clouds, to meet the Lord in the air._[87] Triumph now, O Christian, in these promises; thou shalt shortly triumph in their performance. _This is the day which the Lord will make, we shall rejoice and be glad in it._[88] The grave, that could not keep our Lord, cannot keep us. He arose for us, and by the same power will cause us to arise. _For if we believe that Jesus died, and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him._[89] Let us never look at the grave, but let us see the resurrection beyond it. Yea, let us _be steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as we know our labor is not in vain in the Lord_.[90] [Footnote 84] 2 Corinthians v, 4. [Footnote 85] 2 Corinthians v, 1. [Footnote 86] 1 Corinthians xv, 42-44, 52. [Footnote 87] 1 Thessalonians iv, 16, 17. [Footnote 88] Psalm cxviii, 24. [Footnote 89] 1 Thessalonians iv, 14. [Footnote 90] 1 Corinthians xv, 58. § 5. (3.) Part of this prologue to the saint's rest, is the public and solemn process at their judgment, where they shall first themselves be acquitted and justified, and then with Christ judge the world. Young and old, of all estates and nations, that ever were from the creation to that day, must here come, and receive their doom. O terrible! O joyful day! Terrible to those that have forgot the coming of their Lord! Joyful to the saints, whose waiting and hope was to see this day! Then shall the world _behold the goodness and severity of God; on them which perish, severity; but_ to his chosen, _goodness_.[91] Every one must _give an account of his stewardship_.[92] Every talent of time, health, wit, mercies, afflictions, means, warnings, must be reckoned for. The sins of youth, those which they had forgotten, and their secret sins, shall all be laid open before angels and men. They shall see the Lord Jesus, whom they neglected, whose word they disobeyed, whose ministers they abused, whose servants they hated, now sitting to judge them. Their own consciences shall cry out against them, and call to their remembrance all their misdoings. Which way will the wretched sinner look? Who can conceive the terrible thoughts of his heart? Now the world cannot help him; his old companions cannot; the saints neither can, nor will. Only the Lord Jesus can; but, there is the misery, he will not. Time was, _sinner_, when Christ would, and you would not; now, fain would you, and he will not. All in vain, to cry _to the mountains, and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth upon the throne_;[93] for thou hast the Lord of mountains and rocks for thine enemy, whose voice they will obey, and not thine. _I charge thee therefore, before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead, at his appearing, and his kingdom_,[94] that thou set thyself seriously to ponder on these things. [Footnote 91] Romans xi, 21. [Footnote 92] Luke xvi, 2. [Footnote 93] Revelation vi, 16.