The works of George Swinnock, M.A

3. Consider, The weight of the sentence; Its called the eternal judgement, because the sentence then pronounced, shall never be reversed, but stand for ever. In this world God judgeth men, sometimes mediately, sometimes immediately, which is the first judgement, from which men may appeal by repentance to his mercy-seat; but this the last judgement, once for all, once for ever, in which men receive their final, their eternal doom, Joh. 11. 24. Here Jacob appeals from Laban, to an higher tribunal, Gen. 31. 53. And David from Saul, to the King of Kings; The Lord judge between me and t•ee, 1 Sam. 24. 12. Psa. 17. 2. And Paul appeals from Festus to Caesar, I stand at Caesars judgement seat, Act. 25. 10. But then there can be no appeal to an higher Court, no writ of error can be brought, no arrest of judgement, no second hearing obtained; The sinner condemned to eternal death then, is gone for ever; no pardon, no, not so much as a Reprieve can be procured for one hour. The Saint absolved and declared an heir of eternal life, is blessed for ever, he shall be beyond all fear, all doubts in himself, above all shot, all opposition from others; In this life, Nineveh was threatened, Nineveh repented, and Nineveh was •pared; the sentence pronounced was not executed, at least it was respited; but then every sinner will repent, weep and wail, but repentance will be hid from ⟨p. 772⟩the eyes of the Judge, all their tears will be in vain; when they are cast, then they are gone for ever.

3. Consider, The weight of the sentence; Its called the eternal judgement, because the sentence then pronounced, shall never be reversed, but stand for ever. In this world God judgeth men, sometimes mediately, sometimes immediately, which is the first judgement, from which men may appeal by repentance to his mercy-seat; but this the last judgement, once for all, once for ever, in which men receive their final, their eternal doom,