Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/61



I. The  gospel  of  this  day  tells  us,  that  Jesus  Christ  is to  be  the  judge  of  all  mankind. We ought  to  dread  His judgment. 1. On  account  of  His  supreme  jurisdiction, from which  there  can  be  no  appeal. 2. On  account  of the  rigor  of  His  justice;  for  no  entreaties  can  affect  Him, no bribes  divert  the  course  of  His  justice. 3. On  account of His  infinite  knowledge,  from  which  nothing  can  be concealed. 4. Because  Jesus  Christ  will  not  only  be  the judge, but  also  the  party  offended.

II. How great  would  be  the  favor,  if  the  judge  himself should in  the  most  friendly  manner  visit  a  criminal  in his  prison,  and  inform  him  of  the  means  by  which  he might  secure  success  in  his  trial. This favor  Christ  will show you  this  day. Receive Him,  therefore,  as  He  deserves, with  love  and  gratitude,  and  now,  whilst  you  can, endeavor by  earnest  prayer  to  gain  His  favor  against  that dreadful day  on  which  prayers  and  entreaties  will  have no avail. That day  will  certainly  arrive,  and  perhaps sooner than  you  expect.

III. It is  your  duty,  then,  to  take  care  that  there  exist nothing in  your  soul  which  may  be  displeasing  in  the eyes of  your  pure  Judge  when  He  condescends  to  visit