The Sum of Christian Religion 2, Part 2 · Subpart 26
FROM THENCE SHAL HE COME TO IVDGE THE QVICKE AND THE DEAD.
IN this Article three common places fal in one and meet together, which are diuerſe in themſelues, namely of Christes ſecond comming, of the ende of the woorlde, and of the laſt iudgement. Of theſe places we wil ſpeake iointly, as which are linked betweene themſelues: yet ſo, that the chiefe of them is that of the l…ſt iudgement. For to little purpoſe were it for vsus to think of chriſts ſecond comming, except we did furder cōſider to what end he ſhould come. I beleue in chriſt who ſhall come to iudge the quick and the dead: that is, I beleeue 1. That at the ſecond comming of Chriſt ſhall follow the renuing of heauen and earth. 2. That the ſelfeſame Chriſt ſhall come who for vsus was borne, ſuffered, and roſe againe. 3. That he ſhall come gloriouſlie to deliuer his church, whereof J am a member. 4. That hee ſhal come to abiect and caſt awaie the wicked. By theſe wee receiue great and ſound comfort alſo and conſolation. For ſeeing there ſhal be a renouation or renuing of heauen and earth, we hauehave a confidence and truſt that our ſtate alſo ſhal be at length other, and better than it now is: ſeeing chriſt ſhall come; wee ſhall hauehave a fauourable iudge: for he ſhal come to iudge, who hath merited righteouſneſſe for vsus, who is our Brother, Redeemer, Patron and Defender: ſeeing hee ſhal come gloriouſ…e, he ſhal alſo giuegive a iuſt ſentence and iudgement, and ſhal bee mighty enough to deliuer vsus: ſeeing hee ſhall come to deliuer his church, great cauſe, why we ſhould cheerefully expect him: ſeeing he ſhall abiect and caſt awaie the wicked into euerlaſting tormentes, let vsus ſuffer patientlie their tyrannie. To conclude, ſeeing he ſhall deliuer the godlie, and caſt awaie the wicked, hee wil alſo either deliuer or caſt away vsus: and therefore it is neceſſarie that wee repent, and bee thankefull in this life, and flie fleſhely ſecuritie, that we maie bee in the number of them whome hee ſhall deliuer.
The chiefe Queſtions of the laſt iudgement.
1 Whether there ſhall be any iudgement.
2 What that iudgement is.
3 Who ſhal be iudge.
4 Whence and whither he ſhal come to iudge.
5 How he ſhal come.
6 Whom he ſhal iudge.
7 What ſhal be the ſentence and execution of this iudgement.
8 For what cauſes this iudgement ſhal bee.
9 When it ſhal be.
10 Why god wil hauehave vsus certaine of the laſt iudgement.
11 Why he would not hauehave vsus certaine of the time.
12 Wherefore God differreth that iudgement.
13 Whether it is to be wiſhed for.
1 WHETHER THERE SHALL BEE ANIE IVDGEMENT.
THIS Queſtion is neceſſarie. For the Scripture alſo hath foretold that there ſhal come in the later times …ockers, who ſhal account this Article for a fable. The laſt iudgement cannot indeede be demonſtrated out of Philoſophy: but neither is there any thing in Philoſophie againſt it. But the whole certainty thereof is grounded on diuine Prophecies, or of the doctrine of the church. For although the Philoſopher perhaps woulde ſay ſomewhat, as ſeeing a litle through a miſt: as, That it is not likely that man was born to this miſerie: yet by reaſon that man hath loſt the knoweledge of the righteouſneſſe, goodneſſe, & truth of God, we cānot know out of philoſophy, that any iudgement ſhal be: muchleſſe with what circumſtances it ſhall be. The arguments, which Philoſophy yeeldeth, are forcible indeed in themſelues, but are not made knowen but in diuinity: and therefore the argumentes themſelues are onelyonly made forcible & of ſtrength in diuinity. Wherefore we wil draw reaſons & proofs out of diuinity or the doctrine of the goſpel, by which it may appear that there is a laſt iudgement.
The firſt proof is drawn from expreſſe & plaine teſtimonies of ſacred Scripture: As out of the prophecy of Dan. Likewiſe out of the prophecy of Enoch, alleadged by the Apoſtle Iude, verſ. 14. & 15. Behold the Lord cōmeth with thouſands of his ſaints, To giuegive iudgement againſt all men. Moreouer, out of the ſermons of Chriſt, eſpeciallie in Mat. 24. verſ. 25. Likewiſe out of the ſermons of the Apoſtles. Acts. 17.31. He hath appointed a daie in the which he wil iudge the world in righteouſnes by that man whom he hath appointed. 1. Theſ. 4.16. The lord himſelfe ſhal deſcend frō heauen with a ſhout, & with the voice of the Archangel, & with the trumpet of god. Neither is the certainty of the laſt iudgemēt apparāt only by theſe & the like plain teſtimonies of Scripture, but is deduced alſo out of other places by good conſequence: & hence are made thoſe forcible argumēts, which the Philoſophers ſaw but by a glims.
The ſecond proofe is drawen from the ende whereunto mankind was created. God neceſſarily obtaineth his end; but to this end did he create mankind, that man ſhoulde bee the image of God, and the euerlaſting temple of God, wherein he ſhould be worſhipped; to whom he would communicate himſelfe, perfect wiſedome, righteouſneſſe, and goodneſſe, and would impart his bleſſedneſſe. This bleſſedneſſe is a part of Gods Image: but this the Diuell hath deſtroied: Therefore God ſhall reſtore it, who is mightier than the Diuell. And although the end, for which man was created, is hindered diuerſe waies in this life: yet god will at ſome time obtaine it. Wherefore it is not onlie (as the Philoſophers reaſon) likelie and probable, that man was not made for th…ſe miſeries: but it is alſo moſt certaine, that the moſt excellent of all creatures was made to a better ende. Wherefore there muſt needs be at length a change. By this argument is confirmed alſo the happineſſe of our bodies: According to that of Saint Paul, 1. Cor. 6.19. Know you not that your bodie is the temple of the holy ghoſt which is in you?
The third proofe is taken from the iuſtice, goodneſſe, and trueth of God, which requireth, that it maie go ful well with the good, & with the euil ful il. Philoſophy knoweth not that god is ſo iuſt, good and true, that he will hauehave the righteous to enioy full and perfect bleſſedneſſe. But this commeth not to paſſe in this life; nay rather it goeth well with the euill and wicked in this life. Therefore there muſt remaine an other life, wherein this ſhall bee. The holie Scripture vſeth this argument, as in Saint Paul, 2. Theſſ. 1.6. Jt is a righteous thing with God to recompence tribulation to them that trouble you. And Luk. 16.25. Remember that thou in thy lifetime receiuedſt thy pleaſures, and likewiſe Lazarus pains: nowe therefore is he comforted, and thou art tormented. All other proofes and arguments may be referred vntounto theſe.
2 What is the last iudgement.
IN euerie iudgement are, the Accuſed, the Accuſer, the iudge, the cauſe, examination & hearing of the cauſe, the Law according to which iudgement is giuen, the ſentence of abſolution and condemnation, and the execution thereof according to the Lawes. Judgement then in generall is an inquiſition or examination of a cauſe by an ordinarie and lawfull iudge, according to iuſt Lawes, and a pronouncing of ſentence, and the exequution thereof according to iuſt Lawes. Nowe is it eaſie to define this iudgement of God. This iudge hath no neede of inquiſition or examination of the cauſe, or of witneſſes and accuſers, ſeeing he is himſelfe the ſearcher of harts. Therefore there ſhal be only the iudge, & men, of whom ſentence ſhall be giuen, the law according to which ſentence ſhal be giuen, & execution.
The definition of it is this: 1 The laſt iudgement is a iudgement which God ſhal exerciſe in the end of the world by chriſt, who ſhould then viſiblie deſcend frō heauen in a cloud, in the glorie & maieſty of his Father & Angels, by whom alſo then ſhall be raiſed from the dead all men, which hauehave died ſince the beginning of the world vntounto the end thereof: but the reſt, who are then liuing ſhal be ſodainly chaunged, and all preſented before the tribunall ſeate of Chriſt, who ſhall giuegive ſentence of al, and ſhal caſt the wicked with the diuels into euerlaſting tormentes, but ſhall receiue vp the godlie vntounto himſelfe, that they maie with him and bleſſed Angels enioie eternal happineſſe and glorie in heauen. It may be defined more brieflie on this wiſe: The laſt iudgement ſhall bee a manifeſtation, or declaration, and ſeparation of the iuſt and vniuſt, who euer hauehave liued or ſhall liue from the beginning of the wo…ld vntounto the end, proceeding from God by chriſt; and a pronouncing of ſentence on theſe men, and an execution thereof, according to the doctrine of the Law and Goſpel.
The partes of this definition wee wil now in few wordes confirme. 1. That iudgement ſhall be a manifeſtation of the iuſt and vniuſt. For Reuel. 20.12. The books ſhall be opened, that the ſecrets of hartes may bee laied open. 2. There ſhall bee a ſeparation of the iuſt and vniuſt. For Mat. 25.32. Chriſt ſhall place the ſheep on his right hand, but the goats on his left hand. 3. This manifeſtation and ſeparation ſhal be wrought of God by Chriſt. If of God, then ſhal it bee a moſt diuine and iuſt iudgement. Rom. 3.6 Jf God bee vnrighteous, how ſhall hee iudge the world? Jt ſhall bee made and wrought by chriſt; becauſe Iohn. 5.22. The Father hath committed all iudgement vntounto the Son. And Act. 17.31. God hath appointed to iudge the worlde by a man. 4. J… ſhall bee a pronouncing of ſentence: Mat. 25.34. Come yee Bleſſed of my Father. We are Bleſſed of God, not in Adam, but in his ſeed, and therefore the ſentence ſhall bee giuen according to the goſpel. For by nature wee are ſubiect vntounto the wrath of God. Therefore alſo ſhall the godly ſay: When ſaw wee thee hungering or thirſting? They ſhall confeſſe that the retribution of rewardes commeth not by their merit, but by his grace. Furder after this manner the wicked and the godly ſhall bee iudged according to the Lawe and Goſpell: Abſolution ſhall bee principally according to the Goſpel; but ſhal be confirmed by the Law: Condemnation ſhal bee principally by the Lawe; but ſhall be confirmed of the Goſpel. Sentence ſhal bee giuen on the wicked, according to their owne merite: Sentence ſhall be giuen on the godlie, according to Chriſtes merite applyed vntounto them by faith: a teſtimonie and witneſſe of which faith ſhal be their workes. Now to be iudged, is, to bee declared iuſt before the tribunal of Chriſt, and to enter into euerlaſting life, and that with a reſpect and condition of faith, which is required in the Goſpell.
Obiection. But vntounto euerie man ſhall be giuen according to his workes. Therefore iudgement ſhall be giuen on al, according to the doctrine of the Law. Aunſwere. In this ſenſe, ſhal be giuen alſo vntounto the elect according to their works: not that their works are merites, but in that they are the effects of faith. Wherefore vntounto the elect ſhal be giuen according to their woorkes, that is, they ſhal be iudged according to faith: & to be iudged according to faith, is, to be iudged according to the Goſpel. But the iudge maketh mention of our woorks, and not of faith. Firſt, becauſe he wil hauehave it knowen to others why he ſo iudgeth: leaſt the vngodly & condemned perſons might obiect that hee giueth vsus eternal life vniuſtly. Wherefore he wil ſhew them our workes, and will bring them forth as teſtimonies to refute them, that we hauehave in this life applyed vntounto vsus Chriſtes merit. Secondly, That wee maie hauehave comfort in this life, that we ſhall hereafter according to our works stand at his right hand.
3 Who ſhall be iudge.
CHriſt ſhall bee the iudge. Iohn 5.22. Hee hath committed all iudgement vntounto the Son. Neither yet are the Father & the holie Ghoſt remoued from this iudgement: But Chriſt immediatly ſhal ſpeake, and giuegive ſentence, and that in his humane nature. And when he ſpeaketh, God ſhal ſpeake; not onelyonly becauſe he himſelfe is God, but becauſe the Father ſhal ſpeake by him. The iudgement then ſhall belong vntounto all three perſons of the God-head, as concerning their conſent and authority: but vntounto Chriſt, as touching the publiſhing and exequuting of the iudgement. For Chriſt ſhall viſibly giuegive ſentence of all, which ſentence he ſhal alſo together execute. The church alſo ſhal iudge, as touching the approbation and allowing of this iudgement: as Chriſt ſaith, Luk. 22.30. That the Apoſtles ſhal ſit on twelue ſeates, and ſhall iudge the twelue tribes of Iſrael, that is, they ſhall ſubſcribe vntounto Chriſtes iudgement, and approoue his ſentence.
The cauſes, why Chriſt, man, ſhall bee iudge, are theſe. 1. Becauſe the church is to bee glorified by the ſame Mediatour, by whom, and for whom it was iuſtified. Act. 17.31. God wil iudge the woorld in righteouſneſſe by that man, whome hee hath appointed. Matth. 24.30. They ſhal ſee the ſonne of man come in the cloudes of heauen, with power and great glorie. Ioh. 5.27. The Father hath giuen power to the Sonne to execute iudgement, in that hee is the Sonne of man. 2. That we maie hauehave comfort, knowing him to bee our iudge, who hath purchaſed vsus with his bloode, and who maketh vsus his brethren, yea his parts and members.
For he is, 1 Our brother and our fleſh. 2 He hath promiſed, and ſaide, Ioh. 3.36. He that beleeueth in the Sonne hath eternall life; & cap. 6.24. Verilie, verily I ſay vntounto you, hee that heareth my word, & beleeueth in him that ſent me, hath euerlaſting life, and ſhall not come into condemnation, but hath paſſed from death vntounto life. The third cauſe why he commeth, is, to deliuer his Church, and to caſt away the wicked. A threefould conſolation therefore hauehave wee by the ſecond comming and iudgement of Chriſt. 1 From the perſon. 2 From his promiſe. 3 From the finall cauſe and end. The fourth cauſe why hee commeth iudge, is, the iuſtice of God: becauſe they hauehave dealt contumeliouſly with the ſonne of man. Zach. 12.10. They ſhall looke vponupon him whom they hauehave pearced. Obiection. Chriſt ſaith, Ioh. 12.47. That he came not to iudge. In his firſt comming he came not to iudge the woorlde, but in his ſecond comming he commeth to that end. For a man muſt be iudge, 1 Becauſe he muſt iudge men; Therefore he muſt bee beheld of all. But God is inuiſible. 2 That he may the more confound the wicked his enimies, who ſhal be forced to behold him their iudge, whom they hauehave ſo much withſtood.
4 Whence and whither Chriſt ſhall come.
WEE looke for our iudge Chriſt from heauen. For whither the Apoſtles ſawe him aſcend, from thence ſhall he come. 2. Theſſ. 1.7. The Lord Ieſus ſhal ſhew himſelfe from heauen with his mightie Angels. Mat. 26.64. Hereafter ſhall yee ſee the Sonne of man ſitting at the right hand of the power of God, & come in the clouds of the Heauen. From heauen then, where hee ſitteth at Gods right hand (not out of the aire, or the ſea, or the earth: For as yee hauehave ſeene him go into heauen, ſo ſhall hee come, Acts. 1.11.) ſhal he deſcend into the clouds: that is, he ſhall deſcend from heauen viſiblie into this region of the aire, as he did indeed viſibly aſcend. Theſe thinges are neceſſarily propoſed, that the Church may know whence to expect their iudge. For as hee wil hauehave knowen whither he is aſcended, ſo alſo will hee hauehave it knowen whence hee ſhall come againe: that he might thereby ſignifie, that hee hath not laid away that humane nature which he tooke.
5 How Chriſt ſhall come to iudgement.
1 THE dead ſhall bee raiſed, and the liuing chaunged. 2. The woorlde ſhall bee diſſolued by fier. 3. Hee ſhall come ſodainlie, to comfort his. And hee ſhall come, 1 Truelie, viſibly, and locallie, not imaginarilie. Matth. 24.30. They ſhall ſee the Sonne of man comming in the cloudes of the heauen: and ſo ſhall know him to be God by his viſible maiesty. Zach. 12.10. They ſhall looke vponupon him whome they hauehave pearced. 2. Hee ſhall come furniſhed and prepared with glorie and diuine maiestie, with all the Angels, with the voice and trump of the Archangel, with diuine power, to raiſe the deade, and to ſeparate the godly from the wicked, and to caſt theſe into euerlaſting tormentes, but to glorifie them for euer. Matth. 16.27. The ſonne of man ſhal come in the glorie of the Father, that is, he ſhal come furniſhed with a heauenly multitude of Angels and full of maieſty: and that not by neceſſity, but by his power and authoritie, ſhewing himſelfe to bee lord ouer al creatures; and that with ſuch glorie, as onelyonly agreeth and is proper vntounto the Father. Whereupon withall is gathered, that chriſt is not a ſecondarie god, but the ſecond perſon of the Godhead, equal with the Father. For God wil not giuegive his glory to any other.
6 Whom Chriſt ſhal iudge.
HE ſhal iudge all men both quicke and deade, and alſo the wicked Angels. Now men are called quicke or dead in reſpect of the ſtate which goeth before the iudgement: As, they which ſhal remaine aliue vntil the daie of iudgement, are called the quicke and liuing: All the reſt except theſe are called the dead: and theſe at the daie of iudgement ſhall riſe, the other which remaine then aliue ſhall bee chaunged. Which chaunge ſhall bee vntounto them inſteede of death: and ſo wee ſhal al appeare before the iudgement ſeate of Chriſt. Obiection. But hee that beleeueth in the Son, ſhall not come into iudgement, and ſo it followeth, that al ſhall not bee iudged. Aunſwere. Hee that beleeueth, ſhall not come into the iudgement of condemnation, but ſhall come into the iudgement of abſolution. Wherefore we ſhal be iudged, as the woord Iudgement is more largely taken for both condemnation, and abſolution. The Diuels ſhal not then bee iudged, that is, condemned: but they ſhal be iudged, in reſpect of the publiſhing of the iudgement already paſſed on them, as alſo in reſpect of the aggrauating of the iudgement. The Prince of this worlde (ſaith Chriſt, Iohn 16.11.) is alreadie iudged and condemned. Therefore he ſhal not then be iudged. Aunſwere. The Diuel is alreadie iudged, but that onelyonly 1. By the decree of God. 2. Jn the worde of God. 3. Jn his owne conſcience. 4. As touching the beginning of his condemnation. But then he ſhall bee ſo iudged, hauing the ſentence proclaimed publickly on him, that he ſhall not bee able to attempt any thing more againſt God and the Church.
7 What ſhall bee the Sentence and exequution of iudgement.
SENTENCE ſhal be giuē (which alſo we did touch before in the ſecond Queſtion) on the wicked principally according to the Law; yet ſo, as it ſhal bee with the approbation of the Goſpel. Sentence ſhal bee giuen on the godly, principallie according to the Goſpell; yet ſo, that the Lawe ſhal allowe and like of it. The Elect ſhall heare their ſentence out of the Goſpell according to the merit of Chriſt apprehended of them by faith, the teſtimonies of which faith ſhal be good workes.
The execution of the Sentence giuen ſhall bee, 1. By the vertue and diuine power of Chriſt. For the dead ſhall bee raiſed at the hearing of Chriſtes voice: the liuing ſhal be chaunged, and their mortal bodies ſhall be made immortall, and ſhall bee gathered from the fower coſtes of the worlde. 2. By the miniſterie of Angels. For by them Chriſt ſhal gather the godlie and the wicked, as by thoſe reapers, by whome alſo he ſhal ſeparate the godly from the wicked: and this, not, as if hee had neede of the Angels miniſtery, but thereby to ſhewe himſelfe to be Lord of the Angels. But this is no impotency or want of power, but a part of Chriſtes glorie, before whoſe tribunal al we being ſo gathered by the Angels & ſeuered …hal ſtand. 1. The world, heauen & earth ſhal bee diſſolued by fier at the execution of this iudgemēt: there ſhal be a change of this preſent ſtate, & a purifieng of the creatures; but not any conſuming of them. 4. This change (as alſo the comming & iudgement of the Lord) ſhall come ſodainely, the wicked ſtanding ſtill, where they ſhall ſaie, Peace, Peace. 5. There ſhall be a caſting of the wicked into euerlaſting paines, and an aduauncing of the godlie to euerlaſting happineſſe and glorie. For then ſhal Chriſt perfectlie glorifie vsus, and ſhal take vsus vntounto himſelfe. Iohn 14.3. J wil come againe and receiue you vntounto my ſelfe. 1. Theſſal. 4.17. Wee ſhall bee caught vp with them alſo in the cloudes to meete the Lord in the aire, and ſo ſhal wee euer be with the Lorde. The wicked ſhall bee caſt apart from the Godlie, with the Diuels, and ſhall bee adiudged to eternall paines: Not as if the wicked were not alreadie condemned: For, as we ſaid, the Diuels were alreadie iudged; ſo alſo are the wicked alreadie iudged and condemned, namely, 1. Jn the decree of God. 2 J… his word 3. In their owne conſciences. 4. As concerning the beginning of their iudgement. But then the wicked together … the Diuels ſhall bee iudged by proclaiming and publi…hi…g of that iudgement. For then ſhal be, 1 a manifeſtation of Go…s iudgement, that they periſh iuſtlie, who periſh. 2. The wicked ſhall further ſuffer alſo puniſhment and tormentes of bodie, which now is buried. 3. The wicked and the Diuels ſhal be ſo ſharply lookt vntounto, and kept vnderunder, that they ſhall not bee able any more to hurt the godly, or to deſpite God and his church. A great gulfe placed betweene vsus and them ſhall ſhut vp all paſſage from them, ſo that they ſhall ceaſe to harme vsus.
8 For what cauſes that iudgement ſhal be.
THE chiefe and principall cauſe is the decree of God. For therefore ſhal the laſt iudgement be, becauſe god hath ſaid & decreed that it ſhal be. Wherefore it muſt needs be ſo, that ſo God maie hauehave his end, that is, that he may ſhew and declare perfectlie and wholy his goodneſſe and louelove towardes vsus, that hee maie bee worſhipped in his Temple, which is in his choſen, that the Sonne of God maie hauehave his kingdome, and his citizens glorious, and ſuch as beſeeme him. 2. A leſſe principal and ſubordinate cauſe is, both the ſaluation of the Elect, who are here vexed, and the damnation of the wicked, who here doe floriſh. For therefore alſo ſhal the laſt iudgement bee, that it maie goe well with the good, and ill with the bad. And of this ſhall the Godly take matter to magnifie and praiſe God. 3. The laſt iudgement ſhal be, becauſe of Gods iustice. Heere is not a full and perfect execution of Gods iuſtice. For the wicked muſt bee in perfect and full ill ſtate, both in bodie and ſoule.
9 When this iudgement ſhalbe.
THIS iudgement ſhal be in the end of the world, in the end of daies. For there are three parts of the during and continuance of the world. 1 Before the Law. 2 VnderUnder the Law. 3 VnderUnder Chriſt. That part of the during of the world, which is vnderunder chriſt, is called the ende of the worlde, the end of daies, the last time. Wherefore there ſhal not be ſo long ſpace between chriſts firſt comming and his ſecond, as was from the beginning of the world vntounto his firſt comming. But the yeare, the day, the monethmonth of this iudgement is not knowen of Christ himſelfe. 1 As touching his humane nature. 2 As touching his office and Mediatorſhip. Mar. 13.32. Of that day and houre knoweth no mā, no not the Angels which are in heauen, neither the Son himſelfe, ſaue the Father.
10 Wherefore God would hauehave vsus certaine of the laſt iudgement.
THE time of the iudgement to come is vnknowen to vsus: but as it is moſt certaine, that that iudgement ſhal come, ſo God alſo would hauehave vsus knowe the ſame. Firſt, in reſpect of his glorie: That wee might bee able to refute Epicures, who account this heauenly doctrine of the diuine iudgement to come, for a fable. Jt ſhould goe well, ſaie they, with the righteous. But it dooth not ſo. Therefore God either can not performe it, or ſtandeth not to his promiſes, or there is no prouidence. VntoUnto which their cauill we aunſwere. That becauſe in this life it goeth not well with the Godly, it ſhall go well with them at length after this life. Secondly, God will hauehave vsus knowe it for our comfort: That we may comfort our ſelues amidſt our euils & miſeries with this, that at length ſhall come a time when we ſhal be deliuered from this corruption and rottenneſſe. Thirdly, that we maie retaine & keepe our ſelues in the feare of God, and our dutie, and that others alſo may be reclaimed from euill. This iudgement ſhalbe: let vsus endeuour therefore that wee may be able to ſtand in this iudgement. The ſcripture vſeth this argument both waies, both to comfort vsus, and to hold and keepe vsus in our duty. Chriſt ſhall at length iudge the wicked and our enimies: ſuffer we therefore patiently perſecutions. Rom. 14.10. Wee ſhal al appear before the iudgement ſeat of Chriſt: therefore liue wee Godly. Fourthly, That the wicked may be left excuſeleſſe: For they are warned ſufficiently that they ſhoulde bee ready at euerie ſeaſon, leaſt they ſhould ſay, they were oppreſſed vnawares.
11 For what cauſe God would not hauehave vsus certaine of the time of iudgement.
ALbeit it be moſt certaine, that the laſt iudgement ſhal at length be: yet the day of that iudgement is altogether vncertaine. Mar. 13.32. Of that day, and houre, no man knoweth, no not the Angels which are in heauen; nor the Sonne himſelfe; ſaue the Father. Wherefore the yeare, monethmonth, day, houre of the laſt iudgement, Chriſt himſelfe alſo knoweth not, not onelyonly as concerning his humane nature, but alſo in reſpect of his preſent office. The preſent office of Chriſt, to wit, in that he is our Mediatour, doth not require, that he ſhould declare that vntounto vsus. Now the cauſes why God would hauehave it hid from vsus, are theſe. 1 That he might exerciſe our faith and patience, and ſo we ſhould ſhew that we would beleeue God, albeit wee knowe not the time of our deliuerie. 2 That he might bridle our curioſitie. 3 That he might keepe vsus in his feare, in godlineſſe, and in executing of our dutie: and ſo we ſhould bee readie eueryevery moment. Mat. 24.43. Jf the good-man of the houſe knew. Luk. 12.40. Occupie til I come.
12 For what cauſe God differreth that iudgement.
HEE differreth it, 1 To exerciſe faith, patience, hope, and praier in the Godlie. 2 That all the elect may bee gathered vntounto the Church. For in reſpect of them, and not in reſpect of the wicked, doth the world continue. For the creatures were made for the children of the houſe: The wicked vſe them as theeues and robbers. Nowe God will hauehave the elect gathered by ordinary meanes: he will hauehave them in this life to heare the word, and by it to be renewed & conuerted; vntounto which is required ſome tract of time. 3 He differeth it, that hee might grant vntounto all a time and ſpace of repentaunce, as at this time: and that his differring might leaue the wicked & obſtinate without excuſe. Rom. 2.4. Deſpiſeſt thou the riches of his bountifulneſſe, and patience, and long ſufferance, not knowing that the bountifulneſſe of God leadeth thee to repentance?
13 Whether the last iudgement bee to be wiſhed for.
WE are doubtleſſe to wiſh for the day of iudgement, becauſe it is an vndoubted ſigne and token of that difference, whereby the Elect are diſcerned from the reprobate: which declaration the Godly doe earneſtly deſire. Moreouer it ſhall bee a deliuerie out of thoſe miſeries in which we are. Rom. 7.24. O wretched man that I am, who ſhall deliuer me from the bodie of this death? Reu. 22.17. The ſpirit & the Bride ſay, Come Lord Jeſu: which they ſay not, who are not ready to receiue the Lorde. For the wicked tremble and ſhake at the mention of that iudgement.