The great day of chancery A sermon preached at White-Hall, the last day of October. 1619. By Iames Forsith, one of his Maiesties chaplaines in ordinarie.

THE GREAT DAY of Chancery . 2. COR. 5.10 .

We must all appeare ( or be manifested ) before the Tribunall seat of Christ .

A Text ( as I thinke ) fit to be preached at all times , and to all persons : Recordare nouissima , & non peccabis in aeternum , saith the Son of Syrach , Ecclus. 7.36 . Let any man or woman of what degree soeuer , alwaies remember their last end , and it will bridle them in their courses , and curbe them in their waies : the remembrance of death is the way to life ; and for a man discreetly to consider the day of Iudgement , will cause him Iudiciously to prepare his accompts against his Masters comming : Amb. ad Virgin . laps . Cap. 8. Si mente cornerent peccatores quale Iudicium imminet mundo , saith Saint Ambrose , if sinners did consider what great Iudgement is to come vpon the world , they would not hunt so much after worldly vanities , and plunge themselues so deep into earthly dirt as they do . Hierom. in Reg. Mona . Cap. 30. Saint Hierome , saith of himselfe , that he was very carefull ouer his waies , and fearefull in his carriage ; for ( saith he ) whether I eate or drinke , or whatsoeuer I doe I continually thinke , that I heare this sound in mine eare ; Rise vp , ye dead , and come vnto Iudgement . It was Origens conceit , that the Priest had bells in the lower parts of his garment , to put the people in mind of Iudgment : The consideration of which many times is a terror to the godly ; Psal. 119.120 . My flesh trembleth for feare of thee , and I am afraid of thy Iudgements , saith the sweete singer of Israel : and the wicked often are curbed by it , Oderuut peccare mali formidine poenae . The Psalmist tels vs that this is a cause , why the wicked man doth so much delight in sinne , and make such a progresse in Iniquity ; because Gods Iudgements are farre out of his sight ; Psal. 10.5 . the remembrance of the Tribunall , the feare of execution , the consideration of the dungeon , the darknesse and blacknesse of the bottomlesse pit , the weeping , wailing , and gnashing of teeth , are able to reclaime the most wicked , and make them refraine their euill waies , knowing that they must come to Iudgement . Considering then the terror of the day , we perswade men , as it is in the next verse , That we may couet , that both dwelling at home , and remouing from home , we may be acceptable to him , as it is in the verse precedent .

Thus I haue made way to the Tribunall , where I intend to take vp my standing , that I may take a full view of the great Assembly cited before the seate of Iustice , and there orderly obserue this generall appearance : and first obserue the persons cited to appeare , and you shall finde them all we . 2. marke the manner of their appearance , which is well set forth in the word manifested . 3. the necessitie of appearance in the word oportet , must . 4. the place where it shall be , and it is said , before the Tribunall . 5. the Iudge , what he is , or who hee is before whom , and he is Christ . In the first you may see a generalitie , for number ; in the second a plaine euidence , or Charitie of euidence in the manner ; in the third , an ineuitabilitie , and no resistance of the matter ; in the fourth , the glory or maiestie of the place , being a Tribunall : and lastly , in the Iudge , equity and humanitie , for he is Christ .

In the first place , The persons summoned . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . the persons are set downe in generall to be all we , without exception , Clergie , Laitie , King , Priest , and People ; it will not bee such an Assembly as that of king Ahashuerosh , of his Nobles , Princes , and Captaines onely : Ester . 1.3 . nor such as the biddings of rich men to their feasts , of their rich neighbours , Luke 14.12 . kinsfolke , and acquaintance : but like the inuitation of that housholder in the Gospel , that sent his seruants at supper time , to compell all to come in . Ibidem . 23. In like manner shall it bee in that great day , that all of what degree soeuer , sort , or sexe , high , or low , rich or poore , old or young : that haue beene , that are , that shall be , must generally appeare : The howre shall come , Ioh. 5.28.29 . ( saith our blessed Sauiour ) in the which all that are in the graues shall heare his voyce , and they shall come forth that haue done good vnto the resurrection of life , and they that haue done euill , vnto the resurrection of condemnation . Behold he commeth with clouds , and euery eye shall see him , yea , Apoc. 1.7 . euen they which pierced him , and all the kinreds of the earth shall waile before him .

Plinie reporteth of the Lyonesse , that she brings forth her whelps dead , and so remaine for the space of three dayes , vntill the Lyon ( comming neere to the place where they lye ) lift vp his voyce , and roare so fiercely , that presently they are raised from death to life : The Prophet Ieremy tels vs the like of the Lyon of the Tribe of Iudah , Ier. 25.30.31 . That hee shall roare from aboue , and thrust out his voyce from his holy habitation , he shall cry aloud as they that presse the Grapes , his sound shall come to the ends of the earth , and he will enter into Iudgement with all flesh : so that with his voyce all that are dead shall bee raised to life , and shall come and stand before him . In that day none shall answer by a proxie , no neighbour or friend answer for another , no excuse nor pretence shall preuaile ; Apoc. 6.15.16 The Kings of the earth , the great men , the rich men , the chiefe Captaines , and the mightie men , euery bondman , and euery free man hid themselues in dens , among the rockes of the mountaines , and said vnto the hills , fall on vs , and to the rockes , couer vs from the presence of the Lambe that sitteth on the Throne . These , you see , would be couered , but cannot , they would haue others to stand for them , but it will not be ; their authoritie ( although great in the world while they liued ) will not serue , riches will not help , nor honour auaile ; neither bribes nor friends can saue them from their appearance before that irefull Iudge ; that Iudge will admit no man to make way for malefactors , that they should not bee brought forth into Iudgement , neither shall their bee any standing by , that dare for Money excuse any mans appearance , or free him from the seate of Iustice . I reade ( saith Chrysostome ) that the man that had not on a wedding garment , Hom. 22. ad popul . Antioch . was thrust out from the feast : but I read not ( saith hee ) that any made request for him : I heare that hee that hid his talent in the earth , was bound hand and foot , and cast into vtter darknesse , and none to speake for him : I see the fiue foolish virgins shut out of the wedding chamber , and none to make intercession for them . Huius diei terror crit inexplicabilis , & veniet Iudex inexorabilis : The terror and dread of this day is vnexplicable , and the Iudge will come inexorable . The Angels themselues will come out in feare : and if in that day the Iust shall hardly be saued , Where or how shall the sinner and vngodly appeare . & c ?

But before I passe further , Obiect . I must answere an obiection that commeth in my way ; the Scripture saith , That hee that beleeueth hath euerlasting life , Ioh. 5.24 . and shall not come to Iudgement , but shall passe from death vnto life : and that the wicked shall not rise vppe , Psal. 1.6 . nor stand in Iudgement , Hilar. in Psa . 1. Orig. in Iob l. 3. pag. 272. for he that beleeueth not , is iudged already . Some of the Ancients did thinke , by these places , that neither the godly faithfull , nor wicked infidell , should come to Iudgement , but they that are , inter Impios piosque medij , of the middle sort which are in the faith , & yet liue not thereafter : this opinion is plainely confuted in my text , Ambr. serm. 20. in Psalm . 119. nam oportet nos omnes , for we must all appeare . S. Ambr. thought that the godly onely should come to Iudgement , quia festinant innoxij ad Iudicium , for they that are innocent make hast to Iudgement , because they doe not feare it , but the vngodly doe so tremble at it , that they dare not come neere it : but our blessed Apostle , saith plainely , Rom. 2.3 . that the wicked man aboue all other shall not escape the iudgement of God . But Saint Augustine doth very wel expound these places thus , The godly shall not come in iudicium condemnationis , vnto Iudgement of condemnation , as it is in the Gospel , nor the wicked shall not come in Iudicium Electionis , vnto iudgement of Election with the godly . Saint Chrysostome vpon that place , that the wicked are adiudged already , doth say thus ; He that hath committed murther , although hee bee not by the Iudge condemned , actu prolationis , by sentence giuen , yet by the Law he is condemned : for the Law saith , Thou shalt not kill . Hee that beleeueth not , hath the cause of condemnation in himselfe , although the sentence bee not pronounced against him vntill the day of Iudgement . The Lord said vnto Adam , In what day soeuer thou eatest of the fruit thou shalt de the death . The Lord spake not this , meaning presently to destroy Adam , but to shew that Adam immediately vpon tasting thereof , had the cause of death in himselfe . But to conclude this point , neither godly , nor godlesse , although the one cleared in his owne conscience , the other condemned , hauing the cause of condemnation in himselfe , shall escape this Iudgement seat . For we must all appeare , &c.

Obiect . 2 Another obiection may bee made vpon this text , concerning little children , whether they that haue miscaried before the birth , or after birth , that haue died without Baptisme , or after Baptisme , that haue departed before they come to knowledge , shall come to Iudgement . It is but a Popish conceit to imagine that such shall stand on the Iudges left hand in that day . Thom. Aquinas 4. dist. 7. q. 1. art. 3. Thomas Aquinas thinkes that little children shall appeare in that day not to bee iudged , but to see the glory of the Iudge : but my text is plaine , that all , both old and young , great and small , shall appeare . And surely in that day , all shall goe either vnder the sentence of Goe yee cursed , or Come yee blessed . Let this doctrine conuince the Heathen , Vie . that expect not such a time : and likewise let it condemne the Wicked , that put off this day from them , thinking ( as they shew in their actions ) that they shall not come to Iudgement . Let vs that professe Christ stand in awe of his comming , and expect this day ; knowing the terror of the day , wee perswade men . Aug. in Psa. 93. St. Augustine compares all Christians vnto schollars , that come to render an accompt vnto their masters , of that which they haue receiued , they doe it not without feare ; so should wee tremble to remember this day , Sine metu Plagarum . when we shall giue account of all things giuen to vs in charge . Know this , that the Gyants before the floode could not deliuer themselues from the deluge by their strength ; that Pharaoh , for all his power and forces , could not saue himselfe from the ouerthrow in the redde Sea ; that the rich glutton in the Gospel , could not with all his wealth , free himselfe from hell torments . Neither shall Kings nor Potentates ; Iudges , nor Magistrates ; poore , nor rich , deliuer themselues from this Iudgement : some shall iudge , others bee iudged , but all must appeare . God grant wee may be found worthy of the Iudges comming . Amen .

In the second place wee are to consider the euidence , The maner how wee shal appeare . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . or the manner of our appearing , or rather the condition of those that appeare in that great day . Our blessed Apostle repeating the same words in his Epistle to the Romans doth vse another word 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Rom. 14.10 . stabimus , wee shall stand , and Saint Ambrose seemes to fauour that word better , because ( saith hee ) the Psalmist sayth , Psal. 1.5 . the wicked shall not stand in Iudgement . and St. Augustine enclineth rather to stand in this sense , but Theoph. Theodor. and all the moderne doe reade it rather 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , and not 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , to bee manifested , and not to stand : and I thinke the word is more Emphaticall and doth expresse better the manner of our appearing in that day : for many stand before a Iudge , that are not manifested , or well knowne vnto the Iudge . Gen. 39.18 . Ioseph and Putiphars wife stood before Putiphar ; shee accused Ioseph , and hee did cast him into prison ; but Putiphar knew neither the hypocrisie of the one , nor the integritie of the other . But it shall not be so with this Iudge concerning those that stand before him : hee is 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 the searcher of the heart ; Thou hastryed me , and knowen me , sayth the Prophet Dauid : Psal. 139.1 . thou knowest my thoughts long before , there is not a word in my tongue but thou knowest it altogether . Quid in Babilone tutum si Ierusalem manet scrut mium , sayth holy Bernard . Bern. Ser. 55. in Cant. If hee doth so narrowly marke the actions of the godly , for which they shall not come to iudgement , how much more doth hee obserue the abhominations of the wicked , Hebr. 4.13 . for which they shall bee condemned in iudgement ; Omnia illi nuda & manifesta erunt , all things shall appeare plainely vnto him , when wee shall stand naked before him , not vnto him alone , but vnto the whole world : 1. Cor. 4.5 . cunctaque cunctorum cunctis arcana patebunt . Iudge nothing before the time , vntill the Lord come , who will lighten things that bee hid in darkenesse , and make the counsels of the heart manifest , sayth the Apostle . Ecce homo & opera eius , will the Lord say , ( sayth St. Ierome vpon that text ) Behold the man and his workes , when hee doth giue vnto euery man according to his workes , there is nothing now hid , which , then , shall not bee manifested . Whatsoeuer hath bin done in darknes shall then bee brought vnto the light : and whatsoeuer men haue spoken in the eare , shall then be preached on the house toppe . As the Lord spake vnto Dauid , by the mouth of Nathan , 2. Sam. 12.12 . so shall it be then done to euery one ; thou didst it secretly , but I will doe this thing before all Israel , and before the Sunne . The Sunne , yee know , doth shine into euery cranie and hole , neither can there any thing be hid from the heat thereof : when the Sunne of righteousnes doth appeare , can there any thing bee hid from the heat of his furie , or the bright beames of his piercing sight ? Then Apices Iuris , your quirkes , and nice distinctions of the law will not helpe ; neither Iudges nor witnesses can be deluded ; corruption , smooth perswasion , and fauour shall be altogether banished ; thy whole life , and all the actions of thy life shall be there read , and manifested vnto the whole world ; there shall not be a confused capitulation of thy crimes bound vp in a grosse summe and deliuered in the totall ; which if it might be granted to the wicked , they would not much regard their standing in iudgement : but that the Iudge of all the world , may make appeare vnto the whole world , his Iustice and righteous iudgement ; the sinnes of the wicked shal particularly be manifested in that day , as St. Basil well noteth . Lib. de vera virgin . As the liniaments of a picture , are euery one by themselues knowen ; so shall euery mans actions there bee manifested ; This our blessed Sauiour doth intimate vnto vs , when he sayth , there is nothing hid which shall not be manifested , what is spoken in the eare , shall be preached on the house toppe . The Lord doth likewise affirme this speaking in these words of the Psalme , When thou sawest a thiefe , Psal. 50.18 , 21. thourunnest after him , thou art partaker with the adulterers ; these things hast thou done , and I held my tongue , and thou thoughtest wickedly , that I was like vnto thy selfe , but I will reproone thee and set them in order before thee .

The blessed Apostle St. Iohn , speaking in the Apocalyps , Reutl . 20.12 . concerning our appearing in that day , saith , That the bookes were opened , Liber vitae & liber conscientiae . and the dead were iudged of those things which were written in the bookes , according to their workes . There shall bee two bookes opened in that day ; the booke of life , and the booke of euery mans conscience , the booke of the conscience is a true copy of the booke of life : here a man may finde how it is written there . The record of a mans conscience , if it be truely obserued , is a certaine and infallible euidence of the record in heauen . If thou bee written in the booke of life , thou shalt haue some assurance hereof in thine owne conscience . Thus Saint Paul found it written , in the booke of his owne conscience ; that because he had fought a good fight , and kept the faith , 2. Tim. 4.8 . he doubted not , but that a crown of righteousnesse was laide vp for him in heauen , which the Lord , the righteous Iudge would giue him in that day . It is betweene God and man , as betweene Creditor and Debitor , both keepes bookes , and when they are about to reckon , they both bring forth their bookes , and examine the one by th' other . When the Pharisees brought the woman taken in adultery , before our Sauiour Christ , hee said nothing , but stouped downe , and with his finger , Ioh. 8.6 . wrote on the ground . While wee liue in sensualitie , and take our pleasure , our al-seeing God obserueth it , he holdeth his peace , and seemeth to vs not to heare or see , which causeth vs to bee secure in our actions , but in the meane time hee writeth vp all our faults , and sealeth them vp in a bagge , Iob. 14.17 . as Iob speaketh , and one day will lay them open before vs . Whatsoeuer is written with the iuyce of a Limmon at the first appeareth not , but hold it a little to the fire , and then yee may read it plainely . The Lord doth now write all our sins , as if it were with Limons iuyce , that almost they appeare not vnto vs to bee sinnes . Who is priuie to his secret faults , or who knoweth how often he doth offend ? But in that great day of Christs appearance , when all our workes shall be tryed with fire , then shall they appeare what they are : there need no witnesses to accuse any man in that day , omnia palam fient , all shall bee laid open ; the booke of euery mans conscience will manifest his faults ; conscientia mille testes , a mans own conscience wil be vnto him as a thousand witnesses ; quid prodest non habere conscium , habenti conscientiam , thou needest no witnesse to come against thee , thine owne conscience wil condemne thee : and if our owne hearts condemne vs , God is greater then our hearts , and knoweth all things : Bern. Med. c. 13 Peccata mea celare non possum , quoniam quocunque vado conscientia mea mecum , saith holy Bernard ; I cannot hide my sinnes , for whithersoeuer I goe , my conscience is with mee , it carieth with it whatsoeuer I haue laid vp in it , be it good or euill : it keepeth for mee while I liue , and will restore vnto me when I am dead ; if I do amisse it is present , Accusat constientia , testis memoria , &c. and priuy to it . Thus haue I in mine owne bosome , my Iudges , my witnesses , my accusers and my tormentors . The conscience is the accuser , the memory witnesse , reason the Iudge , delight torment , and feare the prison ; thus our consciences shall make manifest our deedes , when our booke is examined with the booke of life : so that to conclude , in the presence of the Iudge , in open view of all the world , we shall bee manifested . For we must appeare .

But here wee must obserue , that , Obseruation . Manifestatio Hypocritatum . in that day men and women shall be manifested two maner of waies . 1. Some shall be reuealed to be that which they did not seeme to bee in the world . A prophanis scriptoribus sic vocati , vt refert Caluinus in sua , Harmonia . 2. Others shall appeare to bee that which they were in the world . And for the further manifestation of these two , consider all men and women as they are Actors vpon the Theator of this world ; and you know that Actors vpon a Stage , are of two sorts ; either they be Hypocrites , so they were named in former times , because they did represent the persons of those , that they were not : one playeth the part of a King and is no King , another acteth the Merchant and is no Merchant , &c. Others againe , act the persons of such as they are , one playeth the drunkard , another the whoremaster , a third the foole , the fourth the Deuill , and the fifth the part of a rogue , nihil valent omnes , and so they are . In like maner , In that day many that haue seemed vnto men to be honest , ciuill , charitable , and religious , when the vizards shall be pulled from their faces , Tit. 1.16 . shall appeare to haue beene plaine hypocrits ; they haue had a shew of godlinesse , but in their actions , they haue denyed the power of it ; as the cruell King , the wicked Iudge , the vniust steward , the oppressing officer , the griping landlord , the complementall courtier , the racking rake-shame of the Common-wealth , that ploddeth among the commons to lay imposition vpon the subiect , for to benefit the King as hee pretendeth , but his intent is like that of the vniust stewards in the Gospel , for to get vnto himselfe some meanes of liuing : all such shall bee manifested in that day . The cunning parishioner , that hath a tricke to cozen his Pastor in Tythes , with two leases , or else by way of fine seeke to defeate the Lord of his due , in that day cannot deceiue the great Pastour of our soules ; 1. Pet. 2.25 . for there he shall appeare to bee a sacrilegious robber , and all such as haue intus linum subtilitatis , extra lanam simplicitatis , a linsey-wolsey garment , the outside lambes wooll , & the inside foxes furre , shall be manifested in that day . Againe , some will appeare truely in their coulours as they are , Vera manifestatio impiorum as Basill well noteth ; The whoremaster in his affectation , the drunkard in his abomination , the blasphemous swearer in his execration ; the proud man , the liar , robber , and the deboascht man in that day shall appeare in their perfect pictures , and bee throughly manifested to the Iudge , and to the whole world , and bound hand and foote , and cast into vtter darkenesse , from whence they shal neuer bee deliuered ; for if they should breake the chaines through their strength , yet they shall see no light whereby to escape , for the place is , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 vtter darkenesse ; and thus much of the wicked mans appearance in that day . For all must appeare .

Lastly , Manifestatio piorum . the godly that are now reuiled , slandered , hated , and persecuted of the wicked , shall then appeare how falsely they are accused , and vnworthily vsed in this present world , when their causes shall bee knowne , the word of the Lord shall trye them : Psal. 105.19 . they shall be exalted in the sight of the world and shine like starres , in regard of their puritie and sinceritie , before the Iudgement seat ; Ioseph , that was accused falsely , by his Mistris condemned , and cast into prison wrongfully , was not more glad , when hee was exalted by Pharaoh in the sight of the people , then these ; when they shall stand before the Iudge with dignitie , and be honoured in the sight of the whole world . In regard whereof , that day will be pleasant and glorious vnto that litle flocke of Gods children ; for here we see in a glasse , 1. Cor. 13.12 . ( sayth the Apostle ) but there wee shall know as wee are knowen ; here wee are persecuted there shall wee be glorified ; Luk. 12.32 . Feare not litle flocke , it is my fathers pleasure to giue you a kingdome : Now wee are accounted the scumme of the earth , then shall wee be preferred aboue the lords of the earth . Matth. 5.3 . Blessed are the poore in spirit , for theirs is the kingdome of God ; this is our ioy and comfort , that in that day wee shall be manifested .

Vse . Let this doctrine be a terrour to the wicked , Io. 3.19 . that now loue darkenesse rather then light , because their deeds are euill : when euery thing commeth foorth into the light , it shall be iudged by the light . Matth. 12.36 . Our blessed Sauiour telleth vs . that of euery idle word that men shall speake , they shall giue account thereof at the day of Iudgement . Let no filthie communication , no idle and vaine oath proceed out of your mouthes , you that are prophane , obscoene and wicked : Nay our very thoughts shall be called in question : Why thinke yee euill in your hearts you hypocrites ?

And let it bee as a spurre vnto the godly , to stirre them vp to an holy and godly conuersation , that they may walke in a good conscience before God , and in the sight of men , knowing , that in that day they must be manifested . I will conclude this point , with a storie out of Damascen ; Damasc . Hist. inter Barlaam and Iosaphat . Cap. 13. A man had three friends , two of them hee loued dearely and regarded much , but on the third hee looked with a squint eye , litle respecting him : it happened on a time , that this man was arrested ; and vpon the sodaine , being taken tarde , and not knowing what to doe , he made his way to his best beloued friend , to entreat him , by all the bonds of loue , to goe before the iudge with him : which hee denying , saide that hee durst not looke the Iudge in the face , but all the fauour that hee could doe , was , to giue him so much as to beare his charges in his iourney : Vnto the second he made haste , who answered him so likewise : At last hee came to the third , whom hee least of all respected , and told him how it was with him ; vnto whom hee answered with great comfort , that although ( sayth he ) thou hast litle regarded me , yet I will goe to the Iudge with thee , and cleare thee immediatly . So it is with euery man in this world that hath these three friends : The first which a man most regardeth , is his money and wealth which hee dearly loueth : the second his friends , kinsfolke and acquaintance , whom hee next respecteth : but the last is the least that hee looketh vpon , and it is his owne conscience : this man is arrested with the Sergeant of death to stand before the Iudge of heauen and earth ; at which time , his money nor his wealth cannot helpe him : to buy a wynding-sheet , a coffin , to giue a pennie dole or the like , is the furthest they can goe : His friends likewise can doe no more but accompanie him to the buriall , there remaineth nothing , in that day , but a cleare conscience to quite him before the Iudge ; let vs , therefore , respect our conscience more then all things besides in the earth , for it must onely helpe vs in that day , when wee shall bee manifested ; For wee must all appeare .

In the third place wee haue the necessitie or ineuitabilitie of this appearance ; The necessitie of our appearing . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . things that are driuen by force , are most violent ; therefore to set forth the terrour of this Iudgement , our blessed Apostle addeth an oportet , The reasons why there must be such a day . necessitate coacta , to shew that there bee no meanes to escape , no waies to auoide it ; and that for many reasons . Oportet , it must be so .

1 Propter decratum Dei ; because it hath beene so decreed of God from the beginning : and whatsoeuer the Lord hath appointed from the beginning must stand . Tit. 1.2 . Heb. 6.18 . God is not like man ; to lye , or dye , nor like the Sonne of man , that he should repent : he hath appointed a day wherein he will iudge the world in righteousnesse , by that man whom he hath appointed , Acts. 17.31 . Math. 11.22 . sayth the Apostle in one of his sermons : it shall be better for Tyrus and Sidon in the day of Iudgement then for this citie , sayth our blessed Sauiour : the Prophets before the Law did prophesie of it , our Sauiour affirmeth it in the Gospel ; and all the Apostles beare witnesse of the same in their seuerall writings : Oportet ergo , Luke . 21.33 . Heauen and earth shall passe , but one word or title that is spoken out of the mouth of God shall not fall to the ground vneffected : For it must be .

2 Propter Iustitiam Dei ; because it standeth with Gods Iustice . All the wicked are not punished in this life ; for , although Caine , Pharaoh , Saul , and Iudas , Iob. 21.23 . receiued some temporall punishment in this life ; yet Iob tels vs , that many wicked men spend their daies in iollitie , and suddenly go downe to their graues , without any punishment at all . 1. King . 21.29 . Wicked Ahab did not see the euill threatned vpon his house in his dayes . Againe , the godly , for the most part , receiue no great comfort in this life ; That I haue fought at Ephesus with beasts after the manner of men , 1. Cor. 15.32 . What adnantageth it me if the dead rise not at all , saith our blessed Apostle ; therefore it standeth with the Iustice of God , to summon a day wherein euery one may receiue according to their actions . And it must be so : Nam oportet .

3 Propter nostram corruptionem , because of our corruption : for , flesh and blood cannot inherite the kingdome of God ; 1. Cor. 15.50 . neither can corruption inherite incorruption . There must bee a day of purging ; Apoc. 21.27 . for , no vncleane thing can enter into the kingdome of heauen ; a day , when the fire must be put to the mettall , the fanne to the corne , that the drosse and chaffe being done away , the pure mettall may appeare more glorious , and the corne finer on the floore ; 1 Cor. 15.54 . When mortalitie is swallowed vp of immortalitie , and that which was sowen a naturall bodie , shall bee made a spirituall bodie , Ibidem 44. then shall bee brought to passe this saying that is written by him that is able to bring all things topasse , Nam oportet , for it must be .

4 Propter nostram manifestationem , as it is in my text , because of our manifestation , to shew publikly what we are , and what wee haue beene . A man cannot iudge of a thing vntill hee see the end of it , Exitus acta probat , no man can iudge of a mans life to bee good or euill as long as he liueth , but by the outward appearance .

Dicique beatus ante obitum nemo , supremaque iudicia debet . Nabal dyed like a lambe , 1. Sam. 25.37.38 . had no reluctation , no bands in death ; and yet the Scripture pointeth him out for a wicked man . Many of Gods children are stricken sodainly with death , so was old father Eli , who is accounted to be a godly old man in Scripture : Therefore there must be a day wherein the Iudge of all the world will shew his righteous iudgments to the world ; and giue vnto euery one according to that which they haue done in their body , whether it be good or bad , as it followeth in my text , For wee must all appeare .

Vse . 1 This , must , seemeth to be so strict a charge , I● 〈◊〉 that ( I doubt ) will not sound well in a young mans ●are , that liueth in pleasure , and runneth vp and downe after his delight . An heathen Author doth tell vs that this age ( meaning youth ) will endure no admonition , much lesse this , to tell them that they must come to iudgment . 1. Sam. 14.29 . Ionathan will needs taste of the hony , although his father hath forbidden it . We reade of purple sinnes and crimson sinnes in Scripture , colours that will not lightly fade , for they are both dyed in the wooll and in the cloth . Young men wil be sure not to forsake their wicked waies when they are old , they will be so perfect in them while they are young : but let them reioyce neuer so much in their youth , Eccles. 11.9 . although their hearts cheare them with delight , and they walke in the wayes of their heart , and after the lust of their eyes , whereby they may swimme in pleasure by the Deuils perswasions ; yet let me tell them , Ibidem 12.1 . That for all these things God will bring them to Iudgement . Remember thy Creator now in the daies of thy youth , whilest the euill daies come not , wherein thou shalt say thou hast no pleasure in them : for in that day of Christs appearance thou shall bee brought forth into Indgement . Oportet enim : It must be so .

Againe , I beleeue , it will not sound well in a couetous rich mans eare , In 〈◊〉 . that taketh pleasure in his riches , and setteth his minde vpon the world . No doubt , that speech which the Spirit of God spake vnto the rich man in the Gospell ; Hac nocte , Luk. 12.20 . that he should suddainely depart from his riches which he so much loued , was terrible vnto him : and this will be as grieuous vnto any wretched worldling , to tell him he must come to Iudgement : I thinke this sound neuer doth enter into his eares , there is maius sensibile , another thing giues a greater sound : Pro. 30.14 . it is the voyce of the Horseleach , giue , giue . It is no maruell that they cry vnto the Mountaines in that day to fall on them ; for it is readiest in their hearts and mouthes ; they thinke of nothing , speake of nothing , nor dreame of nothing else all their life long but mountaines of gold and siluer . Concerning his temporall estate , and the prouision belonging thereunto , hee is wise and politicke enough , ( witnesse that rich man in the Gospell ) he can haue his bils and bonds well noted in a booke , and make all his accounts readie for his worldly estate . But concerning his spirituall estate , he is altogether ignorant ; neither doth he expect any day of account , and to learne he will not frame himselfe , nor yet will be instructed : Let God doe to him so , and more also : for he will not giue to the poore , feed the hungry , nor clothe the naked : he will rather haue good securitie for ten in the hundred for the present , then haue an hundred for ten in expectation . But let al such earthly Muckwormes know , that they must bee manifested before the seat of Iudgement ; Oportet enim , For we must appeare , &c.

Thirdly , Insacrilegos . it will not ●ound in the eare of a sacrilegious Church-Robber , that taketh away succum Pastori , maintenance from the Minister . Whereupon it followeth , that lac subducitur agnis , there the people must needs perish for want of milke ; such as would haue the Kings daughter all glorious within , Psal. 45.13 . but would not haue her outward garments of wrought gold , nor of needle worke , such as would allow but Michas wages to the Cleargie , for so it is that the fat Buls of Bason would beate out of the manger the oxen that tread out the corne : but let all such know , that they shall be manifested in Iudgment .

And finally , let all the wicked in the land know this , that oportet illos omnes , they must all appeare , to receiue according to their deeds . I will conclude this with an Ode which I found , an auncient singing concerning this last Iudgement . Quis orabit pro delicto ? Quis spondebit pro conuicto ? Quis in iudicio tam stricto , fiet in praesidium ? Quid sum miser tum dicturus ? quem patronum rogaturus ; dum vix iustus est securus , cum veniet in iudicium ? Which I English thus according to the letter ; Who shall pray for his offence ? Who shal answer after sentence ? or who shall bring any pretence in this strict arraignement ? What then shall I catiue say ? What aduocate can I pray , seeing the iust can hardly stay , when he commeth vnto Iudgement ? We must all appeare , &c.

I haue by this time , rushed through this great Assembly , and compassed this Iudgement seat , where I haue taken notice of the persons cited , the manner of their enditement , and the speciall motiues vrging . Now followeth , to stand before the seat , and then to take view of it , and the Iudge that sitteth vpon it : and first I will speake of the Tribunall .

A Tribunall , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Tribunall . among the Romans , was a place where the Iudge sate , so called , Quia tres tribuni ibi sedebant ad iudicandum populum : Because three Tribunes sate there to iudge the people . Or , quia dabant iura tribubus , because they gaue Iudgement to the Nations . The Greeke word 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 gradior , to goe vp on steppes ; which both do well set forth the eminency , maiestie , and glory of the place . When the Sonne of man commeth in his Maiestie , Math. 25.31 . and all his holy Angels with him , then shall he sit vpon the Throne of his glorie . At his first comming hee came in humilitie and pouertie : Phil. 2.7 . In forma serui , saith our blessed Apostle , In forme of a Seruant : Non serui solum vt subesset , sed vt mali serui vt vapularet ; Not onely as a Seruant to vndergoe subiection , but as an euill seruant to suffer correction . But at his second comming , he wil shew himselfe as a King , to be serued and ministred vnto , in glory and Maiestie : I saw a great white Throne , Apoc. 20.11 . and one that sate on it , from whose face fled away both earth and heauen , saith the Apostle Saint Iohn . Some haue gone about to describe this Throne or Tribunall more curiously then profitably . They doe describe it what it is , and where it will be placed , or seated ; which opinions I will briefly relate vnto you . We finde ( say they ) three attributes giuen to it inscripture . First , Quomodo dicitur . Math. 25.31 . Apoc. 20.11 . it is described by our blessed Sauiour , to be a Throne of glory , The Sonne of man shall sit vpon the Throne of his glory : and it is so called because of his Maiesticall and glorious comming in that day . Secondly , the Euangelist S. Iohn saith thus , I saw a white Throne , because of the innocencie of him that sitteth on it . And thirdly , Dan. 7.9 . the Prophet Daniel saith ; His Throne is said to be of fire for fiue reasons . That this Throne was like a fiery flame , and his wheeles like burning fire : and that is spoken in respect of fiue reasons , which are taken from the fire . First , in regard of the clearenesse , for in his presence there shall bee no darknesse , but all cleare light ; euery thing shall be manifested . Secondly , because the light shall bee such , that euery eye shall see him , and hee shall appeare vnto all . Thirdly , to shew the flame of his furie , and the hot burning coales which hee will scatter vpon the wicked . Fourthly , to shew , as fire passeth swiftly through , and cannot bee hindered in the force of it : so in that day his wrath will burne like fire , and none shall hinder his proceedings in Iustice . And lastly , in the execution of Iustice he will bee like fire to purge the drosse from the pure Mettall ; the one like chaffe or drosse , shall burne blacke with vnquenchable fire and Brimstone ; the other like good Gold , shall not be hurt with the flame .

Will ye know whereof this Tribunal shal be . Materia ex qua . Apoc. 14 4. Nothing in heauen , Cherubim nor Seraphin , Sunne nor Star , nor in earth Gold nor precious stone , but , as I read , a cloud shal be his Tribunall . I looked ( saith Saint Iohn ) and behold a white cloud , and vpon the cloud one sitting like to the Son of man , hauing on his head a golden Crowne , and in his hand a sharpe Sickle . Which is spoken of Christ , and this seemeth to be confirmed by the speech of the Angel vnto those that looked vpon Christ , when he was taken vp . Why stand yee gazing into heauen ? this Iesus which is taken vp from you , Acts. 1.11 . shall so come as yee haue seene him goe into heauen . And it is said in the verse going before , That a cloud tooke him vp out of their sight . Likewise at his transfiguration , which is a type of his second comming , It is said , That a cloud did compasse him . Math. 17.5 . Concerning the forme of this Tribunall , we haue no warrant , and therefore will leaue all supposed coniectures vnto the curious .

There be many opinions concerning the place where this Tribunall should be seated , Locus in qu● . and where the Lord will appeare to iudge his people . It shall not be in Heauen , for thither cannot the wicked come to behold him : nor yet in Hell , for thither shall not the godly come to Iudgement : on the earth , I cannot see how it should bee , seeing there is no place so large of earth to containe so many Myriades of people as shall appeare in that day : Ioel. 3.2 . that opinion of some , grounded on the words of Ioel , hath no sure foundation ; that it shall bee in the valley of Iehoshaphat , that is onely an allusion vnto Iehoshaphats victory , that as he got the victorie in that place ouer his enemies , so shall the Lord get the victorie , and victoriously triumph ouer his enemies in that day : but ( I thinke ) his Tribunall shall be in the ayre , where euery eye may see him , according to that of the Apostle Saint Paul : 1. Thess. 4.27 . We which remaine shall bee caught vp also with them in the cloudes to meet the Lord in the ayre , and so shall wee be euer with the Lord .

But there can bee no Materiall nor locall seat prescribed vnto Christ truly at his comming , for there is no such thing reuealed vnto vs : our Apostles meaning here is onely to set forth the Maiestie of his comming . Most of the auncient and the Moderne Writers , doe signifie by Tribunall , Iudiciariam potestatem , Math. 28.18 . a iudiciarie power which is giuen vnto him of the Father ( All power is giuen vnto me in heauen & in earth , saith our blessed Sauiour ) potestatem regendi , potestatem iudicandi , power both to gouerne and to iudge : so that by Tribunall is set forth his dignitie , his authoritie , his Maiestie , and also the certaintie of his comming : and that we must all appeare .

I will now passe from the Throne , Iudex . to him that sitteth on the Throne , and heere in my Text he is said to be Christ , by whom we shall be iudged : and here I will passeouer many obiections , and draw briefly towards a conclusion . Iohn . 5.22 . The Father is not our Iudge ; for the Father iudgeth no man : nor yet the holy Ghost , for the holy Ghost would rebuke the world of sinne , of righteousnesse , and of Iudgement . All Iudgment is committed to the Sonne . S. Paul in his Sermon saith , That the Lord hath commaunded vs to preach vnto the people , and to testifie that it is he that is ordained of God , to be the Iudge of quicke and dead . This Iudge must bee Christ for sundry reasons . Cur Christus Iudex .

First , because of his affinitie with vs , in that he hath taken our nature vpon him , for in the same flesh and forme that he was adiudged by Pontius Pilate , in the same manner shall he come to iudge Pontius Pilate : Heb. 4.15.16 . We haue not an high Priest ( saith the Apostle to the Hebrewes ) that cannot bee touched with the feeling of our infirmities , but was in all things tempted in like sort , yet without sinne ; therefore let vs goe to the Throne of grace .

2 Because , by Christ shall all the dead bodies be raised in that day , 1. Cor. 15.22 . As by Adam all dye , so by Christ all are made aliue , saith the blessed Apostle : I am the resurrection and life , Ioh. 11.25 . saith our blessed Sauiour .

3 Because , both good and bad must appeare , as you haue heard , and therefore Christ the Sonne of God , God and Man , must bee the Iudge : for the wicked cannot see the face of God , they shal be depriued of that comfort , which shall onely be afforded vnto the godly .

That he shall come to Iudgement , this word , Christ , in my Text doth verifie , for he was annointed for this purpose to vndergoe this office , and doth daily annoint vs to prepare vs for it : he took our flesh with him into heauen , as a pawne of his comming , and left with vs his Spirit , to make vs fit for his comming . Then the certaintie of our resurrection , and Christs comming to Iudgement , is firmely testified in my Text ; For we must all appeare before the Tribunall seat of Christ .

Vse This doctrine doth yeeld great comfort vnto the children of God , Comfort to the godly . both in regard that there shall bee such a day : as also that Christ Iesus shall bee their Iudge in that day . Now their eyes are full of teares , and their hearts full of griefe , because of the many crosses and afflictions which they suffer in the valley of this misery . The Israelites were neuer more gladder of their departure out of Egypt , then the children of God of the comming of the day of Iudgement : then they wil lift vp their heads , For their redemption draweth nigh . Againe , it wil be comfortable vnto them that Christ Iesus their elder Brother shal be their Iudge , because of his equitie and humanitie . Abel went willingly into the field with Caine , expecting no hard measure at his hand , because he was his brother . Isaac went freely to the Mount with Abraham , looking for no seuerity of him , because he was his father . The children of God , with a chearefull countenance , will come out to Iudgement , because their elder Brother is there .

And as this is a comfort to the godly , A terrour to the wicked . so it is a terrour to the wicked ; that there shall bee such a iudgement , and that Christ shall bee the Iudge : The Scripture maketh mention of some that doe not beleeue the Lords comming to iudgement , because he doth delay his comming ; others there bee that put off the terrour of this day from them . It is reported , that the Italians do vse to ring their bells and discharge their cannons in a thunder-clap ; that the noise of the one may lessen the terrour of the other : In like manner , Satan ( I thinke ) doth hang tinkling cymbals at the eares of earthly men , and delighteth them so with the musick of the world ; that , thereby they may forget the sound of the last trumpe . I doubt that day will bee seene of many , before it bee foreseene of any . It will prooue more terrible vnto them then that day of the promulgating of the Law did vnto the Israelites ; Exod. 19.18 . for if the promulgation of the Law was fearefull , how much more will the execution be more fearfull ? if his voice was terrible to those that came to apprehend him ; in so much , Ioh. 18.6 . that they fell backward to the ground when they heard it , how shall the wicked stand before his wrathfull voice in that day ? Gen. 3.10 . If Adam did hide himselfe for feare of the Lords furie after his transgression ; how much more would the wicked hide themselues , if they had any place to hide them in , from the voice of the Lambe that sitteth on the throne ? Gen. 45.3 . If Iosephs brethren were mightily amazed , and so daunted that they could not speake , when he told them that hee was their brother Ioseph , because of the euill that they had committed against him : how much more will the wicked bee astonied , when they shall see their brother Christ in such glorie and great Maiestie , whom they haue pierced and persecuted with their wicked life ? Apo. 1.7 . Euery eye shall see him , yea euen they that pierced him ; and all the Nations of the earth shall waile before him . Plangent quia mundum dilexerunt , plangent quia vitam in mundo non correxerunt , plangent quia fidem non habuerunt : the couetous man shall waile , because hee loued the world more then God and godlinesse ; the lasciuious man shall waile , because , for a little pleasure hee hath purchased euerlasting paine ; the vnbeleeuing wretch shall waile , because he did not beleeue in Christ , nor in the trueth of the Gospel ; the proud man shall waile , because hee did contemne the base humilitie of the crosse of Christ ; and all the wicked men and women shall weepe and waile , because they did not weepe nor waile in time , while they liued in the world . Remember these things now , all yee that forget God , least the Lord come in his furie against you , and there be none to deliuer you ; let the feare of iudgement perswade you from your wicked courses .

Thou that blasphemest the name of God with execrable oathes , filling vp euery sentence with an oath or a curse ; remember the gnashing of teeth after iudgement . Let the thiefe , robber and cousener thinke on them that shall be bound hand and foot and cast into vtter darknesse in that day . Let the drunkard looke vpon the glutton scorched in the flame , and cannot haue one droppe to coole his tongue withall . Thou that takest thy pleasure , consider the damned crew of the wicked that shall bee grieuously aflicted in that day . Thou that liuest idlely on the sweat of other mens browes , call him to minde that hid his talent in the earth , was bound hand and foot and cast into vtter darknes in that day . Thou that art couetous in griping other mens goods , & grinding the faces of the poore with thine own goods , Consider the gnawing worme that shall continually gnaw and grinde thee in hell torments in that day . Wee read that he that had not vpon him a wedding garment was put out , and hee that did deferre his masters comming was not accepted . In that day shall the godly looke vpon him with great ioy and comfort , but the wicked shall behold him with great feare and torment . In that day shall hee separate the sheepe from the Goats : the sheepe he will place on his right hand , and take them vp with him into theayre , ( as St. Paul speaketh ) that all the world may know them , and honour them as Saints ; but the wicked he will place on his left hand , leauing them on the earth which they haue so much loued , that all may behold them and despise them as sinners . The Iudge shall sit aboue them , to their great terrour : Beneath them , Hell shall be open readie to receiue them : Before them the deuils and damned crew readie to execute Gods wrath vpon them : Behind them the Saints and all their dearest friend , forsaking them : On their left hand their sinnes accusing them : On their right hand Iustice threatning them : On all sides the whole world burning and flaming about them . It is no maruell that they seeke death ; but death flyeth from them , they call vnto the mountaines and rockes , and they refuse to couer them ; they shall dry vp and consume away for the very disquietnesse of their soules . To goe forward it is intollerable , to goe backward impossible , to goe to either side vnauaileable . Thus at the worlds end , men shall be at their wits end ; but happie shall that seruant be , whom the Master , when he commeth , shall find ready prepared and looking for his comming ; such shall bee sung in with that sweet haruest song , Come yee blessed children of my father , receiue the kingdome prepared for you before the beginning of the world : To the which kingdome , that he may bring vs , let vs daily pray , for Iesus Christ his sake , that hath dearly bought vs ; to whom with the Father and the holy Ghost , be all honour , glorie and dominion for euer and euer .

FINIS .