Christ's certain and sudden appearance to judgment

4. Christ will be a most holy Judge: He will be without any the least stain of sin; he was so when he lived amongst sinners on earth, and surely he will be so, when he descendeth from the Holy of Holies in Heaven: some earthly Judges are guilty in the same kind with the malefactors which are brought before them; so that whilst they judge others they condemn themselves: but there will not be the least more of sin in the eye of Christ; nor any tincture of defilement; and therefore as it will be impossible to blind him, because of his ⟨p. 68⟩knowledge: so it will be impossible to bribe and corrupt him in judgment, because of his holiness; and by consequence.

5 Christ will be a most impartial and strict Judge: he will be most impartial in regard of the persons whom he will judge; the high degree and quality of men upon the earth will be of no account with him; the rich will be no more regarded than the poor; nor the highest Princes more than the meanest of their subjects; Death levels all men, and puts a conclusion unto all earthly dignities; and in the resurrection all will stand upon even ground: now some Lords and great men may murder, and oppress, and break Laws, and through favour escape punishment, which crimes, if meaner persons had been found guilty of, would have cost them their lives: but Christ will have no more favour for a Lord, or a Knight, or a Gentleman, no nor for a King or a Queen, or the greatest Lady, than for the most contemptible beggar; he will not accept of the persons of any, and connive at the sins of some, which those that should reprove them now can wink at, as if they were no faults; because the faults of such persons as are high, whose favour they desire, and from whom they might receive damage and dis-esteem should they be plain and faithful; but Christ he will neither need the favour nor fear the anger of any; & he will not court and flatter any because of their Nobility and greatness; but impartially judge the highest and greatest, by the same rule as he will do the lowest and meanest; and Christ will be a most strict Judge in regard of crimes; he will bring forth all the sins of the wicked to light; not one sin which they have committed from the day ⟨p. 69⟩