Christian religion: substantially, methodicalli[e,] [pla]inlie, and profitablie treatised

2 PET. chap. 3. from the 3. vers. to the 12.

3 This first vnderstand, that there shal come in the last daies, mockers, which will walke after their lusts.

HAuing spoken at large of the gouernment of Christ in this world: What followeth?

His gouernment in the day of Iudgement.

What is the day of Iudgement?

A generall assise of all persons, that haue beene at any time in the world; at which all must appeare personally before the great Iudge, to receiue their fi∣nall sentence, either of absolution, or condemna∣tion.

There be some that say, that that Iudgement will neuer come, because God delayeth it.

Yes, it shall come most certainely; and therefore to take away all doubt thereof out of our minds, our Sauiour Christ hath not onely often told of it; but hath also sworne it shall be.

What reason do they vse to prooue that godles opinion?

If there bee an end of the world, then it and the things therein should by little and little weare away and consume; but they do not, for that they remaine as they were from the beginning of the Creation; therefore the world shall haue no end.

How must we meete with these errors, and keepe our selues vndefiled of them?

In taking heed to the words of the Prophets, and the commandement of the Apostles, of the Lord our Sauiour, as Peter teacheth here.

How doth the Apostle Peter confute them out of the Scripture?

First, that the heauens and earth being created by the word and will of God in a small time, may also in a small time be changed.

Secondly, in denying that the world hath conti∣nued alwaies the same it was at the beginning of the creation, inasmuch as the earth by water in the flood was couered in a short time, and by the same reason, may in a short time be consumed by fire.

But it seemeth that this promise of his comming faileth, for that hee hath said, hee would come shortly, when notwithstanding, more then 1500. yeeres are past, sithence the promise came out.

The shortnesse of the time must not be measured by our estimation, because we are of small endurance here in this world; but it must bee measured by the iudgement of God, with whom a thousand yeeres are but as one day.

Howbeit, it seemeth that hee should hasten that day more then he doth, for the aduantage of those that be his, considering that they are euill handled here in the world.

There are two causes of this delay: one, that the fulfilling of all that is prophesied should be, especial∣ly in the booke of Reuelation: the other, that none of the elect should perish: so that it is for the aduan∣tage of those that are his, that their Lord maketh no more hast; which ought to make vs patiently to wait for his comming.

Is there yet any further reason for the confutation of that godlesse opinion?

In that our Sauiour Christ hath declared, that his comming should bee sudden, as the thiefe in the night, that error is confuted; for it would not be so, if things should decay by little and little.

Notes

• Gen. 8.21.