Question 52

THE ARGVMENT.

Christes comming againe to iudgement. 2 The fruit or comfort thereof.

What comfort dooth Christes comming againe to judge the quicke and the dead bring to thee?

That in all miseries and persecutions, I lift vp my head, and waite for him, who did before stand in my stead before Gods iudgmēt seat, & did^a falte away all curse from me, to come from heauen as a Iudge, to throwe all his and mine enemies into euerlasting paines, and to^b receiue me with al the elect vnto himself, into heauenly ioies and euerlasting glorie.^c

The vse

Which being so, it is likewise most meet that every one of vs should so prepare himselfe, that he may so much the more comfortably look for, and be ready to receiue such a Iudge, that shalbe soe gratious and so mercifull vnto him. And wee shall duely prepare our selues to the iudgment of Christ, if following his counsell, Wee haue our loynes girded vppe, and our lamps burning: that is, if first wee haue fayth the true marriage garment, which leaneth vpon a sure foundation, to wit, the merite of Christ alone, who deliuereth vs from the wrath to come.^d