gods remembrance mentioned in the case of the godly, Mal. 3. 16. and intimated in the case of the wicked, Ier. 17. 1. in which booke are written all the things that men haue done in their bodies, whether good or euill.