Q38. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?
A. At the resurrection, believers being raised up in glory, shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of judgment, and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God to all eternity.
Q1. Will not all others of mankind be raised as well as believers?
A. Yes; "There shall be a resurrection of the dead both of the just and unjust," Acts 24:15.
Q2. How do you prove, that there will be a general resurrection of the dead?
A. From the power of God, which CAN raise them, and from the scriptures, which affirm that he WILL do it; by which two arguments, our Lord proves the doctrine of the resurrection, against the Sadducees, Matt. 22:29 - "Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err; not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God."
Q3. How does it appear that God CAN raise the dead?
A. Since his power was able to speak the world into being out of nothing, surely the same power can as easily raise up the bodies of men out of their former dust, and put them into order after their dissolution, Rom. 4:17.
Q4. What scripture instances has God given of his power in raising the dead?
A. In the Old Testament; the son of the widow of Sarepta was raised, when he was but newly dead, 1 Kings 17:22; the Shunamite's son, when he had lain dead a considerable time, 2 Kings 4:35; and the man cast into the sepulchre of Elisha, when they were burying him, chap. 13:21. In the New Testament; the daughter of Jairus, Mark 5:41, and Dorcas, Acts 9:40, were both raised to life, when lately dead; the widow's son in Nain, when they were carrying him out to bury him, Luke 7:12, 15; and Lazarus, when dead four days, John 11:39, 44.
Q5. How can the dust of men's bodies be distinguished and separated, when the ashes of many generations are mingled together?
A. With men it is impossible, but not with God; for, whoever believes an infinite understanding, Psalm 147:5, must own, that no mass of dust can be so intermixed, but that God perfectly comprehends and infallibly knows how the most minute particle, and every one of them is to be matched; and therefore knows where the particles of each body are, and how to separate them one from another.
Q6. How is it evident from the scriptures, that God WILL raise the dead?
A. From several passages therein, which expressly affirm that he will do so, such as, Dan. 12:2 - "And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake; some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt." John 5:28, 29 - "All that are in their graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth: they that have done good unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation." See also Job 19:26, 27; Acts 24:15.
Q7. How did our Lord prove the resurrection against the Sadducees, who held only the five books of Moses as most authentic?
A. From Ex. 3:6 - "I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." From whence he argues, Luke 20:37, 38 - "Now, that the dead are raised, even Moses showed at the bush, when he called the Lord, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob: for he is not the God of the dead, but of the living."
Q8. What is the force of this argument for proving the resurrection?
A. It amounts to this: he is the God of their persons, and not the God of their souls only; and therefore, though their souls, in a separate state, love, worship, and praise him; yet their bodies must also be raised out of the dust, and be restored to life by the soul's resuming its possession, that they may, as living persons, or men, having soul and body united, love, serve, and adore him; and have the full enjoyment of all the blessings contained in his being their God, Heb. 11:16.
Q9. Will the self-same body that dies be raised again?
A. Yes; it will be, for substance, the same body that will be raised, though endued with other qualities. The very notion of a resurrection implies as much; since nothing can be said to rise again, but that which falls.
Q10. How do you prove from scripture, that the self-same body that dies, shall be raised again?
A. Death, in scripture-language, is a sleep, and the resurrection, an awakening out of that sleep, Job 14:12; which shows the body rising up, to be the self-same that died; and the apostle tells us, that it is this mortal, which must put on immortality, 1 Cor. 15:53; and that Christ shall "change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body," Phil. 3:21.
Q11. How do you prove this from the equity of the divine procedure?
A. Though the glorifying of the bodies of the saints cannot, in a strict sense, be said to be the reward of their services or sufferings on earth; yet it is not agreeable to the manner of the divine dispensation, that one body serve him, and another be glorified; that one fight, and another receive the crown.
Q12. Will the same bodies of the wicked, which are laid in the dust, be also raised again?
A. Yes; that the same body which sinned may suffer: it being unsuitable, that one body be the instrument of sin here, and another suffer in hell for that sin.
Q13. By what means will the dead be raised?
A. "The Lord Jesus himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trump of God," 1 Thess. 4:16; and at his alarming voice, which shall be heard all the world over, the scattered dust of all the dead shall be gathered together, dust to its dust; and likewise every soul shall come again to its own body, never more to be separated.
Q14. In what order will they be raised?
A. "The dead in Christ shall rise FIRST," 1 Thess. 4:16.
Q15. What will become of those who shall be found alive at the second coming of Christ?
A. They shall not die, and soon after be raised again; but they shall be changed, in some such manner as Christ's body was on the mount, when transfigured; and they shall become like those bodies of the saints which are raised out of their graves, 1 Cor. 15:51.
Q16. In what time will the dead be raised, and the living changed?
A. "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump," 1 Cor. 15:52.
Q17. What will be the difference between the resurrection of the godly, and that of the wicked?
A. The godly shall be raised by virtue of the SPIRIT of Christ, the blessed bond of their union with him, Rom. 8:11; and they shall come forth out of their graves with unspeakable joy, Isaiah 26:19 - "Awake and sing, ye that dwell in the dust:" but the wicked shall be raised by the POWER of Christ, as a just Judge; and they shall come forth with unspeakable horror and consternation, as so many malefactors, "to be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power," 2 Thess. 1:9.
Q18. In what state and condition will the bodies of believers be raised?
A. They shall be raised up in glory, 1 Cor. 15:43.
Q19. What is meant by the glory in which they shall be raised?
A. That they shall be incorruptible, glorious, powerful, and spiritual bodies, 1 Cor. 15:42-44 - "It is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption; it is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body."
Q20. What do you understand by the bodies of believers being raised incorruptible?
A. That they shall leave all the seeds of corruption behind them, in the grave; and be for ever incapable of any pain, sickness, or death: that they shall have an everlasting youth and vigour, no more subject to the decays which age produces in this life, Isaiah 33:24.
Q21. Why are their bodies said to be glorious?
A. Because they shall "be fashioned like unto Christ's glorious body," Phil. 3:21; not only beautiful, comely, and well proportioned, but full of splendour and brightness; for they shall "shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father," Matt. 13:43.
Q22. Why are they said to be powerful or strong bodies?
A. Bec:use they shall be able to bear up, under an "exceeding and eternal weight of glory," 2 Cor. 4:17; and rest not day and night, but be, without intermission, for ever employed, in the heavenly temple, to sing and proclaim the praises of God, Rev. 4:8; weariness being a weakness incompetent to an immortal body.
Q23. In what respect will they be spiritual bodies?
A. Not in respect of their being changed into spirits, (for they shall still retain the essential properties of bodies,) but in respect of their spirit-like qualities and endowments: they shall be nimble and active, and of a most refined constitution; for "they shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more;" and they shall never sleep, "but serve him day and night in his temple," Rev. 7:15, 16.
Q24. What will follow immediately upon the resurrection of the dead?
A. The day of judgment, Rev. 20:13.
Q25. What kind of a day will the day of judgment be?
A. It will be a day of wrath and vengeance to the wicked, 2 Thess. 1:8, 9; but a day of complete redemption to the godly, Luke 21:28.
Q26. What will be the privilege of believers in the day of judgment?
A. They shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted, Matt. 25:23.
Q27. What is it to be acknowledged by Christ in that day?
A. It is to be owned by him, as the blessed of his Father, for whom the kingdom of heaven is prepared, Matt. 25:34 - "Then shall the King say to them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."
Q28. What is it for believers to be acquitted in the day of judgment?
A. It is not only to be vindicated from all calumny and false aspersions cast upon them here, 1 Cor. 4:5, but to have all their sins declaratively pardoned, Acts 3:19.
Q29. What is the difference between the acquitting of believers, when they are justified in this life, and the doing of it in the day of judgment?
A. In this life, believers are acquitted secretly, out of the sight of the world, and frequently without any intimation of it to themselves; but, then, the acquittal shall be pronounced in the most solemn and public manner.
Q30. Is not this what is meant by their being openly acknowledged and acquitted?
A. Yes; for it shall be done before God, angels, and men, Rev. 3:5; Matt. 25:34- 41.
Q31. Why will it be done so openly?
A. For the greater honour and comfort of the saints and the greater shame and confusion of their enemies, Isaiah 66:5 - "Your brethren that hated you, and cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified; but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed."
Q32. On what account shall they be acquitted in that day?
A. On the very same account they are justified here; namely, for Christ's righteousness sake, imputed to them, and received by faith alone, Rom. 3:24.
Q33. What benefits shall believers receive after the day of judgment in heaven?
A. They shall be made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God to all eternity, 1 Thess. 4:17 - "So shall we be ever with the Lord."
Q34. What is it to be perfectly blessed?
A. It is to be entirely free from all misery, and fully possessed of all happiness, Rev. 21:4, 7.
Q35. In what does the highest pitch of happiness consist?
A. In the full enjoying of God, the chief good, Psalm 73:25.
Q36. In what way and manner will God be fully enjoyed in heaven?
A. By such a perfect knowledge of him as shall have no measure set to it except what arises from the finite capacity of the creature, 1 Cor. 13:12; for otherwise a creature's comprehensive knowledge of an infinite being is impossible, Job 11:7.
Q37. How many ways will God be perfectly and satisfactorily known?
A. Two ways; the one is by sight, which will satisfy the understanding; and the other is by experience, which will satisfy the will.
Q38. What is it that will give the greatest satisfaction to the bodily eyes in heaven?
A. A beholding that glorious and blessed body, which is united to the person of the Son of God, Job 19:27.
Q39. Will not the glory of the man Christ Jesus be unspeakably superior to the glory of all the saints?
A. Yes, surely; for, though the saints shall shine forth as the sun, yet not they, but the Lamb, shall be the light of the heavenly city, Rev. 21:23.
Q40. What is it that will make the glory of the human nature of Christ, shine with a peculiar lustre, in the eyes of the saints?
A. It is the indissoluble subsistence of that nature in the person of the Son, as the everlasting bond of union between God and them, John 17:23 - "I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one."
Q41. Is not the blissful sight of God in heaven, something else than the sight of that glory, which we will see with our bodily eyes, in the man Christ, or in the saints, or any other splendour and refulgence51 from the Godhead whatsoever?
A. Yes; for no created thing can be our chief good and happiness, nor fully satisfy our souls; and as these things are somewhat different from God himself, so the scriptures assure us, that we shall see God, Matt. 5:8, and see him as he is, 1 John 3:2.
Q42. How will the saints see God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, in heaven?
A. Not with their bodily eyes, in respect of which, God is invisible 1 Tim. 1:17; but with the eye of the understanding, being blessed with the most perfect, full, and clear knowledge of God and divine things, of which the creature is capable, 1 Cor. 13:12.
Q43. What is the difference between believers seeing God here, and their seeing him there?
A. Here they have only a sight, as it were, of his back parts: but there they shall see his face, Rev. 22:4; it is but a passing view they can have of him here, but there they shall eternally, without interruption, feed the eyes of their souls upon him, Psalm 17:15 - "As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness."
Q44. What will the eyes of the saints be eternally fed upon?
A. They will be for ever contemplating his infinite love, his unchangeable truths, and wonderful works, with the utmost complacency and delight, Psalm 16:11 - "In thy presence is fulness of joy, at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."
Q45. How will the saints in heaven contemplate the infinite love of God towards them?
A. They shall be admitted to look into his heart, and there have a clear, distinct, and assured view of the love he bore to them from eternity, and will bear to them for evermore; for he has said, "I have loved thee with an everlasting love," Jer. 31:3. "Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord," Matt. 25:23.
Q46. How will they contemplate God's unchangeable truths?
A. The light of glory will be a complete commentary on the Bible, and will disclose the whole treasure hid in that field, Psalm 36:9 - "In thy light shall we see light."
Q47. Will there be any occasion for written or printed Bibles in heaven?
A. By no means, for the unchangeable truths of God, recorded in that holy book, will be indelibly stamped upon the minds of the redeemed company, as the subject of their everlasting song, Isaiah 59:21 - "My words - shall not depart - out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth and for ever." 1 Pet. 1:25 - "The word of the Lord endureth for ever."
Q48. What comprehension will they have of the wonderful works of God, particularly of creation?
A. Their knowledge of all the creatures will then be brought to perfection, and they will see, that in wisdom he has made them all, Psalm 104:24.
Q49. What views will they have of adorable providence?
A. They will see the checkered web of providence spread out at its full length, and that there was a necessity for all the trials and troubles they met with in time, 1 Pet. 1:6.
Q50. How will the saints in heaven contemplate the glorious work of redemption?
A. It will be the matter of their eternal admiration; they shall for ever and alternately wonder and praise, and praise and wonder, at the mysteries of wisdom and love, goodness and holiness, mercy and justice, that shine through the whole of that glorious device, Rev. 1:5, 6.
Q51. What is the experimental knowledge the saints shall enjoy of God in heaven?
A. It is the participation of the divine goodness in full measure, accompanied with a most lively sense of it in the innermost part of their souls, Rev. 7:17 - "The Lamb shall lead them to living fountains of water;" which are no other than God himself, "the fountain of living waters," Who will fully and freely communicate himself to them.
Q52. In what respect will the communication of God, to the experience of the saints in heaven, be full?
A. In as much as they shall not be limited to any measure, but the enjoyment shall go as far as their most enlarged capacities can reach, Psalm 81:10.
Q53. Will the capacities of the saints above be of equal size?
A. As there will be different degrees of glory, (the saints in heaven being compared to stars, which are of different magnitudes, Dan. 12:3;) so, some capacities will contain more, and others less, yet all shall be filled, and have what they can hold, Psalm 16:11.
Q54. In what will consist the freedom of God's communicating himself to the experience of the saints in heaven?
A. In the unrestrained familiarity which he will there allow them with himself; he shall walk in them, 2 Cor. 6:16; his fulness shall ever stand open to them, there being no veil between him and them, to be drawn aside, for they shall see him face to face, 1 Cor. 13:12.
Q55. What will be the result of the free communication, and full participation of the divine goodness in the upper sanctuary?
A. Perfect likeness to God, and unspeakable joy: hence says the Psalmist, "I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness: - In thy presence is fulness of joy," Psalm 17:15, and Psalm 16:11.
Q56. Why will perfect likeness to God follow upon the beatific vision of him?
A. Because the seeing of God in all his matchless excellencies, no more "through a glass darkly, but face to face," cannot but be attended with a swallowing up of all the imperfections of the saints, into a glorious transformation to his blessed image, 1 John 3:2 - "We shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is."
Q57. Why is the communication, and participation of God in heaven, accompanied with unspeakable joy?
A. Because of the undoubted certainty, and full assurance which the saints have of the eternal duration of the same: the enjoyment of God being always fresh and new to them, through the ages of eternity; for they shall drink of living fountains of waters continually springing up in abundance, Rev. 7:17.
Q58. Why will the saints in heaven have an undoubted certainty of their full enjoyment of God to all eternity?
A. Because the everlasting GOD himself will be their eternal life and happiness, 1 John 5:20 - "This is the true God and eternal life." Isaiah 60:19 - "The Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory." Hence it is said of heaven, that "the glory of God doth lighten it;" and that the Lamb is the light thereof, Rev. 21:23.
Q59. What improvement ought we to make of these benefits which believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?
A. We should "be diligent, that we may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless," 2 Pet. 3:14; and occupy the talents he has given us, until he come, Luke 19:13; we should "judge ourselves, that we may not be judged," 1 Cor. 11:31; and because "the end of all things is at hand," we should "therefore be sober, and watch unto prayer," 1 Pet. 4:7; yea, we should "hope to the end, for the grace that is to be brought unto us at the revelation of Jesus Christ," 1 Pet. 1:13.
Q1. What is it to be acknowledged by Christ?
A. It is Christ's owning of the special relation between him and them; Mat 25:34. Come you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
Q2. Whom will Christ acknowledge for his?
A. Such as confess Christ now; Matthew 10:32. Whoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in Heaven.
Q3. Before whom will Christ confess them?
A. Before his Father, angels and men; Revelation 3:5. He who overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white clothing, and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Q4. Who shall be denied by Christ in that day?
A. All that now deny Christ, shall be denied by him; 2 Timothy 2:12. If we deny him, he also will deny us, Titus 1:16. They profess that they know God; but in works hey deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
Q5. Why will Christ openly acknowledge them?
A. To wipe off all aspersions and censures that now are cast upon them; Isaiah 66:5. Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified; but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.
Q6. What will be the effect of Christ's acknowledgment?
A. It will put a full end to all doubts, fears and jealousies of themselves; 1 Corinthians 4:3, 4. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment; yes, I judge not my own self; for I know nothing by myself, yet I am not hereby justified; but he who judges me, is the Lord.
Q7. What other effect will it produce in them?
A. Joy unspeakable and transcendent: hence called time of refreshing; Acts 3:19. When the time of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.
Q8. Is this the only time Christ acknowledged! them?
A. No; he acknowledged them by his Spirit's testimony now, but that is private in their bosoms; Romans 8:16. The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirits, that we are the children of God.
Q9. What is the first inference from hence?
A. To warn all how they pass rash censures on Christ's servants; Psalm 73:15. If I say, I will speak thus; behold I should offend against the generation of your children.
Q10. What is the second inference?
A. Let none be afraid or ashamed to confess the person, office, or any truth of Christ, for any loss or danger that may threaten them; Luke 12:8, 9. Also I say unto you, Whoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God. But he who denies me before men, shall be denied before the angels of God.
Q11. What is the third inference?
A. Let Christians abound in good works. Every act of charity for Christ shall be acknowledged by him in the day of judgment; Matthew 25:35. For I was an hungered, and you gave me meat; I was thirsty, and you gave me drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in.
Q12. What is the last inference?
A. Let all Christians love and long for the day of Christ's appearing; 2 Timothy 4:8. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge shall give me at that day, and not to me only, but unto them also that love his appearing. Of Christ's acquitting Believers
Q1. Shall the dead bodies of believers be raised?
A. Yes: For the dead shall be raised, 1 Cor. 15:52.
Q2. Is it possible that the same body should return to life again?
A. Yes: Why should it seem a thing incredible with you that God should raise the dead? Acts 26:8.
Q3. Is it certain that they shall be raised?
A. Yes: For if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen, 1 Cor. 15:13.
Q4. Has Christ undertaken for the resurrection of believers?
A. Yes: I am the resurrection and the life, John 11:15.
Q5. Are they in error who deny it?
A. Yes: Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God, Matt. 22:29.
Q6. Shall the believer's body be raised up in glory?
A. Yes: It is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory, 1 Cor. 15:43.
Q7. Shall it be the glory of Christ's glorified body?
A. Yes: He shall change our vile bodies, that they may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, Phil. 3:21.
Q8. Shall they be raised by virtue of their union with Christ?
A. Yes: Together with my dead body shall they arise, Isa. 26:19.
Q9. Shall they be raised to such a life as we now live?
A. No: For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, Matt. 22:30.
Q10. Shall they be raised to an immortal life?
A. Yes: For this mortal must put off immortality, 1 Cor. 15:53.
Q11. Shall they that are found alive be changed?
A. Yes: Behold, I show you a mystery, we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 1 Cor. 15:51.
Q12. Shall all the saints at that day be brought to Jesus Christ?
A. Yes: At the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ there shall be a gathering together unto him, 2 Thess. 2:1.
Q13. Shall they be separated from the wicked?
A. Yes: As the Shepherd divideth the sheep from the goats, Matt. 25:32.
Q14. Shall all the saints be then together?
A. Yes: For he shall gather his elect from the four winds, Matt. 24:31.
Q15. And none but saints?
A. Yes: For he shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, Matt. 13:41.
Q16. And saints made perfect?
A. Yes: For then that which is perfect is come, 1 Cor. 13:10.
Q17. Shall they attend upon Christ at his coming?
A. Yes: Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousand of his saints, Jude 14.
Q18. Shall they be assessors with him in his judgment?
A. Yes: For the saints shall judge the world, 1 Cor. 6:2.
Q19. Shall they be openly acknowledged in the day of judgment?
A. Yes: Him will I confess before my Father which is in heaven, Matt. 10:32.
Q20. Will God own them as his own?
A. Yes: They shall be mine, saith the Lord, in that day when I make up my jewels, Mal. 3:17.
Q21. And will that be their honour?
A. Yes: If any man serve me, him will my Father honour, John 12:26.
Q22. Shall they be openly acquitted?
A. Yes: For their sins shall be blotted out when the times of refreshing come, Acts 3:19.
Q23. Shall the wicked be condemned then?
A. Yes: He shall say to them on his left hand, Depart from me.
Q24. Shall they be sent away with a blessing?
A. No: Depart ye cursed.
Q25. Shall they go into a place of ease?
A. No: Into fire.
Q26. Into ordinary fire?
A. No: Into fire prepared.
Q27. Shall it be for a short time?
A. No: But into everlasting fire.
Q28. Shall they have good company?
A. No: But the devil and his angels, Matt. 25:41.
Q29. Will the salvation of the saints aggravate their condemnation?
A. Yes: For they shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, Luke 13:28.
Q30. Shall the saints at the day of judgment be put in possession of eternal life?
A. Yes: The righteous into life eternal, Matt. 25:4,6.
Q31. Shall they be blessed?
A. Yes: Come, ye blessed of my Father, Matt. 25:34.
Q32. Shall they be perfectly blessed?
A. Yes: For in thy presence is fulness of joy, Ps. 16:11.
Q33. Shall there be any sin in heaven?
A. No: For they are as the angels of God in heaven, Matt. 22:30.
Q34. Shall there be any sorrow there?
A. No: For God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, Rev. 21:4.
Q35. Shall there be any dying there?
A. No: There shall be no more death, Rev. 21:4.
Q36. Is heaven a place of rest?
A. Yes: There remaineth a rest for the people of God, Heb. 4:9.
Q37. Is it light?
A. Yes: It is the inheritance of the saints in light, Col. 1:12.
Q38. Is it honour?
A. Yes: It is a crown of glory that fades not away, 1 Pet. 5:4.
Q39. Is it wealth?
A. Yes: It is an inheritance incorruptible, 1 Pet. 1:4.
Q40. Is it joy?
A. Yes: Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord, Matt. 25:21.
Q41. Shall we in heaven see God?
A. Yes: When he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is, 1 John 3:2.
Q42. Shall we see him clearly?
A. Yes: Now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face, 1 Cor. 13:12.
Q43. Shall we enjoy him?
A. Yes: God himself shall be with them, and be their God, Rev. 21.
Q44. Shall we be satisfied in the vision and fruition of God?
A. Yes: I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness, Ps. 17:15.
Q45. Shall this be everlasting?
A. Yes: So shall we ever be with the Lord, 1 Thes. 4:17.
Q46. Is this happiness purchased?
A. Yes: It is the purchased possession, Eph. 1:14.
Q47. Is it promised?
A. Yes: It is eternal life which God, that cannot lie, promised, Tit. 1:2.
Q48. Is it sure to all good Christians?
A. Yes: Even the poor in the world, if rich in faith, are heirs of the kingdom, Jam. 2:5.
Q49. Should we not be solicitous that it may be sure with us?
A. Yes: What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? Luke 18:18.
Q50. Should we not then have it much in our eye?
A. Yes: For we look not at the things that are seen, but the things that are not seen, 2 Cor. 4:18.
Q51. And should we not be comforted and encouraged with the prospect of it?
A. Yes: For the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed, Rom. 8:18.
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Christ the Redeemer
The person and work of Christ, and the application of redemption
Q21. Who is the Redeemer of God's elect?
A. The only Redeemer of God's elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God, became man and so was, and continueth to be, God and man in two distinct natures, and one person, forever.
Q22. How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?
A. Christ, the Son of God, became man, by taking to himself a true body, and a reasonable soul, being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the virgin Mary, and born of her yet without sin.
Q23. What offices doth Christ execute as our Redeemer?
A. Christ, as our Redeemer, executeth the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in his estate of humiliation and exaltation.
Q24. How doth Christ execute the office of a prophet?
A. Christ executeth the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by his Word and Spirit the will of God for our salvation.
Q25. How doth Christ execute the office of a priest?
A. Christ executeth the office of a priest, in his once offering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice, and reconcile us to God; and in making continual intercession for us.
Q26. How doth Christ execute the office of a king?
A. Christ executeth the office of a king, in subduing us to himself, in ruling and defending us, and in restraining and conquering all his and our enemies.
Q27. Wherein did Christ's humiliation consist?
A. Christ's humiliation consisted in his being born, and that in a low condition, made under the law, undergoing the miseries of this life, the wrath of God, and the cursed death of the cross; in being buried, and continuing under the power of death for a time.
Q28. Wherein consisteth Christ's exaltation?
A. Christ's exaltation consisteth in his rising again from the dead on the third day, in ascending up into heaven, in sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and in coming to judge the world at the last day.
Q29. How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?
A. We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ, by the effectual application of it to us by his Holy Spirit.
Q30. How doth the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ?
A. The Spirit applieth to us the redemption purchased by Christ, by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling.
Q31. What is effectual calling?
A. Effectual calling is the work of God's Spirit, whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel.
Q32. What benefits do they that are effectually called partake of in this life?
A. They that are effectually called do in this life partake of justification, adoption, and sanctification, and the several benefits which in this life do either accompany or flow from them.
Q33. What is justification?
A. Justification is an act of God's free grace, wherein he pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.
Q34. What is adoption?
A. Adoption is an act of God's free grace, whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges, of the sons of God.
Q35. What is sanctification?
A. Sanctification is the work of God's free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.
Q36. What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification?
A. The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification, are, assurance of God's love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end.
Q37. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death?
A. The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory; and their bodies, being still united to Christ, do rest in their graves till the resurrection.
Q38. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?
A. At the resurrection, believers being raised up in glory, shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of judgment, and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God to all eternity.
### 3. The Resurrection
'Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.' John 5:58, 29.
Q-38: WHAT BENEFITS DO BELIEVERS RECEIVE FROM CHRIST AT THE RESURRECTION?
A: At the resurrection, believers being raised up in glory, shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of judgement, and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoyment of God to all eternity.
I. The bodies of believers shall be raised up to glory. The doctrine of the resurrection is a fundamental article of our faith. The apostle puts it among the first principles of the doctrine of Christ. Heb 6:6. The body shall rise again; we are not so sure to rise out of our beds as we are to rise out of our graves. The saved body shall rise again. Some hold that the soul shall be clothed with a new body; but then it were improper to call it a resurrection, it would be rather a creation. ‘Though worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.' Job 19:96. Not in another flesh, but my flesh. ‘This corruptible must put on incorruption.' I Cor 15:53.
By what arguments may the resurrection be proved?
(1.) By Scripture. ‘I will raise him up at the last day.' John 6:64. ‘He will swallow up death in victory.' Isa 25:5. That is, by delivering our bodies from the captivity of the grave, wherein death for a time had power over them. ‘Them which sleep in Jesus, will God bring with him.' I Thess 4:14.
(2.) Christ is risen; therefore the bodies of the saints must rise. Christ did not rise from the dead as a private person, but as the public head of the church; and the head being raised, the rest of the body shall not always lie in the grave. Christ's rising is a pledge of our resurrection. ‘Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus, shall raise up us also by Jesus.' 2 Cor 4:14. Christ is called the first-fruits of them that sleep. I Cor 15: 20. As the first-fruits is a sure evidence that the harvest is coming, so the resurrection of Christ is a sure evidence of the rising of our bodies from the grave. Christ cannot be perfect as he is Christ mystical, unless his members be raised with him.
(3.) In respect of God's justice. If God be a just God, he will reward the bodies of the saints as well as their souls. It cannot be imagined that the souls of believers should be glorified, and not their bodies. They have served God with their bodies; their bodies have been members of holiness; their eyes have dropped tears for sin; their hands have relieved the poor; their tongues have set forth God's praise; therefore justice and equity require that their bodies should be crowned as well as their souls: and how can that be unless they are raised from the dead?
(4.) If the body did not rise again, a believer would not be completely happy; for, though the soul can subsist without the body, yet it has appetitus unionis; ‘a desire of reunion' with the body; and it is not fully happy till it be clothed with the body. Therefore, undoubtedly, the body shall rise again. If the soul should go to heaven, and not the body, then a believer would be only half saved.
But some say, as the Virgin Mary to the angel, ‘How can this be?' How can it be, that the body, which is consumed to ashes, should rise again?
It does not oppose reason, but transcends it. There are some resemblances of the resurrection in nature. The corn, which is sown in the ground, dies before it springs up. ‘That which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die.' I Cor 15:56. In winter the fruits of the Barth die: in spring there is a resurrection of them. Noah's olive-tree springing after the flood, was a lively emblem of the resurrection. After the passion of our Lord, many of the saints which slept in the grave arose. Matt 27:72. God can more easily raise the body out of the grave, than we can wake a man out of sleep.
But when the dust of many are mingled together; how is it possible that a separation should be made and the same numerical body arise?
If we believe God can create, why not distinguish the dust of one body from another? Do we not see that the chemist, out of several metals mingled together, as gold, silver, alchemy, can extract one from the other, the silver from the gold, the alchemy from silver, and can reduce every metal to its own kind? And shall we not much more believe, that when our bodies are mingled and confounded with other substances, the wise God is able to reinvest every soul with its own body?
Shall none but the bodies of the righteous be raised?
All that are in the grave shall hear Christ's voice, and shall come forth. ‘There shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.' Acts 24:15. ‘I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God.' Rev 20:12. But though all shall be raised out of their graves, yet all shall not be raised alike.
(1.) The bodies of the wicked shall be raised with ignominy. Those bodies which on the earth tempted and allured others with their beauty, shall at the resurrection be loathsome to behold; they shall be ghastly spectacles. ‘They shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.' Isa 66:64. But the bodies of the saints shall be raised with honour. ‘It is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory.' I Cor 15:53. The saints, bodies then shall shine as sparkling diamonds. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun.' Matt 13:33.
(2.) The bodies of the saints shall rise out of their graves with triumph; but the bodies of the wicked with trembling. The one, as about to receive their fatal doom; the other, awake from the dust too, shall sing for joy. ‘Awake and sing, ye that dwell in the dust.' Isa 26:19. When the archangel's trumpet sounds, the bodies of believers shall come out of the grave to be made happy, as the chief butler came out of the prison, and was restored to all his dignity at the court; but the bodies of the wicked shall come out of the grave, as the chief baker out of prison, to be executed. Gen 40:0I, 22.
Use one: Believe this doctrine of the resurrection; that the same body that dies shall rise again, and with the soul be crowned. Without the belief of this, tota corruit religio, ‘all religion falls to the ground.' If the dead rise not, then Christ is not risen, and then our faith is vain. I Cor 15:14.
Use two: The body shall rise again. This was Job's comfort. ‘Though worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.' Job 19:96. The body is sensible of joy, as well as the soul; and indeed, we shall not be in all our glory, till our bodies are reunited to our souls. Oh consider what joy there will be at the reuniting of the body and the soul at the resurrection! Look what sweet embraces of joy were between old Jacob and Joseph, when they first saw one another; such, and infinitely more, will there be when the body and soul of a saint shall meet together at the resurrection. Gen 46:69. How will the body and soul greet one another! What a welcome will the soul give to the body! Oh, blessed body! When I prayed, thou didst attend my prayers with hands lifted up, and knees bowed down; thou wert willing to suffer with me, and now thou shalt reign with me; thou wert sown in dishonour, but now art raised in glory. Oh, my dear body! I will enter into thee again, and be eternally married to thee.
Use three: The resurrection of the body is a cordial when a Christian is dying. Thy body, though it drop into the sepulchre, shall revive and flourish as a herb in the resurrection. The grave is a bed of dust, where the bodies of saints sleep; but they shall be awakened by the trump of the archangel. The grave is your long home, but not your last home. Though death strips you of your beauty, at the resurrection you shall have it restored again. As when David found Saul asleep, he took away his spear and cruse of water, but when Saul awoke he restored them again, I Sam 26:62; so, though at death all our strength and beauty be taken away, at the resurrection God will restore all again in a more glorious manner.
But how shall we know that our bodies will be raised to a glorious resurrection?
If we have a part in the first resurrection. ‘Blessed is he that has a part in the first resurrection. Rev 20:0. What is meant loy this? It is rising by repentance out of the grave of sin. He who lies buried in sin, can have little hope of a joyful resurrection; his body shall be raised, but not in glory. O then, ask conscience, have you a part in the first resurrection? Has the Spirit entered into you, and lifted you up? Has he raised you out of your unbelief? Has he raised your hearts above the earth? This is the first resurrection; and if your souls are thus spiritually raised, your bodies shall be gloriously raised; and shall shine as stars in the kingdom of heaven. Regeneration makes way for a glorious resurrection.
Use four: Seeing you expect your bodies shall rise to glory, keep them unspotted from sin. Shall a drunken body rise to glory? Shall an unclean body rise to glory? Shall a thievish body steal into heaven? O keep your bodies pure! Keep your eyes from unchaste glances, your hands from bribes, your tongues from slander. Defile not your bodies, which you hope shall rise one day to glory. Your bodies are the members of Christ. Hear what the apostle says: ‘Shall I take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.' I Cor 6:15. keep your bodies unspotted; let them be instruments of righteousness. ‘Glorify God in your body.' I Cor 6:6o. If your bodies glorify God, God will glorify your bodies.
But seeing our bodies must be laid in the grave, and may lie many years rotting there before the resurrection, what support and comfort have we in this case?
(1.) That God will not leave his people in the grave. Our friends bring us to the grave and leave us there, but God will not. He will go to the grave with us, and watch over our dead bodies, and take care of our ashes. Rizpah watched over the dead bodies of the sons of Saul, and guarded them against the ravenous fowls of the air. 2 Sam 21:10. Thus the Lord watches over the dead bodies of the saints, and looks to it that none of their dust be missing. Christian, thou hast a God to watch over thy body when thou art dead.
(2.) The bodies of the saints in the grave, though separated from their souls, are united to Christ. The dust of a believer is part of Christ's mystic body.
(3.) When the bodies of the saints are in the sepulchre, their souls are in paradise; the soul does not sleep in the body, ‘but returns to God who gave it.' Eccl 12:2. The soul immediately partakes of those joys the blessed angels do. When the body returns to dust, the soul returns to rest; when the body is sleeping, the soul is triumphing; when the body is buried, the soul is crowned. As the spies were sent before to taste of the fruits of the land, so at death the soul is sent before into heaven, to taste of the fruit of the holy land. Numb 13:30.
(4.) When God's time is come, the ‘graves shall deliver up their dead.' Rev 20:13. When the judge sends, the jailor must deliver up his prisoners. As God said to Jacob, ‘I will go down with thee into Egypt, and I will surely bring thee up again;' Gen 46:6, so the Lord will go down with us into the grave, and will surely bring us out again.
(5.) Though the bodies of the saints shall rot and be loathsome in the grave, yet afterwards they shall be made illustrious and glorious. The bodies of the saints, when they arise, shall be comely and beautiful. The body of a saint in this life may be deformed; those even whose minds are adorned with virtue, may have misshapen bodies - as the finest cloth may have the coarsest list; but those deformed bodies shall be amiable and beautiful. This beauty consists in two things, (1:) Perfection of parts. There shall be a full proportion of all the members. In this life there is often a defect of members: the eye is lost, the arm is cut off; but in the resurrection all parts of the body will be restored again; therefore the resurrection is called the time of restoring all things. Acts 3:3I. Malchus, ear cut, restituit [He restored]. (2:) Splendour. The bodies of the saints shall have a graceful majesty in them; they shall be like Stephen, whose face shone as if it had been the face of an angel. Acts 6:15. Nay, they will be made like Christ's glorious body. Phil 3:3I.
The bodies of the saints, when they arise, shall be free from the necessities of nature, as hunger and thirst. ‘They shall hunger no more.' Rev 7:16. Moses on the mount was so filled with the glory of God, that he needed not the recruits of nature. Much more in heaven shall the bodies of the saints be so filled with God's glory, as to be upheld without food.
The bodies of the saints, when they arise, shall be swift and nimble. Our bodies on earth are dull and heavy in their motion; then they shall be swift, and made fit to ascend, as the body of Elias, in the air. Now the body is a clog: in heaven it shall be a wing. We shall be as the angels. Matt 22:20. And how nimble are they? The angel Gabriel in a short time came from heaven to the earth. Dan 9:9I. As the helm turns the ship instantly whither the steersman wills, so the body in an instant will move which way the soul wills.
The bodies of the saints, at the resurrection, shall be firm and strong. ‘It is raised in power.' I Cor 15:53. Through frequent labour and sickness, the strongest body begins to languish: but at the resurrection we shall be of a strong constitution; there will be no weariness in the body, nor faintness in the spirits. This may comfort you who now conflict with many bodily weaknesses. This weak body shall be raised in power; the body, which is now a weak reed, shall be like a rock.
The bodies of the saints, at the resurrection, will be immortal. ‘This mortal shall put on immortality.' I Cor 15:53. Our bodies shall run parallel with eternity. ‘Neither can they die any more.' Luke 20:06. Heaven is a healthful climate, there is no bill of mortality there. If a physician could give you a recipe to keep you from dying, what sums of money would you give! At the resurrection Christ shall give the saints such a recipe. ‘There shall be no more death.' Rev 21:1.
II. They shall be openly acquitted at the day of judgement.
[1] This is to be laid down for a proposition, that there shall be a day of judgement. ‘For we must all appear before the judgement-seat of Christ.' 2 Cor 5:50. This is the grand assize; the greatest appearance that ever was. Adam shall then see all his posterity at once. We must all appear; the greatness of men's persons does not exempt them from Christ's tribunal; kings and captains are brought in trembling before the Lamb's throne. Rev 6:65. We must all appear, and appear in our own persons; not by proxy.
How does it appear that there shall be a day of judgement?
Two ways. (1.) By the testimony of Scripture. ‘For God shall bring every work into judgement, with every secret thing.' Eccl 12:14. ‘For he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth.' Psa 96:13. The reduplication denotes the certainty. ‘I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow.... The judgement was set, and the books were opened.' Dan 7:7, 10.
(2.) It appears from the petty sessions kept in a man's own conscience. When a man does virtuously, conscience excuses him; when evil, conscience arraigns and condemns him. Now, what is this private session kept in the court of conscience, but a certain forerunner of that general day of judgement, when all the world shall be summoned to God's tribunal?
Why must there be a day of judgement?
That there may be a day of retribution, in which God may render to every one according to his work. Things seem to be carried very unequally in the world: the wicked to prosper, as if they were rewarded for doing evil; and the godly to suffer, as if they were punished for being good. Therefore, for vindicating the justice of God, there must be a day wherein there shall be a righteous distribution of punishments and rewards to men, according to their actions.
Who shall be judge?
The Lord Jesus Christ. ‘The Father has committed all judgement to the Son.' John 5:52. It is an article of our creed, that ‘Christ shall come to judge the quick and the dead.' It is a great honour put upon Christ; he who was himself judged, shall be judge: he who once hung upon the cross, shall sit upon the throne of judgement. He is fit to be judge, as he partakes of both the manhood and Godhead.
(1.) Of the manhood. Being clothed with the human nature, he may be visibly seen of all. It is requisite the judge should be seen. ‘Behold, he cometh with clouds, and every eye shall see him.' Rev 1:1.
(2.) As he partakes of the Godhead. He is of infinite knowledge to understand all causes brought before him; and of infinite power to execute offenders. He is described with seven eyes. Zech 3:3, to denote his wisdom; and a rod of iron, Psa 2:2, to denote his power. He is so wise that he cannot be deluded, and so strong that he cannot be resisted.
When will the time of judgement be?
The quando, or time of the general judgement, is a secret kept from the angels. ‘Of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven.' Matt 24:46. But it cannot be far off. One great sign of the approach of the day of judgement, is, ‘That iniquity shall abound,' Matt 24:12. Sure then that day is near at hand, for iniquity never more abounded than in this age, in which lust grows hot, and love grows cold. When the elect are all converted, then Christ will come to judgement. As he that rows a ferry-boat, stays till all the passengers are taken in, and then rows away, so Christ stays till all the elect are gathered in, and then he will hasten away to judgement.
What shall be the modus, or manner of trial?
(1.) The citing of men to the court. The dead are cited as well as the living. Men, when they die, avoid the censure of our law-courts; but at the last day, they are cited to God's tribunal. ‘I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God.' Rev 20:12. This citing of men will be by the sound of a trumpet. I Thess 4:16. This trumpet will sound so loud, that it will raise men from their graves. Matt 24:4 1: Such as will not hear the trumpet of the gospel sound ‘repent, and believe,' shall hear the trumpet of the archangel sounding, ‘arise, and be judged.'
(2.) The approach of the judge to the tribunal.
(1:) This will be terrible to the wicked. How can a guilty prisoner endure the sight of the judge? If Felix trembled when Paul preached of judgement, Acts 24:45, how will sinners tremble when they shall see Christ come to judgement! Christ is described, sitting in judgement, with a fiery stream issuing from him. Dan 7:70. The Lamb of God will then be turned into a lion, the sight of whom will strike terror into sinners. When Joseph said to his brethren, ‘I am Joseph, your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt,' ‘they were troubled at his presence.' Gen 45:5. How did their hearts smite them for their sin! So, when Christ shall come to judgement, and say, ‘I em Jesus, whom ye sinned against; I em Jesus, whose laws ye have broken, whose blood ye despised. I am now come to judge you.' Oh, what horror and amazement will take hold of sinners! How they will be troubled at the presence of their judge!
(2:) The approach of Christ to the bench of judicature will be comfortable to the righteous. Christ will come in splendour and great glory. His first coming in the flesh was obscure. Isa 53:3. He was like a prince in disguise; but his second coming will be illustrious - he shall come in the glory of his Father, with the holy angels. Mark 8:8 8. Oh, what a bright day will that be, when a vast number of angels, those morning stars, shall appear in the air, and Christ the Sun of Righteousness shall shine in splendour above the brightest cherub! He will come as a friend. Indeed, if the saints, judge were their enemy, they might fear to be condemned; but he who loves them, and prayed for them, is their judge; he who is their husband is their judge, therefore they need not fear but all things shall go well on their side.
(3.) The trial itself, which has a dark and a light side. A dark side. It will fall heavy on the wicked, when the judge being set, the books shall be opened, the book of conscience, and the book of God's remembrance. Rev 20:12. The sinners, charge being read, all their sins laid open, their murder, drunkenness, and uncleanness, Christ will say, ‘What can you plead for yourselves, that the sentence of death should not pass?' Then, being convicted, they will be speechless. Then follows the dismal sentence: Ite maledicti, ‘depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.' Matt 25:5I. He that said to God, ‘Depart from me,' Job 21:14, and to religion, ‘Depart from me,' must now hear that word pronounced from his judge, ‘Depart from me, - a dreadful, but a righteous sentence. Psa 51:1. The sinner himself shall cry: ‘Guilty!' Though he has a sea of wrath, he has not one drop of injustice. When once the sentence is passed, it is irreversible; there is no appealing to a higher court. The trial has also a light side. It will increase the joy and happiness of the righteous. The day of judgement will be a day of jubilee to them.
[2] At that day Christ their judge will own them by name. Those whom the world scorned, and looked upon as madmen and fools, Christ will take by the hand, and openly acknowledge to be his favourites. What is his ‘confessing of men,' but his openly acknowledging them to be precious in his eyes? Luke 12:2.
Christ as judge will plead for them. It is not usual to be both judge and advocate, to sit on the bench and plead; but it shall be so at the day of judgement.
(1.) Christ will plead his own blood for the saints. ‘These persons I have purchased; they are the travail of my soul; they have sinned, but my soul was made an offering for their sin.'
(2.) Christ will vindicate them from all unjust censures. They were strangely misrepresented in the world, as proud, hypocritical, factious; as Paul was called a seditious man, the head of a faction. Acts 24:4. But at the day of judgement Christ will clear their innocence; he will ‘bring forth their righteousness as the light.' Ps 37:7. He will wipe off tears from their eyes, and dust from their names. When Moses was charged with taking too much upon him, he comforted himself with this, ‘Tomorrow will the Lord show who are his.' Numb 16:6. So the saints, when reproached, may comfort themselves with the day of judgement, in which Christ will say who are his, and they shall come forth as the wings of a dove covered with silver.
(3.) Christ as judge will absolve his people before men and angels. As Pilate said of Christ, ‘I find no fault in this man', John 18:88; so will Christ say of the elect, ‘I find no fault in them, I pronounce them righteous.' Then follows, ‘Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom.' Matt 25:54. As if Christ should say, ‘O ye happy ones, the delight of my soul, the fruit of my sufferings, stand no longer at the bar. Ye are heirs apparent to the crown of heaven, enter and take possession.' At the hearing of this sentence, with what ravishing joy will the saints be filled! This word, ‘Come, ye blessed,' will be music to their ear, and a cordial to their heart.
(4.) Christ will mention before men and angels all the good deeds the saints have done. ‘I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink.' Matt 25:5 5. You that have wept in secret for sin, that have shown any love for Christ's name, that have been rich in good works, Christ will take notice of it at the last day, and say, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.' He himself will be the herald to proclaim your praises; thus it shall be done to the man whom Christ delights to honour.
(5.) Christ will call his saints from the bar, to sit upon the bench with him to judge the world. ‘Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgement upon all.' Jude 14. ‘Know ye not that the saints shall judge the world?' I Cor 6:6. The saints shall sit with Christ in judgement as justices of peace with the judge; they shall applaud Christ's righteous sentence on the wicked, and, as it were, vote with Christ. As it is a great honour to the saints, so it must needs add to the sorrows of the wicked, to see those whom they once hated and derided, sit as judges upon them.
(6.) The saints shall be fully crowned with the enjoyment of God for ever. They shall be in his sweet presence, ‘in whose presence is fulness of joy,' Psa 16:11, and this shall be for ever. The banner of God's love shall be eternally displayed. The joys of heaven shall be without intermission and expiration, ‘and so shall we ever be with the Lord.' I Thess 4:17.
Use one: It is sad news to the wicked, that they shall ‘not stand in judgement,' Psa 1:1; that they shall come to judgement, but shall not stand in judgement; they shall not stand acquitted, they shall not stand with boldness, but sneak and hang down their heads, and not be able to look their judge in the face; but it is great consolation to the godly. When the apostle had said, ‘The Lord shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and the trump of God,' he presently adds, ‘Wherefore comfort one another with these words.' I Thess 4:16, I8.
(1.) The day of judgement is comfort in respect of weakness of grace. A Christian is ready to be troubled to see his grace so minute and imperfect; but, at the last day, if Christ find but a drachm of true grace, it shall be accepted. If shine be true gold, though it be many grains too light, Christ will put his merits into the scales, and make it pass current.
(2.) What a comfort is it to such of the saints who have met with unrighteous judgement in the world, who have been wronged of their estates in lawsuits, or had their lives taken away by an unrighteous sentence: Christ will judge things over again, and will give a righteous sentence. If your estates have been taken away wrongfully, you shall be restored a thousandfold at the day of judgement. If you have lost your lives for Christ, you shall not lose your crown; you shall wear a garland made of the flowers of paradise, which fade not away.
Use two: Meditate much upon the day of judgement. Feathers swim upon the water, but gold sinks into it; so, light, feathery Christians float in vanity; they mind not the day of judgement; but serious spirits sink deep into the thoughts of it.
(1.) The meditation of this last day should make us very sincere. We should labour to approve our hearts to God, the great judge and umpire of the world. It is easy to carry it fair before men, but there is no dissembling or prevaricating with God. He sees what the heart is, and will accordingly pass his verdict.
(2.) The meditation of Christ's coming to judge us, should keep us from judging our brethren. We are apt to judge the final state of others; which is for men to step into Christ's place, and take his work out of his hand. ‘Who art thou that judgest another?' James 4:12. Thou that passest a rash sentence upon another, thou must come thyself shortly to be judged, and then, perhaps, he may be acquitted, and thou condemned.
Use three: So demean and carry yourselves that, at the last day of judgement, you may be sure to be acquitted, and have the glorious privileges with which the saints shall be crowned.
How is that?
(1.) If you would stand acquitted at the day of judgement, then (1:) Labour to get into Christ. ‘That I may be found in him.' Phil 3:3. Faith implants us into Christ, it engarrisons us in him, and then ‘there is no condemnation.' Rom 8:8: There is no standing before Christ, but by being in Christ. (2:) Labour for humility, which is a kind of selfannihilation. ‘Though I be nothing.' 2 Cor 12:2: Christian, hast thou parts and abilities, and cost thou cover them with the veil of humility, as Moses, when his face shone, put a veil over it? If thou art humble, thou shalt be acquitted at the day of judgement. ‘He shall save the humble person.' Job 22:29. An humble man judgeth himself for his sins, and Christ will acquit those who judge themselves.
(2.) If you would stand acquitted at the last day, keep a clear conscience. Do not load yourself with guilt, and furnish your judge with matter against you. ‘The Lord,' says Paul, ‘hash appointed a day in which he will judge the world.' Acts 17:7 1: How would Paul fit himself for that day? ‘Herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God and toward men.' Acts 24:16. Be careful of the first and second table; be holy and just. Have hearts without false aims, and hands without false weights. Keep conscience as clear as your eye, that no dust of sin fall into it. They that sin against conscience, will be shy of their judge; as such as take in prohibited goods cannot endure to see the searchers that are appointed to open their packs. Christian, thy pack will be opened at the last day, I mean, thy conscience (and Christ is the searcher), to see what sins, what prohibited goods thou hast taken in; and then he proceeds to judgement. Oh! be sure to keep a good conscience; which is the best way to stand with boldness at the day of judgement. The voice of conscience is the voice of God. If conscience, upon just grounds, acquits us, God will acquit us. ‘If our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.' I John 3:3I.
(3.) If you would stand acquitted at the last day, trade with your talents for God's glory; lay out yourselves for him; honour him with your substance; relieve Christ's members, that you may be acquitted. He that had five talents traded with them, and made them five talents more; ‘His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant.' Matt 25:5I.
(4.) If you would stand acquitted at the day of judgement, get a sincere love to the saints. Love is the truest touchstone of sincerity. To love grace for grace, shows the spirit of God to be in a man. Does conscience witness for you? Are you perfumed with this sweet spice of love? Do you delight most in those in whom the image of God shines? Do you reverence their graces? Do you bear with their infirmities? A blessed evidence that you shall be acquitted in the day of judgement. ‘We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren.' I John 3:14.
End.