Page:A Compendium of the Chief Doctrines of the True Christian Religion.djvu/143

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TRUE CHRISTIAN RELIGION.
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created, that is, a new church, which succeeded the former, and may be called the Ancient Church. The last judgment of this second general church, which included many particular churches, was when it came to it's consummation by the many idolatries, to which it gave birth. Immediately after this was raised up the Representative of a Church among the posterity of Jacob; the last judgment upon which and upon the remains of former churches took place at the time of the Lord's first coming into the world. The prophet Isaiah speaks of this judgment, to be accomplished by the Lord, in the following terms: "Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that, speak in righteousness, mighty to save. I have trodden the wine-press alone: I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. For the day of vengeance is in my heart, and the year of my redeemed is come," Isa. lxiii. 1, 3, 4. Hence it appears, that judgment and redemption commence at the same time.

The Lord himself also, when he was in the act of fulfilling the ancient prophecies, and executing the judgment, says, "Now is the judgment of this world; now shall the prince of this world be cast out," John xii. 31. Again, "For judgment I am come into this world," John ix. 39. In another place, "Verily verily I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself, so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; and hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of Man," John v. 25,