[84] 2 Corinthians v, 4.
[85] 2 Corinthians v, 1.
[86] 1 Corinthians xv, 42-44, 52.
[87] 1 Thessalonians iv, 16, 17.
[88] Psalm cxviii, 24.
[89] 1 Thessalonians iv, 14.
[90] 1 Corinthians xv, 58.
§ 5. (3.) Part of this prologue to the saint's rest, is the public and solemn process at their judgment, where they shall first themselves be acquitted and justified, and then with Christ judge the world. Young and old, of all estates and nations, that ever were from the creation to that day, must here come, and receive their doom. O terrible! O joyful day! Terrible to those that have forgot the coming of their Lord! Joyful to the saints, whose waiting and hope was to see this day! Then shall the world behold the goodness and severity of God; on them which perish, severity; but to his chosen, goodness.[91] Every one must give an account of his stewardship.[92] Every talent of time, health, wit, mercies, afflictions, means, warnings, must be reckoned for. The sins of youth, those which they had forgotten, and their secret sins, shall all be laid open before angels and men. They shall see the Lord Jesus, whom they neglected, whose word they disobeyed, whose ministers they abused, whose servants they hated, now sitting to judge them. Their own consciences shall cry out against them, and call to their remembrance all their misdoings. Which way will the wretched sinner look? Who can conceive the terrible thoughts of his heart? Now the world cannot help him; his old companions cannot; the saints neither can, nor will. Only the Lord Jesus can; but, there is the misery, he will not. Time was, sinner, when Christ would, and you would not; now, fain would you, and he will not. All in vain, to cry to the mountains, and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth upon the throne;[93] for thou hast the Lord of mountains and rocks for thine enemy, whose voice they will obey, and not thine. I charge thee therefore, before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead, at his appearing, and his kingdom,[94] that thou set thyself seriously to ponder on these things.
[91] Romans xi, 21.
[92] Luke xvi, 2.