CHAP. XXXIII. Of the Last Judgment. GOD OD hath appointed a day wherein he will judge the world in righteousness by Jesus Christ, to whom all power and judgment is given of the Father. In which day, not only the apostate angels shall be judged, but likewise all persons that have lived upon earth shall appear before the tribunal of Christ, to give an account of their thoughts, words, and deeds, and to receive according to what they have done in the body, whether good or evild. II. The end of God's appointing this day is for the manifestation of the glory of his mercy in the eternal salvation of the the elect, and of his justice in the damnation of the reprobate, who are wicked and disobedient. For then shall the righteous go into everlasting life, and receive that fulness of joy and refreshing which shall come from the presence of the Lord; but the wicked, who know not God, and obey not the gospel of Jesus Christ, shall be cast into eternal torments, and be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power. hope towards God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. John v. 28. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, Ver. 29. And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. 1 Cor. xv. 43. [See in better f.] Philip. iii. 21. Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. I. a Acts xvii. 31. Because he hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. b John v. 22. For the Father judgeth no man; but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: Ver. 27. And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. C1 Cor. vi. 3. Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? Jude, Ver. 6. [See letter d Chapter foregoing.] 2 Pet. ii. 4. For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment. d 2 Cor. v. 10. For we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Eccl. xii. 14. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. Rom. ii. 16. In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel. Rom, xiv. 10. But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ. Ver. 12. So then, every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Mat. xii. 36. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereon in the day of judgment. Ver. 37. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. II. [Mat. 10 III. As Christ would have us to be certainly persuaded that there shall be a day of judgment, both to deter all men from sin, and for the greater consolation of the godly in their adversity; so will he have that day unknown to men, that' they II. [Mat. xxv. 31. to the end.] Rom. ii. 5. But after thy hardness and impenitent heart, treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath, and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Ver. 6. Who will render to every man according to his deeds. Rom. ix. 22. What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: Ver. 23. And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory? Mat. xxv. 21. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Acts iii, 19. Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. 2 Thess. 1. 7,-10. [See in the Bible, III. f 2 Pet. iii. 11. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy con versation and godliness? Ver. 14. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace,. without spot, and blameless. 2 Cor. v. 10. [See letter d.] Ver. 11. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God, and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. 2 Thess. i. 5. Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer. Ver. 6. Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that. trouble you; Ver. 7. And to you who are troubled, rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels. Luke xxi. 27. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud, with power and great glory. Ver. 28. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. Rom. viii. 23. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, H3 waiting they may shake off all carnal security, and be always watchful, because they know not at what hour the Lord will come; and may be ever prepared to say, Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly. Amen. waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. Ver. 24. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? Ver. 25. But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. 8 Mat. xxiv. 36, 42, 43, 44. [See in the Bible.] Mark xiii. 35. Watch ye therefore, for ye know not when the master of the house cometh; at even, or at midnight, or at the cock-crowing, or in the morning; Ver. 36. Lest coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. Ver. 37. And what I say unto you, I say unto all, Watch. Luke xii. 35. Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; Ver. 36. And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding, that, when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Rev. xxii. 20. He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly; Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. FINIS, THE LARGER CATECHISM, AGREED UPON BY THE ASSEMBLY OF DIVINES AT WESTMINSTER, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF COMMISSIONERS FROM THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND, AS ▲ Part of the Covenanted Uniformity in Religion betwixt the Churches of CHRIST in the Kingdoms of Scotland, England, and Ireland. AND Approved Anno 1648, by the GENERAL ASSEMBLY of the CHURCH of ScotLAND, to be a Directory for catechising such as have made some proficiency in the Knowledge of the Grounds of Religion. WITH THE PROOFS FROM THE SCRIPTURE. |