(4.) There is required Authority: For otherwise, if a Man should obtrude himself of his own accord, they may say to him, Who made thee a Judge over us? Or if he by mere force should assume this Power to himself, the Parties impleaded have a pretence of Right to decline his Tribunal, and appeal from him. Certainly, he that rewards must be Superior; and much more he that punisheth: For he that punisheth another, bringeth some notable Evil and Damage upon him; but for one to bring Evil upon another, unless he hath right to do it, is unjust. Therefore, good Authority is required in him that acts the Part of a Judge. These things, as they stand upon evident Reason, and are necessary in all Judicial Proceedings between Man and Man, so much more in this great and solemn Transaction of the Last Judgment. For this will be the greatest Court that ever was kept; both in respect of the Persons to be judged, which shall be all Men, and evil Angels; high and low, small and great, rich and poor, Princes and Subjects; and in respect of the Causes that shall be produced, the whole Business of the World for six thousand Years, or thereabouts; or the Retributions made, which shall be Punishments and Rewards of the highest Nature and Degree, because Everlasting. And therefore, there must be a Judge sought out, that is exactly knowing not only of Laws, but of all Persons and Causes: That all things shall be naked, and open to him with whom we have to do, Heb. 4.12, 13. and 1 Joh. 3.20. Again, exceeding Just, without the least spot and blemish of wrong Dealing: Gen. 18.25. Shall not the Judge of all the Earth do right? And, Rom. 3.5, 6. Is God unrighteous, that taketh Vengeance? God forbid: For then how shall God judge the World? It cannot be, that the universal and final Judgment of all the World should be committed to him, that hath or can do any thing wrongful and amiss. And then, that Power is necessary both to summon Offenders, and make them appear, and stand to the Judgment which he shall award, without any hope of escaping or resisting; will as easily appear: Because the Offenders are many, and they would fain hide their guilty Heads, and shun this Tribunal, if it were possible. Rev. 6.16. Say to the Mountains and Rocks, fall on us, and hide us from the Face of him that sitteth upon the Throne, and from the Wrath of the Lamb: But that must not, cannot be: Psal. 90.11.
(4.) There is required Authority: For otherwise, if a Man should obtrude himself of his own accord, they may say to him, Who made thee a Judge over us? Or if he by meer force should assume this Power to himself, the Parties impleaded have a pretence of Right to decline his Tribunal, and appeal from him. Certainly, he that rewards must be Superiour; and much more he that punisheth: For he that punisheth another, bringeth some notable Evil and Dammage upon him; but for one to bring Evil upon another, unless he hath right to do it, is unjust. Therefore, good Authority is required in him that acts the Part of a Judge. These things, as they stand upon evident Reason, and are necessary in all Judicial Proceedings between Man and Man, so much more in this great and solemn Transaction of the Last Judgment. For this will be the greatest Court that ever was kept; both in respect of the Persons to be judged, which shall be all Men, and evil Angels; high and low, small and great, rich and poor, Princes and Subjects; and in respect of the Causes that shall be produced, the whole Business of the World for six thousand Years, or thereabouts; or the Retributions made, which shall be Punishments and Rewards of the highest Nature and Degree, because Everlasting. And therefore, there must be a Judge sought out, that is exactly knowing not only of Laws, but of all Persons and Causes: That all things shall be naked, and open to him with whom we have to do, Heb. 4.12, 13. and 1 Joh. 3.20. Again, exceeding Just, without the least spot and blemish of wrong Dealing: Gen. 18.25. Shall not the Judge of all the Earth do right? And, Rom. 3.5, 6. Is God unrighteous, that taketh Vengeance? God forbid: For then how shall God judge the World? It cannot be, that the universal and final Judgment of all the World should be committed to him, that hath or can do any thing wrongful and amiss. And then, that Power is necessary both to summon Offenders, and make them appear, and stand to the Judgment which he shall award, without any hope of escaping or resisting; will as easily appear: Because the Offenders are many, and they would fain hide their guilty Heads, and shun this Tribunal, if it were possible. Rev. 6.16. Say to the Mountains and Rocks, fall on us, and hide us from the Face of him that sitteth upon the Throne, and from the Wrath of the Lamb: But that must not, cannot be: Psal. 90.11.
