Thirdly, In the last place, I must inform you that God in ordaining §3Christ to be the Judge,1 hath very highly exalted him. This will be very much for his honour. For in this Christs Royal dignity will be illustrated beyond what ever it was since he took our nature, till that day. Now he will appear in his glory. For
First, This act of Judging pertaining properly to the Kingly Office, Christ will be glorified as much in his Kingly Office, as he hath been in either of the other. We find but some few glimpses of his Kingly Office, breaking forth in this world; as his riding with Hosannas into Jerusalem. His whipping the buyers and sellers out of the Temple. His Title upon the Cross, &c. But these were but faint beams: now that Office will shine in its glory, as the Sun in the midst of the Heavens. For what were the Hosannas of little Children, in the streets of Jerusalem, to the shouts and acclamations of thousands of Angels, and ten thousands of Saints? What was his whipping the profane out of the Temple, to his turning the wicked into Hell; and sending his Angels to gather out of his Kingdom every thing that offendeth? What was a Title written by his Judge, and fixed on the ignominious Tree, to the name that shall be now seen on his Vesture, and on his Thigh; Lord of Lords, and King of Kings?
Secondly, This will be a display of his glory in the highest, before the whole world. For there will be present at once and together all the Inhabitants of Heaven and Earth, and Hell. Angels must be there to attend and minister; those glistering Courtiers of Heaven must attend his person. So that Heaven will for a time, be left empty of all its Inhabitants. Men and Devils must be there to be judged. And before this great Assembly, will Christ appear ⟨p. 596⟩in Royal Majesty that day. He will (to allude to that Text, Isa. 24.23.) reign before his Ancients gloriously. For he will come to be glorified in his Saints, and to be admired in all them that believe, 2 Thes. 1.10. The inhabitants of the three Regions, Heaven, Earth, and Hell shall rejoice, or tremble before him that day. And acknowledge him to be supreme Lord and King.
Thirdly, This will roll away for ever the reproach of his death. For Pilate and the High Priest that Judged him at their bars, shall now stand quivering at his bar; with Herod that set him at nought, the Soldiers and Officers that traduced and abused him.
Thirdly, In the last place, I must inform you that God in ordaining §3Christ to be the Judge,1 hath very highly exalted him. This will be very much for his honour. For in this Christs Royal dignity will be illustrated beyond what ever it was since he took our nature, till that day. Now he will appear in his glory. For
First, This act of Judging pertaining properly to the Kingly Office, Christ will be glorified as much in his Kingly Office, as he hath been in either of the other. We find but some few glimpses of his Kingly Office, breaking forth in this world; as his riding with Hosannahs into Ierusalem. His whipping the buyers and sellers out of the Temple. His Title upon the Cross, &c. But these were but faint beams: now that Office will shine in its glory, as the Sun in the midst of the Heavens. For what were the Hosannahs of little Children, in the streets of Ierusalem, to the shouts and acclamations of thousands of Angels, and ten thousands of Saints? What was his whipping the prophane out of the Temple, to his turning the wicked into Hell; and sending his Angels to gather out of his Kingdom every thing that offendeth? What was a Title written by his Judge, and fixed on the ignominous Tree, to the name that shall be now seen on his Vesture, and on his Thigh; Lord of Lords, and King of Kings?
Secondly, This will be a display of his glory in the highest, before the whole world. For there will be present at once and together all the Inhabitants of Heaven and Earth, and Hell. Angels must be there to attend and minister; those glistering Courtiers of Heaven must attend his person. So that Heaven will for a time, be left empty of all its Inhabitants. Men and Devils must be there to be judged. And before this great Assembly, will Christ appear ⟨p. 596⟩in Royal Majesty that day. He will (to allude to that Text, Isa. 24.23.) raign before his Ancients gloriously. For he will come to be glorified in his Saints, and to be admired in all them that believe, 2 Thes. 1.10. The inhabitants of the three Regions, Heaven, Earth, and Hell shall rejoyce, or tremble before him that day. And acknowledge him to be supream Lord and King.
Thirdly, This will roll away for ever the reproach of his death. For Pilate and the High Priest that Judged him at their bars, shall now stand quivering at his bar; with Herod that set him at nought, the Souldiers and Officers that traduced and abused him.
- 1That this Judgement makes for Christs Honour.
