The speedy coming of Christ to judgment represented in a funeral sermon on the…

The Doctrine of Christ's speedy coming to Judgment, should be a powerful Incentive to our most solemn and ready preparing for it. The Affair is infinitely serious, 'tis our incomparable Interest to secure the Favour of the Supreme Judg: if we are cast in Judgment, our Misery is irrecoverable. There may be Errors in Humane Judgments, and other days of Trial to review and alter the Sentence; but the Judgment of the last day is irrevocable. And is it a slight matter to be saved or damned ⟨p. 60⟩for ever? Then the Children of this World are absolutely wiser than the Children of Light. But 'tis not possible for the Mind of Man, unless monstrously perverted, to conceive such a Thought. From whence then is it, that the eternal Judgment is so unconsidered, so unexpected, and unprepared for, by most of the World? Should not the Excellence of their Judg make Sinners afraid? His universal Knowledge, for all things are naked and open to him, with whom we have to do; His immaculate Holiness, for he is of purer Eyes than to behold Iniquity without aversation; His incorruptible Justice that will not spare ⟨p. 61⟩the guilty; His Eternal Power that can so easily and terribly revenge all wilful Disobedience to his Law, and has been so insolently contemned, all the Perfections of his Divine Nature, and the bleeding Sufferings of his Humane Nature to purchase Salvation so wretchedly neglected, will render their Judgment fearful and intolerable.¹ What will they do in the day of Visitation? Can their Hearts endure, ²or their Hands be strong in the day that he will deal with them? Can they think to mitigate his hot Displeasure, when his Clemency, so often despised, will inflame his Justice? All the Mercies which they have ⟨p. 62⟩so ungraciously abused, shall be produced in Testimony of their Rebellion, heightened with the most unworthy Ingratitude: What Consternation will seize the Guilty, when ten thousand Accusers shall rise up in Judgment against them, and not one Advocate appear for their Defence? Methinks the hearing such terrible Truths should make their Ears tingle, and their Hearts die within them, yet (O astonishing Security!) tho God speaks so loud by the Voice of his Ministers, and sometimes by his powerful Providence, they are as deaf as Adders; but let a carnal Lust whisper within