1. I shall speak of the terrible manner of his coming.
2. I shall speak of the twofold rule of proceeding in the judgment, upon the light of nature and the gospel, and who shall be judged by the one, and who by the other.
3. Examine the force of these expressions, ' know not God,' and ■ obey not the gospel.'
I. For the terrible manner of his coming, implied in the words ' in flaming fire.' A terrible day it will be certainly to those who do not expect it and prepare for it. This fire serveth —
1. To set forth the majesty of the judge. When the Lord Jesus appeared to Moses, he appeared to him in a burning fire : Acts vii. 30, ' The angel of the Lord appeared in a flame of fire in a bush.' So when he gave the law, he gave it out of the midst of the fire : Deut. v. 22, 23, ' And the mountain round about him did burn with fire.' Then the people cried out, ' This great fire will consume us ; we shall die if we hear the voice of God any more.' So when Christ is now revealed, he shall be encompassed about with a flaming fire : Ps. 1.3,' Our God shall come, a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tem- pestuous round about him.' As fearful and terrible as he showed himself in giving the law, so terrible shall he be in the execution of it, judging the impenitent ; so that this flame of fire becometh the glory of his divine presence.
2. This flame of fire is mentioned as the instrument of punishment on the wicked, who are said to be cast into a furnace of fire, Mat. xiii. 42, and Mat. xxv. 41, 'Depart, ye cursed, into everlasting fire;' setting forth thereby the extremity of their pain and torment.
3. By this flame of fire is all the world burnt up. God having provided a more glorious mansion for his people to dwell in, will by a general conflagration destroy, or at least purge the world from the dross it hath contracted : 2 Peter iii. 10, ' The heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat ; the earth also, and the works that are therein shall be burnt up.' A dreadful sight it will be for men to see the dissolution of the whole frame of nature, and the delight of their souls burnt up before their eyes ; the Lord thereby testifying his displeasure against wicked men's placing their happiness in these things, and not in himself.
Therefore since the coming of Christ shall be with such majesty and terror, we should prepare ourselves accordingly ; for that is the use the apostle makes of it : 2 Peter iii. 11, ' Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conver- sation and godliness ? ' Surely we should live much to the glory of Christ in the world, and get more holiness of heart and life, that this day may not be terrible to us, but comfortable.
II. The persons brought into the judgment, and the distinct rule of proceeding, the light of nature and the gospel ; for Christ will render vengeance to them that know not God, and obey not the gospel,
246 SERMONS UPON 2 THESSALONIANS I. [SeR. VI.
1. Some had no other discovery of God but what they could make out from the course of nature and some instincts of conscience, as mere pagans ; these shall not be judged for not believing in Christ, but for not knowing God. The apostle telleth us, ' As many as have sinned without the law, shall perish without the law ; as many as sinned in the law, shall be judged by the law,' Born. ii. 12. The gentile world is judged by one rule, and the Jewish by another, so the christian by another. Those to whose notice no fame of Christ and the law of Moses could possibly arrive, they shall perish without the law, be condemned to perdition in the judgment ; for in that context he speaketh of the righteous judgment of God. But by what rule ? The light of nature written in their hearts, ver. 14, 15. Nature in some measure told them what was well or ill done, pleasing or displeasing to God. The law of nature taught them their duty, and the course of God's providence, that God was placable, and so invited them to repentance, Kom. ii. 4. Therefore among the gentiles — (1.) All atheists that denied God's being or bounty, his essence or providence, as if he cared not for human affairs, they are obnoxious to the judgment. (2.) All idolaters who corrupted the worship of God, prefer their own idols before the true and living God. (3.) All wicked men among the heathen, who, when they knew God, glorified him not as God, Rom. i. 21, but gave up themselves to abominable impurities, as well as idolatries against the light of nature, are obnoxious to Christ's vengeance ; they knew not God, his nature and being. (4.) All those that despise God, resist his authority : Exod. v. 2, ' Who is the Lord that I should obey his voice ? '