THE ACT OF JUDGMENT HOW PERFORMED.

the moral law written in the hearts of our first parents; and conveyed by the power of God unto all men, to leave them without excuse; or that written word of God, vouchsafed unto the church in the Scriptures, first of the Old, and after also of the New Testament, as the rule of faith and life. (Rom. ii. 12.) 2. By the evidence of every man's conscience, bringing all his works, whether good or evil, to light; bearing witness with him or against him: together with the testimony of such, who either by doctrine, company, or example, have approved or condemned him. And there will be this difference in the examination of the elect and the reprobate, that, 1. The elect shall not have their sins, for which Christ satisfied, but only their good works, remembered. (Ezek. xviii. 22. Rev. xiv. 17.) 2. Being in Christ, they and their works shall not undergo the strict trial of the law simply in itself; but as the obedience thereof doth prove them to be true partakers of the grace of the Gospel. Not that there shall be any such reasoning at the last judgment, as seemeth, (Matt. vii. 22, 23.; xxv. 34-46.) but the consciences of men being then enlightened by Christ, shall clear all those doubts, and reject those objections and excuses, which they seem now to apprehend.

The sentence shall be pronounced by the judge himself, our Lord Jesus Christ, who, according to the evidence and verdict of conscience touching works, shall adjudge the elect unto the blessing of the kingdom of God his Father, and the reprobates, with the Devil and his angels, unto the curse of everlasting fire.

We observe further, that, 1, The wicked shall be condemned for the merit of their works, because being perfectly evil, they deserve the wages of damnation. (Rom. vi. 23.) 2. The godly shall be pronounced just, because their works, though imperfect, do prove their faith (whereby they lay hold on Christ and his meritorious righteousness,) to be a true faith, as working by love in all parts of obedience. (James ii. 18. Gal. v. 6.)

Hitherto of the act of judgment; we are to consider in the third and last place, the execution of this judgment, Christ, by his Almighty power, and ministry of his angels, casting the devils and reprobate men into hell, and bringing God's elect into the possession of his glorious kingdom. Wherein the reprobate shall first be dispatched, that the righteous may rejoice to see

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The act of judgment, and how performed.

The execu

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of the Re

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The estate

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THE FINAL STATE OF MEN AFTER JUDGMENT.

the vengeance; and as it were, wash their feet in the blood of the wicked. (Matt. xxv. 46. Psalm lviii. 10.) The estate of the probate in reprobates in hell shall be, that they shall remain for ever in unspeakable torment of body, and anguish of mind; being cast out from the favourable presence of God, and glorious fellowship of Christ and his saints, (whose happiness they shall see and envy) into that horrible dungeon, figured in Scripture by utter darkness, blackness of darkness, weeping and gnashing of teeth, the worm that never dieth, the fire that never goeth out, &c., while, as regards the elect in heaven, they shall be unspeakably and everlastingly blessed and glorious in body and soul, being freed from all imperfections and infirmities, yea, from such graces as imply imperfection, as faith, hope, repentance, &c. endued with perfect wisdom and holiness, possessed with all the pleasures that are at the right hand of God, seated as princes on thrones of majesty, crowned with crowns of glory, possessing the new heaven and earth wherein dwelleth righteousness, beholding and being filled with the fruition of the glorious presence of God, and of the lamb, Jesus Christ, in the company of innumerable angels and holy saints, as the Scripture phrases are. (1 Cor. ii. 9. 1 Cor. xiii. 10, 12. Psalm xvi. 11. Rev. iii. 21. 2 Tim. iv. 8. 2 Pet. iii. 13. Psalm xvii. 15. 1 Thess. iv. 17. Heb. xii. 22.) After which, Christ shall deliver up that dispensatory kingdom (which he received for the subduing of his enemies, and accomplishing the salvation of his church) unto God the Father, and God shall be all in all for all eternity. (1 Cor. xv. 24, 28.)

The use of

The use we may make of this doctrine concerning this genethis doctrine ral end and final judgment is, that, first, it serveth to confute concerning the last not only heathen philosophers, who, as in other things, so in this judgment. concerning the world's continuance, became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was full of darkness, (Rom. i. 21.) being destitute of the word of God to guide them; but also to confute many profane atheists in the Church of God, who do not believe in their hearts those articles of the resurrection and of the general judgment. It is much indeed that there should be atheists in the Church of God, and none in hell; that any should deny, or doubt of that of which the devils fear and tremble. But surely the apostle Peter's prophecy is fulfilled,

USE OF THE DOCTRINE OF THE LAST JUDGMENT.

(2 Pet. iii. 3.) There shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation, and (as they would persuade themselves) so they shall for ever. And answerable their lives are to such conceits. (Eccles. xi. 9.) But if neither the light of reason, it being impossible that the truth, and goodness, and justice of God should take effect, if there were not after this life a doom and recompence; (2 Thess. i. 6.) nor, secondly, the light of conscience, which doubtless with Felix, (Acts xxiv. 25.) makes them tremble in the midst of their obstinate gainsaying; nor, thirdly, the light of Scripture, can convince and persuade men of this truth; then we must leave them to be confuted and taught by woful experience, even by the feeling of those flames, which they will not believe to be any other than fancies; and by seeing the Lord Jesus coming in the clouds, when all nations shall weep before him; and, these atheists especially, lament their obstinate infidelity with ever-dropping tears, and ever-enduring misery.

And this doctrine may be terror to all graceless and wicked livers, to consider that the wrath of God shall be revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men; (Rom. i. 18.) when all the sweetness of their sinful pleasures shall be turned into gall and bitterness for ever. (Wisd. of Sol. v. 6—8.) And the consideration of this doctrine, touching the end of the world, and the day of judgment, may thus be useful to the godly, in that, first, it should teach us not to seek for happiness in this world, or set our affections on things below; for this world passeth away, and the things thereof. Secondly, here is a fountain of Christian comfort, and a ground of Christian patience in all troubles, that there shall be an end, and a saint's hope shall not be cut off. If in this life only we have hope, we are of all men most miserable. (1 Cor. xv. 19.) But here is the comfort and patience of the saints; they wait for another world, and they know it is a just thing with God to give them rest after their labours, (2 Thess. i. 9.) and a crown after their combat, (2 Tim. iv. 8.) and after their long pilgrimage, an everlasting habitation. (2 Cor. v. 1.) Be patient, (saith the apostle) and settle your hearts; for the coming of the Lord draweth

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USE OF THE DOCTRINE OF THE LAST JUDGMENT.

nigh, (James v. 8.) when they that have sown in tears shall reap in joy. (Psalm cxxvi. 5.) Thirdly, from this doctrine, excellent arguments may be drawn to press Christians to a holy life. (2 Pet. iii. 11.) Seeing then all these things must be dissolved, what manner of persons ought we to be, in all holy conversation and godliness? And verse 14, Wherefore, seeing ye look for such things, give diligence that you may be found of him in peace. We should always live in expectation of the Lord Jesus in the clouds, with oil in our lamps, prepared for his coming. Blessed is that servant, whom his master, when he cometh, shall find so doing; he shall say unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into thy master's joy. (Luke xii. 43. Mark xxv. 21.)

THE END.