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 and our final state will be found to be fixed and unalterable. It is to be feared that the Christian doctrine of judgment is oftener found upon our lips than in our hearts;—more talked about than understood. We connect it, perhaps, too closely with the judgments accomplished in this world by men who are prone to err every moment: but by doing so, we shall arrive at no rational knowledge of that judgment of which the Scriptures treat. The Apocalyptic divine says, "I saw the dead both small and great stand before God; and the books were opened; and another book was opened which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books according to their works." (Rev. xx. 12.) Here the actions, or works of men, are described as written in books, and that from their records judgment is passed. We must have read the Scriptures to little or no purpose, if we imagine that the books here mentioned are similar to those in this world, in which, by reason of our imperfect nature, it becomes expedient to record the transactions of men in books, for the use of posterity, as well as for general information. But to imagine that it is expedient for the God of heaven, who sees with a glance the whole of creation, and explores the thoughts both of angels and men, to write down the actions of men, in order to remember them, is a supposition that cannot for a moment be admitted. The "books" here alluded to, signify the interiors of the mind of man, because in them are inscribed all things pertaining to his life: these books are said to be opened, because in the other life, where judgment takes place, the interior state of the soul, as to all its affections and thoughts,