9. But then what advocate shall we
have? What pretext? What false excuse? What plausible
artifice? What device contrary to the truth will impose upon the
court, and rob it of its right judgment, which places in the balance
for us all, our entire life, action, word, and thought, and weighs
against the evil that which is better, until that which preponderates
wins the day, and the decision is given in favour of the main tendency;
after which there is no appeal, no higher court, no defence on the
ground of subsequent conduct, no oil obtained from the wise virgins, or
from them that sell, for the lamps going out, S. Matt. xxv. 8. no
repentance of the rich man wasting away in the flame, S. Luke xvi. 24. and begging for repentance for his friends,
no statute of limitations; but only that final and fearful
judgment-seat, more just even than fearful; or rather more fearful
because it is also just; when the thrones are set and the Ancient of
days takes His seat, Dan. vii. 9. and the books are
opened, and the fiery stream comes forth, and the light before Him, and
the darkness prepared; and they that have done good shall go into the
resurrection of life, S. John v. 29. now hid in
Christ Col. iii. 3. and to be
manifested hereafter with Him, and they that have done evil, into the
resurrection of judgment, S. John v. 29. to which they who
have not believed have been condemned already by the word which judges
them. S. John iii. 18; xii. 48. Some will be welcomed by the
unspeakable light and the vision of the holy and royal Trinity, Which
now shines upon them with greater brilliancy and purity and unites
Itself wholly to the whole soul, in which solely and beyond all else I
take it that the kingdom of heaven consists. The others among
other torments, but above and before them all must endure the being
outcast from God, and the shame of conscience which has no limit.
But of these anon.