2. Consider, Who shall then be Judge: the Scripture sometimes ascribes this Judgment unto God, sometimes to Jesus Christ: the Apostle reconciles these two together, Acts 17. 31. He hath appointed a day in the which he will judg the world in righteousness, by the man whom he hath ordained. So that God judgeth the world by Jesus Christ; and although it be a great comfort to Believers, that they shall be Judged by Christ, because ⟨p. 119⟩he who is their Judge, is also their Saviour, and they could not be made partakers in the imputation of his Righteousness without his knowledge, and therefore they must needs meet him in that day with great joy• yet this consideration will add no matter of comfort or hope to any other besides these, and least of all to that company that have enjoyed the Gospel, and the offers of Christ made unto them in it, and have despised it, and disobeyed: yea his being to Judg themselves to augment the terror of all such as these, because this great Saviour hath been specially and horribly affronted by them, and therefore he hath a peculiar design of taking vengeance upon them, 2 Thes. 1. 8. in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. But yet this may awaken all to consider that if he be the Judge, we may be sure that he will proceed in exact Righteousness, and will do nothing in that affair for favour or affection, but just as mens case shall there be found to be, just so the sentence shall then undoubtedly pass upon them, Rom. 2. 6. Who will render to every man according to his; deeds, Psal. 96. ult. He shall judge the World with Righteousness, and his people with his Truth. Know it then, ⟨p. 120⟩That if you are to be judged by him, it greatly concerns you to see that your matters be good, and that more especially, as to the consideration of his exact Justice, you are to remember that he is also the heart-searcher, from whom nothing can be hid, but all things are opened and manifest before him; and therefore you had need to search into your own case, and sift it to the bottom, and see that there be no f•a•d or fallacy in it, for if there be, it is impossible to cover it from him, or prevent his bringing of it to light, and judging accordingly.
2. Consider, Who shall then be Judge: the Scripture sometimes ascribes this Judgment unto God, sometimes to Jesus Christ: the Apostle reconciles these two together, Acts 17. 31. He hath appointed a day in the which he will judg the world in righteousness, by the man whom he hath ordained. So that God judgeth the world by Jesus Christ; and although it be a great comfort to Believers, that they shall be Judged by Christ, because ⟨p. 119⟩he who is their Judge, is also their Saviour, and they could not be made partakers in the imputation of his Righteousness without his knowledge, and therefore they must needs meet him in that day with great joy• yet this consideration will add no matter of comfort or hope to any other besides these, and least of all to that company that have enjoyed the Gospel, and the offers of Christ made unto them in it, and have despised it, and disobeyed: yea his being to Judg themselves to augment the terrour of all such as these, because this great Saviour hath been specially and horribly affronted by them, and therefore he hath a peculiar design of taking vengeance upon them, 2 Thes. 1. 8. in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. But yet this may awaken all to consider that if he be the Judge, we may be sure that he will proceed in exact Righteousness, and will do nothing in that affair for favour or affection, but just as mens case shall there be found to be, just so the sentence shall then undoubtedly pass upon them, Rom. 2. 6. Who will render to every man according to his; deeds, Psal. 96. ult. He shall judge the World with Righteousness, and his people with his Truth. Know it then, ⟨p. 120⟩That if you are to be judged by him, it greatly concerns you to see that your matters be good, and that more especially, as to the consideration of his exact Justice, you are to remember that he is also the heart-searcher, from whom nothing can be hid, but all things are opened and manifest before him; and therefore you had need to search into your own case, and sift it to the bottom, and see that there be no f•a•d or fallacy in it, for if there be, it is impossible to cover it from him, or prevent his bringing of it to light, and judging accordingly.
