II. For what purposes. III. For what reasons God has so ordered it, that ministers and their people shall then meet together in such a manner, and for such purposes. I. I would show, in some particulars, in what manner ministers, and the people who have been under their care, shall meet one another at the day of judgment. Concerning this I would observe two things in general. 1. That they shall not then meet only as all mankind must then meet, but there will be something peculiar in the manner of their meeting. 2. That their meeting together at that time shall be very different from what used to be in the house of God in this world. 1. They shall not meet at that day as all the world must then meet together. I would observe a difference in two things. (1) As to a clear actual view, and distinct knowledge and notice of each other. Although the whole world will be then present, all mankind of all generations gathered in one vast assembly, with all of the angelic nature, both elect and fallen angels; yet we need not suppose that every one will have a distinct and particular knowledge of each individual of the whole assembled multitude, which will undoubtedly consist of many millions of millions. Though 'tis probable that men's capacities will be much greater than in the present state, yet they will not be infinite; though their understanding and comprehension will be vastly extended, yet men will not be deified. There will probably be a very enlarged view that particular persons will have of various parts and members of that vast assembly, and so of the proceedings of that great day; but yet it must needs be, that according to the nature of finite minds, some persons and some things at that day shall fall more under the notice of particular persons than others; and this (as we may well suppose) according as they shall have a nearer concern with some than others, in the transactions of the day. There will be special reason why those who have had special concerns together in this world, in their state of probation, and whose mutual affairs will be then to be tried and judged, should especially be set in one another's view. Thus we may suppose that rulers and subjects, earthly judges and those whom they have judged, neighbors who have had mutual converse, dealings and contests, heads of families and their children and servants, shall then meet, and in a peculiar distinction be set together. And especially will it be thus with ministers and their people. 'Tis evident by the text that these shall be in each other's view, shall distinctly know each other, and shall have particular notice one of another at that time. (2) They shall meet together, as having a special concern one with another in the great transactions of that day.