The Marrow of Sacred Divinity - William Ames (1642)

1. THus far of the administration which is before the end of the World: in the end itselfe that application shall be perfected, which is onely begun in this life.

2. Then the end of calling shall be present to all the called: for we are called to the eternall glory of God. 1 Pet. 5. 10. Wherein also the end of Faith is said to be contained, that is, the salvation of soules. 1 Pet. 1. 9.

3. Then that declaration of Justification and Redemption, which is by the effects, shall be compleat, in respect whereof the faithfull are said in this life, to expect Redemption. Luc. 21. 18. Rom. 8. 23. Eph. 1. 14.

4. Then all the adopted shall enter into the possession itselfe of the inheritance, in which sence the faithfull are said in this life to expect their adoption. Rom. 8. 23.

5. Then the Image of God shall be perfected in all the Saints. Eph. 5. 27. That he might present it to himselfe glorious, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it might be holy and unblameable.

6. Finally then the glory and blessednesse hoped for, shall shine in all kind of fulnesse, not only in the soule, but also in the very body. Philippians 3. 21. Hee shall transfigure out meane body, that it may be made conformable to his glorious body.

7. But because the state of the Church at that time shall be a state of perfection, and not of edification, therefore the Ministery, Sacraments, and Discipline, together with the instituted Churches themselves shall cease, and the mysticall Church shall remaine in immediat communion with God.

8. Hence also this end of the World ought with desire to be expected of all the faithfull. Phil. 3. 20. Tit. 2. 13. We expect a Saviour, Jesus Christ. Expecting that blessed hope, and that glorious comming of the glory of the great God and our Saviour.

9. The perfection of this finall administration doth require the comming and personall presence of Christ himselfe. Acts 10. 42.

10. The second comming of Christ in this shall be like the first, that it shall be reall, visible and apparent. Acts 1. 11. But in this unlike, that it shall be. 1. With greatest glory and power. Mat. 24. 30. Tit. 2. 13. 2. It shall be with greatest terror in respect of the ungodly, and with greatest joy of all the godly. 2 Thess. 1. 7, 8, 9, 10.

11. Hence there are two Acts, that serve for the last discerning between the godly and ungodly; Resurrection and the last judgement, 2 Cor. 5. 10.

12. Resurrection is of that which fell: but because man fell from life, by the separation of the soule from the body, therefore that he may rise againe, it is necessary that the same soule be againe reunited to the same body, that by the restored union of both, the same man may exist.

13. That such a Resurrection is possible to God it appeares: because such a reparation of man doth not exceed that power which was manifested in his first Creation. Phil. 3. 21. According to that effectuall power whereby he is able to subdue all things to himselfe.

14. But that this Resurrection shall actually be, it cannot bee certainly demonstrated by any naturall reason, neither, A priori, nor A posteriori, but it is properly of faith.

15. Neither the nature of the soule, nor of the body, can be the cause of Resurrection: for the forming againe and raising up of the body, out of the dust, is against the wonted course of nature, which when it is perfectly destroyed, is not wont to be repaired by nature: and the inseparable union of the soule with the body by which man is made immortall, is above the strength of nature.

16. Therefore the raising up of the dead doth properly agree to Christ God-man: the principle of it is the Divine omnipotency of Christ, whereby it may easily be accomplished, even in an Instant.

17. The Ministery of the Angels, shall not be properly to raise the dead, but together the parts to be raised, and to gather them together being raised.

18. But although all shall be raised by Christ, yet not in one and the same way: for the Resurrection of the faithfull is unto Life, and it is accomplished by vertue of that union, which they have with Christ, as with their Life. Col. 3. 4. 1. Thess. 4. 14. And by the operation of his quickning spirit which dwels in them. Rom. 8. 11. He shall also quicken your mortall bodies, by his spirit dwelling in you: but the Resurrection of others, is by that power of Christ, whereby he excecuteth his revenging Justice.

19. Therefore the Resurrection of the faithfull is from the Life of Christ, as from a beginning, unto their life, as the fruit and effect: and therefore it is called the Resurrection of life: and the raising up of others is from the sentence of death and condemnation, to death and condemnation it selfe, and therefore it is called, the resurrection of condemnation. John 5. 28, 29.

20. The last judgement is exercised by Christ as by a King: for the power of Iudging is part of the office of a King.

21. In respect of the faithfull it comes from grace, and is an office of the Kingdome of grace, essentiall to Christ the Mediator: but in respect of unbelievers, it is an office of power onely and dominion, granted of the Father, belonging to some perfection of mediation, but not essentiall to it.

22. Hence the sins of the faithfull shall not come into judgement: for seeing that in this life they are covered and taken away by the sentence of Iustification, and that last judgement shall be a confirmation and manifestation of that sentence, it would not be meere, that at that time they should againe be brought to light.

23. The place of this judgement shall bee in the Ayre. 1 Thess. 4. 17.

24. The day and yeare of it is not revealed in Scripture, and so may not be set down by men.

25. The sentence presently to be fulfilled, shall be given, of eternall life or death, according to workes foregoing.

26. But the sentence of life, in respect of the elect, shall be given, according to their workes, not as meritorious causes, but as effects testifying of true causes.

27. But the sentence of death in respect of the reprobate, shall be given according to their workes, as the true causes.

28. Christ God-man is the Iudge, as it were delegated: yet in respect of that Divine authority and power which he hath, and upon which depends the strength of the sentence, here is the principall Iudge.

29. The faithfull also shall judge with Christ, assisting; not consulting, but approving, as well in their judgment and will, as by comparison of their life and workes.

30. Iudgement shall be given not onely of wicked men, but also of evill Angells. Therefore the raising up, and judging of wicked men to be done by Christ, doth no more argue the universall redemption of such men, then of the Devills.

31. The fire that is appointed to purge and renew the World, shall not goe before the judgement, but shall follow.

32. Purgatori is no more necessary before the day of judgement then after: seeing there shall be none afterward, by the confession of the Papists themselves, neither is there any now before.

33. The elements shall not be taken away, but changed.

34. Christ also after the day of judgement shall remaine King and Mediator for ever.