CHAP. XXXIII. Of the last Judgment.

OD hath appointed a day, wherein he will judge the world in righteousness by Jefus Christ a, to whom all power and judgment is given of the Father b. In which day, not only the apoftate angels fhall be judged c; but likewise all perfons, that have lived upon earth, fhall appear before the tribunal of Chrift, 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 evil d.

II. The end of God's appointing this day is for the manifeftation of the glory of his mercy, in the eternal falvation of the elect; and of his juftice, in the damnation of the reprobate, who are wicked and difobedient. For then shall the righteous go into everlasting life, and receive that fulness of joy and refreshing which fhall come from the prefence of the Lord: but the wicked, who know not God, and obey not the gofpel of Jefus Christ, shall be cast into eternal torments, and be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the b John v. 22. For the Father judgeth no man; but hath committed all judginent unto the Son: v. 27. And hath given him authority to execute judgment alfo, because he is the Son of Man.

Marvel not at this for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves thall hear his voice, v. 29. And thall come forth, they that have done good, unto the refurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the refurrection of damnation. 1 Cor. xv. 43. (See in letter f.) Phil. ii. 21. Who fhall change our vile body, that it may be fafhioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to fubdue all things unto himself.

I

I.a Acts xvii. 31. Because he hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the world, in righteoufnefs, by that man whom he hath,ordain, ed; whereof he hath given affurance unto all men, in that he hath raifed him from the dead.

the Lord, and from the glory of his power e.

III. As Christ would have us to be certainly perfwaded that there shall be a day of judgment, both to deter all men from fin, and for the greater confolation of the godly in their adverfityf. So will he have that day unknown to men, that they may shake of all carnal fecurity, and be always watchful, becaufe many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Acts iii. 19. Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your fins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing fhall come from the prefence of the Lord. 2 Theff. i. 7, 8.9, 10. (See in the Bible.)

III. f 2 Pet. iii. 11. Seeing then that all these things fhall be diffolved, what manner of perfons ought ye to be in all holy converfation and godlinefs? v. 14. Wherefore, be-loved, feeing that ye look for fuch things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot and blemish. 2 Cor. v. 10. (See letter d.) v. 11. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we perfwade men; but we are made manifeft unto God, and I truft alfo are made manifeft in your confciences. 2 Theff. i. 5. Which is a manifelt token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye alfo fuffer. v. 6. Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompenfe tribulation to them that trouble you; v. 7. And to you who are troubled, reft with us, when the Lord Jefus fhall be revealed from heaven, with his mighty angels. Luke xxi. 27. And then shall they fee the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. v. 28. And when thefe things begin to come to país, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your re14 demption

God fhall bring every work unto judgment, with every fecret thing, whether it be good, or whether it beevil. Rom. ii. 16 In the day when God fhall judge the fecrets of men by Jefus Chrift, according to my gospel. Rom. xiv. 10. But why doit thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou fet at nought thy brother? we shall all stand before the judgment-feat of Christ. v. 12. So then every one of us fhall give account of himself to God. Mat. xii. 36. But I fay unto you, that every idle word that men fhall fpeak, they fhall give account thereof in the day of judgment. v. 37. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

IIe (Mat. xxv. 31. to the end.) Rom. ii. 5. But after thy hardness and impenitent heart, treafureft up unto thyfelf wrath against the day of wrath, and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; v. 6. Who will render to every man according to his deeds. Rom. ix. 22. What if God, willing to fhew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much long-fuffering the veffels of wrath fitted to deftruction: v. 23. And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the veffels of mercy which he had afore prepared unto glory? Mat. xxv. 21. His lord faid unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful fervant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over

cause they know not at what hour the Lord will come; and may be ever prepared to fay, Come, Lord Jefus, come quickly. Amen. g.

demption draweth nigh. Rom. viii.
23. And not only they, but our
felves alfo, who have the first fruits
of the Spirit, even we ourselves
groan within ourselves, waiting for
the adoption, to wit, the redempti-
on of our body. v. 24. For we are
faved by hope: but hope that is feen,
is not hope for what a man feeth,
why doth be yet hope for? v. 25.
But if we hope for that we fee not,
then do we with patience wait for it.

!

even, or at mid-night, or at the cock-crowing, or in the morning,) v. 36. Left coming fuddenly, he find you fleeping. v. 37. And what I fay unto you, I fay unto all. Watch. Luke xii. 35. Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; v. 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 who teftifieth these things, faith, furely, I come quickly. Amen. Even fo come, Lord Jefus.

g Mat. xxiv. 36, 42, 43, 44. (See in the Bible.) Mark xiir. 35. Watch ye therefore, (for ye know not when the master of the house cometh; at

FINIS

THE

LARGER CATECHISM,

AGREED UPON

BY THE

ASSEMBLY OF DIVINES

A T

WESTMINSTER,

WITH THE

ASSISTANCE

OF

COMMISSIONERS

FROM THE

CHURCH OF SCOTLAND,,

A S

A 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 Catechifing fuch as have made fome Proficiency in the Knowledge of the Grounds of Religion.

WITH THE PROOFS FROM THE SCRIPTURE.

ASSEMBLY at Edinburgh, July 2d, 1648. Seff. 10.

Act approving the LARGER CATECHISM.

THE General Affembly, having exactly examined and feriously confi dered the Larger Catechifm, agreed upon by the Affembly of Divines fitting at Westminster, with assistance of Commissioners from this Kirk, copies thereof being printed, and fent to Prefbyteries, for the more exact trial thereof, and publick intimation being frequently made in this Assembly, that every one that had any doubts or objections upon it might put them in; do find, upon due examination thereof, that the faid Catechifm is agreeable to the word of God, and in nothing contrary to the received doctrine, worship, difcipline and government of this Kirk; a neceffary part of the intended uniformity in religion, and a rich treasure for increafing knowledge among the people of God: and therefore the Affembly, as they blefs the Lord, that fo excellent a Catechism is prepared; fo they approve the fame, as a part of uniformity; agreeing, for their part, that it be a common Catechifm for the three kingdoms, and a directory for Catechising such as have made fome preficiency in the knowledge of the Grounds of Religion.