4. That they have Christ to be their Judge: for there are many comforts in that point. They need not be afraid of his sentence, because he hath been their advocate all this while, and hath pleaded for them at the bar of Justice, 1 Joh. 2. 1, 2. and he is their brother, their husband, their head, and all things else in relation, which imports dearness. Read but the Book of Canticles, and consider whether he that gives such wonderful, loving, and familiar terms of affection to his Church, can ever be brought to pronounce a terrible sentence upon her? And besides, hath he not in Scripture left many promises that assure us of our happiness at that day? And further, who can read the story of the Passion of Christ, and think that he will ⟨p. 535⟩ever speak terrible things to them, for whom he suffered so grievous things on earth. Was he not himself judged for them on earth, that they might be absolved from heaven? Lastly, he hath left us the seal of the Spirit of promise, even his own Spirit in our hearts, as an earnest of our most glorious and final Redemption at that day; and besides that privy seal of his Spirit, how often hath he set to his broad seal in the Sacraments from time to time? And therefore they may be all assured, that there Christ will be made marvellous in that day in all them that believe, to their everlasting honour, and praise, and glory.
4. That they haue Christ to be their Iudge: for there are many comforts in that point. They need not be afraid of his sentence, because hee hath beene their aduocate all this while, and hath pleaded for them at the barre of Iustice, 1 Ioh. 2. 1, 2. and he is their brother, their husband, their head, and all things else in relation, which imports dearenesse. Reade but the Booke of Canticles, and consider whether he that giues such wonderfull, louing, and familiar termes of affection to his Church, can euer be brought to pronounce a terrible sentence vpon her? And besides, hath he not in Scripture left many promises that assure vs of our happinesse at that day? And further, who can reade the story of the Passion of Christ, and thinke that he will ⟨p. 535⟩euer speake terrible things to them, for whom he suffered so grieuous things on earth. Was he not himselfe iudged for them on earth, that they might be absolued from heauen? Lastly, he hath left vs the seale of the Spirit of promise, euen his owne Spirit in our hearts, as an earnest of our most glorious and finall Redemption at that day; and besides that priuie seale of his Spirit, how often hath hee set to his broad seale in the Sacraments from time to time? And therefore they may be all assured, that there Christ will be made maruellous in that day in all them that beleeue, to their euerlasting honour, and praise, and glory.
