Christ's certain and sudden appearance to judgment

8. Christ will be an inexorable Judge. None is now more easy to be entreated as a Saviour; whosoever comes unto him may be welcome to him; he hath promised in no wise to cast out such, Joh. 6. 37. The most rebellious sinners may find entertainment with Jesus Christ now; and prevail with him to procure pardon, and peace, and salvation, upon their repentance of their sins: but when he is come down from Heaven to judge the world, he will be inexorable; No prayers or entreaties; no tears or arguments will in the least move him to take any pity on such as shall then be found in their sins. When the wicked at the day of judgment shall have their eyes opened to ⟨p. 72⟩behold the Lord Jesus Christ in his glory and Majesty, in such excellency and shining beauty; then one smile of his countenance will be really accounted of more worth than the whole world; and to be made like to such a person, and to dwell for ever in his love and joy, they will then clearly see to be unconceivably beyond all the enjoyment of the creatures in their fullest delights; and to be thrust out of his presence they will account their chiefest misery: then they will have other apprehensions of Hells torments, when they are just ready to be cast into the burning lake; when they are awakened in the morning of the resurrection, and are brought to Christs bar, and they perceive how near they are to execution; and great distress will be upon them, when they look about them, and all refuge fails, and they see no way for them to escape; If now with their cries and supplications they might prevail with the Judge for some commiseration, if they had but the least hopes of moving his bowels, and pacifying his anger, and obtaining the favour of admission into the inheritance of the Saints; O how would they all fall down upon their knees before him with the lowest submission and reverence? how would they cry and weep, entreat and beseech? how would they kiss his feet, wash them with their tears, and wipe them with their hairs? how earnest and importunate would they be with him for a pardon, if importunity would prevail? If there were but one promise left in the whole Book of God for them, which might possibly bring unto them some relief; how greedily would they all catch at it, and humbly woo the Lord for mercy? No, no, the Judge ⟨p. 73⟩will then be inexorable: they may cry, but it will be to no purpose;