Sermon
A Citation TO Judgment after DEATH.
*Hebr. IX.27.*— And after this the Judgment.
This verse is the protasis of a comparison which the Apostle makes use of in his discourse; which needs not for the present be insisted on, or laid open, in as much as we have now to do but with the general doctrine contained in the words themselves. Among all those things which men are invited to the serious contemplation of, there are none that carry more of solemnity in them, than those of death and judgment: because the former of these puts an end to man's life and time, and opportunities; and the other disposeth them to an everlasting and unchangeable estate. Death itself is styled a King of Terrors in the Holy Scriptures; and the Philosopher could call it, [TON PHOBERON PHOBERATAION] of fearful things, the most fearful; but that which adds to the tremendousness of it, is that it is a passage to the great and last judgment, which the ignorant Gentiles had but dark notice of; but is evidently manifested in the Word of God, which we Christians are favoured withal. The verse before us, gives us an intimation of both these, and of the certainty of them, as things which are appointed. The word [appointed] signifies both a designation, and a reservation of a thing; notifying that, as there is an eternal purpose for it in the decree of God, so it is his fixed and unchangeable will that it shall so be; and accordingly all men are reserved for it. It is the latter of these statutes then that I am now to treat of, though with that respect as it is consequent upon the former. In the words then, there are three things to be observed:
(1.) A statute for the judgment is asserted; and thereby we are assured that it shall be without fail; for the appointment mentioned in the beginning of the verse has reference to this as well as to death; and this is the first and most proper signification of the word.
(2.) The time when it shall be, after that men die. And although we are not told how soon it shall be after, yet we have Scripture warrant to conclude, that every one's personal judgment will follow presently upon it; though the great and general judgment is reserved until the consummation of all things, as will be farther observed anon.
(3.) The subjects of it, or who they are on whom this judgment shall pass: men, indefinitely expressed; it intends all men: this judgment is as extensive as death; yes, there have been, and will be some exceptions from the general rule about death, who have been translated, or shall be changed; but even these also shall come to the judgment.
Hence,
