Doct. 4. It is evident from hence, that God is a Judge:1 and this point is both terrible to the wicked, and comfortable to the godly. It is terrible to the wicked many ways: First, because he is Judge of all the world; all must be judged by him, Gen. 18.25. Heb. 12.23. 1. Sam. 2.10. He is not a Judge of some one circuit, as Judges amongst men are. Secondly, because he is a Judge that needs no evidence be brought-in: for, he knows all causes, and is witness himself, Jer. 29.23. and so Judges among men are not. Thirdly, because he judgeth for all offences: he tries the hearts and the reins, as well as the words and works of men, Psalm 7.9, 11. Earthly Judges try malefactors but in one or ⟨p. 827⟩some few cases. Fourthly, because he hath Armies of Executioners: he can call to the heavens, or speak to the earth, and have hosts of servants to do his will, and execute his judgements, Daniel 7.9, 10. Psalm 50.4, 22. so as none can deliver out of his hands. Fifthly, because he is Judge himself, Psa. 50.6. and 75.8. He doth not do justice by Deputies, but will hear all cases himself. Sixthly, because his judgement is the last and highest judgement; and therefore there lieth no appeal from it. Seventhly, because he can bring men to judgement without any warning: he standeth before the door, and often seizeth upon the offender, without serving any Writ, or giving him any summons, James 5.9. And therefore wicked men do very foolishly, that ruffle here in the world, and lift up their horns so high, and speak with such a stiff neck, and walk on in their sins and injuries so securely, Psalm 75.5, 6, 7, 8.
Doct. 4. It is euident from hence, that God is a Iudge:1 and this point is both terrible to the wicked, and comfortable to the godly. It is terrible to the wicked many waies: First, because he is Iudge of all the world; all must be iudged by him, Gen. 18.25. Heb. 12.23. 1. Sam. 2.10. Hee is not a Iudge of some one circuit, as Iudges amongst men are. Secondly, because he is a Iudge that needs no euidence bee brought-in: for, hee knowes all causes, and is witnes himself, Ier. 29.23. and so Iudges among men are not. Thirdly, because hee iudgeth for all offenses: he tries the hearts and the reines, as well as the words and works of men, Psalm 7.9, 11. Earthly Iudges try malefactors but in one or ⟨p. 827⟩some few cases. Fourthly, because hee hath Armies of Executioners: he can call to the heauens, or speak to the earth, and haue hostes of seruants to doo his will, and execute his iudgements, Daniel 7.9, 10. Psalm 50.4, 22. so as none can deliuer out of his hands. Fiftly, because hee is Iudge himself, Psa. 50.6. and 75.8. He doth not do iustice by Deputies, but will hear all cases himself. Sixtly, because his iudgement is the last and highest iudgement; and therefore there lieth no appeale from it. Seuenthly, because he can bring men to iudgement without any warning: hee standeth before the doore, and often seizeth vpon the offender, without seruing any Writ, or giuing him any summons, Iames 5.9. And therefore wicked men do very foolishly, that ruffle heer in the world, and lift vp their horns so high, and speak with such a stiffe neck, and walk on in their sinnes and iniuries so securely, Psalm 75.5, 6, 7, 8.
- 1That God is a Judge, is terrible to wicked men, and that in many respects.That God is a Iudge, is terrible to wicked men, and that in many respects.
