Human nature in its fourfold state ... In several practical discourses

Fourthly, The Judge shall sit down on the tribunal; he shall sit on the throne of his glory. Sometime he stood before a tribunal on earth, and was condemned as a malefactor: then shall he sit on his own tribunal, and judge the world. Sometime he hung upon the cross, covered with shame: then he shall sit on a throne of glory. What this throne shall be, whether a bright cloud, or what else, I shall not inquire. Our eyes will give an answer to that question at length. John saw a great white throne, Rev. xx. 11. His throne (says Daniel) was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire, chap. vii. 9. Whatever it be, doubtless it shall be a throne glorious beyond expression; and, in comparison with which, the most glorious throne on the earth is but a seat on a dunghill; and the sight of it will equally surprise kings, who sit on thrones in this life, and beggars, who sat in dunghills. It will be a throne, for stateliness ⟨p. 273⟩and glory, suited to the quality of him who shall sit on it Never had a judge such a throne, and never had a throne such a judge on it.

Leaving the discovery of the nature of the throne until that day, it concerns us more nearly to consider what a Judge will sit upon it; a point in which we are not left to uncertain conjectures. The Judge on the throne will be (1.) A visible Judge, visible to our bodily eyes, Rev. i. 7. Every eye shall see him When God give the law on m•n at Sinai, the people saw no similitude, only they heard a voice: but when he calls the world to an account, how they have observed his law; the man Christ being Judge, we shall see our Judge with our eyes, either to our eternal comfort or confusion; according to the entertainment we give him now. That very body which was crucified without the gates of Jerusalem, betwixt two thieves, shall then be seen on the throne, shining in glory. We now see him symbolically in the sacrament of his supper: the saints see him by the eye of faith: then, all shall see him with these eyes now in their heads. (2) A Judge having full authority and power, to render unto every one according to his works. Christ, as God, hath authority of himself; and as Mediator, he hath a judicial power and authority, which his Father has invested him with, according to the covenant betwixt the Father and the Son, for the redemption of sinners. And his divine glory will be a light, by which all men shall see clearly to read his commission for this great and honourable employment. All power is given unto him in heaven and in earth, Matth. xxviii 18. He hath the keys of hell and of death,