The rule of faith, or, An exposition of the Apostles Creed so handled as…

2. That this Judgement day shall be in the end of the world, and not before: & therefore it is said in Scripture, it shall be at the last day. Quest. But why doth God put off the general Judgment so long, & not call men to an account till after some thousands of years after some of them died? Answ. First, God hath unsearchable respects of his own glory, in dispatching by his providence the great business that concerns the rising or alteration of things in the state of mankind: As in disposing of the Monarchies of the world, the kingdom of Antichrist raised, and ruined, the rejection and recalling of the Jews, and such like, which will not be effected till the day which he hath appointed for the coming of Christ. Secondly, it is put off so long, that the elect may be all gathered, it being Gods pleasure to gather them by ordinary means, so as the Just have a time to be borne, live, hear the word, fulfil their measure of work, &c. Thirdly, it is put off for the more effectual trial of the faith and patience ⟨p. 506⟩of Gods elect, and exercise of their hope and prayer. Fourthly, that he might by the confession of all men be justified in this that he hath allowed unto the world space and time enough to repent in, Rom. 2. 4. and 9. 22. 2 Pet. 3. 9. and therefore if wicked men do not repent, they may be left without excuse, and the rather seeing he can no way be charged to proceed in judgement against them rashly, or with more respect of his own Justice, seeing before he passeth the final sentence he stays so exceeding long. Fifthly, as he glorifies his mercy in saving the elect, and his justice in damning the wicked: so doth he by his exceeding long stay glorify his patience and clemency.

2. That this Iudgement day shall be in the end of the world, and not before: & therefore it is said in Scripture, it shall be at the last day. Quest. But why doth God put off the generall Iudgment so long, & not call men to an account til after some thousands of yeares after some of them died? Answ. First, God hath vnsearchable respects of his owne glory, in dispatching by his prouidence the great businesse that concerns the rising or alteration of things in the state of mankinde: As in disposing of the Monarchies of the world, the kingdome of Antichrist raised, and ruined, the reiection and recalling of the Iewes, and such like, which will not be effected till the day which he hath appointed for the comming of Christ. Secondly, it is put off so long, that the elect may be all gathered, it being Gods pleasure to gather them by ordinarie meanes, so as the Iust haue a time to be borne, liue, heare the word, fulfill their measure of worke, &c. Thirdly, it is put off for the more effectuall triall of the faith and patience