Part 5
Lastly, There is indeed a disproportion between our present faculties and the clear and distinct notions of the other world. As to heaven's happiness, there is a plain and pointed testimony, 1 Cor. 2:9, "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." The eye sees many things that the hands cannot reach, the ear hears more than the eye sees; but the heart conceives more than is either seen or heard, yet cannot reach that. The same may be said of the
misery of hell, it is beyond our conception. When Paul was caught up to the third heaven, he heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful [marg. possible] for a man to utter," 2 Cor. 12:4. An evidence hereof is, that the notices given us of the other world, are much in the way of similitudes taken from things we are acquainted with, as heaven a glorious city, hell a burning lake. Our Lord gives the reason, John 3:12, "If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe if I tell you of heavenly things?" So our notions of these things are like those of children of what they never saw, 1 Cor. 13:11, 12.
Wherefore the little I can or will adventure to say on that world, shall be comprised in a few heads.
1. The parts of the other world.
2. The inhabitants of it.
3. The passage into it.
4. The state of men in it.
I. Of the Parts of the Other World
That vast world is, according to the scripture, divided into two, and but two parts, heaven the seat of the blessed, and hell the seat of the damned. A purgatory, or place of a middle state between these, there is none; for scripture mentions but two places, into one of which souls separated from their bodies do pass, Luke 16:22, 23. And accordingly there are but two ways, the one to life, the other to destruction, Matth. 7:13, 14. Besides, the sins of believers are fully purged away by the blood of Christ, and the scripture knows no other purgative of sin, 1 John 1:7. Heb. 10:14, 17. Unbelievers die in their
sins without hope, Prov. 14:13. The saints are happy immediately after death, Rev. 14:13. Therefore Paul desired to be dissolved, Phil. 1:23, "For we know, (says he,) that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens," 2 Cor. 5:1.
I shall speak a word of these two parts.
FIRST, The one part of the other world is heaven, the empyreal heaven, the seat of the blessed. Concerning which, under the guidance of scripture-light, we may consider three things of it as a part of the other world.
FIRST, What it is; for that it is can be refused by none who own the scripture, and the being of another world.
1. It is a real definite place. I think they refine too much on the scripture expression that deny a local heaven, and confine it to the notion of a state. Our Lord expressly calls it a place, John 14:2, "In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you: I go to prepare a place for you." And the body of Christ is contained in it, Acts 3:21. and the bodies of some saints, Enoch and Elias, are already in it, and the bodies of all the elect shall be in it; and bodies must needs be circumscribed in a place.
It is a definite place, and not every where, where God is. It is not on earth, for earth and heaven are opposed, Psal. 115:15; Col. 3:1. And betwixt it and hell a gulf is fixed, that it reaches not thither, Luke 16:26. And though finite spirits that are perfect are in it, yet it cannot contain God, who is not only omnipresent, but immense, 1 Kings 8:27. therefore it is a place that hath its bounds. Hence,
2. It is a created thing; for it is the throne of God, Isa. 66:1. his house and dwelling, John 14:2. therefore is not God, but created by him; since whatsoever is, is either the Creator or a creature. The scripture is express, that God made it, Heb. 11:10. "For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God." And whereas it is said to be not made with hands, 2 Cor. 5:1. Heb. 9:24. that denies it only to be made by men, as houses here are, and the tabernacle was.
Moreover, it was created within the six days, and therefore is not to be imagined to have been long before this world, much less from everlasting, Exod. 20:11. No; but it was created the first day, and was absolutely the first thing that was created, Gen. 1:1. Accordingly the inhabitants thereof, the angels, created with it, are said to have shouted at laying the foundation of the earth, Job 38:4, 7. Agreeable to all which it is said to have been "prepared from the foundation of the world," Matth. 25:34.
SECONDLY, Where it is. As to this point, the situation thereof, the scripture is plain in two things.
1. That it is upward from us who are in this visible world. For it is the dwelling of God, and where the man Christ hath his seat, and that is on high, Psal. 113:5, "Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high?" Heb. 1:3, "When he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high." Col. 3:1, "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God." Christ coming thence into our world at first, is said to come down from it, John 3:13; and at his second coming, he will descend from it, and be met by the saints in the air, 1 Thess. 4:16, 17. So when he went to it after his resurrection, he is said to have been carried up into it, Luke 24:41.
taken up, gone up, a cloud receiving him out of the disciples' sight, Acts 1:9, 10.
2. That it is above all the visible heavens, sun, moon, and stars. For the heaven which is the seat of the blessed, is the same heaven where the man Christ is, John 7:24, and 14:3. therefore they are said to be with Christ, Phil. 1:23. with the Lord, 1 Thess. 4:17. But the place where Christ is, is above and far above all the visible heavens, Eph. 4:10. Therefore it is above them all. Hence the scripture calls it the third heaven, 2 Cor. 12:2. It speaks of a threefold heaven. (1.) The airy heaven, wherein the clouds are, Gen. 7:11. and the fowls fly, Gen. 1:20. hence called the clouds of heaven, and the fowls of heaven. (2.) The starry heaven, where are the sun, moon, and stars, Gen. 1:14, 16. called therefore the host of heaven, Deut. 17:3. (3.) The third heaven above all these, which is that of the blessed.
THIRDLY, What sort of a place it is, as to the qualities thereof. A particular description thereof is beyond the reach of mortals, 1 Cor. 2:9. It is observable, that Moses does no more but mention it, Gen. 1 and then proceeds to the description of the earth and visible heavens, their parts, and how they were created; thus drawing a vail over the highest heavens, not to be removed till we come there. Only some general notices of it appear through the vail, in the light of the world, which we shall observe. It is,
1. A holy place, Psal. 15:1. the holy of holies, or the holiest of all, Heb. 9:8. in allusion to the place in the tabernacle and temple so called. This lower world is the open court as it were, the starry heaven the holy place; but the third heaven the holy of holies, into which Christ at his ascension as our High Priest is entered, Heb. 9:12. and has opened the country into it for us also, chap. 10:19.
Here this world lies in wickedness, there the other world shines in holiness. Here is no clean thing, there is no unclean thing, Rev. 21:27. It is the holy Jerusalem, ver. 10. There is nothing there but what is holy, perfectly holy; even the spirits of just men must be made perfect, ere they enter there; and for others, they can never breathe the air of that holy land, but are kept without, chap. 22:15.
2. A most lightsome place. It is all light, Col. 1:12. The sun in his brightness makes this world pleasant; but then all looks awful and gloomy again in the night, and there is always night in some place of it. But there is no night, no darkness there, Rev. 21:5. The seat of the blessed enjoys an eternal day; for the light thereof is not made by sun and moon circling about it, as here; they would be as needless there, as the light of a candle in the brightest sunshine here. And such light it is, as mortal eyes cannot behold it, 1 Tim. 6:16.
3. A most glorious place, Psal. 73:25. How glorious would a king's palace on earth, with all its rich furniture, appear to us? But should all the glory of all the palaces on earth be brought together into one, how much more would that appear glorious? and we are allowed that thought to help us to conceive of heaven, Rev. 21:24, "The kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it." For it is the palace of the King of kings, Psal. 45:15. where he keeps his court. Nay, it is his throne, Isa. 66:1, "Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool." How glorious must that throne be, that has such a footstool? So glorious that it would absolutely confound us mortals with its dazzling glory and splendour, Job 26:9.
4. A most rich place. We know the riches of far countries, by the rich things brought out of them to our country: now every valuable thing comes from thence, Jam. 1:17, "Every good gift, and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights." Every
inhabitant there is a king, with a crown on his head, a sceptre in his hand, and royal treasures to support his dignity; for heaven is a crowning city, whose merchants are princes, whose traffickers are the honourable of the earth, to allude to Isa. 23:8. There the "gates are of pearl, and the street of pure gold," Rev. 21:21. It is rich in its affording all things within itself, ver. 7. "He that overcometh shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be my son."
5. A most pleasing place. How can it be otherwise, considering the light, glory and riches, that must needs make it a most beautiful and lovely place? therefore it is called paradise, 2 Cor. 12:4. There a river of pleasures runs, enough to satisfy all the inhabitants, Psal. 36:8; but no surfeiting, for there are no dreggy pleasures there. These we mortals can have no distinct notions of; the best guess to be made of them is, by the foretastes of heaven in the joy of the Holy Ghost, sometimes afforded believers.
A most spacious place, John 14:2. "In my Father's house are many mansions." It is shown us not only under the notion of a large house, but of a country, yea a kingdom. If the airy heaven is more spacious than our earth, which it surrounds, and the starry heaven than the airy heaven, what can we think of the third heaven that is above them all? Being a real place, it cannot be immense indeed, it is measurable, but we find it is measured by an angel, not by a man, Rev. 21:9, 15. And how can it be otherwise than of a vast place, that is to be the happy abode of all the saints with the angels, containing the bodies of all saints that have been, or shall be to the end of the world?
Lastly, A place liable to no shock or change. The apostle intimates to us, that it is a continuing city, Heb. 13:14. that will stand when all this world is laid in ashes; a city that hath foundations, chap. 11:10. viz. which shall never be overturned; a kingdom that cannot be
moved, Heb. 12:28. even when the visible heavens and earth shall be shaken, so as to be shaken all asunder. Therefore it is eternal, 2 Cor. 5:1.
Inf. 1. Let God's people be put to suffer for him what they will, they can never be losers at his hand, Heb. 11:16. "God is not asshamed to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city." Suppose they be turned out of house and hold, pinched with cold, hunger, thirst, and nakedness, loaded with reproach, suffer the most exquisite torments unto death; they are not losers at his hand; he may well put them to all these, and yet maintain and shew his special love to them, having such a place provided for them in the other world, where all will be abundantly made up. And they had need of much here, that are like to have no part there; for have what they will, it is impossible it can make up their loss.
2. Lift your eyes, O sinners, from off all worldy glory, and stay your pursuit of it; there is a glory of heaven, in the view of which it would all disappear, like as the stars do at the rising of the sun. Alas! the glory which takes with most of us, is that which Laban's sons so highly esteemed, Gen. 31:1. a great stock, riches, and wealth; they see no glory so attractive as that. But if ye are the children of God, the glory of the city above will darken it in your eyes. O set your eyes and hearts on that glorious city, Heb. 11:10. The earth in its most beautiful spots is the work of God's hands, but the visible heavens of his fingers, Psal. 8:3. but of the seat of the blessed he is the artist, Heb. 11:10. Gr. as if the Omnipotent had used a peculiar art in making of that.
3. See the necessity of holiness, Heb. 12:14. "Without holiness no man shall see the Lord." Psal. 15:1. "Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?" The unholy may get
room in this world, and the chief rooms; but there is no room for them in the other world, but without the gates of heaven in outer darkness. If there be no holiness here, there will be no happiness hereafter; the dogs and swine come not into that holy place.
4. How inexpressibly happy shall they be that get thither? to enjoy the light there, behold the glory, possess the riches, drink of the refined pleasures, walk at liberty in that spacious place, and enter into happiness there where there is no change? The faith of this could not miss, if lively, to cause them sing the triumph before the victory.
Lastly, What an unspeakable loss must the loss of heaven be? If there were no more for hell, it might be most heavy. So great as heaven's happiness is, so great will their loss be, who come short of it.
SECONDLY, The other part of the other world is Hell, the seat of the damned. Concerning which, considered as a part of the other world, we shall, under the guidance of scripture-light, inquire into three things.
FIRST, What it is? That there is a hell as well as a heaven, one who believes the scripture cannot doubt. As to what it is, we say,
1. It is a real definite place also. There is a local hell, as well as heaven; the scripture expressly calls it a place, Acts 1:25.—"that he (viz. Judas) might go to his own place." And it hath its bounds whereby it is seperated from heaven, Luke 16:26. There the spirits of wicked men separated from their bodies, are detained as in prison, 1 Pet. 3:19, 20; and there their bodies being reunited to their souls at the last day, will be shut up, Matth. 25:41.
2. Hence it is a created thing also, ib. But when it was created, I cannot say, no express mention being made of it by Moses in the history of the creation. Only it is of old, Isa. 30 ult. And whereas it is evident that the angels were fallen very early, and, I think, by the first day of man's creation; they found it ready for them upon their sinning, 2 Pet. 2:4. This concludes it to have been made within the six days.
SECONDLY, Where it is? This question we cannot pretend to satisfy, the scripture not being clear in this point. It is our business to know how to escape it, rather than to dispute where it is. Two things in the general seem plain about it.
1. That it is without the boundaries of the heaven which is the seat of the blessed. Hence it is called outer darkness, Matth. 7:12. It is without the gates of the holy city, Rev. 21:14, 15. the place of his glorious presence, as Cain was cast out from his presence, 2 Thess. 1:9.
2. That it is down or beneath in respect of heaven, the seat of the blessed; for so the scripture still speaks of it as below. Capernaum exalted to heaven, was to be brought down to hell, Matth. 11:23. the fallen angels were cast down into it, 2 Pet. 2:4. "The way of life is above to the wise," says Solomon, "that he may depart from hell beneath," Prov. 15:24. And says God, "A fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell," Deut. 32:22. Accordingly it is called the deep, Luke 8:31. the bottomless pit, Rev. 9:1. the motion from which is ascending or coming up, chap. 11:7.
Where it is more particularly, I think, the scripture, doth not clearly shew. It is certain it is, be where it will.
THIRDLY, What sort of a place it is, as to the qualities thereof?
1. It is an unholy and unclean place, as much as any place can be so. There meet together all the dregs of the creation, persons and things, sin and all the effects thereof with the sinners, Rev. 20:14, 15. Now there is much of that uncleanness upon the earth; but the earth will be purged and purified at length, and all gathered together there.
2. It is a place of horrible darkness, called therefore outer darkness, Matth. 8:12. Light is sweet; but it is the land of darkness, as darkness itself; there is the blackness of darkness, Jude, 13. chains of darkness, 2 Pet. 2:4. where I think there is an allusion to the Egyptian darkness, Exod. 10:22, 23. and the mist of darkness, 2 Pet. 2:17. No sun, moon, nor star light appear there, no candle shines there; and whatever fire is there, it is scorching heat without light, for those who having the light chose to walk in darkness.
3. It is a most dismal and melancholy place, a place of "weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth," Luke 13:28. Nothing pleasant is to be found there; no pleasures of the mind, no pleasures of sense are there. It is a lake, yet there is not a drop of water in that lake to cool the tongue; it is a lake of fire and brimstone. It is a pit, a bottomless pit. What heart can conceive the horror of such a place, or what dreary place or dungeon in the world can be a sufficient emblem of it?
4. It is a place of torment, Luke 16:24; it is therefore represented by Tophet, or the valley of Hinnom, from whence it hath its name in the New Testament, in which place the idolaters burnt their children in the fire, and beat drums that they might not hear their shrieks. There the damned find themselves gnawn with the worm that never dies, scorched with the fire that is never quenched. There men pay dear for the pleasures of sin, which they sometimes swam in, being punished from the presence of the Lord.
5. It is a fast and firm place, whence there is no escaping. It is God's prison-house, where he keeps his criminals in chains till the judgment of the great day, 1 Pet. 3:19. and 2 Pet. 2:4. There is a gulf fixed that none can pass, to get out of that place into the seat of the blessed; but when one is once there, no slight nor might can obtain liberty any more.
Lastly, It is an everlasting place. Whether there may be any change of it by the general conflagration, or not, we do not know; but certain it is, that if it be, it will be to the worse, and hell shall be for ever as well as heaven, for the fire there will be everlasting, Matth. 25:41. and the chains of darkness there are everlasting, Jude, 6. There the worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched; Therefore the place where they shall be or are, is everlasting.
Inf. 1. God is a just God, and a most dreadful hater and avenger of sin, Hab. 1:13. He has given incontestible evidences of it in this world; but in the other world he gives such evidence as carries off all doubt of it from the sinner. As looking up into heaven the seat of the blessed, you may see God's love to holiness; so looking down to hell the seat and place of the damned, you may see what fiery indignation he has against sin. How keen must that hatred of it be in him, who has prepared such a place for the punishment of it?
2. God may well suffer sinners to pass unpunished and prosper for a while, without any the least imputation on his holiness and justice. For he sees the sinner's day is coming, the place is prepared where his holiness and justice will be sufficiently vindicated. Indeed if there were no other world than this, or no hell in the other world for sinners, justice would necessarily require that they should be punished in this life. But since there is a reckoning with them on the
other side, the accounts may lie dormant while they are here, with safety of justice.
3. The pleasures and profits of sin are dear bought, in whatever measure any do enjoy them, Matth. 16:26. "For what is a man profited, if he should gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" It is absolutely impossible that ever any thing gained here should be able to quit the cost of such a lodging after death. If one should be kept in greatest extremity during this life, heaven would make up all; but if all the imaginable pleasures and profits of this world should be heaped together upon one, they could never be sufficient hire for going to such a place.
Lastly, The misery of the damned is inexpressible, but certainly it is little believed. O what must the case of those be, whose unholy lives have now lodged them in that unclean place! how will they take with the blackness of darkness there! How can they bear up in that dismal place! endure the torments there, seeing no way to escape? How must it cut them, to think that there they must be for ever! Yet how unconcerned are we, that we go not into that place of torment!
These are the two parts of the other world, heaven and hell. And between them there is a great gulf impassable fixed, Luke 16:26. The nature of it we know not, further than that thereby all passage betwixt the two parts of the other world is stopt. Betwixt this world and the other there is a passage; but betwixt the parts of the other world there is none, and there never will be any, for it is fixed. So the inhabitants of each part are unalterably seated, that they cannot remove from the one to the other for ever, which makes the happiness of the one, and the misery of the other, eternal.
These are the present parts of the other world. There is another part of it which is future, and will be added thereto after the last judgment, viz. the new heavens and the new earth, to be made by the omnipotent hand after the general conflagration, Is. 65:17. "Behold, I create new heavens, and a new earth." 2 Pet. 3:12, 13. "We, according to his promise, look for new heavens, and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness," Rev. 21:1. "And I saw a new heaven, and a new earth." Of the nature and use of these we know very little. Only,
1. They will be an appurtenance of heaven the seat of the blessed, 2 Pet. 3:13. As this world now is an appurtenance of hell, as being a world lying in wickedness; so that will be an appurtenance of heaven, as an inferior world wherein dwelleth righteousness. It will be the court of the temple above, having such a relation to heaven, as the court of Israel and the court of the priests to the temple house, Isa. 66:22. "The new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the Lord." So did the court, Exod. 29:42. "This shall be a continual burnt-offering throughout your generations, at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, before the Lord; where I will meet you, to speak there unto thee." 2 Chron. 1:6. "And Solomon went up thither to the brasen altar before the Lord, which was at the tabernacle of the congregation, and offered a thousand burnt-offerings upon it."
2. They will be a very glorious heaven and earth, far more glorious than those that now we have. This is intimated by the newness of them. The heavens and earth that now are, are like an old garment, Psal. 102:26. sullied and rent: but they will be splendid and beautiful as a new one. The day of their creation is the day of restoration of all things, viz. into their primitive glory and splendour, Acts 3:21. and that with such an advantage, the former shall not be remembered, in respect of the surpassing glory, Isa. 65:17.
3. They will be pure and incorrupt, Rom. 8:21. "The creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption, into that glorious liberty of the children of God." There will be no noisome vapour there, nothing offensive to the eye, smell, or ear, or touch; but all will be grateful to the senses of glorified bodies, Rev. 21:4, 5, "There shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne, said, Behold, I make all things new." All the effects of sin on the creature shall be purged away, and as it were swept off into the lake of fire, Rev. 20:14. That earth will be holy ground, in a more strict sense than the ground of the temple of Jerusalem was; nothing touching there, that is defiling, and therefore nothing to purge away there. Compare Rev. 16:16–19.
4. They will belong to the saints without any partnership of the wicked in them, 2 Pet. 3:13, "We look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." The wicked's heaven and earth will then be away, consumed with fire, and those of the godly succeed, wherein they can have no part with them. The dominion over the creatures lost by Adam, and purchased again for the saints by Christ, is not fully restored in this life; but it is promised, and shall then be restored in the other world. Abraham had the promise of being heir of the world, Rom. 4:13. and the meek have the promise of inheriting the earth, Matth. 5:5. and that alone and in profound peace, Psal. 37:9–11. which hath not its full accomplishment but in the new earth.
5. They will be of use for the glory of God, and the delight of the saints. These were the design and end of the first heavens and earth, which were made all very good; but that design of them was marred by sin. Therefore in the restitution of all things, that design shall take, Rom. 8:20, 21. God will set them as monuments of his glory,
looking-glasses of his power, wisdom, and goodness. They are so now, Psal. 19:1. but, by reason of our blindness, the end is not obtained: but then the eyes of the saints shall be cleared, and the looking-glass brightened; and so the Creator shall have his glory. And they will serve for the delight of the saints, Isa. 65:17, 18. "Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. But be you glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy." God himself will be their chief delight, with the glory of the highest heavens, but the new heavens and earth will be their secondary delight.
And none must think, that upon this there must be an interruption of their heavenly joy and happiness; for suppose them to be sometimes bodily on the new earth, which 2 Pet. 3:13. seems to favour, it will be but as coming to their country seat, and they will still have the glorious presence of God with them, for the new heavens and earth shall stand at his face, Isa. 66:22. Heb. as the court of the temple did. There will be no withholding the face of his throne there, as now, Job 26:9.
Lastly, They will remain for ever, Isa. 66:22. That glorious fabric shall stand for ever: it will never wax old, it shall never be shaken in the least, nor taken down. A beginning it will have, but no end. There will be no deluge, nor conflagration of the new heavens and earth.
Inf. 1. As we go through this world towards the other, there is great need to take heed that we do not mistake our way, taking the way to hell instead of the way to heaven. For wherever our way lands us, there we are fixed. If one instead of going to one city, should mistake his way and go to another, he seeing his mistake might go out of the wrong way to the right one, and so retrieve his error; but when one is
once landed in hell, there is no retrieving of that mistake, there is no getting over the gulf betwixt it and heaven.
2. The unhinging of the creation will be remedied, and the abused creatures will be delivered and restored to their primitive end. Ungodly men abuse these visible heavens and earth to the dishonour of God and service of their lusts; whereby the creation groans under them. But God will put an end to that, destroying this abused and polluted fabric, and rear up a new one, where no abuse can have place for ever, but God shall be glorified.
3. They make more haste than good speed that set their hearts on this earth to inherit it. For whatever speed they come therein, their inheritance will be burnt up, it will not last; the earth that will last, where one may make a sure purchase, belongs to the world to come, and particularly to heaven, and will be the inheritance of the saints only, Psal. 37:9, "For evil doers shall be cut off, but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth." Therefore it is undoubtedly better to wait for our part by faith, than to press for it in hand here.
4. God's people have no reason to grudge and be uneasy, however small a portion they have of this earth; nor yet to despond on the view of the wickedness done upon it. For there is a new heaven and earth coming more glorious than this, in which they shall not be hampered, but enjoy it all with all freedom as the lords of it. And there shall be no sin nor disorder in it, no injustice or oppression, no ill neighbourhood; nothing but righteousness dwelling there.
5. Lastly, Hell will be a close prison, there will be no getting out of it for ever. There is an impassible gulf betwixt heaven and it; the new heavens and earth will be an appurtenance of heaven; and therefore the prisoners there can no more get out to the new earth, than to the
highest heaven. Nay, neither devils nor men will be able to come from thence to set a foot upon that earth, however they range through this. So losing heaven, they will lose the earth too.
Thus far for the parts of the other world.
II. Of the Inhabitants of the Other World
We have seen the parts of the other world, let us now consider the inhabitants of these parts. And,
FIRST, The inhabitants of the upper part, viz. heaven. These are,
1. God himself, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Matth. 6:9. God is every where present, and immense: but there he is as a king in his palace, on his throne. There he manifests his glory in a manner inconceivable to us mortals: and by his glorious presence makes the happiness of the creatures, who being there see his face. How glorious is a palace when the king is in it with his court! In heaven the great King of the world keeps his court.
2. The man Christ. He was sometime an inhabitant of our world, and when he was in it had not where to lay his head: now he is there, and will be there to the end of the world, Acts 3:21. sitting on the right hand of God, as the heir of all things. And there he will be for evermore, 1 Thess. 4:17. He has there an inconceivable glory, even of his blessed body, Phil. 3:21. In his transfiguration on earth, "his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light," Matth. 17:2. How gloriously must it then shine in heaven!
3. The holy angels, Matth. 24:36. These are glorious creatures, natives of the place, pure spirits that never sinned, waiting about the throne, ready to execute the commands of God and Christ their head.
They are of a nature superior to man; but full they are of love and good-will to us, witness their song, Luke 2:14. at our Saviour's birth; and our nature is exalted above theirs in Christ, so that they are ministering spirits to the heirs of salvation, Heb. 1 ult. Their number we know not, but there must needs be vast numbers of them, considering the scripture-account, Dan. 7:10. even such as is innumerable to us in this state, Heb. 12:22. See Matth. 26:53.
Lastly, The souls of all departed saints are there, now perfected, Heb. 12:23. There are the blessed souls of all the holy patriarchs, prophets, and apostles, and of all the godly that have been in the world since the beginning; thither all the godly that now are in the world, yea and all that shall be to the end of the world, shall certainly go and dwell for ever. Enoch and Elias are there soul and body; and so shall all the saints be after the last judgment, shining in glory, as the stars of the firmament.
SECONDLY, The inhabitants of the lower part of the other world, viz. hell. These are,
1. The devil and his angels, Matth. 25:41. all of them with the prince, called the prince of the devils, chap. 12:24. fallen angels, 2 Pet. 2:4. These are most wicked and unclean spirits, enemies to God and Christ, Matth. 13:39, 2 Cor. 6:15. and to mankind, therefore called Satan or an adversary; subtle as a serpent and mischievous, false and deceiving, malicious and cruel, murderers and roaring lions, desperate without hope for ever. The number of them is without question vast, a legion of them being in one man, Luke 8:30. They are not so fixed to their eternal abode as yet, but that this world is full of them, so as no man wants a tempter carrying his hell about with him; but they will be fixed at length in their place, which they themselves are sure of, Luke 8:31. Jam. 2:19.
2. The souls of the wicked departed, Luke 16:23. There is their habitation as of prisoners in a pit, 1 Pet. 3:19. These also are wicked spirits, having been by death driven away in their wickedness; and now absolutely desperate, without the least gleam of hope; from which must needs issue their arriving there at a height of wickedness agreeable to their state. Their number also is vast, being all that have lived and died in their natural state from the beginning of the world, and will be increased with all that shall so live and die to the end.
Inf. 1. Heaven's happiness must needs be unspeakable, in respect of the society there. The saints going thither shall no more be in a lonely condition, but have the pleasant society of other saints perfected, holy angels, the man Christ, and God himself. The society of saints here is very comfortable, how much more the general assembly of them in heaven? There are the angels, the courtiers of the great King burning with love to God, and warm love to the saints. Yea there is the tabernacle of God with men, Rev. 21:3.
2. Hell's horror must be unspeakable also, in regard of the society there. The appearance of one evil spirit now strikes the children of men with terror; but who can conceive the horror of being cast into one prison, with the damned crew, to hear the hissings of these serpents, the roarings of these devouring lions, the weeping, wailing, and gnashing of the teeth of the wicked sunk in despair? and that for ever!
3. The two parties now wearied of one another, will be fairly parted in the other world, never to come together again. The godly are weary of the society of the wicked. The Psalmist finds himself as dwelling in Mesech and Kedar, Psal. 120:5. "Among lions, among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword," Psal. 57:4; and
therefore wishes for wings to flee away from them, Psal. 55:6. "O that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away and be at rest." Death will give these wings to them, that will carry them away quite from among them. Jeremiah desired a lodge in the wilderness, that he might leave his people; but now he has got a lodging in heaven, where he can no more be uneasy from them, Jer. 9:2.
The wicked are weary of the society of the godly; they desire it not, they are hampered with it, it is a burden to them. They will be quit of it in the other world, where they will see their faces no more, but afar off in Abraham's bosom, and at the last day in the air on Christ's right hand. The unpassable gulf will be between the one and the other for ever.
4. True lovers of the saints and holy society will be satisfied at length; and the lovers of the company of the ungodly will get their heart's fill of it. There is great stress laid upon our love of the godly for their godliness, Christians for Christ's sake, 1 John 3:14. "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren." Such will never get enough of their society here; but there they shall be led into an unmixed society of saints where is not one wicked person, not one sinner; and herewith they should not comfort themselves, while they dwell in the tents of Kedar. Their is great stress also laid on the love of ill company, Prov. 13:20.—"but a companion of fools shall be destroyed." Such will get a fill of it, when they come to the other world, to the society wherein is not one gracious person; when they shall be bundled together in punishment with those, with whom they have been bundled together in sin, Matth. 13:30.
Lastly, As ye would choose your habitation in the other world, choose your way now; for it is impossible that one way can lead to both. The
way of faith and holiness leads to heaven, the way of unbelief, unholiness, and licentiousness leads to hell, Matth. 7:13, 14, "Enter ye in at the strait gate," &c. Do not think ye can enter into life by the broad gate; for "without holiness no man shall see the Lord," Heb. 12:14. Ye will join yourselves to those now, with whom ye will be joined for ever; therefore says the apostle to the believing Hebrews, "Ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels," &c. Heb. 12:22–24. and says Solomon, "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise; but a companion of fools shall be destroyed," Prov. 13:20.
III. Of the passage into the other world
As to the passage of unbodied spirits, to wit, angels good or bad, who sometimes are here, and depart again into the other world, we inquire not about it. But the passage into the other world for us mortals, is what we are concerned to know. Paul had a passage into it extraordinary for a visit; how that was, in or out of the body, he himself could not tell. It is for habitation, the passage into it, for our lasting abode, that concerns us. It is twofold.
First, One extraordinary, by a translation of soul and body into it. There have been three unquestionable instances of it, viz. of Enoch before the law, Gen. 5:24. Heb. 11:5. of Elijah carried up by a whirlwind into heaven, 2 Kings 2:11. under the law; and of Christ himself, who is said to have been taken up, Acts 1:9. But these were altogether extraordinary.
Secondly, The ordinary passage is by death, whether in the upper or lower part of the other world, as appears from the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, Luke 16. Hence death is called a going hence, Psal. 39 ult. a departing, Luke 2:29. viz. out of this world, John 13:1. Death
dissolving the union betwixt the soul and the body, the soul, like a bird on the opening of the cage, gets away, and goes into the other world, departing either into heaven or hell, 2 Cor. 5:1. Phil. 1:23. Luke 16:22, 23. Of this passage we know little, and can only say these few things.
1. It is a quick passage, by which the soul is soon wafted over and landed on the other side. Whatever be the distance betwixt us and either part of the other world, as it is certain it is a vast distance betwixt us and the highest heavens, yet the departed soul soon passes it over, and is in its place there, as appears from Christ's saying to the penitent thief, Luke 23:43, "To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise;" where the journey was not begun till three o'clock afternoon, ver. 44, 46. but accomplished that day. And there is no question, but it is much the same to the other part, which is the lower part of the other world.
2. The passengers are not left alone in it; but as at our coming forth of the womb into this world, there are some people of this world ready to receive us, and dispose of us; so at our going out of this world into the other, there are some of that world to receive us, and attend us. So that however unknown the road is to us, we will not be alone in it. And,
1st, As to the souls of the godly passing into heaven, it is clear that it is so with them; and that,
(1.) The Lord Jesus himself is with them. The general promise secures this, Heb. 13:5, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." David was confident of it, Psal. 23:4, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." This was typified by the ark's going before the people into Jordan, and staying there till they were
all gone safe over. At the birth of the gracious soul into the world, the Lord Jesus himself is the party that receives it, Acts 7:59.
(2.) That good angels are with them for their convoy. They attend them in their life, doing them many good offices unperceived, having a charge over them, Psal. 91:11, "He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways." And can one imagine that they will be wanting to them on such a non-such occasion? If they are to keep them in all their ways, surely they will not leave them alone in their way betwixt the two worlds. They are ministering spirits to the apparent heirs of salvation, Heb. 1 ult. Surely these heirs will not want their ministration, when they are to enter their inheritance.
They will carry them to heaven, Luke 16:22. And this may serve to account for the quickness of their passage, being carried by angels who for their speedy motions are said to fly, Isa. 6:2, 6. Dan. 9:21. Compare Psal. 104:4. Ezek. 1:14.
2dly, As to the souls of the wicked passing into hell, that matter is not so very clear. The scripture speaks not of the rich glutton's attendants into his place in the other world, Luke. 16:22, 23. plainly intimating, that no comfortable or honourable attendance is for them. But yet it gives hints of their attendance by ill angels or devils, Job 33:22. and is positive that they are driven away, Prov. 14:32. And how can it be imagined, but the roaring lion, who is still going about seeking whom he may devour, will be ready to receive the prey when it is coming to his mouth?
3. It will be a strange and surprising passage. How strange will it be to the soul to find itself in a moment unbodied, that its body lies dropt in such a place, and it has no more communication with it! There will be surprises of wonder, at the sudden change in itself, and at the objects about it which it never saw before. The godly soul will
be surprised with joy, in the happy change, the blessed attendants; and the wicked with horror at the unhappy change and the frightful society it now enters into.
Lastly, A passage where there is no repassing. It is without coming back till the great day. The godly would not, and the wicked shall not be able to return. It is a passage we have no access to make trial of, but once entering upon it, go forward for good and all, Heb. 4:2–7.
Now when the soul is passed and gone into the other world, the body still remains in this, being laid up in the grave till the last day. But there it lies dead and motionless, having no more portion in what is done under the sun. But the body also must pass into the other world, and all mankind shall be inhabitants of that world at length in their bodies, as well as their souls. Of this we may note these few things.
1. The time appointed for it is the last day. Then, and not till then shall the bodies of men be transported thither, Matth. 25 ult. They must sleep in the dust, till the end of the world, Job 14:12. and then be removed into the other world, for eternal inhabitants, not to remove any more.
2. Then shall they be raised up out of their graves for that passage, their souls being reunited to their bodies; so shall they awake out of their long sleep, Dan. 12:2. Christ shall come again to judgment, and the trumpet shall sound, at which all the dead shall arise, their souls being by his mighty power returned into and united again to their bodies, John 5:28, 29. Then they shall rise to take their last farewell of this present world.
3. They shall be gathered together by the ministry of angels into two companies, the one to pass into the upper part, the other into the
lower part of the other world, Mark 13:27. Mat. 13:40, 41. Thus every grave shall be emptied then, no place in the earth or sea shall hold back any of its dead, Rev. 20:13. and being brought forth, none of them shall be lost by the way unto the place where the judgment will be, all shall be brought thither, Rom. 14:10. good and bad, from all corners of the earth and sea.
4. The fair company of Christ's sheep shall be caught up from this cursed earth never to set a foot on it more, into the clouds, and there in the air be set on Christ's right hand, 1 Thess. 4:17. Thus they are so far in their way to the other world. And the reprobate goats shall be left standing on their own earth, upon Christ's left hand, Matth. 24:40. the nearer perhaps to their part of the other world. And this will be the last station that ever they will have upon it.
5. Christ will, by a sentence from the throne, adjudge the righteous unto the upper part of the other world, after due cognisance taken of their case, Matth. 25:34. "Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." And by a sentence from the same he will adjudge the wicked into the lower part of it, ver. 41. "Then shall he say also to them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels." So there is no more use for this world, but saints and sinners must leave it now, having got their route for the other world.
Lastly, Immediately the wicked pass away into hell in one company together, there to receive eternal punishment; and then the godly having seen them turn their backs and go away, do go off into heaven with Christ. And then comes the general conflagration, succeeded with the creation of the new heavens and earth.
Inf. 1. Death is a matter of the highest importance to all, as being the passage into the other world. As none of us can miss to die, so none of us can miss to pass out of this world into the other. Ah! why then are we so unmindful of it? Why do we not set ourselves more to prepare ourselves for it? Why are we so much concerned for this world that we must leave, and so little for that world we must depart to? Pass we must, but cannot return: what is but once to be done, had need to be well done.
2. Though dying is in itself an awful thing, yet to the godly it is most safe and comfortable. They have a happy lodging on the other side, and they will get a joyful convoy thither. To look into the waters is frightful; but they have a firm ground to the believers, and they are not so deep as they look to be. It is an awful thought, to think of that moment when the soul drops the body, and passes into the other world; but Christ is ready to receive the believer's soul, and the angels to welcome and attend it into their world of bliss.
3. Death, however dreadful it is in itself, is far more dreadful in its consequences to the ungodly. Were there no more for them but to die, and so to be done, or cease to be, it would be more tolerable. But the horrible place they pass into in the other world, the frightful state abiding them there, is fearful beyond expression. What moment they are expiring, they are waited for of the destroyers, to be driven away in their wickedness.
Lastly, All of us have certainly greater interest and concern in the other world than in this. For here we are but passengers, there we will be eternal inhabitants. And not only is the greatest concern for our souls there, but even our bodies too.
IV. Of the state of men in the other world
I proceed now to the last head I proposed to consider, namely, The state of men in the other world. And in handling of this weighty subject, two things must be inquired into.
1. The state of separate souls in the other world.
2. The state of soul and body reunited.
Of both which in order.
I. Of the State of separate Souls in the other world
The state of separate souls commences at death, whereby the separation is made, and continues until the resurrection, when the soul and body are reunited. Which state therefore can have no place, where death has not place, as in those whom Christ coming again will find alive on the earth. For clearing of this branch, we shall,
1. Inquire into the state of separate souls in the other world in general.
2. Consider the different states of separate souls in the different parts of that world.
I. We shall inquire into the state of separate souls in the other world in general. And,
1. They are in a state of activity, and not asleep, without life, sense, understanding, and action, as some profane men would have it. That is the state of the body indeed after death, but not of the soul, which is of a spiritual and active nature. The separate souls of the saints are not asleep but with the Lord, 2 Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23. whereby the scripture expresseth a state of happiness, 1 Thess. 4:17. Neither are
the separate souls of the ungodly asleep, as is evident from the case of the rich man in hell, Luke 16:23–25.
2. They are totally and finally removed from the business of this world, Eccl. 9:6. Whatever their activity be, they act no more in those things that are the affairs of this life. Death puts an end to all that with them, Psal. 146:4. and therefore they are said to rest from their labours, being freed from the business and troubles of this life. Accordingly, whatever they possessed while here in life, their interest therein is expired, Luke 12:20. However careful and busy they have been in these, death puts a final stop thereto in a moment.
3. Their activity is wholly intellectual and spiritual, as that of the angels good or bad, Matth. 22:30. They are then divested of their bodies, and so can use them no more than if they had no manner of concern in them. The body furnishes all men with a business, what to eat and drink, wherewith to be clothed, where to lodge, how to provide for themselves and families; and this is the whole business of many. But in the other world all that is scored off. Only the spiritual faculties, of understanding, conscience, will, and memory, last; and those will afford them employment and continual action, Luke 16:25.
4. Their knowledge is exceedingly enlarged, their faculties are cleared beyond what they were in this life, either to their happiness or misery. The clay body being fallen down from about the soul, it will see far more clearly than before. The mist that arose from this vain world unto them, will then be scattered. The other world they only heard of before, they will then see, and know the truth of what was reported from the word, by their own experience. Whatever be the ignorance prevailing in this world, there is none there but will know at another rate than now, what God, Christ, sin, &c. are.
5. They are in a social state, and not solitary, they are in company with other spirits. The other world is doubtless a throng world, thronger than this, whether we view it in the upper or lower part; for there all past generations of men are, here is one generation only. The saints go into a blessed society, Heb. 12:7. and the wicked have their numerous society in the other world too, Luke 16:28.
Lastly, They are in a determinate unalterable state, and can never change seats more, Luke 16:29. Now we are in a state of trial in this world, but in the other world they are at their journey's end. The tree is fallen, and must lie for ever as it has fallen. In heaven there is no need of repentance, and in hell there is no place for it. Death determines our eternal state. If one is well in the other world, he is well for ever; if he is ill there, he is so for ever.
II. Let us now consider the different states of separate souls in the different parts of the other world, viz. heaven and hell.
FIRST, Of the state of separate souls in heaven.
1. They are perfect in holiness there, Heb. 12:23. In death dropping their bodies, they drop also the body of sin and death, that they may enter the new Jerusalem where no unclean thing can enter. Then there is a full application of the blood of Christ to them, which in a moment makes them perfectly clean. So there they shine in the glory of the perfection of the divine image in them. There is no more darkness in their minds, rebellion in their wills, or carnality in their affections. The guilt, power, defilement; and indwelling of sin, are wholly and for ever removed.
2. They are in a state of rest there, 13:14. Their wearisome toil and labour which they had with the troubles of this world, is at an end, never to return; the weary work they had in fighting against sin, their
watching, mourning, groaning, &c. thereby occasioned, are all away. They are got through the weary wilderness and Jordan, and are now seated in Canaan above. The victory is obtained, and the sword is laid by.
3. They are with the Lord there, 2 Cor. 5:8. They have the glorious presence of God and Christ there. That Jesus in whom they believed, and whom their soul loved while unseen, they see now, for they are with him, Phil. 1:23. That God to whom their souls tended in faith and love while here, they are now admitted to see his face, which is the privilege of the inhabitants in heaven, Matth. 18:10. 1 Cor. 13:12. They see all of him necessary to satisfy a soul, and they see him as their own God, and hence arise perfect ease, rest, and satisfaction; and they no more miss the comforts and conveniences of this life than one does a candle when the sun shines in his meridian brightness.
4. They are in a family of love there. Heaven is the place of love, and there it will endure for ever, when faith is turned into sight, and hope to enjoyment, 1 Cor. 13:8. No society can be happy without a bond of love; and there is so little love in this world, that it is a miserable world; but all flames with love in the other world; God lets out his love to the saints there, and they flame in love to him again. They live in love with the angels, and warm is that love which these now ministering spirits bear to the heirs of salvation, and which these heirs have one to another in that world. Hence is Abraham's bosom. For there holiness is perfected, and their love both to God and one another.
5. They are in a state of joy, pleasure, and delight there, Psal. 16 ult. Matth. 25:21. While we are here, there is a difficulty of joy entering into us, we are so beset with causes of sorrow; but there the saints
are entered into joy; there is an ocean of joy there, nothing but joy wheresoever they look. They had their weeping time here, now they are comforted; never a sorrowful thought can take place with them more. The dreggy pleasures of sin and sense so are not there, but spiritual pleasures are there in fulness; and these doubtless, are the far more exquisite, as our souls are mere penetrating than our senses.
6. They are in a state of holy exercise there, Rev. 4:8. Heaven's rest is not a lazy rest of idleness, but it is a sabbath's rest, wherein they are employed in pleasurable and refreshful exercises; therefore they are said to walk with him in white, to be led to living fountains of waters. Their proper work is praise; there they sing the new song, to the glory of God, and their own eternal delight.
7. They know that their happiness shall never be lost or diminished, however it may be enlarged, Rev. 21:5. So they are perfectly secure there, as in a state of unalterable felicity. Thus the view of the endless ages of eternity must give them a new pleasure and satisfaction, upon every reflection thereon: while they know it will spin out their happiness for ever.
8. Lastly, They have the comfortable expectation of the additional happiness waiting them at the last day. Now they have the first fruits of bliss, and they see the full harvest is coming, Rev. 6:11. The separated souls of the saints are in firm expectation of their reunion with their bodies, and the glorious resurrection of the body; their meeting the Lord in the air in their bodies, their standing on his right hand, and receiving the final sentence, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you, from the foundation of the world."
SECONDLY, The state of separate souls in hell.
1. They are in a settled state of sin there, Prov. 14:32. "The wicked is driven away in his wickedness." They are in a state of sin here, it is true; but then it is not such a settled state, but they may get out of it. There are offers of Christ made to them, whereby their guilt may be removed, &c. But then their guilt, defilement, the dominion, and indwelling of sin, are left on them never to be removed. Then is said concerning them, "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still," Rev. 22:11. There are no offers of the despised blood and Spirit of Christ there, no voice of a Saviour and salvation. The backsliders are there filled with their own ways.
2. They are in prison there, reserved to the judgment of the great day, 1 Pet. 3:19. There was a time wherein they ran on in a course of crimes against God, who suffered them, some longer, some shorter, while, but death came and arrested them, and the souls of the criminals were committed to the prison in hell, out of which there is no escape. There they are prisoners in the pit, with the filth of their sin as their prison garments on them, never to be changed.
3. They are in a state of torment there, Luke 16:23. They took their rest, while they should have been busy for salvation; and now they have no rest, Rev. 14:11. They slept in seed-time, and they are left in a starving condition now. Wrath from the Lord has seized them, as his enemies, and is let in in floods into their souls. They have a memory, wherewith now they can call to mind what way they passed the time of this life; they have a conscience that is now awake, and is to them a never-dying worm. Nothing now remains with them of their sins, but what is tormenting; all pleasurable passions are now rooted out of them, and tormenting ones only remain.
4. They are in a state of desperation there, Matth. 22:13. "Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness:
there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." They had some hopes while here; though they were but false hopes, they made them easy. But now all hope is plucked up by the roots with them, and it is not possible they can hope any more. And O how cutting must the despair be in hell, it being absolute! While men are here, when all hopes of the removal of trouble are cut off, they know that death is coming, and that will end it. But they that are in the other world know that their state is eternal, and despair for ever. This cannot fail to heighten their sin, being no more in circumstances for counterfeiting love to God, or regard to his commandments.
Lastly, They have the fearful expectation of the additional misery waiting them at the last day. It seems to be pretty plain, that the damned are not quite so miserable now, as they will be after the resurrection and last judgment for ever. For,
1st, This may be gathered from scripture testimony. The rich man in the parable, Luke 16 was afraid of further torments, ver. 28. The devils are cast down to hell, 2 Pet. 2:4; but there they are reserved unto judgment, as malefactors reserved in prison till the day of execution; and they are in expectation of a time of further torment, Matth. 8:29. and tremble in view of it, Jam. 2:19. And at the last day, reprobate men must depart with them into the same fiery torments, Matth. 26:41. and consequently into greater than they now have.
2dly, It appears from the very nature of the thing. For whereas their bodies are now at ease in the grave, they also must then be tormented. So they must needs be in fearful expectation of the sounding of the last trumpet, the resurrection of their bodies, their station at the Judge's left hand, and the dreadful final sentence, and the execution thereof. So the difference seems to be betwixt their
present and future state, as betwixt malefactors in chains in the dungeon, and their being led forth to execution.
The reasons hereof are,
(1.) At the end of the world, there is to be a general judgment, wherein they are to receive their final sentence; and there must be something reserved to be the effect thereof, that was not before. Then wrath comes on to the uttermost, as being the time of the last pouring out of the indignation, appearing in the general conflagration, and sweeping away all sin and effects of sin from all other quarters, into hell with the damned themselves, Rev. 20:14. So that these things now scattered through the creation, will be gathered together, and lodged in and with them.
(2.) The cup of the sin of the damned may be yet a filling up to the last day. I mean not this as their personal sinning in hell, but as to their current guilt in this world, when they are away out of it, for which they must then answer; for a man's sin may be living and active, when he is dead and gone; as the observation of all ages testifies, seeing the world much the worse of some that are dead and away out of it. Is not Adam's sin, which has run more than five thousand years in the world already, running still and infecting his posterity, and will to the world's end! for which he needed a pardon and has no doubt got it.
It is a certain truth, that rational agents are accountable for the native consequences of their actions, Exod. 21:33, 34. And it is as certain, that there may be a train of mischievous consequences following men's sin in the world after they are departed; and can one imagine that wicked men shall not be made to answer for these? Should one lay a train for blowing up a house, which yet should not work till he were got many miles off; or one give poison to another,
which yet should not kill till some years after; would not such be held murderers, and punished accordingly? No doubt of it. So is the case here.
There are four cases particularly among others, wherein men's guilt may be increased after they are dead, and their accounts enlarged against the great day.
[1.] Their being authors of any evil, springs of mischief, as Jeroboam was, 2 Kings 17:22, 23. Inventors of evil things are branded with ignominy by the Spirit of God, however they may pride themselves therein. Such are contrivers and makers of wicked laws, whereby multitudes are driven to sin; introducers of ill customs into nations, congregations, or families, whereby a course of sin is set a-going, and the older it grows gathers the more strength, and may last many generations, perhaps to the end of time. But all the sin and misery following on such actions, will be chargeable on the author.
[2.] The case of injustice, whether by stealing, cheating, oppression, or defrauding any manner of way, where restitution is not made, especially where men leave such ill-gotten goods to theirs after them. For this is a continued stream of injustice running from time to time, for right can never rise from wrong in the sight of God. And the loss and misery thereby coming to the children and friends of the injured from generation to generation, is still chargeable on the unjust man, till restitution is made, Job 20:9, 10. This may account for apparitions of persons departed, ordering restitution.
[3.] The case of companionship in sin, such as is the case of drunkards, unclean persons, and all social sinners, who ruin others together with themselves: for at their door the ruin of their companions in sin must lie, if they be ruined. Therefore the rich man in hell wished his five brethren might get repentance, Luke 16:27, 28.
knowing that while they did not repent, he was chargeable with their ruin; and that would increase his torment, if he should have the blood of their souls to answer for too, at the last day, Matth. 13:30. for in burning bundles, each stick makes the other burn the more keenly.