A Key to Open Scripture Metaphors, Book 2 · Part 1 · Subpart 21
God a Iudg.
Gen. 18.10, 25.
Shall not the Judg of all the Earth do Right?
Psal. 58.11.
Verily he is a God that judgeth in the Earth.
Psal. 82.1.
God standeth in the Congregation of the Righteous, he judgeth among the Gods.
GOD is really and properly a Judg, for he is the Judg of all the World, and therefore he is not brought here under the Notion of a Metaphorical Judg: But in regard this Term seems to be allusive to Earthly Judges, we think it may not be unprofitable to draw a Parallel, for the Edification of the Reader.
As there is nothing more frequently attributed to Almighty God in the Holy Scriptures, than the Title of Judg; so there is scarce any Attribute or Action of the Most High grounded upon more Reason: Of which take this following Account.
1. There is in the World, viz. on the whole Earth, a great and mighty People, for Number like to the Stars of Heaven, or Sands by the Sea-Shore.
2. There this numerous People are almost as various in their Humors, as they are in their Numbers, Ages, Sizes, and Complections: 'Tis very rare, if not impossible, to find two that in all Points do exactly accord.
3. That this numberless Multitude are all addicted to run byass to a particular thing call'd Self-love; and this too from an indissoluble Principle or Impression of Nature: 'Tis natural for all Men to love themselves.
4. That after they are grown up to some degree of Ripeness and Maturity, they have ready prepared to their Eyes the bad Examples of ill-living Souls, which too often have too great an Influence upon green and tender Plants, to winde them into extreme and irregular Designs and Motions.
5. There is, by Divine permission, a most troublesom and pernicious Adversary, suffered to range up and down the whole Earth, to try his Art and Skill, how far he can prevail to bring this vast Body into Tumult and Disorder; and 'tis not seldom that he doth prevail, to divide not only Emperors, Kings, Princes, Judges, Nobles, and Peasants; but Dukedoms, Principalities, Cities, Corporations, Villages, Families, Brothers, Sisters, Husbands, Wives, Fathers, and their own Children.
Now these things being premised, what unspeakable need is there of one supreme and universal Judg, to curb Exorbitancies, to umpire, decide, and put a period to Dissentions! Without whose Moderation, the World would be intolerably perplexed, harrassed and plagued with perpetual and endless Wars, Broils, Disorders and Confusions; and would hardly keep its station for any long Period of Time. For the moderating and preventing of all which, the God of the whole Earth hath undertaken to associate with the Rulers, and to judg amongst the Gods: In which Passage he is represented to us by the Similitude of a Judg, which carries a lively Figure and Resemblance of the Supreme Lord of the whole Earth, and that in these divers respects following.
Earthly Iudg.
I. IT appertains to a Judg to be good, and the best of Judges are so. Moses was advised to chuse thus by his Father Jethro. The Desire and Fruit of the Righteous is good.Prov: 11.23, 30.
II. It appertains to a Judg to be wise and prudent, or, as Jethro words it,Exod. 18.21. to be able. A foolish Ruler is a Shame and Reproach to any Nation or People; and there is not a more uncomely Sight in the World, than to see a Fool upon the Throne of a Kingdom, or Judgment-Seat.
III. It appertains to a Judg to be a Man of Knowledg, and well-skilled in the Laws and Statutes of a Kingdom, because he is to be the Expounder of the Law to the People.
IV. It appertains to a Judg to be a Man of Prudence, not only for the setling of right Methods, but to do Justice in a fit season.
V. It appertains to a Judg, to have good and right Laws to judg the People by, that there may be no cause of Grievances or Complaints.
VI. It appertains to a Judg to be impartial, and judg uprightly; not to know the Faces of any in Judgment, not to be corrupted by flattering Words, nor byassed by Bribes, nor misled by the Place and Dignity of Persons, of what rank or quality soever they be.
VII. It appertains to a Judg, to be just and equal in the proportions of Punishment and Severity, not lay any beyond due Desert, nor favour, when there is no reason for it. The Reward of Murther, Treason, Rebellion, Witchcraft, Blasphemy, is not to be given to petty Offenders.
VIII. It appertains to a Judg, to take nothing upon Trust, but to be satisfied that Matters are true. A Judg is not to act doubtfully, but see the Offender be clearly cast before he give Sentence.
IX. It appertains to a Judg, upon due Proof and Trial, to pass a definitive Sentence: If one Man sin against another, the Judg shall judg him.
X. It appertains to a Judg to be firm and steady to the Rules of Law and Justice, as immoveable as a Rock, a right way.
XI. It appertains to a Judg to consider the Cause of the Poor and Needy, to plead for the Widow and Fatherless, and them that have no Help, and deliver them out of their Distress, where Justice calls for it.
XII. It appertains to a Judg, to have a People under him to be judged.
XIII. It appertains to a Judg to be provided of Officers to execute his Sentence, else Judg and Law are of little signification; for according to the old Maxim, Execution is the Life of the Law.
XIV. It appertains to a Judg, to be feared, and had in reverence.
XV. It appertains to a Judg, to be cloathed or arrayed with Majesty and Terror.
XVI. A Judg hath power to reprieve or suspend the Execution of a Sentence.
XVII. It appertains to a Judg to give Orders for Execution, to deliver to the Officers when Sentence is past.
XVIII. It appertains to a Judg to punish Officers, if they exceed their due Bounds in punishing others.
XIX. It appertains to a Judg, to vindicate his own Honour, and the Justice of the Law he executes.
XX. It appertains to a Judg to mix Mercy with Judgment, where the Case will fairly admit of it.
XXI. A Judg in this World hath others to plead before him, as Counsel or Advocates for the Prisoner, to extenuate the Crime, and plead the Privileges allowed by Law.
XXII. It appertains to a Judg in this World, to have not only Rules of Law, but a Register of by-past Actions, that he may know what to do, if like Cases fall in future Times.
XXIII. A Judg usually hath great Attendance to bear him Company in the Time of Judgment.
XXIV. A Judg, when he peremptorily passeth Sentence, doth not recede and go back; the Sentence past abides.
Heavenly Iudg.
I. THis God is by way of Eminency, he is essentially good, good without any mixture of Evil. He is originally good; there is no Good in the whole Universe, but what he is the Root, Spring, and Fountain of. There is no Evil to befound in him; and as Seneca, he can do no evil nor hurtful thing. He is Good in the Abstract, Goodness it self. 1 Chron. 16.24. Psal. 25.8. Psal. 119.68.
II. This God is, beyond comprehension or expression; for all the Angels receive their Wisdom from him, all the Emperors, Kings, Princes, Nobles, and Judges of the Earth: In him are all the Treasures of Wisdom, and therefore called, Wisdom past finding out.
III. God, the Judg of all the Earth, is a God of Knowledg: Known unto the Lord are all his Works from the Beginning. He gives Knowledg to the Simple, and makes the Foolish of an understanding Heart; he makes known unto Men the great things of his Law; his Spirit searches into all Mysteries; he gives Skill in all Arts and Sciences, and there is no searching of his Understanding: When he undertakes to dispute, none can answer him one of a Thousand.
IV. In this the Lord, the great Judg, is beyond comparison; for he dwells with Prudence, and finds out Knowledg of witty Inventions; his Ways are perfect altogether. His Actions are so fitly timed, that he doth nothing out of season: 'Tis in due season he delivers the Needy, avengeth the Cause of his Elect, and plentifully rewards the proud Doers.
V. The chief Judg of all the Earth hath an ancient Statute-Book, that is suited to all Times and Seasons, to all Ages, Sexes, Conditions, and Constitutions of Men whatever: Every part of it is tried and proved, and found to be a perfect Law, in which are contained wondrous Things, Psal. 19.7. Psal. 119.1 Psal. 119.142.ever free from Deceit and Falshood. 'Tis marvellous pleasant and refreshing, sweeter than Honey, or the Honey-Comb; the Delight of good Men; a sure Guide to them in all their Ways; and none of its Commands are grievous, but all Duties required by it are reasonable.
VI. In this there is none so holy and upright as the Lord, who is no Respecter of Persons, hates flattering Words, and giving of Bribes; will spare none for the Dignity of their Birth, or Antiquity of their Lineage; but will do Justice according to Right and Law, whether it be upon Angels, Emperors, Kings, Princes, Priests, Prophets; his Church, that are his professed Friends, as well as upon the World, his professed Enemies. He will destroy his own anointed Ones, if they stand in opposition to Justice and Equity. Cities, Kingdoms, Towers, Temples, all shall fall, rather than Law and Justice be justled out of place. He spared not Angels, overthrew Kings, mighty Kings, with Kingdoms and Nations, Pharaoh King of Aegypt, Og King of Bashan, Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon, Darius King of Persia, and Alexander King of Greece; Herod King of Judea; Jerusalem and Samaria, with both their Kings. When once they come to be laid in the Ballance, and the Lord enter into Judgment with them; when he ties Judgment to the Line, and Righteousness to the Plummet: Noah, Daniel, and Job shall not save, when Truth, Law, and Justice calls for a cutting off. He will by no means spare the Guilty, when the Time of Forbearance is expired.
VII. Of this no Man shall have wherewith to accuse God, for he will not do more than is right, that Man should enter into Judgment with his Maker; nay, he will rather make abatement, than overdo. And this hath been owned in his Act of Judgment: Thou hast not dealt with us according to our Iniquities.
VII. In this case the Lord our Judg hath sufficiently approved himself; first, in respect of the Old World; secondly, in respect of Sodom and Gomorrah, where he would take nothing upon Trust, but come down himself, to see if things were so bad as they were represented to him. And for Israel and Judah, their Sins did testify to their Face, before he did execute Judgment upon them.Hosea 5.5
IX. To this in respect of God 'tis said, In the Day thou eatest thereof, Gen. 2.17.thou shalt surely die. Gen. 6.7.I will destroy Man from the Face of the Earth; and 'twas done. Pharaoh and his Host, that thou hast seen this day, thou shalt see no more for ever. Because thou didst not restrain thy Sons, I have rejected thee from being a Priest. Because thou hast caused my Name to be blasphemed, the Sword shall not depart from thy House. Because Nebuchadnezzar was lifted up with Pride, he shall be driven from his Throne. Dan. 4.25. & 5.22, 23.Because his Son did not humble, but harden his Mind, his Kingdom was numbred, finished, and translated to the Medes and Persians.
X. As for God, his Way is not only perfect, and his Word tried; but he is of one Mind, and there is none can turn him, in a Case of Right, Truth, and Justice. His Councel shall stand; for he is not as the Son of Man, that he should repent. With him is no variableness, Isa. 46.10. Mat. 3.6. Heb. 13.8. Jam. 1.17.nor shadow of turning. He is the same yesterday, to day, and for ever. He changeth not, will not alter the thing that is gone out of his Mouth.
XI. In this Jehovah is not behind-hand, for he is a God with whom the Fatherless find Mercy,Hos. 14.3. pities the Poor when he sees they have no Helper, breaks the Teeth of the old and young Lion, smites the Enemy upon the Cheek-Bone,Psal. 4.7. avengeth their Cause when they crie to him, and hath destroyed them, and their Posterity, who made long Prayers to devour Widows Houses.
XII. The Almighty hath a great and mighty People under him, even all the Inhabitants of the World, Europe, Asia, Africa, and America. He is God of all the Kingdoms of the World,Psal. 24.1. Psal. 98.9. and Judg of the whole Earth.
XIII. In this our high and mighty Judg doth overmatch all other Judges; for he is provided with Legions of Angels, all ready to observe his Dictates, and obey his Commands. The Devils are all subject to him; so that if he say, Go, they go; Do this, and they do it. Millions of Men are under his Influence; and as many Fowls of the Air, Beasts of the Field, and creeping Things of the Earth, to do his Will, to execute his Judgments; when he speaks the word, or lifts up his hand to them. They shall invade the Courts of Kings, enter the Chambers of Princes, fetch Emperors off their Thrones, bring them to Chains, Blocks, and Gibbets, when he passes Sentence, and gives Orders to do it.
XIV. God is to be feared, not only as a Creator, who can annihilate and dissolve, make Men cease to be; as a Father, who can love and rebuke; as a Lord, who can command, and give Orders: but as a Judg, who can punish in this World,1 Tim. 5.24. and bring Mens Sins beforehand to Judgment.
XV. With God is terrible Majesty,Job 37.22. and he rideth upon the high Places of the Earth.
XVI. God doth often reprieve and put off the Execution of Sentence, so that Delinquents are not speedily executed, but a Time given them to consider their ways.Gen. 6.3. The old World had one hundred and twenty years given them, before Judgment was executed. Judea, Jerusalem, and Samaria, continued a long time, before the Fury of the Almighty broke out upon them.
XVII. God sometimes gives Orders to Angels to punish, and execute his Sentence, when Men are out of the reach of human Hands; as in the case of Nebuchadnezzar, the Host of the Assyrians, and Herod the King. Tho great Men join hand in hand for Wickedness,Act. 12.23 yet shall they not go unpunished.
XVIII. God will punish those that himself employs, in case they exceed their Commission in any case that concerns his Act of Justice. He punished Assyria and Babylon, Isa. 47.6.for going beyond their Bounds in his own Works of Judgment against the Jews.
XIX. God, the great Judg, doth vindicate his own Honour, and the Justice of the Laws he executes, by giving Liberty to the People to testify against him,Jer. 2.5. Ezek 18.25. if they have wherewith to accuse; and demands of them what Evil their Fathers have seen in him; requires them to testify to his Face, if his Ways are in any point unequal.
XX. God, when he comes forth in a way of Judgment, doth not execute the fierceness of his Wrath; he is far from rendring to Men more than they deserve; he doth not reward according to their full demerit,Hab. 3.2. but in the midst of Judgment remembers Mercy.
XXI. God hath assigned an Advocate to plead, before he proceeds to Judgment. If any Man sin, 1 Joh. 2.2.we have an Advocate with the Father.
XXII. God hath not only made Laws, and published them, and will judg Men for wilful and reiterated Rebellions; but keeps a Register for the great Day, to be then opened; as it is written, Some Mens Sins go before-hand to Judgment, and they that are otherwise cannot be hid. The Judgment shall sit, and the Books shall be opened, and the Dead shall be judged out of those things which are written in the Books.
XXIII. God never judges alone: The Son is with him, the holy Spirit is with him; the Angels, and whole Court of Heaven do acquiesce in the Judgments that he executes.
XXIV. God, when he peremptorily pronounces Judgment, without reserve, it stands, and must abide. If he say, Pharaoh and his Host shall be seen no more for ever; Babylon, the Glory of the Chaldean Kingdom, shall be overthrown; Israel shall be removed; the Land shall be forsaken of both her Kings: If he publish the Decree, there is no changing his Determinations; his Judgment is like the Laws of the Medes and Persians. Abraham cannot save Sodom; nor Noah, Daniel or Job, Judah and Israel; but when a Decree of Judgment is gone forth, they must die by the Sword, For the Mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.