An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty-fifth, thirty-sixth, and thirty-seventh chapters of…

When Judgement is said to be before the Lord, it may be taken three ways, (so we find it in the Scripture) First, we read there of Judgement as it is opposed to mercy. These terrible and dreadful Judgements of God are every where spoken of. Secondly, Judgement is opposed to imprudence and want of understanding or discretion; Judgement is a wise and clear sight or apprehension of things; as we say such a one is a Judicious man, or a man of a great Judgement. Thirdly, Judgement is opposed to injustice or to unrighteousness; thus we do judgement and justice. Many have a great stock of judgement or understanding, who yet will do little judgment, that is, little justice, they have a right understanding of things, yet will do little or nothing right. Here, when it is said, Judgment is before him, we are to understand it in the two latter senses; for though it be a great truth that judgment as opposed to mercy, is before the Lord, And he shall have judgement without mercy, that hath showed no mercy, though (as the Apostle adds in the same place James 2.13.) Mercy rejoiceth (or glorieth) against Judgement; The Lord hath judgements, all manner of judgements about him, yet that notion of judgement doth not belong to this place, but the two latter. Judgement is before him; that is, he is a God of infinite understanding and wisdom, he seeth every thing to the utmost, he goes to the bottom of every mans case, yea, to the very bottom of every mans heart; he sees every action quite through, and every person: And as he knows the truth of every mans cause and case, so he will do every man right, according to the merit of his cause and case. Justice and Judgement are the habitation of his throne, while clouds and darkness are round about him, (Psal. 97.2.) that is, though present dispensations are obscure (as in Jobs case) yet both the procedure and dealings of God, as also the issue or determination which he gives in every matter, is just and righteous to all men, as well as gracious and comfortable to good and upright-hearted men. Thus, Judgement, or this judgement is always before him, ⟨p. 109⟩that is, he hath a clear sight of it, and he is ready to do it.

When Judgement is said to be before the Lord, it may be taken three wayes, (so we find it in the Sc ipture) First, we read there of Judgement as it is opposed to mercy. These terrible and dreadful Judgements of God are every where spoken of. Secondly, Judgement is opposed to imprudence and want of understanding or discretion; Judgement is a wise and clear sight or apprehension of things; as we say such a one is a Judicious man, or a man of a great Judgement. Thirdly, Judgement is opposed to injustice or to unighteousness; thus we do judgement and justice. Many have a great stock of judgement or understanding, who yet will do little judgment, that is, little justice, they have a right understanding of things, yet will do little or nothing right. Here, when it is said, Judgment is before him, we are to understand it in the two latter senses; for though it be a great truth that judgment as opposed to mercy, is before the Lord, And he shall have judgement without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy, though (as the Apostle adds in the same place