respective bodies, however long ago, and in whatever various manner they may have been consumed, shall be restored to life, and be united to their souls ; the personal identity of every individual being preserved, and every one answering for the things which he himself did in the body.
As to the difficulties which may be supposed to prevent the execution of this design, it is sufficient to say, that God has pledged himself to accomplish it : and he who formed the whole creation out of nothing at first, will find no difficulty in re-uniting the scattered atoms of his creatures at the last day.]
The judgment shall then be passed on them in perfect righteousness —
[The actions of all will then be weighed in a perfect balance. Every thing that tended to enhance the value of them, or aggravate their malignity, shall be taken into con- sideration ; and the quality of them be ascertained with the utmost precision. Every word, every thought, yea, every ima- gination or counsel of the heart, shall then be brought to light, and have weight in augmenting our happiness or misery to all eternity d. The rewards indeed will be rewards of grace ; but still our good works shall be the measure according to which they shall be bestowed upon us : our punishments, on the other hand, will be proportioned exactly to our guilt and demerit : nor shall there be a creature in the universe who shall not acknowledge the equity of the Judge in these proceedings6.]
The foregoing truths were revealed, though with comparative obscurity, to the Jews : but in the New Testament, in addition to the fuller revelation there given of it, we are informed,
II. That Christ is the person by whom that judgment will be dispensed —
The Father, we are told, " hath committed all judg- ment to the Son," and " given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of manf :" and this appointment is in many respects desirable — [It is desirable for the vindication of his honour. Though he was the Son of God, " the brightness of his Father's glory, and the express image of his person," yet was he accounted " a worm and no man, a reproach of men, and despised of the people." But in that day will his reproach be rolled away ; and he will appear in his true character, " King of kings, and Lord of lords"
d Rom. ii. 16. I Cor. iv. o. ■ Rev. xv. 3. ' John v. 22, 27.