I. God has appointed a day, wherein He will judge the world, in righteousness, by Jesus Christ,(Acts 17:31) to whom all power and judgment is given of the Father.(John 5:27
) In which day, not only the apostate angels shall be judged,(1 Cor 6:3
, Jude 6
, 2 Pet 2:4
) but likewise all persons that have lived upon earth shall appear before the tribunal of Christ, to give an account of their thoughts, words, and deeds; and to receive according to what they have done in the body, whether good or evil.(2 Cor 5:10
, Ecc 12:14
, Rom 2:16
, 14:10
, 12
, Matt 12:36-37
)
II. The end of God’s appointing this day is for the manifestation of the glory of His mercy, in the eternal salvation of the elect; and of His justice, in the damnation of the reprobate, who are wicked and disobedient. For then shall the righteous go into everlasting life, and receive that fulness of joy and refreshing, which shall come from the presence of the Lord; but the wicked who know not God, and obey not the Gospel of Jesus Christ, shall be cast into eternal torments, and be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power.(Matt 25:31-46, Rom 2:5-6
, 9:22-23
, Matt 5:21
, Acts 3:19
, 2 Thess 1:7-10
)
III. As Christ would have us to be certainly persuaded that there shall be a day of judgment, both to deter all men from sin; and for the greater consolation of the godly in their adversity:(2 Pet 3:11, 14
, 2 Cor 5:10-11
, 2 Thess 1:5-7
, Luke 21:7
, 28
, Rom 8:23-25
) so will He have that day unknown to men, that they may shake off all carnal security, and be always watchful, because they know not at what hour the Lord will come; and may be ever prepared to say, Come Lord Jesus, come quickly, Amen.(Matt 24: 36
, 42-44
, Mark 13:35-37
, Luke 12:35-36
, Rev 22:20
)
Table of Contents
- Chapter I Of the Holy Scripture
- Chapter II Of God, and of the Holy Trinity
- Chapter III Of God's Eternal Decree
- Chapter IV Of Creation
- Chapter V Of Providence
- Chapter VI Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and the Punishment thereof
- Chapter VII Of God's Covenant with Man
- Chapter VIII Of Christ the Mediator
- Chapter IX Of Free Will
- Chapter X Of Effectual Calling
- Chapter XI Of Justification
- Chapter XII Of Adoption
- Chapter XIII Of Sanctification
- Chapter XIV Of Saving Faith
- Chapter XV Of Repentance unto Life
- Chapter XVI Of Good Works
- Chapter XVII Of the Perseverance Of the Saints
- Chapter XVIII Of Assurance Of Grace and Salvation
- Chapter XIX Of the Law Of God
- Chapter XX Of Christian Liberty, and Liberty Of Conscience
- Chapter XXI Of Religious Worship, and the Sabbath Day
- Chapter XXII Of Lawful Oaths and Vows
- Chapter XXIII Of the Civil Magistrate
- Chapter XXIV Of Marriage and Divorce
- Chapter XXV Of the Church
- Chapter XXVI Of the Communion Of Saints
- Chapter XXVII Of the Sacraments
- Chapter XXVIII Of Baptism
- Chapter XXIX Of the Lord's Supper
- Chapter XXX Of Church Censures
- Chapter XXXI Of Synods and Councils
- Chapter XXXII Of the State Of Men after Death, and Of the Resurrection Of the Dead
- Chapter XXXIII Of the Last Judgment