AN ARGUMENT FOR UNIVERSAL HOLINESS. 135
heavens raid a new earth," etc. They had this expectation. But what is that promise? where may we find it? Why, we have it in the very words and letter, Isa. lxv. 1 7. Now, when shall this be that God will create these " new heavens and new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness?" Saith Peter, "It shall be after the coming of the Lord, after that judgment and destruction of ungodly men, who obey not the gospel, that I foretell." But now it is evident, from this place of Isaiah, with chap. lxvi. 21, 22, that this is a prophecy of gospel times only ; and that the planting of these new heavens is nothing but the creation of gospel ordinances, to endure for ever. The same thing is so expressed, Heb. xii. 26-28.
This being, then, the design of the place, I shall not insist longer on the context, but briefly open the words proposed, and fix upon the truth contained in them: —
First, There is the foundation of the apostle's inference and exhort- ation, Tovtcjv oZv ita\rm Xvo/asvm. — " Seeing that I have evinced that all these things, however precious they seem, or what value soever any put upon them, shall be dissolved, — that is, destroyed; and that in that dreadful and fearful manner before mentioned, — in a way of judgment, wrath, and vengeance, by fire and sword; — let others mock at the threats of Christ's coming, — he will come, he will not tarry ; and then the heavens and earth that God himself planted, — the sun, moon, and stars of the Judaical polity and church, — the whole old world of worship and worshippers, that stand out in their obstinacy against the Lord Christ, — shall be sensibly dissolved and destroyed. This, we know, shall be the end of these things, and that shortly."
There is no outward constitution nor frame of things, in govern- ments or nations, but it is subject to a dissolution, and may receive it, and that in a way of judgment. If any might plead exemption, that, on many accounts, of which the apostle was discoursing in pro- phetical terms (for it was not yet time to speak it openly to all) might interpose for its share. But that also, though of God's creation, yet standing in the way of, and in opposition to, the interest of Christ, — that also shall be dissolved. And certainly there is no greater folly in the world, than for a mere human creation, a mere product of the sayings and the wisdom of men, to pretend for eternity, or any dura- tion beyond the coincidence of its usefulness to the great ends that Christ hath to accomplish in the world. But this is not my business.
Secondly, There is the apostle's inference from, or exhortation on this supposition, expressed emphatically by way of interrogation: " What manner?" Now, herein two things are included: —
1. The evidence of the inference. It follows necessarily, unavoid- ably ; every one must needs make this conclusion, — so that he leaves it to themselves to determine whose concernment it is. So the apostle
] 3G PROVIDENTIAL CHANGES,
Paul, iu another case, Heb. x. 29, leaves it to themselves to deter- mine, as a case clear, plain, unquestionable. 80 here: and this is a most effectual way of insinuating an inference and conclusion, when the parties themselves who are pressed with it are made judges of its necessary consequence. " Judge ye whether holiness becomes not all them who are like to be concerned in such providential alterations."
2. The extent and perfection of the duty, in its universality and compass, is, in this manner of expression, strongly insinuated : " What manner of persons?" — that is, " Such as, indeed, it is not easy to ex- press what attainments in this kind we ought, on this account, to press after." This apostle useth the same kind of expression to set forth the greatness and height of what he would deliver to the thoughts of men, 1 Pet. iv. 17, 18. There is in this kind of expression some- what more insinuated to the mind than we know how to clothe with any words whatever.
Two things seem principally to be intended: —
(1.) That even the saints themselves, in such cases, ought to be other manner of men than usually they are, under ordinary dispen- sations of providence. Mistake not : our old measures will not serve ; another manner of progress than as yet we have made is expected from us ; it is not ordinary holiness and godliness that is expected from us under extraordinary calls from God and Christ.
(2.) That our endeavours to be godly and holy ought to be bound- less and endless. No less is included in this apostrophe, " What manner of persons ought we to be!" — not resting in what we have attained, nor what may seem sufficient to keep our heads above water, — but an endless and boundless pressing on. Alas ! it will hardly enter into our hearts to think what manner of men we ought to be.
Thirdly. For the matter of this exhortation and inference from the former principle, couched in this interrogation, — it is, " All holy con- versation and godliness." The word "all" is not in the original; but both the other words are in the plural number, — " In holy conversa- tions and godlinesses." Now, these expressions being not proper in our language, the translators have supplied the emphasis and force of them by the addition of the word " all." And there is no just cause of quarrel with them for so doing; — only, in the original the words are more weighty and emphatical than that supply doth readily reach unto. That which is principally intended is, that all the concern- ments whatever of holiness and godliness are couched in the words. So that two things are in them : —