GOD'S General Summons to his last Parliament. By George Phillips, Revel. 20. verse 12. And I saw the dead, both great and small stand before God: and the books were opened, and another book was opened which is the book of life, and the dead were judged of those things, which were written in the book●, according to their works. printer's device? VERITAS TVA ET USQVE AD NUBES Printed for William Leake, and are to be sold at his shop in Paul's Churchyard at the sign of the Crane: 1595. Gods general Summons to his last parliament. The text read in the 2. Epistle of S. Paul to the Corin. 5. Chap. 10 verse. We must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ. That every man may receive the things which are done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or evil. THis Text is the general Summons of God, whose dominion reacheth from Sea to Sea, Psal, 72, 8 Apoc, 4, 10 and from the flood unto the worlds end, in sign whereof the Elders threw down their Crowns before him saying: Thou O Lord art worthy to receive all glory, honour, and power. In this general convocation we meet with these matters: The first, that our assembly shall be general, for We shall all appear, etc. Secondly, before the judgement seat of Christ, and last of all, why we must appear: That every man may receive the things which he hath done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or evil. In remembrance of this day of appearance, the saints do encourage themselves in the midst of all their miseries. Psal. 119 52 As David said, I have remembered thine everlasting judgements (O Lord) and have received comfort. Whereas if there were no judgement day, 1 King, 21, 2 as Ahab sold himself to work wickedness, so every one would give himself to follow vanity, like those epicures which said: wisdom, 2, 6 job, 1, 19 Come let us enjoy the pleasures that are present, and take our fill of the creatures in our youth feasting securely till judgement cometh upon them, as the house fell upon jobs children. There is no shifting off from this day, for we must all appear, Genes, 3, 8 2 Reg, 21, 20 Exod, 14, 28 Num, 2●, 24 If we would seek to hide us (like Adam) we cannot: for God's summoner will either find us out as Elias found Ahab, or overtake us as the waters did Pharaoh, or meet us, as the angel did Balaam. If Zion were sure that their captivity should not fail, but be turned into liberty, Psal. 137, 2 than it is like that they would not sit down and weep rivers of tears by Babylon's rivers of water, nor so much as hang up their harps in sign of sorrow, as heretofore they have done. Therefore the day of our appearance is set before us as the time of Zion's captivity: Genes, 3 24 Gone, 19 26 or as the cherubins with the shaken blade of a sword, or as the Pillar of salt that was Lot's wife. Rom. 13, 3 Therefore as Paul said of the temporal magistrate, If ye will not fear him do well,: so if ye will stand before the spiritual judge jesus Christ without trembling, live well: If ye pray, 2 king, 20, 2 pray zealously like Hezekias: if you hear the word of God hearken unto it attentively, like the people that pressed upon Christ to hear the word, Mark. 4, 1 and when you practise, do it fruitfully like job. That you may say like jonadab's sons, job, 31, jere. 35, 8 Thus have we obeyed the voice of our father. As we are all summoned, so we must all appear, Luke, 21.35 for as a snare shall that day come upon all them that are on the whole earth. So that look how helpless the birds are, when they are overwhelmed with the net, so all man's resistance shall be without a remedy at that day. Paul speaketh of a general appearance here, that every one may lay his plat before hand, like the unfaithful Steward that said, Luke 16, 4 I know what to do, Luke 12, 18 and 19 and men must be at a point what to say, lest they be taken tardy, like him that was never so careful to provide for the world, as in the day before his soul must leave his body, and his body & soul pack out of the world, when Rebecca advised jacob to steal Esawes blessing, he fell into this consideration, If my father in handling me shall find that I am not Esaw his elder son, Gen, 27, 12 I may have a curse in stead of a blessing: and so if we presume to present ourselves in God's presence, without care of being either the very same, or at least, as like the men we should be as may be: It is out of controversy, that we shall carry away a curse, rather than a blessing. Because God will feel man, as Isaac felt jacob. Gone, 27, 22 Therefore as jacob put on his elder brother's garment, Gone, 27, 15 so we must put upon us Christ jesus his righteousness. Isaac felt the outward garment and it was Esawes, and our mother the church biddeth us put on Christ his garment, therein to come before him, that we may be sure to have a blessing. Genes, 47, 2 God turned the selling of joseph into a kind of saving his brethren, whilst they must either have food from him, or be famished. It had been worth the seeing to have beheld what passions heaven afforded to those brethren, as how forward weeping is to quench rough words, how careful joseph was to keep his pledge of their return with their father and friends in that he locked up his brother. Gone, 42, 24 And when he hath them how loath he is to let them go again, for he planteth them near himself. Gone, 47, 11 Such joy shall our appearance bring to us, to see our elder brother jesus Christ to be our judge: what desire he will have to plant us by him, if we have care how we should come before him, he feedeth us with his sustenance or else our souls would starve, he holdeth our flesh in Heaven for a pledge, that the whole generation of the faithful may be blessed. 1 King. 14 2 Up I pray thee (said jeroboam to his wife) & disguise thyself, that thou be not known to be the wife of jeroboam. Fain would jeroboam have help for his sick son, but loath was he to have the woman known to be his wife, lest his evil demean should make her miss of a good answer. And so would all men willingly appear, if they might indent with the judge that they should come only for their good and hear of no hurt. Where the scripture saith that Obediah feared God greatly: it giveth a reason to prove it. For when jezabel destroyed the Prophets of the Lord, 1 kin, 18, 3 and 4. Obadia took an hundredth Prophets & hide them by fifty in a cave, and he fed them with bread and water. For whosoever doth hear God doth good for God's people like Obadiah: and God doth good to him, Exod, 9, 10 for so many of Pharaos' servants as feared God, were preserved from the dangerous hail. Our saviour Christ showeth the cause why the godly are so desirous to appear, and why the ungodly are so loath to come before Christ: Of the first sort he saith: john 3, 21 He that doth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds might be made manifest, that they are wrought according to God. He is like the poor true meaning man molested wrongfully, that never ceaseth soliciting the judge that he may have a day of hearing, like the widow that cried, Luke 18, 3 Avenge me, 〈…〉, 20 etc. of the other he saith. Every one that doth evil hateth the light, and cometh not to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. He is like the guilty defendant calling for respite of judgement, like the devils that cried, let us not be tormented before the time. Matth, 8, 29 But Paul speaketh not of the certainty of any definite time, but rather of the general appearance, and so of the impossibility of any man's exemtion, from being accountable in his Stewardship. Luke, 16, 13 The scripture mentioneth one account of a bad Steward, but least any man should think that that parable should only warrant the account of bad men, Paul putteth the question out of controversy that our account shall be general, for he saith flatly, we shall all appear. Acts 25, 9 Acts, 25, 10 Wilt thou go up to jerusalem and there be judged of these matters before me, said Festus to Paul. Paul might appear to Caesar's judgement seat, because he was a Roman borne. Therefore Festus said, Wilt thou, Acts 22, 28 etc. but will we, or nile we, every mother's child of us shall appear where Christ hath summoned us. Then let not the bad stand still at the weak state they are in, Gone, 41.20 like Pharaos' lean kine, nor the good cease to go on in their pilgrimage like strangers on the earth, but like josua going toward Canaan say: I and my household will serve the Lord. josua, 14, 15 When Solomon had seen all the inconveniences of the sluggards vinyeard, Prou. 24, 32 he took it for a warning: And we are very happy men, if we have the grace to take heed of that which is foretold us. When Felix heard Paul dispute of his appearance to come, Acts, 24, 26 he trembled, and so do the devils with all the wicked, but few examine themselves with jeremy, who said, What have I done. jerem. 8, 6 Gone, 42, 21 Except it be when it is too late like josephes' brethren in the famine, which said one to another we have utterly sinned against our brother in that we saw the anguish of his soul when he be sought us and we would not hear him, Gen, 42, 21 Gone, 3, 1 therefore is this trouble come upon us. The serpent was justly called the subtellest beast in the field, and sin the son is like the devil his father, loath is it to come in his own likeness, but as the devil came to Saul in the shape of Samuel, Sam. 1, 28 Eccle, 10, 11 so cometh sin, not like a serpent, but like the subtle serpent, that stingeth without hissing. Serpents come closely, that men may not perceive them, so shall they first feel their sin, and then see that they have sinned, when they cannot amend the matter. But see how Paul's epistle comes running like the messenger to job, job, 1, 14 & saith he is dead, & I am escaped to tell thee: See here a message is come from the dead Paul to admonish us to be careful to live well while we are here, that we may meet with him in his joy elsewhere. Eccles, 10.7 The heart of a wise man is at his right hand saith Solomon (vz) he is ready to follow all good admonitions. When men are upon the Sea (in danger) they will cast all away to keep their life, Acts, 27, 38 Apoc, 13, 1 james 1, 8 Luke 11, 8 & we should leave all things willingly for the life to come. What is the world, but as an inconstant sea? what are the troubles here, but as tempests there? what is the Church afflicted, but as a ship tossed? & what are christian men, but careful mariners striving against storm & stream, to arrive safe in the haven of Heaven? Acts 27, 9 Acts 14, 22 Sailing was very dangerous in Paul's long voyage by Sea, but yet he wafted on, And we must travel through many troubles to the kingdom of Christ. Acts, 14, 21 As Paul's fellow sailors wished for the day, so all christians desire the true light. Psal, 42, 2 Therefore saith David, When shall I come and appear before God: as though he thought every minute to be a month until the judgement day were come. This maketh the spouse so inquisitive after him, Cant, 3, 3 that she is questioning with as many as meet her, Saw ye him whom my soul loveth? The church would not see Christ, Luke 19, 3 Heb, 12, 1 as Philip & Andrew saw him, nor as Zacheus saw him, nor as the cloud of witnesses saw him but so in his kingdom, Math, 17, 2 as Moses and Elias, saw him in his glory upon Mount Thabor. Take heed, watch & pray, for ye know not when the time shall be, Math, 13, 33 (saith our Saviour Christ to the disciples, because we know not the day of appearance) therefore we are often warned to watch, that we may be ready: like the mariner that waiteth on the wind and tide, like the smith that smiteth whiles the iron is hot: and as birds breed while summer lasteth. The speech of Abraham to the rich man in hell, concerneth us now while we are out of hell Son remember that thou in thy life time hadst pleasure. Luke 16, 25 Psal, 95, 8 The Psalmist saith, we must hear God while it is to day (vz) while we may, and in another Psalm, I will pay my vows now saith the prophet teaching men to take their present opportunity, Psal, 116, 12 to give God his duty other ways they may sooth up themselves, Psal. 116.14 with Behold O Lord how that I am thy servant, but cannot say, and the son of thy handmaid, while they are not at hand to do his beheastes. Christ said watch, Math, 25, 13 for ye know not when the hour will come, because we know not at what hour Christ will come: therefore it is reason to be ready every hour, and the last hour is unknown to us, that we might account every hour to be the last hour: yet as before the Wall falleth down, some stones drop out of it, and cliffs appear: as before the flame mounteth, some smoke is seen. And as before the mighty thunderbolt, a flash of lightning flieth out, so we have very many tokens that we might take heed of the judgement day to make us more careful how we shall come before the judgement seat of our Saviour Christ, seeing his coming is as a thief in the night (That is) when as all are secure and asleep in their sins, Apo, 16, 15, for danger cometh most when it is least looked for. Irrecoverable as a stronger net them that which christ made a hole in, when all the birds broke out after him singing, Psal, 124, 6 Luke, 21, 35 The snare is broken and we are delivered. As a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the earth. As Christ asked the jews for which of his good works they sought his death: so it would be known, which of God's blessings have banished us from him▪ for as the fuller the buckette is with water, the more hardly it is haled up out of the well, so the more men abound in God his blessings, the farther they are from him. john 6, 44 Therefore said Christ, No man cometh unto me, except my father draweth him. And seeing (like mice in God's barn) we are content to feed on his corn, and enjoy his blessings here, but loath to see the Lord of the harvest. Paul telleth us, That we must all appear. Every mother's child of us. And they needs must, that needs shall. The second observation is, That we shall appear before a judgement seat. Whereby is understood that judicial power that is given to jesus Christ in heaven and in earth, Matth. 28.18. but most specially that general judgement, which was revealed to S. john, whereof he saith, Apoc. 20.11. I saw a great white throne, & one that sat on it. 12. And I saw the dead both great and small standing before God, and the books were opened, etc. Luke 17.1. As it cannot be but offences must come, so it cannot be but judgement will follow. Paul could not acquit the best of us with death: but so soon as he had said, It is appointed for all men once to die: Heb. 9.27. addeth, and then cometh the judgement. Balaam road on till the Angel met him, where he could not turn: and so long as men have to deal but with men, they dare say, declare, and we will declare. They will plead their own case, but when the matter cometh in question, before Christ who will be their days man, or take upon him to answer one thing of a thousand? We are put in mind of a judgement seat, that all may judge themselves, that they be not judged, that is to say, condemned of the Lord. In this world jezabel can get two that will say, 1. Reg 21.10. that Naboth blasphemed God & Ahab. The jews will bring forth false witness that Christ said, Mat, 26.60.61 Destroy this material temple of jerusalem, and I will build it up again in three days. And because the law saith, That in the mouth of two, or three witnesses, every cause in controversy must be proved, therefore iniquity hath provided, Knights of the post, that are ready to swear almost to any matter for a little money. But as when the Elders left susanna's Susan. 50. cause in wrong sentence, Daniel took in hand to right it: so when the mighty have wronged the meaner sort, Christ will determine of the matter. Therefore David made choice of his judgement before any other: first, for that God goeth wisely to work, in weighing the weight of every man's matter, Ponder my cause, O Lord. Psalm. 5.1. And then for speedy dispatching without respite of judgement from term to term: Psalm. 119.52 For I have remembered thine everlasting judgements (O Lord) and have received comfort, uz. The time will come when God's judgements shall stand, not only in stead of all plea, but also inrevocable for ever. It is a terrible matter to fall into the hands of the Lord: because that if he beginneth with a man, 1. Sam. 4. he will make an end with him, as he did with Eli. 1. Sam. 21.13 David. escaped the hands of Achish King of Gath, by feigning himself to be mad: but be ye sure God is not mocked. Dan. 5.27. Nabuchadnezzar was weighed, & found too light in the balance, and his kingdom divided to the Medes and Persians. And how can any man sooth up himself, imagining God to be like to men, who receiving light gold, are contented to take that in tale, which is wanting in weight? Luk. 19.24. He that abused one talon had it taken from him: much less may we profane many blessings, & yet possess them still. If we have all received talents, then must we all give accounts. If we all have treasure, we must all have care that it canker not: Matth. 6.19. we did not receive them to lay them up idly: for it was said, occupy till I come. Luke 19.13. Neither helpeth it, that we do render as much as we have received: Luke 19.23. but God will have spiritual interest of all his spiritual blessings, because he is God, Matth. 22.21. as Caesar had tribute because he was King. The remembrance of the judgement seat of Christ should make men as loath to consent to sin, as joseph was to hearken to Potiphar's wife: for as he said, How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God? So should all men scan the matter, and say, If I sin, I sin against God: Gen. 39.9. if I sin against GOD, I must answer it before his judgement seat another day. joseph was provident, and yet overseen in sinning: for though he would not consent to Madam Putifer, yet would he swear by the life of his Lord Pharaoh. Gen. 42.16. See how sin pleadeth custom with joseph, as Laban did with jacob, when he said, That it was not the manner to marry the younger before the elder. Gen. 20.25. Because it was usual in Pharaoes' Court to swear by the life of Pharaoh, upon every light occasion, therefore joseph never suspecteth it to be a sin: so that where sin is not suspected, it is quite neglected: and where it is not had in loathing, there in time it seemeth nothing. Gen. 4 7. Eze. 18.2. Adam's Apple was like Ezekiels' sour grape, whereof the father's tasting, the children's teeth are set on edge: for the sons are many times tainted with their father's sins, as gehazy's posterity were with his leprosy. 2. Reg. 5.27. Therefore as all are guilty in respect of nature, so all are summoned to the seat of judgement. The devils did acknowledge against themselves a time of torment, Matth. 8.29. & the guest at the wedding was speechless on a sudden: Matth. 22.12. so shall the wicked either in speech condemn themselves, like him that was judged of his own mouth: Luk. 19.22. or by mute silence argue their own guiltiness, job. 9.2. that GOD may not stand to plead with them that cannot answer to one matter of a thousand. The guests that were called to the supper of that King which made a marriage for his son, requited his kindness, with I pray ye hold me excused, for I have bought oxen, and I go to try them. The second, with I have bought a farm, and I must go and see it. And the third, with I have married a wife, and I cannot come. If they were so loath to come when he called them of his mercy, how unwilling will they be (think you) to appear when he calleth them of his justice, when they cannot bear him in hand, that men are so simple to buy oxen before they try oxen, or to lay out money for the pig in the poke, that the money shall be told before the farm be bought and sold, that they will first pay for it, & then survey it? no, but he said truth that confessed, and said, I have married a wife, and I cannot come: for they that are married to the world, as a man to his wife, they send God answer that they cannot leave the world their wife, till their dying day. And then neither I pray thee excuse me may serve the turn, nor I cannot come, be taken for an answer: but corpus cum causa must be returned to the judgement seat of Christ. They do well than who walk worthy of their calling, by walking according to the same: like the Apostles who said, Acts. 6 4. We will give ourselves to prayer, & to the ministration of the word continually. Godliness must be as carefully kept, as it is painfully gotten, 1. Timo. 6 20. least like ebbing waters (at full tide) we hasten to our fall. Paul telleth us of a judgement, because thereby a difference shall be made betwixt the better and the worse sort of people: for as there was no time when, nor company whom the devil chose before the sons of God, job. 1. when they were assembled before the Lord: so it is with the wicked, who resemble the brazen faced strumpets, who covet the company of honest women, placing their grace in such, because themselves are graceless. For as God blessed Laban for the love he had to jacob, Gen. 30 27. so they know that the worse fareth well for the betters sake. Mark. 13.26. Matth. 13.48. This made the tars creep up anon after the good corn. The fry to slip into the net with the good fish, & the ungodly to sit in the sunshine with godly, that they might have a being for a time: for when judgement cometh, they shall appear but as Satan amongst the sons of God (that is) in the company, job. 2.1. but not of the company of Gods elect: and as the thief at the bar, not for his good that he hath done, but for the evil he hath committed: Matth. 17.3. but the rest like Moses and Elias familiar with Christ. The reason of this is, that Christ being the true light, might show himself to be so indeed, by leaving nothing that is a deed of darkness, undetected to the children of light, that he may be justified in his sayings, and clear when he is judged. The wicked must be detected of what they have been, and the ungodly must be noted for what they are, and all this must be brought to light by the light: for as men's sins have been smothered in the world, so have they been buried in the grave. You see then that the justice of Christ and the unrighteousness of man doth bring a judgement. Luk. 23.19. As Barrabas his insurrection, and the laws equity caused his imprisonment. The use of this is as fit for our age, as jethro's counsel was for his son in law Moses, in advising him not only to make judges in Israel, but also prescribed such principal qualities, as should be predominant in their calling: As a good courage, Exod. 18 21. the fear of GOD, true dealing, and clearness from the corruption of bribe taking: so that if a man in the spirit of David should demand of them this question: Are your minds set upon righteousness, O ye congregation, Psalm. 58 1. and do ye judge the thing that is right, O ye sons of men? They durst appeal to God like David, that said, Psalm. 26.1. Be thou my judge, O Lord, whether I have walked innocently or not. For thus should men learn to judge as they would be judged. justice hath both her hands full continually, in sign whereof, her right hand gripeth a sword, and her left hand lifteth up a pair of balance. Teaching Magistrates to way every matter in the balance of a good conscience, that they may know which cause is the lighter. So David entreateth God, Psalm. 5.1. Ponder my cause, O Lord. And then divide to each man his own as salomon's sword ceased the strife betwixt the women that strove for the living child. 2. King 3.25. But if the sword be swayed before the waits have weighed, then may you see Annanias who should judge according to law, commanding to strike Paul against law. joh. 18.10. Then may you see Peter step in with the sword, and strike off Malcus' ear. Then do you see the Magistrate deal more hastily than wisely. Then receiveth the very law itself a maim at the hand of the Magistrate. David commending the flourishing state of jerusalem, said: There is the seat of judgement, even the seat of the house of David. This seat David calleth the seat for justice, to show the right use of the judgement seat, & the house of David, noting what men should sit there: even just men like the seed of David: Luk. 23.22.24 or else as Pilate judged Christ faultless, Acts 24.28. and yet put him to death. And as Felix to please the jews, left Paul in prison: so they will set their consciences on the tenterhooks, Susan. 52. and be as old in evil, as in age, like the unjust judge reproved by Daniel. But the good Magistrate is like the munition that overpeereth the city's walls in time of war, threatening the enemies that are without, and comforting the inhabitans which are within: or such a preservative as the pitch was to Noah's Ark, sticking fast unto the sides without, and within: or like a hedge to the vine to keep it from the destroyer: Exod. 6.14. or like the tree that Nabucadnezzar saw refreshing such as came under his shadow: or like Moses, Exod. 2.13. seeking to set them at one that strive: or like job, helping them that lie at the gate, job. 31.21. and are not able to help themselves: or like Dorcas, making clothes at his own cost for the poor, Acts 9.39. that such may lament the loss of him when he is gone, as rejoiced by him when he was here. But if he be not such a one as hath a godly care of those that are committed to his charge, there is such a fault in the chosers as was in the trees of the wood, who anointed a bramble in stead of a better tree. judg. 9.14. But this hath been an old oversight in the most assemblies, that they forget that maxim or special principle given by almighty God, Whom the Lord shall choose, him thou shalt make governor. None are ignorant, that the judgement seat was Moses seat, who have read or heard that saying of our Saviour Christ, Matth. The Scribes and the pharisees sit in Moses seat, etc. Moses was a man that would both say, and do well, and therefore was called faithful in all God's house. But as the Scribes (that would say what they must, but do what they list) succeeded Moses in the seat of Magistracy: Matth. 24.15. so wicked men like that abomination of desolation, do sit where they ought not: and this is that unseemly sight that Solomon saw some times, Eccle. 10.7. When servants were set on horseback, and Magistrates made to go on foot. When Christ was gloriously upon Mount Thabor, it is witnessed that his very raiment was as white as the light, Matth. 17.2. which showeth that there is an intent in causing your Magistrates to differ from other men in the excellency of his very garment: for as he offendeth in life by his evil example, so he spotteth his garment, that is scarlet or purple: and then Esay telleth him, Esay. 1.18. Sir your sins are as red as scarlet. And Ezra his messengers spoke plainly: The hand of the Ruler is chief in this trespass. Ezra. 9.2. These men are more unmeet to rule then Zedechias, 2. King. 25.7. that had his eyes put out, for they will not see: and Adony Bezecke, 1. jud. 6. that had his fingers cut off, for they may, but will not gird them with their sword upon the thigh. Psal. 45.4. And therefore Solomon complaineth grievously: Eccle. 3.16. I have seen wickedness in the place of judgement, and iniquity in the place of equity. That every one may receive the things that are done in his body, etc. BY every one is meant, that none can escape, Matth 22 11. no more than that guest at the Wedding could be unspied when the house was full, so that no man may soothe up himself to pass: for as the King came in to see the guests, so he came to judge them to. And as Peter said, Acts 10.35. All that work righteousness are accepted with God: so all that work unrighteousness, are rejected from God: and because every one shall be judged, therefore Paul maketh private application of his exhortation, and saith, 1. Cor. 11.28. Let a man examine himself. Like as in the riddle that Christ propounded, Matth. 29.21. I tell you, that one of you shall betray me: every man fell into examination of himself, Master is it I? 22. Eleven of them could not expound it, and the twelfth would not. So they that will not reprove themselves now, must look to be reproved another day to their shame. Would not a man be ashamed to have his faults written in his forehead? Saint john saw a book open, and that was the consciences of all men, Apoc. 20.22. wherein ourselves shall as plain remember our faults, as if they were laid down in writing before us. Then that prophesy is fulfilled, Psal 50.24. I will reprove thee, and set before thee the things which thou hast done. These words (every one) do include the shortness of the judgement day: for as the little cloud that Elias his servant saw upon Mount Carmell (though it were but of the bigness of a hand) contained much rain in it: 1. King. 18.44. as the little penny contained the Prince's picture. Matth. 22.19. And as David's little stone that carried great Goliaths present death in it. 1. Sam. 17.50. And as the lightning coming from the East, Matth. 24.27. is immediately in the West, so shall a short time, and a few words comprehend a great and swift judgement. Rom. 9.28. Therefore said Paul, A short word shall the Lord make upon earth: For why should GOD dispute with men, job. 9.2. that cannot answer one thing of a thousand? saith job. May receive the things that are done in his body. Seeing our body must receive the things that it hath done, that is, Matth. 22.13. This body that we now carry. That was but a seducing doctrine of the Sadduces, who affirmed that there is no resurrection of the dead: for as Paul saith, 2. Cor. 15.19. If our hope endeth with our life, we were most miserable of all men. This was the opinion of such, as grounding upon reason, were outreached by faith: for where reason endeth, there faith beginneth. Therefore (saith Paul) By faith we understand that the world was made by the word of God, and that the things which are, Heb. 11.3. were not made of things which did appear. Now if we turn faith into reason, or rather if we do reason in faith, we shall find the truth of this doctrine confirmed by reason and common sense: for if we believe that God created man of nothing (which the Scripture calleth creation) then must we much more believe that he can raise man up again when he is some thing that created him of nothing. Gen. 1.1. But if any Saducee will say that he denieth not a resurrection of God's people, in respect of any want of God's power, but thinking it needless, because the bad go immediately in soul to hell, and good souls to God that gave them. I answer, that it is as requisite that there be a resurrection as that there should be a God, otherwise the body and soul should never meet and be joined to the head Christ jesus: for as Paul said, Behold I show you a mystery, 1. Cor. 15.51. so I say, and he meant that our conjunction with our head Christ must be done mystically by the working of the Godhead, or else we shall still be like the kerchief that was by itself, joh. 20.7. (that is) as it was wrapped up in a place by itself, severed from the rest of the linen clothes that were about his body: so we the members should be parted from Christ our head in heaven, and should remain on earth by ourselves. And Christ himself saith, that if he should not raise up all at the last day, than he should not do the work of a Saviour. joh. 6.39. This is the Father's will that hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me, I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day: for it is all one as if he had said, if there were no resurrection, than were I no Saviour, for if I raise them not, than I save them not. Therefore first he threateneth death, 1. Cor. 15.55. & then conquireth death: Paul concludeth this as a necessary point in divinity to say: Christ is risen: ergo, we shall rise too, for you see he thinketh no argument better, then to say, If it be preached that Christ is risen, 1. Cor. 15.12. how say some among you, that there is no resurrection of the dead. It is the best argument that ever was made, to prove a resurrection, not only in particular, that for so much as Christ is risen, it must be confessed that there is a resurrection, if no more should rise but he: but seeing Christ is risen as the head, how shall the members stick by him, no, but the members must follow the head, for as when a man taketh a fall the head riseth first, and then all the body cometh after it. Mark. 16.6. So Christ having risen from the grave where he lay, is lifted up into heaven, as our spiritual head, and telleth us in his word, that he will not send any other, saving the comforter to cherish us, but to fetch us, he will come himself, that where he is, there may we be also. john 14.3. The jews that buried Christ, laid a heavy stone upon the grave, Matth. 27.66. to have kept him there, if it had been possible. And now he is risen: all the christians they lay hold upon him by faith. And as jacob said to the Angel: Gen. 32.26. I will not part from thee till thou hast blessed me. So the Church saith, 1. Cant. 3. draw me unto thee, 2. King. 2.6. for we will run after thee: they mean as Elisha said to Elias, I will not leave thee, that is, Matth. 11.12. I will go to heaven, and therefore let me go, and then the kingdom of God suffereth violence among them. Herein lieth the whole burden of a christian: 1. Thess. 4.14. if ye believe that jesus died, & is risen again, even so them that sleep with jesus, shall GOD bring with him. 1. Cor. 15.20. All must be assured of this, Christ is risen from the dead, and is become the fruit of them that sleep, that is, as by the offering of the fruits, all the rest had a blessing, so in christ his resurrection ours is confirmed. This made Paul so carefully to advertise Timothy of this point of doctrine, remember that jesus Christ made of the seed of David was raised again the third day, 2. Tim. 2.8. according to my Gospel, remember it, that is, forget it not while thou livest, but remember it even when thou diest, and then as he is of that power, that in very death he raised the dead, and sent them out of their hollow sepulchres into the holy city to be seen of such as were alive. Matth. 27.52. And as while he lived, he called things that were not, Rom. 4.17. as though they were, joh. 11.34. as he did Lazarus carcase by the name of Lazarus, and the body of the widows son, Luk 7.14. by name of young man. So the hour shall come, Luk. 7.14. joh. 5.28. that the dead shall hear the voice of the son of man, and then we shall all stand up like the bones that Ezechiel saw. Ezec. 37.10. According to that he hath done, whether it be good or evil. 2. King. 20.1. Therefore able at unusquisque in domum suam: Let every one go into his own house, uz. look into himself, that he may reform what is amiss, as Esay said to Ezechia, Set thine house in an order. If ye do possess your souls in patience, have care to keep them still. Luk. 21, 19 As Rahab had a red thread tied in her window: so give the Lord a sign to remember you when the destroyer cometh, josua. 2.18. that GOD may have mercy on you, as you have showed mercy to other. Look how you will be rewarded, so do your work: for you wait for the day of the Lord, job. 14.6. as the hireling for the evening, to receive his reward. He that knoweth of what spirit ye are better than yourselves, 〈◊〉. 14.6. must needs know you well. Luk. 9 55. He that hath made the eye seethe you when ye see not him. He that made the heart, foreknoweth your conceit; be where ye will, he findeth you when you think least upon him, 1. Sam. 24.5. as David found Saul a sleep in a cave. Say what you will, he knoweth what you speak. As Elisha could tell what the King of Asseria spoke in his privy chamber. 2. King. 6.12. As no virtue shall be unrewarded with God, job. 14.17. so no sin shall be unpunished with him. For he sealeth up your sins in a bag, Psalm. 56.8. as duly as he putteth your tears in his bottle: that is, as he regardeth the sorrow of them that repent like Ezekia, so he retaineth the sin of such as sorrow truly, Matth. 13.30. like as Pharaoh did not. That the scripture may be true: the cockle must continue among the corn until harvest, and no longer. Ecclesiastes. Therefore said Solomon, There is a time for all things, etc. As the ungodly have had a time to be like the rich man on earth, Luk. 16.25. so they shall have a time to be like the rich man in hell. As they have been like the bush that was burning, Exod. 3.3. so in time they shall be like the Sun shining. Matth. 13.43. The Church is like john Baptist, john. 5.35. and john Baptist was like a candle burning, john. 3.20. and shining: consuming himself to give light to other. Exodus 14.20 But for so much as there are some that love not the light, the judge must deal with them according to their darkness, making a separation betwixt them, as the pillar of a cloud did betwixt the Israelites and Egyptians in the wilderness. FINIS. AT LONDON Printed for William Leake, and are to be sold at his shop in Paul's Churchyard, at the sign of the Crane. 1595.