that God the Father judges the world by the Son. The supreme judiciary power is in the Godhead, and the exercise of that power is committed to Christ, as mediator-John v. 22. There is a peculiar fitness and propriety in this constitution: -1. It is fit that this high office should be conferred upon Christ, as an honorary reward for his extreme abasement and ignominious sufferings. 2. Inasmuch as men are to be judged after the resurrection in an embodied state, it is fit they should have a visible judge. 3. It is also fit that Christ should be the supreme judge, as it must contribute greatly to the consolation of the saints that they shall be judged by him who is a partaker of their nature, who redeemed them to God by his blood, and who is their advocate with the Father. 4. It may be added, that hereby the condemnation of the wicked will be rendered more conspicuously just; for if a Mediator-a Saviour-the Friend of sinners-condemn them, they must be worthy of condemnation indeed. III. We are next to consider the parties who shall appear before the tribunal of Christ. The Scripture says nothing of the judgment of good angels, but it clearly teaches that the apostate angels will be judged.-Jude 4; 2 Pet. ii. 4. That men universally shall stand before the judgment-seat of Christ is expressly declared.-2 Cor. v. 10. We are told that Christ "shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing."-2 Tim. iv. 1. This expression," the quick and the dead," comprehends all mankind. By the dead, are to be understood all who died before the period of Christ's coming to judgment; and by the quick, such as shall then be found alive. IV. The matter to be tried. This is expressed in the most comprehensive terms: "God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."-Eccl. xii. 14. All the works of the sons of men will be tried, and they shall receive according to what they have done in the body, whether good or evil. Not only the actions of the life, but also the words of men shall be judged; for our Saviour has assured us that "for every idle word which men shall speak, they shall give an account in the day of judgment."-Matt. xii. 36. And not only the actions and words, but also the very thoughts of men shall be brought into judgment; for we are told "God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ."--Rom. ii. 16. V. The sentence to be pronounced will be answerable to the several states in which mankind shall be found. They shall receive their doom according to their works.--Rev.xx.13. It is to be remarked, that the good works of the righteous will be produced in that day, not as the grounds of their acquittal, and of their being adjudged to eternal life, but as the evidences of their gracious state, as being interested in the righteousness of Christ. But the evil deeds of the wicked will be brought forward, not only as evidences of their being strangers to Christ, but also as the grounds of their condemnation. To the glorious company on his right hand the King will say: "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." How different the sentence that will be passed on the guilty crowd on his left hand! To them he will say: "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels." The sentence shall no sooner be passed than it shall be executed. While fallen angels and wicked men shall be driven from the presence of the Judge into the pit of eternal perdition, the righteous shall be conducted into heavenly mansions, and "shall go no more out." "These shall go away into everlasting punishment; but the righteous into life eternal." The same expression being applied to the happiness of the righteous and the punishment of the wicked, we may conclude that both will be of equal duration. 6 SECTION III.-As Christ would have us to be certainly persuaded that there shall be a day of judgment, both to deter all men from sin, and for the greater consolation of the godly in their adversity; so will he have that day unknown to men, that they may shake off all carnal security, and be always watchful, because they know not at what hour the Lord will come ; and may be ever prepared to say, Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly. Amen.' 2 Pet. iii. 11, 14. 2 Cor. v. 10, 11. 7 Matt. xxiv. 36, 42-44. Mark xiij 2 Thess. i. 5-7. Luke xxi. 27, 28. 35-37. Luke xii. 35, 36. Rom. viii. 23-25. Rev. xxii. 20. EXPOSITION. The day of the eternal judgment is fixed in the counsels of God; but, that we may be kept habitually watchful, the knowledge of that day is wisely concealed from us. Though a long series of ages may elapse before Christ shall come in the clouds of heaven to judge the world, let every one remember that the day of his own death is equally important to him as the day of the universal judgment; for where death leaves him, judgment will find him. Let him, therefore, "be diligent, that he may be found of God in peace, without spot and blameless." Let every reader study to improve the talents with which he is intrusted, and be solicitous to obtain the approbation of his Master in heaven. How highly will he commend all those who have been diligent and faithful in his service! He will bestow upon them that best of plaudits : "Well done, good and faithful servant;" and will introduce them into "the joy of their Lord." Well may the genuine believer "love the appearing" of Christ; for when Christ shall appear, he also shall appear with him in glory. And since Christ proclaims in his Word, "Surely I come quickly," let every Christian joyfully respond, "Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus." THE END. INDEX. Absolute, decrees of God are, 45. Adam, covenant of works made with him, 85; represented all his Adoption, meaning of the term, 138; difference between spiritual Anabaptists, the German, their principles, 241, 277. Antinomians, their doctrine respecting justification, 135; respecting Antipædobaptists opposed to infant baptism, 287. Arminians, Doctrine of, respecting the divine decrees, 45, 49; re- Ascension of Christ, 106. Assurance, difference between that of faith and that of sense, Atonement of Christ, the extent of, in regard to its objects, 112-114. Authenticity of the Scriptures, 8. Baptism, instituted by Christ, 283, 284; the ends of, 284, 285; water |