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CHAP. XXXIII. Of the last Judgment. OD hath appointed day, wherein he will judge the world in righteousness by Jesus Christ a, to whom all power and judgment is given of the Father b. In which day, not only the apostate angels shall be judged c; but likewife all perfons, 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 evil d.

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 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 prefence 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 prefence of the

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 shall come forth, they that have done good, unto the refurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the refurrection of damnation. I Cor, xv. 43. (See in letter f.) Phil. 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 fubdue 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, ordain, ed; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

b Johnv. 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 also, because he is the Son of Man.

c 1 Cor. vi. 3. Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? Jude 6. (See letter d chapter foregoing.) 2 Pet. ii. 4. For if God spared not the angels that finned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be referved unto judgment.

d 2 Cor. v. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment-feat 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 the Lord, and from the glory of his power e.

III. As Christ would have us to be certainly perswaded that there shall be a day of judgment, both to deter all men from fin, and for the greater consolation of the godly in their adverfityf. So will he have that day unknown to men, that they may shake of all carnal security, and be always watchtul, be

God shall bring every work unto 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 fecrets of men by Jesus Christ, 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 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 thereof in the day of judgment. v. 37. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

II e (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; v. 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 long-fuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: v. 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 faid unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over

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many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Actsiii. 19. Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your fins may be blotted out when the times of refreihing shall come from the prefence of the Lord. 2 Theff. i. 7, 8.9, 10. (See in the Bible.)

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III. f 2 Pet. iii. 11. Seeing then that all these things thall be diffolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness? 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 manifest unto God, and I trust also are made manifest in your confciences. 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 also fuffer. v. 6. Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; v. 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 fee the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. v. 28. And when these things begin to come to pais, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your reL4 demption

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

demption draweth nigh. Rom. viii, 23. And not only they, but ourselves also, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. v. 24. For we are faved by hope: but hope that is seen, is not hope for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? v. 25. But if we hope for that we fee not, then do we with patience wait for it. g Mat. xxiv. 36, 42, 43, 44. (Sce in the Bible.) Mark xiir. 35. Watch ye therefore, (for ye know not when the mafter of the house cometh; at

even, or at mid-night, or at the cock-crowing, or in the morning,) v. 36. Lest coming fuddenly, he find you fleeping. v. 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; 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 testifieth these things, faith, furely I come quickly. Amen. Even fo come, Lord Jesus.

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LARGER CATECHISM,

AGREED UPON

BY THE

ASSEMBLY OF DIVINES

AT

WESTMINSTER,

VITH THE

ASSISTANCE

ОБ

соммISSIONERS

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.

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

Act approving the LARGER CATECHISM.

THE General Affsembly, having exactly examined and feriously confidered the Larger Catechism, agreed upon by the Affembly of Divines fitting at Westminster, with assistance of Commissioners from this Kirk, copies thereof being printed, and fent to Presbyteries, for the more exact trial thereof, and publick 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 Catechism is agreeable to the word of God, and in nothing contrary to the received doctrine, worship, difcipline and government of this Kirk; a necessary part of the intended uniformity in religion, and a rich treasure for increasing knowledge among the people of God: and therefore the Affembly, as they bless the Lord, that so excellent a Catechism is prepared; so they approve the fame, as a part of uniformity; agreeing, for their part, that it be a common Catechism for the three kingdoms, and a directory for Catechifing fuch as have made fome preficiency in the knowledge of the Grounds of Religion.

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