not only the apostate angels shall be judged c; but likewise all perfons,that have lived upon the earth,shall 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 salvation 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 shall come from the presence of the Lord: But the wicked, who know not God, and obey not the gofpel of Jefus Christ, shall be caft into eternal torments, and be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power e. III As Chrift would have us to be certainly perfwaded that there fhall be a day of judgment,both to deter all men from fin CI Cor. 6. 3. Know ye not that we fhalt judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? Jude 6. (See letter d chapter foregoing.) 2 Pet, 2, 4. For if God fpared not the angels that finned, but call them down to hell, and deliveredthem into chains of darknefs, to be reserved unto judge ment. d2 Cor.5.10.For we must all appear before the judgment-feat of Chrift, that every one mayreceive the thingsdone in his body,according to that he hath done,whether it be good or bad. Eccl. 12.14.For God Thall bring every work unto judgment, with every fecret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. Rom. 2. 16. In the day when God fhall judge the fecrets of men by Jefus Chrift, according to my gofpel. Rom. 14. 10. But why doft thou judge thy brother? or why dolt thou fet at nought thy brother? we fhall all stand before the judgment-feat of Chrift. v.12. So then every one of us fhall give account of himself to God. Mat. 12. 36. But I fay unto you, that and every idle word that men fhall fpeak,theythallgive accountthere. of in the day of judgment. v. 37. For by thy words thou fhalt be juftified, and by thy words thoufhalt be condemned. II. e (Mat. 25. 31. to the end) Rom. 2. 5. But after thy hardness and impenitent heart, treafurelt up unto thy felf wrath against the day of wrath, and revelation ofthe righteous judgment of God; v. 6. Who will render to every man according to his deeds. Rom. 9 22. What if God, willing to fhew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longfuffering the vellels of wrath fitted to deftruction; v. 23. And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vellels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory? Mat, 25. 21 His lord faid unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful fervant;thou haft been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou intothe joy of thy lord. Acts. 3. 19. Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your fins may and for the greater confolation of the godly intheir adversity f. So will he have that day unknown tomen: that they may shake off all carnal fecurity, and be always watchful, because they know not at what hour the Lord will come; and may be ever prepared to fay, come, Lord Jefus, come quickly. Amen g. may be blooted out, when the times of refreshing fhall come from the prefence of the Lord, 2. Theff. 1.7, 8, 9, 10. (See in the Bible.) 111. f2 Pet. 3, 11. Seeing then that all thefe things fhall be defolved,what mannerof perfons ought ye tobe in all holy converfation & godlinefs?.14. Wherefore,beloved,feeingthatyelook forfuch things bedeligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without fpotand blemith.2 Cor.5.10.(Seeletterd.).11. Knowingthereforethe terrorofthe Lord, we perfwade men;but we are made manifeft unto God,andI trust allo are made manifeft inyour confciences. 2 Theff. 1. 5. Which is a manifelt token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be countedworthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye alfo fuffer; v. 6. Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompence tribulation to them that troubleyou;v.7.And to you who aretroubled,reft with us, when the Lord Jefus fhall berevealed from heaven, with his mighty angels. Luke 21. 27.And then fhall they see the son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.v.28.An when thefe things begin to come o país, then look up, and lift up your heads for ; your redemption draweth night. Rom.8.23.And not only they,but ourselves alfo, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we our felvesgroanwithinourfelves,waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption 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 he yet hope forty. 25. But if we hope for that we fee not, then do we with patience wait for it. g Mat. 24. 36. 42,43, 44.(See in the Bible) Mark 13. 35. Watch ye therefore, (for ye know notwhen the master of the houfe cometh; at even, or at midnight, or at the cock-crowing, or in the morning) v.36.Leftcomingfuddently,he find you fleeping. v. 37. And what I layunto you,llay unto all, Watch. Luke 12. 35. Letyour loinsbegirded about and your lights burning; v. 26. And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding, that when he cometh and knocketh,theymay open unto him immediately.Rev 22. 20. He which teftifieth these things, faith, furely 1 come quickly. Amen. Even to, come, Lord Jefus. FINI S. LARGER CATECHISM Agreed upon by the AT WESTMINSTER With the affiftance 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. AN D Approved Anno 1 648, by the General Affembly 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. GLASGOW, Printed by JAMEs Knox. 1752. T Assembly at Edinburgh July 2d. 1648. Sess. 10. HE general affembly havingexactly examined and seriously confidered the LargerCatechifm,agreed upon by the af fembly of divines fitting at Westminster, with affistance of commiffioners from this kirk, copies thereof being printed, and fent to prefbyteries, for the more exact trial thereof,and public intimation being frequently made in this affembly, that every one that had any doubts or objections upon it,might put them in; Do find,upon due examination thereof,that the faid Catechifin is agreeable to the word of God, and in nothing contrary to the received doctrine, worship, difcipline and government of this kirk, neceffary part of the intended uniformity; in religion, and a rich treafure for increafing knowledge among the people of God; And therefore the affembly as they bless the Lord, that Jo excellent a Catechifm 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 Catechifing fuch as have made fome proficiency in the knowledge of the grounds of religion. THE |