'And every eye shall see it': Archbishop Tillotson on the certainty of a future judgement

During these days of Advent laudable Practice will be posting extracts from sermons by three Church of England divines of the 18th century, addressing the matter of the Last Things. In addition to providing material for reflection during the Advent season, it will also be an exercise in demonstrating how - contrary to the interpretation promoted by 19th century Tractarians and evangelicals, and commonly received thereafter - 18th century Anglican preaching could be robustly grounded in Scripture, setting forth the fundamentals of the Faith, and establishing a foundation for faithful living. In the words of one commentator in 1828, just as the 'long 18th century' was coming to a close, Anglican preaching of that century was marked by "clear reasoning, sober argument, and touching exhortation".

We begin with an extract from Archbishop Tillotson's sermon 'Of the Certainty of a Future Judgment', in which he sets out belief in the final judgement as reasonable and rational, implied by foundational theistic affirmations:

This is essential to the notion of a God-that he is good, and holy, and just; and, consequently, that he loves goodness and hates iniquity; and therefore it must be agreeable to his nature to countenance the one, and to discountenance the other, in such a manner as becomes the wise Sovereign and Governor of the world. Now this cannot be solemnly and openly done, but by a public distribution of rewards and punishments; and this we see is not done in this world. The dispensations of God's providence in this world, toward good and bad men, are many times very promiscuous, and very cross, and contrary to what might be expected from the wise and just Sovereign of the world, from one whom we believe to love righteousness, and to hate iniquity. For virtuous and holy men are often ill treated in this world, grievously harassed and afflicted, and that for righteousness' sake: and bad men many times flourish and are prosperous, "they are not in trouble like other men, neither are they plagued like other men."

And this is a very great objection against the providence of God, if there were no other consideration had of virtue and vice, no other kind of retribution made to good and bad men, but what we see in this world. And, therefore, the justice of the Divine Providence seems to require that there should be a day of recompence, and a solemn and public distribution of rewards and punishments to the righteous and to the wicked. For this is plainly a state of trial and probation, of patience and forbearance to sinners, and of exercise to good men; and being a state of trial, it is not so proper a season for the distribution of public justice. But since the justice of God doth not appear in this world, it seems very reasonable to believe that there will be a time when it will be made manifest, and every eye shall see it; that God will one day fully vindicate his righteousness, and acquit the honour of his justice, and that there shall be a general assize held, when all men shall have a fair and open trial, and "God will render to every man according to his works."

(The photograph is of Canterbury Cathedral. Tillotson was Dean of Canterbury 1672-91.)