[3.] The next consequence is the burning of the world, which is set forth at large in 2 Peter iii., per totum. The passages there are literally to be taken, for the fire there spoken of is compared with ' the waters of ISToah,' which was a judgment really executed ; and by this fire, it is probable, the world will not be consumed, but renewed and purged, for it is compared to a melting fire, 2 Peter iii. 10. And the apostle saith elsewhere, ' The creature shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption/ Rom. viii. 21. And in the everlasting estate God will have all things now, even the world itself. The use of this renewed world is either for a habitation to the just, or that it may remain as a standing monument of God's wisdom and power. (1.) This burning doth not go before the day of judgment, but follow after it ; for it seemeth to be an instrument of vengeance on the wicked, 2 Peter iii. 7. 1 will not be so bold, with the schoolmen, as to say that the feculent and drossy parts of this fire are reserved for the torment of the wicked in hell for ever ; but in the general way we may safely say that it is an instrument of God's vengeance on them. Well, now, that day which hath such an end and close, must needs be a great day. Sodom's fire was dreadful, but nothing to tliis burning ; that was of one particular place, but this of the whole world ; that was a pre- parative warning, but this the last expression of his wrath against the ungodly world. Many give divers witty reasons for this burning ; a taste may not be unwelcome. Under the law the vessel that held the sin-offering was to be purged with fire ; so the world, where sin hath been committed. The object of our adulteries is burnt and defaced, that we may know the anger of the Lord's jealousy. The old world was destroyed by water, i propter ardorem libidinis, because of
^ Ludolphus in Vita ChristL
VeR. 6.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JUDE. 217
the heat of lust ; and the present world burnt with fire, propter te- porem caritatis, because of the coldness of love in the latter days. But of such kind of allusions more than enough.
You see then by all this, that the day of judgment is a great day. Let us now apply it.
If it be a great day, let us regard it more seriously, for all things should be regarded according to their weight. This is the greatest day that ever we shall see, and therefore we shall be more affected with this day than with anything else. We have slight thoughts of things to come, and therefore they do not work with us. Can we expect such a day, and not spend a thought upon it ? 0 Christians ! look for it more, long for it more, provide for it more.
1. Look for it, Phil. iii. 21 ; Titus ii. 13. Every time you look up to the clouds, remember you have a Saviour that in time will come from thence, and call the world to an account. Faith should always stand ready to meet him, as if he were upon his way ; as Rebecca spied Isaac afar off, so doth faith, which is ' the evidence of things not seen.' Look within the curtain of the heavens, and spy out Christ as pre- paring for his coming. If he tarrieth longer than we expect, he is ' not slack,' 2 Peter iii. 9 ; but we are hasty. He wants no affection to us ; his ' delights were with the sons of men' before they were created, Prov. viii. 31 ; and certainly, now he is so deeply interested in us, as having bought us with his blood, he desireth to enjoy what he hath purchased. It is not want of love keepeth him away, nor want of truth ; God is punctual in his promises, even to a day : Exod. xii. 41, ' Even the self same day,' &c. If all things were ready he would come presently ; therefore wait and look still : they were not deceived that expected his first coming in the flesh. It was said, ' a virgin shall conceive.' Was it not done ? That God would ' bring his son out of Egypt.' Was it not done ? That he should ride to Jerusalem ' upon the foal of an ass ;' and was it not done ? Surely the God that hath been faithful all along hitherto will not fail at last.
2. Long for it. The faithful ' love his appearing,' 2 Tim. iv. 8, This is the great day which they long to see, that they may meet with their beloved, and see him in all his glory and royalty. They have heard much of Christ, and tasted much of Christ, and they love him much, but yet they have not seen him ; they know him by hearsay, and by spiritual experience, but never saw his person : ' Whom having not seen you love,' &c. They have seen his picture ; ' crucified before their eyes,' Gal. iii. 1 ; ' Beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord,' 2 Cor. iii. 18 ; therefore they cannot be satisfied till this day cometh about. Oh ! when shall it once be ? ' The Spirit in the bride saith, Come,' Rev. xxii. 17. Nature saith not Come, but Tarry still. If it might go by voices whether Christ should come, yea or no, carnal men would never give their voice this way. The language of corrupt nature is, ' Depart,' Job xxi. 14. Carnal men are of the devil's mind : ' Art thou come to torment us before our time?' Mat. viii. ; they cannot en- dure to hear of it ; but ' Come, 0 come !' saith grace. This day we have cause to long for, not only upon Christ's account, but our own : it is the day of our perfection as well as Christ's royalty. Now every- thing tendeth to its perfect state, so doth a Christian ; then there is