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4. He alone hath capacities proper for this judicature; the faculty of searching all hearts, the wisdom to know all matters of fact, and discern the right in all cases, &c.

5. By this designation the glory of God is especially promoted; his most excellent attributes being thereby much illustrated this fully shown.

6. It was likewise just that to our Lord should be immediately and solemnly consigned a power of rewarding his faithful friends, and of doing himself right on his proud and spiteful enemies.

7. This appointment of Jesus for our Judge is also very conducive to our edification, in exciting us to the practice of our of consolation and satisfaction to our soul: this duty; in way

fully shown.

Thus, and to such purposes, is our Lord appointed to be our Judge. The manner of his coming and of his executing this office is also declared in Scripture. He came once into the world in meek humility, to show us our duty: he shall return with dreadful majesty and with a pomp of holy angels, &c. to exact an account thereof: this topic enlarged on.

III. Last particular observed in the text, viz. the objects or the extent of the judgment ordained: whom is our Lord to judge? how many shall they be? It is resolved: all, without exception; expressed by the words quick and dead. Various interpretations of these words; but their difficulty is not so great as to force on us any remote interpretation. It is shown that by the quick is meant all those who are alive, and, as it were, surprised at our Lord's coming; by the dead, all other persons who had deceased, from the beginning to that time.

IV. The doctrinal part of this discourse being gone through, some application of it remains to be made.

1. This doctrine engages us to be very circumspect in all our conversation, and vigilant over our ways; since it is irreversibly decreed that we shall be answerable for every thought, and word, and action: this topic enlarged on.

2. The consideration of it is the most effectual means possible to beget and preserve in us sincerity of conduct, seeing that hereafter our very hearts must be thoroughly sifted, and all our thoughts disclosed.

3. It should render us sober and serious in all our thoughts, opinions, affections, and actions; suppressing all proud conceits, all admiration of transitory things, all vicious excesses, wanton joys, &c.; seeing that the day is at hand when all men will be reduced to a level in these respects, &c.

4. It should engage us carefully to improve all the talents by God's providence and grace committed to us; that is, all the means, advantages, and opportunities of doing good, or serving him: for to whomsoever much is given, from him much shall be required.

5. It may induce us to observe strict justice and equity in all our dealings, though we may have the power of doing injury and iniquity safely, with respect to human laws, &c.; since the time approaches when it will be seen that he who injureth another, doth chiefly hurt himself.

6. The consideration of this point is apt also to breed charity in us; charity of all sorts: first, that of imparting freely our goods and contributing our endeavors for the relief of our poor neighbors; which is the test of piety, and will be a strong ground of recompense at the last day : secondly, in forgiving all injuries and discourtesies received from other men, since we shall at that trial need abundance of mercy and favor from God, &c. thirdly, in restraining us from all undue and rash censure of the persons, actions, and state of our neighbor, whereby we invade our Lord's office, making ourselves judges in his stead, &c.

7. The consideration of this doctrine serves also to support and comfort us against all injuries of this kind; since assuredly at that judgment right will be done to him that so suffereth, and his innocence will be cleared.

8. On the like ground it should preserve us from being deluded and poisoned by the more favorable opinions of men.

9. If we desire to judge reasonably about ourselves, or to know our true state, the only way is to compare our hearts and lives with the law of God, judging ourselves by that rule, according to which he will judge us.

10. The consideration of this point will guard us from infidelity and from impatience in regard to the providential dispensation of affairs here.

11. In fine, there is no consideration able to promise so much efficacy in rousing our passions, or duly ordering and settling them on religious practice: it especially moves those two grand springs of activity, hope and fear, and with them, joy and grief: this topic enlarged on. Conclusion.

From thence he shall come to judge the Quick and the Dead.

SERMON XXXIII.

THE CERTAINTY AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF A FUTURE JUDGMENT FROM DIVINE REVELATION.

ACTS, CHAP. X.-VERSE 42.

And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained by God to be Judge of quick and dead.

THESE words are part of a sermon preached by St. Peter to Cornelius and his friends, wherein the Apostle briefly declareth unto them the chief particulars in the history of Christ, together with some main points of Christian doctrine most fit for them to know; particularly he doth in these words express the point concerning the future judgment; reporting that our Lord especially did charge his Apostles to preach unto the people and testify;' that is, first publicly to declare and explain, then by convenient proofs, especially by divine attestations, to evince and persuade this point; the importance whereof, and eminence among other Christian doctrines, doth hence plainly appear, that the author of our faith did make so especial provision, and gave so express charge concerning the promulgation and probation thereof: the which circumstance is indeed remarkable and weighty; but I shall not insist on it, meaning immediately to set on considering the point itself, as it is here laid down in these terms; that it is he which was ordained by

God

to be judge of quick and dead :' in which words are couched three particulars most considerable.

1. A judgment ordained by God, and to be declared to men. 2. The Judge, by whom immediately that judgment is administered; he; Jesus, our Lord and Saviour.

3. The extent of that judgment or its adequate object; 'quick and dead.'

These particulars I shall in order touch, inserting some material considerations about the nature and manner of this judgment, with some reasons why it should be thus managed; then I shall adjoin some practical applications.

I. There is a judgment ordained by God, and to be declared to men; that is, concerning the persons and actions of men performed in this life. How just and fit it is that there should be such a judgment, how useful and requisite the declaration thereof is on several accounts, (for engaging men on the practice of virtue and restraining them from vice, for the preservation and maintenance of human society, for the support and defence of religion, for the vindication of divine providence, and illustration of all God's holy attributes,) I have already endeavored to declare; and in that regard I shall content myself now to say, that as on the apparent equity and usefulness of this doctrine all nations commonly have ever embraced the general substance thereof, as a fundamental principle of their religion, (all men commonly with a ready inclination having avowed it reasonable to suppose that every man after this life shall be brought unto a just and impartial bar, where his doings shall be exactly scanned, and his person answerably doomed unto a comfortable or afflictive recompense,) so our religion, in a peculiar manner, doth most expressly assert, most clearly describe, and most vigorously inculcate it, with all possible advantage, both for the clearing God's dealings and attributes, and for the excitement of men to a virtuous and pious life. The nature, manner, process, and result of the future judgment are in the holy Scripture most punctually set down.

1. It teacheth us that God hath appointed a determinate time for this judgment. God,' saith St. Paul, hath appointed a day, in which he will judge the world in righteousness;' that which is called 'the day of judgment,' the last day, the day