Cor. 5.10 That euery one may receiue the thingâ— done in his body according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad Q. How and how farre shall men be iudged for their euill workes A. All men that in this present life before their departure hence by death haue not laid holâ— on Christ and his merits by faith for the satisfaction of Gods iustice but dye in their sinnes and impenitencie shall giue account to God for euery sinfull thought word and worke 1. For euery thought though secret and hid from men therefore it is not onely said that God will bring euery work to iudgement but withall euery secret thing and Rom. 2.16 In that day God shall iudge the secrets of men 2. For euery word yea euery idle word that men shall speake they shall giue account thereof at the day of iudgement Math. 12.36 3. For euery act or deed committed much more as before is shewed that God will bring euery worke to iudgement and euery one shall receiue the things done in his body Q. Shall men giue account for the omission or neglect of good A. Men shall not onely account and be iudged for the euill which they haue committed but also for the Good which they haue omitted and neglected for God hath commanded Psal. 34.14 Depart from euill and doe good and Isai. 1.16 Cease to doe euill and learne to do well Therefore the accusation of the wicked at the day of iudgement is thus propounded Math. 25.42 I was an hungred and ye gaue me no meat I was thirsty and ye gaue me no drinke I was a stranger and yee tooke mee not in naked and yee clothed me not sick and in prison and ye visited me not For this cause Iohn Baptist for the auoiding of the wrath to come directeth Matth. 3.8 to bring forth fruits meet for repentance because euery tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewen downe and cast into the fire though it bringeth not forth euill fruit Q. Why must iudgement be giuen according to works A. That euery one shall bee iudged according to his workes Gods word is plaine euery where 2 Cor. 5.10 Euery one shall receiue according to that hee hath done So it was reuealed to Saint Iohn Reu. 20.12.13 That they were iudged euery man according to their works The reason is because workes are the fruits of faith by which it is discerned as the tree by the fruit And therefore it is said according to workes not for the merit of them vnlesse it bee the works of sinne which doe worthily merit damnation Againe the triall by workes is the fittest way to conuince hypocrites Q. Shew that the comming of Christ shall be glorious A. That Iesus Christ shall appeare in great glory at the day of iudgement whether we respect the manner of his comming with the attendance of such a multitude of Angels or his sitting in maiestie vpon his tribunall seat we may see Matth. 25.31 where it is said briefely That when the sonne of man commeth in his glory and all the Angels with him then shall hee sit vp on the throne of his glory Q. Why shall it bee ioyous to the godly A. Christs comming to iudgement cannot but hee most ioyous and comfortable to the faithfull partly because hee that commeth thus gloriously to be their iudge is their Sauiour partly for that they shall then receiue their full redemption and reward of their pietie and on the contrary shall behold all their enemies vanquished and trod vnder their feete Therefore doth the spirit of God euery where comfort the godly with the consideration of this day and therefore that day is called the time of refreshing Acts 3.19 Q. Why shall it be fearefull to the wicked A. It cannot but be most fearfull to all wicked men to behold the Lord Iesus come to iudgement in such glorious manner whom they haue so pierced with their sinnes Reu. 1.7 the rather in regard that he shall come in flaming fire to take vengeance on them 2 Thes. 1.8 and to execute iudgement vpon all and to conuince all that are vngodly of all their vngodly deeds which they haue vngodly committed and of all their hard speeches which vngodly sinners haue spoken against him Iude 15. Q. What shall be the forme or manner of the last iudgement A. The forme and manner of the last iudgement is not to bee expressed only the word of God for our better vnderstanding doth set it forth by a similitude or resemblance of an earthly iudge shewing the manner of disposing the persons conuented the order of triall and euidence together with the sentence of the iudge and the execution thereof Q. How will hee dispose of all men at the barre of iudgement A. First the disposing of all men conuented at that barre is noted by the Euangelist Math. 25.32 Before him shall bee gathered all nations and he shall separate them one from another as a shepheard separateth the sheepe from the goates and he shall set the sheepe on his right hand and the goates on the left Q. What is intended by setting some on the right hand and some on the left hand A. The intention and meaning is that at the day of iudgement the godly who like sheepe haue heard the voice of Christ their shepheard and haue led an innocent life in this world shall then be aduanced and the wicked who haue here expressed the nature of filthy goates by satisfying their vngodly lusts shall then bee deiected And that whereas in this life they were mingled together and did many wayes annoy the flock of Christ then at that day there shall be a perfect separation to the ioy of the godly and terror of the wicked Q. How shall the triall be A. The triall shall be according to the rule appointed of God for that end Which is partly the law of nature partly the law written both morall and Euangelicall as we may see by the Scriptures following Rom. 2.12 As many as haue sinned without law shall perish without law and as many as haue sinned in the law shall be iudged by the law The reason is verse 15. Because they haue the law written in their hearts Ioh. 12.48 He that reiecteth me and receiueh not my words hath one that iudgeth him the word that I haue spoken the same shall iudge him in the last day Q What shall bee the euidence A. The euidence is said in the word of God to be certaine bookes This Iohn was shewed in a vision Reu. 20.12 I saw saith hee the dead both great and small stand before God and the bookes were opened and the dead were iudged of those things which were written in the bookes Which is not to bee vnderstood properly that there shall bee materiall bookes but by way of similitude or resemblance because all things are as certaine and manifest to God and shall
of all the rest it is said Reu. 1.3 Blessed is hee that readeth and they that heare the words of this prophesie and keepe those things which are written therein Q. Proue that God appointed meditation to that end A. It is euident in that charge before mentioned which the Lord gaue vnto Ioshuah namely that hee should meditate in the booke of the Law day and night Ios. 1.8 And it is propâ—uâ—ded as the way to happinesse Psal. 1. Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsell of the vngodly nor standeth in the way of sinners nor sitteth in the seat of the scornefull but his delight is in the Law of the Lord and in his law doth hee meditate day and night Q. Proue that conference was appointed to that end A. Therefore it is that they are commanded Deut 6.7 To talke of the word of God in the house in the way lying down and rising vp and therefore the Apostle hauing said Heb. 10.23 Let vs keepe the profession of our hope without wauering addeth immediately the meanes appointed of God to that end verse 24.25 And let vs consider one another to prouoke vnto loue and to good works not forsaking the assembling of our selues together as the manner of some is but exhorting one another Q. Proue that practise is appointed to that end A. Therefore our Sauiour requireth the condition of practise of euery man that will be able to iudge of truth and error and to withstand seducers see Ioh. 7.17 and the Apostle directeth Heb. 5.14 that through long custome which standeth in experience and practise men haue their wits exercised to discerne both good and â—uill and the Lord himselfe saith Psal. 50.23 To him that ordereth hiâ— conuersation aright will I shew the saluation of God Q. Proue that God appointed prayer to that end A. It is included in the generall promise Math. 7.7 Aske and it shall be giuen you and verse 8 for whosoeuer asketh receiueth Againe â—ro 2.3 4.5 If thou criest after knowledge and liftest vp thy voyce for vnderstanding Then shalt thou vnderstand the feare of the Lord and finde the knowledge of God Q. Proue that God appointed Sacraments to that end A. That Sacraments were ordained for our confirmation see Gen 17.10 concerning circumcision which is therefore called the Couenant because it did signe seale and confirme the couenant as the Apostle noteth Rom. 4.11 The like is said of the Passeouer Exod. 13.9 So vnto vs Christians Baptisme was to that end ordâ—ined Math. 28.19 and the Lords Supper Luk 22.19 S Of Sacraments in generall Q. Rehearse the Letter S A. SAcraments are outward visible signes of the couenant and promise of God in Christ ordained by Christ himselfe to signifie and to seale or confirme and as instruments or meanes to conuay sauing grace to euery true beleeuer and to bee as badges or tokens of our Christian profession And they are in number onely two namely Baptisme and the Lords Supper For such helpes our weake faith doth require and these only hath Christ ordained and no more being answerable to the two Sacraments vnder the Law that is Circumcision and the Passouer and are alone in that kinde sufficient both for the beginning and continuing of sauing grace Q. Proue that Sacraments are signes of the couenant A. That Sacraments are signes of the couenant promise of God is manifest in Circumcision which is called the Couenant because it was the signe of the couenant conferre Gen. 17.10 with verse 11. This is my couenant which ye shall keepe betweene mee and you and thy seede after thee Againe see Act. 2.38 where the Apostle Peter exhorting them to be baptized in the Name of Iesus Christ alledgeth this reason for saith he the promise is made to you and to your children c. Thereby intimating that to whomsoeuer the couenant doth belong to them belongeth the signe and seale of the couenant which is baptisme Q. Proue that the Sacraments are ordained by Christ A. The Lord God is the sole and onely author of all Sacraments for as it is only in his power to make the couenant and to conferre grace so he only hath authority to ordaine and appoint the signes and seales of the couenanâ— of grace Thus did hee both enter the couenant with Abraham and his seed for euer Gen. 17.7 and also appoint the signe of Circumcision verse 10.11 The like hee did concerning the Passeouer Exod. 12. and 13. In the same manner our Sauiour Christ being eternall God with his Father did institute Baptisme Matth. 28 19. Goe teach all nations baptizing them c. And the Lords Supper Luk. 22.19 Doe this in remembrance of mee Whereupon Saint Paul saith 1 Cor. 11.23 I haue receiued of the Lord that which I also haue deliuered vnto you Q. To what end or vse were the Sacraments ordained A. The end or vse of Sacraments is diuers First Sacraments are ordained to signifie shew and represent vnto vs the grace offered in the couenant In which respect they are called signes because they are as it were tokens and resemblances of Gods grace and fauour towards vs. So circumcision is called the signe of circumcision Ro. 4.11 the signe of the couenant Gen. 17.11 Baptisme is said to be the figure that now saueth vs. Againe of the celebration of the Passeouer the Lord saith Exod. 12.14 This day shall bee to you a remembrance And of the Lords Supper Christ saith Doe this in remembrance Luk. 22.19 And the Apostle 1 Cor. 11.26 Yee shew the Lords death till hee come Q. What is the second end or vse of Sacrameâ—ts A. Secondly Sacraments are appointed of God to seale or confirme the inâ—aâ—â—ible certainty of his couenant of grace in Christ made with his Church that thereby the faythfull may more firmely belieue and rest vpon it by faith as ciuill contracts are ratified and made authenticke by their seales annexed Therefore it is that the signe of circumcision is by the Apâ—stle Rom. 4.11 câ—llâ—d The seale of the righteousnesse of faith Q. What is the third end or vse of Sacraments A. Thirdly Sacraments are ordained to bee as instruments or meanes to conuay grace to euery true beleeuer which is euident for Baptisme in that Christ is said Eph. 5.26 to sanctifie and cleanse his Church with the washing of water by the word And Tit. 3.5 God is said to saue vs by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the holy Ghost And for the Lords Supper see 1 Cor. 10.16 where the Apostle calleth the cup of blessing the communion of the blood of Christ and the bread the communion of the body of Christ because in the right vse of these outward elements the faith full doe communicate with Christ himselfe and all his benefits Q. Proue that grace is conuayed not to all receiuers but onely to euery true beleeuer A. That grace is not conuayed to euery one
then be as plainely laid open before Angels and men as if they were recorded in a booke or register Q. What are these bookes A. There are foure sorts of bookes which shall then be opened for the discouery of all the actions of men That is The booke of Gods prouidence whereof the Psalmist speaketh in Psal. 139.16 In thy booke were all things written The booke of the creatures spoken of in Ioh. 20.27 The heauen shall reueale his iniquity and the earth shall rise vp against him The booke of the conscience of which see Rom. 2 15.16 Their conscience bearing witnes and their thoughts accusing or excusing one another in the day when God shall iudge the secrets of men by Iesus Christ. The booke of life Reu. 20.12 which is the decree of Gods election wherein whosoeuer is not found written is cast into the lake of fire verse 15. Q. What shall bee the sentence A. The sentence shall bee twofold of saluation and of condemnation Matth. 25.34 Then shall the King say to them on his right hand Come yee blessed of my father inherit the Kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the world And verse 41. then shall he say also vnto them on his left hand Depart from me ye cursed into euerlasting fire prepared for the deuill and his Angels Y Of the execution of the sentence of damnation Q. Rehearse the letter Y A. YOu that are wicked shall by the power of the voyce of Christ goe away into hell being separated from God consorted with the Deuils depriued of all comfort punished with vnspeakable torments both in soule and body according to your sinnes and that eternally without ease or end For it is iust with God so to punish the wicked and that they who haue liued heere in the pleasures of sinne should be recompenced with answeâ—able torment Q. Proue that there is a place of torment called Hell A. That there is a Hell or place of torment so called the word of God doth witnesse euery where we reade Math. 5.22 of the danger of hell fire so verse 29.30 of the whole body cast into hell fire so Math. 10.28 Feare him which is able to destroy both soule and body in hell so Math. 23.33 How can ye escape the damnation of hell This hell the Prophet resembleth by Topheth which is in the valley of Hinnon where the Israelites offered vp their children in fire to the Idoll Molech see in Isa. 30.33 the description of it Topheth is ordained of old yea for the King it is prepared hee hath made it deepe and large the pile thereof is fire and much wood the breath of the Lord like a streame of brimstone doth kindle â—t Q. Where is the place of Hell A. The situation or locall being and place of hell cannot for any thing we reade in Scripture be certainely determined onely this in generall is certaine and out of all question that Hell is in respect of the Heauen of the Blessed called the third or highest heauen an inferiour or lower place exceeding farre remote and distant from it which may be gathered by that which we reade of the damned rich man in Luk. 16.23 That in hell he lift vp his eyes being in torments and sâ—eth Abraham a farre off and verse 26. it is said to him betweene vs and you there is a great gulfe fixed But it is better for vs leauing all curiositie to learne to auoid hell then by experience to finde where it is remembring that in Pro. 15.24 The way of life is aboue to the wise that he may depart from hell beneath Q. Proue that the wicked shall by the power of Christs voyce goe into hell A. The wicked that here in this life will not heare the voyce of Christ shall then be constrained will they nill they by the power of that voyce to goe away into hell this is euident Math. 25. if wee conferre together the 41. and 46. verses where wee may see that when Christ had said Depart from me ye cursed into euerlasting fire it is added withall And these shall goe away into euerlasting punishment Q. Proue that the wicked shall then bee separated from God A. They that in this life say vnto God Depart from vs for wee desire not the knowledge of thy wayes to them it shall be said at that day I neuer knew you depart from me ye that worke iniquitie for this must be one chiefe part of the punishment of the reprobate to be excluded out of the glorious presence of God and of his Angels and Saints so wee reade 2 Thes. 1.9 That they shall bee punished with euerlasting perdition from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power Q. Proue that they shall bee consorted with the deuils A. In this life wicked men doe preferre the deuill before God for as our Sauiour saith Ioh. 8.44 They are of their Father the deuill and the lusts of their Father they will doe therefore as here they ioyne with the deuils in sinne so there they shall be consorted with them in punishment according to the sentence and iudgement giuen Math. 25.41 Depart from mee yee cursed into euerlasting fire prepared for the deuill and his Angels Q. Proue that they shall be depriued of all comfort A. That the wicked being in hell shall be destitute of all ease and comfort wee may see by the example of him who refusing to giue one crumme of refreshing could not receiue so much as one drop of comfort And indeed what comfort can there bee where there shall be notâ—ing but weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth when the wicked shall see Abraham and Isaac and Iacob and all the Prophets in the kingdome of God and themselues thrust out Luk. 13.28 Q. Proue that they shall bee punished with vnspeakeable torments A. The exceeding greatnesse of their torments may appeare in that they are said to be in the lake that burneth with fire brimstone Reu. 19.20 where their worme dyeth not and the fire is not quenched Mark 9.44 To bee cast out into vtter darkenesse Math. 8.12 And into a furnace of fire Math. 13.42 Which epithets or termes the spirit of God doth vse to note how fearefull and intollerable the paines of the damned shall be Q. Proue that their punishment shall bee proportionable and according to their sinne A. The punishment of the damned reprobates shall be proportioned according to the quality degree and measure of their sinnes they that haue had the meanes of grace and repentance the word of God and haue neglected or contemned it shal be more seuerely punished then they that neuer heard it therefore it is said Math. 10.15 That it shall be more tollerable for Sodome and Gomorrha and Math. 11.22 for Tyre and Sidon at the day of iudgement then for such Againe sinnes of knowledge shall be punished