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THus I haue both shewed their opini∣ons, who either doubt-of, or denie the general iudgement; and also confuted the argumentes which theie alleage. I wil nowe therefore proceede to proue the certaintie of the iudgement to come.
And although in M. Scheltco à Ieu••ren his booke, this matter hath notablie bene handled▪ yet, because I do know the god∣lie cānot chuse but receiue great comfort
& profite by hearing of them, I wil vnto his arguments adde sundrie others of no smal importance to confirme our faith in this point.
First therfore (to omit ye testimonies of men;* 1.1 be theie Fathers, as theie vse to cal them, or late writers) ye Prophets haue at large, & in manie places fore-tolde the same. As the Prophet Isaiaha 1.2, Thie dead men shal liue; euen with my bodie shal theie rise. Awake and sing, yee that dwel in dust: for thie dewe is at the deawe of herbes, and the earth shal cast-out the dead.* 1.3 Come, my people, enter thou into the chambers, and shut thie doores after thee; hide thie selfe for à verie litlewhile, vntil the indignation passe ouer.* 1.4 For lo, the Lorde cōmeth out of his place to visit the iniquitie of the inhabitants of the earth vpon them: and the earth shal disclose her bloud, & shal no more hide her slaine. Al∣so in ye prophecie of Hosea it is thus writ∣tenb 1.5: I wil redeeme them from the power of the graue: I wil deliuer them from death: O death, I wil be thie death; O graue, I wil be thie destruction; repentance is hidde fro mine eies. And againe for al by the Prophet Daniel it is saidec 1.6: And at that time shal Michaël stande-vp, the great Prince, which standeth for the children of thie peo∣ple,
and there shal be à time of trouble, such as neuer was since there began to be à nation vnto that same time: and at that time thie people shalbe deliuered, euerie one that shalbe found written in the booke.* 1.7 And manie of them that sleepe in the dust of the earth shal∣awake, some to euerlasting life, and some to shame and perpetual contempt.* 1.8 And theie that be wise, shal shine as the brightnes of the firmament: and theie that turne manie vn∣to righteousnes, as the starres for euer and e∣uer. I omit the places in Iob, in Ezekiel, in the 4. of Esdras, and manie mo. I saie nothing also of the whole Booke of wis∣dome, especialie of the 3. and 5. chapters of the same, the which what are theie but euen à verie Sermon concerning the last iudgement of God; of the rewards of the godlie and paines of the reprobate?
Secondlie,* 1.9 our Sauiour Christ, who is trueth it selfed 1.10, doth auowe the same. For in one place thus he saithe 1.11, I saie vnto you, that of euerie idle worde that men shal speake, theie shal giue à count there∣of at the last daie: in anotherf 1.12, Then shal appeare the signe of the Sonne of man in heauen; and then shal al the kinreds of the earth mourne, and theie shal see the Sonne of man come in the cloudes of heauen with
power,* 1.13 and great glorie. And he shal send his Angels with à great sound of à trompet, and theie shal gather-together his elect, from the foure windes, and from the one ende of the heauen vnto the other.
Thirdlie,* 1.14 the Angels of heauen do te∣stifie ye same, when theie saideg 1.15, Ye men of Galile, whie stand ye gazing into heauē? This Iesus who is taken-vp from you into hea∣uen, shal so come, as ye haue seene him go into heauen.
Fourthlie,* 1.16 Christ hath not onelie te∣stified this matter himselfe, but besides enioined the Apostles to preach the same in ye eares of al men. For so Peter saithh 1.17: We are witnesses of al thinges which he did both in the land of the Iewes, and in Ierusalē, whom theie slew hanging him on à tree.* 1.18 Him God raised-vp the thirde daie, & caused that he was shewed openlie:* 1.19 Not to al the people, but vnto the witnesses chosen before of God, euen to vs which did eate and drinke with him,* 1.20 after he rose from the dead. And he cō∣manded vs to preach vnto the people, and to testifie, that it is he that is ordained of God à iudge of quicke and dead.
Fiftlie, the testimonies of the Apostles do confirme this point.* 1.21 For Paul, besides that he stoode hereineuen to the teeth of
his aduersaries, as in the end of the Chap∣ier immediatelie going-before, I haue de∣clared, he proueth the same, though most effectualie in ye 15. chap. of his first epistle vnto ye Corinthians:* 1.22 yet verie forceablie in diuers other places.* 1.23 As in the 2. and 14. Chapters vnto the Romans;* 1.24 & in the 5. Chapter of his latter epist. vnto the Co∣rinthians. Peter also he saith: The end of al thinges is at handi 1.25; & that the wicked shal giue accountes to him that is readie to iudge quicke and dead. Againe, Their iudgement is not far-of, saith hek 1.26, & their damnation slee∣peth not, &c. Furthermore the last Chap∣ter of his 2. epistle is wholie in à manner to proue this article of christianitie. Now seeing the Prophets, Christ himselfe, his Angels, & Apostles, who haue not lied nor deluded men at any time before with vane prophecies, haue foretold of à iudge ment to come, the godlie doubtlesse wil build their faith vpon their wordes, espe∣cialie because theie al haue spoken therof, moued thereunto by the spirite of God, who cannot lie. Which testimonies maie bring much good vnto al mankinde. For first the godlie herebie in al their trou∣bles maie receaue great and vnspeakeable comfort, considering that their afflictions
shal not alwaie endure, but that one daie, when the Lord thinketh good, theie shal be adorned with euerlasting glorie, and life, according to his promises. This made S. Paul to breake into these wordsl 1.27: I ac∣count that the afflictions of this present time, are not worthie the glorie, which shalbe shew∣ed vnto vs. Secondlie, the wicked hearing these prophecies of the Lorde touching the last iudgement, maie be terrified frō displeasing so gratious à God, who of his mercie hath reuealed what shal betide the wicked and vngonlie, that theie maie with heartie sobs and sorowe repent.
Last of al, both good and bad maie herebie as in à glasse beholde howe the world neither is gouerned by chance, nor shal endure euerlastinglie: but that, as the old world, the sinnes of men being come vnto ripenes, was drowned with water: so the whole world, when iniquitie hath gotten the vpper hand, shal perish and be cōsumed with fire, Theie also, both good and bad I meane, ought herebie to learne so to set thēselues in order by repentance, that when theie shalbe summoned to ap∣peare at that general Assise, theie maie boldlie stand in the presence of his glori∣ous Maiestie.
But beside these testimonies which I haue aleaged,* 1.28 there be sundrie other great arguments of the worlds consummation. For, the present condition of men in this life is a manifest proofe that this worlde cannot alwaie endure. For who are in more prosperitie then the wicked; and who more afflicted thē the godlie in this life? Therefore of necessitie there must be a iudgement, where at both the vngodlie are to be condemned for their wickednes, and the virtuous to receaue rewardes for their wel-doing. For euerie good master to his power, wil prefer his good ser∣uants; and euerie vpright iudge, wil quite the innocent, and punish malefactors. Is this vprightnesse among mortal men, saith Cyrilm 1.29, and shal not God the immortal king reward euerie man according to his workes? Hee which otherwise thinketh, is in a wrong opinion. For, as it is in à certaine Psalme n 1.30, God is not a God that loueth wickednesse, neither shal euil dwel with him.* 1.31 The foolish shal not stande in his sight: for hee hateth al them that worke iniquitie.* 1.32 He shal destroie them that speake lies. The Lorde wil ab∣horre the bloudie man, and deceitful. Wher∣fore seing, though now & then some; yet
al the wicked are not destroied; there must be à iudgement, at which al the vn∣godlie shal perish from the face of the earth, and be damned. For the Lord nei∣ther can, because he is iust; neither wil, for that he is holie, suffer his seruants, and holie ones alwaie to be afflicted, alwaie to be oppressed, to be kept in thraldome and bondage of the reprobate alwaie.
Let the wicked then consider that à daie wil come when tribulation and an∣guish shalbe vpon the soule of euerie man that doth euilo 1.33. And though either through policie, or friendship theie escape the di∣spleasure of man: yet that they cannot a∣uoide the wrath of God. For idolaters, blasphemers, and al wicked persons God wil iudge, though man do not: because he is righteous.
Further let them note, that though they suffer, and that deseruedlie in this worlde: yet if theie die impenitent, the ende of their life, is but the beginning of an euerlasting death. For God is righte∣ous, and wil punish most seuerely, vnles his wrath be turned-awaie by the teares of Christian repentance.
Moreouer man punisheth outwarde of∣fences: but god outward and inward too.
Man executeth correction for one, or à few: but God for al sinnes, which either the heartp 1.34, mouthq 1.35, or any member of the bodie hath committedr 1.36, and that be∣cause he is righteous.
Againe, the ende whie this worlde was created,* 1.37 is an vndoubted argument, that à iudgement one daie must come. For it was created onlie to serue for ye vse of the saints & sonnes of God, not of Atheists, & Epicures. A iudgemēt therfore is to come, whereby the wicked must be cast-into e∣uerlasting torments, that the godlie, and none beside, maie enioie the creatures of almightie God. Hitherto maketh that of the Apostles 1.38. For the feruent desire of the creature waiteth when the sonnes of God shalbe reueiled,* 1.39 because the creature is sub∣iect to vanitie, not of it owne wil, but by reason of him, which hath subdued it vnder Hope. Because the creature also shalbe deliuered* 1.40 from the bondage of corruption into the glori∣ous libertie of the sonnes of God.* 1.41 For we knowe that euerie creature groaneth with vs also, and traueleth in paine together vnto this pre∣sent. This Peter meaneth when he saitht 1.42, by the comming of the day of God, the heauēs being on fire shalbe dissolued, & the elements shal melt with heate.* 1.43 But we looke for newe
heauens, & a new earth, according to his pro∣mise, wherein dwelleth righteousnes.
Againe,* 1.44 the base estate of the saints in this world doth proue the same. For they are now humbled: therefore they shalbe exalted. for before glory goeth humility. So then, We are with Christ to sufferu 1.45, that with Christ we maie be glorified. And the life of the saints is hid with Christ in godx 1.46. There remaineth then à manifestation, and à glorification of the godlie. When Christ which is our life shal appearey 1.47, then shal yee also appeare with him in glorie. Nowe, saith Iohnz 1.48, are we the sonnes of God, but yet it doth not appeare what wee shalbe: and wee knowe that when hee (which is Christ) shal appeare, we shalbe like him. For we shal se him, as he is. In this worlde, wee are saued by Hopea 1.49. Therefore the time must come when our Hope shal cesse, and we shalbe saued in deede, and by the sentence of à righteous iudge be pronounced the verie sonnes of God, and heires with Christ of that kingdome which hath bene prepa∣red for the elect euen from ye foundation of the worldb 1.50: where we shal see god face to facec 1.51; and know not in part, but as we are knowen.
Moreouer the verie conscience of men
is an euident argument of à iudgement to come.* 1.52 By this murtherers, whoremon∣gers, & wicked liuers be pricked, & tor∣mented. This made Cicero to saied 1.53: There can no euils bee imagined, but I am troubled therewith, notwithstanding in respect of the griefe of sinne, which is greatest and eternal, theie are al easie to brone. Therefore vn∣doubtedly those torments of mind are to∣kens that God is the auenger of wicked∣nes, and that a seuere iudgement shalbe pronounced against al the wicked.
Furthermore, wars, famine, pestilence, afflictiō,* 1.54 al temporal & corporal punish∣ments in common weales; what are theie but arguments of euerlasting torments to come for sinne and wickednes after the general iudgement? Finalie,* 1.55 we are to be∣leeue yt the lawes of God were not giuen out in vane; but that God, as he requireth an exact performance of them: so if hee find not ye same, he wil seuerely punish ye transgressors, according as it is writtene 1.56, Curssed be he that cōfirmeth not al the words of this Law,i 1.57 to do them. Wherbie it maie be gathered thē an vniuersal iudgemēt must come, wherin this cursse shalbe executed vpon ye wicked, & the righteous receiued into ye felowship of ye saints. And as that
Moral Lawe of Moses was not giuen-out in vane: so neither hath God written the same in the minde of euerie man in vane. For so manie as haue sinned without the Law, (saith Paul)f 1.58, shal perish also without the Law: and so maine as haue sinned in the Law, shalbe iudged by the Law (For when the Ger∣tiles which haue not the Lawe,* 1.59 doe by na∣ture the things conteined in the Lawe, theie hauing not the Lawe, are à Law vnto them∣selues,* 1.60 which shewe the effect of the Lawe written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witnesse, and their thoughts accu∣sing one another, or excusing) At that daie when God shal iudge the secrets of men by Ie∣sus Christ,* 1.61 according to my Gospel. In which wordes of Paul it is euident, that as the wicked shal perish for breaking of the Law of God, whether it bee the written Lawe, or of Nature: so is the time expres∣sed when destruction shal come vppon the wicked, namelie when God shal iudge the secrets of mē by Iesus Christ. There shal∣be therefore à general iudgement.
1. Proofe from the testimonie of the Prophets
Isai. 26. 19.
20.
21.
Hos. 13, 14.
Dan. 12. 1.
2. From the te∣stimonie of Christ.
Iohn. 14, 6.
Matth. 12, 36
Matth. 24, 30.
31.
3. From the te∣stimonie of Angels.
Act. 1. 11.
4. From the cō∣mandement of Christ.
Act. 10, 39.
40.
41.
42.
5. From the te∣stimonie of the Apostles.
Rom. 2, 3. 4. 5. &c.
Rom. 14, 10.
2. Cor. 5, 10.
1. Pet. 4, 7.
2. Pet. 2, 3.
Rom. 8, 18.
6. From the iu∣stice of God.
Cyril. Catech. 18.
Psal. 5, 4.
Rom. 2, 9.
Math. 5, 21. 22. &c.
Math. 12, 36.
2. Cor. 5, 10.
7. From the end of the worldes creation.
Rom. 8, 19
20.
21.
22.
2. Pet. 3. 12.
13.
8. From the base estate of the god lie in this world.
Rom. 8, 17.
Colos. 3, 3.
Colos. 3, 4.
1. Iohn 3, 2.
Rom. 8, 24.
Math. 25, 34.
1. Cor. 13, 12.
9 From the testi∣monie of mans conscience.
Cicero Epist. ad Aitici•• li. 11.
10 From tempo∣ral punish∣mentes.
11. From the curse appointed to the wicked for breaking the lawes of God.
Deut. 27, 26.
Gal. 3, 10.
Rom. 2, 12.
15.
16.