The Sum of Christian Religion, Catechism · Part 2 · Christ's two natures · Question 52
Queſt. 52. What comfort haſt thou by the coming againe of Christ to judge the quick and the dead?
Anſ. That in all my miſeries and perſecutions I look with my head lifted up, for the very ſame, who before yielded himſelfe unto the judgement of God for me, and took away all malediction from me, to come Judge from heavenaPhil. 3.20. Luke 21.28. Rom. 8.13. Tit. 2.13. 1 Theſſ. 4.16., to throw all his and mine enemies into everlaſting painesbMat. 25.41. 2 Theſſ. 1.6, 7., but to tranſlate mee, with all his choſen, unto himſelf, into celeſtiall joyes and everlaſting glorycMat. 25.34..
The Explication.
IN this Article three Common-places fall in one, and meet together, which are divers in themſelves; namely, of Christs ſecond coming, of the end of the world, and of the laſt judgement. Of theſe places wee will ſpeak joyntly, as which are linked between themſelves; yet ſo that we chiefly handle that of the laſt judgement. For to little purpoſe were it for us to thinke of Chriſts ſecond coming, except wee did further conſider, to what end he ſhould come. The chief Queſtions of the laſt judgement are:
1. Whether there ſhall be any judgment.
2. What that judgement is.
3. Who ſhall be Judge.
4. Whence, and whither hee ſhall come to judge.
5. How he ſhall come.
6. Whom he ſhall judge.
7. What ſhall be the ſentence and execution of this judgement.
8. For what cauſes this judgment ſhall be.
9. When it ſhall be.
10. Why God would have us certaine of the laſt judgement.
11. Why he would not have us certain of the time.
12. Why God deferreth that judgement.
13. Whether it is to be wiſhed for.
1. Whether there ſhall be any judgement.
THis Queſtion is neceſſary: For the Scripture alſo hath fore-told, that there ſhall come in the later times mockers, who ſhall account this Article for a fable. Where is the promiſe of his coming? For ſince the Fathers dyed, 2 Pet. 3.4.all things continue alike from the beginning of the Creation. The laſt judgement cannot indeed be demonſtrated out of Philoſophy: but neither is there any thing in Philoſophy againſt it. But the whole certainty thereof is grounded on divine Prophecies,The certainty of the laſt judgement is not to be ſought in Philoſophy, but in Divinity. or on the Doctrine of the Church. For, although the Philoſopher perhaps would ſay ſomewhat, as ſeeing a little through a miſt: as, That it ſhould goe well with the good, and ill with the evill; and, That it is not likely, that man was born to this miſery: yet, by reaſon that man hath loſt the knowledge of the righteouſneſſe, goodneſſe, and truth of God; wee cannot know out of Philoſophy, that any judgement ſhall be: much leſſe with what circumſtances it ſhall be. The arguments which Philoſophy yieldeth, are forcible indeed in themſelves, but are not made knowne but in Divinity: and therefore the arguments themſelves are only made forcible and of ſtrength in Divinity. Wherefore, wee will draw reaſons and proofes out of Divinity, or the Doctrine of the Goſpel, by which it may appeare that there is a laſt judgement.
Six proofes of the laſt judgement.The firſt proofe is drawne from expreſſe and plaine teſtimonies of ſacred Scriptures: As out of the Prophecy of Daniel, As I beheld in viſions by night, behold, Dan. 7.13.one like the Sonne of Man came in the clouds of heaven, and approached unto the Ancient of dayes, and they brought him before him. And hee gave him dominion, and honour, and a kingdome, that all people, nations and languages ſhould ſerve him: his dominion is an everlaſting dominion, which ſhall never be taken away, and his kingdome ſhall never be deſtroyed. And againe a little before: The Ancient of dayes did ſit, whoſe garment was white as ſnow, and the haire of his head like the pure wooll, Verſ. 9, 10.his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheeles as burning fire. A fiery flame iſſued and came forth before him, thouſands miniſtred unto him, and ten thouſands ſtood before him: the judgement was ſet, and the books opened. The beaſt was ſlaine, and his body deſtroyed, and given to the burning fire. Likewiſe, out of the prophecy of Enoch, alledged by the Apoſtle Jude:Jude 14, 15. Behold, the Lord cometh with thouſands of his Saints to give judgement againſt all men. Moreover, out of the ſermons of Chriſt, eſpecially in Mat. 24.25. Likewiſe, out of the ſermons of the Apoſtles:Acts 19 31. 1 Theſſ. 4.16. He hath appointed a day▪ in the which he will judge the world in righteouſnes, by that man whom he hath appointed: whereof he hath given aſſurance to all men, in that hee hath raiſed him from the dead. The Lord himſelf ſhall deſcend from heaven with a ſhout, and with the voice of the Arch angel, and with the trumpet of God. It is appointed unto men that they ſhall once die, Heb. 9.27.and after that cometh the judgement. And I ſaw a great white throne, Rev. 20.11, 12.and one ſate on it, &c. And I ſaw the dead, both great and ſmall, ſtand before God; and the books were opened, and another book was opened, which is the book of life, and the dead were judged of thoſe things which were written in the books, according to their workes. Neither is the certainty of the laſt Judgement apparent only by theſe and the like plaine teſtimonies of Scripture, but is deduced alſo out of other places by good conſequence: and hence are made thoſe forcible arguments, which the Philoſophers ſaw but by a glimpſe. The ſecond proof is drawn from the end, whereunto mankinde was created. God neceſſarily obtaineth his end: but to this end did he create mankinde, that man ſhould be the image of God, and the everlaſting temple of God, wherein he ſhould be worſhipped: to whom he would communicate himſelfe, perfect wiſedome, righteouſneſſe and goodneſſe, and would impart his bleſſedneſſe: which, whereas it is now performed unto us, and ſeeing it cannot be that God ſhould create ſo moſt excellent a creature to perpetuall miſery, wee neceſſarily inferre that there ſhall be a change: For God will obtaine his end, and will not ſuffer the temple of the holy Ghoſt to be utterly conſumed of rottenneſſe. This bleſſedneſſe is a part of Gods image, according to which man was made: but this the Divel hath deſtroyed; therefore God ſhall reſtore it, who is mightier than the Divel. And although the end for which man was created, is hindered divers waies in this life, yet God will at ſome time obtain it. Wherefore, it is not only (as the Philoſphers reaſon) likely and probable, that man was not made for theſe miſeries: but it is alſo moſt certain, that the moſt excellent of all creatures was made to a better end. Wherefore there muſt needs be at length a change. By this argument is confirmed the happineſſe of our bodies; according to that of Saint Paul, Know you not that your body is the temple of the holy Ghoſt, 1 Cor. 6.19.which is in you? The third proof is taken from the justice, goodneſſe and truth of God, which requireth, that it may goe full well with the good, and with the evill full ill. Philoſophy knoweth not that God is ſo juſt, good and true, that hee will have the righteous to enjoy full and perfect bleſſedneſſe. But this cometh not to paſſe in this life: nay rather it goeth well with the wicked and evill, in this life: Therefore there muſt remaine another life, wherein this ſhall be. The holy Scripture uſeth this argument, as in S. Paul:2 Theſſ. 1.4, 6. It is a righteous thing with God, to recompence tribulation to them that trouble you. Remember that thou in thy life time receivedſt thy pleaſure, and likewiſe Lazarus paines: Luke 16.25.now therefore is he comforted, and thou art tormented. The fourth is taken from Gods decree, whereby he ordained and purpoſed with himſelfe from everlaſting to raiſe the dead. Wherefore God being unchangeable, will not cancell and revoke this his decree. A regiſter and copy thereof we reade in Ezekiel; and preſidents or examples we have Enoch,Chap. 3.…. Elias and Chriſt: The fifth is taken from Gods omnipotency, whereby he is able to effectuate and accompliſh things contrary to reaſon. This argument Chriſt uſeth againſt the Phariſees:Mat. 22.29. Ye erre, not knowing the Scripture, nor the power of God. The ſixth is taken from the glory of God, ſith God created man that he ſhould magnifie him for ever; which cannot be, if there were no reſurrection nor judgement. All other proofs and arguments may be referred unto theſe.
2. What is the last judgement.
IN every wordly judgement are the Accuſed, the Accuſer, the Judge, the Cauſe, Examination, and Hearing of the cauſe, the Law, according to which judgement is given, the Sentence of abſolution, or condemnation, and the Execution thereof according to the Law. Worldly judgement then in generall, is an inquiſition or examination of a cauſe by an ordinary and lawfull Judge, according to juſt lawes; and a pronouncing of ſentence, and the execution thereof according to the juſt lawes. Now it is eaſie to define this laſt judgment of God, which he will execute by Chriſt. This Judge hath no need of inquiſition or examination of the cauſe, or of witneſſes, and accuſers, ſeeing he himſelfe will make the works of all manifeſt, becauſe he is himſelfe the ſearcher of hearts: Therefore there ſhall be only the Judge, and the offenders on whom ſentence ſhall be given, and the law; according to which, ſentence ſhall be given and executed. The definition of it is this: 1. The laſt judgement is a judgement which God ſhall exerciſe in the end of the world by Chriſt,The definition of the laſt judgment. who ſhall then viſibly deſcend from heaven in a cloud, in the glory and majeſty of his Father and Angels, by whom alſo then ſhall be raiſed from the dead all men, which have died ſince the beginning of the world, unto the end thereof: but the reſt, who are then living, ſhall be ſuddenly changed, and all preſented before the tribunall ſeat of Chriſt, who ſhall give ſentence on all, and ſhall caſt the wicked with the divels into everlaſting torments, but ſhall receive up the godly unto himſelfe, that they may, with him and bleſſed Angels, enjoy eternall happineſſe and glory in heaven:Acts 1.11. A more brief definition. Hee ſhall ſo come as yee have ſeen him goe into heaven. It may be defined more briefly on this wiſe: The last judgement ſhall be a manifeſtation of the hearts and inward thoughts of all men, and a declaration of all their actions, and a ſeparation of the juſt and unjuſt, who ever have lived, or ſhall live from the beginning of the world unto 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 iſſue whereof ſhall be the perfect delivery of the Church, and the finall abjection of wicked men and divels into everlaſting puniſhment.
The confirmation of each part.The parts of this definition we will now in few words confirme: 1. The judgement ſhall be a manifeſtation of the juſt and unjuſt: For, the books ſhall be opened, that the ſecrets of hearts may be laid open. Rev. 20.12.2. There ſhall be a ſeparation of the juſt and unjuſt: For, Chriſt ſhall place the ſheep on his right hand, but the goates on his left hand. 3. This manifeſtation and ſeparation ſhall be wrought of God by Chriſt. Mat. 25.28.If of God, then ſhall it be a moſt divine and juſt judgement: If God be unrighteous, how ſhall he judge the world? It ſhall be made and wrought by Chriſt: becauſe,Rom. 3.6. The Father hath committed all judgement to the Son. John 5.22. Acts 17.13.God hath appointed to judge the world by a man. 4. It ſhall be a pronouncing of ſentence; becauſe the judge ſhall ſay to them on his right hand, Come yee bleſſed of my Father: To thoſe on the left, Goe yee curſed into everlaſting fire, Mat. 25.34.41.which is prepared for the Divell and his Angels. 5. It ſhall be an everlaſting execution: And theſe ſhall goe into everlaſting fire, and the righteous into life eternall. 6. After this manner the wicked and the godly ſhall be judged according to the Law and Goſpel; that is, they ſhall be pronounced and declared juſt or unjuſt before the tribunall ſeat of Chriſt. For the abſolution of the juſt ſhall be principally according to the Goſpel, but ſhall be confirmed by the law: The condemnation of the unjuſt ſhall be principally by the law, but ſhall be confirmed of the Goſpel. Sentence ſhall be given on the wicked according to their owne merit: Sentence ſhall be given on the godly according to Christs merit, applied unto them by faith; a teſtimony and witneſſe of which faith ſhall be their workes: Therefore alſo ſhall the godly confeſſe, that the retribution of rewards cometh not by their merit, but by his grace: they ſhall ſay, When ſaw we thee hungring or thirſting? By nature we are all ſubject unto the wrath of God; but we ſhall be pronounced bleſſed of God,Mat. 25.37. not in Adam, but in the bleſſed ſeed, even in Chriſt: Therefore the ſentence ſhall be given according to the Goſpel.
Object. Ʋnto every man ſhall be given according to his workes: Therefore judgement ſhall be given to all, Rom. 2.6.not according to the Goſpel, but according to the doctrine of the Law. Anſ. In this ſenſe, ſhall be given alſo unto the elect according to their works: not that their works are merits, but in that they are the effects of faith. Wherefore then unto the elect ſhall be given according to their workes; that is, they ſhall be judged according to the effects of faith: and to be judged according to faith, is to be judged according to the Goſpel.Two cauſes why Chriſt will in the laſt …ay ra…her judge us according to the effects of faith, than according to faith. Now Chriſt ſhall rather judge according to workes, the effects of faith, than according to faith: 1. Becauſe he will have it known to others why he ſo judgeth; leſt the ungodly and condemned perſons might object, that he giveth us eternall life unjuſtly. He will prove by our works, the fruits of our faith, that our faith was ſincere and true, and that therefore we are ſuch as to whom life is due according to the promiſe. Wherefore he will ſhew them our works, and will bring them forth as reſtimonies▪ to refute them, that we have in this life applied unto us Chriſts merit. 2. That we may have comfort in this life, that we ſhall hereafter, according to our works, ſtand at his right hand.
3. Who ſhall be Judge.
CHriſt ſhall be the Judge,John 5.22, 27. the ſame perſon which is the Mediatour. For the Father hath committed all judgement unto the Sonne, and hath given him power alſo to execute judgement, Acts 10.42. and 17.31 The Father and the holy Ghoſt ſhall judge by conſent and authority.in that he is the Sonne of Man. Hee hath committed all judgement unto the Sonne. Hee is ordained of God, a Judge of quick and dead. Hee will judge the world in righteouſneſſe, by that man whom hee hath appointed. Neither yet are the Father and the holy Ghoſt removed from this judgement. But Chriſt immediatly ſhall ſpeake and give ſentence, and that in his humane nature. And when hee ſpeaketh, God ſhall ſpeake, and when he judgeth God ſhall judge; not only becauſe he himſelf is God, but becauſe the Father ſhall ſpeak and judge by him. The judgement then ſhall belong unto all the three perſons of the God-head, as concerning their conſent and authority: but unto Christ, as touching the publiſhing and executing of the judgement. For Chriſt ſhall viſibly give ſentence of all,The Son by viſible pronouncing of ſentence. The Church by approbation. Luke 21.30 Foure cauſes why Chriſt-man ſhall judge the world. which ſentence he ſhall alſo together execute. The Church alſo ſhall judge, as touching the approbation and allowing of his judgement: as Chriſt ſaith, that the Apoſtles ſhall ſit on twelve ſeats, and ſhall judge the twelve tribes of Iſrael; that is, that they ſhall ſubſcribe unto Chriſts judgement, and ſhall approve his ſentence. Furthermore, the cauſes, why Jeſus Chriſt man, ſhall be Judge, are theſe: 1. Becauſe he muſt judge men; therefore he muſt be beheld of men as a Judge. But God is inviſible. 2. Becauſe God will have the Church glorified by the ſame Mediatour, by whom, and for whom it was justified. God will judge the world in righteouſneſſe, Acts 17.31. Mat. 24.30. John 5.27.by that man whom hee hath appointed. They ſhall ſee the Sonne of Man come in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. The Father hath given power to the Sonne to execute judgement, in that hee is the Sonne of Man. 3. That wee may have this comfort, to wit, that this Judge, whereas he is our Redeemer,Heb. 2.11. Epheſ. 5.30. Brother and Head, will be gracious unto us, and will not condemne thoſe whom he hath redeemed, and purchaſed with his bloud; nay, whom he hath vouchſafed to make his brethren and members. Theſe are the three things then which comfort us: 1. The perſon of the Judge; for he is our brother, and our fleſh. 2. The promiſe of the Judge; for he hath promiſed and ſaid, He that beleeveth in the Sonne, John 3.36. and 5.24.hath eternall life. Verily, verily, I ſay unto you, he that heareth my word, and beleeveth in him that ſent mee, hath everlaſting life, and ſhall not come into condemnation▪ but hath paſsed from death unto life. 3. The finall cauſe or end of his coming to judgement: For he ſhall come to ſet his Church at liberty, and to caſt the wicked into eternall deſtruction. 4. The fourth cauſe why Chriſt-man ſhall be Judge, is the juſtice of God: Becauſe the world hath contumeliouſly dealt with Chriſt, refuſing his benefits:Zach. 12.10. John 19.37. therefore They ſhall looke on him whom they have pierced, that hee may the more confound his wicked enemies, who ſhall be forced to behold him their Judge,John 12.47. and 3.17. whom they have ſo much withſtood. Object, Chriſt ſaith, that he came not to judge or condemne the world: How then ſhould hee be our judge? Anſw. Chriſt in theſe places ſpeaketh of his firſt coming, which was not to judge the world, but to ſave it: but at his ſecond coming, hee ſhall come to be the Judge of the quick and the dead.
4. Whence, and whither Chriſt ſhall come.
WE look for our judge Chriſt from heaven: For whither the Apoſtle ſaw him aſcend, from thence ſhall he come.1 Theſſ. 1.7. Mat. 26.64. Phil. 3.10. The Lord Jeſus ſhall ſhew himſelf from heaven, with his mighty Angels. Hereafter ſhall yee ſee the Sonne of man ſitting at the right hand of the power of God, and come in the clouds of the heaven. From heaven then, where hee ſitteth at Gods right hand (not out of the aire, or the ſea, or the earth:Acts 1.11. For as ye have ſeen him goe into heaven, ſo ſhall he come.) Hee ſhall deſcend into the clouds; that is, he ſhall deſcend from heaven viſibly into this region of the aire, as hee did indeed viſibly aſcend. Theſe things are neceſſarily propoſed, that the Church may know whence to expect their Judge and Redeemer: For as he will have it known whither he aſcended, ſo alſo will he have it known whence he ſhall come againe: that he might thereby ſignifie that he hath not laid away that humane nature which hee took.
5. How Chriſt ſhall come to Judgement.
HEe ſhall come, 1. Truly, viſibly and locally; not imaginarily. Mat. 24.30.They ſhall ſee the Son of man coming in the clouds of the heaven: and ſo ſhall know him to be God by his viſible majeſty. As yee have ſeen him goe into heaven, ſo ſhall hee come: Acts 1.11.But he aſcended viſibly and locally: therefore hee ſhall deſcend alſo viſibly and locally. They ſhall look upon him whom they have pierced. 2. Hee ſhall come furniſhed and prepared with glory and divine majeſty, with all the Angels,Zach. 12.10. with voice and trump of the Archangel, with divine power, to raiſe the dead, and to ſeparate the godly from the wicked, and to caſt theſe into everlaſting torments, but to glorifie them for ever. The Son of man ſhall come in the glory of the Father, that is, he ſhall come furniſhed with a heavenly multitude of Angels, and full of majeſty: and that not by neceſſity, but by his power and authority, ſhewing himſelfe to be Lord over all creatures: and that with ſuch glory, as only agreeth and is proper unto the Father. Whereupon withall is gathered, that Chriſt is not a ſecondary God, but the ſecond perſon of the God-head, equall with the Father. For God will not give his glory to another. 3. He ſhall come ſuddenly when the wicked lookt not for him. When they ſay, Peace, 1 Theſſ. 5.2, 3.peace, he ſhall come as a thiefe in the night.
6. Whom Chriſt ſhall judge.
HEe ſhall judge all men, both quick and dead, and alſo the wicked Angels. Now men are called quick or dead, in reſpect of the ſtate which goeth before this judgement: As, they which ſhall remaine alive untill the day of judgement, are called the quick and living: all the reſt except theſe, are called the dead: and theſe at the day of Judgement ſhall riſe; the other which remain then alive ſhall be changed. Which change ſhall be unto them inſtead of death: and ſo We ſhall appeare before the judgement ſeat of Christ. Object. But hee that beleeveth in the Sonne, 1 Cor. 15.51. Rom. 14.10.ſhall not come into judgement: and ſo it followeth, that all ſhall not be judged Anſ. He that beleeveth, ſhall not come into the judgement of condemnation, but ſhall come into the judgement of abſolution. Wherefore we ſhall be judged, as the word judgement is more largely taken for both condemnation and abſolution. The Divels ſhall not then be judged, that is, condemned: but they ſhall be judged in reſpect of the publiſhing of the judgment already paſſed on them, as alſo in reſpect of aggravating of the judgement. Object. The Prince of this world (ſaith Chriſt) is already judged and condemned: John 16.11.Therefore hee ſhall not then be judged. Anſ. The Divell is already judged, but that only, 1. By the decree of God. 2. In the word of God. 3. In his owne conſcience. 4. As touching the beginning of his condemnation: But then he ſhall be ſo judged, having the ſentence proclaimed publikely on him, that he ſhall not be able to attempt any thing more againſt God and the Church.
7. What ſhall be the proceſſe of the laſt Judgment, and the ſentence and execution of it.
1. BY the vertue and divine power of Chriſt, and by his humane voice the dead ſhall be raiſed.John. 5.28. 1 Cor. 15.53. For, All that are in the graves ſhall heare his voice, and they ſhall come forth. The living ſhall be changed, and their mortall bodies ſhall be made immortall, and they ſhall be gathered from the foure coaſts of the world. 2. By the miniſtery of the Angels all ſhall be preſented before Chriſts throne. For by the Angels, as by thoſe reapers, Chriſt ſhall gather the godly and the wicked from the foure coaſts of the world, and they ſhall appeare before him. This ſhall he doe by the Angels, not of neceſsity, but with authority: not as if he had need of the Angels miniſtery, but thereby to ſhew himſelf to be Lord of the Angels and of all creatures: and this ſhall be for the majeſty and glory of our Judge. 3. The world, heaven, and earth, ſhall be diſſolved by fire: there ſhall be a change of this preſent ſtate, and a purifying of the creatures, but not a conſuming or utter aboliſhing of them all. 4. There ſhall be a ſeparation of the godly from the ungodly, and ſentence ſhall be given of both. Sentence ſhall be given (which alſo we did touch before in the ſecond queſtion) on the wicked principally, according to the Law: yet ſo, as it ſhall be with the approbation of the Goſpel. Sentence ſhall be given on the godly principally, according to the Goſpel; yet ſo, that the Law ſhall allow and like of it. The Elect ſhall heare the ſentence out of the Goſpel, according to the merit of Chriſt apprehended of them by faith, the teſtimonies of which faith ſhall be good works. Come yee bleſſed poſſeſſe ye the kingdom. Mat. 25.34, 35.But the wicked ſhall heare the terrible and dreadfull voice: Goe ye curſed into everlasting fire. 5. There ſhall be a caſting of the wicked into everlasting paines, and an advancing of the godly to everlaſting happineſſe and glory. For then ſhall Chriſt perfectly glorifie us, and ſhall take us unto himſelfe. I will come againe, John 14.3. 1 Theſ. 4.17.and receive you unto my ſelfe. Wee ſhall be caught up with them alſo in the clouds to meete the Lord in the aire, and ſo ſhall wee ever be with the Lord. The wicked ſhall be caſt apart from the godly, with the Divels, and ſhall be adjudged to eternall paines. Object. Hee that beleeveth not, is condemned already: Therefore the wicked are even now already condemned, and ſhall not then first be condemned. Anſ. As we ſaid the Divels were already judged, ſo alſo are the wicked already judged and condemned: namely, 1. In the decree of God. 2. In his word, inaſmuch as this decree of God is revealed in his word. 3. In their owne conſcience. 4. As concerning the beginning of their judgement. But then the wicked, together with the Divels, ſhall be judged by proclaiming and publiſhing of that Judgement. For then ſhall be, 1. A manifeſtation of Gods judgement, that they periſh juſtly, who periſh. 2. The wicked ſhall further alſo ſuffer puniſhments and torments of body, which now is buried. 3. The wicked and the Divels puniſhments ſhall be aggravated; and they ſhall be ſo ſharpely lookt unto, and kept under that they ſhall not be able any more to hurt the godly, or to deſpite God and his Church. A great gulfe placed between us and them ſhall ſhut up all paſſage from them, ſo that they ſhall ceaſe to harme us.
8. For what cauſes this judgement ſhall be.
THe chiefe and principall cauſe is the decree of God. For therefore ſhall the laſt judgment be, becauſe God hath ſaid, and decreed that it ſhall be. Wherefore it muſt needs be ſo: 1. That ſo God may have his end. 2. That he may ſhew and declare perfectly and wholly his goodneſſe and love towards us, that he may be worſhipped in his temple, which is, in his choſen, that the Son of God may have his kingdome, and his citizens glorious, and ſuch as beſeem him. 2. A leſſe principall and ſubordinate cauſe is, both The ſalvation of the Elect, who are here vexed, and the damnation of the wicked, who here doe flouriſh; for therefore alſo ſhall the laſt judgement be, that it may go 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 judgement ſhall be becauſe of Gods juſtice. Here is not a full and perfect execution of Gods juſtice, for the wicked muſt be in perfect and full evill ſtate both in body and ſoul. In a word, the cauſes of the laſt judgement are, That God may utterly caſt away the wicked, deliver and free his Church, dwell in us, and be all in all things.
9. When the judgement ſhall be.
1. THis judgement ſhall be in the end of the world, in the end of dayes: For there are three parts of the during and continuance of the world: 1. Before the Law. 2. Under the Law. 3. Under Chriſt. That part of the during of the world which is under Chriſt, is called the end of the world, the end of dayes, the last time: namely, the continuance of time from Chriſts firſt coming, untill his ſecond: Wherefore there ſhall not be ſo long ſpace between Chriſts firſt coming and his ſecond, as was from the beginning of the world unto his firſt coming: for we are fallen into the laſt dayes, and daily ſee the ſignes which were fore-told concerning the judgement: Babes, it is the laſt time, and as yee have heard that Antichrist ſhall come, 1 John 2.18.even now are there many Antichriſts; whereby wee know that this is the laſt time. But the yeer, the monethmonth, the day of this judgement is not known of Chriſt himſelfe, 1. As touching his humane nature. 2. As touching his office and Mediatorſhip, inaſmuch as that requireth not, that he ſhould declare unto us the time of judgement:Mark 13.32. Of that day and houre knoweth no man, no not the Angels which are in heaven, neither the Son himſelf, ſave the Father.
10. Wherefore God would have us certain of the laſt judgement.
THe time of the judgement to come is unknown to us; but as it is moſt certaine that that judgement ſhall come, ſo God alſo would have us know the ſame, 1. In reſpect of his glory: that wee might be able to refute Epicures, who account this heavenly Doctrine of the divine judgement to come for a fable; and from the confuſion which now is in the world, inferre, that the world is not governed by God; or if ſo, then hee is unjuſt; for, It ſhould goe well, ſay they, with the righteous: But it doth not ſo: Therefore God either cannot performe it, or ſtandeth not to his promiſes, or there is no providence. Unto which their cavill we anſwer; That becauſe in this life it goeth not well with the godly, it ſhall goe well with them at length after this life. 2. God will have us know it for our comfort: that we may comfort our ſelves amidſt our evils and miſeries with this, that at length ſhall come a time when wee ſhall be delivered out of this corruption and rottenneſſe. 3. That wee may retain and keep our ſelves in the feare of God, and our duty, and that others alſo may be reclaimed from evill. This judgement ſhall be: let us endeavour therefore that we may be able to ſtand in this judgement. The Scripture uſeth this argument both wayes, both to comfort us, and to hold and keep us in our duty. Chriſt ſhall at length judge the wicked and our enemies; ſuffer wee therefore patiently perſecutions.Rom. 14.10. We ſhall all appear before the judgement ſeate of Chriſt: therefore live wee godly.Luke 21.36. Watch therefore and pray continually, that yee may bee counted worthy to eſcape all thoſe things which ſhall come to paſſe, and that yee may ſtand before the Son of man. 2 Pet. 3.11.Seeing therefore that all theſe things must be diſſolved, what manner perſons ought yee to be in holy converſation and godlineſſe? 4. That the wicked may be left excuſeleſſe: for they are warned ſufficiently, that they ſhould be ready at every ſeaſon, leſt they ſhould ſay, they were oppreſſed unawares.
11. For what cauſe God would not have us certain of the time of judgement.
ALbeit it be moſt certain that the laſt judgement ſhall at length be; yet the day of that judgement is altogether uncertain:Mark 13.32. Of that day and hour no man knoweth, no not the Angels which are in heaven, nor the Son himſelf, ſave the Father. Now the cauſes why God would have it hid from us are theſe: 1. That he might exerciſe our faith and patience, and ſo wee ſhould ſhew that wee would beleeve God, and perſevere in the expectation of his promiſe, albeit we know not the time of our delivery. 2. That he might bridle our curioſity. 3. That hee might keep us in his fear, in godlineſſe, and in executing of our duty: and ſo we ſhould be no way ſecure, but ready every moment, becauſe were are uncertain when the Lord will come. 4. That the very wicked might not deferre and prolong repentance, ſeeing they know not the houre;Mat. 24.43. & 25.…3. leſt perhaps the day overtake them unawares: If the good man of the houſe knew at what watch the theefe would come, he would ſurely watch. Watch therefore; for ye know neither the day nor the hour when the Son of man will come. Luke 19.13.Occupy till I come.
12. For what cauſe God deferreth that judgement.
HEe deferreth it, 1. To exerciſe faith, patience, hope, and prayer in the godly. 2. That all the elect may be gathered to 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 uſe them as theeves and robbers: But when the whole number of the Church is fulfilled and gathered together, then ſhall be the end. Now God will have the elect gathered by ordinary means; he will have them in this life to hear the word, and by it be renewed and converted; to which is required ſome tract of time. 3. Hee deferreth it, that hee might grant unto all a time and ſpace of repentance, as in Noahs time: and that his deferring might leave the wicked and obſtinate without excuſe:Rom. 2.4. & 9.22. Despiſest thou the riches of his bountifulneſſe, and patience, and long ſufferance, not knowing that the bountifulneſſe of God leadeth thee to repentance? God ſuffereth with patience the veſſels of wrath prepared to destruction.
13. Whether the last judgement be to be wiſhed for.
WE are doubt leſſe to wiſh for the day of judgment, becauſe it is an undoubted ſigne and token of that difference whereby the elect are diſcerned from the reprobate; which declaration the godly do earneſtly deſire. Moreover, it ſhall be a delivery out of thoſe miſeries in which wee are:Rom. 7.24. O wretched man that I am, who ſhall deliver me from the body of this death? Revel. 22.17.The Spirit and the Bride ſay, Come Lord Jeſu: which they ſay not, who are not ready to receive the Lord; for the wicked tremble and ſhake at the mention of that judgment.
The meaning of the Article, I beleeve in Jeſus Chriſt, which ſhall come to judge the quick & the dead.What is the meaning then of this Article, I beleeve in Christ, which ſhall come to judge the quick and the dead? Anſ. I beleeve, 1. That Chriſt ſhal certainly come, and that at his ſecond coming there ſhall follow a renewing of heaven and earth. 2. That the ſelf-ſame Chriſt ſhall come, who for us was born▪ ſuffered, and roſe againe. 3. That he ſhall come viſibly and gloriouſly to deliver his Church, whereof I am a member. 4. That he ſhall come to abject and caſt away the wicked into everlaſting pains.Our comfort by Chriſts coming. By theſe we receive great and ſound comfort alſo and conſolation: For ſeeing there ſhall be a renovation or renewing of heaven and earth, we have a confidence and truſt, that our ſtate alſo ſhall be at length other, and better then now it is: ſeeing Chriſt ſhall come, we ſhall have a favourable Judge; for he ſhall come to judge, who hath merited righteouſneſſe for us, who is our Brother, Redeemer, Patron, and Defender: ſeeing he ſhall come gloriouſly, he ſhall alſo give a juſt ſentence and judgement, and ſhall be mighty enough to deliver us: ſeeing hee ſhall come to deliver his Church, great cauſe why wee ſhould cheerfully expect him: ſeeing he ſhall abject and caſt away the wicked into everlaſting torments, let us ſuffer patiently their tyranny. To conclude; ſeeing he ſhall deliver the godly, and caſt away the wicked, he will alſo deliver, not caſt away us; and therefore it is neceſſary that we repent, and be thankfull in this life, and flie fleſhly ſecurity, that we may be in the number of them whom he ſhall deliver.